Loading...
Oral care after stroke : Where are we now?
Lyons, Mary Smith, Craig Boaden, Elizabeth Brady, Marian C. Brocklehurst, Paul Dickinson, Hazel Hamdy, Shaheen Higham, Susan Langhorne, Peter Lightbody, Catherine
Lyons, Mary
Smith, Craig
Boaden, Elizabeth
Brady, Marian C.
Brocklehurst, Paul
Dickinson, Hazel
Hamdy, Shaheen
Higham, Susan
Langhorne, Peter
Lightbody, Catherine
Abstract
Purpose
There appears to be an association between poor oral hygiene and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia – a leading cause of mortality post-stroke. We aim to synthesise what is known about oral care after stroke, identify knowledge gaps and outline priorities for research that will provide evidence to inform best practice.
Methods
A narrative review from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on evidence from systematic reviews, literature, expert and lay opinion to scrutinise current practice in oral care after a stroke and seek consensus on research priorities.
Findings: Oral care tends to be of poor quality and delegated to the least qualified members of the caring team. Nursing staff often work in a pressured environment where other aspects of clinical care take priority. Guidelines that exist are based on weak evidence and lack detail about how best to provide oral care.
Discussion
Oral health after a stroke is important from a social as well as physical health perspective, yet tends to be neglected. Multidisciplinary research is needed to improve understanding of the complexities associated with delivering good oral care for stroke patients. Also to provide the evidence for practice that will improve wellbeing and may reduce risk of aspiration pneumonia and other serious sequelae.
Conclusion
Although there is evidence of an association, there is only weak evidence about whether improving oral care reduces risk of pneumonia or mortality after a stroke. Clinically relevant, feasible, cost-effective, evidence-based oral care interventions to improve patient outcomes in stroke care are urgently needed.
Keywords
stroke, oral health, oral hygiene, oral cavity, mouth, dental, pneumonia, quality of life, tooth-brushing
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
European Stroke Journal
Book
Volume
3
Issue
4
Page Range
347-354
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled