This post from Staten Island Dental Care focuses on an article that appeared recently on ScienceDaily.com. The article describes a study of Brazilian ICU patients that compared infection rates of those who received enhanced dental health care against those who didn’t. The patients who received the more intense care were 56 percent less likely to develop a respiratory infection during their stay.
“Enhanced dental care included teeth brushing, tongue scraping, removal of calculus, atraumatic restorative treatment of caries, tooth extraction and topical application of chlorhexidine corresponding to each patients’ needs four to five times a week. Comparatively, regular treatment consisted of mechanical cleansing using gauze followed by topical application of chlorhexidine three times a day.”1
“Bacteria causing healthcare-associated infections often start in the oral cavity,” said Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues, MD, lead author of the study. “This study suggests that having a dentist provide weekly care as part the ICU team may improve outcomes for vulnerable patients in this setting.”1
If a member of your family has serious health matters, you may want to talk to their doctor about the oral health implications of their condition.
Though this study pertains to ICU patients, it is also a reminder to all of us. Receiving consistent quality dental care and practicing proper daily oral hygiene is essential for everyone. Some patients have an inaccurate view of oral health – they seem to have the notion that it exists autonomously. It is actually interdependent with general physical health.
At Staten Island Dental Care, we see ourselves as key members of your health care team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. If you are looking for a comfortable dental practice in Staten Island, give us a call. We provide general and restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry, including dental implants. Make an appointment today.
1Wanessa T. Bellissimo-Rodrigues, Mayra G. Menegueti, Gilberto G. Gaspar, Edson A. Nicolini, Maria Auxiliadora-Martins, Anibal Basile-Filho, Roberto Martinez, Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues. Effectiveness of a Dental Care Intervention in the Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Nosocomial Infections among Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2014; 35 (11): 1342 DOI: 10.1086/678427
Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:
718-761-5757
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1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314
