Oral manifestations in patients admitted to the ICU of a Public Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: during the stay in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), hospitalized patients are more vulnerable to changes in the oral cavity resulting from the use of artificial respiration equipment and the immunocompromised state in which they are found. Objective: to identify the main oral manifestations in patients admitted to an ICU, as well as to verify the knowledge of professionals responsible for oral hygiene. Methodology: this is a descriptive quantitative study with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained from the patient’s medical records and through an intraoral clinical examination. For professionals responsible for oral hygiene, a questionnaire was used. The analyses were performed in the SPSS version 21.0 program in a descriptive way. Results: the oral manifestations with the highest incidence were tongue coating, dental biofilm, candidiasis, due to the quality of oral hygiene provided and low immunity. Oral and systemic findings related to patients with longer hospital stays were lip dryness, angular cheilitis, depapilated tongue, candidiasis and pneumonia. All professionals responsible for oral hygiene of patients had technical training in nursing and were unaware of important alterations such as dental biofilm and nosocomial pneumonia. Conclusion: the data from this study allow us to conclude that despite the constancy with which oral hygiene is performed, there is a high frequency of oral lesions in critical ICU patients. Evidencing the role of quality oral hygiene assistance, highlighting the importance of the dentist's role in multidisciplinary teams, since the risk of oral infectious foci can contribute to the aggravation and worsening of the clinical condition of patients.