Month: March 2023

Occlusal analysis in the digital era

The topic of dental occlusion is often discussed among professionals as being a difficult field of dentistry. It relates to the alignment of the teeth and the relationship between the upper and lower arch upon closing the bite. However, managing occlusion effectively is a multi-faceted process, with many factors at play. In almost all types of dental treatment, occlusion has to be assessed and either improved or maintained. As such, the ability to measure or monitor occlusion has become increasingly important and digital technologies are being developed to help clinicians do this accurately.

Malocclusion and its impact

Malocclusion in some form is thought to affect 20-70% of the global population – the significant variation depends on which groups are considered and what type of malocclusion is studied (i.e. Class I, II or III).[i]Among 11/12-year-old children in the England, prevalence is estimated at 32%.[ii] The data is more difficult to find for UK adults, though in other developed parts of the world, malocclusion is thought to affect around 25% of the population.[iii]

Some of the consequences of malocclusion include temporomandibular joint dysfunction, masticatory restrictions, sleep apnoea and tooth surface loss or tooth wear. It is no surprise, therefore, that malocclusion has been associated with a lower oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL), especially for individuals with advanced occlusal issues.[iv] In severe cases, treatment to improve occlusion was linked to enhanced aesthetic, function, social and psychological OHRQoL aspects.

The challenges of digitalising occlusion

To measure and record occlusion, dental professionals have traditionally used analogue articulators to simulate movement of the mandible. The facebow technique involves positioning the maxillary arch in centric relation and then transferring this information to the articulator for design and fabrication of restorations. Though there is conflicting evidence as to whether this method actually produces better prosthetics and higher patient satisfaction,[v] it remains a common practise in both the UK and USA.

There are several opportunities throughout the analogue workflow for inaccuracies to creep in. These include imprecise positioning in the mouth, no 3D point of reference, loose screws on the facebow and/or transfer jig, and lack of maxillary case support stand.[vi] It is also possible for the maxillary plane in the mouth and on the articulator not to match if the patient position is not ideal. These kinds of errors in the treatment workflow will impact the quality of the model and resulting prosthetic fabricated and may even lead to poor diagnosis and/or management of on-going occlusal issues due to inaccurate records. 

As clinicians have adopted a more digital workflow in recent years, attentions have turned to digitising the occlusion record too. However, the technology is still in its infancy. For example, intraoral scanners can provide digital impressions of the upper and lower arches in a closed bite, registering the relationship between them. Virtual articulators may also be utilised to simulate hinge and eccentric movements of the jaw – though a 3D point of reference is even more important in this situation.

Of note here is that digital tools do exist that can analyse the dynamic occlusion. These solutions record the forces applied to each tooth, as well as the contact point locations, which further help clinicians to diagnose and manage occlusal issues. The scans produced by these tools are often used alongside intraoral images.

A challenge has presented in finding a way to accurately establish and record the position of the maxillary arch, without an analogue facebow. As such, a virtual facebow technique has been and continued to be developed, although this still currently involves a physical facebow. The method requires the clinician to create a virtual cast with extra- or intraoral imaging equipment, use key reference points on the patient’s face and then take multiple scans of the teeth after identifying prominent cusps in the upper jaw and pushing articulator paper on the metal facebow fork.[vii] The resulting image is transferred to a virtual articulator and the standard workflow resumes.

The future

There are gaps in the existing digital pathway for dental treatment, but these are being filled as innovative new technologies are developed and refined. When it comes to everything from dental prosthetics to smile makeovers, smile reconstructions or orthodontic treatment, it is crucial that the clinician has access to accurate occlusal information. Digital solutions may well provide the answer to more accurate and predictable workflows, in the near future.

