AUTHOR=Kothari Simple F. , Nascimento Gustavo G. , Jakobsen Mille B. , Nielsen Jørgen F. , Kothari Mohit 

TITLE=Effectiveness of Standard Oral Care Plan During Hospital Stay in Individuals With Brain Injury

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.714167

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.714167

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To investigate the effectiveness of an existing standard oral care program (SOCP) and factors associated with it during hospitalization in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).</p><p><bold>Material and Methods:</bold> A total of 61 individuals underwent a SOCP for 4 weeks in a longitudinal observational study. Rapidly noticeable changes in oral health were evaluated by performing plaque, calculus, bleeding on probing (BOP) and bedside oral examination (BOE) at weeks 1 and 5. Individuals' brushing habits, eating difficulties, and the onset of pneumonia were retrieved from their medical records. Association between oral-health outcomes to systemic variables were investigated through multilevel regression models.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Dental plaque (<italic>P</italic> = 0.01) and total BOE score (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) decreased over time but not the proportion of dental calculus (<italic>P</italic> = 0.30), BOP (<italic>P</italic> = 0.06), and tooth brushing frequency (<italic>P</italic> = 0.06). Reduction in plaque and BOE over time were negatively associated with higher periodontitis scores at baseline (coef. −6.8; −1.0), respectively, which in turn were associated with an increased proportion of BOP (coef. ≈ 15.0). An increased proportion of calculus was associated with eating difficulties (coef. 2.3) and the onset of pneumonia (coef. 6.2).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Nursing care has been fundamental in improving oral health, especially reducing dental plaque and BOE scores. However, our findings indicate a need for improving the existing SOCP through academic-clinical partnerships.</p><p><bold>Clinical Relevance:</bold> Early introduction of oral care program to brain-injured individuals is beneficial in reducing plaque accumulation and improving oral health.</p>