New oral-health videos to protect children with heart disease
Clinicians at our Children’s Hospital have collaborated on new oral-health videos to protect children with heart disease from preventable infection.
To support families of children and young people diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) in understanding how best to maintain good oral health, our Children’s Hospital has collaborated with national partners to launch two new guidance videos.
Children and young people with CHD are at increased risk of oral-health problems, including dental infections that can lead to serious complications. For some children, untreated dental infection may increase the risk of infective endocarditis and complicate planned medical or cardiac care.
The animations have been developed to provide clear, engaging and age-appropriate oral health information for children with congenital heart disease and their families and carers. They encourage positive behaviours around toothbrushing, diet and regular dental attendance, while improving awareness of infective endocarditis prevention.
They also provide healthcare professionals with a consistent and accessible resource that can be used across paediatric cardiology and dental services nationally.
Mrs Ajit Tanday, Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at our Children’s Hospital, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the expertise of paediatric dentists and the wider healthcare workforce to ensure that children with complex needs receive high-quality, compassionate and timely care.
“By working collaboratively, we can help families feel supported and confident in managing their child’s oral health.”
The project is a collaboration between Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD), and the West Midlands Congenital Heart Disease Network, with patient and public involvement and engagement supporting the development of the resources.
Support from the Cardiac Dental CEN (clinical excellence network) has helped ensure the animations reflect the needs of children living with congenital heart disease.
The aim of the videos is to provide a reusable national resource, available through Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the Cardiac Dental CEN, the British Congenital Cardiac Association and BSPD, and used by cardiology and paediatric dental teams.
The project was funded by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Innovation Fund, BSPD and the West Midlands Congenital Heart Disease Network.
Dr Oosh Devalia OBE, BSPD President, said: “Children with congenital heart disease have complex health needs, but protecting their oral health must not be overlooked. Dental disease and infection can have serious consequences, including an increased risk of infective endocarditis, and can complicate wider medical care. No child should face avoidable complications or disruption to essential cardiac treatment because preventable dental disease has not been addressed. These videos give families practical, trusted advice and help cardiac and dental teams deliver consistent prevention focused care from an early stage.”