The UK’s leading oral health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, have inaugurated Professor Liz Kay MBE as their new President.
Professor Kay will take on the role for a full two-year term with immediate effect. She will combine her Presidency with her role as Foundation Dean of Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth.
Professor Kay brings with her to the role vast experience and expertise across the dental profession, where she has striven to further the knowledge and education of thousands of dental students during her 35 years within the profession.
During this time she has also played a key role in oral health promotion, where she has acted as an oral health expert for The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Professor Kay commented on how proud she was on her appointment: “I have supported the Oral Health Foundation for very long time and I am honoured to be elected President.
“I believe my appointment comes at a time of transition for oral health.
“I sense a real possibility of an important shift in the profile of oral disease; it’s possible we are on the cusp of recognising oral health as a window to the rest of the body, a predictor of future general ill health.
“This will be a key time for the Oral Health Foundation, where its role in raising awareness of the importance of oral health will really come to the fore, I hope to see this during my time as President.
“I am really looking forward to working more closely with a fantastic Board of Trustees and I will strive to serve the organisation well.”
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New research has discovered that women who suffer from gum disease are up to three times more likely to develop breast cancer.

The study1, published in the Journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, involved more than 200 women, separated into two groups – those who diagnosed with breast cancer and those that had no history or signs of the disease.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, Findings showed those who suffered from periodontitis (severe gum disease), had two to three times higher odds of developing breast cancer.
Researchers believe the link could support the theory that breast cancer could be triggered as the result of a systemic inflammation which originates in the infected gums; they also suggest that bacteria from the mouth may enter the circulatory system through the gums which then may affect breast tissue.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation believes the study provides additional evidence that cancer could be associated with chronic inflammation and infections.
Dr Carter says: “Interestingly, this research shows that there is evidence to support the theory that gum disease can have a much larger impact on the health of our whole body.
“It suggests that severe gum disease is associated with instances of breast cancer and this may be through the spread of infection and inflammation starting in the mouth.
“It’s important to recognise though that gum disease has not been proven to cause breast cancer or any other form of the disease and it remains to be seen whether it is just an association.
“More research is required in order to identify the specific relationship, something we very much welcome.
“If we can study periodontal disease and breast cancer in other populations, and if we can do a more detailed study of the characteristics of the periodontal disease, it would help us understand more about the relationship.”
Leading health charity, the Oral Health Foundation is keen to highlight the potential relationships between poor oral health and systemic diseases to help reduce peoples risk.
Studies have previously identified links between gum disease and potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even dementia.
Gum disease is caused when dental plaque, a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth, is not removed from the mouth correctly with a good oral care routine.
The first signs of gum disease include; blood on your toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth or gums bleeding when you are eating. After this early stage though there may be few symptoms at all except perhaps persistent bad breath.
If not treated properly gum disease can lead to the tissues supporting the teeth becoming weakened and the teeth eventually falling out or having to be removed.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “The health risks associated with gum disease are definitely not limited to the mouth, there is clear evidence that it is associated extremely serious health problems.
“This problem is made even worse due to the prevalence of gum disease; it is estimated that it affects half of all adults in the UK and up to 15 per cent of adults are estimated to have severe periodontitis.
“The best way to cut your risk of gum disease is to ensure that you have an effective oral health routine; this should involve brushing your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
“You should also clean between your teeth at least once a day with interdental brushes or floss to make sure you are removing bacteria from all areas of the mouth.
“If you feel you have gum disease then you should visit your dentist straight away for a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums. Catching gum disease early is the best way to ensure that it is treated effectively.”

The BDA is advising dentists in England, Scotland and Wales, that new regulations will come into force on 1 January 2018, which will mean dentists using x-ray generators must register with the Health and Safety Executive.
IRR17 will replace IRR99 and we can advise that most of the regulations remain unchanged. However, IRR17 introduces a three-point risk-based system of regulatory control – “notification” (for low-level risk activities), “registration” (for the operation of radiation generators) and “consent” (for the highest risks).
General dental practitioners use x-ray generators, so they will be required to register in the “nonfiction” category (Level 2).
The regulations in Northern Ireland are currently under consultation and we will update members on this when any changes are announced.

