Preoperative Oral Health Assessment of Bariatric Patients: The Role of the Bariatric Nurse

One of the consequences of morbid obesity that has been overlooked is oral health. This paper discusses the oral consequences associated with drugs used to control weight, as well as the oral side effects produced by medications used to treat comorbidities of obesity. We also address how dietary behaviors, and the ergonomic inability to obtain dental care, affect oral health. The relationship between poor oral health and behavior in the bariatric patient are also discussed. Finally, an assessment tool is presented that can assist bariatric nurses evaluate the oral health of bariatric patients.