http://www.dentistry.co.uk The latest news in the UK dental industry. Dentistry Online is the website for the UK's leading dental publication, Dentistry Magazine. Tue, 30 May 2006 13:49:59 +0000 Dentistry.co.uk en http://www.dentistry.co.uk/graphics/dentistry_logo.png http://www.dentistry.co.uk http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3099 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3099 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:21:06 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3099 Significant challenges remain for the commissioning of dentistry in England despite the growing experience of commissioning staff and consensus on priorities.... read more -
Significant challenges remain for the commissioning of dentistry in England despite the growing experience of commissioning staff and consensus on priorities.
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That’s according to the 2010 British Dental Association (BDA) Local Commissioning Survey.
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The survey was carried out two years ahead of the winding down of primary care trusts (PCTs) and the transfer of responsibility for dental commissioning passing to the national commissioning board in 2012.
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/>Access to care remains the top priority for primary care trust (PCT) dental commissioning leads, according to the research which found that 89% of PCTs had it as one of their top three priorities.
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This echoes the findings of research by the BDA in 2009. Next comes quality, which appeared in the top three concerns of just over a quarter (28.4%) of PCTs.
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Oral health, orthodontics, prevention and performance management were all also cited as top three priorities by at least one-in-ten respondents.
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/>The research sought insight into the experience of PCT dental commissioning staff commissioning and the level of support they enjoyed from strategic health authorities (SHAs), revisiting themes addressed by the 2009 research.
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In 2009, just 29% of PCT respondents agreed they received contracting help or advice from their SHA.
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This year’s survey found that 61% receive performance monitoring advice, 46% contracting advice and guidance and 18% receive support with their dental strategy.
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Just over six in ten PCTs reported that they found the commissioning support they received helpful.
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/>The growing experience of dental commissioning staff is noticeable.
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Less than 10% of those surveyed had been in their role for under a year, according to the 2010 survey, while more than a quarter had served for such a short period in 2009.
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But many of the commissioning leads, questioned this year, said they did not have an adequate workforce.
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Almost three-quarters said they needed additional support, with 18% declaring they did not benefit from the expertise of a consultant in dental public health.
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/>The research also identified significant under spending of dental budgets. Just under a fifth (16.4%) of PCTs said they had spent less than 95% of their ring-fenced dental budgets in 2009/10, although it is not clear whether the remaining funds were completely unspent or diverted to non-dental spending.
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/>John Milne, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: 'This research illustrates the challenges that persist with the commissioning of primary dental care and underlines some of the issues the national commissioning board will face when it assumes its duties.
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/>'It is clear that whoever is responsible for commissioning dental care must be properly supported and have access to appropriate expertise. The experience and knowledge of consultants in dental public health and dental practice advisers are particularly valuable in helping PCTs provide effective care to patients.
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'This study stresses the gradual accumulation of experience by PCTs. Arrangements for the handover of commissioning responsibility must seek to ensure that experience is not lost. 
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/>'Given that access to dental care remains the top priority for dental commissioners, it is very concerning that a significant number of PCTs did not spend all of the funding they were allocated for dentistry.' ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3099 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3098 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3098 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:27:52 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3098 The drive for improved hygiene in healthcare settings as a means of combating HCAIs, has generated a wealth of professional protocols and guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical devices.... read more -
The drive for improved hygiene in healthcare settings as a means of combating HCAIs, has generated a wealth of professional protocols and guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical devices.
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/>This has prompted Suffolk manufacturer, Plinth 2000, to offer guidance for the proper care and maintenance of its surgical and treatment couches, which are designed to meet Medical Device Directive MDD 93/42/EEC, covering apparatus used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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/>In line with current infection control guidelines, all Plinth 2000 couch coverings are vinyl, washable, stain resistant and capable of withstanding disinfection with a chlorine-based product.
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/>Most of its standard upholstery grades incorporate a patented antibacterial additive, which provides long-lasting effectiveness against MRSA, C.Diff, E.coli and other harmful bacteria and is also resistant to mould and odours.
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/>Plinth 2000 recommends cleaning with a dilute disinfection solution, using proprietary products such as Haz-Tabs and Presept tablets, and the same solution can be used on the powder-coated steel frame, simplifying decontamination procedures.
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/>One area of particular risk of cross-contamination is upholstery damage, through cuts, tears or poor cleaning technique, and Plinth 2000 recommends regular inspection and servicing, with the option of replacing damaged vinyl as soon as any problem occurs.
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/>To this end, the company has designed its couch upholstery for ease and speed of replacement, by means of four concealed bolts on each section, and its service contract provides for inspection and rectifying of damaged upholstery and other infection control issues, with visits either annually or every six months.
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/>It also offers the option of upgrading older models to antibacterial upholstery, at prices from around £65 per section,thereby extending product life in accordance with the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF).
