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Background Denture loss is a significant problem for patients admitted to hospital in the UK. Initiatives aimed at staff and patients have been introduced at many hospitals to try and reduce and solve this issue. Aim This investigation aimed to evaluate the impact of a quality improvement programme on denture loss at an acute hospital, including the reasons dentures were reported as lost or broken and who reported them. Method Information on dentures which were lost or broken was collected in an acute hospital between 2016-2021 and included the number of losses, the reason for the loss/breakage and who reported them. The number of complaints and financial reimbursement related to denture loss was also obtained from the trust for the same period. Results In total, 123 dentures were reported as lost or broken between 2016-2021. The most commonly reported reasons for loss were patient transfers between wards, being left on hospital trays, or when patients were sleeping. Patients or carers are more likely to report a lost denture compared to hospital staff. Reimbursement paid by the trust for denture incidents is much lower than the numbers reported. Conclusion Creating a single reporting pathway for denture loss and implementing methods to reduce denture loss led to an increase in the numbers of dentures reported as lost. This is likely to be attributed to an increased awareness of reporting pathways. Denture loss is a significant financial burden to the NHS, in addition to causing patients and families distress and is most likely under-reported in many hospitals.

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It is not uncommon for patients with odontogenic and non-odontogenic infection to present in general dental practice. Untreated infection can lead to life-threatening sepsis. This article aims to advise general dental practitioners on the relevance of sepsis and highlight the recent published NICE guidelines for interpretation in the dental setting. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a deregulated host response to infection. It is paramount for dental professionals to understand head and neck infection, underlying systemic infection and concepts of fascial space infection. It is also essential to know the warning signs or ‘red flags’ of emerging sepsis. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Following the recent published NICE guidelines and public awareness campaigns regarding sepsis, it is vitally important to raise awareness of the potential for sepsis to be identified in the general dental practice setting.