Oral care for in-patients: current practice—future directions

The physical condition of a persons’ mouth, lips, teeth, gums and tongue is necessary to maintain the health and wellbeing of hospitalised patients. Poor oral condition can lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality.

Currently, there is no standardised process for oral health assessment in the mental health and acute medical areas of hospitals. Many mental health and acute medical patients presenting to health care settings have compromised oral health, which can lead to a range of health problems, some of which are systemic in nature.

This study, which commenced in 2011, examined the state of oral health of patients presenting to a variety of healthcare specialties in a major metropolitan hospital (areas included were acute medical and mental health). This information provides baseline data to further examine the knowledge of oral care practices of hospital nurses in those areas, and the development and evaluation of an evidence-based oral care clinical pathway. The key areas considered in this research includes a focus on an assessment of oral status and oral care needs during admission, the provision of and support for daily oral care for patients, and accessing (via referral) of oral treatment services if required.