Month: November 2020

The BACD honours Dr Anoop Maini

Join the BACD in honouring and remembering Dr Anoop Maini at a special memorial event entitled “The Modern GDP”.

All proceeds for this inspirational event will be donated to a charity chosen by Dr Neera Maini in memory of Anoop – a BACD Past President and a pioneer within the field.

Offering an exceptional programme of lectures taking place on 16th January 2021 at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London, The Modern GDP will encompass all aspects of dentistry that are relevant to everyday practice at higher levels.

This event aims to celebrate Anoop and inspire delegates to share his passion for outstanding dental education. Book your place now on the BACD website.

 

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com

Toilet talk: To flush or not to flush

The toilet is one of the most used appliances in the home, yet it’s often taken for granted. It not only bears witness to its fair share of unmentionables, but is also treated by many people as a black hole for disposing of just about anything – simply dump, flush and it’s gone. Out of sight, out of mind, right? The risk of doing this is that the environment is further polluted, while sewage and wastewater treatment systems are damaged due to huge pipework blockages.

What’s the problem?

If your toilet is working properly, it should flush your waste through the drain pipes, which then empty into the sewer system. Eventually, this sewage makes its way to your local wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated and the waste removed. Anything that is biodegradable, such as toilet paper, will break down naturally through this process, but other items that shouldn’t be flushed will have to be manually extracted and disposed of – that is, if they make it all the way to the treatment plant. Anywhere along the pipe system, foul debris can accumulate and eventually cause clogs and backups that can affect multiple properties.  

Sometimes, if foreign objects are large enough, they never actually leave your home but, instead, stay lodged in the pipes underneath your house. Although this might not cause a blockage for weeks, months or even years, if enough debris piles up around it, serious plumbing issues can occur. At this point, you would have to contact a plumber to clear out the sewage and repair any damages that may have been caused to the pipework, which can be as costly an endeavour as it is embarrassing – especially if your plumber uncovers items that you would have preferred to stay flushed. Unfortunately, clogged wastewater systems have been an ongoing challenge in recent years.

According to Water UK – the trade body representing all of the main water and sewerage companies in Britain – there are approximately 300,000 sewer blockages every year, costing the country a staggering £100 million.[1] Besides the impact on sewage infrastructures, many items that are being flushed down the toilet also contain plastic, which can eventually make their way into our rivers, lakes and oceans, contributing to worldwide plastic pollution. To help combat these problems, water companies are encouraging people to rethink their toilet habits. The three Ps – pee, poo and paper – are the only waste products to be flushed, but what are some of the most common non-flushable items that many people dispose of down the khazi? 

Disposable wet wipes

Millions of people rely on the convenience and multi-purpose nature of wet wipes, but these small squares of moist fabric make up 93% of the material causing sewer blockages in the UK.[2] The problem with wet wipes is that, contrary to what some people might think, they do not disintegrate in the same way as toilet paper. Instead, they clump together and combine with congealed masses of fats, oil and grease – otherwise known as “fatbergs” – that can clog up our sewer systems.[3] Even wet wipes that claim to be flushable, biodegradable or compostable are unlikely to degrade quickly enough once flushed to avoid wreaking havoc on drains and waterways. This is one reason why the UK government is considering measures to ban wet wipes entirely.[4]

Feminine hygiene products  

Half of women consider throwing sanitary products in the bin as opposed to the toilet a no-brainer, but the other half have no idea that this can be a waste nightmare. It is estimated that 1.5 to 2 billion sanitary products are flushed annually, with 700,000 panty liners ending up down the drain, along with 1.4 million menstrual pads. The most problematic products are tampons, with approximately 2.5 million of them being flushed every day.[5], [6] Like wet wipes, tampons often contain plastic to make them extremely absorbent but durable, which is why they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper. The burden that feminine hygiene products can place on the environment and wastewater treatment systems has prompted some people to consider using alternative solutions, including menstrual cups, period underwear, and reusable cotton pads or tampons.

Dental floss

Although these little pieces of string might seem innocent enough to toss into the toilet bowl, dental floss is typically made out of non-biodegradable substances like nylon, which do not break down over time. For those who are – quite rightly – daily interdental cleaners, frequently flushing pieces of dental floss can eventually amount to a big plumbing problem, as floss can combine with other waste items such as wet wipes to clog up drains and sewers. To discourage the disposal of dental floss in this way, dental professionals can recommend more environmentally-friendly alternatives like CPS interdental brushes from Curaprox. These feature a reusable handle and replaceable brush head to promote the reduction, reuse and recycle of waste.

