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=2640 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2640 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:23:45 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2640 Silk spinned by caddisfly larvae underwater could one day suture surgical wounds, new research from the University of Utah suggests.... read more -
Silk spinned by caddisfly larvae underwater could one day suture surgical wounds, new research from the University of Utah suggests.
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It found that the sticky fibres used by the insects to built protective shells that keep intact in aquatic environments and do not fall apart.
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These chemical and structural properties could make the material valuable as an adhesive tape in medical and dental surgery.
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/>Caddisflies, commonly known as 'rock rollers', usually live in waterbodies such as rivers, lakes and marshes.
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They are related to Lepidoptera, an insect order that includes moths and butterflies that spin dry silk.
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Caddisfly larvae also spin silk but they do so underwater in order to build an inch-long, tube-shaped case around themselves.
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/>In the study, the reseachers examined the silk made by a caddisfly species living in the lower Provo River near Salt Lake City under laboratory conditions.
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They found that the fibre was made of large proteins that contain an amino acid named serine that gets 'phosphorylated' as the protein is synthesised.
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These phosphates are negatively charged and line up in parallel with other positive charged amino acids attracting each other making the protein water insolutable.
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Comparison with amino acids from three other species found great similarities, suggesting other caddisflies also use phosphorylation to spin silk underwater.
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/>Besides the insects, these kind of adhesives could also be identified in sandcastle worms, mussels and sea cucumbers. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2640 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2639 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2639 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:02:20 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2639 Southampton City councillors have voted to call on the South Central Strategic Health Authority to hold a referendum on its move to add fluoride in water.... read more -
Southampton City councillors have voted to call on the South Central Strategic Health Authority to hold a referendum on its move to add fluoride in water.
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Health bosses agreed the plans for the city's water in February last year despite 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public consultation opposing the move.
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The move is the subject of a judicial review after a resident launched a private legal challenge last June.
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But the health authority maintains mass fluoridation is a ‘safe way’ of tackling tooth decay.
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In January, the anti-fluoride lobby called for fluoride to be licensed as a medicine in another bid to ban it from their tap water.
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Campaigners lodged the complaint while they await the outcome of a judicial review on adding fluoride to tap water in Southampton, prompted by a resident who was against the plans by the city's health bosses.
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The fluoridation move itself followed a public consultation in 2008 in which more than 10,000 people had their say.
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Resident Geraldine Milner is behind the legal challenge against the decision by the SCSHA and the judicial review will be based on government policy, which states most residents need to be in favour of the move. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2639 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2638 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2638 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:25:40 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2638 An eight-year-old girl with a phobia of dentists died of starvation after she was failed by medical and professional experts, a report claims.... read more -
An eight-year-old girl with a phobia of dentists died of starvation after she was failed by medical and professional experts, a report claims.
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/>Eight-year-old Sophie Waller, from Cornwall, developed pervasive refusal syndrome – a severe oral phobia – after a series of traumatic dental visits.
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/>And now a serious case review suggests she died because of a lack of communication between all health agencies involved in her care.
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/>Sophie had been terrified of dentists since the age of four when one accidentally cut her tongue during treatment.
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/>In July 2002, she was referred for hospital treatment for gross dental decay.
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/>The dental record describes a history of her not letting dentists treat her. As a consequence she had four teeth removed in hospital.
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/>In October 2004, she was examined and advised by a GP as she was not eating or talking after losing a milk tooth.
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/>By March 2005, her milk teeth were loose and she refused to eat, sleep or drink. Over the next few months she was seen by GPs and taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro, where in November that year she had her milk teeth removed.
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/>The procedure traumatised the child and she refused to open her mouth – she had to be fed by a tube.
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Sophie was discharged home but died four weeks later weighing three stone due to suffering kidney failure caused by starvation and dehydration.
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/>A report released by the Local Safeguarding Children Board found there was a ‘lack of clarity’ from the agencies following Sophie’s discharge from hospital.
