Author: Dental Design

BDA: Support needed as 9 million children miss out on care

The British Dental Association has stressed government must meaningfully support practices to boost capacity, as new official figures underline the collapse in NHS access during the Covid pandemic.

NHS dental statistics for England 2020/21 show the proportion of children seen by an NHS dentist in the last 12 months fell from 58.7% as of 31 March 2020 to 23 % on 31 March 2021, meaning over 9 million missed out on care in the year following the first lockdown.  

The BDA has emphasised the data is yet to capture the full impact of the pandemic on access to services among adults, where attendance is measured every two years.  49.6% of adults were seen by an NHS Dentist in the 24-months up to April 2020, falling to 42.8% in the period up to April 20211.

Figures also show 12 million courses of treatment were delivered in 2020-21, a decrease of 69% compared to the previous year.

Over 30 million courses of NHS treatment have now been lost since the first lockdown. Delays in diagnosis can mean poorer outcomes for patients, and can require more complex treatments.

Capacity across the service remains low. The BDA understands around half the NHS practices in England are not currently meeting controversial targets imposed by government that require them to hit 60% of pre-Covid activity levels, and as a result will face financial penalties. Dentist leaders stress this reflects the limits of what’s possible under strict infection control guidance, which remains largely unchanged since the resumption of routine care in June 2020.  A 45% target was imposed on 1 January 2021, days before the country entered a third national lockdown, rising to its current level on 1 April.

While every other UK nation has provided capital funding to help practices increase capacity through new high-volume ventilation systems, there has been no commitment from authorities in England. Investment here would quickly pay for itself through recovery of patient charge revenues.

The BDA is also seeking a clear roadmap to safely ease restrictions, including the instructions to maintain ‘gaps’ between appointments that have radically reduced patient volumes.  While in response to calls all four UK Chief Dental Officers issued an unprecedented joint statement in June indicating a review would take place, there has been no meaningful relaxation of standard operating procedures2.

Access problems were already widespread prior to the pandemic, with funds allocated to provide NHS care for barely half the population, and unmet need estimated at over 4 million people, or nearly 1 in 10 adults3. With oral health inequality now expected to widen the BDA has urged the government to be ambitious, and ensure recent pledges to reform NHS dentistry turn the page on both the current crisis and historic problems that have dogged the service.  

Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee said: “Millions are still missing out on dental care, and patients will be paying the price for years to come. Dentists in England have had capacity slashed by pandemic restrictions, and need help to get patients back through their doors.  Sadly while every other UK nation has committed funds, Westminster chose to impose targets that thousands of practices are now struggling to hit.

“To deliver for patients we need real support, and a clear roadmap to ease restrictions. But even before Covid there simply wasn’t enough NHS dentistry to go round. We cannot return to a ‘business as usual’ where access problems are the norm.”

An ADI Member Exclusive

The ADI Members’ National Forum is one of several fantastic benefits available to members of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI). This year’s event will be extra special as one of the first ADI live events to return to the profession.

To be held on 6 November 2021 at the Royal College of Physicians, London, the ADI Members’ National Forum 2021 provides an opportunity for members to share their industry-leading expertise, personal insights and latest research. A combination of GDPs, experienced practitioners, dental nurses, dental hygienists and therapists and dental technicians are invited to speak during the call for papers, ensuring a broad learning experience for all the team.

What’s more, this will be an ideal opportunity for members to finally enjoy some time with friends and colleagues after so long apart!

The ADI Members’ National Forum is for ADI members only – join today to gain access to this and many other exclusive benefits.

 

For more information about the ADI, or to join, please visit the website www.adi.org.uk

Henry Schein Ireland raises money to support in-home care for children

Pat Bolger, Managing Director of Henry Schein Ireland, recently took on a challenge known as “Everesting”. Accompanied by four Naas Cycling Club members, he cycled the height of Mount Everest by summitting Ireland’s Sorrel Hill 35 times in one day to raise awareness and money for the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.  

The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of 6, with a range of neurodevelopmental issues including brain injury, genetic diagnosis, and severe cerebral palsy. The organisation offers a child and family centred care service and believes that families should be supported to care for their children in their own homes. The Specialist Children’s Liaison Nurse (SCLN) will make contact with affected families once a referral has been received. Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation’s service offers the expert support of the SCLN who will advise, help and advocate for the family as well as overseeing the in-home nursing service.*

“This is such an important and worthwhile support for children with additional needs and their families,” said Pat Bolger. “Sometimes, taking the time to listen can reduce some of the worries that come when caring for a child with neurodevelopmental issues. Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation is doing this and so much more and I am very grateful to be able to support their great work by raising awareness and some money for their activities.”

Every €18 raised covers one hour of much needed nursing support. The team raised €18,500 for Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation so far. The JustGiving fundraising page remains open until mid of September.