When in doubt, throw it out

If we are to effectively protect the environment and ensure the success of our sewage infrastructures, it is important that we are considerate of what we flush down the porcelain throne. Remember, if it’s not pee, poo or paper, throw it in the bin. 

 

For more information please call 01480 862084, email info@curaprox.co.uk or visit www.curaprox.co.uk

  

[1] Water UK. (2017) Wipes in sewer blockage study: Final report. Available at: https://www.water.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Wipes-in-sewer-blockage-study.pdf. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

[2] Water UK. (2017) New proof that flushing wipes is a major cause of sewer blockages. Available at: https://www.water.org.uk/news-item/new-proof-that-flushing-wipes-is-a-major-cause-of-sewer-blockages/. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

[3] Taylor, J. (2019) What is a fatberg, how is it formed and why are single-use plastics the main culprit? Evening Standard. Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/futurelondon/theplasticfreeproject/fatbergs-and-single-use-plastics-a4034686.html. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

[4] Wentworth, A. (2018) Wet wipes will face ban under new UK plastic rules. ClimateAction. Available at: http://www.climateaction.org/news/wet-wipes-will-face-ban-under-new-uk-plastic-rules/. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

[5] Marine Conservation Society. (2013) Marine Plastics: Pollution Policy and Position Statement. Available at: https://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/pollution/pbf/MCS_Marine_Plastics_position_paper.doc. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

[6] Environment Committee. (2018) Single-use plastics: Unflushables. GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/plastics_unflushables_-_submited_evidence.pdf. [Last accessed: 05.08.20].

Master your practice management

An ever-evolving dental industry and constantly shifting patient demands mean that practices must adapt quickly to always be ahead of the curve.

With Sensei Cloud, this is easier than ever before.

An innovative practice management platform, Sensei Cloud combines Carestream Dental’s rich history of practice management systems with the voice of the dental industry, creating a software that not only helps your practice to excel, but that also learns as the industry changes to keep you at the forefront of innovation.

Easy-to-use and perfect for business models of any size, Sensei Cloud is your key to the future of your business.

Find out more today.

 

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl

and Facebook

TOWIE star’s trip to dentist reaches Instagram generation

Essex dentists Andy Sharpe, Katy Charlton and Daniel Golebiowski are hoping their practice’s appearance in hit TV reality show, The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), will help to highlight the importance of regular dental check-ups.

The show, which is sponsored by Oral-B, features TOWIE regular, Diags, being filmed having a check-up and a clean with practice associate Megan Atkinson, who then explained how his smile has been improved by his treatment that eradicates some staining.

The consultation was filmed at the start of October and the episode screened on 4 November – and Andy Sharpe believes publicity like this can only help shine a spotlight on the positives of the profession and preventive care.

He explained: ‘It was a bit of fun amid the pandemic and everyone was excited about it – certainly more so than over any new PPE regulations we have to face.

‘I was happy to get involved and allow the scene to be filmed at our practice as it ticked boxes with key dental messaging and was in tune with the profession’s advice regarding regular check-ups and the importance of oral hygiene between appointments.’

He added: ‘The film crew took on board our concerns – including the necessary Covid-19-related PPE precautions – and welcomed our minimally invasive style of treatment.

‘The scene not only highlighted the importance of a trip to the dentist but, because Megan was in full PPE, it also demonstrated to viewers the safety of the dental environment in a Covid-19 world.’

Andy is a keen advocate of evidence-based dentistry and believes Oral-B has played a key part in the practice team’s approach to the dental care of all its patients. We advocate Oral-B electric toothbrushes and are so impressed with the recently launched iO model, which gives patients the guidance they need to look after their own mouths”.

Streamlined prophylaxis care

Prophylaxis care has just got simpler with the Proxeo Ultra range of piezo scalers from W&H. These innovative units are designed for prophy professionals and proven to be suitable for use on patients with pacemakers.

The PB-530 sets itself apart within the range, as it is designed with a large 750ml tank and an automatic fill level detection system. It also offers a wireless foot control to facilitate greater freedom of movement while you work.

With the Ultra’s patented Q-Link connection system, changing between tips is as easy as one twist of the handpiece, which features an LED ring for daylight-quality illumination.

Contact W&H for further details.

 

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

‘Giving up wasn’t an option’ says wife and mother who battled mouth cancer

Sarah Davies (46) was set to celebrate her 40th birthday when her life took an unexpected turn that would change her life forever.

The wife and mother-of-one from Coventry began to feel some pain in the left side of her gum, just below one of her back teeth.  She thought it was just a mouth ulcer, but something was odd about it.

