THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SURGEON - DENTIST IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU)

Abstract

This article consists of a literature review on the importance of the dentist in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study is to highlight the relevance of the dentist in the hospital area, emphasizing the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to correlate the importance of a dentist in the multiprofessional team of ICUs, to intervene and monitor the oral health of patients. Considering that oral hygiene is performed by other professionals, studies report failures in its execution, which can contribute to infectious complications in the clinical evolution of the patient, compromising the quality of care provided. Oral hygiene is a significant factor and, when properly applied, reduces infection rates, especially nosocomial pneumonia in patients on mechanical ventilation. It was concluded that, as oral health is closely related to general health, care should be instituted in relation to it in ICU patients, preferably performed by a dentist, avoiding harmful comorbidities in this situation.