Special care dentistry focus in Galway

Special care dentistry took centre stage at the Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health’s (ISDH) annual conference in Galway in June.

Chief dental officer Dympna Kavanagh outlined plans for the National Oral Health Policy and its relevance for special care patients at the meeting.

Four dental professionals were also awarded for research and innovation in special care dentistry, including Dr Caoimhin Mac Giolla Phadraig, Dr Maura Haran, Dr Siobhan Stapleton and Dr Maeve Cooney.

Speakers and lectures

Around 75 delegates attended the conference, which was opened by Dr Blanaid Daly, professor of special care dentistry at the Dublin Dental University Hospital.

This year’s conference theme was ’empowered choices, louder voices’

A pre-conference workshop took place on 16 June with Dr Graham Manley, a consultant in special care dentistry in the UK. The workshop focused on the practical management of patients with neurodisabilities, such as dementia, multiple sclerosis and brain injuries.

Delegates learned about the multidisciplinary (orofacial, pharmacological and surgical) management of drooling from Tom Barry, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and Patricia Morrison, a speech and language therapist.

This was followed by Andrea Mulligan, a barrister at law, who outlined the recent Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the potential implications for clinical practice.

Highlights

Danielle McGeown, ISDH secretary, commented: ‘The expert panel discussion was a highlight of the day. Delegates could bring varying queries to the panel either before the conference through an online submission or on the day.

‘This led to a lively discussion on a range of topics, and emphasises the ISDH’s role in mentoring and support for clinicians providing dental care to patients with disabilities in Ireland.’

This year’s conference theme – empowered choices, louder voices – was echoed throughout: workshops and lectures promoting better decision making, empowering clinicians and patients to make informed choices.

To find out more about the ISDH visit www.isdh.ie.