[i] Bakh ES. Evaluation of treatments available for Class I, II and III malocclusion in children, adolescents and adults. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPEROFILES/37862_PROTOCOL_20160315.pdf [Accessed January 2023]

[ii] Public Health England. An orthodontic needs assessment and service review for East Anglia. 2014. https://www.england.nhs.uk/east-of-england/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/05/Orthodontic-Needs-Assessment-East-Anglia-2018-1.pdf [Accessed January 2023]

[iii] Ravaghi V, Kavand G, Farrahi N. Malocclusion, past orthodontic treatment and satisfaction with dental appearance among Canadian adults. J Can Dent Assoc 2015;81:f13

[iv] Leck R, Paul N, Rolland S, Birnie D. The consequences of living with a severe malocclusion: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthodontics. 2022;49(2):228-239. doi:10.1177/14653125211042891

[v] Suman V, Sonnahalli NK, Chowdhary R. Use of Facebow device in prosthodontics: A systematic review on randomized control trials. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2021 Jan-Mar;21(1):11-18. doi: 10.4103/jips.jips_197_20. PMID: 33835064; PMCID: PMC8061434.

[vi] The Dawson Academy. 18 common errors during the dental records process. https://dental.thedawsonacademy.com/dental-records-errors [Accessed January 2023]

[vii] Gupta C, Mittal A. Roel of digital technology in prosthodontics: a step toward improving dental care. Indian J Oral Health Res 2018;4:35-41

 

More than a gut feeling

We are all aware of  the increasing interconnections between oral and systemic health. It seems that new studies linking plaque bacteria to serious health problems emerge on an almost daily basis – all great research that we should be keeping on top of an informing our patients about.

In a similar vein, however, it’s also a smart idea to speak to patients about the link between oral health and health problems that can cause long-term issues rather than presenting an immediate emergency. For example, I recently read a piece that highlighted the link between tooth loss and inflammatory bowel disease.[i]

This article, which assessed the results from multiple studies, collated information that concluded that periodontal disease and any form of inflammatory bowel disease had a distinct relationship, with all oral disease significantly aggravating the bowel disease in question.

But just how common are bowel conditions and how can this information make a difference?

Inflammatory bowel disease in the UK

First of all, it’s important for us to look more closely at the conditions that fall under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease. This term usually includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease – two similar but different disorders. The term can also encapsulate a less serious condition – irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The main difference between the conditions is the part of the digestive system they affect and the severity of the problem. IBS usually only causes minor issues like bloating or diarrhoea. On the other hand, both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are long-term conditions that cause significant health problems, for example extreme weight loss, fatigue, pain cramps and swelling.[ii] Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon (the large intestine) while Crohn’s disease can impact any part of the digestive system, all the way from the mouth to the anus.

In the UK, it’s thought that 1 in 123 people have either of these long-term conditions. This means that there are currently almost half a million people in the nation trying to manage these problems and live normal lives.

Management of inflammatory bowel disease

Currently, people suffering from these conditions are presented with few solutions. There is no definitive cure for either of them, and instead people need to learn how to manage the symptoms throughout their lives.

Sufferers are often prescribed aminosalicylates or mesalazines – drugs specifically developed to reduce inflammation in the gut. Another option is the use of immunosuppressants such as steroids or azathioprine – these help to reduce the activity of the immune system, preventing flare ups. Antibiotics are also sometimes utilised, but with issues such as antimicrobial resistance becoming more pertinent, these are becoming a less common solution.

Despite these measures, it’s thought that as many as 1 in 5 individuals don’t improve with the help of medicine.[iii] So what can we as dental professionals do to help?

A dentist’s role in wider health

It’s becoming more and more clear that a holistic approach to healthcare is the future. We’ve long been told that poor oral health is instrumental in a plethora of systemic health problems, and this research surrounding inflammatory bowel disease only confirms this.

The difference here is that these conditions are lifelong problems that currently have no cure. As such, effective oral health management could be literally life-changing for individuals suffering from them, especially if it does help to reduce their symptoms and make these problems easier to manage.

