Presença do cirurgião-dentista em unidade hospitalar e o atendimento de paciente com epilepsia: relato de caso.

Abstract

Hospital dentistry encompasses specific actions of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment aimed mainly at managing patients with systemic complications, in whom the risk of oral alterations increases considerably. This study aimed to describe the relevance of the dentist’s role in the hospital setting through the clinical case report of a patient with epilepsy admitted to a hospital ward. The methodology consisted of an interview with the patient’s guardian, analysis of laboratory tests from the medical record, and bedside clinical evaluation, followed by dental intervention carried out by the Hospital Dentistry Extension Project team from the State University of Amazonas. The patient, a 36-year-old male, presented with drug-induced gingival hyperplasia, xerostomia, biofilm accumulation, and severe motor limitations. Supragingival and subgingival scaling, prophylaxis, topical fluoride application, and oral hygiene instructions were provided to the nursing staff and caregivers. During periodontal scaling, physical restraint using a sheet was required to ensure the patient’s safety and stability throughout the procedure. The results showed reduced dental plaque, improved gingival contour, and better bleeding control. The case highlights that the continuous use of anticonvulsants in hospitalized patients with epilepsy increases their vulnerability to oral alterations, reinforcing that the presence of a dentist within the multidisciplinary team is essential. Furthermore, the case emphasizes the importance of expanding and standardizing hospital dentistry, especially within the Unified Health System (SUS), to ensure efficient and continuous care for patients with complex systemic conditions such as epilepsy.