Providing oral care in care homes: my journey
Times have changed! Forty years ago oral care in care homes predominantly meant cleaning dentures rather than brushing teeth but as dentistry evolves and improves so does our desire to keep our own teeth. The result? People are keeping their teeth for longer.
Whilst working as a dental hygienist it became apparent that oral care for the elderly in care homes was an area often overlooked. This urged me to investigate where the system was failing and as part of my BSc in Oral Health Promotion I completed a study on carers knowledge of the mouth. I discovered some interesting facts. The majority of care staff I in- terviewed admitted that they found oral care procedures unpleasant and there was a clear lack of training.
Whilst most staff were aware of the link between poor oral health and it’s effects on the body no one was aware of the potentially life threatening condition that poor oral health can pose on the elderly – aspiration pneumonia...when bacteria from the mouth get inhaled to cause an infection in the lungs. The immunocompromised elderly are a vulnerable group susceptible to infections, lowering the bacteria count in the mouth can make a real difference to their overall health. This can be achieved simply by adequate toothbrushing.
I felt a desire to help and support care homes and offered my services as a dental hygienist; brushing teeth, cleaning dentures, offering advice and giving oral care training to care staff. It has always been my belief that when a valid reason is given to something it gives purpose. For example, removing plaque and food debris from the mouth lowers the bacteria levels in the mouth, making a positive difference to our general health and also contributes to an improved sense of overall wellbeing.
From this, Oral Health Matters was established and has since grown to become a network of dental care 
professionals across the UK. Since initiating this ser- vice 3 years ago NICE has issued 2 major papers related to oral care. The NICE Guidelines ‘Oral Care for Adults in Care Homes’ (published in July 2016) and in June this year the Quality Standards were is- sued. This guidance sets out best practice and of- fers practical advice and toolkits to support improve- ments in oral care for adults in care homes. In par- ticular the Quality Standard outlines 3 statements,
these relate to mouth care assessments, recording mouth care needs in personal care plans and supporting residents with daily mouth care.
The care homes that have incorporated our oral care service have the benefit of feeling sup- ported and more confident in their delivery of oral care, especially to those residents with more complex needs. They can demonstrate to inspectorates that they prioritise oral care by
providing this service - especially relevant as QS151 will likely be imminently incorporated into the CQC inspection framework.
Oral Health Matters provide supportive programmes which encompass everything a care home requires for compliance in oral care. Our emphasis is on training as education has to be the first step to pave the way forward to improved oral care. Prevention is key to offering an affordable and workable model of oral health care to adults in care homes.
As a registered dental hygienist there is no question about the importance of raising aware- ness and standards in oral care - this is the aim of our profession. But
without support and training for care staff the reality of meeting NICE’s quality measures could be problematic.
The need for closer connections between the dental profession and care sector becomes in- creasingly apparent as oral care becomes a higher priority on the agenda.
To book or enquire about Oral healthcare training OR providing an oral care service in your care home please Email info@oralhm.co.uk or telephone 01243 710119 www.oralhm.co.uk