The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased strain on many aspects of the NHS. Dentists have been identified as having skills transferable to support community nursing teams as part of the redeployment response. This article aims to explore the roles dentists have undertaken within the community setting and reflect on dentists' transferable skills, training and personal experiences during redeployment. Despite differences in healthcare delivery, both professions share skills surrounding professionalism, communication, raising concerns and consent. Community nurses have supported dentists through specific training and competencies so that the latter are equipped with skills to support roles including wound care, catheter care and medication administration. Dentists have been well-received by community nursing colleagues and patients during redeployment. This experience has enabled redeployed dentists to establish new skillsets while improving their appreciation for the fundamental role that community nurses play within society.

Purpose This ambispective observational study aims to evaluate the local utility of peri-operative CRP testing and prophylactic antibiotics in relation to post-operative complications in patients who have undergone major head and neck oncological reconstructive surgery. Results A total of 79 patients were identified for inclusion; CRP testing was undertaken within the first 3 days postoperatively in 78/79 cases. Results demonstrated no benefit of extended prophylactic antibiotic use in reducing post-operative infection. Forty-two post-operative complications arose. In the prospective arm, CRP did not influence the decision to commence antibiotic therapy for any of the surgical site infections. Age, diabetes, smoking, or high body mass index (BMI) did not appear to affect the incidence of postoperative infection ( p > 0.05). There is no evidence that more than 24 h of antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated for patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery. Conclusion Everyone who is involved in peri-operative patient care should be educated regarding the appropriate use of CRP testing, with the implementation of protocols required to standardize CRP testing and prophylactic antibiotic prescription.

Dental trainees require a degree of adaptability to navigate a training pathway. We outline the transferrable skills that can be adapted and utilised during the process of redeployment in response to COVID-19. Despite the challenging circumstances, opportunities can arise for trainees redeployed to different areas of healthcare, and contribute towards the formation of a holistic and rounded professional. Transferable skills acquired from different areas of healthcare contribute towards the formation of a holistic dental professional.

Oral health has a symbiotic relationship with general health, with oral disease recognised to have an adverse effect on the overall systemic health of a patient. Deterioration in oral health has been shown to have an impact on the severity of chronic systemic diseases, nutrition, hydration and psychological and social wellbeing. Part 1 of this mini-series explored the common oral conditions that community patients may present with, and the role of the nursing team in aiding the prevention, diagnosis and management of these conditions. Following on from that, this article discusses the links between oral and general health, and preservation of a patient's quality of life. This article also aims to support nurses' knowledge on how to assess the oral health needs of patients, support oral care provision, how to access acute and elective dental services and signpost to additional supportive resources.

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