Professional Oral Care and Staff Education in Critically Ill Patients

This study evaluated oral health in critically ill patients admitted to two intensive care units in Budapest, Hungary, and examined whether professional oral care and education of intensive care staff could improve oral hygiene. A total of 161 adult patients were included. Dentate patients in the first phase were randomly assigned to receive either professional oral care provided by dentists or standard oral care provided by ICU nursing staff. Total edentulous patients were included in a separate group. After a structured oral care education programme was provided to ICU staff, subsequently enrolled patients were included in a separate post-education group. Oral hygiene and gingival inflammation were assessed repeatedly during the ICU stay.