Pat Bolger’s participation in this cycling challenge is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate responsibility programme. Henry Schein Cares stands on five pillars: empowering Team Schein to reach their potential; advancing health equity and expanding access to care for underserved communities; accelerating environmental sustainability; strengthening and diversifying our supply chain; and maintaining strong ethical governance. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on four main areas:

  1. Wellness, treatment, prevention, and education
  2. Capacity building
  3. Emergency preparedness and disaster response
  4. Health system strengthening.

* Source: Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation

The easy to apply restorative composite

When providing composite restorations, correct placement is paramount for successful outcomes.

But have you ever noticed that a number of composites on the market are difficult to place accurately or often result in excess material being used?

Cut the waste and place with ease with 3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative.

The innovative syringe design has been specifically developed to prevent bubble formation and material run-on during and after dispensing.* Plus, the dispenser features a bendable cannula that helps guide accurate placement, even in deep restorations.

3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative is versatile, reliable and easy-to-use – just some of the reasons that it was recently named as “Innovative Product of the Year” at the 2021 Dental Advisor awards!

Find out more today visit:3M.co.uk/filtek-flow

*3M internal data

 

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

Time to SEE and be seen

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) is looking forward to welcoming our members, students and peers across the profession to this year’s Oral Health conference (OHC).

The theme of this year’s show is SEE and be seen – encouraging dental hygienists, dental therapists and students of the profession to develop their skills, evolve in their careers and engage with the profession and the wider community.

With exceptional educational sessions, the chance to mingle and network with colleagues and friends and plenty of hands-on content, this year’s OHC is a conference not to be missed!

Reduced ticket rates are available for members of the BSDHT, students and newly qualified dental hygienists and dental therapists.

The OHC will take place at the SEC in Glasgow on November 26-27.

 To find out more, please contact the BSDHT today.

 

 For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk

call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk

Advancing treatment, advancing yourself

Dental implants are the premier treatment for edentulism, but many practitioners often feel unsure of where to begin. Ucer Education’s Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Implant Dentistry (EduQual Level 7), led by Specialist Oral Surgeon, Professor Cemal Ucer, has helped thousands of dentists become proficient in all aspects of implantology.

The multi-system programme will help you to build knowledge in everything from core clinical skill competencies, to getting the most out of a fully digital workflow and much more. This course marries the theoretical to the practical, ensuring that by the end of training you will have a broad knowledge of all aspects of modern implant dentistry. It doesn’t stop there, though, with on-going support and mentorship available beyond the initial teaching.

If you decide to take your studies further, the course is an excellent step towards an MSc in Implant Dentistry. Find out more today!

 

For more information on the PG Cert in Implant Dentistry from Ucer Education – supported by Geistlich, Megagen, Neoss, and General Medical – please visit www.ucer.education or call Prof Ucer on 07767 645331

Email ucer@oral-implants.com

www.ucer-clinic.dental

Clinical excellence remains a priority

Despite everything this past year has thrown at us, clinical excellence has remained a priority for dental providers across the UK. To ensure that you continue to utilise the latest, evidence-based materials, techniques and technologies, don’t miss the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2021.

Lectures will be tailored to each member of the dental team, with a wide array of topics covered by leading lights in their respective fields. Hours of enhanced CPD, as well as hands-on workshops and live demonstrations will be available for all to enjoy.

There will also be a dynamic trade show with various dental manufacturers, suppliers, training providers and charities on hand to inform and inspire the team.

Make sure you and your team don’t miss out to maintain clinical standards in your practice!

 

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2021 will be held on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd May, Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

For more information, visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

Mental health and dental health

The past year has been a particularly hard time for patients, and no less hard on their teeth. While vaccination efforts are well under way, and the end is hopefully in sight, the scars of the pandemic will be felt for years to come.

One key area of concern is mental health. Stigma around mental health concerns has improved in recent years, leading more people to seek the help they need. However, even before the pandemic began, accessing already overstretched mental health resources and services was far from ideal for many. The pandemic has been a double blow, increasing the environmental stresses people are under (loneliness, economic hardship, bereavement, etc.) while simultaneously putting more pressure on services directly with minimised contact and reduced staff availability.[1]

At present, research suggests that around two-thirds of patients diagnosed with mental illness have to wait more than a month from their initial assessment to get a second appointment. For a quarter of patients that wait extends to more than three months, and one-in-nine are left waiting for more than half a year. Delays in treating mental health are dangerous and damaging to patients, and can lead to dire consequences – with one-in-nine patients left waiting for mental health treatment ending up in A&E. Right now, there are patients with eating disorders, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and gender identity disorders who have been left waiting for multiple years without treatment.[2] This is after patients take the steps to seek treatment, which itself can be a personal battle.

