As modern society is industrialized due to continued economic growth, the number of trauma patients is increasing due to various types of accidents, including traffic accidents¹⁾. With the improvement of socioeconomic status and the development of medical technology, the elderly population is rapidly increasing, and aesthetic plastic surgery has become prominent among young people^2,3). Trauma patients, elderly patients, and plastic surgery patients are accompanied by general anesthesia, especially trauma, requiring complex treatment; elderly patients often require inpatient treatment because they have systemic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease⁴⁾. This increase in the number of inpatients suggests a need for comprehensive oral health management, including general health. Oral health and general health are closely related, so during long-term inpatient treatment, it is difficult to maintain oral health^5,6). Go et al.⁷⁾ reported that professional oral care and education are essential for long-term care hospital inpatients who have difficulty in self-care. Noh⁸⁾ emphasized the im-portance of oral care and education during hospitalization, reporting that inpatients had insufficient oral care and did not use oral hygiene aids properly. Oral care is the most basic and important activity for maintaining oral health⁹⁾. However, in the case of hospitalized patients, oral care, such as toothbrushing, which must be continuously per-formed, is neglected because of the inconvenience caused by surgery¹⁰⁾. In particular, inpatients at dental hospitals performing internal/external surgery have difficulties in oral care activities due to complications or pain after surgery. Oral care is one of the most important factors determining the prognosis of surgery; therefore, thorough oral care is more important for inpatients in dental hospitals. Until now, studies on oral health targeting inpatients at dental hospitals are scarce, and there are few studies on the actual condition of oral care.

Therefore, this study aimed to suggest recommend-ations for dentists and dental hygienists by identifying the oral care conditions of inpatients in dental hospitals and evaluating the need for a specialized oral care system for inpatients.

1.Research subjects

This study was conducted in patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital for a total of 2 years and 6 months from January 2018 to June 2020. Among them, data of 1,402 inpatients were finally investigated, except for cases in which records of dates were unclear or the disease classification code was incorrect. The types of surgery and the actual conditions related to oral care were investigated among inpatients at dental hospitals before and after surgery. Among them, we identified professional oral care cases in which a dentist or dental hygienist directly performed procedures, such as removal of bacteria and debris in the oral cavity, and management of dental plaque and calculus, in patients who had difficulty managing their own oral hygiene during hospitalization. The selected subjects consisted of various age groups, from teenagers to patients in their 80s.

This study is a retrospective study that analyzes already recorded clinical data, and confidentiality measures were taken to protect patient information during the data collection process. Consent was exempted because it was judged that there was very little potential for negative harm or human rights violations to the patient.

2.Study methods

This investigation was conducted as a retrospective study comparing past medical records on oral care of inpatients, and medical records were collected through the electronic medical record system of the hospital. The average period of hospitalization was identified, and the oral care status of inpatients who had difficulty managing their own oral care by themselves was identified by collecting data on oral care before and after surgery, including the type and frequency.

3.Data analysis

The data collected in this study summarized the general characteristics of the subjects based on the mean and standard deviation. Using chi-square analysis, the relationship between the surgical frequency for each disease according to sex and age was investigated. Statistical tests were performed using the SPSS software (ver. 25.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Statistical significance was set at a p-value less than 0.05.

1.Demographics of inpatients

Among inpatients, the proportion of males was high (57.6%), and the age range ranged from 4 to 94 years. The proportion of elderly patients aged >60 years accounted for 20% of the study sample. The average hospitalization period was relatively short (4 days), and in some cases, long-term hospitalization was up to 44 days (Table 1).

Table 1

Demographics of Inpatients

Variable	Value
Sex
Male	808 (57.6)
Female	594 (42.4)
Agea (y)	38.34±21.01
10s	263 (18.8)
20s	383 (27.3)
30s	144 (10.3)
40s	159 (11.3)
50s	173 (12.3)
60s	145 (10.3)
70s	94 (6.7)
80s	39 (2.8)
90s	2 (0.1)
Period of inpatients (day)	4.06±4.52

Values are presented as number (%) or mean±standard deviation.

^aAge was classified into 10s (10∼19 y), 20s (20∼29 y), etc.

2.Type and frequency of surgery among inpatients

After subdividing and categorizing surgeries for inpatients at dental hospitals by type, such as abscess (Abs.), orthognathic surgery (Orthogna.), tooth extraction (Ext.), benign tumor, cyst, temporomandibular disorder (TMD), fracture (Fx.), osteomyelitis, and implant, the frequency of cyst-related surgery was the highest (29.2%), and Ext. (23.0%), Orthonga. (14.8%), and Fx. (6.2%) accounted for the highest frequency (Fig. 1). Most of the patients’ hospitalization motives and chief complaints were discomfort and pain in the oral cavity. Teenagers accounted for the largest proportion of Ext. (45.0%), and those in their twenties had the highest frequency of Orthogna. (73.1%). Cysts were most common among patients in their 30s to 60s, and from the age of 70 years, osteomyelitis due to bone function decline caused by osteoporosis, and chronic and complex diseases frequently appeared. In addition, the cysts and Fx. were frequently found in male, and Ext. and Orthogna. were significantly more common in those under 40 years of age. After the age of 40 years, the frequency of cysts and benign tumors was high (Table 2).

