As part of the celebrations for World Swallowing Day, observed on December 12th, third-year students on the Speech Therapy degree at the Fernando Pessoa Higher Education School of Health (ESS-FP) participated in a practical class dedicated to nutritional solutions for people with swallowing disorders.

The session took place within the scope of the Evidence-Based Case Discussion I module, organised by Professor Daniela Vieira, and was facilitated by the company Nobell.

During the lesson, students had the opportunity to try and taste different nutritional products adapted for patients with dysphagia, gaining practical experience with various textures, thicknesses, sensory characteristics, and dietary adequacies, which are fundamental for ensuring safe and effective intake.

This experience made it possible to consolidate essential knowledge about the speech therapist's role in interdisciplinary intervention, particularly in the nutritional monitoring and hydration of people with swallowing difficulties, reinforcing the importance of coordination between speech therapy, nutrition, and other health professionals.

The initiative also aimed to raise awareness of the importance of early identification, prevention, and specialised intervention for swallowing disorders, promoting food safety, quality of life, and the dignity of users.

With this practical lesson, the Speech Therapy Course at ESS-FP reinforces its commitment to training based on scientific evidence, realistic clinical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing future professionals to respond to the challenges of dysphagia in hospital, community, and home settings.