Grant: Embedded Clinician Researcher Salary Award - Oral health care

Oral health and care have become very important in the treatment and recovery of Canadians hospitalized for serious illness. Dr. Dale plans to conduct research with adult patients placed on ventilators (breathing machines) in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are often older and have pre-existing dental problems. During ICU treatment, patients experience important changes to their oral health including mouth sores, discomfort, and accumulation of bacteria which can lead to a life-threatening lung infection called pneumonia. Delivering oral care that meets patients' needs is important. However, expert practice recommendations do not currently reflect the oral care concerns of patients and their caregivers. Dr. Dale has partnered with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a large Canadian hospital that treats many ICU patients, to focus on the oral care needs of this vulnerable group. He will work with ICU patients, families, and diverse health professionals to clarify priorities for improving oral care delivery. Dr. Dale's research projects will address several important issues including difficulties providing oral care to patients on ventilators, pain presence during oral care, and oral health-related quality of life following ICU treatment. Findings from these combined research projects will help to identify new research questions, potential interventions to test, and measureable improvements in oral care deemed important to patients.