Abstract:
Abstract: This study presents a literature review on the role of dentistry in preventing
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), emphasizing the importance of the dental
surgeon (DS) in intensive care units (ICUs). Objectives: To assess the contribution
of the dental surgeon to reducing the incidence of VAP in patients requiringmechanical ventilation and to promote understanding of hospital dentistry as a dental
specialty. Methodology: A qualitative study was carried out in Portuguese and
English in the Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO databases from 2012 to 2024.
Results: It was found that the combination of mechanical hygiene and chlorhexidine
0.12% reduces the incidence of VAP by up to 24%, making the presence of a DS
essential to implement efficient hygiene protocols. It also showed that the presence
of a dentist contributes to reducing oral biofilm, an important factor in preventing
respiratory infections in ICUs, reducing length of stay and hospital costs. Final
considerations: The inclusion of dental surgeons in ICUs is essential for the
prevention of nosocomial infections, so that hospital dentistry is chosen as a crucial
area for infection control and for promoting a better quality of life.
