Month: March 2024

Award winning soft tissue management

Create accurate impressions that inform excellent treatment plans with the help of 3M Astringent Retraction Paste from 3M Oral Care, the brilliant and highly commended* solution for gingival retraction.

With an extra-fine tip, clinicians can directly target the sulcus, displacing the gingival tissue gently for a great impression that accounts for the preparation margin, for both conventional and digital workflows.**

The paste is haemostatic and gentle on the tissue, avoiding any potential stresses and trauma potentially caused by retraction cords, to create a simple workflow for clinicians and a comfortable experience for patients.**

By using the 3M Astringent Retraction Paste from 3M Oral Care, clinicians can facilitate excellent impressions that shape restorations that patients adore.

To learn more about the award winning* gingival retraction solution from 3M Oral Care, contact the team today.

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.go.3M.com/ocsdpr

 3M is a trademark of the 3M Company. 

* Chosen by Dental Advisor as a preferred product:

https://www.dentaladvisor.com/evaluations/3m-espe-retraction-capsule-2023-product-award-winner/

** 3M Internal data

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About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $34.2 billion in sales, our 92,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.

The UK is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing around 1,900 people across 12 locations, including four manufacturing sites.

Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, personal safety equipment and adhesive tapes.

As a strategic partner of the British Science Association and a sponsor of WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards in Science and Engineering, 3M is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at 3M.co.uk or follow @3MUK on Twitter or 3m.uk on Instagram.

BDIA Dental Showcase continues to welcome new exhibitors for 2024

BDIA Dental Showcase 2024 is thrilled to welcome first-time exhibitor, Chairsyde, to the event for 2024!

The Chairsyde team will be available on stand E50, offering valuable insight into their innovative patient consultation platform – which recently gained nationwide recognition by the NHS Celebrating 70 Years. Designed to enhance patient communication and engagement with their oral health, the solution is a must for every dental practice in the UK.

Chairsyde will also be supporting the lecture programme with speakers in the Clinical Theatre on Friday 22ndMarch and the Oral Health Theatre on Saturday 23rd March.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to meet the Chairsyde team and find out more about the platform – stand E50 at BDIA Dental Showcase 2024, London ExCeL!

BDIA Dental Showcase 2024

22nd-23rd March

ExCeL London

dentalshowcase.com

Perfecting impressions in the partially edentulous patient

When creating a comfortable removable or fixed dental prosthesis, clinicians must always endeavour to get the first step – an accurate impression of the existing dentition – as close to perfect as possible. After all, this stage informs all subsequent decisions made throughout the treatment process.

In everyday dentistry, impressions will often be required for those presenting with missing teeth. Yet the majority of studies on impressions and scanning accuracy are conducted on fully dentate models or patients, which do not represent a real-life patient demographic.[i]

Without considering how this might impact the process, a first impression could be ever-so-slightly inaccurate, and throw off the success of the entire treatment. Understanding opportunities to maximise the accuracy of the final result is key.

The bigger picture

 At current, the available options to dentists are split into two main camps: conventional and digital impressions.

The latter is built upon the use of intraoral scanners, whose modern developments have made them a reliable option in a variety of situations. They are widely acknowledged to be faster than a conventional impression, regardless of whether a dentist is obtaining information on a quadrant or a complete arch, and a 2021 systematic review observed 10/11 studies stating that it is preferred by patients to a conventional method.[ii]The reasons behind this varied, but it was typically a case of increased comfort and reduced anxieties for the patient.ii

However, conventional techniques are by no means out of the running. Whilst digital solutions are adapting and evolving to create streamlined workflows, there is still debate around the accuracy and reliability of their results. The creation of an intraoral scan relies upon lining up individual images through an alignment and stitching process.i Each step has the potential for error, and as the scan distance increases, this margin grows. The largest deviations are therefore measured over the full-arch, with the potential for a variation in accuracy that is far higher than that of conventional impressions.i

Scans in the partially edentulous patient can be an issue if the missing teeth are accumulated in one set across the dentition, and a larger restoration is needed. A conventional impression could provide the increased reliability that clinicians need to be more confident in the final outcome of a fixed or removable prosthetic.

 To the finest margin

Partially edentulous patients may wish to restore their dentition with a variety of effective solutions. This could include the placement of an implant and a fixed partial denture, or even a removable partial denture for those that prefer a less invasive option.

When a clinician is planning for these types of indirect restorations, the accuracy of the initial impression will largely depend on the retraction of the gingiva, which allows for the accurate recording of the sub-gingival margins.[iii] If this cannot be adequately achieved, the resulting restoration may not meet the preventative, therapeutic, aesthetic, and clinical goals that drive each treatment plan.iii

Clinicians may choose to use retraction cords or an astringent paste to displace the gingival margins, depending on their clinical preference and any relevant patient factors.

