Oral health collaboration focuses on improved ICU patient outcomes

A new research collaboration this year aims to discover how intensive care patient health outcomes can be improved through oral hygiene.

The research will be delivered as part of a partnership between Metro North Oral Health Services, the School of Dentistry – University of Queensland and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Metro North Oral Health Services Dental Specialist Dr Claudia Lopez Silva said the mouth was a key area for microorganisms to develop which could cause infections in other parts of the body.

“Dental plaque bacteria can build up and increases the risk of respiratory tract infections, especially in critically ill patients,” Dr Silva said.

“For patients in intensive care, it is important that mouth care is performed twice per day, to get the balance right and prevent infections from developing.”

Dr Silva said by improving oral hygiene in vulnerable Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients it was expected that the rate of respiratory infections will be reduced, as well as the need for these patients to receive antibiotics.

“As part of the initial research, better oral health awareness and training will be delivered to Registered Nurses in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital ICU,” Dr Silva said.

“Special needs dentistry postgraduate research students will provide face-to-face support to ICU registered nurses to guide them through procedures and practical instructions to build on their knowledge and skills, as well as oral hygiene application.

“This will be coupled with individualised oral hygiene care plans and e-learning modules for patients with the intent of improving patient outcomes.”

It is anticipated that the integration of special needs dentistry postgraduate research students from the University of Queensland’s School of Dentistry will create a unique model of care that will be able to be replicated state and Australia wide.

Dr Silva said this would also create a sustainable professional network between ICU staff and special needs dentistry research students.

The research collaboration will begin in July 2022 and run for six months, with findings expected in early 2023.

Outcomes of the project will be published in a peer reviewed journal and lead to the development of Metro North Health guidelines for oral healthcare of critically ill patients.