Abstract: Objective: To summarize and analyze the oral health assessment instruments employed for ICU patients both domestically and internationally, aiming to provide a reference for clinical nurses in selecting appropriate tools for evaluating the oral health of ICU patients. Methods: According to the research methodology of the scoping review, a systematic search was conducted on relevant literature in Chinese and English databases up to November 30, 2024. A screening process was carried out to identify oral health assessment tools for ICU patients that met the inclusion criteria, and the tools were summarized and analyzed. Results: A total of 16 studies were included, encompassing 14 oral health assessment tools. These tools evaluated a range of factors, including age, oral condition, voice, pain, swallowing function, respiratory support, nutritional support, ect. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the current oral health assessment tools for ICU patients remains unclear, and their clinical application is limited, which requires further validation and improvement.

Key words: Intensive Care Unit, oral health, evaluation tool, scope review