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L-R: MMCM Pilot Project Manager, Joanne Purvis; MMCM National Lead, Oosh Devalia; Seashell Head of Children’s Short Breaks Services & Registered Manager, Steven Ince; Seashell Lead Nurse, Kathryn Bunting
Seashell is the first specialist provision in the UK to be involved in Mini Mouth Care Matters, receiving training and education, prevention and a dental remote oral health check for their students.
In a 2019 Public Health report, children and young people with a learning disability and autism or both reported experience with poorer oral healthcare outcomes than the general population.
This is due to children and young people requiring support to undertake daily oral care routines and access to care. They may have reduced access to dental services and the dental environment alone can cause discomfort and anxiety.
Mini Mouth Care Matters aims to improve oral health and mouth care for children and young people with a learning disability and autism, or both, in specialist provision schools.
Through the programme, Seashell staff will learn and recognise the importance of good oral health, ensuring students’ daily mouth checks are of a good standard and the correct tools are used at all times.
With training and education to school, carers, support workers and allied health care professionals, Mini Mouth Care Matters will ensure everyone understands the importance of mouth care and dental health.
Seashell Head of Children’s Short Breaks Services & Registered Manager, Steven Ince, said: “We are very proud to be part of such an amazing project to meet the needs of all children and young adults in residential provisions.
“By being part of the Mini Mouth pilot will not only improve the long term outcomes for the children and young adults but to develop our teams’ skill set around oral hygiene. Most of our children and young adults find visiting a clinic very difficult and this pilot will bridge the gap and ensure they will receive the same level of treatment as their peers.”