New NICE quality standards issued on oral health in care homes

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new quality standards that aim to improve oral healthcare provision for adults moving into care homes.

They outline the importance of assessing each new resident's oral health care needs on admission, before noting these needs in personalised plans to ensure they are continually reviewed.

Responding to the publication, the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) has stated that the move is welcome but overdue, as the current lack of guidance and support in this area means care home residents are at a high risk of oral health problems.

Often, these issues can result in an elderly individual's ability to eat and drink properly being impaired, thus damaging their nutrition. Oral health problems can also lead to systemic diseases and complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

As such, BSDHT members are now being encouraged to forge strong links with local care homes to ensure enhanced care can be delivered in line with the new guidance.

Helen Minnery, president of the BSDHT, said: "There is no quick fix, but these guidelines are a great step forward – one which will help to provide people in care homes with the oral health care that they desperately need."

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