The Sirona care & health Specialist Services, Care Home Team’s project, was designed to improve the oral health of residents living in nursing, residential care, learning disability care homes, across BNSSG. Poor oral health in care home residents is a significant health concern and can impact nutrition, communication, dignity, and overall wellbeing. Often mouthcare is seen as care given only at end of life and this can have significant impacts for residents, especially those living with advanced frailty and dementia. The project aims to equip care staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to deliver effective, consistent mouthcare. Packs are supplied to support the care training, which has resulted in giving care homes a ‘model’ and a few items to trial.
This project is a proactive step towards integrating oral health into holistic care and ensuring that some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community receive the attention and dignity they deserve through proper mouthcare.