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/>Further enquiries to Plinth 2000, Wetheringsett Manor, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PP, tel 01449 767 887, email sales@plinth2000.com or visit www.plinth2000.com. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3098 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3097 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3097 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:46:27 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3097 A dentist is answering a cry for dental help from a tribe in north Africa.... read more -
A dentist is answering a cry for dental help from a tribe in north Africa.
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Hull dentist Chris Branfield is leading an eight-day charity expedition to north east Morocco later this month in order to treat the mouths of the Berber tribe.
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Chris Branfield is a founding trustee of a charity that aims to get dentists to wherever their work is desperately needed around the globe.
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The trip – from 24 September until 1 October – will take the dental team to the Berber village by the Mediterranean sea where the group of eight dentists will be treating the population whose biggest problem is gingivitis.
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Chris, from Castle Park Dental Care in Cottingham, says: 'In 10 years time, the day will come when the Berber tribe, its land and its traditions will be swallowed up into mainstream society – just as the Red Indians and Aborigines did before them. But today, the privilege to experience the tribe in their natural habitat is available to a very few.'
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/>Money is being raised by Castle Park Dental Care for supplies and materials to help the Berber tribe but the team is hoping to get sponsorship and help with necessary kit from dental suppliers.
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The cost of the trip itself is being met by Chris.
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A full presentation of their expedition will be available on the practice's website at www.castleparkdental.co.uk.
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To make a donation, please click here.
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Anyone who can make a donation of dental products, please contact Chris Branfield on 01482 848428 or email castleparkdental@aol.com. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3097 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3096 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3096 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:19:08 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3096 Health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), is extending its national contact centre’s opening hours and publishing new guidance on registration to help support primary dental providers preparing to apply for registration under new legislation.... read more -
Health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), is extending its national contact centre’s opening hours and publishing new guidance on registration to help support primary dental providers preparing to apply for registration under new legislation.
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/>The Newcastle-based centre will now open from 8.30am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Friday and from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays.
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/>CQC has also issued new guidance for the providers of primary dental services, which is available on its website or in hard copy from the national contact centre (NCC) on 03000 616161.
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/>The new guidance provides more information on the application process, which has been refined following a series of pilot projects.
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/>CQC is expecting applications from more than 8,500 providers.
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/>Providers of dental services will soon start applying for registration with CQC with all providers to be registered from 1 April 2011.
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/>Providers only need to apply for registration once.
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Due to an expected large amount of applications, providers will be put into groups with each group given an application window within which to apply.
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/>Services will be registered against the new essential standards of quality and safety that apply across the care sector.
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/>The new system focuses on outcomes, the experiences CQC expects people to have, rather than on policies and processes. The aim of registration is that people can expect services to meet essential standards of quality, to protect their safety and to respect their dignity and rights wherever care is provided, wherever they live.
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/>CQC director, Linda Hutchinson, say: ‘We appreciate that this type of regulation is very new to the dental sector and that people will have a lot of questions. We publish regular updates on our website, but we know that some people would prefer to talk things through over the phone. We want to make sure that our helpline is available to answer questions at times that are convenient to dentists, taking their working hours into consideration.'
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/>She adds: ‘We’re also working closely with the General Dental Council to avoid any overlap in our actions and to minimise any potential regulatory burden for providers. Ultimately, our objective is to protect service users and to encourage improvement in the care people receive.’
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/>For further information on the registration process, providers can sign up to CQC’s monthly e-update for health and social care professionals at www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsletter.cfm and join CQC’s provider reference group, an online community offering the opportunity to engage with our work through a variety of methods including surveys, discussion forms and polls.
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Dentists can sign up by emailing cqc@nunwood.com.
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The CQC will be writing to providers to advise what will happen next and about further action that needs to be taken.
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For more information go to www.cqc.org.uk/dental or email enquiries@cqc.org.uk. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3096 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3095 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3095 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:13:28 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3095 All dental practices in England will have to register with the Care Quality Commission by April 2011.... read more -
All dental practices in England will have to register with the Care Quality Commission by April 2011.
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Registrations start in October 2010 and practices will be selected and given a time-frame to complete the application.
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You need to prepare now! So why not visit The Dental Directory stand and attend one of our CQC sessions?
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/>Places are limited; therefore if you are interested in attending a session and would like to find out more, please email your contact details to campaigns@dental-directory.co.uk.
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/>After your CQC session, you will be invited to relax in our hospitality suite and enjoy complimentary refreshments.
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We look forward to seeing you at The Dental Directory Stand, A01, A02 and B01. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3095 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3094 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3094 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:32:00 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3094 The NHS Direct medical advice helpline is facing the cosh in government plans to scrap the service.... read more -
The NHS Direct medical advice helpline is facing the cosh in government plans to scrap the service.
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/>The website equivalent, however, will remain, as will the phone helpline service in Scotland and Wales.