The BDA‘s Scotland Office and Scottish Council held a dinner on 7 December to celebrate the contributions of two of their long-serving representatives, Robert Donald and Adrian Hart.
Both Robert, who is Chair of the Scottish Dental Practice Committee and Adrian, who Chairs the Scottish Council, will be standing down from their seats. The event took place at in the stunning surroundings of the DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel, in Dunblane.
Guests at the dinner included BDA President Peter Dyer, BDA Principal Executive Committee Chair Mick Armstrong, and Vice Chair, Eddie Crouch and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of all the BDA’s Scottish Committees, as well as Margie Taylor, CBE, Chief Dental Officer for Scotland.
The event followed a meeting of the Scottish Council earlier in the day, where the main items discussed were the awaited publication of the Scottish Government Oral Health Improvement Plan and a proposed Chatham House rules meeting with the BDA ahead of publication, the draft Government pay review body (DDRB) submission for Scotland for 2018-19, the Review of Oral Medicine Services in Scotland, the BDA Scotland Oral Cancer Awareness Campaign and issues relating the Public Dental Service.

A dental hygienist working in Edinburgh, who started her career in Melbourne, Australia, has won BioMin’s 2017 Clinical Case Study Award.
Fiona Ord, who initially studied dental nursing at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and then Oral Health Therapy (Hygiene) at the University of Melbourne, presented an entry that the judging panel felt exhibited considerable scientific rigour. The case study incorporated the use of BioMin F toothpaste designed to help reduce the tooth sensitivity.
“Fiona developed a very logical treatment plan which coupled with appropriate and detailed oral hygiene instructions resulted in an excellent clinical outcome”, stated Marina Harris, the BSDHT nominee on the judging panel. “Fiona’s delivery of the treatment plan has clearly enhanced the patient’s quality of life.”
Fiona, who is currently working at the Clyde Munro practice in Edinburgh, is also a clinical research dental hygienist at the University of Dundee. She moved to the UK in 2000 and was awarded a 1st class degree in Health Science from Napier University, Edinburgh then more recently an MSc in Health and Social Care Research Methods from the University of Sheffield.
“I am delighted to have won this award,” commented Fiona Ord. “The patient in my case study presented dentine hypersensitivity that had not been discussed with previous clinicians.”
BioMin F toothpaste is a controlled release fluoride toothpaste that provides a fluorapatite rich surface on the teeth after brushing for up to 12 hours. This helps reduce sensitivity and provides protection against acid attack and early stage enamel lesions. The company will publish details of the 2018 Clinical Case Study Competition in February next year. Please indicate your interest to participate at admin@biomin.co.uk and details will be sent directly to you.
Pic shows Fiona Award being presented the award by Dr Gillam, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Periodontology at the Bart’s and the London Medical and Dental School QMUL. He is also a director of BioMin.
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This year’s Local Dental Committee’s (LDC) Officials’ Day held on 2 December in London gave LDC Officials an update on the latest developments in dental politics.
LDC Officials’ Day is an annual event organised by the BDA and this, nearly 200 delegates attended, and most LDCs were represented by their locally elected official/s.
The event was introduced by Joe Hendron, LDC Conference Chair and the morning session featured an update on the General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC), by GDPC Chair Henrik Overgaard Nielsen, a session on dental contract reform, by Eric Rooney, the Deputy Chief Dental Officer and Helen Miscampbell, Dental & Eyecare Section Head Department of Health at UK Department of Health, followed by a lively Q&A.
The afternoon session included an update on the work of Performance Advisory Groups and Performance List Decision Panels (PLDPs) by Manda Copage, Assistant Head of Primary Care for the National Performers List, NHS England and John Hodson, Senior IG Specialist from NHS Digital introducing the new data security and protection toolkit that dentists will need to use for patient data.
Andrew Taylor, Head of the Dental Programme from the Office of the Chief Dental Officer, also spoke about new digital developments from NHS England of relevance to dental practitioners, including SNOMED CT.
A series of break-out sessions for delegates featured sessions on working with the media, given by Ashley Dé, Head of Communications at the BDA, an update on the GDC’s work, including Fitness to Practise data analysis and enhanced CPD by Executive Director of Strategy, Matthew Hill and Policy Manager Jessica Rothnie, and an update on the General Dental Protection Regulation, by BDA Practice Management Consultant Victoria Mitchell.

