Pioneering dental nurse scoops award for innovative patient care

Pioneering dental nurse scoops award for innovative patient care

A dental nurse has been recognised for her initiative in ensuring NHS patient care means people enjoy a better standard of oral health and overall wellbeing.

Stephanie Gillies scooped the Quality or Patient Safety Improvement Projects/Initiative Patient Safety Award at a recent ceremony hosted by Morecambe Bay NHS Trust for her leadership in a Mouth Care Matters project.

Mouth Care Matters is a healthcare team who deliver personalised care to patients across the community. This is to deliver improved clinical outcomes based on ensuring good oral health.

Stephanie also delivers presentations to raise awareness among healthcare colleagues of the need to maintain a healthy mouth for all patients under their care and has introduced Mouth Care Matters trollies onto wards with oral health care products specifically to meet patient needs.

Huge pioneer

Her work focuses on people with dementia, people who have suffered a stroke, and patients in end-of-life care.

The judges were very impressed with the nomination submitted by Stephanie’s colleagues.

They said: ‘Stephanie is a huge pioneer of pushing mouth care matter to be recognised by the Trust.

‘She has done numerous presentations on the subject and in her own time. She has gone on to surgical wards and worked with nursing staff to advise to give good mouth care.

‘Stephanie has been working with the stroke wards and showing the nursing team various aids available for patients who have had strokes and how they can be used as well as educating staff on why mouth care matters.’

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Honoured and privileged

Stephanie said: ‘I am honoured and privileged to receive such a prestigious award for implementing quality safety improvements projects and initiatives.

‘Wining this award would not have been possible without the inspiration I have received from my seniors and work colleagues.

‘My advice is never give up if you are passionate about making a difference. Place patient-centred care at the heart of everything.

‘I recently lost my mum to a stroke in October 2022. But one thing I do know she died with a clean, hydrated mouth. She had all the correct tools and products to keep her comfortable. That is an important and lasting memory.’


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