The Role of Nurses in Preventing Infective Endocarditis in Children with Heart Disease by Promoting Oral Health

Abstract

Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening complication of a patient with heart disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Tooth decay is accepted as one of the major causes of infective endocarditis in children. Current evidence showed that oral health promotion is an effective strategy to decrease the risk of infective endocarditis. A safe, easy and effective way to maintain oral health to prevent tooth decay can be done by brushing teeth properly and with fluoride toothpaste. Therefore, nurses, who are considered medical personnel who are primarily responsible for patient care, together with physicians, play an important role in promoting oral and dental health care in pediatric patients with heart disease and their parents by nurses to assess oral and dental health screening. Nurses are involved in educating individuals about oral hygiene and how to prevent infective endocarditis, examining a patient’s oral health, as well as referring to a dentist for proper management. As a result, the chances of bacteremia and developing infective endocarditis will be reduced.