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/>The service – which this year cost £123 million to run – is to be replaced with a new free 111 phoneline, which is being trialled in the north-east of England and will be rolled out over a three-year period.
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/>NHS Direct is well used – around 14,000 people call the number every day, but the service has had a mixed response from the medical profession.
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/>The plans to axe NHS Direct were revealed by health secretary Andrew Lansley last week.
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/>NHS Direct provides expert health advice and information to callers, as well as out-of-hours support for GPs and dental services, telephone support for patients with long-term conditions, and pre- and post-operative support for patients.
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/>The Department of Health said 'many' of the services offered by NHS Direct included in the 111 service, which provides health advice and information about out-of-hours GPs, walk-in centres, emergency dentists and 24-hour chemists. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3094 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3093 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3093 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:45:51 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3093 A new vibrating device that speeds up the teeth straightening process and looks set to revolutionise orthodontics has been fully launched across the UK.... read more -
A new vibrating device that speeds up the teeth straightening process and looks set to revolutionise orthodontics has been fully launched across the UK.
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It follows a successful limited market release of AcceleDent last October.
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The AcceleDent system, created in the States, is a simple, removable dental device that patients place in the mouth for 20 minutes daily.
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It produces a gentle vibrational force that enhances the pressure applied by braces.
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It has been clinically proven to safely speed up orthodontic tooth movement.
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The product is hands-free and allows the user flexibility to carry out most routine tasks during use.
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The acceleration of the natural resorption of old bone and the depositing of new bone cells is therefore increased.
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The system is currently being sold to select orthodontic specialists in the UK, where it was introduced last year through a limited market release programme.
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Approximately 20 orthodontic specialists participated in the evaluation programme, which the company used as an important learning experience.
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The device is based on research from Dr Jeremy Mao’s laboratory in the late 1990s and early 2000s when he was at the University of Illinois Chicago.
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AcceleDent, which is a regulated medical device and only available to dental professionals to prescribe to their patients, will feature at the British Orthodontic Conference (BOC) in Brighton this month (19-22 September).
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Mike Kaufman, VP marketing and business development at OrthoAccel, says: ‘The controlled UK introduction has provided an invaluable opportunity to experience customer purchasing preferences and marketing approaches to incorporate AcceleDent into the orthodontic treatment plan.
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'The ability to intimately dialogue with these early adopter orthodontists has yielded several product refinements, which have already been implemented.
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'These orthodontists are very encouraged by the results they are seeing and in general have been able to move through the treatment plan at a quicker pace.’
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Patients have reported using the device while doing homework, watching TV and reading.
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The vibrating force has been described as ‘very light’ and one patient remarked: ‘The pulsing feels like a gentle massage for my teeth and gums – and I look forward to it every evening.’
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Previous research suggests the overall treatment time required to realign teeth could be reduced by approximately 50%.
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Researchers at the University of Illinois were the first to discover that mild vibration accelerates bone remodelling – and similar vibrating technology is already being used to treat osteoporosis and heal some types of bone fracture.
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The company has now reported plans to host a gathering at the BOC in Brighton for the group of early-user orthodontic specialists, in order to review patient case progress and other insights.
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OrthoAccel is anticipating the conclusion of another US clinical trial at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio with a target completion date later in 2010.
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• The British Orthodontic Society is holding the British Orthodontic Conference 2010: A New Wave at the Brighton Conference Centre from 19-22 September.
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The programme is politically and clinically relevant to all orthodontists, nurses, therapists and technicians. The title of the Northcroft Lecture is ‘Where do we go from here?’ and will be delivered by Professor Fraser McDonald. The lecture aims to identify the challenges for future training of orthodontics and subsequently the delivery of orthodontic care.
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Other speakers include:
/>Hisham Badawi – 3D orthodontic biomechanics research
/>Jay Bowman – Facial aesthetics
/>Balvinder Khambay/Ashraf Ayoub – 3d imaging
/>Didier Fillion – Clinical advantages of orapix – the straight wire technique
/>Giuseppe Scuzzo – Lingual orthodontics
/>Tim Wheeler – Orthodontic treatment with aligners
/>Chris Orr/Peter Huntley – Ortho-restorative interface
/>Peter Huntley – Adult orthodontics
/>Ama Johal/Wendy Turner – The inter-disciplinary management of the periodontally compromised dentition
/>Nicky Mandall – Early Class III treatment
/>Professor Donald Burden – Evidence base for orthognathic surgery
/>Emile Rossouw – Translational research in support of mini-screw implant anchorage
/>Jay Bowman – A Spike in the Ice: Innovative Anchorage Concepts with Miniscrews
/>Professor David Bearn – BOS implant audit
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Following the popularity last year of the first National Orthodontic Commissioning
/>Education Day, the same day is planned again this year on Wednesday 22 September.
