Sharpen up for 2018

In last month’s Dental Nursing magazine, we heard from Charlotte Wake who asked if dental nurses have a responsibility to communicate with patients using sign language. A few of you said you had already undertaken the British Sign Language examination and had, on occasion, found a need to use it in practice.

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard is a deaf beauty blogger and YouTuber and married to Claudia Fozard, an associate dentist at Ball Tree Dental Care in West Sussex. Having read the article, their input was interesting. Jessica says: ‘Like most people who have difficulties with their hearing, I have experienced challenges communicating in a healthcare situation. Healthcare professionals are often confused because I use my voice – but I also wear hearing aids, so they need to ask before assuming I can hear them just fine.’