Traditionally the domain of dental technicians, the preparation of thermoformed retainers is now an additional skill that dental nurses can develop during their career. This article looks at why thermoformed retainers are used, how they are made and legal obligations of dental professionals who prov
Mouth cancer has firmly established itself as a modern day silent killer. Karen Coates, Oral Health Educator for the BDHF, talks about the risk factors which are contributing to this latest epidemic and discusses why dental nurses should be at the frontline of patient education and early diagnosis
Sjögren’s syndrome is a debilitating autoimmune disorder with symptoms of a dry mouth and associated oral problems. It affects around 5% of females and 0.5% of males in the general population. The dental team should help relieve the oral symptoms and refer on for assistance with the systemic effects
Smoking continues to be the main preventable cause of death in the UK. Tobacco consumption causes a wide range of diseases and other adverse effects, including multiple types of cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications. This article reviews the latest evidence on supporting smok
This article is the fifth in a series of case studies illustrating the roles and responsibilities of the registered dental nurse. It will describe the guidance that is available, and the steps necessary, to avoid the legal and ethical problems that will be discussed
What are mouth ulcers? How are they identified and what advice should patients be given? Ulcers are uncomfortable, have a number of causes and may be a sign of an underlying condition. They also give dental teams opportunities to build relationships with patients
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterised by a continuous painful burning sensation in an oral cavity that appears clinically normal. The burning sensation may affect more than one oral site with the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the hard palate and the lower lip mucosa being most frequentl
Sleep apnoea can lead to feeling excessively tired during the day and poses a risk to health. The condition can be managed, however, with the use of intra-oral devices. The aim of this article, therefore, is to discuss sleep apnoea in more depth, look at the use of anti-snoring devices, and the role
This article describes how preventive encounters in dental practice can be most effective if each of the characters involved play their part. It describes the attitudes, knowledge and skills that an optimally effective clinical team need to have and what patients may bring to preventive encounters
Dental decay is the most common preventable childhood disease. Oral health educator for the British Dental Health Foundation, Karen Coates, discusses the importance of establishing good oral health routines for children and why encouraging parents should be top of the priority list
Traditional orthodontic appliances have carried the stigma of being unsightly and uncomfortable for the patient. Thankfully, modern orthodontic solutions encourage people to receive the treatment they need, with systems designed to offer pleasing aesthetics and optimal oral hygiene maintenance
A number of systems and techniques are used in dental implant therapy. Having a basic knowledge of the different types of implant and the procedures around their placement will enable nurses to work with dentists using different systems