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/>The report says: ‘No other treatment appears to have followed.’
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/>It said: ‘A number of agencies were involved with the family but did not appear to effectively communicate… No clear written plan was made on discharge and there was lack of clarity about responsibility for medical review following discharge.
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/>‘The clinical psychologist made telephone contact with the child's parents in the week after discharge but did not see her again.
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/>‘There was a lack of clarity over the “open-door” arrangement which was intended to allow the child's parents to bring her back in the week following discharge and when they phoned for advice on the seventh day, they were referred back to the psychologist for support.’
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/>At Sophie's inquest in February 2009 the court heard how doctors had failed to diagnose her phobia of dentists which eventually led to her starving to death.
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/>Since the case, students at the Peninsula Dental School in Cornwall are being taught some simple techniques to allay the fears of their young patients.
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/>The school’s dean, Professor Liz Kay, has written advice for students about how to ease children's fears.
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/>‘You have to remember what it's like to be five and speak in a language the children understand,' she said.
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/>‘Words like “dental chair” could be replaced by more child-friendly words like “rocket man's chair. Instead of saying “open your mouth” you say “let's count your teeth”.'
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2638 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2637 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2637 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:24:22 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2637 A group of dental students have just returned from their mission to Cambodia where they helped 1,500 children to better oral health.... read more -
A group of dental students have just returned from their mission to Cambodia where they helped 1,500 children to better oral health.
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Dr Monika Suorn, of the Tooth Angel Project, put together the team for the mission to Cambodia where dental treatment is a luxury and the average five year old has 8-10 decayed teeth.
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The project – supported by Grahame Gardner Ltd – saw the team travel to many of the country’s provinces, treating 1,500 children across five orphanages, using rudimentary facilities and a mobile dental laboratory.
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The students were from the University of Manchester and have since returned to their studies after the three-week trip.
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Jennifer Archer, a final-year student in dentistry at the University of Manchester approached Grahame Gardner to ask for support.
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She said: ‘Our Cambodian adventure was an eye opener for all involved, from the second day after arrival we got stuck into extractions, fillings, scaling and oral hygiene advice. It was obvious from the start that this was going to be a big challenge! Many of the children had never received dental care and there were a few tears on occasions but, generally, the children were amazing, despite the basic conditions.
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‘We experienced all levels of decay during our three-week mission. The average five year old child in Cambodia has 8-10 decayed teeth and some had been experiencing extreme infections and pain. Despite our training to help younger children, sometimes all it took was a blown up glove or a game of football to put a smile on their faces.’
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‘We were also able to impart oral hygiene advice and give out donated toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste to all the children during the evening. Not only was the elective project an amazing dental experience but also a fantastic insight into Cambodian culture. We were the first UK students to join the Cambodian Enfants d'Asie (ASPECA) dental mission and we hope that we have now established a successful link that will continue to provide dental care to the children of Cambodia for years to come.’
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Jenni’s fellow students included Matthew Bullock, Danny Adam, Alex Payne and Shahrzad Dasti.
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Grahame Gardner Ltd provided cool scrub suits from their range for the team. In addition they also provided a number of patterned scrub suits for the team to take over with them to give to the permanent team operating in Cambodia.
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The team from Manchester University carried out the work with a group of volunteers for Enfants d'asie, which supports more than 8,000 children in 50 centres located in South East Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines.
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For more information on the project, click here.
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If you would like any further information on Grahame Gardner, visit www.grahamegardner.co.uk.
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/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2637 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2633 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2633 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:09:33 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2633 Dental Protection has announced that, with effect from April 2010, the use of injectable, non-permanent cosmetic procedures can be indemnified within normal subscription categories at no additional cost, subject to certain conditions.... read more -
Dental Protection has announced that, with effect from April 2010, the use of injectable, non-permanent cosmetic procedures can be indemnified within normal subscription categories at no additional cost, subject to certain conditions.
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The procedures are botulinium toxin and non-permanent dermal fillers in any part of the face (but excluding the neck).
