PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST DENTURE LOSS IN CARE
Patients losing their dentures while in care is widely
reported all around the world but there are simple, cost-effective ways to
protect yourself against loss.
Along with hearing aids & glasses, dentures are
small, lightweight and they all look vaguely similar so it’s easy to understand
why these three things are commonly reported missing. Dentures are particularly
vulnerable to loss as many people don’t have a dedicated storage case for them
and they’re often collected in one group to be washed together – prime
conditions for a mix up!
Dentures tidied away during waste collection
Denture wearers are often embarrassed by having their
dentures on show so wrap them in a tissue at night. To care staff this can be mistaken
for rubbish and thrown into the bin during cleaning.
Dentures taken by another resident
Sadly common in facilities where patients are struggling
with memory-related ailments.
Dentures given to the wrong person
When dentures are grouped together for washing staff may
mistakenly give them back to the wrong people.
Dentures destroyed in the laundry
Dentures that have been left in a pocket overnight can be
put through the washing machine and end up heavily damaged.
Dentures broken during cleaning
Dropping dentures while cleaning is an everyday hazard
for care staff and the impact frequently causes dentures to break.
Thankfully there are ways to protect yourself against
denture loss. If you or someone you know are entering a care home, hospital or
assisted living facility, make sure they follow these steps:
Label your dentures
Your local dental laboratory or dental practice should be
able to put a discreet name/initials tag on your dentures to help you quickly
identify them and prevent any mix ups.
Buy an effective denture cleaner
Don’t subject your denture to the “communal cleaner”. Get
a dedicated cleaner like the patented Dr Mark’s HyGenie
to keep them safe and clean. As a bonus it also doubles as protective storage
when your denture isn’t in use.
Get a denture repair kit
Because accidents can still happen, dentures are always
at risk of getting broken. Luckily this is something you can repair yourself
with the correct materials. With Dr
Denti Superfix you can repair a broken denture in just 30 minutes. Keep a
pack of Superfix in with your first aid materials just in case.
Keep a spare set of dentures
If the worst does happen and your denture still gets lost
or damaged beyond repair, there’s no substitute for a set of copy dentures.
While expensive, it sure beats ending up without your dentures and having to
shell out for a replacement set at short notice!
Dr Mark's HyGenie & Dr Denti Superfix are both available from online dental retailers as well as local pharmacies. For more information on our denture-related products or details on your closest suppler you can email us on info@gapdental.com or call us on 01474 650 618.