Table 2

Types of Surgery according to Sex and Age

Type of surgery	Sex			Agea (y)
	Male	Female		≤39	≥40
Cyst	276 (67.3)	134 (32.7)		197 (48.0)	213 (52.0)
Ext.	185 (57.5)	137 (42.5)		267 (82.9)	55 (17.1)
Orthogna.	113 (54.3)	95 (45.7)		199 (95.7)	9 (4.3)
Fx.	68 (78.2)	19 (21.8)		45 (51.7)	42 (48.3)
Abs.	34 (42.0)	47 (58.0)		12 (14.8)	69 (85.2)
Benign tumor	27 (41.5)	38 (58.5)		32 (49.2)	33 (50.8)
Malignant tumor	42 (64.6)	23 (35.4)		6 (9.2)	59 (90.8)
Osteomyelitis	19 (25.7)	55 (74.3)		1 (1.4)	73 (98.6)
Implant	8 (57.1)	6 (42.9)		2 (14.3)	12 (85.7)
TMD	3 (42.9)	4 (57.1)		1 (14.3)	6 (85.7)
χ2	82.319			465.324
p-value	<0.001			<0.001

Values are presented as number (%).

Ext.: tooth extraction, Orthogna.: orthognathic surgery, Fx.: fracture, Abs.: abscess, TMD: temporomandibular disorder.

^aThe criterion for age classification is the average value.

This table was analyzed by Monte carlo methods.

Fig. 1. Classification of surgery and disease. Abs.: abscess, Orthogna.: orthognathic surgery, Ext.: tooth extraction, B.T.: benign tumor, M.T.: malignant tumor, Fx.: fracture, TMD: temporomandibular disorder.

3.Status of oral care for inpatients

In the case of professional oral care for inpatients, scaling by a dentist was usually performed once the day before surgery, and examination and detailed checks were performed to understand the patient’s overall condition and oral health status. However, in cases where the patient’s cooperation is very weak, there is limited mouth opening due to a severe Fx., or in severe malignant tumors, preoperative scaling is considered, and a simple oral dressing uses H₂O₂ balls as an alternative. After surgery, it becomes more difficult for the patient to manage the oral cavity directly; therefore, every morning during the hospitalization period, a dressing is performed to remove and disinfect foreign substances and residues in the oral cavity through suction. As the discharge date approached, oral care instruction was conducted in a way that explained precautions related to surgery and oral care before discharge. Oral care education items included correct brushing, use of an interdental brush, and use of dental floss. All professional oral care and education for inpatients was mainly performed by dentists (Table 3).

Table 3

Professional Oral Care according to the Type of Surgery

Type of Surgery		Professional oral care methods (professional)
Cyst	Before	Perform 1 full-mouth scaling on the day before surgery (dentist)
	After	For bacterial blocking, dressing the surgical site and surrounding mucous membranes using H2O2 balls every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Ext.	Before	Perform 1 full-mouth scaling on the day before surgery (dentist)
	After	For bacterial blocking, dressing the surgical site and surrounding mucous membranes using H2O2 balls every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Orthogna.	Before	Perform 1 full-mouth scaling on the day before surgery (dentist)
	After	After checking the residue in the mouth, remove it with suction every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Fx.	Before	Wipe the mucous membrane and teeth in the oral cavity using H2O2 Ball just before surgery (dentist)
	After	After checking the residue in the mouth, remove it with suction every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Abs.	Before	Perform 1 full-mouth scaling on the day before surgery (dentist)
	After	For bacterial blocking, dressing the surgical site and surrounding mucous membranes using H2O2 balls every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Osteomyelitis	Before	Perform 1 full-mouth scaling on the day before surgery (dentist)
	After	For bacterial blocking, dressing the surgical site and surrounding mucous membranes using H2O2 balls every morning during hospitalization (dentist)
Excepta	Before	Reduction of oral bacteria by using H2O2 ball and saline just before surgery (dentist)
	After	Clean the oral mucosa and teeth using a H2O2 ball and sterile gauze every morning during hospitalization (dentist)

Ext.: tooth extraction, Orthogna.: orthognathic surgery, Fx.: fracture, Abs.: abscess.

^aExcept includes cases where cooperation is poor or it is difficult to open your mouth on their own.

Oral care education is provided when all are discharged.

Oral care education includes how to brush teeth and how to use an interdental toothbrush.

