Oral health of patients under short hospitalization period: observational study

• DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.12250
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12T08:50:24Z
• Authors: Lucas L. A. Sousa; Wagner L. S. e. S...; Regina F. Mendes; José M. Moita Neto; Raimundo R. Prado...
• Keywords: Male; Inpatients; Health Status; Dental Plaque Index; Dental Plaque; Oral Health; Length of Stay; Middle Aged; Oral Hygiene; Gingivitis; Patient Discharge; 3. Good health; Hospitalization; 03 medical and health sciences; Patient Admission; 0302 clinical medicine; Biofilms; Income; Educational Status; Humans; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Follow-Up Studies

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of hospitalization on the oral health status of individuals hospitalized for a short period of time.Material and MethodsThis was an observational study of hospitalized patients. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) was measured at baseline (T0 – first 24 h of hospital admission), and at 3 (T1), 7 (T2), 14 (T3) days.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐two patients were examined at baseline (T0), 35 examined at 3 days (T1), 23 at 7 days (T2) and 16 at 14 days (T3). The main reason for loss of patients was hospital discharge. The mean PI increased at T1 (0.97–1.21; p < 0.001), at T2 (1.06–1.30; p < 0.007) and at T3 (1.19–1.44; p < 0.03). Gingival index (GI) increased at T2 (0.74–0.96; p < 0.04) and at T3 (0.74–0.96; p < 0.02).ConclusionOral health, assessed through PI and GI, deteriorates after a short period of hospitalization.