Infant oral health care in pediatric intensive care unit: Need for capacity building

Abstract

Oral health care is very important for the overall health of infants. To minimize the risk of infection, the development of healthy and strong teeth is the major benefit to take care of the oral cavity. Infants admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are most of the time either intubated or on ventilators and are subsequently at a higher risk of the development of nosocomial infections. The researcher’s highlighted that there is consistent negligence of infant’s oral health while their PICU stay. This article explores that there is a strong need for standardized oral hygiene practices and guidelines use to be followed in PICU. Pediatric nursing professionals and health-care providers should be educated and encouraged regarding the life-long importance of good oral health care for infants.