Component Task: Assisting an Overactive Patient to Clean the Mouth

This is the act of assisting an excited patient to clean and maintain his/her oral hygiene. 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

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

·         Bowl for dentures

·         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 the procedure to the 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.    Perform hand hygiene and don gloves

11.      Remove and place dentures in a bowl if any and inspect mouth

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

13.    Give patient brush with paste of choice or chewing stick or sponge

14.    Supervise patient to clean teeth, tongue and the inner cheeks properly and assist where necessary

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

16.    Provide mouth wash if available

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

18.    Clean dentures, rinse and replace them

19.    Remove protective material

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

21.    Remove screen, clear tray, disinfect used items and perform hand hygiene

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

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