Treating high-risk individuals
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 4th January 2023
In recent years, the UK has undergone a number of challenges that have had a direct impact on nationwide standards of oral health. One consequence of this has been more patients becoming deemed as high-risk, meaning that they are more likely to experience tooth decay and other avoidable oral health conditions.
As dentists, it’s important to understand why patients may be considered high-risk and have solutions at hand to help protect them as much as possible.
The Covid-19 effect
Despite beginning in 2020, the full impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still being felt in the dental industry. Oral health inequalities were created and exacerbated during this time, and a report from the GDC found that disabled individuals as well as those from poor socio-economic and ethnic minority backgrounds were affected most.[i]
With practices forced to close and a lack of access to dental services, it’s little surprise that the nation’s oral health suffered. However, this was also aggravated by the stress people experienced during this time, and the bad habits that many formed as coping mechanisms. Indeed, research suggests that the average person gained at least half a stone in weight during lockdown. This weight gain has primarily been linked to stress-eating behaviours, which typically involve individuals eating comfort foods high in fat and sugar in order to reduce feelings of anxiety.[ii] This weight gain has also been linked to an uptick in UK individuals developing type 2 diabetes, which as you are probably aware, also puts people at higher risk of oral health complications.[iii]
Current challenges
Unfortunately, even though restrictions from the pandemic era are coming to an end and normal life has resumed for the majority, there are still issues affecting oral health in the UK.
One of the most prominent of these is the cost-of-living crisis. Rising rates of inflation, wage stagnation and increasing interest rates have meant that on average, people’s money has a lot less purchasing power than before. When someone is already struggling to afford necessities, it is possible that they will forego dental check-ups. When they do come to your practice it’s likely to be because they are experiencing a problem that needs resolution.
There is also the access crisis to consider. With a lack of NHS practices accepting new patients and waiting lists becoming years long in some areas,[iv] the impact this will have on oral health will likely echo that of the pandemic.
With all this considered, it’s perhaps not a huge surprise that estimates suggest 81% of UK adults are considered at high-risk of developing tooth decay.[v]
Who’s most at risk?
Despite so many people being considered high-risk, there are certain demographics who have been disproportionately affected by these challenges. The rising tide of childhood tooth decay, for instance, indicates that many children are not receiving the dental care they need.[vi] Disabled individuals also remain at high-risk, with Public Health England finding that people who fall under this umbrella have higher levels of untreated tooth decay, increased oral plaque levels and greater unmet oral health needs compared to those without disabilities.[vii]
Elderly individuals also fall into the high-risk bracket, with research suggesting that over half of people living in care homes have tooth decay.[viii] That’s not to mention those who are living with conditions that can also increase their risk of tooth decay and other oral health complications, such as diabetics, HIV/AIDS sufferers and people with osteoporosis.[ix]
Providing solutions for those in need
Industry-wide, a more preventive approach to dental care is fast becoming the norm. This means that solutions such as fluoride varnishes may be a good answer. However, as many high-risk patients will present when decay has already occurred, it is also a smart idea to consider products that can help safeguard them against further decay.
Diamond Carve hand-mixed glass ionomer cement from Kemdent is an excellent option that can be used in a wide variety of indications. Able to be chemically cured without dimensional change, it can be used to provide simple, one place restorations even in deciduous teeth. Plus, it steadily releases fluoride after placement, helping to safeguard against further decay – ideal for high-risk patients.
Catering to the modern patient population
Unfortunately, while oral health in the UK is generally improving,[x] current circumstances and ripples from the pandemic continue to negatively impact individuals across the nation.
For dentists to help these patients as much as possible, a preventive approach and solutions that enable better protection from future tooth decay are recommended.
For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256
[i] GDC. The impacts of COVID-19 on oral health and dentistry in 2020. Link: https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/covid-19/the-impacts-of-covid-19#:~:text=Oral%20health%20inequalities%20are%20being,living%20in%20more%20deprived%20areas. [Last accessed November 22].
[ii] BBC. Lockdown weight gain averaging half a stone – survey. Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57968651 [Last accessed November 22].
[iii] University of East Anglia. We Drank more, Exercised Less, In Lockdown – Study Shows. Link: https://www.uea.ac.uk/news/-/article/we-drank-more-exercised-less-in-lockdown-study-shows#:~:text=Lockdown%20saw%20people%20in%20the,the%20University%20of%20East%20Anglia. [Last accessed November 22].
[iv] BDA. NHS dentistry at a tipping point, as BBC reveal true extent of access crisis. Link: https://bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/Pages/nhs-dentistry-at-a-tipping-point.aspx [Last accessed November 22].
[v] Dentistry Today. 84% of UK Adults at High Risk of Tooth Decay. Link: https://www.dentistrytoday.com/84-of-uk-adults-at-high-risk-of-tooth-decay/ [Last accessed November 22].
[vi] Dental Nursing. New research shows untreated tooth decay is still prevalent in young children. Link: https://www.dental-nursing.co.uk/news/new-research-shows-untreated-tooth-decay-is-still-prevalent-in-young-children [Last accessed November 22].
[vii] Public Health England. Health Inequalities: Oral Health. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inequalities-in-oral-health-in-england [Last accessed November 22].
[viii] NICE. Improving oral health for adults in care homes. Link: https://www.nice.org.uk/about/nice-communities/social-care/quick-guides/improving-oral-health-for-adults-in-care-homes [Last accessed November 22].
[ix] Mayo Clinic. Oral Health: A Window Into Your Overall Health. Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475 [Last accessed November 22].
[x] GOV.UK. Child Oral Health: Applying All Our Health. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health#:~:text=Although%20oral%20health%20is%20improving,3%20to%204%20teeth%20affected. [Last accessed November 22].
