Clinical skills series/6: oral hygiene

Abstract

Healthcare assistants (HCAs) and assistant practitioners (APs) are essential members of the multidisciplinary team and are involved in many ways to ensure that the people they offer care to are provided with high-quality, safe and effective care—which extends to the provision of oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is seen as a fundamental aspect of care ( Department of Heath, 2010 ). Poor oral care given to vulnerable patients in long-term care settings can have serious consequences, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease and pneumonia. HCAs and APs are ideally placed to take action to prevent poor oral care by making sure that there are appropriate supplies in place, promoting oral care to all care staff and using an evidence base to offer care to those they look after. This article discusses this important aspect of care and provides guidance to HCAs and APs when helping adults meet their oral hygiene needs.