DHSV is Supporting every smile this Dental Health Week

This Dental Health Week (Monday 7 – Sunday 13 August), we are pleased to share Supporting every smile, a comprehensive online resource for disability support workers.

People who experience intellectual and development disabilities are more likely to experience poorer oral health, and often rely on others to support them to maintain their oral health.

DHSV’s Supporting every smile website is the resource disability sector workers need to best support the oral health of their clients.

What’s on the site?

The site provides relevant, evidence-based information, resources, and tips for support workers in an easy-to-use, freely available online format.

The resources on the site include a range of consumer-tested:

• Easy read fact sheets
• Step-by-step brushing guides
• Visual communication tools
• Videos on how to support someone to care for their teeth and gums.

You can also find information on how to support the oral health of people with disability through daily mouth care, a healthy diet, and regular dental check-ups.

Supporting you to support others

The Supporting every smile resource equips disability workers with the information and tools they need to deliver good oral health care as part of the broader support services they already provide.

The resource is also a great starting point for disability service providers who want to prevent oral disease by building staff knowledge and embedding policies and procedures that foster good oral health.

The package was developed in partnership with disability sector partners, support workers and oral health professionals.

Visit Supporting every smile

Want more information?

If you would like to learn more about DHSV’s Supporting every smile resource and how it can be used in the disability sector, please contact Health Promotion Officer Bonnie Morrison: bonnie.morrison@dhsv.org.au.