The Society is delighted to see a number of policy and guidance changes coming to fruition. When we are truly focusing on prevention and oral health inequalities, we have to look beyond the dental chair. Many of you will be familiar with the mantra of ‘Up Stream thinking’ as a slogan; what we are really referring to is public health intervention and reducing the inequalities in oral health. We are also delighted that there seems to be a slight shift towards oral and dental health across the life course, and not a moment too soon.
Of course, we know that without good oral health or oral health wellness and functionality, the general health of the population is likely to suffer. It is also worth reminding ourselves that the vast majority of oral and dental diseases are preventable and are grouped together and known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
So what is new or has been updated? The links are below to allow you to read three specific documents:
1. BSPD, which collaborated with OCDO on the
Clinical Standard, Oral health and dental care for children and young people.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/paediatric-dentistry-clinical-standard
2. Framework for maintaining the oral health of our ageing population.
3. Children’s health further protected with energy drinks ban
The government will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England from April 2027.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/childrens-health-further-protected-with-energy-drinks-ban
Enjoy catching up by following the links.