No abstract

Toothbrushing programmes The BDA has backed new calls from NICE for oral health programmes in schools, calling on national government to support local authorities to turn the tide on an epidemic of tooth decay. NICE has recommended councils provide toothbrushing schemes in schools and nurseries in areas where children have poor oral health. Similar schemes exist in both Wales and Scotland, where devolved governments have set out dedicated oral health strategies that include outreach to early years and primary schools, and which have contributed to record breaking falls in decay. Despite progress by many local authorities , there is no equivalent programme in England. Health officials have claimed that devolution of powers to local authorities in England represents a barrier to rolling out a dedicated national programme. UPFRONT © 2 0 1 7 B r i t i s h D e n t a l A s s o c i a t i o n. A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d .

One-third of the population will only attend the dentist for an acute problem, often waiting a period of time before presenting. The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of pain in patients presenting for a dental emergency and the impact this had on their quality of life. Questionnaires were provided to adult patients attending dental emergency services over 1 week. Demographic and clinical details were collected. Quality of life was measured using EQ-5D-5L. Pain and the interference it caused were examined using the graded chronic pain scale. Data were analysed in STATA using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests. Results showed that majority of patients (64%) seen were male; the mean age was 36 (±14) years. Forty six per cent of patients reported having a general dental practitioner. One-third of the patients had attended this service previously for emergency care, and 13% consulted for the same problem. The mean duration of pain was 17·7 (±52·3) days prior to seeking care. The mean characteristic pain intensity was 53·6 (±23·6). The mean disability score was 43·4 (±33·6). The mean EQ-5D-5L score was 0·57 (±0·27). In conclusion, a large number of patients attend the emergency dental services despite being 'registered' with a general dental practitioner. A proportion of these individuals will re-attend for the same condition. Patients will often be in pain for over 2 weeks before attending, which may have a significant impact on their quality of life. Further research is warranted to investigate these care-seeking behaviours and patterns.

A structured plaque control intervention was effective in improving the oral health-related quality of life and clinically observed gingival lesions. This study provides evidence to include intensive plaque control within patients' initial and on-going management.