Oral health of patients under short hospitalization period: observational study

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of hospitalization on the oral health status of individuals hospitalized for a short period of time.Material and MethodsThis was an observational study of hospitalized patients. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) was measured at baseline (T0 – first 24 h of hospital admission), and at 3 (T1), 7 (T2), 14 (T3) days.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐two patients were examined at baseline (T0), 35 examined at 3 days (T1), 23 at 7 days (T2) and 16 at 14 days (T3). The main reason for loss of patients was hospital discharge. The mean PI increased at T1 (0.97–1.21; p < 0.001), at T2 (1.06–1.30; p < 0.007) and at T3 (1.19–1.44; p < 0.03). Gingival index (GI) increased at T2 (0.74–0.96; p < 0.04) and at T3 (0.74–0.96; p < 0.02).ConclusionOral health, assessed through PI and GI, deteriorates after a short period of hospitalization.