“At first, I didn’t think much of it and carried on with my everyday life,” Sarah says.

“It didn’t feel like a normal mouth ulcer though, sometimes it would send a feeling like an electric shock through the left side of my face.”

One month later, when the pain and inflammation did not go away, Sarah booked an appointment with her dentist.

The dentist treated the tooth above the inflammation with a filling.  When the problem continued, Sarah visited another dentist who suspected it was sinusitis.

It would be another nine months, after several dental visits and a last-ditch trip to A&E, that Sarah was finally given the diagnosis of mouth cancer.

Sarah says: “The doctor told me that they had results from my biopsy back and they had found malignant cells.  From what they could tell, the tumour was 20mm long and was squished up against the gum.”

Despite several knock-backs, Sarah’s persistence meant that she was able to catch her cancer in the early stages.

This gave Sarah the very best chance of beating the disease.

Sarah received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy and was given the all clear five years ago.

Despite surviving mouth cancer, Sarah continues to live with the after effects that impact her life to this day.

Sarah adds: “Following my treatment, I developed trismus, also called lockjaw, which has impacted my life dramatically.  I am only able to open my jaw a matter of millimetres so eating with a knife and fork is tricky and it takes me a long time to eat my meals.

“When going out with friends and family I usually order kids meals so that people aren’t waiting around for too long and if I want a drink, I have to do it through a straw.”

As is common with many mouth cancer survivors, Sarah’s taste buds and salivary glands were also affected, taking some of the joy out of eating and making swallowing more difficult.

Despite the setbacks Sarah has always kept a positive attitude.  She admits to still having her down days when she feels frustrated or depressed but her friends, family as well as support from Macmillan nurses keep her going.

Sarah adds: “Some friends have commented that I’m amazing for having the attitude that I have but I don’t think of myself that way.  When you’re dealt something, you’ve got to face it.  I’ve got an incredible family and friends who’ve supported me through it all.

“The way I look at it is that you’ve got two choices; do what has to be done or give up. Giving up isn’t an option.”

Sarah is sharing her journey to raise awareness during November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.

The charity campaign, run by the Oral Health Foundation, hopes to encourage more people to be mouthaware by being able to recognise the early signs and symptoms associated with mouth cancer.

Mouth cancer can appear as a long-lasting mouth ulcer that does not go away for three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth, or any lumps and swellings in the head or neck.  

During Mouth Cancer Action Month, the Oral Health Foundation and Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, have come together to raise awareness of the disease so that more people can beat it like Sarah.

Sarah admits that her knowledge of mouth cancer was poor before her diagnosis and hopes to inspire more people to learn about the disease, so they can spot it early.

Sarah says: “I didn’t really know about mouth cancer until I had it.  Then I started to look into it and realised just how many people it does impact. I will do anything to help make more people aware because the sooner mouth cancer is treated, the better your chances.

“If you think something isn’t right in your mouth then go and get it checked out.  It probably is nothing to worry about but it’s important you don’t ignore it.  I would also say that if you aren’t satisfied with the diagnosis you receive then go get a second opinion from another dentist or doctor.”

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, agrees and also notes how catching mouth cancer early can greatly increase your chances of survival and a better quality of life.

Dr Rutland says: “If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good.  Around 2,702 people in the United Kingdom lose their life to mouth cancer every year.  That’s seven people every day. It is widely recognised that many of these deaths could be prevented by early diagnosis. Early detection is by far the most important factor, as the stage at which mouth cancer is diagnosed has the most significant effect on overall survival as mouth (and throat) cancer can grow very quickly.

“Encouraging patients to attend regular dental examinations, carry out self-checks, and become familiar with the normal state of their mouth (and head and neck) is very important. To help raise patient awareness of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer, the Oral Health Foundation have developed a range of excellent patient education resources available on their website.”

Most mouth cancer appear on the tongue or tonsils, but it can also occur on the lips, gums, roof and floor of the mouth.

Last year, new mouth cancer cases in the UK reached a record high of 8,722 – an increase of 97% compared to 20 years ago.

The key to beating mouth cancer is spotting it early.  If you notice any of the symptoms associated with mouth cancer, visit a dentist or doctor immediately.

For more information about mouth cancer, including how to do a self-check for the disease, visit www.mouthcancer.org.

3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative received 5* Dental Advisor rating

3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative has been awarded a 5-star rating by the Dental Advisor.

Evaluated by 51 dental experts and tested more than 1,000 times, the composite material received an outstanding 96% clinical rating. It was recognised, in particular, for the ergonomic design of its new dispenser that led to easy handling and user comfort. It was also praised for its excellent adaption, polish retention and wear resistance.

