9 - Caring for smiles

Question 1

What is caring for smiles?

Answer 1

• oral health promotion in Scotland for the elderly and those living in care homes
• provides training to those looking after older people
• regular assessments of older peoples’ mouths and development of care plans

Question 2

Why is oral care important for older people?

Answer 2

• poor OH impacts general health and social QoL
• many older people are now retaining their natural teeth
• poor OH can impact nutrition and hydration
• some older people cannot perform their own OH

Question 3

What are the key messages of caring for smiles?

Answer 3

• OH education
• oral care for dentate patients
• diet and nutrition advice
• denture care
• oral care for edentulous people
• oral care for those with dementia
• end of life oral care
• xerostomia
• how to spot mouth cancer and other changes

Question 4

Define bridging.

Answer 4

• engages a resident by using their senses
• describe and show how to brush teeth to see if patient will mimic your behaviour

Question 5

Define chaining.

Answer 5

• bring residents hand to mouth gently whilst describing activity
• resident may continue on their own

Question 6

Define hand over hand.

Answer 6

• if chaining not successful
• place hand over resident’s and aid them brushing

Question 7

Define distraction.

Answer 7

• use when all other attempts are unsuccessful
• place familiar object in resident’s hand whilst you brush their teeth

Question 8

Define rescuing.

Answer 8

If all attempts are unsuccessful another staff member can come in with fresh attempts to encourage resident to engage