Nutrition Intake Based Comparison of Oral Health of Patients Hospitalized in Rehabilitation Ward

Eun-Sil  Choi1,2   So-Jung  Mun1   Sun-Young  Han1   

1Department of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University, Wonju, 26493, Korea
2Beauty Smile Dental Clinic, Daegu, 41967, Korea

Abstract

Objectives: This study compares the oral health of inpatients according to nutrition intake methods using various objective oral health indicators. Methods: In March 2017, 61 patients over 20 years of age admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at a general hospital in Gangwon-do were surveyed, and oral examinations were conducted. The subjects’ general characteristics, nutrition intake methods (oral feeding, nasogastric feeding, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding, fasting), and oral health (Bedside Oral Exam, Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index, Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, Silness and Löe Gingival Index, Caries Activity Test) were investigated. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test on SPSS version 25.0. Results: According to the nutritional intake method, there were statistically significant differences in the Bedside Oral Exam (p=0.001), Plaque Index (p=0.001), and Gingival Index (p=0.004). Conclusions: There is a difference in the oral health of hospitalized patients depending on the method of nutritional intake as compared to oral nutrition. There is a need for comprehensive oral care for tube feeding and fasting groups compared to the oral nutrition group.

Figures & Tables

Figure 1. Comparison of Bedside Oral Exam (BOE) parameters according to the ingestion methods in rehabilitation wards.