Title: The science of oral health and hygiene for patients in 2024

Abstract:

Pneumonia is one of the top three hospital-acquired infections. Pneumonia can occur regardless of whether a patient is on mechanical ventilation, and patients with conditions such as impaired cognition and dysphagia can also develop pneumonia. Aside from oral disinfectants, basic oral care practices have changed little over the past 50 years. Foam swabs and manual brushes remain the mainstays of oral hygiene; however, the use of these tools neglects other key components oral health and hygiene. Research into oral health has demonstrated that the impact of a healthy mouth and oral microbiome extends past pneumonia to improved multisystem health and disease prevention.
Exogenous and endogenous threats to the integrity of key oral structures will be reviewed. These structures are often unknowingly overlooked, and this oversight leads to further oral disruptions, pain, and pneumonia. Furthermore, poor oral health has been identified as a contributor to disease states encountered the world over—for example, diabetes, stroke, and cognitive impairment. Research-based practices that have been successfully translated into practice will be presented. Key oral care interventions shown to reduce or prevent deterioration will also be discussed. 
With increased detection and improved evidence-based oral care, it is possible to reduce the rate of hospital-acquired pneumonias. The adoption of safe and effective comprehensive oral care protocols is crucial a fundamental part of nursing care, regardless of the patient’s country of origin or medical diagnosis. As nurses are the mainstay of healthcare workers at every patient’s bedside, it is imperative that nurses possess a contemporary understanding of evidence-based oral care.
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
• Identify vital oral structures at risk for deterioration during illness and understand methods to improve oral health and hygiene
• Outline evidence-based protocols for patient care from the intensive care unit to the residential care setting
• Discuss broader implications of the oral-systemic health connection and opportunities for continued research

Biography:

Virginia Prendergast, PhD, NP-C, FAAN, is internationally recognized for her work and leadership in nursing education, research, care of neurosurgical patients, and innovation. Dr. Prendergast’s tenure at the Barrow Neurological Institute has spanned more than 40 years. Her passion for excellence in nursing motivated her professional growth into leadership roles, and she now serves as the Director of Advanced Practice Nursing and Evidence-based Research. 

Dr. Prendergast’s teaching achievements and dedication to patient care have also commanded national and international recognition and awards. She has been invited as a guest lecturer to conferences and nursing schools throughout North America, China, Japan, and Europe. She has served as a mentor to graduate nurses from Sydney, Singapore, London, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Tokyo, as well as for nurses throughout North America. She has received the Nursing Spectrum national award for Excellence in Teaching and was honored for her dedication to patient care by the Phoenix Business Journal. The neurosurgical resident staff has twice honored her with the “BNI Nurse of the Year” award.