言語聴覚士による口腔ケアの実情と課題—アンケート調査結果報告

The actual situation and challenges in oral care performed by speech-language-hearing therapists: Results of a questionnaire survey

　口腔ケアによる摂食嚥下機能や発声発語機能の改善効果の解明のための基礎資料を得ることを目的に，言語聴覚士（以下，ST）に対し口腔ケア実施状況を調査し，口腔ケアに対する期待や課題などについて考察を行った．その結果，多くのSTは臨床において，摂食嚥下機能向上，誤嚥性肺炎予防，口腔衛生・保清，構音機能向上などを目的に口腔ケアを実施していた．また，法律上，歯科医師や歯科衛生士以外が行えない歯石除去などの行為を行っている可能性があることがわかった．これらから，STに対する口腔ケア教育の必要性と緊急性が浮き彫りになった．

　With the objective of acquiring basic data for investigating the effects of oral care to improve eating, swallowing, vocalization, and speech functions, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the situation in which oral care is performed by speech-language-hearing therapists(SHLTs) and interviewed SLHTs regarding their expectations in oral care and the challenges they face. The results revealed that many SLHTs were performing oral care in clinical practice with several objectives including: improving eating and swallowing functions, preventing aspiration pneumonia, maintaining oral hygiene, and improving articulatory functions. The results also revealed that some SLHTs were providing treatments such as tartar removal that only dentists and dental hygienists are legally permitted to perform. These findings highlighted the necessity and urgency of oral care education for SLHTs.