Month: April 2024

The “Oral Health Professional Educators’ ‘Practice Green©’ Awards” 2024 is just around the corner

The Association of Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), the European Dental Students’ Association (EDSA), and Henry Schein are pleased to announce the continuous cooperation to grant the Oral Health Professional Educators’ ‘Practice Green’ Awards. Aiming to embed an ethos of sustainability within the education lifecycle for oral health professionals and within their educational and clinical practice settings, best practice examples will be showcased and recognised through participation in this programme. 

Prof Brian O’Connell, ​​ADEE President, said: “After the great success of 2023, ADEE is delighted continue our partnership with Henry Schein and EDSA on this initiative. Through the Oral Health Professional Educators’ ‘Practice Green’ Awards, we are able to support member institutions in raising awareness for their efforts on sustainability and to share best practices for this important global cause.”

Participants in the award are invited to submit their application on sustainability projects under three categories:

  • Faculty Campus Initiative,
  • Faculty Curriculum Initiative, and
  • Faculty Procurement and Product Use Initiative.

Institutions can highlight their experiences and impact in the area of sustainable education as well as clinical and administration practices that have returned benefit to the institutions, society and the environment.

EDSA Secretary General, Charlotte Carter, stated: “We at EDSA are delighted to partner with ADEE and Henry Schein on this initiative. Last year’s results showed how driving sustainability is already in the student mindset. It is clear that through dental schools and students, collaboratively we can have an impact and there are a lot of opportunities to drive a greener practice forward.”

In recognition of Henry Schein’s global sustainability programme, Practice Green, the award was established to inspire health care professionals to elevate their sustainability practices while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. Practice Green was designed to empower the health care community to positively impact the future of the planet by reducing the ecological footprint and promoting sustainability.

“Collaborating once more with ADEE and EDSA is an honor, as we work together to promote sustainable dentistry practices and collectively strive to enhance our environmental impact,” said Nicola Loynes, Vice President, EMEA Special Markets, Henry Schein.  

Application submission is now open to ADEE member institutions and will remain open to 30 June 2024. The awards will be presented at a gala event held as part of ADEE 2024 annual meeting in Leuven, Belgium, on 10 September 2024.

For further information about the application, please visit the award website or contact administrator@adee.org. 

Roshni Karia to be next CGDent President

Roshni Karia MCGDent has been appointed as the next President of the College of General Dentistry.

Dr Karia is a general dental practitioner in London, with a special interest in periodontology. She has worked as an Associate Dentist in London and in Surrey, providing general dentistry as well as periodontal treatment.

Since 2015 she has been an undergraduate Clinical Tutor and Examiner in the department of periodontology at the Faculty of Dentistry and Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London. Recently, she has also become Postgraduate Tutor, within the subjects of Clinical Practice, Education and Healthcare Leadership, with Medics Academy, in a postgraduate programme accredited by the University of Central Lancashire. 

She graduated from King’s College London in 2010 before completing Vocational Training at a mixed NHS-and-private dental practice in Plumstead, London. This was followed by training in restorative and paediatric dentistry, oral surgery, oral medicine and acute dental care as a Senior House Officer at King’s College Hospital.

She completed the Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) in 2011, won the British Society of Restorative Dentistry’s Gary Pollock Postgraduate Prize in 2012, and completed an enhanced two-year postgraduate study programme in periodontology at King’s College London NHS Foundation Trust in 2013.

She joined the former Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP), the forerunner of the College, in 2012, and in 2015 was appointed as one of two Early Careers Representatives, a non-voting role on the organisation’s national board. In 2017 she was elected to the board to represent members in the South East and South West Thames region, later serving as Chair of the Education & Qualifications Committee, Chair of the Membership Affairs Committee and as a member of the COVID-19 Forward Planning Group. In 2019, she was elected as the Faculty’s youngest ever Vice Dean, and she was re-elected to her regional seat in 2020. She represented the Faculty on Public Health England’s Child Oral Health Improvement Board and in roundtable discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care ahead of the Prevention Green Paper.

Transferring to the College Council when the Faculty separated from the RCS in 2021, she is Chair of the Certified Membership Scheme Programme Board and a member of the Career Pathways Programme Board, and was re-elected on to the Council in 2023. She has also served as Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee and Chair of the Careers and Training Committee, was elected Senior Vice-President in 2021, and is a facilitator for the CGDent NextGen leadership programme.

