Exam Pass Notes

Use these notes for a final review before the assessment. They summarise the course's main points but do not replace local mouth care policy, individual care plans or arrangements for dental services.

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Core messages

• Oral health is part of everyday personal care in care homes.
• Mouth care needs should be assessed on admission and recorded in the care plan.
• Adults in care homes should be supported to clean their teeth twice a day and to carry out daily denture care.
• Poor oral health affects comfort, dignity, eating, drinking, communication and taking medicines.
• Dry mouth, ulcers, bleeding gums, bad breath, broken teeth, swelling and denture problems all matter.

Support and escalation basics

• Use the resident's preferred routine and products where possible.
• Do not force mouth care if the resident resists or becomes distressed.
• Check whether pain, fear, poor timing or confusion is affecting the resident's response.
• Record refusals, changes in mouth care needs and practical signs of pain or oral disease.
• Escalate severe pain, swelling, bleeding or difficulty eating, drinking or taking medicines because of mouth problems.

Role boundaries

• Care staff recognise, record and report oral health concerns.
• Dental professionals diagnose and treat dental disease.
• Know who the resident's dentist is and how to access routine and urgent dental help.
• Update mouth care plans when the resident's needs change.

For the exam, remember the main shape of safe practice: assess, plan, support daily care, notice change early and escalate clearly.