Importância do cirurgião-dentista na prevenção de infecções bucais em pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

In Brazil, dentistry was regulated with Law 4,324/64 and Law 5,081/66. The dentist must work in several areas of health, including in a hospital environment, especially for hospitalized patients, oral health is essential for the patient, and his negligence can lead to additional complications, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICU). The objective of the study was to evaluate the importance of the dentist in preventing oral infections in patients admitted to the ICU, describe the risks of oral infections in critically ill patients and analyze the importance of dental intervention to prevent and treat these infections. An Integrative Literature Review, descriptive-exploratory, was carried out on the role of the dental surgeon in hospital and intensive care units. The databases used were SciELO and PubMed, with the descriptors: dental surgeon, hospital dentistry, intensive care unit. The inclusion criteria were articles with full text available online, in English and Portuguese, and belonging to the period from 2020 to 2024. The analysis of the selected articles followed Bardin's content analysis. 20 studies were used to compose the research. The presence of a dentist in hospitals is essential for the health of patients, especially in ICUs. Studies have shown that improving oral hygiene reduces the occurrence of respiratory pathologies, use of antimicrobials, mortality and length of stay. The main risk factors for oral infections include low immunity, mechanical ventilation and poor oral hygiene, which can lead to complications such as nosocomial pneumonia and bacterial endocarditis. The dentist plays a crucial role in preventing oral infections in hospitalized patients, especially in the ICU. The work of this professional is fundamental to holistic and interprofessional health, helping to reduce complications and improve patient recovery.