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Previously, it was necessary either to transfer to a dental cosmetic membership category at significantly higher subscriptions, or to buy a separate indemnity for these cosmetic procedures from a third party (usually a commercial insurance provider) at an additional cost.
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The decision coincides with the Shared Regulation scheme agreed between the GMC, GDC and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS).
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IHAS has recently announced the imminent launch of a third party (voluntary) Registration and Inspection Scheme for providers of these procedures, incorporating the IHAS Quality Mark which is designed to demonstrate to patients and third parties that the provider has received appropriate training in the use of these procedures, and is committed to the Standards for Cosmetic Injectables under the auspices of IHAS.
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The new scheme includes the inspection of the facilities in which these procedures are to be provided.
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Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems (CHKS) is to be the third party registration, quality assurance and inspection agency.
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The conditions under which these procedures can be indemnified by Dental Protection within normal subscription categories and rates are:
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• The member must be registered with CHKS under the forthcoming IHAS scheme and possess the IHAS Quality Mark once the scheme has launched.
/>• These procedures carried out in the immediate peri-oral area, nasolabial folds and elsewhere in the face are all included, but the neck is specifically excluded
/>• Only non-permanent injectable cosmetic procedures carried out by dentists are included. Hygienists, therapists and other DCPs are not yet included in the IHAS-CHKS Registration and Inspection scheme, although this is being kept under review by IHAS
/>• These procedures, plus any other dento-alveolar surgical procedures (such as third molar removal, implant placement) must not collectively occupy more than 500 hours a year (10 hours per week on average). Where they do exceed this threshold, a further subscription category is available at an additional cost which is still less than the rate for the lowest Dental Cosmetic category.
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The existing dental cosmetic categories remain available for:
/>• Those who wish to carry out these procedures but who are not yet registered under the voluntary IHAS scheme and who have not achieved the IHAS quality mark 
/>• Those who wish to use non-resorbable/permanent fillers and similar techniques
/>• Those who wish to extend their indemnity to include other dento-facial cosmetic techniques such as dermabrasion, chemical facial peels, high energy wrinkle reduction therapy and any form of cosmetic laser technique.
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/>In explaining these new arrangements, Kevin Lewis, dental director said: ‘We took a cautious view when we first introduced categories for cosmetic and adjunctive procedures six years ago, and their cost was significantly higher than for our normal subscription categories. At that time we promised a detailed review of our claims experience and these changes are the result of that process.
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'Members who have been properly trained in these procedures and who adhere to the new Standards for Cosmetic Injectables will, we believe, no more of a risk when carrying out these procedures than when they are providing many other types of dental care and treatment.
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'These changes are consistent with Dental Protection’s strong commitment to fairness in our approach to subscription setting.’
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Further information and a revised position statement is available. Click here. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2633 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2632 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2632 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:28:26 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2632 This year marks 60 years of the British Society of Periodontology, founded in 1949 to promote the art and science of periodontology.... read more -
This year marks 60 years of the British Society of Periodontology, founded in 1949 to promote the art and science of periodontology.
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The Society is marking the occasion with events throughout the UK alongside its regular autumn and spring scientific meetings, but the jewel in the crown of the programme is the upcoming spring meeting of the Society to be held on 26-27 April 2010 in Brighton.
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The topic the meeting will consider is 20 years of periodontal regeneration, where are we now?
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It is just over 20 years since periodontal regeneration techniques became a reality for patients and, over this time, there have been a number of techniques and products for this therapy yet at times results of these procedures can be disappointing.
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Recent scientific advances have also identified the possibility of new generations of regenerative therapies with wider application and more predictable outcomes, including the possible use of growth factors, tissue engineering scaffolds, and further down the line of stem cell and even gene therapies.
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Renowned experts will gather to discuss the science and practice of this ever relevant and evolving topic, including Pierpaolo Cortellini, Leonardo Trombelli, Chris McCulloch, William Giannobile, Richard Palmer and Dieter Bosshardt.