Perhaps it’s time to speak to patients more candidly about their health issues and really delve deep into the wider health picture. If we talk to individuals about any health problems they have, we could, in turn, help manage conditions such as these if we share the correct information with them. There’s also an element of prevention here – when we see patients with poor oral health, how often are we warning them against more than just oral health problems? For instance, if someone has periodontitis, are we telling them this could increase their risk of having a heart attack or developing a condition like Crohn’s disease? There’s so much scope here for us to help people genuinely improve their quality (and even longevity) of life.

Just part of the solution

At the end of the day, holistic healthcare is definitely something I’m passionate about. There are numerous hurdles to overcome that will probably take a long time to achieve, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t take the first baby steps by talking to our patients candidly about health on a wider scale.

Only time will tell what will come to pass, but there’s huge potential for all healthcare personnel to work together for a better future.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.

[i] Medical Xpress. Studies show strong link between tooth loss and inflammatory bowel disease. Link: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-12-strong-link-tooth-loss-inflammatory.html [Last accesseed December 22].

[ii] NHS. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/ [Last accessed December 22].

[iii] NHS. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/ [Last accessed December 22].

DTS 2023 – not to be missed

The Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) 2023 will be held in May at the NEC in Birmingham. It offers two days of lab-dedicated education, with 40+ hours of content delivered by more than 50 industry-leading speakers.

Topics across the multiple theatres will include everything from fabricating dentures to managing orthodontic appliances and delivering implant prosthetics. There will also be sessions focusing on business growth and digital solutions.

For an enriched learning experience, you’ll be able to get hands-on with products and see equipment in action among the trade floor, where more than 80 exhibitors will be available to provide bespoke advice and guidance.

Get your CPD up-to-date and don’t miss DTS 2023 this May.

 

DTS 2023 will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May, NEC Birmingham,
co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS). 

For more information, visit https://rfg.circdata.com/publish/DS23/?source=EKC or email dts@closerstillmedia.com

Register today!

CDO England and BSPD present NASDAL Dental Check by One 2023 Practice of the Year Award

Last week saw CDO England, Sara Hurley and BSPD’s President, Jenny Harris, present the NASDAL (National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) Dental Check by One Practice of the Year Award at BDIA (British Dental Industry Association) Dental Showcase.

This award is presented by NASDAL to recognise the outstanding commitment of practices to the DCby1 campaign. Launched by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) in partnership with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer England, the aim of the campaign is to increase the number of children who access dental care aged 0-2 years, by encouraging dental appointments for babies before their first birthday.

The winner of the NASDAL Dental Check by One Practice of the Year 2023 Award and the £1000 prize is Ghyllmount Dental Practice, Penrith, Cumbria.

Heidi Marshall, Chair of NASDAL, commented, “To see the huge efforts put in by practices up and down the UK into DCby1 is humbling. It is abundantly clear that it means so much to many practices and at NASDAL we feel honoured to be able to support this initiative. We hope our award and the £1000 that the winning practice receives will enable them to achieve even more for access  for children and babies moving forward. NASDAL has always been keen to recognise business excellence in dentistry – this award illustrates that doing the right thing makes good business sense too.

“Congratulations to our winner, Ghyllmount Dental Practice. We were particularly impressed with the growth in patient numbers since they engaged with DCby1 in 2017. Patient numbers have grown from 3730 to 4206 – an increase of over 12%. The team have continually reached out to the community and earned an excellent reputation for the care they offer to children and the peace of mind they offer their parents. Indeed, patients have joined specifically because of their reputation for the care they provide to children.”

Dr John Lewis, Principal of Ghyllmount Dental Practice said, “We are so, so honoured to win this award. I am particularly pleased as it recognises the massive contribution of our fantastic team here at Ghyllmount. Without them, we couldn’t improve the oral health of local children in the way we have been. We look forward to building upon this success.”

Mrs Jenny Harris, President of BSPD, commented, “This award seeks to recognise and celebrate the successful implementation of the Dental Check by One initiative into practice.  To that end, Ghyllmount Dental Practice impressed the judges by showing their support of DCby1 through engaging with their child patients from the very outset.  They encourage new parents to register their children straight away and to start bringing them along from birth. Ghyllmount is a truly worthy winner of this award having embedded the concepts of Dental Check by One, not only at a practice level – but also within the local community.

