The Specialised Oral Care Unit brings top professionals together
Located at the Tapiola Health Centre, the Specialised Oral Care Unit, LUVN-SEHY, has been serving residents of Western Uusimaa since early 2023. The unit performs extensive and demanding treatments, such as periodontal surgeries, comprehensive occlusal rehabilitations, and complex tooth extractions. “Our specialist dentists treat patients with conditions exceeding the capabilities of a general dentist,” states the unit’s chief dental officer, Maarit Lindén.
Clients come to the unit exclusively with a referral from a general dentist at a health centre in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. Specialist dentists within the unit evaluate whether patients qualify for specialised oral care. The criteria adhere to the national guidelines for access to non-emergency basic care set by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. “Earlier this year, we received approximately 300 referrals each month, with only a small number being returned,” notes head nurse Niina Lindholm. “Once a referral is approved, patients can expect to receive treatment fairly quickly, within a month or so.”
Currently, the Specialised Oral Care Unit staffs 12 specialist dentists and eight dentists trained in specific domains. Their work is backed by 22 dental assistants. Additionally, four dental hygienists provide guidance to patients and conduct cleaning procedures, among other duties. The unit maintains an educational agreement with the university, allowing specialised dentistry students to complete their specialist training at the unit.
In Finland, only approximately 13% of dentists specialise in clinical dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. “Thanks to the Specialised Oral Care Unit, around 12% of dentists in Western Uusimaa are specialist dentists. We now have specialists in every clinical area, namely, prosthodontics and occlusion physiology, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, caries and root treatment, as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery. We are very proud to have been able to attract such a wide range of specialist dentists to our team,” states the chief dental officer, Laura Tarkkila.
An efficient unit with satisfied employees
During its brief existence, the Specialised Oral Care Unit has successfully developed into an efficient unit where employees are content. “We take immense pride in our unit’s work,” remarks chief dentist Maarit Lindén. “We’ve assembled a team of top professionals, adept at providing comprehensive and high-quality specialist dental services to residents of the Wellbeing Services County.”
The Specialist Oral Care Unit is committed to ensuring that its operations and facilities meet the wishes of both clients and professionals, now and in the future. Having shared facilities is greatly beneficial and makes it easy to consult a colleague of another specialty during, say, a coffee break. “Naturally, it’s also essential that our facilities and equipment are in prime condition. We could certainly use a few more treatment rooms though,” Tarkkila concludes.
Why are CDs needed in dental care?
In the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, over ten client and patient information systems are currently in use. Consequently, professionals cannot always access client information directly from the system. “Referrals are sent via secure email, and images are burned onto traditional CD-ROMs,” Tarkkila explains.
When asked about the future vision for the Specialised Oral Care Unit, Tarkkila, Lindén, and Lindholm respond without hesitation: the best in Finland.
A brief glossary of specialised dental care:
- Pedodontist = a dentist who specialises in children's dental care
- Endodontist = a dentist who specialises in root canal treatment
- Periodontist = a dentist who specialises in gum diseases
- Prosthodontist (prosthodontics and occlusal physiology) = a dentist specialising in disorders of the teeth, jaws, and jaw joints, as well as occlusion and tissue deficiency problems.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon = a dentist specialised in treating diseases, accidents, and fractures of the jaw and face and related tissues, often also holding a degree in medicine.