One Dental Pty Ltd |
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July 26, 2024
Entrusting a loved one to aged care is never easy, even when necessary. The dedicated workers who look after our vulnerable citizens are true heroes. Oral care is a crucial part of their role, as it significantly impacts overall health and wellbeing. That’s where Gordon, our simulation manikin developed in partnership with Dr. Mark Wotherspoon, comes in—bridging the gap in aged care dental education.
At One Dental, we are an Australian-owned dental supply store committed to meeting the needs of dental students and professionals. We work closely with industry experts and academics to develop tailored products and solutions. Gordon is a prime example of this collaborative effort. Here’s how Gordon is helping to revolutionise dental education in aged care.
With decades of experience in general dentistry, Dr Wotherspoon shifted his focus to aged care, visiting facilities, group homes and providing home care. This included caring for individuals who, due to conditions such as MS, MND, strokes, accidents or early onset dementia, may have entered aged care settings at a younger age than typically expected. He observed that, while he could address active dental issues and diseases, the primary challenge was the lack of regular brushing of dentures and teeth due to insufficient training for carers and family members.
Effective oral care in aged care settings is crucial due to its strong link with overall health. Poor hygiene can lead to serious, often fatal conditions like aspiration pneumonia, as the mouth is connected to the lungs. It can also affect the cardiovascular system and brain.
Prior to Gordon’s creation, training primarily relied on webinars or online courses. Dr Wotherspoon saw the need for a more effective way and approached our CEO, Jo Stanbury, with the idea. Together, they developed a solution that coincidentally addressed the gaps highlighted by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for improved education and training in dental care and hygiene.
“I strongly felt that we needed some sort of hands-on component so that people could not only understand why, but they had the actual practical skills to confidently look after someone who was in their care.” - Dr Mark Wotherspoon
What sets Gordon apart from other dental simulation training manikins is his ability to reflect the specific needs of aged care residents. He is highly customisable to represent a range of common dental conditions encountered in elderly patients, including missing teeth, partial dentures, full dentures and broken teeth. This customisation ensures that carers are trained to handle the real-life dental challenges they will face daily rather than focusing on a model of a perfectly healthy mouth.
Our Aged Care Manikin Kit provides a comprehensive and portable solution. It includes a mountable manikin and various dental models, such as a full acrylic denture, a partial acrylic denture, and a partial chrome denture. It also features the TelScope System with depressors, Dr Mark's Hygenie Ultimate Denture Care Kit, an Open Wide Mouth Prop, and a storage case with foam inserts.
Teledentistry is a valuable addition to aged care dental training, offering continuous support and access to expert advice. When carers encounter challenging situations, they can consult with dental professionals. If they come across something they can’t handle, they can take a digital image and refer it to a professional for guidance.
Dr Wotherspoon introduced hands-on workshops to complement existing online and webinar-based training, aiming to enhance practical skills for carers in aged care settings and raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Each session begins with a 45-minute presentation, followed by five interactive workshop stations designed to improve practical skills, including:
A crucial aspect of the final workshop is emphasising the importance of consent and decision-making. While maintaining oral health and hygiene in aged care is essential for dignity, it’s also important to respect each resident’s right to refuse care. We provide comprehensive education to carers, equipping them to help residents understand their options and the potential medical consequences of their choices.
“Poor oral hygiene is linked to serious health issues such as lung disease, dementia, heart disease, and uncontrolled diabetes. We respect patients’ right to refuse care, but we prefer to ensure that they are fully informed about the potential consequences.” - Dr Wotherspoon
Gordon, named after Dr Wotherspoon’s 93-year-old father, who remains active and independent with some support, embodies a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in aged care. Created with a vision to standardise best practices in oral hygiene within assisted living environments globally, Gordon’s mission is to raise awareness and upskill care teams. And he’s doing just that.
His impact has already extended beyond local initiatives. He has earned recognition at international forums in the UK and the US, including awards and commendations. Here in Australia, advocacy through the Country Women's Association (CWA) in New South Wales has further amplified Gordon’s impact, leading to increased visibility and support. Thanks to these efforts, the future of dental education in aged care is set to be more hands-on and promising.
Dr Wotherspoon plans to continue advocating for improved oral health care by integrating portable dental services with educational initiatives to reach broader communities and professional groups. One Dental is excited to support and advance this mission, contributing to a future where high-quality dental care is accessible and effective for all.
Gordon is a pioneering tool in aged care dental education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
“So, we need to enhance access to dental treatment by bringing services directly to aged care facilities. This requires both improving the dental profession's outreach into the community and increasing the general public's awareness of oral health. Additionally, we must upskill not only the caring profession but also allied health professionals, nurses and doctors. They need to understand the importance of oral health and acquire the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact.” - Dr Wotherspoon
Are you a carer or dental professional seeking to enhance your skills in aged care? Connect with our team at One Dental to explore how our simulation and training products, including the Gordon aged care manikin kit, can support your development.
Whether you're interested in learning more about our existing solutions or discussing the creation of new products tailored to your training needs, we’re here to help. Contact us today to start the conversation.