Oral Health Care for Nutrition Support and Infection Control in Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Aging population means increase in the number of elderly people who need nursing care in Japan. Under such circumstances, the problems of oral care in hospital become increasingly serious. Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and Japan Dental Association promote “8020 movement” which mean keeping over 20 teeth for life. However, sudden illness, such as a stroke of apoplexy, limit the ability to perform activities of daily living include mouth care. As a result, increasing the number of bacteria in the oral cavity and the fall of oral functions cause various troubles of teeth and oral mucous, multiple caries, gingival inflammation, mucous injuries by remaining teeth, dry mouth, for example. Poor oral hygiene is also a cause of aspiration pneumonia. It is reported that oral health care provided by nurses, caregivers and dental hygienists reduce the risk of pneumonia1) There are many dental needs of the patients in hospital. At this symposium, I report the importance of improving oral health care for nutrition support and infection con-