National Smile Month

Dental Nursing

National Smile Month1

Dental NursingeCPD Resource

National Smile Month Activity

This activity will take place while you are on placement in a dentist.

Imagine the dentist is getting ready to host an open day as part of National Smile Month, to promote

oral health. Your duties will include:

• Reviewing an information sheet about oral health to identify the facts and opinions

• Selecting appropriate images to be included in a poster

• Selecting appropriate signs to display in the centre to help visitors

Once you have completed the task discuss these with your workplace mentor

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In this task, you will be covering the areas detailed below:

Dental Nursing:

• Basic understanding of oral health education

• Basic understanding of the services the dentist can offer to patients.

• Layout of the premises and areas within

Functional Skills English Level 1:

• Read and understand different types of text in detail

• Identify the main points and ideas and how they are presented in a

variety of different types of texts

• Use language, format and structure suitable for purpose and audience

• Write clearly and coherently, including an appropriate level of detail

• Ensure written work includes generally accurate punctuation, spelling

and the meaning is clear in more than one type of text

Learning

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Task 1

Imagine the dental practice has produced an information sheet on 'tooth brushing and flossing'.

The manager has asked you to review the text to check that there is a good mix of both fact and

opinion.

You need to read the text then identify the facts and opinions.

Highlight the facts in one colour and the opinions in another.

Plan it – think about what you need to do and how you are going to do it

Read the text on the next page and identify the facts and opinions.

What is a fact?

What is an opinion?

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The best way to take care of your mouth is to brush and floss twice daily

This helps remove the sticky film called plaque that collects on the teeth and gums. Plaque makes acids and toxins that can

damage your teeth and gums.

Using a mouthwash can also help fight plaque but cannot replace brushing and flossing. If you’re not sure what kind to use

ask your dental team.

Here are some ways to get the most out of your brushing routine:

• Brush for at least 2 minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste. Pay special attention to your back teeth, which may

have more plaque on them.

• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Brush with gentle strokes so you don’t wear away your gums or teeth.

• Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Bristles that are worn remove less plaque.

• Brush your tongue to help freshen breath. Brush from back to front using a gentle sweeping motion.

Are you holding your toothbrush correctly? Here are some tips:

• Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line.

• Brush 2 or 3 teeth at a time. Move the toothbrush from the gums toward the edge of the teeth.

• Hold the toothbrush vertically to clean behind your upper and lower front teeth.

• Use gentle up and down strokes with the tip of your toothbrush.

Flossing helps keep teeth and gums healthy. Flossing everyday removes plaque along the gum line and between teeth.

To floss correctly, follow these steps:

• Wind floss around your middle fingers.

• Use your thumbs and index fingers to guide floss between teeth.

• Wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth making a “C” shape. This will help ensure that you get between gums and

teeth.

Here are some other flossing tips:

• Check your gums in the mirror while you floss.

• Your gums should be firm and pink. If they are red, swollen, or bleeding, see your dental team.

• Don’t stop flossing if your gums bleed. Flossing can improve the health of your gums and help them stop bleeding.

•Smiles Dental Practice recommends electric toothbrushes for the whole family. We believe that a manual toothbrush is

ineffective and all patients should have an electric toothbrush.

Highlight the facts in one colour and the opinions in another colour.

Task 2

What if?

What if one of your family members told you that they would like to try flossing – would you recom-

mend it? Give a reason for your answer.

What if you had to describe the benefits of flossing? What would you say?

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Notes

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Imagine the dental practice has produced a poster to advertise their tooth whitening

service.

You have been asked to select the most appropriate image.

Tick the box next to the image you think is correct.

A B

C D

What if?

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What if you use the internet to find your own picture to replace the

one above? How would you go about doing this?

Consider the following:

• Suitability

• Source

• Copyright

What other services does the practice offer?

Task 3

The dental practice wants to display some information signs to help patients who attend the open day.

You have been asked to sort out the ones they might need.

Look at the signs on the next page and draw lines to match them to their correct meanings.

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Information

Parking

Emergency Exit

No Smoking

First Aid

Task 4

What if you identified other signs that may need to be put up? Tip – it may help to look around your

building or classroom.

Add them on the next page

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Signs

Dental, National Smile Month - eCPD Resources

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These resources have been produced as part of the Traineeship Staff Support Programme

commissioned and funded by The Education and Training Foundation. Find out more on the TSSP

website: www.traineeship-staff-support.co.uk