Dentistry in Intensive Care Unit

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients are susceptible to oral colonization by multi-resistant microorganisms due to various causes, including use of multiple antibiotics, mucosal dryness, epithelial aggression, decreased salivary flow and secretion accumulation due to the presence of orotracheal tube. The oral cavity of ICU patients functions as a reservoir of respiratory pathogens associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In addition, oral conditions influence the evolution of hospitalized patients and the extent of periodontal disease presented by ICU patients might be a contributing factor for the development of VAP. The dentist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, as well as their prevention, besides contributing to the systemic diagnoses and in infections reduction. Critical patients may present unsatisfactory oral conditions since admission or develop oral problems during their hospitalization. These conditions can compromise the patients¿ systemic disorder, impact length of stay and consequently hospital costs. The dental team perspective contributes to the integral care of the patient, as well as to their quality of life.