Assessment of Oral Conditions among Patients in Intensive Care Units in the Port Region of Baixada Santista, SP, Brazil

Aims: The worsening of oral health conditions, with a deficit in oral hygiene care and the absence of daily care for patients in intensive care units (ICU), make the dental surgeon an extremely important professional at the hospital level. The objective of this study was to assess the oral conditions of patients in the intensive care units in the port region of Baixada Santista, SP, Brazil. Study Design: Observational, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Intensive Care Units at Hospital Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos, between August and December of 2023. Methodology: This was a descriptive analysis study using medical records and evaluations of patients treated by the Hospital Dentistry team at the Hospital Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos. During the consultations, information regarding the patients' oral and systemic health was collected. The study lasted 4 months, with the participation of hospitalized patients of all ages, genders and races. In view of the number of beds at the hospital, 500 patients were evaluated. Results: The results are presented with a selection of frequencies and percentages of all variables. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15 for all participants, both female and male. Main results: 132 participants (26.5%) had total edentulism in the upper arch and 83 participants (16.6%) had total edentulism in the lower arch. The mean number of teeth present was 17.4 ±10.5 (range: 0.0–32.0). The mean number of decayed teeth was 0.6 ±1.5 (range: 0.0–17.0). The mean number of teeth indicated for extraction was 0.8 ±2.0 (range: 0.0–17.0). 395 patients (79.2%) had biofilm; 360 (72.1%) had coated tongue; 301 (60.3%) had dental calculus; 166 participants (33.3%) had periodontal disease and 76 (15.2%) had caries lesions. Conclusion: The analysis revealed that many patients presented unfavorable oral conditions that can negatively impact their systemic health. This study highlights the importance of oral health care in patients in intensive care units.