Effect of Oral Appliance for Preventing Tooth Injury during Intubation or Extubation

― A Clinical Trial of Triage Concerning Oral Condition in the Center for Perioperative Medicine ―

Abstract

In perioperative oral management, we investigated the effect of an oral appliance for preventing tooth injury during intubation or extubation. Our hospital has a Center for Perioperative Medicine, to which dental hygienists are temporarily transferred from the Department of Oral Surgery. The hygienists check the oral condition of each patient, assess and advise the necessity of tooth protection, and refer patients to our clinic. When a patient visits our clinic, an oral appliance for tooth protection （called a “tooth-guard”） is made and delivered to the patient before general anesthesia. As a result of introducing the perioperative oral management system, the number of incidents was reduced from 4 to 0, confirming the effectiveness of the system for safety management.