The importance of hospital dentistry: oral health status in hospitalized patients

ABSTRACT Objective: This research study aimed to evaluate the oral health status and the need for dental treatment in hospitalized patients, analyzing the importance of dentistry in hospitals. Therefore, the goal of this research study was to evaluate the oral health status, the need for dental intervention and the patient’s opinion about the importance of having dental surgeons in hospital settings. Methods: 103 hospitalized patients were evaluated considering the DMFT index, gingival condition, visible biofilm index, and the need for invasive dental treatment. Volunteers were also asked about their opinion considering the importance of dentistry in hospital settings. Results: 68.9% of volunteers were male subjects and 31.1% female subjects. The mean DMFT was 17.9 and 96.1% of subjects had their oral hygiene kit with when came to hospital, 97.1% of subjects stated that the presence of dental surgeons is necessary in the hospital setting and 63.1% of subjects presented poor biofilm removal. The need for invasive dental treatment was as follows: restorations (68.9%), extractions (40.8%), endodontics (23.3%), dental pain (26.2%) and presence of abscess (7,8%). Conclusion: Oral health and hygiene status of patients were classified as poor and most of patients showed the need for invasive dental treatment. The majority of patients reported that dental care is very important in hospitals settings.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在评估住院患者的口腔健康状况与牙科治疗需求，分析牙科在医院环境中的重要性。据此，本研究的核心目标为评估住院患者的口腔健康状况、牙科干预需求，以及患者对医院内设置牙科医师的重要性的认知。
研究方法：本研究共纳入103名住院患者，采用DMFT指数（DMFT index）、牙龈状况、可见菌斑指数评估其口腔情况，并统计其侵入性牙科治疗需求。同时，向受试者调研其对医院内开展牙科诊疗的重要性的看法。
研究结果：本次调研对象中男性占比68.9%，女性占比31.1%。受试者的平均DMFT指数为17.9；96.1%的患者入院时携带有口腔卫生用品；97.1%的受试者认为医院内有必要配备牙科医师；63.1%的受试者存在菌斑清除不佳的情况。侵入性牙科治疗需求分布如下：修复治疗（68.9%）、拔牙（40.8%）、根管治疗（23.3%）、牙科疼痛诊疗需求（26.2%）以及脓肿处置需求（7.8%）。
研究结论：本次研究中患者的口腔健康与卫生状况被评定为不佳，多数患者存在侵入性牙科治疗需求。绝大多数受试者均认为，在医院环境中提供牙科诊疗服务极为重要。