Nicole Bissett is 11 years old and began her orthodontic treatment in July with Dr Christina Evaghoras at Barnet Orthodontic Practice in Barnet, Hertfordshire. She misses chewing gum and crusty French bread. This month, she is wearing bright pink braces.

Brace yourself 29th Jul 2010
The first day of having braces feels weird in my mouth. read more

Mumtaz Awan is a pioneer – one of the first intake of students at the Peninsula, the UK’s newest dental school in 40 years.

Obsession control – and things that go bump 22nd Feb 2010
It has been a hectic second term! read more

Smelling the fear 21st Oct 2009
Beginning a new academic year is always daunting and anyone who has through the university experience knows, it leaves you with mixed feelings of anxiety about what the new year holds for you, but excitement about succeeding – and hopefully – getting through to the next step of the degree. read more

Kavita Verma is practice manager at her sister Sunita's pratice in west London – Sparkle Dental Boutique, which won Best UK Team in the Dentistry awards 2008. Visit the practice at www.sparkledental.co.uk.

Does size matter when it comes to patient care? 23rd Mar 2010
At Sparkle Dental Boutique, our team comprises five members, with their unique personalities, skills and experience. read more

An abrupt end 16th Nov 2009
I’m back in the UK – and my stint of doing voluntary work for three months in India has come to an unexpected end. read more

Pay It Forward 24th Sep 2009
Have you seen the movie Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey? read more

Barry Cockcroft is chief dental officer for England – and an ardent Bolton Wanderers fan.

Dentistry: high priority, big commitment, great expectations 19th Jul 2010
The outcome of the General Election on 6 May meant that no single party was in a position to form a Government, and we now have the first coalition government in place since the Second World War. read more

Snippets of Steele and toothpaste 22nd Jan 2010
I was recently interviewed for a regional television programme. read more

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes... 15th Sep 2009
There are many constants in life, and you will often hear jokes made about those constants, usually relating to death or taxation. read more

Pam Swain is chief executive of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) who describes herself as ‘chief cook and bottle washer' for the association and admits she can be 'stroppy'.

Dental tour hits Blackpool 14th Jun 2010
Online registration for the 2010 National Dental Nursing Conference is now live! read more

Duck – and no cover 20th Apr 2010
It’s going to be a busy month – off to London this week for the Dental Awards. read more

Ladies, form an orderly queue... 2nd Dec 2009
It's been a busy few months in the BADN office – our National Dental Nursing Conference in Cheltenham last month, Showcase in Birmingham this month and now we are nearly at Christmas! read more

Calling all dental nurses! 28th Aug 2009
Have just been having a look at our survey into dental nurse salaries – we’ve had nearly 1,000 responses so far, but we need lots more. read more

Eve is a fiftysomething mother-of-two who spent the best part of her parenting years taking her daughters to dentists and orthodontists. She feels well placed to offer her perspective on dentistry from a patient patient's point of view...

Get the picture? 23rd Dec 2009
When I had my teeth whitened in New York, I was given the option of watching an overhead television, or wearing a headset which piped music of my choice. read more

On the right tracks? 13th Aug 2009

I am 53 and I don’t remember anyone in my childhood who had braces fitted. read more