Useful links

The International Centre for Oral Health Inequalities Research and Policy (ICOHIRP) was formed in 2013, it is committed to tackling oral health inequalities both within and between countries, academics and policymakers from 15 countries have formed a global network to explore the nature of oral health inequalities and to inform policy recommendations.

Local authorities improving oral health: commissioning better oral health for children and young people. An evidence-informed toolkit for local authorities

The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.

The National Oral Health Promotion Group (NOHPG) formerly called National Dental Health Education Group, is a forum for all professionals interested in the promotion of oral health and was established 1981.

The aim of the Group is to provide support and encourage the continual professional development of those working in the field of oral health education and promotion.

Delivering better oral health’ is an evidence based toolkit to support dental teams in improving their patient’s oral and general health.

To coincide with Mouth Cancer Action Month in November, Cancer Research UK has launched an oral cancer toolkit.

Supported by the British Dental Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners, this online toolkit aims to support dental health professionals and GPs in detecting oral cancer.

The toolkit provides information on possible risk factors for oral cancer, signs and symptoms of oral cancer and how to respond.  As well as a detailed image library, a referral guide, case studies, oral examination videos and a CPD quiz.

The toolkit has been funded by a Department of Health grant and developed in response to the growing problem that oral cancer presents in the UK

• incidence rates have risen by a third in the last decade.
• it is one of the few cancers that has a trend of increasing mortality over the past 10 years.

With 6 out of 10 oral cancers currently being found at a late stage, there is an urgent need for action to improve awareness and promote earlier diagnosis. Through wide distribution among the GP and dental professions, this toolkit aims to address that need.

This resource will be freely accessible to all GPs and dental health professionals.

For any queries, please contact tom.hillier@cancer.org.uk

Access the toolkit by following this link:

This guideline covers how general dental practice teams can convey advice about oral hygiene and the use of fluoride. It also covers diet, smoking, smokeless tobacco and alcohol intake.

The recommendations cover:

• oral health advice given by dentists and dental care professionals
• how dentists and dental care professionals can adopt a patient-centred approach

Who is it for?

• Dentists
• Dental care professionals – this includes dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental therapists, dental technicians and orthodontic therapists.
• Dental practice owners and managers.
• Dental practice administrative staff, including receptionists.
• Directors of public health, dental public health consultants and strategic leads who plan local dental services.
• Dental bodies corporate.
• People responsible for educating dental professionals.
• Members of the public

Public Health England have published today jointly with BASCD

This publication brings together data from existing national, regional and local surveys of oral health in older people. It combines this information with social, demographic and health data to provide a summary of what we already know about the current and future oral health needs of older people in England and Wales and be accessed via this link

Congratulations to Gill and Deborah Moore who prepared the report and authors of original surveys and contributors: Maria Morgan, Welsh Oral Health Information Unit Cardiff University, Nigel Monaghan, Anup Karki, Public Health Wales, Wagner Marcenes, Vanessa Muirhead, Desmond Wright, Patricia Evans, Eunan O’Neill, Farida Fortune, West Midlands Dental Epidemiology Programme, Kate-Taylor Weetman, Healthwatch Bolton and Healthwatch Kirklees. North West survey, Gill Davies, Janet Neville and Eric Rooney.

Caries Research 2016, Vol. 50, Suppl. 1

The results of a conference on high fluorides and boosters has just been published in Caries Research 2016, Vol. 50, Suppl. 1.   The papers are free to access and t DPH colleagues may be interested?

The BFS provides information about the dental benefits and safety of water fluoridation, a public health measure that involves adjusting the naturally occurring fluoride content of water to the optimum level for good oral health.