We would also like to make reference to two other entries received that were excellent and worthy of note: Mill Hill Dental Practice in North West London and Outwood Dental Practice in Wakefield.

“Overall, it has been fabulous to see how practices and individuals up and down the country have embraced the campaign, despite the post-pandemic challenges.  Our message to parents and carers is ‘take your infant to the dentist’, since we know that prevention is better, and cheaper to the pocket and the planet, than cure.”

CGDent to MPs: it’ll take more than contract reform to improve access to NHS dentistry

The President of the College of General Dentistry, Dr Abhi Pal, has told a committee of MPs that it will take more than contract reform to persuade more dental professionals to deliver NHS dental treatment.

Dr Pal, a general dental practitioner and Principal of an NHS-contracted dental practice in Edgbaston, was addressing the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee during an oral evidence session on NHS dentistry in England on 21 March. During a discussion focussed on the attractiveness of NHS dentistry to dentists, he said: “I’ve heard the evidence earlier on, and first of all I have to concur with colleagues about the state of the contract and dental contract reform, which is sorely required. But it’s not just a question of contract reform – whilst that’s very important – it’s also a question of making dental professionals’ careers more fulfilling and providing some degree of recognition for what they’re doing.

“Everyone goes into dentistry to provide the best care they can, and it’s worthwhile pointing out that beyond Dental Core Training, which is some two years post qualification, there is no effective career pathway or structure for dentists to follow, and there is a large void left there.

“There’s also little recognition from the NHS for dentists who have sometimes invested significant quantities of money in order to enhance their skills. If working conditions in that sense, and recognition, could be made better, the NHS would be seen as a more attractive place – particularly for younger dentists, and international dentists – to come and work.”

He later added: “We speak to a lot of early career dentists – dentists within the first three or four years of qualifying – and invariably they say a number of things. One is that they are a little bit lost as to which direction they should go. And they see less future within the health service – we’ve talked about all the reasons that there are before, and they can’t work to the best way that their training has allowed them to work. I think there are small changes, including contract reform, in terms of supporting professional development, that the NHS could be considering.”

He said that in order to retain dental professionals within the NHS workforce, consideration should be given to supporting their training and development, and to supporting the development of more professional networks, peer review opportunities and mentoring schemes. He summarised that:

“All of these things, put together, in addition to contract reform, would go some way in making the NHS more attractive than it is now.”

The College recently opened a Certified Membership programme built around its freely available Professional Framework for Career Pathways in Dentistry, and speaking during the same evidence session, the Chair of Health Education England’s Dental Education Reform Programme informed committee members that HEE was already working with the College to look at how the NHS might recognise the career progression of dental professionals working in primary care.

Written evidence previously submitted by the Faculty of General Dental Practice – which transferred into the College in 2021 – told the committee that the current NHS dental contract in England is “ill-conceived and not fit for purpose”, “crude and ineffective”, and that many patients struggle to access NHS dental care as “the funding simply does not provide the universal offer they expect”.

Last year, Dr Pal visited No.10 Downing Street for a discussion on access to careers and progression in dentistry, and he has also discussed these issues with the Shadow Health Secretary.

Video of Dr Pal’s comments on the lack of career structure and recognition is available here

The full Health Committee evidence session on NHS dentistry can be viewed here

Discover Sensei Cloud from Carestream Dental

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Get in touch with the team at Carestream Dental for more information.

 

For more information on Carestream Dental visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

BDA: Charge hike a political choice that will hit millions on modest incomes

The British Dental Association has slammed moves to increase NHS dental charges during the cost-of-living crisis, accusing Ministers of prioritising lowering their own cash contributions to the service over tackling tangible barriers to access for those with both higher needs and lower incomes.

Charges in England will rise by 8.5% from 24 April 2023. This will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment like a check-up will increase from £23.80 to £25.80, a band 2 like a filling will increase from £65.20 to £70.70, and a band 3 like dentures will increase from £282.80 to £306.80, an increase of £24.

