Dentists (general practitioners) are often involved only in ambulatorial, office attendings. Why do we (me included) not have hospital practice work, knowing the important role that oral health has in general health? Nurses do what they can in this matter, but in my vision it is time for us, DDS, to make an effort to get our space in mouth care at the hospitals. Thanks for answering!
Dear Alexandre Giannini
You are absolutely right. Moreover, no one knows how to help to Long-Term Care patients care of their oral cavity. Not the nursing personnel not knowing how to assist the institutionalised elderly, not dentists and not hugianists. Espeshially for nasogastric feeding and mechanical ventilated patients. We find the evidence in our recent investigation. We did the community program for prevention and improve oral health long-term hospitalized adults.
Regads
Leon Bilder
In my Country, General parctitioners can do the oral care of elderly instutionallized patients based on a Special cooperation contract between the Dentist and the insitution. The model has been introduced several years ago but only few Dentist are interested in taking care about those patients. We hope, that it will develop in the future.
Hi Alexandre, I am also brazilian! About your question, I think that in order to increase and reinforce the role of dentists in the hospitals, it is very important some reflections:
• Firstly, the presence of general dentist team in the hospitals should be stimulated. Typically, maxillofacial clinicians are the most common dentists to work in hospital environment, because the evident nature of their activity. However, well prepared general dentists could work closely with other health professionals, improving final clinical results of the patients.
• Secondly, more knowledge about systemic human health should be encouraged and, mainly, required in Dental Schools. This could generate, certainly, well prepared general dentists.
• Thirdly, there is sometimes a lack of perception of the significance and influence of “oral health” on “general health” by other health professionals. Then, in order to “fight” for space in hospitals, we - dentists - need to be sure AND ensure due knowledge to bear this space (....with respect of our health professional colleagues).
These points of view would allow an interdisciplinary environment, by creating an interesting exchange of different scientific matters.
Best regards
Ana Celeste
Dear Alexandre Giannini
In Pakistan, most of the hospitals have their dental departments. Like i worked in Islam Medical Center and it had in it Islam Dental Care.
But i suppose in reference to your question, In the general health, dental health should also be considered equally important. Even in General Physical Examination (GPE) the oral health of the patients should also be suggested!
I strongly agree with Ana's answer.
In France, recent modifications of the undergraduate dental student curriculum allow for enhanced training in general medicine and knowledge of the interactions between oral pathology and systemic conditions.
Here, a certain number of general dental practitioners engage in dual activity: hospital and office. Nevertheless, they usually have some training in advanced oral medicine and a working understanding of the medical knowledge needed to ensure safe dental procedures in -sometimes complicated- medical settings.
Therefore, it seems essential that the dental curriculum include sufficient general and oral medicine training if more dentists are to be part of the hospital setting.
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