The Institutional Oral Hygiene Crisis: Guest Blog By Marta Kazandjian Ranaldo Medical Speech Pathologist, Board Certified in Swallowing Disorders, and Integrative Health Coach

There are millions of patients in institutions who are incapable of attending to their own oral hygiene needs for one reason or another. The population includes the elderly, traumatic brain injury patients, Alzheimer's patients, stroke victims, those with limited mobility, and those with several other chronic and acute illnesses too numerous to name. The staff provides little to no oral care. There is a much greater chance of finding a hair salon in these facilities than a dental operatory. Considering that brushing twice daily and flossing once is the standard recommendation, this is a tragedy. Speech pathologist and Swallowing specialist Marta Marta Kazandjian Ranaldo has graciously taken time out of her busy schedule as a nationally recognized swallowing specialist to enlighten us more on the subject.

Scott Solomons, DDSSeptember 21, 2020oral Hygiene, dental infection, traumatic brain injury, My Plate, gum disease, obesity, diabetes, chronic illness, acute care, Marta Kazandjian Ranaldo, speech pathology, swallowing disorder, dysphagia, pneumonia, plaqueComment