Table 1 Percentage distribution of the nurses’ attitude towards oral care (n = 73)

It is nurses responsibility to assess the oral status

69 (94.5)

1 (1.4)

3 (4.1)

Oral care is high priority

65 (89.0)

6 (8.2)

2 (2.7)

Cleaning the oral cavity is an unpleasant task^a

13 (17.8)

3 (4.1)

57 (78.1)

The mouth of patients gets worse no matter I do^a

2 (2.7)

4 (5.5)

67 (91.8)

I need enough training to provide oral care

69 (94.5)

4 (5.5)

0 (0)

The oral cavity is difficult to clean^a

29 (39.7)

4 (5.5)

40 (54.8)

Ventilated/comatose patients should be given special attention

73 (100)

0 (0)

0 (0)

I need an oral care guideline to provide quality oral care

71 (97.3)

1 (1.4)

1 (1.4)

I have enough supplies and equipment to provide oral care

17 (23.3)

4 (5.5)

52 (71.2)