Comments from the judging panel included:

“With predictably no bubbles, I realised how much time and frustration I dealt with when using my previous flowable. It now makes me more efficient and productive.”

“Easy to adapt to the preparation.”

98% of consultants said they would recommend Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative from 3M to a colleague. Find out why for yourself today!

 

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

3M representatives continue to be available via video calling technologies for your convenience.

 

3M and Filtek are trademarks of the 3M Company.

Embracing change, to do even better

In correspondence to The Lancet in late August, Professor Richard Watt argued that the COVID-19 crisis has provided a valuable opportunity for “radical reform” and a chance to “rethink the future” of dentistry.[i] Brave and bold decision making would be required, he stated, to create a more responsive, integrated model of care, concluding that the time is “ripe for change”. 

There is no doubt that, even before the pandemic, there were huge challenges facing dentistry and dental professionals in the UK. Depending on where you practise and
the socio-economic background of your patient base, the day-to-day looked completely different. Now, the impact of Coronavirus has not just emphasised existing health inequalities, but in some areas, it has exacerbated them.[ii] The data has been consistent since the beginning of the outbreak; poorer, deprived communities, with greater levels of unemployment, have suffered far more. The uphill struggle to reach these patients has become even steeper in COVID-19 times.

Professor Watt’s letter talks about the need for dental services to be more “responsive to the needs of their local populations”. A dental practice is a local business and this is where any change must start, by looking at what the people who you treat and support every day need, and ensuring that you deliver it to them as part of a commitment to focused, quality care. Perhaps this is a process that was already underway before 2020; the industry has seen many positive developments in recent years, and these should not be forgotten in this urgent drive to now do even better. New tools, materials and techniques have meant that all treatments can now be completed more efficiently, reliably, and comfortably (for the patient and the dental professional) than ever before and that results are more enduring, functional, and aesthetic.

The value of minimally invasive options

In your own practice, what could “radical” or even moderate reform look like? It could mean adding new services and stopping others, delegating certain appointments to different members of the team, referring patients out to specialist practices, or exploring the latest innovations on the market.

Even if you feel “change” has been foisted upon you, it can help to look at things from another perspective. The problem when we talk about the “new normal” is that what is “normal” changes all the time anyway. For example, the shift towards a preventive approach has been a slow burn, as patients had to catch up and truly understand how their own behaviours are key to long-term good oral health and for needing fewer dental appointments.

Preventive appointments – which may even be virtual and can be delivered by a dental hygienist or dental therapist, freeing up the dentist – are likely to become even more valuable now. Also, minimally invasive procedures, and the techniques and materials that support them, can be expected to be in greater demand, particularly due to concerns over aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). There has been an ongoing debate about AGPs and COVID-19 transmission in the dental setting since the pandemic begun. At time of writing, the WHO says that the likelihood that the virus can be spread via “aerosol, micro-particles or airborne particles” is still unknown and that more research is needed.[iii]

Minimally invasive options arguably offer more value that certain other treatments and therefore, going forward, they are also a better use of your practice’s precious resources. [iv] The word “resources” can apply to materials, time and people. Minimally-invasive restorative treatments can also often be delivered chairside – no laboratory required. With the right materials, a solution can be found for all sorts of common dental situations and be delivered quickly, successfully and cheaply too. With nearly all practices eyeing their budgets and profit margins for the foreseeable future, hard-working versatile materials to support conservative procedures represent great value for money and, when you select from the very best brands there will be no compromise to the result. COLTENE offers BRILLIANT EverGlow™, which meets the highest clinical requirements – and patient expectations – for anterior and posterior restorations. Handling is excellent and good wettability means it can be adapted and modelled with ease. Also available is BRILLIANT COMPONEER™, for dentists who want a minimally invasive restoration, that can be delivered in a single visit.

“Change” for your dental practice will mean embracing new ideas to keep your patients engaged and motivated. Bold decision-making could involve repurposing budgets, switching focus to treatments that are more valuable to long-term oral health and looking at how the dental team can be redeployed to provide an integrated service; ongoing care, support and high quality treatment in a safe setting. Doing the very best you can for your patients, using the best tools and materials, will mean that whatever the future of dentistry looks like, you will be ready for it.

 

For more on COLTENE, visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.

 

[i] COVID-19 is an opportunity for reform in dentistry. Correspondence from Richard G Watt, published in The Lancet, August 15, 2020. Link to full text: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31529-4/fulltext (accessed August 2020).  

