Save Water and Teeth for National Smile Month, the BDHF Urges
It is National Smile Month during July 2012 and dentists have an opportunity to educate patients and prospective patients on how to enhance their smiles by improving oral health and the environment.
This year’s oral health campaign promoted by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) is “Save Water Save Money” – aimed at promoting effective oral hygiene practice and saving on water, such as by not leaving the tap running while brushing teeth. Oral hygiene practice means different things to different people depending on their dental needs and oral health.
People with dentures adapt oral hygiene regimens to meet their replacement teeth needs, as do those wearing orthodontic braces, dental veneers or those with bridges. The time it takes to care for teeth, tooth restorations and dental appliances, and the amount of water used to do so, varies. Vulnerable individuals may have specific oral health and hygiene guidance needs.
Dentists may educate patients and carers of vulnerable persons about correct oral hygiene practice for their particular needs, and how to protect the environment and save on energy costs in the process.
In the UK, water is fluoridated by a water company only if a strategic health authority makes the request in writing. Therefore, there may be areas in the UK where water is not fluoridated. It is important for dentists to know whether or not water is fluoridated in the areas in which they practice as patients may wish to choose to use fluoridated products. There is also scope for dentists to educate patients on how fluoride works to protect teeth.
In some areas across the country there are flood warnings and patients may have difficulty in accessing needed or emergency dental care. Dentists may be challenged in making home visits. Having strategies in place may improve safety for patients and the dental team, and help patients with ways to receive the treatment they need.
National Smile Month may be celebrated in more than one way, not just as a means to educate patients and review practice strategies, but as a time to promote treatments for smile makeovers that enhance confidence, oral health and life enjoyment.
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