Special Care Dentistry Service Oral Health Improvement Team

1. Special Care Dentistry ServiceOral Health Improvement Team

2. Prevention- key messages Brush 2 x a day with a fluoride toothpaste (natural teeth) Diet- Limit sugary food/ drink to meal times only Regular checks with a dentist- even if no teeth are present

3. Decay Gum disease All surfaces of teeth Can undermine the tooth structure Lead to older people not eating, having pain and abscesses Bleeding, swollen gums Can involve the bone making the teeth loose Main cause plaque

4. Plaque Sticky film of food, saliva and millions of bacteria Tooth decay Gum disease Older people produce more

5. Thrush

7. Cracked tongue Angular Chelitis

8. Ulcers

9. How and when to report changes Take note- write down in the notes Colour Size Person aware? How long has it been there? Still there ? 2 weeks later Dentist appointment required

10. Denture care Should be removed at night Cleaned with a brush Have separate brush Not with toothpaste Soak in water over night Any fixative should be removed Can use cleaning solutions- follow instructions Identification can be added

11. Xerostomia- dry mouth Due to- Ageing Medication Cancer treatment Medical conditions- diabetes, high blood pressure Signs- Thick stringy saliva Cracked lips and a dry tongue Sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth Difficulty in speaking, chewing & swallowing Sore throat An altered sense of taste Bad breath Increase in plaque deposits, leading to more caries & gum disease

12. Xerostomia advice Take regular sips of water-not sugared drinks Suck ice Avoid alcohol or spicy/ salty foods Clean teeth with a fluoride toothpaste after every meal Use lip balms to help keep the lips moist Saliva substitutes available from the doctor may help Use non- alcohol fluoride mouthwash once a day- different time to brushing Use a humidifier at home, especially at night to moisten the air Visit the dentist regularly since decay & gum disease are more rapid in a dry mouth

13. Useful Numbers To register for an NHS dentistDental Advice – Tel 0800 298 5787 or www.leeds.nhs.uk/dentist between 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday For out of hours dental serviceWest Yorkshire Urgent Care Services – Tel 0345 605 9999 Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)Tel 0800 0525 270 or e-mail pals@nhsleeds.nhs.ukMonday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Oral Health Improvement Team, part of the Special Care Dentistry ServiceTel 0113 305 9283 Leeds Special Care Dentistry Service – administration head officeTel 0113 392 9874/9875

14. How to refer into the Special Care Dentistry Service To be referred into the Special Care Services you can either be referred by: General Medical Practitioner (GP/Doctor) General Dental Practitioner (Dentist if registered) Health Care Professional (eg District Nurse, Health Visitor, School Nurse) Others (eg Social Care Worker, Carer/Manager of Care Home) Leeds Special Care Dentistry Service do not accept self referrals and referral forms are available to be faxed or e-mail by telephoning 0113 392 9874/9875