In recent months, oral health standards in the UK have been described as ‘Dickensian’,[i] with an estimated 31% of adults with tooth decay, 25% not brushing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, and 39% not visiting the dentist regularly.[ii] This has led to many calling for a more preventative approach to dentistry in this country, with many seeking ways to improve educational messaging to patients, access to dental care, and utilise new technologies to enhance early detection of disease.
The current scenario in the UK
Caries is still a major issue in UK dentistry and is a major cause of tooth loss. Research suggests that 74% of adults have had a tooth extracted[iii] and, with many people not attending regular dental appointments, the early signs of caries might be going unnoticed. As such, whenever it is picked up, the likely treatment required will be more extensive than if it was detected earlier.
In response to this, many dental professionals are advocating for a preventative approach to dentistry,[iv] with a focus on patient education, tackling oral health misinformation on social media, and early detection. When caries is detected early, less invasive interventions are required to support patients’ long-term health.
However, there are a number of barriers to improve preventative dentistry, including potentially harmful oral health messages online, limited long-term patient-professional relationships, and other healthcare not reinforcing basic oral health advice.[v]
What can be done to identify caries
Although prevention is the ultimate goal for maintaining patients’ oral health, factors such as diet, oral hygiene, and smoker status can all have an impact on their teeth – making education a key part of reducing the risk of developing dental problems. As such, identifying caries early is important, as intervention at this time can reduce the invasiveness of any treatment a patient may require, and can minimise the risk of further infection or tooth loss in the near future.
As all dental professionals will be aware, early signs of caries may be identified through a visual examination, with a white spot lesion on the enamel indicating a microcavity. As the disease progresses, this lesion will change colour, eventually appearing brown or black. A digital radiograph should also be taken as they may be able to find cavities that are not yet visible.
The role of technology in early detection
However, as dental technology continues to develop, the options available to dentists for detecting pathologies early have expanded. One method uses fluorescence and the emission of a red light which, when it reaches the dental tissues, emits fluorescence in the near-infrared range. This method is able to detect caries as carious tissues produces a stronger fluorescence more strongly than healthy tissue when exposed to light at this wavelength due to the presence of bacterial porphyrins.[vi]
In order to detect issues early, it is important to have the right equipment on hand for the type of dentistry you provide. Working with an experienced team of suppliers can be helpful to ensure you invest in the tools which are best suited for your practice’s needs and capabilities.
Clark Dental has been working with dental professionals for 49 years, enabling clinicians to achieve their practice goals and upgrade their equipment. One of the newest products in Clark Dental’s portfolio is the Primescan 2. This intraoral scanner is the first cloud-native intraoral scanning solution, offering clinicians a simple and versatile option without compromise. Primescan 2 is your assistant in the early diagnosis of caries, using fluorescence and near-infrared technology to identify carious tissue, with visualisation helping your patients to better understand the treatment required.
Patient education and regular dental appointment attendance are the key factors needed for maintaining oral health, however, this is not always possible for every patient. In order for dental professionals across the UK to move towards a future of prevention, it’s essential to use all the tools at their disposal. With technology constantly evolving, it can be difficult to identify which products are right for you. As such, assistance from experienced teams can be instrumental in ensuring you have all the equipment you need to identify dental disease early, and prevent the need for invasive treatment types.
For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk
STUART CLARK
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Having grown up within dentistry, Stuart has developed an unparalleled understanding of the industry. He is a technical specialist in digital imaging, pulling on his extensive experience as a Technical Director for Schick Technologies. Stuart is also an expert auto-CAD surgery designer and dental equipment engineer.
[i] Daily Mail. Toothless Britain: ‘Dickensian’ levels of decay among children and ‘staggering’ 13 million unable to get dental treatment, warns Minister. Accessed Nov 24. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13961875/Toothless-Britain-Dickensian-levels-decay-children-staggering-13-million-unable-dental-treatment-warns-Minister.html
[ii] Dental Health. Oral health statistics in the UK. Accessed Nov 24. https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-health-statistics
[iii] Dental Health. Oral health statistics in the UK. Accessed Nov 24. https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-health-statistics
[iv] Report calls for improved provision of preventative oral healthcare. BDJ In Pract 37, 359 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-024-2897-1
[v] Report calls for improved provision of preventative oral healthcare. BDJ In Pract 37, 359 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-024-2897-1
[vi] Gimenez T, Braga MM, Raggio DP, Deery C, Ricketts DN, Mendes FM. Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of heterogeneity. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 4;8(4):e60421. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060421. PMID: 23593215; PMCID: PMC3617206.
