Pictured above at the presentation are Governor Kate England, members of the Oral Health Clinic team, Chief Executive Officer Grant Macdonald, Executive Director of Strategy & Partnerships Amelie Bages, Clinical Director (Dental) and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Ros Mitchell and Senior Dental Officer for East Oxford and Didcot community dental clinics Danielle Grady who nominated the team.

The Oral Health Clinic are a small team of specialist dental nurses within Oxfordshire Community Dental Services. They operate at our dental clinics across the county, providing advice and support to patients with medical complications, anxiety, or special needs. The experienced team give advice on oral hygiene and diet, take x-rays, and support patients before complex procedures, enabling the clinics to run smoothly and improving patient care.

The team were nominated for transforming the delivery of oral health messages, providing invaluable support for dentists, anxious and special needs patients and for their excellent ‘iWantGreatCare’ feedback.

Chief Executive Officer Grant Macdonald congratulated the team and thanked them for their dedication, helping those who need it most.

A life changing service

The team deliver vital information and skills to patients in a very caring way, holding their hand to receiving the right dental care in the most comfortable way possible for them.

With the delivery of the team’s excellent clinics, specialist dental nurses Laura Race and Claire Bottoms have been able to change the delivery, consistency and standard of oral health messages.

In the first year, the Oral Health Clinics have supported over 100 patients and families to improve their oral health by making changes to their diet and oral health regime.

The impact on patients has been highly praised with ‘iWantGreatCare’ feedback soaring, described as consistently excellent. One patient said the care they had received from Laura was life changing.

The nomination

Senior Dental Officer for East Oxford and Didcot community dental clinics Danielle Grady nominated the team. Recognising their commitment to a caring and safe environment, Danielle commented:

“Both Laura and Claire have helped anxious and special needs patients to acclimatise to dental check-ups and treatment. They have freed up dentists to focus on treatment, making our service run more efficiently. They are an excellent example of maximising the skills of our workforce and delivering excellent patient care.

“The clinics are envied by other community dental services, with Laura having the opportunity to present to our Bucks and Berkshire colleagues at the British Dental Association Community Dental Service divisional study day.”