Validation of a Suggested Pre-Operative Protocol for the Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries during Oroendotracheal Intubation: A Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for oral pre-operative registration and dental risk assessment by the anaesthesiologist, determining its reliability through the inter-observer agreement between a senior dental student and an internal physician specializing in anaesthesiology. A convenience sample consisting of 35 patients was selected. These were observed during the anaesthesiology consultation, at Hospital de Sao Joao, Porto, Portugal. The protocol included a self-administered questionnaire and a brief clinical examination by the two observers. A descriptive analysis (qualitative and quantitative variables) was performed. The Fleiss Kappa index was used to measure the degree of agreement between the two observers. In most of the parameters defined, the agreement presented Kappa index values between 0.6 and 1, corresponding to good and excellent correlation, respectively. The general oral status was considered poor, with a great number of missing teeth, namely the upper central and lateral incisors. The proposed pre-anaesthetic protocol can be a reliable tool for the anaesthesiologists, which suggests the relevancy of incorporating interdisciplinary training between future health professionals. Further research is needed to assess its implementation, providing information about the pre-operative oral status, preventing intraoperative damage and potential medicolegal litigation.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable protocol for oral pre-operative registration and dental risk assessment by comparing the observations of a senior dental student and an internal physician specializing in anaesthesiology. A convenience sample of 35 patients was selected, and a self-administered questionnaire and brief clinical examination were conducted. Good to excellent correlation was found in most parameters, suggesting that this protocol can be implemented in clinical practice.