This is an aspect of impression taking where a digital method once again suffers. When it is necessary to collect information deeper into the sulcus, it is more difficult to capture the margin using an intraoral scanner as opposed to a conventional impression compound.[iv] The literature has even advised against the use of digital impressions when a crown’s margin is deep (1.5-2mm) into the sulcus.iv

Therefore, when working with the partially edentulous patient, a conventional impression method may be advantageous to maximise the detail that can be attained. However, doing so also relies on an effective material choice. Kemdent offers clinicians a variety of exceptional impression compound materials, including the Precision Impression Compound Tracing Sticks. These are exceptional for obtaining a greater definition in the full sulcal depth or creating border extensions on impression trays. With high viscosity they can deliver exact and minute details, without compromise.

Creating comfortable, aesthetic and functional solutions for the partially edentulous patient requires an effective initial impression. Whilst digital techniques are still evolving, conventional methods may yet be preferred to avoid a wider potential variation in results when treating larger defects or working with sub-gingival margins.

Choosing when to use such solutions and effectively employ techniques such as gingival retraction, where they are suitable, is a skill in itself for clinicians. But with confidence in their materials and tools, it may be easier to attain a brilliant impression, and a fantastic final restoration, with each passing treatment.

For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit

www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256

[i] Waldecker, M., Rues, S., Awounvo Awounvo, J. S., Rammelsberg, P., & Bömicke, W. (2022). In vitro accuracy of digital and conventional impressions in the partially edentulous maxilla. Clinical Oral Investigations, 26(11), 6491-6502.

[ii] Siqueira, R., Galli, M., Chen, Z., Mendonça, G., Meirelles, L., Wang, H. L., & Chan, H. L. (2021). Intraoral scanning reduces procedure time and improves patient comfort in fixed prosthodontics and implant dentistry: a systematic review. Clinical oral investigations, 1-15.

[iii] Kumar, L., Mattoo, K. A., Jain, S., Khalid, I., Kota, M. Z., Baig, F. A., … & Kanji, M. A. (2023). A Clinical Study of 50 Partially Edentulous Patients with Fixed Partial Denture Restorations to Compare Clinical Parameters and Changes in Gingival Sulcus Width After Displacement with 2 Different Gingival Retraction Cord Materials (Cotton and Polymer). Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 29, e940098-1.

[iv] Ferrari Cagidiaco, E., Zarone, F., Discepoli, N., Joda, T., & Ferrari, M. (2021). Analysis of the reproducibility of subgingival vertical margins using intraoral optical scanning (IOS): a randomized controlled pilot trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(5), 941.

GDC publishes update on transparency, trust, and improving the Fitness to Practise process

The General Dental Council (GDC) is looking into the level of detail published from Interim Orders Committee (IOC) hearings, and how it plans to report deaths during an FtP (Fitness to Practise) investigation.

The GDC states that it recognises FtP is a stressful and difficult process, noting that it has taken various steps to minimise unnecessary stress and anxiety and ensure that the small number of dental professionals involved in an investigation are supported and that their mental health and wellbeing is a priority.    

Last year, following an inquest, a coroner raised concerns with the GDC about the level of detail that is put into the public domain regarding allegations being considered by an IOC.  

The GDC has expressed great sadness about learning of the death of a dentist whose case was under investigation and send their deepest sympathy and thoughts to their family.   

The regulator recognised the concerns raised by the coroner and at the time, work was underway to review the policy on the publication of IOC outcomes. The aim of the review is to ensure the correct balance of the public interest in open justice and safety, against the interests of the dental professional, particularly when assessing untested allegations. The role of the IOC is to assess immediate and serious risks to public safety or confidence and to take action when necessary.  It does not have a role in making findings of fact. 

The GDC is working to build a framework to report the causes of death of dental professionals where there is an active FtP case, guided by an evidence review and engagement with experts including the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group. The regulator explains the work underway to bring together a report that covers the period 2019 to 2022, to be published in 2024.   

Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director, Strategy, said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of a dentist whilst they were under investigation. We are committed to reflecting and learning lessons where we can and are developing a process to undertake a serious incident review when we become aware that someone has died while subject to a fitness to practise investigation.

“We want to build and maintain trust between us and the dental professionals we regulate. Minimising stress experienced in the fitness to practise process is one way to do that and we have a number of improvements underway. Reporting the causes of death of registrants will also improve transparency. However, balancing transparency with the public interest, our responsibilities as a regulator and the impact on dental professionals requires consideration of different perspectives and views in order to ensure constructive discussion about what are often difficult and sensitive issues.”  

