Encouraging healthy habits for the new year

Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, discusses the importance of engaging patients in holistic health and discussing new oral health habits.

Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, discusses the importance of engaging patients in holistic health and discussing new oral health habits.

The new year is when people are often eager to start afresh, set new goals and prioritise their health and wellbeing, which means it’s also a great time to talk to patients about rethinking the importance of their dental health.  

Many people – 80% according to our research – don’t realise just how wide-ranging the role of the dentist is; they visit the dentist only when there’s a problem with their teeth. Yet we know dentists and hygienists are often the first line of defence in detecting health worries occurring elsewhere in the body that manifest in the mouth.  

Here are a few unknowns that Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, has come across in her day-to-day practice that might be beneficial speaking to patients about as they start to think about making new health habits.  

Engaging patients in holistic health  

We know a staggering 85% of people don’t believe that oral health concerns could be related to their mental health. Delving deeper, many do not realise that those who experience panic attacks or suffer from conditions like bipolar disorder often have links to poor dental health. When it comes to physical conditions, only half of people are aware of the connection between oral health and mouth cancer. 

Because of this, when patients come in for an appointment and you’re taking their medical history, explaining why this information matters to us is important. The same goes for queries about their lifestyle habits and medication histories. We can identify potential risk factors by emphasising how these questions can help us assess their overall health. For example, making them aware that chronic inflammation can occur in individuals taking medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. 

While patients are in the waiting room, your nurse can encourage them to share how they’re feeling in general, as this may provide insights into their oral health. Once they are in the chair, we should also continue to emphasise, sensitively, how much can be learned about a person’s overall health through their mouth.  

For example, asking about skin rashes or joint pain can help determine whether somebody is experiencing chronic inflammation, which may also show up in the mouth. This approach highlights to patients the interconnectedness of their body and the care they need.  

Explaining how seemingly unrelated health issues can connect back to their oral health is crucial for helping patients recognise the broader role of dental care and the positive impact we can have on the wider health ecosystem. 

Understanding the role of dentists and hygienists  

Patients often underestimate or simply don’t understand the role the hygienist plays in their oral health. They might even treat a trip to the dentist or hygienist as an either/or situation.  

So, if you’re referring someone to see the hygienist, consider asking if they’ve seen a hygienist before and whether they have any questions. This should encourage patients to find out more.

If they’ve not had a hygienist appointment before, then take advantage of the opportunity to explain why you’re referring them and how the hygienist can play an active role in the health of their teeth and gums. 

How often should you see your dentist and hygienist?

Everyone’s oral health is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and therefore, it’s even more important to have one-to-one conversations with each patient to discuss their individual needs. Breaking down their options by explaining what to do if they’re in pain and what to do outside of emergencies should help clear a few things up.  

Encouraging patients to visit the dentist and hygienist at least once a year is a good place to start. Those who need closer, more frequent care or who have complex problems may need to visit every six or even every three months to get on top of issues.

Explaining why they might need to return more routinely will help patients set healthy habits to support their dental care needs. Equally, if a patient is doing an excellent job with their oral hygiene, it’s beneficial to let them know why you aren’t referring them to a hygienist. This can motivate them to continue doing more of it. 

Key takeaways from your dental appointment  

Whether it’s a short or long appointment, there’s often a lot of information for patients to digest. So, giving them a summary at the end of the appointment to highlight the three main takeaways will provide actionable advice on what to prioritise in the future.  

Empowering patients  

The most important thing is to empower patients to take control of their health by providing them with as much information as possible to understand their bodies better. What seems obvious to us may not be to others, and the more information they have, the more informed decisions they can make. 

At Bupa Dental Care, we’re unique in providing dental and health insurance services. This means we take a holistic approach to caring for our patients and our people, which supports our purpose of helping people live longer, healthier lives, and supports our teams in having lasting careers with us.   

This article is sponsored by Bupa Dental Care.

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