SANTA MARIA SENIOR ORAL SERVICES (SOS) DENTAL SUITE

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1 Welcome to the SANTA MARIA SENIOR ORAL SERVICES (SOS) DENTAL SUITE Mission Statement: The Seniors Oral Services (SOS) Pilot Project is proudly sponsored by The College of Dentistry which is dedicated to developing a set of standards and guidelines across the province that will be sensitive to the oral health concerns of seniors citizens in long term care facilities that reflect the diversity of their financial, physical and mental conditions. Please enjoy the following profile

2 Philosophy We at the Santa Maria Senior Oral Service Dental Suite encourage daily mouth care to the Long Term Care (LTC) residents. We acknowledge the importance and obligation of a full health care team support to maintain daily optimal oral care; meeting the expectations of safety, comfort, hygiene and respect to the individual. Senior Oral Services (SOS) aims to help reduce the many challenges faced with residents living with compromised lifestyles. Everyone should have the right to proper oral care and access to dental services regardless of physical and/or psychological barriers. Our goal is to reduce oral diseases, pain and discomfort and oral related infections. Oral cleanliness is a key component to keeping the body healthy. Proper oral hygiene portrays an overall commitment to a high level of personal care. We offer a safe, respectful and professional environment to our clients and their families.

3 Principles The College of Dentistry s Senior Oral Services (SOS) dental suite is proud to offer our clients a free annual Oral Assessment. The dentists perform a complete visual exam in the comfort of the residents living environment. Our dentists provide options and basic interventions so that our clients do not have to live with complications related to deteriorating and poor oral conditions. Regular dental hygiene cleanings are offered by our hygienist on site. Professional routine cleanings reduced periodontal disease while fostering healthy bone support and gums. Removable partial and full denture appliances are monitored for proper and comfortable wear. We encourage each resident to have their dentures labelled to reduce the risk of loss and to aid in asepsis measures while living in a group environment. The residents health and safety is our main priority. Dentists consult with nursing staff and family physicians when necessary to ensure the most adequate dental treatment is provided. Appointments are booked accordingly and families are invited to attend with their loved ones and receive valuable information and tips! We strive to make dental care a pleasant and important part of daily life.

4 Location: Situated on the main floor of the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home. Hours of Operation: The dental suite has varying hours. The dentists maintain local private practices and hygienist and Program Coordinator share their time to address all resident s dental concerns at the nearest time possible. How to Contact Us: Feel free to call or leave a detailed voice message at: We will be glad to address any emergencies a quickly as possible. Mail can be forwarded to the main office of the Santa Maria Senior Citizen Home c/o SOS Dental Suite or delivered directly to room #147 on the main floor at any time.

5 Frequently Asked Questions How do I get my loved one involved in the SOS dental program? The dental suite provides a complete information package with consent forms to the resident s assigned family member or Power of Attorney recipient. This is distributed during admission into The Santa Maria Home. If you happen to miss this or chose to sign up at a later date, please contact our office at or notify the front office or unit nurse to submit a request. My family member has been seeing a regular dentist for many years; I do not know what best options to chose at this point considering their personal care and disabilities have increased. How can your office assist with these concerns? The SOS dental suite is here to provide a on-site location to reduce the inconveniences of transportation and booking outside appointments. Leaving the facility can be upsetting and even high risk for some residents. Our team consults with the resident s nurses, family physician and dietitian when necessary. Santa Maria staff are available if assistance is required. How and when will I be informed of what needs to be done? The dentists perform free annual oral assessments and notify families of concerns and treatment options. The Santa Maria health care department may also inform our office of oral concerns such as unlabelled, broken or missing dentures, tooth aches, loose crowns or when emergencies arise. You will then receive a phone call to discuss treatment plans; estimates are mailed and consented appointments can be booked accordingly.

6 Is this office able to meet my loved ones dental needs? SOS is here to accommodate basic dentistry in our fully equipped operatory. All dental needs will be addressed by qualified and professional personal. Full denture care is available. We use off site labs to fabricate acrylic and porcelain prosthetics. How are dental services billed and payments received? Dental treatments are billed on a fee for service basis. The resident s Power of Attorney (POA) is financially responsible for services rendered. Payments are accepted by cheque and receipts issued. Insurance forms can be provided for reimbursements and applicable government benefit plans accessed for coverage. How are residents able to get to the dental suite? Santa Maria staff will assist each resident to the dental operatory for their scheduled appointments. The health care staff who are familiar with the residents safe transfer needs will assist residents in and out of the dental chair if required. These dentures are very old, chipped and do not fit well, but we are hesitant to get new ones at this stage. What may you suggest? The dentist will weigh out the benefits of a new set verses repair of the old one.

7 I m worried about my loved ones frail health and mental state; is it ok to proceed with dental work? Our staff have many years experience and expertise dealing with a variety of physical and cognitive behaviors. The dentists carefully evaluate the treatment plan options based on the clients health status and medical history. The dentist may consult with the nurses and the family physician to review medications and any health concerns. Current medication reports and vital assessments are reviewed prior to all treatments as a routine precaution. Appointments may be suddenly cancelled if unexpected situations arise. Is this treatment necessary? The necessity of each procedure is based on the benefit it offers the individuals overall health. Our goal is to provide a better quality of life that is comfortable and healthy for the resident. We are pleased to offer our professional advise and greatly consider your intentions and opinions. Will my loved one be monitored after the dental procedure? Residents are in the comfort of professional nursing care on the units where monitoring is routine. The dentist provides legal documentation with instructions to the nursing staff immediately following each treatment to identify the procedure, contraindications and any post-operative alerts and precautions.

8 Does the SOS dental team provide daily oral care to residents? No, we do not provide daily oral care to the residents. Daily oral care is part of the residents personal care treatment plan provided by the Santa Maria nursing care department. SOS dental suite provides yearly oral care assessments which evaluate dental hygiene needs and routine oral treatments that may require restorative, surgical and/or prosthodontic dentistry. Professional dental hygiene cleanings are offered on preauthorized minimum 6 month intervals. Is a dental hygiene appointment necessary considering the decreased lifestyle, minimal teeth remaining and an eating disorder exists? Regardless of level of disability, physical barriers, and diet modifications; an individual requires professional cleaning of any remaining teeth on a regular basis. The hygienist will remove hard scale and tarter buildup that increases the opportunity for periodontal disease and gum infections. Removal of such irritants can reduce bleeding of gums and inflammation and helps to restore bone support. The resident may be experiencing pain and discomfort without being able to express themselves. Decreased appetites and change in behavior moods such as sleep disorders and willingness to participate in activities can be signs of dental related issues. Removal of bacteria and hard mineral deposits on the teeth can help reduce tooth decay and gingivitis. A properly cleaned mouth will bleed less upon brushing.

9 Will daily oral care supplies be provided by SOS? Free samples will be distributed to clients participating in the SOS program upon assessment of oral care needs. Families are required to provide daily oral care supplies which may not be supplied by the home. How do we know when and what oral care supplies are needed? SOS may contact families when certain oral care supplies are recommended. The Santa Maria health care team are the best resource to monitor when supplies are low or depleted. Families can be prepared to purchase denture brushes, denture paste, denture cleansing tablets, denture adhesive material, mouth rinses, tooth paste, mouth moisturizers, lip balm, Waterpiks, floss wands, electric toothbrushes and interproximal brushes as per recommended. Families are required to replenish supplies as needed. We encourage to label all individual personal oral care products.

10 Thank you for your valued interest in the College of Dentistry s Senior Oral Services (SOS) dental program! It is our pleasure to serve the residents of the Santa Maria Senior Citizen Home.