Infection control: dental extractions in ICU patients and their relation to the exams

Abstract

Through dental extraction, dentists are able to eliminate infectious foci that can lead to systemic problems in patients during their admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the influence of dental extraction on laboratory exams of ICU patients, identify the profile of patients undergoing dental extraction in the ICU, and assess the safety of performing this procedure in critically ill patients. A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted for patients admitted to the ICUs of two public hospitals, both before and after the dental extraction procedure. The following tests were examined: daily laboratory glucose levels and daily leukocyte counts for a period of ten days. The profile of patients requiring dental extractions in the ICU, in order, includes those admitted for respiratory diseases, sepsis, heart disease, and kidney problems. There were no statistically significant differences in blood glucose and leukocyte values after the dental extractions. Therefore, this study suggests that when dental extractions are properly indicated, they are a safe procedure as they do not cause significant worsening in leukocyte counts or glycemia, and they do not increase mortality in ICU patients.