Conhecimento e atitudes de profissionais de enfermagem sobre higiene bucal em pacientes críticos

Objective:  to compare the knowledge and attitudes of nursing professionals working in public and private hospitals on oral hygiene in critically ill patients.  Method:  a cross-sectional study carried out in two adult Intensive Care Units, one public and the other one private, between the period of December 2018 and January 2019, using a structured and self-administered questionnaire.  Results:  the knowledge rate of professionals in the public hospital was 76.6% and the attitude was 62.7%, while in the private hospital, these rates were 81.8% and 67.1%, respectively. There were significant differences regarding the existence of a protocol (p <0.006), participation in training (p <0.004), and the use of a toothbrush with soft bristles and suction (p <0.001) in the private hospital.  Conclusion:  the knowledge level was higher, and the attitudes toward oral hygiene were more positive among nursing professionals at the private hospital compared to the professionals at the public hospital.