Read the full update on the GDC’s website

Ross Brooke Dental relaunches discounted fee campaign for young dentists

A campaign alerting young dentists to the importance of starting their dental career on a good financial footing is being repeated in 2024. Launched in the autumn of 2023, the award resulted in four young Associate dentists joining Ross Brooke Dental (RBD) at a discounted fee and a £1,000 donation being made by us to the BDA Benevolent Fund.  

This year, the first five qualifying dentists to be signed up to RBD for their first-year accounts and tax return will pay only half the £700 standard fee plus VAT. For each of thee five,  we will make a £50 donation to the BDA Benevolent Fund as well as a £100 donation for each additional associate sign-up before 30 September 2024. We have chosen to work with the Charity for a second year because of its inspiring role in supporting dental students, dentists, and their families through hard times.

The dentists who joined us because of last year’s campaign are experiencing the supportive style of consultancy that we like to offer, including detailed briefings and a tutorial in an online accounts system. This enables them to track their income and outgoings.

James Wootton, one of the fortunate four, said: “I am the sort of person who doesn’t like leaving things outstanding. It’s still over a year before I will have to pay any tax but getting this sorted early was definitely better. Some people seem to think that delaying appointing an accountant will save them money, but the reverse is true.

“The team at RBD know exactly what I should claim for and have been very helpful. The reduced-price entry point was very helpful at a time when I had only just started working in practice.” 

Applicants should apply by emailing: dental@ross-brooke.co.uk 

Ross Brooke Dental: https://www.ross-brooke-dental.co.uk

BDA Benevolent Fund:  https://www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk/

Maximum precision with American Eagle Surgical Instruments

With the new dental surgical range, American Eagle Instruments offers you hand and hinge instruments for about 80% of surgical procedures in the oral cavity.
Not only do we focus on the high-quality practitioners have come to expect from our scalers and curettes, but also on highly precise and efficient products and the easy to clean surfaces which consider current cleaning and reprocessing guidelines. High-quality materials, ergonomic handles and a matt finish to prevent reflections are standard. The range covers multiple treatment areas including extraction, apicoectomy, wisdom teeth removal, dental implantation and osteotomy.

For more information contact Jaeson Duckworth: jduckworth@younginnovations.com, Mobile 07590033844.

Government consultation on water fluoridation: An opportunity for dental professionals to advocate for improved oral health

As the government launches a new consultation into water fluoridation in the North East, the Oral Health Foundation is encouraging dental professionals to seize this opportunity by liaising with local MPs for further expansion of the scheme across the UK.

The consultation opened earlier this week [25 March] with plans to extend the region’s water fluoridation scheme to an additional 1.6 million people, targeting vulnerable populations, particularly children and young adults.

Although the benefits of water fluoridation to oral health are well established and accepted, as few as six million people in England live in areas with fluoridated water.

The Oral Health Foundation believes water fluoridation should be more widely implemented in the UK and wants dental professionals to play a key role in promoting the benefits to policymakers.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “By participating in the North East consultation, you have the power to improve oral health outcomes for millions of people for generations to come. As dental professionals, we witness the devastating effects of tooth decay daily, placing us in a unique position to provide invaluable insights into its true impact on patients’ oral, general, and mental health.

“This consultation also presents a critical opportunity to build relationships with our local MPs and advocate for water fluoridation plans in all our respective areas. The success of the North East consultation will only strengthen our cause to expand water fluoridation across the UK.”

Although oral health is improving in England, the oral health survey of five-year-olds in 2019 showed that just under a quarter have tooth decay.

Each child with tooth decay will have on average three-to-four teeth affected. For those children at risk, it can happen early in life. The oral health survey of three-year-olds in 2020 found that 11% had visible tooth decay, with on average three teeth affected.

A 2022 health monitoring report showed five-year-olds in areas with fluoridated water in England were less likely to experience tooth decay compared to areas without fluoride and are less likely to be admitted to hospital to have teeth removed.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, adds: “Water fluoridation can reduce the prevalence of tooth decay and improve dental health equity across the UK. It should be seen as a complementary strategy, not a substitute for other effective methods of increasing fluoride use such as tooth brushing.”

Interim Chief Dental Officer for England Jason Wong says: “Reducing tooth decay supports wider health and wellbeing and reduces health inequalities by narrowing differences in dental health between more and less deprived areas, and this important measure forms a key part of our dental recovery plan which aims to improve access to NHS dental services across England.”

