Biofluorescence-guided oral care for hospitalized geriatric patient with pneumonia: A case report

Effective detection and removal of pathogenic oral biofilm in hospitalized geriatric patient are important for preventing aspiration pneumonia. This case report describes the clinical application of biofluorescence-based technology for immediate assessment of oral hygiene status and biofluorescence-guided oral hygiene care in a hospitalized geriatric patient with pneumonia. The thickness and extent of oral biofilm were difficult to determine by visual inspection; however, biofluorescence imaging revealed red biofluorescence across multiple regions of the oral cavity. Based on these findings, mechanical and chemical biofilm control was performed at the bedside by a dental professional. Following oral care, the red biofluorescence observed before intervention was no longer present, allowing objective evaluation of biofilm removal. These findings suggest that biofluorescence enables real-time visualization of pathogenic biofilm and objective monitoring of changes in oral hygiene, improving the objectivity of oral hygiene assessment and supporting quality improvement in oral care for hospitalized patients.