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This day is primarily aimed at any individuals or organisations throughout the UK who are directly or indirectly involved in commissioning NHS orthodontic services and this year the day is open to
/>providers in primary and secondary care.
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For more details, visit www.bos.org.uk.
/> 
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3093 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3092 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3092 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:24:36 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3092 Associated Dental Products Limited, first established back in 1922, develops and manufactures Kemdent products from its facilities in Purton, England, and markets them in the UK and around the world.... read more -
Associated Dental Products Limited, first established back in 1922, develops and manufactures Kemdent products from its facilities in Purton, England, and markets them in the UK and around the world.
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Dentists are amazed by the number and range of Kemdent products now available.
/>

Diamond, a unique tooth-coloured glass polyphosphonate restorative cement that was introduced to the range in 1997, has proved very popular with dentists who find that restorations are up to 50% stronger than conventional glass ionomer cements.
/>

Available in various formats, the Diamond GIC range includes Diamond Carve, Diamond 90, Core, Snappy and Capsule brand names plus Diamond Bond and Finish composites.
/>
/>PracticeSafe, ChairSafe and InstrumentSafe make up our innovative and user-friendly range of infection control products:
/>
/>·      PracticeSafe disinfectant wipes and spray for the fast cleaning and disinfection of impressions, try-ins, models, small objects and surfaces
/>
/>·      ChairSafe, an aerosol and alcohol-free foam for the disinfection of alcohol-sensitive materials such as the leather facings of dental chairs
/>
/> ·      InstrumentSafe, a concentrate for the cleaning and disinfection of dental instruments. 
/>
/>Kemdent is always researching and developing new high quality dental materials, and mindful of our impact on the environment, dentists can be assured that all our products are being manufactured in an energy efficient manner.
/>
/>The full range of Kemdent products can be viewed on our website at www.kemdent.co.uk and you can follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kemdent for the latest news on events and special offers.
/>
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3092 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3091 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3091 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:24:36 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3091 Associated Dental Products Limited, first established back in 1922, develops and manufactures Kemdent products from its facilities in Purton, England, and markets them in the UK and around the world.... read more -
Associated Dental Products Limited, first established back in 1922, develops and manufactures Kemdent products from its facilities in Purton, England, and markets them in the UK and around the world.
/>

Dentists are amazed by the number and range of Kemdent products now available.
/>

Diamond, a unique tooth-coloured glass polyphosphonate restorative cement that was introduced to the range in 1997, has proved very popular with dentists who find that restorations are up to 50% stronger than conventional glass ionomer cements.
/>

Available in various formats, the Diamond GIC range includes Diamond Carve, Diamond 90, Core, Snappy and Capsule brand names plus Diamond Bond and Finish composites.
/>
/>PracticeSafe, ChairSafe and InstrumentSafe make up our innovative and user-friendly range of infection control products:
/>
/>·      PracticeSafe disinfectant wipes and spray for the fast cleaning and disinfection of impressions, try-ins, models, small objects and surfaces
/>
/>·      ChairSafe, an aerosol and alcohol-free foam for the disinfection of alcohol-sensitive materials such as the leather facings of dental chairs
/>
/> ·      InstrumentSafe, a concentrate for the cleaning and disinfection of dental instruments. 
/>
/>Kemdent is always researching and developing new high quality dental materials, and mindful of our impact on the environment, dentists can be assured that all our products are being manufactured in an energy efficient manner.
/>
/>The full range of Kemdent products can be viewed on our website at www.kemdent.co.uk and you can follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kemdent for the latest news on events and special offers.
/>
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3091 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3090 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3090 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:10:48 +0100 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3090 Celebrating an exciting 20 years in dentistry and 25 years in business, Microminder continues to push the boundaries when it comes to dental electronics.... read more -
Celebrating an exciting 20 years in dentistry and 25 years in business, Microminder continues to push the boundaries when it comes to dental electronics.
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For two decades, Microminder has  configured computer systems that provide dental practices with more efficient and effective ways of working and introduced a number of electronic innovations to UK dentistry.
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/>This year saw the introduction of the wireless clinical keyboard, the first and only perfectly smooth keyboard in existence.
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Developed by Canadian company Cleankeys and voted as Best New Product by attendees at the ADA Annual Convention*, clinical keyboards provides THE solution to bacterial contamination on computer keyboards and mice.
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/>While they provide IT hardware compatible with any software supplier, Microminder has formed a very close working relationship with Software of Excellence for over 14 years, ensuring that products are always meeting the requirements of the latest software. 
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/>As the only dental IT company to be members of the BDTA, their expertise in dentistry is what keeps them at the cutting edge of this fast paced industry.  For more information on their growing product range, maintenance support programmes and to find out more about their special BDTA showcase offers contact Microminder now on 0845 094 1090, sales@microminder.com or visit www.microminder.com.
/>
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=3090