A Call to All StudentsAnnouncing the BSDHT Leaflet Competition

“Improving the oral health of elderly people in nursing homes and residential

care homes.”

In her Inaugural Address President Michaela ONeill discussed the need to improve the oral health of elderly people in nursing homes and residential care homes.

It is very clear that there are inequalities in the type of oral care the elderly and dependent in residential homes can expect to receive in many areas of the UK. Many Care home staff and home care assistants seem to lack training in how to clean teeth and dentures, with patients often not having their dentures removed on a daily basis.1 At its simplest this can lead to inadequate nutrition and deterioration in general health. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to localised infection; discomfort; abscesses, and pain. There has been a great deal of research across the world finding links between poor oral health and heart disease and stroke2 3; diabetes4; dementia5; and bacterial pneumonia6 7, which is one of the biggest causes of death in elderly residential care homes.

There are 11 million people over the age of 65 in the UK and it is estimated that by 2025 over 50% will have retained 21 teeth or more, often with complex crown and bridge work, and implants. Many edentulous patients will have implant retained dentures. Without proper daily oral hygiene regimes this will lead to substantial suffering of vulnerable members of our communities.

The aim of this leaflet is to increase awareness of the importance of oral health care in the elderly and other cared for population.

It should be designed so that family, carers and the elderly can understand and follow the instructions with ease.

The competition will be divided into 4 categories with a winner for each leaflet category.

1. How teeth change with age and how to keep them for life ;

2. How to keep your mouth healthy with partial dentures;

3. How to look after full dentures, implant retained dentures and Oral Health ;

4. Medications and their effect on oral health.

This leaflet competition is open to BSDHT student members training in Dental Hygiene and those training in Dental Hygiene and Therapy.

The competition meets the GDC Preparing for Practice learning outcomes listed in Appendix A.

References:

1. Forsell M et al (2011) ‘Attitudes & perceptions towards oral hygiene tasks among geriatric nursing home staff’ Int J Dent Hygiene No.9 2011; 199-203.

2. Jukka H et al (2004) ‘Oral Health, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease’ Critical Reviews In Oral Biology & Medicine Nov 2004 vol 15 no6 403-413.

3. Hsin-Chia Hung et al (2003) ‘Clinical Investigation and Reports Oral Health and Peripheral Arterial Disease’ American Heart Association Circulation. 2003; 107: 1152-1157.

4. George W. Taylor et al (2007) ‘Impact of Oral Diseases on Systemic Health in the Elderly: Diabetes Mellitus and Aspiration Pneumonia’ Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Article first published online: 1 MAY 2007.

5. Noble J M (2009) ‘Periodontitis is associated with cognitive impairment among older adults: analysis of NHANES-III’ J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2009;80:1206-1211

6. Mojon P (2002) ‘Oral health and respiratory infection’ J Can Dent Assoc. 2002 Jun;68(6):340-5.

7. El-Solh A (2011) ‘Association between pneumonia and oral care in nursing home residents’ Lung. 2011 Jun;189(3):173-80.

Terms and Conditions for the Leaflet Competition

NOTE: LEAFLETS THAT DO NOT CONFORM WILL BE RETURNED WITHOUT REVIEW

Please read all instructions before completing the electronic form.

1. Open to all student Dental Hygienists and students in Dental Hygiene and Therapy who are BSDHT members.

2. Template is A5 four-page leaflet; maximum words for the leaflet cannot exceed 500, in 12-point typeface.

3. Proof read your leaflet carefully. The leaflet will be reproduced directly from this form.

4. Must be a PDF document.

5. Leaflets MUST be submitted via e-mail using the BSDHT Electronic Entry Form.

The form can be accessed via the BSDHT website: www.bsdht.org.uk. A confirmation email will be sent on receipt of submission.

6. All information provided should be referenced with current research where appropriate. Harvard referencing system is the most common style of referencing used

7. Students are to submit a portfolio documenting their production process – (through this, students can identify aim, objectives as per GDC requirements facilitating objective evaluation of the leaflet and provides an evidence trail.)

8. All entries will be expected to sign an exclusivity declaration/Pro forma.

9. Winners will receive a small number of hard copies and leaflets will be available to download from the BSDHT website.

10. Leaflets must contain BSDHT contact details.

11. Winning leaflets will become property of and copyright of the BSDHT.

Entries must be recieved by 17.00 on 30 September 2015

Leaflet checklist

The checklist below is not a complete checklist and some things may not be appropriate for certain leaflets. However, for elective procedures you should always ensure that you include the essential information listed above.

• What is the leaflet about and who is it for?

• Why will it be needed?

• How will it benefit the patient, carer or relative?

• Are there any alternatives?

• What are the consequences of not complying?

• Anything to look out for and what to do

• Contact details BSDHT

• Further sources of information (include any national bodies, support groups or web sites, if available).

Add any extra information that you feel the patient will want to know, or needs to know, about their dental and oral health.

Appendix A

GDC Preparing for Practice Learning Outcomes – Leaflet competition

In The GDC’s Preparing for Practice Dental Team learning outcomes for registration, it lists seven overarching outcomes which should be demonstrated throughout education and training.

Parts of which are relevant to our leaflet.

Describe the principles of good research, how to access research and interpret it for use as part of an evidence based approach to practice.

Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgement and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Through our leaflet competition students will be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:

Clinical

1.1.2 Describe oral diseases and their relevance to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

1.1.3 Explain general and systemic disease and their relevance to oral health.1.1.4 Explain the aetiology and pathogenesis of oral disease.1.1.11 Recognise psychological and sociological factors that contribute to poor oral

health, the course of diseases and the success of treatment.

1.7.2 Explain the impact of medical and psychological conditions in the patient.

1.7.9 Recognise local referral networks, local clinical guidelines and policies.

1.10.1 Explain the principles of preventive care.

1.10.2 Provide patients with comprehensive and accurate preventive education and instruction in a manner which encourages self-care and motivation.

1.10.3 Underpin all patient care with a preventive approach that contributes to the patient’s long term oral health and general health.

1.11.8 Describe the risks related to dental implant therapy and manage the health of peri-implant tissues (only for implant supported dentures).

Generic communication skills

5.1 Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively by spoken, written and electronic methods and maintain and develop these skills.

5.3 Recognise the use of a range of communication methods and technologies and their appropriate application in support of clinical practice.

Professionalism

9.7 Describe and demonstrate the attributes of professional attitudes and behaviour in all environments and media.

Management and Leadership

10.2 Effectively manage their own time and resources.