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
The GDC has confirmed that ‘oral cancer: improving early detection’ is to be included as a ‘recommended’ topic in its CPD scheme. Claire Herbert, Head of Revalidation at the GDC, discusses the benefits of this decision
This article, written by Penny Bowen from DBS, seeks to provide a wealth of information about the ways you and your family can save money and tax, which is sure to prove useful in these straightened times
Even though the application of fluoride varnish appears to be a simple procedure registered dental nurses need to be correctly trained in this ‘additional skill’. This article describes what is needed for dental nurses to be considered competent to carry out this preventive treatment
Dental nurses offer care and comfort, but they often end up with a pain in the back for their efforts.Chronic back pain may result in severe discomfort while treating patients or could even require a period of absence from work. Both of these have obvious social and financial implications
Dental practices must have immediate access to basic equipment for the management of medical emergencies. All dental nurses should have an understanding of how to use this equipment. This article describes the equipment that should be available as well as the indications and techniques for use
Policies are commonplace, but what are they really all about? What makes them important to dental nursing practice and should dental nurses become more involved with them?
This series of articles is designed to help you, the dental nurse, think seriously about writing for professional publication. It explores motivation, creating interest, structure and different styles of articles. At the end of the series you should feel confident to start writing your first article
This article will examine and summarise the evidence to support the advice that dental nurses should give their patients on toothbrushing. Key areas include: role of oral hygiene with regard to gum health and caries control, frequency and timing of brushing, use of fluoride toothpaste and rinsing be
