Carole A Boyle’s research while affiliated with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and other places

In this article, Yvonne Rooney and Carole Boyle provide an overview of general anaesthesia (GA), the indications for treatment under GA, and the dental nurse's role when a patient comes in for treatment

Dementia is increasing in prevalence: by 2025 it is estimated that there will be over a million people in the UK with this diagnosis. The condition is likely to affect us all as healthcare providers, whether in our patients, our relatives or ourselves. This article gives an overview of dementia: causes, treatment, how it affects people and provides advice on how to manage patients with dementia who require dental care. CPD/Clinical Relevance: By identifying the patient with dementia and being aware of the challenges in providing care the clinician can provide better treatment and reduce the chance of dental problems as the condition progresses.

This article will explain some of the reasons people become homeless, their oral health needs and what the dental team can do to help

Dysphagia is defined as a ‘difficulty in swallowing’ and is commonly found in the general population, particularly in the elderly. This article gives an overview of the more frequently encountered swallowing disorders and provides advice on how to manage the dysphagic patient in the dental surgery. Clinical Relevance: By identifying patients with dysphagia and being aware of the potential problems that the clinician may experience when treating them, the risk of aspiration, choking and healthcare-acquired upper respiratory tract infections may be reduced.

Poor dental health can affect a person's comfort, appearance, eating, nutrition, behaviour and general health. Every person with dementia needs an individualised preventive approach to dental care that should ideally begin as soon as dementia is diagnosed

Conscious sedation offers an easy and safe technique to carry out dental treatment in patients with learning disabilities. This article highlights the benefits of using conscious sedation to provide dental treatment, the role of the dental nurse and discusses the various techniques available

The objectives of the study were to determine: 1, the level of dental anxiety in British Service personnel; 2 whether there was a difference in dental anxiety levels across the three Services; and, 3, the relationship between number of operational tours and level of dental anxiety. Cross sectional questionnaire survey of individuals attending 3 Armed Services dental treatment centres in the UK. The questionnaires were completed between February 2008 and April 2009. 50 patients each from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, selected consecutively from those attending the centres for treatment. There was a 100% response rate. Dental fear as assessed by the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) and scores on a scale of fear of dental injections. 27% of the Armed Services experienced severe dental anxiety: a level similar to that found in the general population. There was no difference in the level of dental anxiety or fear of dental injections across the three Armed Services. There was no relationship between number of operational tours undertaken and level of dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is found amongst members of the British Armed Services at levels similar to that in the general population. This represents a challenge for service provision, particularly in operational settings.

Carole Boyle and Sam Koburunga outline common mental health problems, how these conditions affect managing adult patients in the dental surgery and how dental nurses can assist these patients to access care and comply with treatment

Unlabelled: The general features of the movement disorders are outlined and the effects of inhalational sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen and intravenous sedation, using midazolam, are described.Two case reports of patients with cerebral palsy treated in a community care setting are presented, and the advantages of intravenous and inhalational sedation are explained. Clinical relevance: Inhalational sedation (IS) with nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation (IVS) with midazolam can be useful aids to reduce unwanted movements in patients with movement disorders during dental treatment.

Dental fear and phobia represent a major barrier to dental care. Dental nurses need to know how to address this common phobia. One successful strategy for treating dental anxiety, according to Carole Boyle and David Craig, is the use of conscious sedation techniques