Component Task: Assisting a Hypoactive Patient to Clean the Mouth

This is the act of helping the less active, withdrawn and retarded patient to clean and maintain his/her oral hygiene. The hypoactive patient usually does not see the need to maintain his/her oral hygiene even though mouth care is an essential activity of daily living.

Aims

·         Remove daily dental plaques

·         Boost self confidence

·         Boost appetite

·         Prevent halitosis and other infections

·         Keep the lips and mucosa soft and clean

·         Encourage patient to resume daily activities

Requirements

1.        A tray containing the following:

·         Tooth paste and tooth brush or chewing stick/sponge

·         Water in a plastic cup

·         Receiver if there is no sink

·         Mouth wash

·         Protective material

·         Lip balm

·         Paper tissue

·         Examination gloves

·         Face mask

·         Goggles

2.      Running tap and sink

3.      Screen

4.      Assisting nurse(s)

Steps

1.        Establish rapport (refer procedure)

2.      Explain procedure to patient

3.      Discuss with patient the preferred tooth paste and brush or chewing stick/sponge to be used

4.      Provide privacy and call for assistance when necessary

5.      Prepare tray to be used for the procedure

6.      Coax patient to the bathroom/appropriate place using persuasion and minimum force

7.       Sit patient on a chair/stool or allow patient to stand as desired

8.      Sit/stand in front of the patient where necessary

9.      Place protective material under patient’s chin

10.    Give patient some water to rinse the mouth into sink/receiver

11.      Assist patient to brush with paste of choice or chewing stick/sponge

12.    Encourage and assist patient to clean the teeth, tongue and inner cheeks properly

13.    Give patient water to rinse mouth into sink/receiver

14.    Provide mouth wash if available

15.    Give tissue paper to patient and assist him/her to wipe the lips

16.    Inspect patient’s mouth for any abnormality (stomatitis, coated tongue etc.)

17.    Apply lip balm to the lips if dried or cracked

18.    Remove protective material

19.    Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity

20.  Remove screen, clear tray, decontaminate used items and perform hand hygiene

21.    Document procedure, report any abnormalities and indicate patient’s level of co-operation in the nurses’ notes/patient’s folder