Guess who? Put a face to a name

Guess who book and face

Kirsten Lawson reviews a randomised controlled trial looking at the impact of providing clinician photos on inpatient’s recall of names and roles. Is this an effective way to improve communication between inpatients and their care team?

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Overdentures: trial suggests no difference between 1 or 2 dental implant support

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This trial compared patient satisfaction with 1 or 2 implants supporting a mandibular overdenture. No significant differences between the groups were seen after 5 years.

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Implant overdentures improve satisfaction, chewing and bite force, suggests review

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While 53 studies were included in this review of implant overdentures only a narrative summary of the outcomes of chewing ability, bite force and patient satisfaction could be presented. While all the studies were prospective, information about the quality and risk of bias in the included studies is not reported.

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Dental implants: survey found that patients had high levels of satisfaction with implant-supported restorative treatment

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This large Swedish questionnaire survey conducted on a random sample of patients achieved a high response rate (83%) . Those who had received dental implant supported restorative treatment reported very high levels of satisfaction (94%). However, 31% had experienced implant related complications although only 6% reported that these complications occurred frequently.

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Dental implants: evidence on patient expectations mainly cross-sectional

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There is a growing interest in patients’ expectations of dental implants. This review found 10 mainly cross sectional studies with variable quality of reporting. Expectations with respect to aesthetics and function predominated.

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Compete dentures: no difference between simplified and traditional approaches to fabrication

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Today we look at a review that compares simplified approaches with traditional methods for constructing complete dentures. 3 small trials reported in 6 papers suggest some advantages of the simplified approach over the traditional. However studies are small and of short duration.

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Review suggests the shortened dental arch may be an acceptable approach

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The shortened dental arch (SDA) consisting of ten pairs of occluding anterior and premolar teeth is considered sufficient to provide good oral function. The WHO goal for developing countries of 20 functional, aesthetic natural teeth without resorting to a prosthesis is consistent with the SDA.   The aim of this review was compare the functional outcomes [read the full story…]

“The patient is the single most important safety barometer” according to roundtable discussion

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 Introduction Patient safety has featured heavily in the news recently, with the Mid Staffordshire inquiry, childrens heart surgery in Leeds and the investigation into deaths of babies at Furness General Hospital.  It is a top priority for commissioners.  The Health Foundation recently published an evidence review Involving patients in improving safety (1).  This report follows [read the full story…]

“The NHS in England could realise savings of at least £4.4 billion a year…” according to a report

People with plugs

If NHS England adopted people powered health innovations, it could make at least £4.4 billion savings a year according to this report, published by NESTA, an independent charity and the UK’s innovation foundation. This is part of a series of reports due for publication following this one, including: People Powered Health: health for people, by [read the full story…]

The changing relationship between user and provider and its impact on quality

Joined puzzle pieces

Introduction This Evidence Review from The Health Foundation and RAND Europe looks at whether the changing relationships between healthcare service users and providers will improve the quality of care delivered. It is important for anyone who is involved in delivering a more patient-centric service, as it reviews how the recent changes in the relationship between service [read the full story…]