News

In response to polio virus detection in London

1 min read Children's dentistry Patient education
Recent reports of the detection of the polio virus in sewage samples in London have promoted the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) to issue a note to members. The society’s advice is to highlight the evidence-based risk, explain this to families in the context of UKHSA’s (UK Health Security Agency) announcement and to signpost them to their GP or health visitor.

Whilst currently there is no confirmed UK case of polio, UKHSA have issued a statement recognising the potential severity. So BSPD believes that as part of ‘Making Every Contact Count’ (MECC) and our commitment to provide holistic care for our patients, that this is the ideal opportunity for dentists to play their role.

Dental professionals will be asking about patients’ vaccination status as part of the routine medical history. BSPD believes that this is the moment to ask specifically about polio immunisation and recommends Dental Check by 1 (DCby1), as an ideal time to remind parents and carers to ensure their children’s immunisation records are up to date (DCby1 is BSPD’s campaign to get children into a dentist’s chair before their first birthday).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Dental Nursing and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Up to 2 free articles per month

  • New content available

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here

Posted under:

British Society of Paediatric Dentistry bspd child health child vaccination London polio detection Polio outbreak polio vaccines polio virus UK Health Security Agency UK polio cases vaccine programme