Oral health crucial for preventing nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia, study says

USA: A recent study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology supports the emerging body of evidence on the cruciality of oral health for the prevention of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP). Research stated that preventive dental treatment within 12 months or periodontal therapy in the 6 months prior to hospitalization is associated with a reduced NVHAP risk. 

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, and NVHAP comprises of 60% of the cases. NVHAP is prevalent in ∼1 in 100 hospitalized patients with an associated crude mortality rate of 15% to 30% and is associated with intensive care unit utilization rates and antibiotic usage. It is the most common pathway to sepsis. Despite the known harm, not much is known about ways to prevent NVHAP.

Because most pneumonia starts from germs in the oropharyngeal cavity, it seemed logical that access to dental services could also impact the cases of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia. 

Against the above background, Dian Baker, School of Nursing, California State University–Sacramento, Sacramento, California, and colleagues aimed to determine whether utilization of dental services prior to hospitalization is associated with a decreased risk of NVHAP in 2019 cross-sectional study.