Table 2: Parameters investigated and evaluation method.

Category Evaluated item Evaluation method
Oral health status Cleanliness Screening sheet (Table 3)
Dryness
Tongue coating
Tooth brushing (self-care)
Breath odor
Gums, oral mucosa, and tongue troubles
Use of dentures Presence or absence
Amount of unstimulated saliva The 30 seconds cotton roll method
Oral mucosal moisture Moisture Checker for Mucus®
Microorganisms Total microorganism counts
Streptococci counts
Candida counts
Swallowing status Tongue protrusion Screening sheet (Table 3)
Cheek puffing test
Articulation
Oral intake
Choking
Nutrition status Period of tube feeding The patient records
Period to meal resumption
Diet form
General condition Body temperature
Activities of daily living (ADL)
Japan Coma Scale (JCS)