Inpatient Mouth Care in Brent

Oral health has been found to deteriorate in hospitalised patients. Poor mouth care of inpatients can have a significant impact on both their physical and mental wellbeing. It has been associated with malnutrition, an increase in hospital acquired infections and patient comfort and dignity. Therefore, it is crucial that mouth care is integrated into daily patient care.

Healthwatch Brent conducted a review into hospitalised patients’ mouth care across wards in London North West University Trust. We spoke to 66 patients across 8 wards in three hospital sites between July and August 2019. To find out more about their mouth care routine since being in hospital, we asked patients to complete a survey.