Supporting dentists’ role in preventing drug-related harms

Supporting dentists’ role in preventing drug-related harms

The role dental professionals can play in helping reduce harms associated with drug use has been recognised by Scotland's Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport Maree Todd.

Ms Todd explored the relationship between oral health and substance use with researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience – as well discussing three new resources, including digital training programmes for dental and social care professionals.

Dr Niall McGoldrick – who is pictured right, with Ms Todd, left at the event – and colleagues at the University of Dundee, working alongside Public Health Scotland (PHS), NHS Education for Scotland (NES), and the Scottish Drugs Forum, have now developed a series of resources for healthcare professionals, social care professionals, and people who use drugs.

The resources are designed to help practitioners understand the interplay between drug use and poor oral health, remove some of the barriers that people face in recovery, and raise awareness of how they can help prevent drug deaths.

Collaboration in tackling oral health

Speaking at the University of Dundee, Ms Todd said:

"We want to make sure everyone gets the treatment they need. I welcome these new resources, supported by Scottish Government funding, and shaped by those with lived experience of using drugs, which aim to reduce oral health inequalities and drug harms in our most vulnerable communities. I’m pleased we have delivered on the Drugs Deaths Taskforce recommendation and our Cross-Government Action Plan on Drug Deaths and my thanks go to all our partners."

Prof Jan Clarkson, Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean at NES, commenting on the collaboration, said:

"Dr McGoldrick’s research has directly informed the development of resources designed to support, promote, and protect the oral health of people with experience of drugs across Scotland, as well as enhancing engagement between dental and addiction recovery services.

"This project demonstrates how NES contributes to knowledge mobilisation through innovative and inclusive collaboration with our partners. For NES to support better rights-based quality care and outcomes for every person in Scotland, this partnership working is crucial. Evidence based educational tools have been developed, and are accessible on NES's TURAS Learn platform, supporting Scotland's health, social care and third sector communities to improve health and reduce inequalities."

Dr McGoldrick, from the University of Dundee's Faculty of Health, said:

"Improving oral health is a way of reducing stigma, boosting confidence and ultimately enhancing recovery. That is what we are impressing upon the dental workforce in Scotland, so they understand they have a role to play in the national mission to reduce drug-related deaths and harm.

"People with lived experience of drugs tell us they feel judged when they go to the dentist and avoid doing so, even when they have problems that need urgent attention. Instead of visiting their dentist to receive safe pain relief, individuals might choose to deal with toothache by self-medicating when taking a variety of other substances, putting them at risk of overdose.

"The resources we have developed take a person-centred approach, exploring these challenges and the appropriate language to use to avoid stigma to ensure that all patients feel comfortable seeking oral health treatment. As a profession, we have a role to play in reducing drug-related harms in Scotland.”

Resources

People who use drugs experience significantly poorer oral health compared to the general population. This is driven by multiple factors such as the direct effects of certain substances, high-sugar diets, reduced oral hygiene, and limited interaction with dental services. Poor oral health impacts overall health, mental wellbeing, and social inclusion – all factors critical to recovery.

Using an evidence-based, mixed-methods approach grounded in behaviour change theory and supported by the professional input of NES, the project team (from University of Dundee and PHS) has delivered three key resources:

1. Health Education Resources for people with experience of drugs: A patient information leaflet and comics aimed at supporting both those actively using drugs and those recovering from drug use. Intended for use during community-based interventions as part of a clear and supportive pathway into care, these resources focus on encouraging current and past users of drugs to attend the dentist, and promote self-care habits and techniques. Physical copies of the leaflet have been delivered to NHS Board Oral Health teams. An online copy can also be accessed via the PHS website: Better Oral Health for Adults in Scotland: Drugs and Oral Health
2. NES Turas Accredited Training for dental professionals: This bite-sized ‘Open Badge’ module provides training on the typical lifestyle/characteristics of people with experience of drugs, education on how to address addiction without judgement, and language to use to reduce stigma and encourage re-attendance. Completion of the module will provide 1 hour of eCPD for General Dental Council (GDC) registrants. The module can be accessed on Turas Learn
3. NES Turas Accredited Training for third/social sector workers: This bite-sized ‘Open Badge’ module provides people who work with those who use drugs – for example social care or charity workers – with training on how to identify poor oral health, advice on managing this, and where to direct patients for support. To access the module:

• for those working in social care (the module provides a Scottish Social Care Council (SSCC) credit): visit SSSC's MyLearning
• for those outwith the social care sector: visit Turas Learn (please note that you will need a Turas account to access the training modules. If you don’t yet have one, it’s quick and easy to register on Turas Learn)

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