At Barton House, we understand that good oral health is a vital part of overall wellbeing. That’s why we’re proud to be participating in Care to Smile, a local NHS-supported initiative that helps care homes provide consistent, high-quality mouth care for older adults. The programme is built on national guidance and supports us in enhancing day-to-day care for the people who live here.
Oral hygiene can sometimes be overlooked, but its impact is far-reaching. Poor dental care doesn’t just affect someone’s comfort, it can lead to wider health complications. By embedding better mouth care into our daily routines, we’re helping to improve both quality of life and long-term health outcomes for the residents.
To lead the way, our team members Dan Ball and Samantha Goodwin have stepped up as Barton House’s dedicated Mouth Care Leads. They’ve both completed specialised training provided through the Care to Smile programme and are now working to share their knowledge across the wider team. Their role includes reviewing our current practices, updating relevant documentation and making sure our approach to oral care reflects the latest best practice. With support from the NHS Healthy Smile Team, they’ve also been given access to toolkits, training materials and ongoing guidance.
This training has given us a valuable opportunity to look more closely at how we support each resident’s needs, whether that’s through daily brushing routines, recognising signs of oral discomfort or adapting care for individuals living with dementia.
Rachel, Manager at Barton House, shared:
“Care to Smile has been a brilliant opportunity for us to strengthen an area of care that’s so important but often goes unnoticed. Dan and Samantha are doing a fantastic job leading this work and I’m proud of the team for embracing it so positively. It’s another example of how we’re committed to providing thoughtful, person-centred care in every aspect of daily life.”
By taking part in the Care to Smile programme, we’re making sure that oral health remains a key part of the compassionate care we provide at Barton House.
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