Claire and AJ achieve “Accredited Oral Healthcare Champion” status

14 December 2023

Claire Croucher, one of our managers in Milton Keynes, has been on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of Oral Healthcare. Earlier this year, Claire, along with AJ from her team, were officially accredited as Oral Healthcare Champions.

Claire explains, “Through a LinkedIn connection, I learned about a course that was being run by Knowledge Oral Healthcare Services. To achieve the accreditation, AJ and I attended the course followed by an accreditation meeting, which involved demonstrating that the home was complying with CQC smiling matters report, KLOEs (E5) and skills for care, with all staff receiving training in the importance of oral health. We also had to show evidence of the work I had completed as well as evidence of good oral health care – ie daily logs of brushing teeth and oral healthcare plans.”

The role of Oral Healthcare Champions

As part of their commitment to ensuring good oral healthcare for the people supported at Veryan Place and Tolcarne Avenue, Claire and AJ play a significant role in increasing awareness about the importance of oral health and promoting best practice, as well as putting systems and processes into place so that oral health care plans are followed. This includes following the “be proud of your mouth” campaign run by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes integrated care board. Claire has also sourced an autism-friendly dentist for the people that she supports who might struggle with dental check-ups.

Claire’s commitment to Oral Healthcare aligns closely with CQC’s Smiling Matters 2023 report, which states: “To be successful in their role, Oral Care Champions are advised to have training so they have some basic oral health knowledge. It’s important that oral champions understand the impact poor oral health has in exacerbating health conditions, especially in vulnerable adults with chronic illness while positive oral health can improve a condition.”

A Platinum accreditation for Veryan and Tolcarne

After the first accreditation meeting at Veryan Place, Claire and the team were notified that they had received a gold award. However, after the second meeting took place at Tolcarne Avenue, the accreditation was upgraded to the platinum award for both services.

Jane Peterson, Director at Knowledge Oral Healthcare Services, emailed Claire to congratulate her on her award, saying: “It was good to meet up with you today and look at what you are doing regarding mouth care…..You certainly appear to be ahead of the game! it’s all very impressive what you are doing. Credit to you and your team.”

A passion for quality care

Founded in 1996, Precious has significant experience and expertise in supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities. The company offers supported living and residential care at more than 40 locations, covering London, Birmingham, Dudley, Gloucester, Milton Keynes, and Torquay. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had recently invested significantly in a new senior team, with a new vision for the future, new values, and a renewed and unwavering focus on providing quality care.