Special care dentistry and the role of the dental nurse

The health of Great Britain has changed dramatically even in the early stages of this, the 21st century. Modern medicine has evolved and refashioned the lives and expectations that people have for their health. For example, looking back in time to the 1970s, people with Down Syndrome tended to die at a younger age due to conditions such as congenital heart disease.

Nowadays, such individuals are living much longer, with the help of more sophisticated medical and surgical management. Apply these principles to society as a whole and health services are faced with a population which is advancing into older age in greater numbers, with a more convoluted portfolio of diseases and drugs to manage (and their side effects), plus varying levels of dependency.