International dental charity Dentaid has launched its Christmas appeal for 2017 as it seeks to provide dental care for people caught up in refugee crises in Greece and Uganda.
The charity is raising funds to send teams of dentists to the refugee camps on the northern Ugandan border where 3 million people have fled from South Sudan. For £500 a day Dentaid can send 10 Ugandan dentists to the camps to run clinics for people in desperate need of dental care. Dentaid is also planning to send portable dental equipment to a medical facility set up in a nearby village where a room will be transformed into a dental clinic.
Dentaid has worked in Uganda for the last 15 years and supports a network of dental professionals who provide outreach clinics in poor and remote communities. Teams of volunteer UK dental professionals often travel to work alongside them. The scale of the refugee crisis in the north of the country is upsetting and shocking but there has been little media coverage about the people and their plight.
In Europe thousands, more refugees are preparing to spend another Christmas in overcrowded camps. In Moria Camp on the Greek island of Lesvos, Dentaid runs a clinic for refugees suffering severe dental pain. Last week the latest volunteering team returned from the island and described the conditions. “It’s simply terrible with about 7,000 people crammed into a camp designed for 2,000 and more people are arriving each day,” said trip leader Jane Lelean. “We treated 300 people in a week but we know we only scratched the surface and many more need urgent dental care. People are in terrible pain and have severe dental infections. It’s essential that Dentaid continues its work in Moria Camp.” Money raised by the Christmas appeal will fund more equipment for the dental clinic in the camp so teams of volunteers can treat more patients.
“Dentaid’s mission is to provide safe dental care to the most marginalised and vulnerable people in the world and this Christmas we are raising money to help those caught up in refugee crises in Uganda and Greece,” said Dentaid CEO Andy Evans. “Dental infections are adding to their misery and affecting their general health and wellbeing. We hope the whole dental industry will get behind this campaign and we would like to say thank you to everyone who supports us this Christmas.”
To donate to the appeal visit https://www.dentaid.org/Christmas/

Student dentist CHARLOTTE GENTRY reflects on her course…

“As I approach the final stretch of my course, I feel now would be a good time to reflect on what I wish I had known when I started. I think lots of these conclusions are probably common to many students and dentists, so, if you’re a student reading this, take note! • Time flies – that five-year cloud that looms over you, as you begin the first year really isn’t as bad as it seems. When I started the course, I couldn’t help but see a long, daunting the journey ahead and I wished my time away. Cliché maybe – but when you only have five years before you’re sent out into the big wide world, and these five years are coming scarily too close to the end. On reflection, I wish I had appreciated and enjoyed every second more than I did.

• The days really are as long as you’ve heard – before I actually began training, everyone I spoke to told me that dentistry is a 9-5 course. I found myself thinking, “this has to be an exaggeration” – it’s not. Obviously, four years in, I’m used to it, but I should really have tried to manage my time better from the start. Had I done so, I might have saved myself some stress! • It’s ok to ask for help – being surrounded by so many incredibly intelligent people who seem to understand things first-time round can make for an intimidating environment. I found this particularly to be the case for me and other colleagues who lack confidence. If I could go back, I would ask for more help when I needed it, rather than struggling and stressing myself out. We’re all learning, after all!
• You aren’t going to leave knowing everything – before beginning training, you look at professionals such as dentists and think they know everything in their field. This meant I embarked on the course thinking I needed to know everything by the time I
came out. I wish I had known it’s ok if you have to look something up in the BNF – and that there are postgraduate courses for a reason!
• Sometimes ‘textbook’ methods aren’t always the best – for every clinical procedure there are detailed, step-by-step methodologies on how to do something. When starting clinical work, you feel you have to follow these to a tee for every clinical scenario; you then find yourself wondering why something isn’t working. Every patient and the scenario is unique, and sometimes you have to mix up the way you work to achieve a good result!
• File your work – this may seem obvious, but keeping on track of filing is something I’ve found all we dental students struggle with! You get in from a long day and just throw your lecture notes onto an already sky-high pile. Exam time comes and you’re a disorganised mess – adding to the stress at an already demanding time. For any dental students reading this, filing stuff straight away is my number one top tip for you! Before you know it, finals will be upon you, at which the point you’ll be grateful you know where to find those notes on that dental public health
lecture from the second year!
• Those ‘pointless’ lectures are actually really important – you sit through the first year and wonder “how is this relevant to me?”. It’s only when you become a clinical student that you realise you should have already learnt those drug interactions and understood diseases like herpes and pemphigus and their effects on the oral cavity! I wish I had taken the time to properly understand things then and there; it would have saved so much work and time in the already hectic clinical years.
• Be a sponge – heading for those extra sessions on clinic can seem like far too much effort when you could be having a lie-in instead. It’s easy to forget you only have a finite amount of time at dental school; use it wisely and soak everything up! Observe
consultants doing fascinating surgical procedures, get those textbooks out, read journals. It all sounds like too much effort when you’re 19 and want to have fun, yet the minute you get on the clinic and start treating patients, this extra knowledge can really add to your learning and understanding.”