While a proportion of the adult population is exempt from NHS charges, the BDA stress that many on modest incomes will inevitably be forced to think twice about seeking care. Entitlements to free care are limited, with many Universal Credit recipients not being eligible. The government’s own data [1], indicates that around 1 million adults declined to see an NHS dentist for reasons of cost in 2022.

The BDA has underlined that the increase will not put a single penny of new investment into the cash strapped service, and appears to mark a return to a long term strategy in which charges are used as a substitute for meaningful state investment. NHS dentistry’s budget has been effectively static at around £3bn for the best part of a decade, with patient charges forming an ever-greater share of the total pot until COVID struck. Direct Government spend on dentistry was lower as the country headed into the pandemic than it was in 2010. The collapse in patient numbers at lockdown required Ministers to increase their contributions to maintain the viability of the service. [2] The BDA believe this latest increase represents an attempt by the Treasury to return to a fatally flawed ‘business as usual’ model as far as funding is concerned.

The BDA has stressed in oral evidence to the current Health and Social Care Committee inquiry that NHS dentistry’s survival will hinge on a sustainable funding settlement. Since 2010 Spending on dentistry has failed to keep pace with both inflation and population growth. The UK now spends the lowest share of its health budget on dentistry of any European nation according to OECD data, with England spending the lowest amount per head of population of any UK nation.

The BDA is deeply concerned that this increase in charges – the largest since the current system for NHS dentistry was rolled out in 2006 – will have a disproportionate impact on higher needs patients, and fuel already widening oral health inequality. The professional body has requested the equality impact assessment that should have underpinned this latest increase.

Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee said: “This is an utterly grotesque display of priorities from the Treasury. This hike won’t put a single penny into a struggling service. Our patients are being asked to pay more simply so ministers can pay less.

“The Government did not have to go down this path during a cost-of-living crisis. This is a cold, calculated political choice, that will hit millions on modest incomes. Ministers must know some face a choice between heating, eating and seeking NHS care. And they are carrying on regardless.”

[1] Analysis of the GP Surveys by Ipsos Mori, 2022.

* Base: all patients who have tried to get an NHS dental appointment more than 2 years ago, or have never tried, and answered the question

**Base: all patients who have tried to get an NHS dental appointment in the last 2 years and answered the question, excluding ‘can’t remember’ and failed to secure one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[2] NHS General Dental Services budget (England) 

Source: Department of Health accounts 

A professional pain

Dentistry is a largely sedentary profession, meaning that many clinicians may be at risk of musculoskeletal disorders. In a role that depends upon physical capability, musculoskeletal pain can be incredibly demoralising and distressing. The health of the professional is just as important as the health of the patient, and so it is vital that clinicians be mindful of the dangers of musculoskeletal pain and put measures in place to protect their health.

The truth about posture

There has long been a debate on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ posture and their links to musculoskeletal pain. Examples of ‘correct’ posture include sitting upright and standing tall and straight, while ‘poor’ posture is thought to include stooping when standing or slouching when sitting. In certain workplaces, such as an office, it is not unusual to see posters that detail proper posture when at a desk – namely, supporting the back, adjusting the chair/desk height and ensuring the screen is eye level. The same can be said in a workplace where employees must lift objects – positioning the feet correctly and assuming a squat technique when lifting are essential.

Despite the prevalence of corrective posture measures, strong evidence between avoiding poor posture and the prevention of lower back pain (LBP) remains to be firmly established.[i] [ii] Spinal curvatures naturally vary between individuals, and no single spinal curvature has been strongly linked with pain.i We should not ignore the rules for posture entirely, however, but rather rethink and recognise that ‘correct’ posture, while comfortable for some, might not be wholly suitable for others.

