We were delighted to attend the launch of ‘Every Smile Matters', an e-learning programme for primary care dental teams, developed by the National Oral Health Office in collaboration with colleagues from the HSE’s Dental Services (including Dr Siobhan Stapelton, Dr Dani McGeown and Dr Myra Herlihy).
The core principles of Every Smile Matters are inclusivity and diversity, in helping people with a disability/dentally vulnerable to achieve best oral health, and is a whole team approach for dental teams.The 6 modules are 30 mins each can be taken individually or in sequence and can also be accessed by students. The programme also includes supporting panel discussions involving Specialists in Special Care Dentistry from the HSE Dental Services.
The modules along with downloadable tools and resources will be available at www.hseland.ie with certification generated on completion of the programme. The programme fulfils the criteria for Dental Council structured CPD accreditation. Staff registered with the Dental Council may submit certificates from this programme as evidence of continuous professional development.
Dr Alison Dougall, President of the International Association of Disability and Oral Health, highly praised the development of such a 'professional' programme and said that it was great to see Ireland leading the way in addressing the challenges of oral hygiene and communication for people with disabilites or who are dentally vulnerable.
The programme covers critical areas such as ethics, legal aspects, communications, social determinants and is patient centred. It also includes core values such as knowledge, skills, care, philosphy, problem solving and most importantly attitude.
'Nothing About Me Without Me'.