A importância do cirurgião-dentista em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva para a prevenção de complicações sistêmicas: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are frequently exposed to factors that compromise their oral health, favoring the development of systemic complications. The presence of a dental surgeon in the hospital’s multidisciplinary team is essential to identify, prevent, and treat oral alterations that may negatively affect the clinical status of these individuals. This study, through a narrative literature review, addresses the importance of the dental surgeon in ICUs, focusing on their contribution to the prevention of systemic complications such as nosocomial pneumonia, sepsis, and infective endocarditis. The methodology consisted of a bibliographic search conducted in the PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases between December 2024 and May 2025. Descriptors in both Portuguese and English were used, combined with the boolean operators “AND” and “OR”, considering articles published between 2010 and 2025, available in full text and free of charge, in Portuguese or English. The reviewed studies show that systematic dental care contributes to the reduction of pathogens in the oral cavity, improves clinical outcomes, and strengthens comprehensive care for critically ill patients. The inclusion of dental surgeons in ICUs thus represents a relevant strategy for safety, prevention, and quality in hospital care.