Abstract
‘Making Every Contact Count’ (MECC) is a government initiative headed by Public Health England and other organizations to provide support for patients to make positive behaviour changes to their health and wellbeing. The aim of MECC is to reduce the number of long-term diseases in the population that are attributable to behavioural risks factors. Primary dental practitioners are well positioned to provide the recommended brief advice on smoking, alcohol consumption and other factors. This article will highlight current guidance relating to these modifiable risk factors, and explain how dentists can interact with general medical practitioners in order to improve patient health. The aim of this paper is to provide details on what health issues the dentist should screen for, as well as the ways in which information can be passed onto the doctor in order to provide the best possible care for the patient. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dentists are well positioned to ask and investigate issues relating to the patient's general health. This key information can be passed onto the general practitioner in order to address patient needs effectively.
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