Effect of periodic management in general dental practices on length of patient hospital stay

Abstract

ObjectiveShortening the length of hospital stay of patients to reduce the medical costs incurred is a pressing matter. Perioperative oral management (POM) is used for severe diseases, such as neoplasia and stroke. We determined whether intervention by family dentists (FDs) helps shorten patient hospital stay. MethodsA total of 1273 preoperative outpatients who visited the anesthesiology department of our university hospital in 2018 were surveyed and assigned to the intervention group (POM) or the control group (Non-POM). The POM group was further assigned to the cancer group (Cancer) or the non-cancer group (Non-cancer). Each group was divided into patients with an FD (FD+ subgroup) and those without an FD (FD− subgroup). Each group was evaluated for their length of hospital stay and oral hygiene status. ResultsThe length of hospital stay and oral hygiene status were compared between the FD+ and FD− subgroups in the POM (Cancer and Non-cancer) and Non-POM groups. The oral hygiene status was significantly better in the FD+ subgroup than in the FD− subgroup in the POM, Cancer, and Non-POM groups. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for the FD+ subgroup than for the FD− subgroup in the Cancer group. ConclusionsAccess to an FD may help maintain good oral hygiene and shorten the hospital stay of patients in the Cancer group. POM by hospital dental professionals and regular management by FDs are thus important. Moreover, hospital–clinic collaborations play a key role in reducing the length of patient hospital stay.