Importance of the Pediatric Dentist in the Neonatal ICU.

Abstract

Pediatric dentistry presents great challenges, especially when the professional is interested in the neonatal ICU, where the situation is more delicate and with an imminent risk of infections. The professional should act in prevention, checking, and sanitizing the baby's mouth so that there are no possible future oral health problems or even death. One of the most common causes of infections is, for example, pneumonia in the ICU due to the use of mechanical ventilation or even early diagnosis of aquiloglossia. Objective: To present a pediatric dentistry protocol in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and its importance, since the aim is to prevent various diseases and alterations that babies may present in the future. Methodology: The research was bibliographical research analyzing publica-tions, books, and scientific articles whose authors deal with the subject. Final considerations: The presence of a pediatric dentist in the multidisciplinary team of a maternity hospital, in addition to being a law, can improve care, preventing various illnesses that may interfere with the life of the newborn, reducing the length of stay in neonatal intensive care units and improving this baby's quality of life.