The power of a positive message

Dental nurses, with the certificate in oral health promotion, and dental hygienists are often considered the most influential people when it comes to prevention of dental and periodontal diseases. As oral health promoters, the most fundamental asset is our ability to influence behaviour change.

Of course, we need to comprehend the disease process, understand instrumentation, and be up to speed on products and techniques – but the physical act of explaining all these processes, in a way that inspires and changes the patient’s long-term approach to their oral health, is paramount.

Shift a trend

Caries and periodontal disease is increasingly common and we see both in a large proportion of society. Prevention is key to helping shift this trend. Speaking to children and their parents, going into schools and sixth forms and speaking to patients in practice are all key in dealing with this issue.