Dentist-Led Oral Care System Reduces Stroke-Associated Pneumonia Risk

JAPAN: In a recent study conducted by a team of researchers in Japan, the positive impact of a Dentist-Led Oral Care System (DCS) on preventing stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) has been highlighted. 

The study, led by Kenichiro Ozaki and colleagues, sheds light on the significant benefits of early intervention and education by dental professionals in acute stroke care.

The Dental Care System (DCS)

The DCS implemented at the Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital in Japan consists of a dedicated dental team comprising full-time dentists and dental hygienists. 

This team works exclusively in hospital wards, focusing on providing top-notch oral healthcare to patients. The DCS includes various components such as lectures and practical training for nurses conducted by dental experts, the standardisation of oral care procedures, the introduction of oral assessment, a process for nurses to request dental team assistance, and early bedside oral screening conducted by dental professionals.

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Study Details and Findings

The research was a single-center retrospective cohort study involving 2,771 acute stroke patients hospitalised between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2020. The study period was divided into four phases, each lasting two years. 

These phases were named Pre, Post-1, Post-2, and Post-3. Pre represented the period before the DCS was practiced, while the subsequent phases represented different stages of DCS implementation.

The study found a significant decrease in SAP rates across the four phases. Logistic regression analysis revealed several factors associated with SAP risk, including respiratory disease, hypertension, cardiac failure, diabetes, age over 90 years, and male gender. 

Importantly, the introduction of DCS (Post-1, Post-2, and Post-3) was associated with a significant reduction in SAP risk when compared to the Pre phase.

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Dental Team Intervention Matters

The study’s findings underscore the effectiveness of early intervention and nurse education by dental professionals in reducing the incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia. 

Stroke patients are particularly susceptible to pneumonia due to impaired swallowing reflexes, making oral hygiene and care essential in their treatment. The Dentist-Led Oral Care System, as demonstrated in this research, plays a vital role in preventing this life-threatening condition.