The words to use
- Edentulous
- Having no natural teeth. In England, 2.5% of adults were edentulous in 2023, down from 12% in 1998.
- Root caries
- Decay on root surfaces exposed when gums recede. It is common in older adults, and high-fluoride toothpaste can help control it.
- Domiciliary care
- Dental care provided where the patient lives, such as at home or in a care home, often using portable equipment.
- Mental capacity
- The ability to make a particular decision at the time it is needed. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 it is presumed, and a diagnosis alone can't remove it.
- MRONJ
- Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: jawbone that fails to heal, linked to certain medicines, especially after extractions. SDCEP has guidance on managing the risk.
