Oral Health of Medically Compromised Patients
Certain groups of patients including those who are nil by mouth (NBM), those on feeding tubes, and those undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and those in palliative care, are more likely to develop oral complications.
They are at a greater risk of further deterioration of their oral health and developing long-term secondary complications including malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. Consequently, these groups of patients may require extra oral care and present additional challenges for dental practitioners.
The professional pamphlet on this special topic provides information on various oral complications that these groups of medically compromised patients may develop and special oral care that can be provided by dental practitioners to manage such complications and subsequently to improve their quality of life. The material in the patient pamphlet, on the other hand, describes the relevant information about these groups of medically compromised patients as well as oral complications they may present with and special oral care guidelines that they have to follow with the advice/recommendation of their dental practitioners.
Pamphlet orders
Multiple copies of patient pamphlets are available for ordering via the University of Adelaide Online Shop.
View the documents
Practice information sheet - oral health of medically compromised patients
Addendum
Since publication, the recommendation regarding denture care has recently been updated by the Australian Dental Association (ADA). From October 2021, the current recommendation is:
Store dentures in a dry, safe location, however, storing them in water is an option.
Information for patients - oral health of medically compromised patients
Addendum
Since publication, the recommendation regarding denture care has recently been updated by the Australian Dental Association (ADA). From October 2021, the current recommendation is:
Store dentures in a dry, safe location, however, storing them in water is an option.