Collaboration of Medical and Dental Facilities Promotes Oral Health Care in Hospitals

Oral health care is important for the acute hospitalized patients, to avoid and reduce negative effects or discomfort during the intensive medical care and burdensome medical treatment. It was reported by a questionnaire survey that oral health care was performed by nurses and careworkers in almost all hospitals in Sendai city, except some specialized functional facilities. Also, the collaborations with the dental offices were conducted in about two thirds of the hospitals. The major problems which interfered with the oral health care in hospitals were serious shortage of manpower, inadequate medical and technical service payment, and the lack of experienced stuffs. These problems might be caused by the lack of information and supervision from the dental professions on site in hospitals. To promote and reinforce the oral health care in hospitals, further close and community-based ­collaboration between the hospitals and the neighboring dental clinics are necessary.