She has represented the College on two working groups convened by the British Society of Periodontology to implement the EFP S3-level guidelines on the management and treatment of Stages I-III periodontitis and the prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases, and was also the College’s lead reviewer of the recently-published SDCEP guidelines on prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2020, she successfully completed the Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholarship Programme in 2022, and in 2023 she was awarded the University of Central Lancashire’s Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Practice, Management and Education, with distinction. She has also written and co-authored articles in the British Dental Journal, Primary Dental Journal, and Dental Update, and was a contributor to the CGDent-FGDP guidance, Implications of COVID-19 for the safe management of general dental practice.

Appointed for a three-year term, she will be inaugurated on 21 June 2024 at a meeting of the College Council in London. She will be the first female President or Dean in the history of the College and former Faculty, the first Associate Dentist in the role, and the College’s third President following Abhi Pal FCGDent (2021-24) and Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (2017-2021).

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Karia said: “I feel incredibly humbled, blessed and privileged and thank the College Council for the tremendous faith they have placed upon me in this role. I would like to also extend my gratitude to Abhi Pal, my predecessors and the staff team for their outstanding leadership, hard work and tireless dedication to the organisation. Much has been achieved thus far and the College finds itself at an extremely exciting time to further develop its aspirations for the benefit of the whole profession and our patients; truly celebrating the breadth of the whole oral healthcare team. The tenacity and determination that many of our fantastic colleagues have demonstrated has allowed the College to embrace a unique opportunity and I congratulate all those involved. As we build upon these vital foundations, with a growing membership, I look forward to working across the profession to bring further focus on career progression, empowering colleagues and ultimately advancing dentistry for the benefit of all our patients.”

Abhi Pal, current President of the College, added: “Many congratulations to Roshni on her appointment to the role of President. Roshni is a richly experienced practitioner, with a proven commitment to postgraduate education and teaching as well as having a detailed understanding of dental careers. She is a highly respected colleague, and members should be delighted that the College will be in such good hands as we move forward.”

An oral health update for the whole dental team

The Oral Health Theatre at BDIA Dental Showcase provided a varied and exciting programme for all members of the team to enjoy.

From career pathways into implantology for dental nurses with Laura Hardy to air polishing for dental hygienists with Cat Edney, and the business of implementing a dental therapist with Fiona Sandom, there really was something for everyone.

Appropriate for all team members was Miranda Steeples’ session on making every contact count and Dr Kunal Shah’s presentation on the impact of AI on modern dentistry. Dental professionals also made the most of a session on mental health and wellbeing with Fiona Ellwood and an update on mouth cancer with Dr Mahesh Kumar.

Dr Celia Burns from Nothing But The Tooth, commented:

“This was a really helpful talk that was appropriately pitched for GDPs. It was useful to hear the details of the 2-week wait referral guidelines. Time flew by as the talk had plenty of clinical examples, which were also helpful to illustrate what we are looking for.”

Don’t miss the oral health content at BDIA Dental Showcase in 2025 – save the dates in your diary today.

Save the date

BDIA Dental Showcase 2025

14th-15th March

ExCeL London

dentalshowcase.com

Goodbye to braces pain!

Keeping patients engaged with their orthodontic treatments is essential for attaining an optimal outcome months or years down the line. Help patients through the process with the Orthodontic Relief Wax Tins from Kemdent, an effective solution to minimise everyday pain.

New braces can be uncomfortable, and the unfamiliar feeling of wires scratching the cheeks can be irritating and demoralising for patients. The orthodontic relief wax is a soft, malleable gum protector, which can be quickly and safely applied to brackets and protruding wires.

Easily warmed in a patient’s hands, it can protect the soft tissue before being simply peeled off and removed when eating, sleeping or performing an oral hygiene routine.

This magnificent solution is conveniently stored in a recyclable metal tin for use on the go. It can be recycled an infinite number of times to help reduce energy use, emissions and waste that ends up in landfills.

Learn more about the effective ways that can help your patient’s cope with orthodontic pain by contacting the team today.

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

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

A new path to clinical freedom

Learning new skills can open new possibilities and help advance your clinical career. And with more than 130,000 implants being placed in the UK every year already,[i] dental implantology has an exciting future.

