Swapping drills for dressings: redeployment of dentists to community nursing

Abstract

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.

Exploration of the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals during their redeployment to clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Following the H1N1 outbreak in Australia, one study was conducted using surveys investigating health workers’ absenteeism and sickness during the pandemic (Considine et al, 2011). Seven studies, surveys and articles were found relating to COVID‐19 redeployment, of those only one touched on the needs of non‐medically trained staff (Coughlan et al, 2020, Faderani et al, 2020, Johnston et al, 2020, Lim et al, 2020, Monroig‐Bosque et al, 2020, Mummery & Kipps, 2020 and Spiegelman et al, 2020) but the focus remained on medical doctors. Mummery and Kipps (2020) advocates for flexibility, accounting for individuals’ circumstances, health risks and skills when considering redeployment strategy and staff well‐being.…”

“…These findings were consistent with a study looking at the redeployment of pathologist trainees (Monroig‐Bosque et al, 2020). The article by Coughlan et al, (2020) on the other hand, viewed the experience as opportunities for professional development and this was shared by Johnston et al, (2020) who identified the redeployment of dentists into community nursing roles led to improved clinical knowledge and enhanced transferability of their skill sets.…”

The Dental Team: An Additional Resource for Delivering Vaccinations

“…In several countries around the world, the multi-skilled dental workforce has demonstrated that dentistry is ready to support the national health systems response in a time of emergency ( 8 , 9 ). Members of the dental team were redeployed based on their set of competencies into various roles including medical history taking, phlebotomy, cannulation, suturing, and others ( 10 ). A properly trained and indemnified dental workforce would be ideally placed to support the delivery of the flu vaccination program for the next season ( 11 ).…”

Implementation of policy and management interventions to improve health and care workforce capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response: a systematic review

“…• Supervision assurance to reinforce skills acquired to provide care beyond usual professional skills [ 98 ]…”