Aiding communication for stroke survivors

People who have suffered a stroke can be prone to oral health problems. Loss of dexterity and feeling may mean that they cannot clean their own teeth as effectively as before and they may not be able to feel food remaining in the mouth after meal times. As a result they have higher incidences of oral disease such as gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth decay, halitosis and ill fitting dentures.

With stroke often comes difficulty in communicating. Even when visiting the dentist stroke survivors can find it difficult to describe their situation – from where they may be experiencing pain to letting the dentist know how they are cleaning their teeth and what they are eating and drinking.

The dental therapy and hygiene students have worked with stroke survivors, via the Stroke Association in Plymouth and Chatterbox, and come up with a communication aid which allows patients with stroke to communicate more fully with their dentist and dental hygienist.