Completion of an oral health assessment at the first point of contact is an important aspect of nursing care. Use of an oral health assessment tool and examination can act as an aid to treatment, guiding nurses towards a more individualised and holistic plan by providing information on the status of a patient’s mouth as a baseline for ongoing treatment and care. Identification of risk can help staff to provide the level of oral care required to prevent disease and treat any active problems. On ongoing oral assessments will reveal the possible need for referral to appropriate disciplines depending on the findings (Milligan, McGill, Sweeney & Malarkey, 2001). Huskinson & Lloyd (2009) also suggests the involvement of dental hygienists to offer
