Several types of dental operator chair are available, and the correct choice not only makes work more comfortable but also can prevent musculoskeletal problems. When a practice decides to buy new chairs for surgery staff, dental nurses need to be involved in the discussions
It's January and everyone is thinking about the upcoming year and what opportunities this year may bring. So what's in store for dental nurses in 2013 and how can you get involved more in supporting your profession?
This series of articles is designed to help you explore and develop your dental nursing practice. This article, the third in the series, explores the ‘dos and don'ts of giving and receiving feedback
Over the last 5 years there have been a considerable number of changes in dentistry that have irreversibly altered the course of the profession. Sam Ball looks at these changes, and predicts their impact on the future of the industry
What are mouth ulcers? How are they identified and what advice should patients be given? Ulcers are uncomfortable, have a number of causes and may be a sign of an underlying condition. They also give dental teams opportunities to build relationships with patients
Healthcare staff with a high occupational exposure to latex gloves, such as dental care professionals, have a higher than average incidence of latex allergies. Aleks Kinay outlines the types of allergic sensitization to natural rubber latex and measures to reduce the risk of exposure in health servi
This article describes how preventive encounters in dental practice can be most effective if each of the characters involved play their part. It describes the attitudes, knowledge and skills that an optimally effective clinical team need to have and what patients may bring to preventive encounters
We all work in a dental organisation of some sort, some big and some small, and it is a fact of life that when people work together, there will be conflict from time to time. This article explains how to manage conflict, improve communication skills and develop conflict resolution skills
Dental care professionals and patients need their eyes protected against body fluids, chemicals, fragments of objects and other substances. Different types of eye protection are available, and practitioners can have complex requirements when it comes to safety glasses
Dental decay is the most common preventable childhood disease. Oral health educator for the British Dental Health Foundation, Karen Coates, discusses the importance of establishing good oral health routines for children and why encouraging parents should be top of the priority list
Do dental nurses really understand what it means to be on the Register of Dental Care Professionals?
The sale of electric toothbrushes is increasing. With such a wide range on the market, how do dental care professionals advise patients which product to purchase? This article looks at the factors that might influence your advice concerning electric toothbrush selection
An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken with the aim of examining oral discomfort from the perspective of terminally ill patients. Interviews focusing on the experiences and perceptions of oral discomfort and effects on day-to-day functioning among 14 palliative care patients were conducted
Following on from the series of articles outlining the identification and management of medical emergencies, this article presents two reflective case studies for practitioners to work through in order to appreciate the knowledge and skills required
Oral care is an essential area of care for older people in the nursing home. Beth Young gives guidance on providing a basic assessment tool and daily protocol
