Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral Hygiene Practice among Hospitalized Patients: An Assessment by Dental Hygiene Students
Saturnino Marco Lupi1, Maurizio Pascadopoli2, Carolina Maiorani3
1Unit of Oral Surgery and Implantology, Section of Dentistry, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Aim:
An epidemiological study was carried out, in hospital wards, with the aim of assessing the oral health status of patients subjected to multiple medical treatments.
Material And Methods:
The study was conducted at Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia, Italy). A questionnaire was submitted to patients for the evaluation of oral hygiene devices used; then, a clinical examination was conducted to collect Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Plaque Index (PI), and Marginal Gingival Index (MGI) values.
Results:
Manual toothbrushes were used by a wide range of the sample study (65-100% among hospital wards), together with mouthwash (20-80%); interproximal aids were used by few patients (the lowest recorded value was 33.3%).
Conclusion:
dental hygienists could be integrated into hospital wards as oral hygiene procedure instructors, for the improvement of the oral health conditions of hospitalized patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
01:19Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps
The hand washing procedure itself includes the following steps. First, cover cuts, if any, on hands with a waterproof dressing. Cuts and abrasions can become contaminated with bacteria hindering the ability to clean the area thoroughly. In addition, repeated hand washing can worsen an injury. The nails must be short and clean, without nail...
01:26Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System II: Inspection and Palpation