We hear from two dental professionals who share their thoughts on a new study that suggests just one third (34%) of oral health professionals always offer preventative care advice to patients.
The study, carried out by Haleon and the College of General Dentistry, looked at the current role of preventative oral healthcare in the UK.
Other findings included:
- One third (34%) of oral health professionals always offer preventative care advice to patients
- One in four (25%) patients weren’t given preventative advice during their last dental appointment
- More than half (59%) of oral health professionals are more likely to offer preventative advice for private patients than NHS patients.
We spoke to two dental professionals about the findings and what they think they mean for dentistry:
Mohsan Ahmad – dentist
The results from the survey surprised me, as the vast majority of dentists I know always offer preventive advice, despite the challenge of time constraints.
In Greater Manchester, we have offered Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training, which encourages all dental team members to offer short and quick preventive messages. Patients find this useful. Moving forward, I believe we should utilise the skills of all our team, to aid in delivering preventive advice to patients.
However, I was more shocked at 15% of private dentists not offering preventive advice, as I would have thought that they would be more likely to offer this as they have fewer time constraints.
With the vast majority of dental diseases preventable, it is paramount patients get tailored advice to help them take ownership and manage their self care.
Lauren Long – dental therapist
I don’t think it’s surprising to hear that there is a difficulty in communicating preventative oral health advice to patients due to time constraints.
As dental professionals, we are more than aware that the research heavily points towards an effective home care routine being the most beneficial factor in prevention of dental disease.
However, under the current NHS England UDA system, there is no fee provision for this advice alone, despite its importance. For example, if a patient attends for a ‘scale and polish’ as it is labelled under the current system, the clinician must carry this out, potentially leaving only a small amount of time for preventive advice.
Shift the narrative
Due to the recent change in the NHS Scotland Statement of Dental Remuneration, there is now provision for the clinician to carry out ‘enhanced preventive advice’ – which must include both a tooth brushing and interdental cleaning demonstration. It may also include PMPR (professional mechanical plaque removal) if required but not necessarily.
This helps to shift the narrative from the treatment being the most important factor in the resolution or prevention of disease, and places greater emphasis on patients’ vital role.
It is the hope that any future changes to the NHS contract in all parts of the UK would include a greater emphasis on the value of great oral health education in helping patients maintain oral health for life.
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