Prospects and challenges of research required as a dental hygiene teacher

Through perioperative research

Abstract

The purpose of perioperative oral function management during surgery are to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and aspiration pneumonia, prevent surgical site infection (SSI) and focal infection, assist in resuming oral intake, and avoid or reduce the risk of oral problems related to tracheal intubation. VAP is the most frequent infection in the intensive care setting, occurring in 9-27% of all intubated patients. In adults, it is important to focus on eliminating oral infections and establishing good oral hygiene before surgery. However, there have been very few studies on perioperative oral hygiene management for children, and the method of oral hygiene management for children undergoing cardiac surgery has been questioned. Therefore, this study examined oral hygiene management methods to reduce the number of bacteria in saliva of infants undergoing cardiovascular surgery. The method was to swab the saliva of the affected infants and culture the specimens for bacteria. The results of the study of oral hygiene management methods suggested that wiping with a povidone-iodine-containing mouthwash after surgery reduced the number of bacteria in saliva. Dental hygiene faculty, especially those responsible for undergraduate education, must keep in mind that students are expected to be scientifically competent to perform their duties after graduation. To support this education, we recognize that the challenge is to become personnel who can promote research with a solid clinical foundation.