Effects of Dental Follow-up on Oral Health, Antibiotic Prescriptions, and Hospitalizations in Pediatric Home Care Patients: A Single-Group Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral health, antibiotic prescriptions, and hospitalizations before and after dental follow-up among children assisted by the Home Care Service (HCS). METHODS: This single-group quasi-experimental, nonrandomized study was conducted at the HCS of the Clinical Hospital, at a Federal University in Brazil. This study involved 29 children undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation and gastrostomy. Oral healthcare data were collected at two time points: T1 (December 2021) and T2 (December 2022). Dental interventions and oral health education activities were conducted between January and December 2022. Monthly data on hospitalizations and antibiotic prescriptions were collected for 2021 and 2022. Oral health assessment was based on the simplified oral hygiene index, gingival bleeding, and gingival hyperplasia.Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon paired test, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: There was a reduction in gingival bleeding (47.4%, P = 0.044) and the presence of dental plaque (50.0%, P = 0.011) and calculus (50.0%, P = 0.024). The number of antibiotic prescriptions decreased by 51.5% (P = 0.043). No significant difference was observed in the hospitalization rates (P > 0.050). CONCLUSION: Over the course of the dental follow-up, homebound pediatric patients showed a reduction in dental plaque, calculus, gingival bleeding, and antibiotic use. This is particularly relevant given that children with disabilities who are homebound often lack access to dental care. Regular dental checkups can reduce plaque accumulation, gingival bleeding, calculus formation, and the need for antibiotic prescriptions. Therefore, integrating dentists into home care teams may strengthen the relationship between improved oral health, reduced antibiotic use, and lower hospitalization rates in vulnerable pediatric populations.