Under the Health & Care Act of 2022, the Secretary of State was given the authority by Parliament to implement new water fluoridation programmes. These initiatives have the backing of local authorities in the area, and the water company involved has prior experience in managing such schemes.

The government’s consultation, titled Community water fluoridation expansion in the north east of England can be found at www.gov.uk and will last 12 weeks. Following this, it will collect and review the feedback before making a decision on whether to extend the scheme.

You can find the contact details of your local MP by visiting www.members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Get more from your favourite products

Our customers choose COLTENE brands for their quality and reliability. So, we want to help them get even more benefits from their favourite products.

COLTENE understands the value of customer loyalty.

This is why COLTENE has introduced COLTENE Rewards. The more a customer spends on COLTENE products, the more they get back. It’s simple!

Earn COLTENE Coins and redeem them on a wide range of well-known high street brands or your favourite COLTENE products.

To discover more about COLTENE Rewards, get in touch with the team today.

Email rewards.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115

COLTENE loyalty scheme https://rewards.coltene.com

Optimising oral hygiene for orthodontics

Malocclusion can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Oral function may be seriously impaired, causing issues with mastication, swallowing and speech. It can also make oral hygiene more difficult, increasing the risk of gingivitis and caries. In addition, there are implications for a person’s social status and psychological wellbeing when their malocclusion is bad enough to influence interactions with others and dampen self-confidence.[i] In many situations, orthodontics provides a solution by aligning the teeth, enhancing function, hygiene and aesthetics.

Despite the many advantages of orthodontic therapy, it is widely acknowledged that oral hygiene tends to suffer during treatment. Studies[ii] have demonstrated that both the number of decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth, and plaque index scores increase during orthodontic therapy among adolescents. Research[iii] has confirmed that the oral microbiota changes when any orthodontic appliance is fitted, resulting in a significantly increased bacterial count. These alterations can be detected one month after treatment commences. There is also evidence that the type of appliance impacts the risk of oral health concerns.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis[iv] compared levels of oral hygiene between patients with fixed and removable appliances. Though it found only relatively low-quality evidence, it did suggest that fixed solutions lead to higher plaque scores, as well as higher incidence of S.mutans and lactobacilli bacteria in the first 6-12 months after treatment begins.

Why is this important for the general dental practitioner to be aware of and confident in supporting patients through? Because demand for adult orthodontics is on the up. Approximately 76% of UK orthodontists reported a rise in demand for treatment among adults in the three years preceding August 2023.[v] A large proportion of this increase has been attributed to more time spent on video calls, in addition to the greater sway of influencers and celebrities. With no sign that this will change again any time soon, we can safely assume a continued need for orthodontic solutions.

The importance of oral hygiene during treatment must be highlighted to patients in order to optimise outcomes. For example, orthodontic treatment in periodontally-compromised patients can lead to axillary anterior teeth proclination, absence or loss of interdental spacing, tooth rotation, super-eruption, pathological tooth migration and tooth loss.[vi]

While many people understand the importance of oral health, there is still a disconnect between their perceptions and how effective their dental hygiene actually is. For instance, one survey[vii] found that almost 80% of orthodontic patients believed their oral hygiene to be good, even though 51% reported bleeding gums. As such, continued and intensive education is essential throughout orthodontic treatment,[viii] teaching patients how to reduce bacterial counts while navigating orthodontic brackets or other considerations.

It has also been found that reinforcing oral hygiene by communicating key messages post-treatment is advantageous in enhancing patient compliance.[ix] Reminding patients either by text or phone call has been shown to significantly improve motivation and lead to lower plaque index scores in patients after tooth alignment is achieved. Other research has highlighted the positive role that dietary advice can have on post-treatment oral health as well.[x]

Of course, all of this requires excellent communication from practitioner to patient, delivering information on the potential risks faced during orthodontic therapy in a way that they really understand and can relate to. This is the cornerstone of effective patient education in relation to any type of dental treatment, including orthodontics.

Importantly, this communication and education should continue beyond treatment completion. Finding innovative yet efficient and convenient ways to remind patients about their commitment to oral hygiene even once alignment is achieved, is crucial.

Use of cutting-edge technologies can help substantially, facilitating communication as frequently as necessary with just the click of a button. Sharing useful information in a digital format also enables patients to review the oral hygiene advice and recommendations at a time that best suits them, retaining access for as long as they need it. This is just one of the functionalities that Chairsyde provides. A state-of-the-art patient consultation platform, Chairsyde features a stunning library of animations that clearly explains a vast range of dental conditions and related treatment procedures – including different orthodontic solutions – along with all their benefits and risks. Once shown to patients during an appointment, these animations are automatically recorded in patient notes and can be easily emailed to patients for review at home. Chairsyde is also fully integrated with Dentally and Software of Excellence practice management software for convenience. This technology could be the game-changer you need to help your patients optimise their oral hygiene during and after orthodontic treatment!

