This article focuses on the role of the oral health educator. It gives background information on oral health and the role that the trained dental nurse can play in prevention and treatment of problems.

Most babies will get their first teeth through at around 6 months of age. However, this can vary widely between babies, with some getting them as early as 3 months of age and some after 12 months. Whilst it is rare, some babies even have teeth at birth. 

What is bullying … and what can nurses do to ensure that it stops?

Most of us will have witnessed or experienced bullying at some point. Bullying can have devastating effects on the general wellbeing and performance of victims. It can cause a sense of loneliness and a loss of self-confidence.

According to the General Dental Council (GDC), dental nurses are able to carry out fluoride varnish application on prescription from a dentist or via a dental health programme. This extended duty falls under ‘additional skills’ – dental nurses must be suitably trained in order to carry out such duties. 

Back in March of 2015, the GDC held a meeting looking at the Enhanced Continuing Professional Development Scheme. The focus was on changes to current legislation surrounding CPD. The GDC felt that the current guidelines were not efficient enough to avoid cases of poor performance in dentistry, and that a review of the CPD system would not only benefit those working in the industry but also raise public confidence in the profession.