INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION BETWEEN NURSES AND DENTISTS IN HOSPITAL-BASED ORAL CARE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract Hospitalized patients, especially those in intensive care, stroke, and rehabilitation wards, are vulnerable to poor oral health and aspiration pneumonia. Interprofessional collaboration between nurses and dental professionals improve outcomes by combining continuous bedside care with specialist assessment and treatment. We systematically reviewed hospital-based studies reporting nurse–dentist (or dental hygienist) collaboration and patient outcomes. Twelve original studies met inclusion criteria: one randomized controlled trial, eight cohort, quasi-experimental ICU, stroke, or rehabilitation ward studies, and three multi-year retrospective analyses. Across settings, collaborative models most commonly included nurse-delivered routine oral care plus dentist or dental hygienist assessment, treatment, protocol leadership, and staff training. The randomized trial in a general ICU showed reduced lower respiratory tract infections when dentists added comprehensive oral care to nursing protocols. Several quasi-experimental ICU studies reported reductions in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or mortality when dentists or hygienists led intensive oral care programs; stroke and rehabilitation ward studies linked dentist/dental hygienist participation with lower pneumonia risk, better swallowing function, improved activities of daily living, and higher home-discharge rates. Evidence quality varied (nonrandomized designs and confounding were common). Nurse and dentist collaboration are beneficial and safe in hospital oral care, particularly for preventing pneumonia and supporting functional recovery. High-quality multicenter trials should refine team composition, workflow, and outcome-focused protocols.