Improving Oral Health in Care Homes

Demonstrate a better understanding of meeting the oral health needs of the growing number of older people especially those in residential care and addressing the changing need of patients with dementia.

Topics covered will include:

• Exploration of the population trends in the United Kingdom, with a focus on the growing older population and how their oral care needs are best met when in residential care;
• How the NICE guidance related to oral health can support initiatives by general dental practitioners and their teams;
• The roles of NHS England in ensuring that domiciliary care is provided and local authorities in ensuring that care staff are adequately trained to meet the oral health needs of their residents; and
• Outline how best to engage with patients with dementia and outline how their carers should support their oral care needs.

On completion you should be able to:

• State the definition of an older person and the changing demographics of the population;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the:
• care home sector and the standards relating to personal care and the care certificate;
• NICE guidance in relation to adults in residential care; and
• Define:
• the common oral problems that older people in residential care may suffer from;
• how best to engage with your patients who may have dementia and their carers.