PP149 - MAYBE WE SHOULD REFER EARLIER - CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS REFERRED TO DENTAL HYGIENIST

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PP149

MAYBE WE SHOULD REFER EARLIER - CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS REFERRED TO DENTAL HYGIENIST

F. H. Odgaard1,*, C. S. Taylor 2, A. Dzinic 2, A. H. Langballe 2, M. H. Pedersen 2, N. K. Jørgensen 2, L. B. Skadhauge 1, R. Tobberup 1, M. Holst1,2, S. Mikkelsen 1

1Department of Gastroenterology, Center for Nutrition and Intestinal Failure, Aalborg University Hospital, 2Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

 

Rationale: Oral health plays a significant role in the overall well-being of hospitalized patients, and poor oral hygiene can contribute to a range of complications. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients were associated with the level of oral care provided by a dental hygienist (DH).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort quality improvement study in patients referred to DH by doctors, nurses or dieticians.  Patients were assigned one of three levels of care: preventative, extended and advanced – based on assessment by the DH. Statistical analysis included the following: Chi2 test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test, simple logistic regression analysis, Poisson regression models and Cox regression.

Results: A total of 483 patients received oral health interventions, where 14.9%, 74,3% and 10.8% received preventative, extended and advanced care, respectively. Compared to preventative care, patients receiving advanced care had higher risk of mortality (HR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.36-4.12). Among patients readmitted within six months, patients who had received extended or advanced care had shorter length of stay (LOS) (IRR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.38-0.67) and fewer infection-related diagnosis. No difference was observed regarding LOS during primary hospitalization or number of readmissions.

Conclusion: This study found that poor oral health and the need for advanced care from the DH during hospitalization was associated with higher mortality, whereas extended or advanced care was associated with fewer infections during readmissions as well as shorter LOS during readmission. Further studies should focus on the preventative potential of proactive, structured oral care in hospitals.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared