Oral Health
About the course
This course explores the fundamentals of oral health, the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, and practical strategies for promoting oral health in caregiving environments. It covers oral health basics, the impact of diet, common oral health issues, and creating personalised care plans.
What will you learn
- Introduction to Oral Health
Understand what oral health entails, its significance for overall well-being, and its role in quality of life for individuals in caregiving settings.
- Oral Health Basics
Learn about the anatomy of the mouth, the functions of teeth, gums, and saliva, and how they contribute to overall health.
- Understanding Dental Plaque
Discover how plaque forms, its impact on oral health, and effective methods for preventing plaque build-up and associated conditions.
- Recognising and Preventing Periodontal Disease
Identify the stages of gum disease, from gingivitis to periodontitis, and understand prevention strategies to maintain healthy gums.
- The Role of Diet in Oral Health
Explore the effects of sugars, acids, and nutrition on oral health, and learn how to support oral hygiene through a balanced diet.
- Practical Oral Care
Gain practical skills for denture care, overcoming resistance to oral hygiene, and managing common barriers to maintaining oral health.
- Oral Health Assessments and Care Planning
Learn how to conduct oral health assessments, identify specific needs, and create personalised care plans to support individuals effectively.
- Managing Dry Mouth and Oral Thrush
Understand the causes, effects, and treatments for dry mouth and oral thrush, particularly in palliative care settings.
- Caregiver Responsibilities
Develop a deeper understanding of the caregiver’s role in maintaining oral hygiene, fostering cooperation, and ensuring access to appropriate resources and professional support.
Course Content
References
References
- World Health Organization (WHO)
World Health Organization. (2023). Oral health fact sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health - National Health Service (NHS)
NHS. (2023). Looking after your teeth and mouth. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/ - British Dental Association (BDA)
British Dental Association. (2022). Gum disease: causes and prevention. Available at: https://bda.org/gum-disease-causes-and-prevention - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
NICE. (2016). Oral health for adults in care homes. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng48 - Journal of Clinical Periodontology
Journal of Clinical Periodontology. (2020). The impact of diet on periodontal health. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1600051x - Public Health England (PHE)
Public Health England. (2018). Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention - Journal of Palliative Medicine
Journal of Palliative Medicine. (2021). Oral health challenges in palliative care patients. Available at: https://www.liebertpub.com/journal/jpm - American Dental Association (ADA)
American Dental Association. (2023). Dry mouth and its implications. Available at: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/dry-mouth - European Federation of Periodontology (EFP)
EFP. (2022). Periodontal health and general health: a joint report. Available at: https://www.efp.org/publications/periodontal-health/ - International Journal of Dental Hygiene
International Journal of Dental Hygiene. (2019). The effectiveness of oral health care plans in care settings. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16015037
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Katherine Cutts
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Daniel Smith
Mobile Developer at Busines
