Dry mouth is common after treatment for cancer and can affect patients' quality of life and oral health. Advice and management strategies can help minimise the distressing effects of this condition following radiotherapy and chemotherapy and during end-of-life care
The dental team has a responsibility more than ever in managing patients and providing them with the best possible dental care. We must always be aware of the futility of providing a patient with a fantastic ‘Hollywood smile’ when the dental team have missed obvious signs of a sinister medical probl
Zhou Y, Forbes GM, Macpherson LMD, Ball GE, Humphris GM (2012) The behaviour of extended duties dental nurses and the acceptance of fluoride varnish application in preschool children. Br Dent J213: 603–9
Lip-enhancing procedures are becoming increasingly popular in dental practice, and dental nurses can advise patients on procedures and their results. A basic knowledge of lip augmentation will enable nurses to manage patients’ expectations and answer their questions
Prophylaxis; it means prevention or at least preventative. We apply the term to the polish that we use to finish the scale and, as the term suggests, polish. What is it and why do we use it? Indeed the question can be raised should we be using it at all when it can be damaging to the hard tissues of
Traditionally the domain of dental technicians, the preparation of thermoformed retainers is now an additional skill that dental nurses can develop during their career. This article looks at why thermoformed retainers are used, how they are made and legal obligations of dental professionals who prov
Mouth cancer has firmly established itself as a modern day silent killer. Karen Coates, Oral Health Educator for the BDHF, talks about the risk factors which are contributing to this latest epidemic and discusses why dental nurses should be at the frontline of patient education and early diagnosis
Sjögren’s syndrome is a debilitating autoimmune disorder with symptoms of a dry mouth and associated oral problems. It affects around 5% of females and 0.5% of males in the general population. The dental team should help relieve the oral symptoms and refer on for assistance with the systemic effects
Smoking continues to be the main preventable cause of death in the UK. Tobacco consumption causes a wide range of diseases and other adverse effects, including multiple types of cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications. This article reviews the latest evidence on supporting smok
This article is the fifth in a series of case studies illustrating the roles and responsibilities of the registered dental nurse. It will describe the guidance that is available, and the steps necessary, to avoid the legal and ethical problems that will be discussed
What are mouth ulcers? How are they identified and what advice should patients be given? Ulcers are uncomfortable, have a number of causes and may be a sign of an underlying condition. They also give dental teams opportunities to build relationships with patients
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterised by a continuous painful burning sensation in an oral cavity that appears clinically normal. The burning sensation may affect more than one oral site with the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the hard palate and the lower lip mucosa being most frequentl
Sleep apnoea can lead to feeling excessively tired during the day and poses a risk to health. The condition can be managed, however, with the use of intra-oral devices. The aim of this article, therefore, is to discuss sleep apnoea in more depth, look at the use of anti-snoring devices, and the role
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