[ii] Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19. Public Health England, August 2020. Link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908434/Disparities_in_the_risk_and_outcomes_of_COVID_August_2020_update.pdf (accessed August 2020).

[iii] Delay routine dental checkups in areas of COVID spread – WHO. Reuters, 11 August 2020. Link: https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-who-dental/delay-routine-dental-checkups-in-areas-of-covid-spread-who-idUKKCN2571WN

[iv] Richard G Watt, correspondence published in The Lancet, 15 August, 2020.

Join The Great Debate!

The ADI Team Congress 2021 – The Great Debate – will deliver a unique educational programme that focuses on the latest treatment concepts.

Delegates will have the chance to explore emerging techniques and materials in dental implantology, while also networking with like-minded professionals who share a passion for excellence. There will be sessions tailored to dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental technicians, including some combined lectures for dental nurses and dental hygienists, enabling team members to learn together.

Add to all this the legendary Congress Dinner on Saturday night and it’s clear to see why the ADI Team Congress is such a popular event.

 

 

ADI Team Congress 2021

“The Great Debate”

6-8 May 2021, Manchester Central

 

ADI members can attend the ADI Team Congress for discounted rates. Join today.

Colgate Laboratory Tests Show Toothpaste and Mouthwash Neutralise 99.9% of the Virus That Causes COVID-19

Laboratory studies show that toothpastes containing zinc or stannous and mouthwash formulas
with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) neutralise the virus that causes COVID-19 by 99.9 percent.
The studies are part of a Colgate research program that includes clinical studies among infected
people to assess the efficacy of oral care products in reducing the amount of the virus in the
mouth, potentially slowing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

In the laboratory studies — the first to include toothpaste — Colgate Total and Meridol
toothpastes neutralised 99.9% of the virus after two minutes of contact. Colgate Plax and
Colgate Total mouthwashes were similarly effective after 30 seconds. The studies, completed in
October, were conducted in partnership with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s (NJMS)
Public Health Research Institute and Regional Biosafety Laboratories.

The results suggest that some toothpastes and mouthwashes may help reduce the spread of
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by temporarily reducing the amount of virus in
the mouth. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles produced when an
infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes, according to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.

“We’re at the early stages of our clinical investigations, but our preliminary laboratory and
clinical results are very promising,” said Dr. Maria Ryan, Colgate’s Chief Clinical Officer. “While
brushing and rinsing are not a treatment or a way to fully protect an individual from infection,
they may help to reduce transmission and slow the spread of the virus, supplementing the
benefit we get from wearing masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing.”

Said Dr. David Alland, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Director of the Center for COVID-19
Response and Pandemic Preparedness, who led the Rutgers NJMS study along with
colleagues Drs. Pradeep Kumar and Riccardo Russo: “Given that saliva can contain amounts of
virus that are comparable to that found in the nose and throat, it seems likely that SARS-CoV-2
virus originating in the mouth contributes to disease transmission, especially in persons with
asymptomatic COVID-19, who are not coughing. This suggests that reducing virus in the mouth
could help prevent transmission during the time that oral care products are active.”

Concurrent to the laboratory study, Colgate sponsored a clinical study involving some 50
hospitalised subjects with COVID-19. This study demonstrated the ability of Colgate Total (with
CPC and zinc), Colgate Peroxyl, and Colgate PerioGard mouthwashes to substantially reduce
the amount of the virus in the mouth temporarily. The researchers plan to share their findings in
December. Additional Colgate-supported clinical research studies on toothpaste and
mouthwashes are in early stages at Rutgers, the Albert Einstein Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil,
and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, with some 260
people with COVID-19 participating in these studies.

“Colgate is collaborating with numerous investigators throughout the globe to conduct clinical
research to explore the potential of oral care products to reduce oral viral loads as a risk
reduction strategy,” Dr. Ryan said. “We think oral care has a role to play in fighting the global
pandemic, alongside other preventive measures.”

Said Dr. Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean of Penn Dental Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania: “With this pandemic, the more we understand about the virus, the more effective
we can be in fighting it, so I am excited to see the impressive research program Colgate has
undertaken. We need to continue to take the precautions recommended by health authorities,
and with these studies we may demonstrate an additional way to address the transmission of
disease among people in close contact, particularly in dental practice. That would be an
important advance.”

As the world’s #1 trusted dental expert, Colgate is committed to leading in science and to
ensuring that its products address health challenges and meet consumers’ needs. For more
information about the effects of oral hygiene on overall health and additional insights on mask
mouth and other topics, visit www.colgate.com.