Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação
A participação do cirurgião-dentista na prevenção de pneumonias associadas à ventilação mecânica em pacientes internados em utis
By Ana Teresa de Castro Macedo Andrade, Fernanda Karla Rocha da Silva, Maria Gabriella Miranda de Carvalho and 4 others.
Abstract
Introduction
The oral cavity of critically ill patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) undergoes rapid deterioration and dental biofilm accumulation, functioning as a major reservoir for opportunistic pathogens linked to the onset of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). The implementation of oral hygiene protocols and the integration of Hospital Dentistry have been recommended as key strategies to mitigate this infection risk.
Objective
To analyze scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of oral hygiene practices, biofilm removal methods, and the relevance of dental surgeons within the ICU team for VAP prevention. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, BVS/LILACS, and SciELO databases, covering articles published between 2021 and 2024. Primary and secondary studies discussing oral care protocols and the role of dentists in adult ICU intubated patients were included. Results and Discussion: The literature indicates that mechanical biofilm removal, particularly through tooth brushing, provides the most robust evidence for reducing VAP incidence, outperforming the standalone use of chemical antiseptics. Combining tooth brushing with 0.12% chlorhexidine solution yielded the highest effectiveness. Furthermore, the inclusion of a dental surgeon within the multidisciplinary ICU team enhances early diagnosis of oral infectious foci, enables personalized care, and optimizes the supervision of nursing routines.