Introduction: One of the common problems among hemodialysis patients is poor oral hygiene, which requires  urgent nursing interventions due to its impact on their quality of life.
Objective: This study compared the effects of curcumin lozenges and ginger mouthwash on oral hygiene in  hemodialysis patients.
Material and Methods: This clinical trial included all hemodialysis patients admitted to Aja-affiliated hospitals in Tehran in 2023. A total of 99 patients were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: curcumin lozenge, ginger mouthwash, and control. All three groups continued to receive routine oral health care, including flossing, proper tooth brushing techniques, rinsing the mouth after every meal, and instructions on using mouthwash. Patients in the ginger mouthwash group used the mouthwash in the morning and at night, swishing 15–20 cc for 30 seconds to one minute. Patients in the curcumin lozenge group took two tablets twice daily, allowing them to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Data were collected using a patient demographic information form and an oral examination scale.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean oral health scores were 9.21±2.39 in the curcumin group, 9.69±2.21 in the ginger group, and 8.87±2.20 in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.343). After the intervention, the mean scores changed to 6.39±1.67 in the curcumin group, 7.81±2.00 in the ginger group, and 8.06±2.23 in the control group, indicating a significant difference (P=0.002). The oral hygiene status improved most
notably in the curcumin lozenge group. Post-intervention comparisons showed a significant difference between the curcumin lozenge and ginger mouthwash groups (P=0.018), as well as between the curcumin lozenge and control groups (P=0.004).
Conclusion: Nurses working in hemodialysis departments should enhance their knowledge of medicinal plants and consider recommending curcumin to improve the oral health of these patients.