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An innovation for BSP will be a parallel session for the whole dental team, and in particular hygienists, focusing on Practical Periodontal Maintenance delivered by Phil Ower, Jean Suvan and Peter Heasman.
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The meeting will be held in the Brighton Dome, a venue very suitable for the Society’s diamond jubilee celebrations sponsored by Colgate and P&G.
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The iubilee year kicked off when Professor Francis Hughes was inaugurated at the Society’s recent Autumn Scientific Meeting held at the prestigious surroundings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
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He delivered his presidential address entitled Wow. More than 200 delegates took part in the meeting and had a stimulating day on the topic, Plaque on Trial – Does Plaque Really Cause Periodontal Disease?
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/>The BSP is delighted that demand continues for our Roadshows (Southampton, Dundee, Norwich in 2009) aiming to give dentists confidence in periodontal issues relating to Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment.
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These meetings are intended to appeal to a wide range of clinicians and CPD is awarded for the scientific sessions.
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Full information and booking details can be found on the Society's website www.bsperio.org.uk. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2632 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2631 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2631 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:30:13 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2631 Denplan has announcde that Henry Clover (BDS) has been promoted to deputy chief dental officer.... read more -
Denplan has announcde that Henry Clover (BDS) has been promoted to deputy chief dental officer.
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Henry will also join the Denplan executive leadership team (Denplan’s Board), representing professional services.
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A former general dental practitioner, Henry converted his own practice to private practice in 1993.
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With his experience as a Denplan member dentist, he joined Denplan's professional services department on a part-time basis in 1998 and full-time in 1999, with responsibility for professional support and member services.
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Commenting on Henry’s promotion, Denplan’s CDO, Roger Matthews said: 'Denplan was set up by dentist, for dentists and Henry’s promotion means the profession now has even stronger representation at the fore of the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist. This is good news for dentists, good news for the profession and great news for Denplan!'
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/>Henry added: 'I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to the challenges that leading the professional services team will most certainly bring. Here, at Denplan we always strive to listen to our members and offer services, solutions and training designed to meet their individual needs, particularly at a time of increasing regulation and change within the profession. I will do everything I can to help my team achieve this goal.'
/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2631 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2630 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2630 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:29:46 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2630 A new study reveals children are eating healthier lunches at school.... read more -
A new study reveals children are eating healthier lunches at school.
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The nationwide study – carried out by the School Food Trust is the first of its kind since the Government's new standards came into effect in 2006.
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It's found that kids are dithcing sugary snacks and that tthe lunches taken by pupils in 2009 were healthier than those of children four years earlier.
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From a dental health care point of view, the government standards set involved schools having to provide healthier alternatives to sugary soft drinks and crisps, chocolate and sweets.
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Athough fruit juice and dried fruit contain important nutrients (e.g. antioxidants, vitamins) and so they are useful foods for schools to offer, the guidelines suggest it is also important to be aware that dried fruit and fruit juices contain sugars, and consuming sugary food and drinks too often contributes to dental decay.
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They sugest that individual schools may decide to offer these items at mealtimes only, and offer other alternatives such as water and fresh fruit as snacks during the rest of the school day.
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The Trust's survey examined what was taken and eaten by 6,696 children from a nationally representative sample of 136 primary schools between February and April last year.
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The results were compared with similar data collected in 2005.
