Long Term care Initiatives

Saskatchewan Seniors Oral Health and Long Term Care Strategy

The SOHC website ( Link to SOHC Website ) contains all of the resources required to begin care in a Long Term Care Home, including: Better Oral Health in Long Term Care: Best Practice Standards for Saskatchewan (Research Document) Educators Portfolio

• Professional Portfolio
• Staff Portfolio
• A healthy mouth will improve overall health and well-being (video)
  
• Six of the best ways to assist in the maintenance of a healthy mouth (video)
  
• It takes a team approach to assist in the maintenance of a healthy mouth (video) 
• Brochure
• Oral Health Assessment Tool Oral Health Care Plan
• Better Oral Health in Long Term Care: Best Practice Standards for Saskatchewan Update (video)

Competency List for RDAs in LTC

Under The Dental Disciplines Act , Registered & Licensed Dental Assistants are able to work independently in a long-term care facility, provided that the duties are authorized by a dentist.Routine delegated duties could include:

• Perform infection control procedures necessary for the maintenance of an appropriate clinical working environment.
• Recording medical, dental and nutritional histories
• Perform “Screening” according to calibration standards endorsed by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
• Blood Pressure measurement
• In-service training (and demonstration) of oral care procedures for staff and residents,
• dietary counseling
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Brushing and flossing of residents’ teeth
• Application of anti-cariogenic agents
• Providing instruction on the use, cleaning and maintenance of full dentures, partial dentures and implants
• Cleaning and labeling dentures
• Coordinating/scheduling resident with dental health care professional as required
•  Assist dentist/hygienist/dental therapist as required through maintaining the operating field using air, water, suction and moisture control products, and passing instruments and materials with the use of four-handed dentistry.

Potential additional duties:

• Radiography
• Preliminary impressions
• Rubber cup polishing
• Provisional restorations
• Suture and surgical dressing removal
• Digital photography to assist in diagnosis etc.