| Summary: | Aim: The aim of the study was to
examine oral care given to the patients on mechanical ventilatory support by
two different methods on bacterial colonization and oral health. Methods: This study had a design
including an experimental and a control group. Sample was composed of 30
patients who had mechanical ventilatory support less than 24 hours. Patients in
the experimental group were applied toothbrush and serum physiological; and
control group was applied oral care by abeslang and a sponge soaked with NaHCO3. Both groups were given
oral care four times a day for four days. Oral health was evaluated by “oral
assessment scale”, and bacterial colonization was assessed based on
bacteriological culture results of samples taken by cotton swab at days 1 and
4. Results: It was found that almost
half of the patients in both groups had insufficient saliva that was more
viscous than normal; and dental plaques were decreased among the patients in
the experimental group. In terms of bacteria in the oral mucosa, no
statistically significant differences were found between the groups based on
the comparison of culture results from days 1 and 4. It was found that both
methods used for oral care were effective; and they had no superiority over
each other.
Conclusions: It was concluded that
application of regular oral care for the patients on mechanical ventilatory
support as part of care protocols decreased bacterial colonization and had a
protective and improving effect on oral health.
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