Becoming an oral health educator: the real story

In this article, Alice Lucy Lloyd describes her journey of becoming an oral health educator, and details what the qualification entails

Oral health promotion for special care patients

Oral health care for special care patients with physical or sensory disability can present a challenge. This article describes why there are risks to oral health and gives some tips for dental nurses trained in special care dentistry on how to provide effective care

First impressions count: how to take a primary impression

This article explains the importance of the primary impression, while describing the important and necessary clinical stages involved in making an impression of the complete and partial dentition

Clinical audits in radiology

This article looks at the different areas that can be audited in radiology, the cycle of events, and key points to remember when carrying out a clinical audit

Autistic spectrum disorder: what should you know?

I am a paediatric dentist who has been working for over 20 years with the families of children who are on the autistic spectrum. This article is based not only on my own experience but also the feedback from those families whose children I have seen grow up under my care

Peri-implantitis: what you need to know and how to help

This article will introduce a significant biological complication that has developed involving dental implants: peri-implantitis. It provides an overview, how it is caused, and what dental nurses can do to help patients prevent the condition

Pain in the orofacial region. Part 1: an overview

This three-part series examines pain in the orofacial region. The first article provides an overview of pain in the trigeminal sensory region

Update on the new sedation guidelines

Sports dentistry, dental trauma and endodontics

This article outlines the potential impact of sports participation on the individuals' teeth, starting from the dietary risk factors to the endodontic treatment implications following dental trauma

Odontogenic pain

Thayer T (2015) Odontogenic pain. Dental Update42(7): 622–630

Impression-making techniques to help the gagging patient

This article focuses on patient- and dental nurse-based techniques that will help to manage a hypersensitve gag reflex in patients

Hypodontia: an overview

This article provides an overview of hypodontia, including the aetiology, associated features and treatment options for this condition

Sugar-free gum and the impact on dental caries

This article discusses the impact that sugar-free gum can have in the fight against dental caries

Oral health advice for patients with orthodontic appliances

This article discusses the oral health implications for patients who undergo orthodontic treatment and how the dental nurse can help

Patients with eating disorders: the role of the dental nurse

This article provides an overview of eating disorders, and how dental nurses can aid in the management of their dental care