徳島大学病院入院患者の歯科的ニーズ : 口腔管理センターにおける受け入れ状況から

Tokushima University Hospital Oral Health Management Center was created in April 2006 in order that medical inpatients could be easily referred to the dental section. From April 2007 to August 2009, among the 658 inpatients referred by the Oral Health Management Center, 210 requested professional oral healthcare. Requests for professional oral healthcare are currently increasing. Among 244 patients who asked for a bedside visit, 184 requested professional oral healthcare. Most inpatients were referred from the Division of Blood Internal Medicine; and the second Division referring numerous inpatients was that of Neurological Disorders. The increased tendency for professional oral healthcare requests might be related to the closer working relations among NST staff in the hospital, and/or better knowledge regarding the importance of oral health by medical doctors and nurses. The needs for dental services for inpatients varies. It is important for dental professionals to cooperate with medical care staff, and to be capable of dealing with various general conditions.