Vulnerable Groups:

Although oral health has been gradually improving, this improvement has not taken place at the same rate within different population groups. Programmes will now be developed to target support and services at key groups with the aim of reducing the unacceptable level of health inequalities currently existing.

Vulnerable Groups programme 2008 - 2009

The programme aims to increase capacity to improve oral health within identified vulnerable groups through the provision of resources and training with both NHS and external staff groups and to increase the number of opportunities for oral health promoting behaviour.

Generic Vulnerable Groups Programme

• Distribute oral health packs to agencies working with vulnerable adults and children across Forth Valley

• Develop suitable training package for oral health and nutrition for use with agencies working with vulnerable groups
  
  
• Deliver CPD accredited health and homelessness training package to General Dental Practitioners and teams in order to increase their understanding of the complex needs of vulnerable groups
  
  
• Support the Clinical Dental Service to further develop treatment services and shape health promotion services appropriate to client need
  
  
• Maintain oral health input advice into community weaning programme
  
  
• Agree targets for oral health pack distribution with Community Food Development Workers and oral health brief intervention package
  
  
• Undertake monitoring of current distribution sources for all oral health packs for vulnerable groups and identify training requirements for building capacity

Community Pharmacy Oral Health Initiative for Substance Misuse

Pilot initiative to promote oral health to vulnerable adults, specifically clients accessing the Community Pharmacy Methadone Treatment Programme.

• Provison of oral health packs to community pharmacies engaged in the pilot programme - once every three months
   
• Access clients attending community pharmacy to conduct evaluations of their knowledge and attitude towards oral health at intervals during the pilot year
  
  
• Conduct evaluations with community pharmacy staff towards the end of the pilot programme
  
  
• Report on client and service provider evaluations after the pilot programme is completed

Oral Health Promoting Prisons

Working in partnership to implement the whole prison approach to oral health and nutrition across the prison service within Forth Valley.  The programme aims to make sustainable changes to the prison enviornment to increase opportunities for oral health improvement.  Through the provision of support, training and resources it will enable both prisoners and staff to actively take control of their own oral health.

• Develop HMP Cornton Vale, HMP Glenochil and HMP Polmonts' Oral Health Action Plans and agree Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  
  
• Target interventions towards the promotion of sugar free goods in canteen including sugar free drinks and confectionary
  
  
• Provide oral health brief intervention and education to prisoners and staff
  
  
• Increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables amongst prisoners
  
  
• Develop pre-liberation courses with the focus on cooking skills and access to services upon release

Oral Health Pack Distribution

A number of agencies and services are engaged with the distribution of oral health packs to vulnerable adults, children and families across Forth Valley. The pack contains toothbrush, toothpaste and oral health messages.  The provision of packs to this population highlights the importance of oral health and the need for regular toothbrushing.  If you feel your clients and services would benefit from becoming involved in this distribution or if you are already engaged and require further packs please contact  Fiona Macfarlane.