Interdisciplinary Practice for the Management of Nutritional Deficiencies in Patients with Oral and Dental Complications

Abstract

This research examines whether combining specialists in dentistry, nutrition, pharmacy, nursing, and lab services would help treat the problem of malnutrition in hospitalized people with oral health problems. For a period of six months, using a quasi-experimental before and after study design at a tertiary hospital, we saw great improvement in several nutritional parameters including serum albumin, hemoglobin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron levels. Overall oral health also improved in the respondents according to the Oral Health Impact Profile OHIP-14 who reported on all aspects of oral function and well-being. Focus, interviews gave evidence of increased food and intake, less pain among the patients and higher satisfaction with the approach in provision of care though it took time and resources such effect was noted. These findings support the need for healthcare collaboration that focuses on patient centered care and poses questions for future studies that should evaluate the sustainability of such initiatives and how to resolve organizational obstacles.