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/>Now 74% of pupils are now taking servings of vegetables and salad with their lunch, compared with 59% in 2005. On average, children in 2009 took more than two of their ‘5-a-day' as part of their school lunch, eating an average of 1.6 portions of fruit and vegetables. The research also found that:
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• The proportion of children taking water to drink at lunchtime has gone up by more than 20% - from 29.5% in 2005 to 51.3% in 2009
/>• The overall amount of food that children are leaving on their plates hasn't increased
/>• With few exceptions, the average meals taken by children met the new standards for school lunch
/>• Healthier foods promoted by the new standards, such as vegetables and salad, fruit, milk and yoghurt, fruit juice and fruit-based desserts together represented at 12% greater share of the types of food and drink on offer
/>• Levels of salt, fat and sugar in the average meal were down, and the report highlights the 'remarkable achievement' of caterers across England in meeting the school lunch standards
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Click here to access the report. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2630 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2629 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2629 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:02:09 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2629 The Premier Awards – originally created to reward dental professionals who recognise the importance of patient safety within the dental practice – is celebrating its 10th anniversary.... read more -
The Premier Awards – originally created to reward dental professionals who recognise the importance of patient safety within the dental practice – is celebrating its 10th anniversary. 
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/>Throughout their 10-year history, dental professionals from a variety of specialisms have received one of the prestigious awards.
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/>With a total prize fund of £6,000, the Premier Awards offer one of the largest cash prizes for dental risk management projects in the UK.
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There are now six subject areas available for submitting entries.
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/>• Ethics and professionalism
/>• Record keeping
/>• Cross-infection control
/>• Teamworking and skillmix
/>• Consent and communication
/>• Health and safety
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/>All members of the dental team are eligible to enter, whatever stage of their career they have reached:
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/>• Dental care professionals (undergraduate, postgraduate or practising)
/>• Dental undergraduates
/>• Dentists (postgraduate or practising)
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/>Indemnity and risk management advisors, Dental Protection, have renewed their longstanding partnership with Schülke, the infection control experts, to present the Premier Awards for 2010.
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Once again the event will recognise individual achievements in developing awareness and the effective management of risk within clinical dentistry.
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/>This year’s awards will be presented during The Premier Symposium to be held at Kings College, London on Saturday 4 December 2010. 
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/>Application forms and leaflets are now available from Dental Protection.
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/>The closing date for entries to this year’s Premier Awards is 3 September 2010.
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Undergraduate prize
/>1st Richard Beckwith
/>Difficulties in obtaining valid consent in clinical dentistry.
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/>2nd  Rachel Ingle
/>A comparison of HTM01-05 guidance with the sterilisation of reusable instruments in the Dental Practice Unit, University of Sheffield.
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/>Postgraduate prize
/>1st  James Roberts
/>An audit to assess the cleanliness and storage of decontaminated dental instruments.
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/>2nd  Richard Holliday
/>Dental record keeping and the role of oral cancer screening in the dental access centre.
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/>DCP prize
/>1st Michelle Mitchell
/>Ethical considerations in 21st century dental hygiene.
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/>2nd Amy Wilkins
/>Extending the role of the dental nurse in the orthodontic practice: the patients' perspective.
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/> ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2629 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2628 http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2628 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:21:37 +0000 Dentistry Editorial Team News http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2628 Colgate and The Oral & Dental Research Trust are inviting applications for the Colgate DCP Research Awards for research conducted by dental care professionals (DCP).... read more -
Colgate and The Oral & Dental Research Trust are inviting applications for the Colgate DCP Research Awards for research conducted by dental care professionals (DCP).
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Four awards, each to a maximum value of £2,500, will be made on the basis of an application for support of investigations of clinical relevance, particularly in the field of preventive care. Whilst the applicant must be a DCP, it is anticipated that a research team will be formed to include a mentor or supervisor with an established research record.
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Applications should consist of no more than two A4 pages summarising the background, aims and methodology of the research proposal and the role to be played by the applicant in the study.
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The way in which the award will support the investigation must be specified.
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Successful applicants will be required to attend the BDA Conference & Exhibition in Liverpool on 20 May 2010 where they will be presented with their awards at a xhampagne reception and luncheon held to celebrate their success.
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Applications should be sent to: Dr Margaret Kellett Honorary Secretary Oral & Dental Research Trust c/o Department of Periodontology Leeds Dental Institute Clarendon Way Leeds LS2 9LU.
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Applications should be received by Friday 9 April 2010. ]]> http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/news_detail.php?id=2628