In partnership with the local NHS’s North East Region Oral Health Promotion Group, care homes in the region will be able to work towards a new quality award which recognises high standards of oral health practice in care homes.
Staff from care homes and the local NHS will meet today at the state-of-the-art Bourne House Dental Training Facility in Durham to launch the innovative award which will see the region leading the way in better dental care for the elderly. So far the scheme is being piloted in seven care homes across the region with promising results which include the introduction of new and better oral health practices.
To gain the new Oral Health Quality Assurance Scheme award, care homes will work with their local NHS oral health team to develop an action plan to improve the level of dental care they offer their residents. This will include a daily oral health care plan for all residents and training for care home staff to deliver basic oral hygiene care and to spot dental problems.
Judi Breckon, clinical director for Tees Community Dental Service who supports the regional group says:
“The award scheme developed by the North East Region Oral Health Promotion Group sets the standard for oral health in care settings across the region.
“Evidence shows us that older people living in a care home setting are less likely to access dental care and receive adequate oral hygiene care. This new award will help put that right and ensure that old people living in care homes in our region can access the dental care they need.
“By helping care homes to raise standards of oral care and by setting out to train all care home staff to understand the oral health needs of their patients, the north east NHS is really setting the standard for how all old people deserve to be treated.”
Lisa Mussett who manages the Belmont View residential home in Guisborough, one of the pilot care homes, says:
“Our participation in the scheme has not only increased staff knowledge but demonstrated to us the important role oral care plays in the health and well being of our residents and their quality of life.”
ENDS
More media information
Alix Borthwick
Workforce communications lead, NHS North East
0191 210 6441