The Straumann Group brand Anthogyr®, in conjunction with training academy Implant Conneqt, has carefully put together a Post-Graduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry (awarded by EduQual). Targeted at clinicians who are new to dental implants or who need more experience to build their confidence, it comprises 13 modules and includes eight clinical days and one residential module.

The course is delivered in a flexible format that enables dental professionals to learn around their current work and personal commitments. All the theoretical modules are completed online, complemented by one-to-one support from clinical supervisors during clinical days.

Every delegate is guaranteed to place and restore up to 10 dental implants, significantly more than most similar courses.

To find out more about this wonderful opportunity – you can enrol at any time – visit the website to browse the brochure today!

For more details, please visit
https://www.straumann.com/anthogyr/en/home.html

[i] Business Scoot https://www.businesscoot.com/en/study/the-dental-implant-market-united-kingdom

Interdental excellence at the BDCDS – Stand C49

When you visit the Waterpik® stand at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show (BDCDS), you’ll be able to see the effective ways you can transform your patients’ oral hygiene routines.

The Waterpik® team will be at stand C49, and will have brilliant Water Flosser solutions on hand. These include the new Cordless Slide, a versatile solution that collapses to 50% of its size for simple storage in the bathroom, or especially helpful when travelling.

Whilst removing up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas,[i] the Cordless Slide is also clinically proven to be up to 50% more effective for improving gum health when compared to regular string floss.[ii]

Learn more about exceptional interdental care for your patients at the Waterpik® stand in May, or contact the team today.

For more information on Waterpik® Water Flosser products visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik® products are available from Amazon, Costco UK, Argos, Boots, Superdrug and Tesco online and in stores across the UK and Ireland.

 Join the 3,000+ dental teams who have already benefitted from a professional Waterpik® Lunch & Learn. Book your free session for 1 hour of verifiable CPD and a free Waterpik® Water Flosser – available either face to face or as a webinar – at www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/

[i] Biofilm Removal with a Dental Water Jet. Gorur A, Lyle DM, Schaudinn C, Costerton JW. Compend Contin Ed Dent 2009; 30 (Suppl 1):1 – 6.

[ii] The Effect of Interdental Cleaning Devices on Plaque Biofilm and Gingival BleedinG. Rosema NAM et al. The effect of different interdental cleaning devices on gingival bleeding. J Int Acad Periodontol 2011; 13(1):2-10.

Implantology in a Single Visit

Innovations in same-day implantology, allowing truly astonishing, potentially instant aesthetic results for those experiencing tooth loss, are capturing the imagination of practitioners and patients alike. Twenty years ago, a patient seeking an implant might have waited nearly a year for a finished smile. Now, immediate placement is much more commonplace, with many surgeons actively preferring this as a less invasive, one-surgery procedure. Immediate loading is a popular option for patients too,[i] making restoration faster.

The possibilities are indeed exciting. However, while patient awareness of and interest in dental implants has increased vastly, they may lack awareness of contraindications around different treatment solutions, which can lead to unrealistic expectations.[ii]

The benefits of immediate placement are now well-established. Immediate loading is also growing in popularity, though it requires careful consideration to optimise outcomes.

The Benefits of Immediate Placement

Accelerating the journey towards better dental function and appearance offers obvious benefits.

The trend is clear; patients want better-looking teeth. According to current statistics, the global market for cosmetic dentistry – including dental implants – is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 5%, increasing its value to an estimated £21 billion by 2026.[iii]

The drive to provide quicker results, however, is more than cosmetic. The detrimental effects of edentulism on physical and mental health are well-documented. Tooth loss has been linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease and certain cancers, among many other conditions.[iv] In addition to serious health concerns, edentulous patients’ quality of life is impacted by social isolation, and a negative self-image, leading to poorer psychological wellbeing. iv [v]

For many patients, anticipating the pain of multiple surgical interventions, as well as longer healing periods, may increase anxiety. This anxiety contributes to patients delaying treatment acceptance, exacerbating problems and adversely affecting outcomes.[vi]

The clinical benefits of immediate implant placement are outlined in a number of studies, shown to deliver comparable success rates compared to placement in healed extraction sites. The technique can preserve bone height and width, improving longer term aesthetics. An impressive 99% survival rate has been recorded for immediately placed single molar implants. [vii]  

Although the process of immediate implant placement is more technically demanding than the traditional, delayed approach, it requires less intervention which can favour the healing of soft and hard tissue.vii Minimally invasive procedures are always preferred to reduce patients’ anxiety and discomfort.[viii]

 Immediate Loading – Laying the Groundwork

Immediate loading has become a more predictable and successful procedure than ever before,[ix] and implant survival rates are very good overall.[x]  Primary stability is vital to implant success rates. Osseointegration cannot be rushed, and no matter the skill of the oral surgeon, the process will be compromised by any repeated pressure and movement.

