What do systematic reviews say?

Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care vs placebo or usual care

• Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Plaque index: Fu 2019 found a significant reduction in the chlorhexidine group; Ozcaka 2012 and Scannapieco 2009 found no difference; 3 studies; no usable pooled estimate.
  3 studies
  GRADE not reported

Educational intervention with information and practical components (theoretical oral health education plus practical skills training) for nursing staff and/or residents vs usual care

It is very uncertain whether oral health education (advice and training) changes dental state: No clinically important change in plaque index compared with standard care (oral health advice not specifically emphasised beyond… (very low certainty).

• Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.5 [-0.62, -0.38]
  1 study · 40 participants
  Very low

Motivational interview plus oral health education vs Oral health education

It is very uncertain whether motivational interview plus oral health education changes dental state: No clinically important change in plaque index compared with oral health education (very low certainty).

• Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.6 [-1.02, -0.18]
  1 study · 56 participants
  Very low

Monitoring (any means of observation, supervision, keeping under review, measuring or testing at intervals) vs No monitoring

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  See comment; Not estimable; 0 (0 studies); no study reported useable data
  0 studies
  No studies found