Long Term 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 (Reserach 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)

Other Resources

Watch University of Manitoba, Centre on Community Oral Health videos for care tips.

Competency List for RDA's in LTC

Under The Dental Disciplines Act , Registered & Licenced 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.