The older dental patient and the role of the dental nurse (PO071015)

AvailabilityCourse has taken place
SubjectCore Skill
DescriptionThe aim of this course is to explain the age changes taking place in UK population, discuss what it might mean to be an ‘older patient’ and describe how dental nurses can make visits to the dentist easier for them.
Additional informationObjectives:
1. To explain why an ageing population matters to dental professionals
2. To discuss the process of growing old and define an older or elderly person
3. To consider the physical, emotional and psychological changes which occur as people get older
4. To examine how increasing frailty and dependence leads to life style changes with attendant significance for oral health, and the essential role of the dental nurse in the management of the older patient.

This course is open to all members of the practice team; however is specifically targeted to the requirements of the dental nurse role.

Paul Hellyer BDS, MSc (gerodontics), GDC 45679, is an experienced general dental practitioner who had his own practice in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, for over 30 years. Paul now works as a Clinical Teacher for King’s College London Dental Institute, based at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy. He has a special interest in gerodontology and his article, “The older dental patient – who cares?” was published in the BDJ. More recently his article ‘The older dental patient and the role of the dental nurse’ was published by ‘Dental Nursing’. Paul has spent 2 weeks of each of the last 4 years as a volunteer in Africa for either Bridge2Aid or Mercy Ships and in 2014, visited a dental school in Somaliland on behalf of King’s College London and the charity THET.
VenueQuAD Centre, Portsmouth  View details
Date & timeWednesday 7 October 2015, 18:30 to 21:00
LecturerMigration  View details
Target audience

Recommended to all

Development outcomeNo development outcome
Course styleLecture
Core topicNo core topic
CPD hours2:30
Cost£6.00
Aims
  1. Outline the significance of an older population to the dental team, so as to recognise its significant impact on the role of the dental nurse in particular
  2. Define ageing and old, so as to demonstrate awareness of how society and old people make sense of old age
  3. Describe key physical, emotional and psychological changes which occur as people get older, so as to recognise ageing is not a pathological condition but frequently has medical conditions associated with it
  4. Describe the oral and dental manifestations of ageing and increasing frailty, so as to provide person-centred care for the older patient and help prevent oral disease