Oral health toolkit for adults in care homes

Published 27 November 2020

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-oral-health-in-care-homes-toolkit/oral-health-toolkit-for-adults-in-care-homes

Background

Maintaining good oral health throughout life and into older age improves general health and wellbeing, and plays an important part in helping people stay independent.

The Care Quality Commission report Smiling matters: oral health care in care homes showed that too many people living in care homes were not being supported to maintain and improve their oral health. The report contained recommendations to improve the oral health of care home residents, including the implementation of the NICE guideline Oral health for adults in care homes.

The NHS long term plan highlights that individuals need to be supported to have good oral health, stay well hydrated and well-nourished. The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) contained a commitment as part of the Ageing Well Programme to roll out Enhanced Health in Care Homes across England. The implementation framework includes oral health care and what best practice looks like.

For local advice on how to improve oral health in care homes contact your consultant in dental public health in your PHE centre.