INVERCLYDE residents are set to benefit from a new programme aimed at improving oral health.

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Oral Health Directorate has launched the Lifelong Smiles Programme, which is designed to enhance patient attendance at dental appointments and increase the number of patients opting for alternatives to general anaesthesia.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Public Dental Service, Children and Families, and Oral Health Improvement Teams, and aims to improve both patient and staff experiences while reducing appointment waiting times.

Lisa Dorrian, general manager for the NHSGGC Health Directorate, said: "The Lifelong Smiles Programme was created following a project to improve communication between health and social care teams to support the identification and management of vulnerable families, as well as ensuring patients and families are better informed on the treatment options available for oral health.

"When people don’t attend appointments, it can result in a lack of understanding of the treatment required, options available, and what to expect."

"It is early days but in a test of change involving 115 patients, 60 patients chose alternative treatments.

"The programme aims to upscale these findings to improve attendance and increase the use of alternative treatments such as the Anaesthetic Wand, Inhalation Sedation, and Silver Diamine Fluoride."

The Lifelong Smiles Programme, which is supported by Q Exchange, will provide training for dental health support workers, improved access and engagement for families, and innovative information resources.

It aligns with NHSGGC’s approach to realistic medicine, where shared decision-making and reducing medicine waste are key pillars.

Dr Jude Marshall, NHSGGC realistic medicine champion, said: "Communicating effectively with patients to ensure they’re aware of all options and potential outcomes is essential in Realistic Medicine, and that’s exactly what is being offered here.

"The results from the test group are showing that patients engage well when the decision of their care is shared.

"Reducing non-attendance numbers will also have a positive impact on wastage too, from a staffing and treatment perspective."