Hospital-acquired pneumonia reduced by daily toothbrushing
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- Brett Mitchell led the HAPPEN study, a year‑long RCT across three Australian hospitals with 8,870 patients.
- HAPPEN study gave participants toothpaste and a toothbrush, resulting in a 60% reduction in common hospital‑acquired pneumonia.
- Michael Klompas of Harvard University, not involved in the trial, called the findings 'rigorous data on how best to prevent' a major healthcare‑associated infection.
Why it matters: Hospitals and patients gain a 60% cut in pneumonia cases, translating to fewer ICU stays and lower treatment costs, while insurers avoid extra expenses and overall healthcare mortality falls.
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