Atenção em saúde bucal no âmbito hospitalar: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

This academic paper is a review of the literature on oral health care in the hospital setting, with a focus on clinical assistance provided to hospitalized patients. Its goal is to identify the main contributions of this type of health care assistance to hospitalized patients, as well as to report on the major normative and legislative aspects related to clinical dental care in Brazil, with a focus on the SUS system's (Sistema Único de Saúde) principles. Because of this specific interest, sources such as Ministry of Health documents, gray literature, and other four different types of main databases were consulted. The main findings point to the various needs in oral health and dental care of hospitalized patients, such as those undergoing oncological, onco-hematological treatment, transplants, and medical surgeries such as cardiac surgery. Patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders, elderly patients requiring care, others whose nutrition may have been compromised due to oral problems, patients with systemic alterations such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and others are also included. Proper attention may include preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic activities to contribute to the comprehensive, supportive, and whole assistance for hospitalized patients characterized by the performance of the dental professional in various hospital centers, including hospital ward environments and assistance in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients may present oral problems and complications related to pain, inflammation, infections, oral mucosa lesions, oral manifestations related to systemic diseases or to the therapy to which the patient is subjected during the hospitalization period, corroborating the potential contribution of dentistry in this locus. Interdisciplinarity is seen as a key feature of this practice, as well as a challenge in terms of professional performance and training. Despite normative progress, another challenge observed is the expansion of SUS users' access to this care. Further studies and research on the performance of the dentist in ICUs, as well as research on protocols, guidelines, and consensus on best practices of oral care and dental care to hospitalized patients, are suggested in order to propose improvements to this assistance and qualification of care provided to hospitalized patients. As a result, investment is unquestionably required and also recommended for dental teams that are already working in hospitals in the SUS system.