Oral Care Performance Checklist

Oral Care

Check care plan for direction and client needs. Perform hand hygiene. Explain the procedure to the client. Assess the client’s status before undertaking the activity. Provide for privacy. Provide oral care in accordance with the “Brushing Up On Mouth Care” manual.

Collect gloves and items:

• Soft toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Mouthwash
• Cup
• Water
• Kidney basin
• Towel
• Paper towel
• Lip lubrication (if preferred)
• Arrange items on top of over bed table.
• Raise bed to a comfortable working height. Lower the bed rail near you if up.
• Place the towel over the client’s chest.
• Adjust the over bed table so you or the client can reach it with ease.
• Put on gloves.
• Check the person’s mouth for abnormalities. Report and record any abnormalities.
• Assist client as necessary.

Natural Teeth – brush minimum once daily

• Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush. Hold the toothbrush over the kidney basin; pour some water over the brush.
• Brush teeth at a 45⁰ angle.
• Brush the person’s teeth and tongue gently from back to front; massage gums with toothbrush at a 45⁰ angle; rinse the mouth with water or mouth rinse. Hold the kidney basin or bowl under the person’s chin to spit. Dry mouth with gauze if trouble with spitting.
• Floss the person’s teeth using an up and down motion along the side of each tooth.

No Natural Teeth

• Gently brush tongue and palate.
• Gently massage gums with soft toothbrush at 45⁰ to gums.
• Provide mouth rinse or other solution. Hold the kidney basin or bowl under the chin to spit.

To Finish

• Dry lips and apply lip lubricant. Remove the towel when done. Adjust the over bed table next to the bed. Rinse toothbrush and air-dry.
• Perform hand hygiene. Provide for safety and comfort. Tidy area.
• Report and record actions and observations according to agency policy.