To mitigate against the pressure and movement of mastication, patients are warned of the risks of chewing certain foods. Establishing a culture of clear communication and trust helps mitigate against patient behaviour that might compromise implant success. Patients with an immediately loaded implant will generally exercise a great deal more caution with their new prosthetic than they would if they had experienced a longer recovery time.

The importance of follow up care cannot be underestimated for detection of early problems that may lead to failure.x Having the beautiful smile your patient dreamed of in a day may well feel like the welcome end to a difficult journey for them. Honesty and clarity is vital to ensure that patients commit to the necessary ongoing care required for ultimate success.

Given the importance of primary stability in implant success overall, immediate loading had not previously been recommended for patients with poor bone quality. However, advances in implantology are widening the field and contraindications are evolving. The future looks exciting as more studies begin to reveal mitigations, like under-drilling the osteotomy and a rough implant texture to enable sufficient torque and good primary retention in suboptimal bone.[xi]

Engineered to meet patients’ expectations for shorter treatment times and better aesthetics, Helix® Grand Morse® offers a unique implant design, with specific features for all bone types, facilitating immediate protocols. Its Acqua® hydrophilic surface is  developed to present a smaller contact angle, and provide greater accessibility of organic fluids to the surface, improving outcomes.[xii] As part of the Grand Morse® portfolio, offering one prosthetic platform regardless of the implant diameter, one screwdriver, one implant driver and one surgical kit, the Helix® offers efficiency and simplicity.

No clinician wants to disappoint a patient hoping to achieve dramatic aesthetic results in a single day, but they must maintain integrity in assessing all the anticipated risks of an immediate implant approach to choose the most appropriate for each clinical situation.[xiii] What may have been unimaginable twenty years ago is now a reality for many patients, who can have their dream of a brighter smile fulfilled in one single visit.

For more information on the Neodent® Grand Morse® Implant System, visit

www.neodent-uk.co/portal

[i] Shrivastava R., Luxenberg R., Sutton E., Emami E., Patients experience and satisfaction with immediate loading of implant-supported overdentures – A qualitative study, Journal of Dentistry, 2023, Volume 137. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571223002300. Accessed January 2024

[ii] Al-Haj Husain A, De Cicco O, Stadlinger B, Bosshard FA, Schmidt V, Özcan M, Valdec S. (2023) A Survey on Attitude, Awareness, and Knowledge of Patients Regarding the Use of Dental Implants at a Swiss University Clinic. Dent J (Basel). 2023 Jul 5;11(7):165. doi: 10.3390/dj11070165. PMID: 37504231; PMCID: PMC10378414.

[iii] The Worldwide Cosmetic Dentistry Industry is Expected to Reach $27+ Billion by 2026 Global Newswire Web site. Available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/03/15/2403418/28124/en/The-Worldwide-Cosmetic-Dentistry-Industry-is-Expected-to-Reach-27-Billion-by-2026.html Published March 15, 2022. Accessed January 2024.

[iv] Emami E, de Souza RF, Kabawat M, Feine JS. The impact of edentulism on oral and general health. Int J Dent. 2013;2013:498305. doi: 10.1155/2013/498305. Epub 2013 May 8. PMID: 23737789; PMCID: PMC3664508.

[v] Tyrovolas, S., Koyanagi, A., Panagiotakos, D. et al. Population prevalence of edentulism and its association with depression and self-rated health. Sci Rep 6, 37083 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37083

[vi] Steinvik LM, Svartdal F, Johnsen JK. Delay of Dental Care: An Exploratory Study of Procrastination, Dental Attendance, and Self-Reported Oral Health. Dent J (Basel). 2023 Feb 20;11(2):56. doi: 10.3390/dj11020056. PMID: 36826201; PMCID: PMC9955773.