During inpatient treatment, there is a high possibility that oral health problems may appear, as oral care activities may be neglected because of various factors such as pain or movement discomfort due to surgery¹¹⁾. In this respect, understanding the oral care status of inpatients is meaningful in terms of oral health promotion. In particular, it has a more important value for inpatients in dental hospitals who require better oral care. Therefore, this study attempted to present recommendations for dentists and dental hygienists by retrospectively investigating the oral care status of inpatients and evaluating the necessity of a professional oral care system for inpatients. This study investigated the status of professional oral care in relation to the type of surgery in 1,402 patients admitted to dental hospitals. Most surgeries performed in dental hospitals were related to cysts, Ext., and Orthogna., and cysts were particularly frequent among middle-aged and elderly patients. The frequency of Orthogna. was higher in the younger generation, which we attribute to the tendency to devote increased interest to one’s appearance as part of a full-fledged social life beginning in the 20s¹²⁾. Inpatients aged 60 years or older accounted for 20.8% of the study population, and there were long-term inpatients for more than one month. Considering that the proportion of the elderly population is continuously increasing, oral care for elderly inpatients is also important. A decrease in oral function due to aging can delay wound healing and increase the risk of infection¹³⁾. In addition, long-term hospitalization may be a risk factor for the development of periodontal disease due to the prolonged neglect of oral hygiene, and the bacterial growth rate in the oral cavity may be higher due to dry mouth, a common side effect of treatment drugs. The reality is that oral care for inpatients is difficult. In fact, there are difficulties in cooperation in the treatment of children and patients with disabilities, and there have been cases where oral care was difficult because of limited opening due to Fx. and Orthogna.¹⁴⁾. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an appropriate oral care method individualized for each patient. Oral bacteria act as an infection-causing factor during oral surgical operations, and complications from this can lead to more serious conditions¹⁵⁾. To prevent complications after surgery, the infection source must be removed. Since oral care becomes more difficult after surgery, the importance of professional oral care during hospitalization is further emphasized. According to the results of this study, only scaling was performed before surgery, and surgical dressing and oral care education were performed after surgery. Oral care education deals only with the use of representative oral hygiene aids such as toothbrushes, interdental brushes, and dental floss, which are limited to teeth. However, it has been reported that the bacterial growth rate is high in oral tissues surrounding the teeth¹⁶⁾. Therefore, education on the use of oral hygiene aids, such as sponge brushes, can help manage various oral tissues such as the tongue, vestibule, and teeth. It is necessary to develop and popularize various oral hygiene products that can more effectively manage oral bacteria. In addition, for the oral care of inpatients, it is necessary to recognize the importance of oral care by conducting oral care instruction for patients, guardians, and ward personnel. In this study, dentists were responsible for oral care among inpatients. In actual clinical practice, the work of dental hygienists is often limited to medical assistance and tooth brush instruction, and in tertiary hospitals, interns and resident doctors mostly provide medical assistance. As with the scope of practice among dental hygienists who support oral health education and preventive dental treatment, dental hygienists need to support more professional and continuous oral care for inpatients who require it. Oral care education not only increases knowledge of oral hygiene, but also increases the frequency of brushing and oral hygiene aids, so the role of the dental hygienist in oral health education is very important. Additionally, Carey et al.¹⁷⁾ emphasized the importance of postoperative balanced nutrition. This affected not only oral health but also overall health. Within the scope of professional oral care, it is necessary to consider patient satisfaction, nutrition, and quality of life, rather than simply focusing on the limited scope of oral treatment.

As a limitation of this study, cases where the records of hospitalization and discharge dates were unclear or the disease classification code was incorrect were excluded from the analysis. In addition, it is difficult to generalize the results of the study because inpatients were arbitrarily designated at dental hospitals. To overcome this limitation, it is necessary to increase the number of study subjects, select a control group and an experimental group, perform expert oral care for a certain period, and evaluate the magnitude of the effect on oral health by comparing the groups over time. Despite these limitations, this study measured the oral care of inpatients in dental hospitals, and it is expected to be used as basic data for effective oral health promotion plans for professional oral care of inpatients in the future.

Oral care for inpatients was performed within a limited range. Most exams are performed to check the condition before and after surgery and to prepare for surgery, rather than provide professional oral care. The therapeutic aspect of the surgery itself is important, but among surgical procedures performed in the oral cavity, oral care is essential to prevent secondary infection in the oral cavity. The need for continuous oral health status checks and management should be emphasized for inpatients with poor oral care. For effective oral care among inpatients, measures such as the promotion of preventive specialists, including dental hygienists and oral care educators, are considered.

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital (approval number: KH-DT21033).

Conceptualization: Sang-Hwan Oh and Jae-Eun Kim. Data acquisition: Jae-Eun Kim and Young-Jae Yoon. Visualization: Yong-Dae Kwon. Supervision: Yong-Dae Kwon. Writing–original draft: Jae-Eun Kim and Young-Jae Yoon. Writing–review & editing: Sang-Hwan Oh and Yong-Dae Kwon.