In fact, it has been suggested that individuals may be encouraged into using a ‘correct’ posture due to fearful messages postulated by the media,ii messages that reinforce the idea that LBP can be avoided through positioning oneself correctly. For those who have pre-existing LBP, good posture is often suggested as a way to ‘protect’ the spine, however this is challenged by associations made between pain-related fear, avoidance behaviour and a higher risk for chronic LBP in those already affected.[iii] [iv] It may be safe to suggest, then, that ‘good’ posture does not always prevent musculoskeletal pain, in the same way that it is not always caused by ‘bad’ posture.

The issue in dentistry

In light of this, the phenomenon of musculoskeletal disorders in dental professionals is particularly interesting. Unlike sitting at a desk, or in manual lifting occupations, dentistry requires clinicians to work long hours in often poor lighting and in prolonged static/awkward positions. They also operate and grip vibratory instruments for long periods of time.

Dentistry is a stressful profession, and research[v] has shown that stress could be associated with the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms, a relationship that is likely bidirectional. The same study further noted that exercise may be the ‘main relieving factor’ for musculoskeletal symptoms caused by prolonged sitting in dentists. This challenges an earlier study that suggested good posture is the ‘main relieving factor’ for the same symptoms.[vi] It could be a combination of these factors that are contributing to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists.

One study set out to investigate the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry. Out of the 87 participating dental professionals, 79.8% reported at least one musculoskeletal complaint. This pain occurred in 82.6% of general dentists, 75% of dental specialists, 66.7% of dental assistants and 33.3% of dental technicians. Other research has highlighted that the neck, shoulder and/or back area seem to be the most affected by dental activities,[vii] with LBP being the most common complaint.[viii]

What can you do?

Worryingly, musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common causes of ill-health retirement in dentists.[ix] Researchers have suggested certain preventative measures that should be introduced to combat musculoskeletal disorders. These include stretching regularly before and after work, taking breaks and avoiding repetitive motions.[x] Professionals could also consider improving their working style, working posture and dental practice designs,[xi] and re-evaluating their equipment, such as their dental chair. xi

A well-designed dental chair will not only provide comfort for the patient, but will allow the dentist to work with minimal pressure on their body. It is always worth investing in a system that offers optimal functions for ultimate comfort. Clark Dental is proud to offer professionals the new A-dec 500 dental chair, a stylish and intelligent system that facilitates the ultimate ergonomic experience. Everything you need is within perfect proximity, and with an effortless, one-handed adjustment, you can position the delivery system to suit your working style. With the deluxe plus touchpad, you can tilt the screen and rotate the arm for a precise viewing from multiple angles. The extended-reach tubing reduces in-procedure resistance and fatigue,* and the integrated, stackable tray holds everything you need, discreetly.

Make a long day a good day

Reassessing your clinical space is only one part of the bigger picture when it comes to preventing musculoskeletal disorders. It is vital that dental professionals continue to prioritise their health to be able to work comfortably and efficiently. 

*Available on the A-dec Continental® delivery system

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] Kwon, B.K., Roffey, D.M., Bishop, P.B., Dagenais, S. and Wai, E.K. (2011). Systematic review: occupational physical activity and low back pain. Occupational Medicine, [online] 61(8), pp.541–548. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/61/8/541/1539474 [Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[ii] Slater, D., Korakakis, V., O’Sullivan, P., Nolan, D. and O’Sullivan, K. (2019). ‘Sit Up Straight’: Time to Re-evaluate. [online] Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available at: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2019.0610?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed [Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[iii] Thomas, J.S. and France, C.R. (2007). The relationship between pain-related fear and lumbar flexion during natural recovery from low back pain. European Spine Journal, [online] 17(1), pp.97–103. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2365523/#:~:text=Pain%2Drelated%20fear%20has%20been,acute%20episode%20of%20back%20pain. [Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[iv] Dankaerts, W., O’Sullivan, P., Burnett, A., Straker, L., Davey, P. and Gupta, R. (2009). Discriminating Healthy Controls and Two Clinical Subgroups of Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain Patients Using Trunk Muscle Activation and Lumbosacral Kinematics of Postures and Movements A Statistical Classification Model. Lippincott. [online] Available at: https://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2009/07010/Discriminating_Healthy_Controls_and_Two_Clinical.16.aspx [Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[v] P, P. and L, G. (2016). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Young Dentists in Indonesia. Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal, [online] 10(2), pp.1–5. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5333646/ [Accessed 7 Sep. 2022].

