Why provide Oral Care for Non-Ventilated Babies?

Sick babies and preemies — even those not on oxygen — suffer from reduced salivary production. CPAP prongs and other oxygen devices can irritate the nares, while artificially supplied gases and air movement can dry out the mouth, causing irritation and discomfort. Diligent oral care can help provide comfort and prevent nosocomial infections.(1) The Hawaii Medical Oral Care Kit can help.

The Biotene Oralbalance gel in our kit mimics the human salivary systems, helping to promote healthy saliva production and alleviated dry-mouth. Applied with a specially designed soft foam swab, the gel gently loosens crust and dried build-up in and around the mouth. Caregivers report that babies enjoy the gentle swabbing action. With this first-of-its-kind kit, oral care takes only a few minutes to administer at touch time, once per shift, or as needed. (Be sure to follow your hospital protocol or request our sample protocol.) In addition, it provides an excellent opportunity for proactive family involvement when family, staff and baby are ready. Parents often are able to perform the oral care protocol and feel involved in their baby's care.

1. Oral Care Protocol, April 2008, Level III NICU, Chicago, IL

* The FDA recommends against using products with CPC for children under six years of age.

FEDERAL REGISTER PART III DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINSTRATION VOL. 68, NO. 103 PP 32239,47.

Now, Routine Oral Care Is Convenient and
Economical for Your Babies!

Our oral care kit is a low-cost, easy-to-administer way to provide effective oral care to infants and children. Each kit contains a 2ml twist-tip vial of Biotene Oralbalance gel and two specially sized swabs. Administer the clear, slightly sweet gel on the gums and tongue once a shift, or as needed. Residual gel remains in the mouth to act as a moisturizer, dissolving over an hour or so. In addition, apply a thin coating of gel to help moisturize lips. Be sure to follow your hospital protocol throughout the process.

An Oral Gel with Natural Enzymes

We selected Biotene Oralbalance gel because Biotene's active ingredients — lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin — are naturally occurring antibacterial enzymes found in human breast milk and colostrum.

Originally Created To Help Prevent VAP —
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

We developed our oral care kit at the request of hospitals that wanted to provide oral care to ventilated NICU and PICU babies as a part of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) prevention protocols. Soon after the kit's introduction, caregivers told us that the moisturizing gel and small swabs were perfect for providing the benefits of oral care to ventilated and non-ventilated babies, including CPAP and room air patients. So even though the kit's "official" name is VAP Guard, it's an effective way to provide almost any baby with routine oral care. (For information on VAP prevention, education and protocols, please contact us.)