How do foster carers manage the oral health of children in foster care? A qualitative study.

Objectives: This qualitative study explored how the foster family environment influenced children's oral health. It also aimed to better understand foster carers' oral health knowledge, attitudes and experiences of managing foster children's oral health behaviours and oral health care.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study design was used to recruit a purposive sample of foster carers in Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom, from a range of backgrounds (maximum variation sampling).

Do health provider-patient relationships matter? Exploring dentist-patient relationships and oral health-related quality of life in older people.

Background: patient experience is now a key parameter in health care. Yet, very little is known about the possible impact of dentist-patient relationships on patient-centred outcomes including older peoples' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Objective: this study assessed the relationship between OHRQoL and dentist-patient relationships related to perceived unmet dental needs; shared decision-making; time spent discussing oral health problems; respect and confidence and trust.

Should dentists be concerned about the weight of their patients?

This opinion paper considers obesity and its relationship to dental practice. Twenty-three per cent of people in England are estimated to be obese, a figure that is predicted to continue rising. It follows that obese patients are frequently encountered in general dental practice.

Improving access to dental care for older people.

Unlabelled: Population demography is changing and the proportion of older people in society is increasing globally, particularly in western countries. Furthermore, as many more people survive into older age and retain their natural teeth so their risk of oral disease remains, or increases, bringing challenges such as root caries and periodontal diseases, together with the long-term effects of dental care. Despite their increased need, the uptake of dental care by older people is characteristically poor and unmet need may be high.

Insights into the oral health beliefs and practices of mothers from a north London Orthodox Jewish community.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore oral health knowledge and beliefs and access to dental care in a culturally distinct Orthodox Jewish community in North London, with a view to informing local health policy.

Methods: A dual method qualitative approach to data collection was adopted in this study utilising semi-structured face to face interviews and focus groups with women from this North London orthodox Jewish community. In total nine interviews and four focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of thirty three mothers from the community aged 21-58 years.

A review of effective methods of delivery of care: skill-mix and service transfer to primary care settings.

Aims: Health policy in England is seeking to minimise hospital use and provide access to services in a primary healthcare setting and maximise skill-mix, driven by issues such as cost and access. The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of increased use of skill-mix and service transfer within general and oral healthcare. Secondary outcome measures were related to cost, quality, access, health outcomes and satisfaction.

Use of the out-of-hours emergency dental service at two south-east London hospitals.

Background: Prior to the introduction of the 2006 NHS dental contract in England and Wales, general dental practitioners (GDPs) were responsible for the provision of out-of-hours (OOH) emergency dental services (EDS); however there was great national variation in service provision. Under the contractual arrangements introduced 1st April 2006, local commissioning agencies became formally responsible for the provision of out-of-hours emergency dental services. This study aimed to examine patients' use of an out-of-hours emergency dental service and to determine whether the introduction of the 2006 national NHS dental contract had resulted in a change in service use, with a view to informing future planning and commissioning of care.

Minimising barriers to dental care in older people.

Background: Older people are increasingly retaining their natural teeth but at higher risk of oral disease with resultant impact on their quality of life. Socially deprived people are more at risk of oral disease and yet less likely to take up care. Health organisations in England and Wales are exploring new ways to commission and provide dental care services in general and for vulnerable groups in particular.