Oral health for adults in care homes

Community or salaried dental services

Employed dentists and dental care professionals who provide routine dental care for people who cannot be treated by general dental practitioners.

Emergency and out of hours dental treatment

Services set up to treat people who need urgent dental care outside normal working hours.

General dental practices

General dental practices are commonly known as 'high street dentists' and provide primary care dental services. They may also provide dental care to people living in care homes if they have arranged to be paid by the person, the care home, the local authority or NHS England.

Oral health

Oral health is essential to general health and quality of life. It means being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit a person's ability to bite, chew, smile and speak.

Special care dentistry

Dentistry for people with a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability, or a combination of these factors. Special care dentists work with adolescents and adults.

For other public health and social care terms see the Think Local, Act Personal Care and Support Jargon Buster.