The impact of hospitalization on periodontal health status: an observational study

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of hospitalization on the periodontal status of patients admitted to a private hospital. Methods A sample of 41 patients answered a questionnaire on oral hygiene habits before and after hospitalization. An examiner measured the Periodontal Screening and Recording ratio (PSR) within 24 hours after hospitalization (T0), after five (T1) and after ten days of hospital admission (T2). Results 47 patients were examined at T0, 37 at T1 and 21 at T2. Between T0 and T1, the periodontal condition of 32.4% of patients worsened (p = 0.001). The score of ten patients changed from PSR = 0 to PSR = 1 and the score of two changed from PSR = 1 to PSR = 2, after 5 days of hospitalization. At T2, 38% of patients had deteriorated (p = 0.005) with 4 developing gingival bleeding and 4 presenting calculus. 19% of patients (p=0.046) declined between T1 and T2, and 4 patients presented calculus. None of the patients received any guidance on oral hygiene by hospital staff. Conclusion The periodontal condition of hospitalized patients deteriorated over the course of the stay in hospital and, consequently, there was an increased need for treatment. This draws attention to the importance of oral hygiene care in hospital.