[vii] Atieh, M.A., Payne, A.G., Duncan, W.J., de Silva, R.K. and Cullinan, M.P., 2010. Immediate placement or immediate restoration/loading of single implants for molar tooth replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants, 25(2), p.401.

[viii] AlQutub AW. Pain Experience after Dental Implant Placement Compared to Tooth Extraction. Int J Dent. 2021 Aug 31;2021:4134932. doi: 10.1155/2021/4134932. PMID: 34512757; PMCID: PMC8424234.

[ix] Singh M, Kumar L, Anwar M, Chand P. Immediate dental implant placement with immediate loading following extraction of natural teeth. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2015 Jul-Dec;6(2):252-5. doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.183864. PMID: 27390509; PMCID: PMC4922245.

 [xi] Thiebot N., Hamdani A., Blanchet F., Dame M., Tawfik S, Mbapou E, Kaddouh A.A., Alantar A. Implant failure rate and the prevalence of associated risk factors: a 6-year retrospective observational survey. Oral Med Oral Surg 28 (2) 19 (2022)DOI: 10.1051/mbcb/2021045

[xii] Novellino MM, Sesma N, Zanardi PR, Laganá DC. Resonance frequency analysis of dental implants placed at the posterior maxilla varying the surface treatment only: A randomized clinical trial. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2017 Oct;19(5):770-775. doi: 10.1111/cid.12510. Epub 2017 Jun 20. PMID: 28631408; PMCID: PMC5655931.

[xiii] Garcia‐Sanchez, R., Dopico, J., Kalemaj, Z., Buti, J., Pardo Zamora, G. and Mardas, N., 2022. Comparison of clinical outcomes of immediate versus delayed placement of dental implants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 33(3), pp.231-277.

An integrated chairside workflow from Clark Dental

By providing complete treatments chairside, clinicians open up a world of opportunities, including the freedom to carry out complete workflows in one appointment.

This is why Clark Dental offers a range of solutions which simplify chairside workflows. The range includes Primescan, Primemill, and Primeprint which work together seamlessly for an integrated system.

Create high-quality intraoral scans to inform surgical guides, models, and nightguards, and to produce restorations in house, including the capability to deliver highly aesthetic zirconia crowns in just a few minutes.

To find out more about solutions from Clark Dental, please contact the team today.

If you’d like to find out more about Clark Dental’s solutions, call the team on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk.

Optimise patient communication with Chairsyde – Stand K34

Enhance your patient communication, engagement and informed consent with Chairsyde.

The state-of-the-art consultation platform offers a unique way of interacting with patients, improving their understanding of their current condition and any recommended treatment. Using animations to explain procedures, the innovative solution covers all the potential benefits, risks and limitations of the treatment being discussed, ensuring a fully informed patient.

Want to see how it works and how you could introduce Chairsyde into your daily workflow for a more patient-centric journey? Come and see us at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2024 in Birmingham. We’ll be on stand K34 providing live demonstrations of the software and answering all of your questions. We hope to see you there!

For more information, or to book a demo, please visit www.chairsyde.com

or call 020 3951 8360

Streamlining and seamless

A cutting-edge tool for a cutting-edge practice, that’s how Tara describes the adoption of Kiroku at Space Dental, the cosmetic dentistry practice in Wakefield, where she works as lead hygiene therapist.

“We always look for innovative tools to enhance our patient care and Kiroku’s focus on quick and secure completion of clinical notes aligns with our commitment to streamlined and patient-centred care,” Tara explains.

The growth of the business has allowed the practice to have a standardised workflow that all dental hygienists follow to ensure all patients receive the same level of care.

“The platform’s user-friendly interface and efficiency in completing notes quickly have been standout features,” she says.  “The set-up process was relatively straightforward, and the platform seamlessly integrates with our existing technologies and software that we currently use.”

Tara and her colleagues have enjoyed the benefits of saving time, improved record-keeping accuracy, enhanced patient information security, and a more streamlined workflow.

“We certainly recommend Kiroku to other dental practices, especially those focused on periodontal treatment and cosmetic dentistry,” she enthuses. “Its features align with the demands of our practice, promoting the efficiency of our daily workflow.”

To find out more about Kiroku, or to start your free trial, please visit trykiroku.com