Nurses with bad breath

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

Some people have a medical condition that causes them to have bad breath. Other people just lack oral hygiene. There's a woman where I work that always has really bad breath in the morning. When I get report from her, I just try to stay directly out of her face. I've never felt the need to say anything to her about it- it's not really my place to embarrass her for something she likely can't control.

Remember that nobody wants to have bad breath. Look up chronic halitosis- sometimes there is nothing that works to really correct it. If the person truly has bad breath all the time then they are likely aware of the problem and there are no treatments/techniques that have worked for them.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

Why do you feel the need to "do" something? I can't imagine a time you would be spending that much time in a nurse's face to the point that the bad breath would be unbearable. Deal with it for a few minutes and move on. Probably the nurse already knows and it is either a chronic thing, or she isn't worried about what others think.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

The subject of personal grooming is being discussed at length in another thread......https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/nurses-please-try-710912.html. Ashley has given you excellent advice. If you are finding it particularly offensive or that patients are complaining tell your boss see if she/he can intervene. Carry sugarless mints/tic tacs and offer them to her/him......politely. Take some for your self and then offer them to the person you are taking with.

bernikitty · May 17, 2012

once you start working, a little bad breath will be the least of your concerns.