ASSESSMENT OF ORAL CARE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN THE ICUs OF A REFERENCE PUBLIC HOSPITAL

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate how oral care is being performed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of a referral hospital from the perspective of the frontline professionals, reporting clinical findings, care protocols and team´s perception. STUDY DESIGN: This is a descriptive observational study involving the application of a questionnaire for dentists and other professionals on the multidisciplinary team that works in the ICUs of a referral hospital. RESULTS: This study included 153 professionals who responded the questionnaire, 70% of whom were female. More than 2/3 of the professionals received training to assess oral health conditions. The main oral hygiene protocol consists of mechanical removal of the biofilm twice a day associated with 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution. The most prevalent oral health conditions were halitosis and injury to the lips from prolonged mechanical ventilation. Overall, most professionals felt confident to care for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Even during the pandemic, the professionals of the service remained attentive to the infection control measures. A change was made in the oral hygiene protocol, and the team was trained and adhered to the new approaches for critically ill patients affected by SARS-Cov-2.