However you support your patient education and communication, ensuring they have the right information and are motivated to follow it, is crucial for the best possible results. Orthodontic appliances may increase the risk of oral bacteria, but effective dental hygiene will ensure treatment outcomes are never jeopardised. 

For more information, or to book a Chairsyde demo, please visit

www.chairsyde.com or call 020 3951 8360

[i] Elyaskhil, M., Shafai, N.A.A. & Mokhtar, N. Effect of malocclusion severity on oral health related quality of life in Malay adolescents. Health Qual Life Outcomes 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01710-2

[ii] Cantekin K, Celikoglu M, Karadas M, Yildirim H, Erdem A. Effects of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances on oral health status: A comprehensive study. Journal of Dental Sciences. 2011: 6 (4): 235-238. ISSN 1991-7902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2011.09.010.

[iii] Lucchese A, Bondemark L, Marcolina M, Manuelli M. Changes in oral microbiota due to orthodontic appliances: a systematic review. J Oral Microbiol. 2018 Jul 3;10(1):1476645. doi: 10.1080/20002297.2018.1476645. PMID: 29988826; PMCID: PMC6032020.

[iv] Oikonomou E, Foros P, Tagkli A, Rahiotis C, Eliades T, Koletsi D. Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2021 Jan 7;19(1):659-672. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b2403661. PMID: 34874143.

[v] British Orthodontic Society. New stats from The British Orthodontic Society reveal online working triggers a rise in adults seeking tooth straightening treatment. August 2023. https://bos.org.uk/news/new-stats-from-the-british-orthodontic-society-reveal-online-working-triggers-a-rise-in-adults-seeking-tooth-straightening-treatment/ [Accessed January 2024]

[vi] Alsulaimani L, Alqarni H, Akel M, Khalifa F. The Orthodontics-Periodontics Challenges in Integrated Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023 May 14;15(5):e38994. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38994. PMID: 37323308; PMCID: PMC10262598.

[vii] Guo J, Li L, Guan G, Bennani F, Mei L. Oral health knowledge and practice among orthodontic clients in China and New Zealand. Can J Dent Hyg. 2020 Oct 1;54(3):124-132. PMID: 33240372; PMCID: PMC7668273.

[viii] Yadav J, Shinh AS, Natt AS, Maheshwari K, Aulakh S. Oral hygiene status: The critical parameter in orthodontic patient. J Clin Adv Dent. 2023; 7: 007-012.

[ix] Cozzani M, Ragazzini G, Delucchi A, Mutinelli S, Barreca C, Rinchuse DJ, Servetto R, Piras V. Oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients: a randomized controlled study on the effects of a post-treatment communication. Prog Orthod. 2016 Dec;17(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s40510-016-0154-9. Epub 2016 Dec 19. PMID: 27891568; PMCID: PMC5165014.

[x] Aljohani SR, Alsaggaf DH. Adherence to Dietary Advice and Oral Hygiene Practices Among Orthodontic Patients. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020 Oct 20;14:1991-2000. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S277034. PMID: 33116442; PMCID: PMC7586054.

New prophylaxis device from B.A. International at Henry Schein Ireland

Compact, flexible powder blasting and ultrasonic combination device with a winning price-performance ratio and comprehensive services.

Henry Schein Ireland has added the new prophylaxis device from B.A. International to its portfolio. The compact Ultimate UC500L covers a wide range of indications (supra- and subgingival) thanks to the combination of ultrasonic scaler for calculus removal and powder jet cleaning. In everyday practice, the appliance is characterised by its simple operation via touch display, flexibility in terms of water supply and automatic cleaning in just 30 seconds. Ultimate UC500L also delivers an impressive performance with its competitive price and favourable consumables and accessories.

Services support smooth prophylaxis processes in the practice

Henry Schein Ireland supports practice teams using the B.A. International Ultimate UC500L with customised services. This includes expert advice, maintenance contracts and technical support from experienced and certified technicians from our in-house workshop.

Get started right away: Extensive accessories included in the package

The Ultimate UC500L device is supplied with an extensive accessory pack that contains a comprehensive range of initial equipment. These include various handpieces and tips. A compact cart for mobile use and additional accessories is available separately, as are two prophylaxis powders specially adapted to the appliance: the BA Ulticlean Prophylaxis Powder Standard based on sodium hydrogen carbonate for supragingival use, and the particularly fine-grained Perio Plus Powder based on tagatose for gentle sub- and supragingival use.

More information is available here