[vi] Patel, H.L., Marwadi, M., Mihir, R. and Patel, P. (2012). PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF BACK PAIN AMONG DENTISTS IN SOUTH GUJARAT. National Journal of Medical Research, [online] 2(02), pp.229–231. Available at: http://njmr.in/index.php/file/article/view/770 [Accessed 7 Sep. 2022].

[vii] Ohlendorf, D., Erbe, C., Hauck, I., Nowak, J., Hermanns, I., Ditchen, D., Ellegast, R. and Groneberg, D.A. (2017). Restricted posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of orthodontists. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, [online] 18(1). Available at: https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-017-1629-7 [Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[viii] Gasibat, Q. and Aymen, A. (2022). Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists: Working Posture Needs to be Improved. The Open Dentistry Journal, [online] 16(1). Available at: https://opendentistryjournal.com/VOLUME/16/ELOCATOR/e187421062204100/FULLTEXT/[Accessed 6 Sep. 2022].

[ix] Brown, J., Burke, F.J.T., Macdonald, E.B., Gilmour, H., Hill, K.B., Morris, A.J., White, D.A., Muirhead, E.K. and Murray, K. (2010). Dental practitioners and ill health retirement: causes, outcomes and re-employment. British Dental Journal, [online] 209(5), pp.E7–E7. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2010.813#:~:text=The%20mean%20age%20at%20retirement,and%20behavioural%20disorders%20(28%25). [Accessed 7 Sep. 2022].

[x] Gaowgzeh, R.A., Chevidikunnan, M.F., Al Saif, A., El-Gendy, S., Karrouf, G. and Al Senany, S. (2015). Prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among dentists. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, [online] 27(9), pp.2803–2806. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616098/ [Accessed 7 Sep. 2022].

[xi] www.cochrane.org. (n.d.). Ergonomic interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among dental care practitioners. [online] Available at: https://www.cochrane.org/CD011261/OCCHEALTH_ergonomic-interventions-prevent-musculoskeletal-disorders-among-dental-care-practitioners#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20suggested%20that [Accessed 7 Sep. 2022].

 

Advice for selling your practice, at BDCDS 2023

Abi Greenhough, Managing Director at Lily Head Dental Practice Sales, will present in the Practice Management & Services Theatre at the upcoming British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS). She says:

“I want attendees to understand the value of appointing an experienced dental broker when approaching a practice sale and why it is important there is trust between them. Attendees should also gain a better understanding of what impacts the sale price of a practice, which they can apply to their own sale. In addition, we will discuss the role of lenders in the acquisition process and what makes an attractive proposition for them.”

Registration is now open for BDCDS 2023 and completely free for the whole dental team. Don’t miss out this May and secure your place online today.

 

The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show 2023 will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May, NEC Birmingham, co-located with DTS. 

For more information, visit https://rfg.circdata.com/publish/DS23/?source=EKC or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

For a happy and healthy smile

The Breath Co was delighted to be in attendance at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase. It gave the team a great opportunity to showcase the brilliance of The Breath Co 12-hour Fresh Breath Oral Rinse (available in mild and icy mint).

This solution was developed by Dr Katz, a dentist who wanted an effective solution for his daughter. The result is a pleasant, scientifically-supported option for patients suffering from bad breath. With an alcohol-free formula, The Breath Co oral rinses support the mouth’s natural balance for 12 hours after use – that’s 12 hours of pleasant freshness and no bad odour.

Don’t let the fear of bad breath rule your patients – recommend The Breath Co oral rinses today!

If you’d like to find out more, or have a question you didn’t manage to ask at the show, get in touch with the team.

For more information about The Breath Co, please visit http://www.thebreathco.com/