Condição de saúde bucal de pacientes internados no Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes em Natal/RN

Abstract

This study aimed to assess factors associated with socioeconomic conditions that may be associated with oral hygiene status of patients admitted to the University Hospital Onofre Lopes, Natal, RN, Brazil. Patients included in the study should have a minimum hospital stay of five days, time needed for adaptation to the hospital routine. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews and oral clinical examination. They interviewed 55 patients, 47.3% male and 52.7% female, with a mean age of 46.11 years. Among these, 45.5% said they had only the first full or less degree, with place of residence in the urban area (85.5%) and 56.4% living with up to three people. The monthly income varied, with 76.4% of patients stating receive up to two minimum wages. The degree of oral hygiene for 38.2% of the patients was considered reasonable, with 58.2% stating frequency of daily brushing up twice and 70.9% stating not make flossing. The average visible plaque index (VPI) was 27.85% and gingival bleeding index (GBI) of 4.47%. To 52.7% of patients there is dissatisfaction with oral health condition. Thus, it was possible to see the poor oral health of hospitalized patients, with great accumulation of dental plaque and consequently the presence of gingival bleeding. Therefore, the study enabled the epidemiological profile of these patients, in order to allow planning intervention strategies to improve the oral health status of them.