What is special care dentistry?

Special care dentistry (SCD) provides preventive and treatment oral care services for people unable to accept routine dental care because of some physical, intellectual, medical, emotional, sensory, mental or social impairment, or a combination of these factors. It is specialist led in order to meet the complex requirements of people with impairments.

Dental nurse Linda Day works with Solent NHS Trust and has done so for 40 years, having qualified in 1978. She moved into special care dentistry in 1979 and admits: ‘I went originally as it paid more, not having a clue of what it entailed’ but hasn’t looked back.

She explains: ‘I love my job. I work with a really good, supportive team at Solent NHS Trust and, although I have worked continually for them throughout my career, I have had many different roles over the years. In the past, I have also worked in clinical governance. I have radiation, sedation, OHI, special care qualifications and have completed BSL level one. These were undertaken with support from the Trust, which is another reason to work for special care. They certainly encouraged me to take post qualifications.’