Mental health issues have systemic effects on other aspects of a patient’s life and health, which can easily tip into a vicious circle. Deteriorating mental health can lead to problems keeping or seeking work, which can lead to financial problems, and so on – all of which reduce quality of life and create additional psychological stress. The longer mental health issues go untreated, the greater the chances of further harm, and worsening circumstances for the patient.[3]

It is anticipated that some of the hardest hit by this pandemic will be fellow healthcare providers. For those in frontline care, which is already a demanding profession, the preceding year has created breaking point conditions with little to no reprieve. According to research conducted by King’s College London, around 40% of intensive care unit staff in England have PTSD symptoms, while 6.3% may have severe depression, and 11.3% show signs of severe anxiety. This research was conducted between June and July 2020, before the winter wave hit. Elsewhere, the British Medical Association reports that 60% of doctors in England and Wales are suffering with anxiety or depression.[4] While those in frontline healthcare may be among the hardest hit, evidence suggests that many more people from all walks of life have been deeply affected.[5]

Psychological distress can adversely affect patients’ oral health in a multitude of ways. Regurgitation, which can be a recurrent symptom of eating and anxiety disorders, can rapidly damage dental enamel. Even where vomiting is infrequent or not present, these and other mental health disorders are associated with higher levels of dental erosion, and worse periodontal health than in patients without these conditions.[6],[7],[8],[9]

Bruxism has a complex aetiology that is still not fully understood, but it has been associated with stress, sleep pattern disturbances and mental illness.[10] Bruxism varies dramatically between patients: duration, frequency and force can all be quite different, so some patients see little damage while others experience major problems, with severe cases causing occlusal load to be anywhere from 2-10 times higher than in non-bruxers.[11] Bruxism can be highly damaging to teeth, cause dental implants to fail, and is associated with temporomandibular disorders.[12],[13] Bruxism is also linked to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and when present together, the conditions can aggravate each other leading to severe tooth wear and erosion.[14] Other sources of acid (for instance dietary), can soften the enamel increasing the risk of damage from bruxism and other processes.[15]

These are difficult challenges to resolve, but to give teeth a fighting chance, patients should be encouraged to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste such as Arm & Hammer™ Enamel Repair™. Featuring Liquid Calcium™ technology, this toothpaste has been specially engineered to help restore surface enamel by filling in micro cracks and crevices. Help your patients remineralise and strengthen their teeth by recommending a quality toothpaste.

Mental health problems are not quickly or easily resolved, and the pandemic has created a perfect storm of circumstances that have made things very challenging for countless patients. During this time, it is important to support patients in maintaining the rest of their systemic health, including helping mitigate and repair damage done to their teeth.

 

For more information about the carefully formulated Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste range, please visit http://www.armandhammer.co.uk/
or email: ukenquiries@churchdwight.com

Arm & Hammer™ oral healthcare products are available in-store and online at Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons throughout the UK.

 

Author

Maxwell O’Neill, professional educator for Waterpik

 

[1] Johnson S., Dalton-Locke C., Juan N., Foye U., Oram S., Papamichail A., Landau S., Olive R., Jeynes T., Shah P., Rains L., Lloyd-Evans B., Carr S., Killaspy H., Gillard S., Simpson A. & The COVID-19 Mental Health Policy Research Unit Group. Impact on mental health care and on mental service users of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods survey of UK mental health care staff. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2021; 56: 25-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01927-4 April 12, 2021.

[2] Royal College of Psychiatrists. Two-fifths of patients waiting for mental health treatment forced to resort to emergency or crisis services. Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2020. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2020/10/06/two-fifths-of-patients-waiting-for-mental-health-treatment-forced-to-resort-to-emergency-or-crisis-services April 12, 2021.

[3] Reichert A., Jacobs R. The impact of waiting time on patient outcomes: evidence from early intervention in psychosis services in England. Health Economics. 2018; 27(11): 1772-1787. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6221005/ April 12, 2021.

[4] Mahase E. Covid-19: many ICU staff in England report symptoms of PTSD, severe depression, or anxiety study reports. BMJ. 2021; 372: 108. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n108 April 13, 2021.

[5] Royal College of Psychiatrists. Country in the grip of a mental health crisis with children worst affects, new analysis finds. Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2021. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2021/04/08/country-in-the-grip-of-a-mental-health-crisis-with-children-worst-affected-new-analysis-finds April 13, 2021.

[6] Dynesen A., Gehrt C., Klinker S., Christensen L. Eating disorders: experiences of and attitudes toward oral health and oral health behavior. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 2018; 126(6): 500-506. https://doi.org/10.1111/eos.12578 April 12, 2021,

[7] Pallier A., Karimova A., Boillot A., Colon P., Ringuenet D., Bouchard P., Rangé H. Dental and periodontal health in adults with eating disorders: a case-control study. Journal of Dentistry. 2019; 84: 55-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2019.03.005 April 12, 2021.

[8] Radeef A., Faisal G. Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among patients with periodontal disease. Journal of International Dental and Medical Research. 2017; 10(2): 260-264. http://www.jidmr.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/12_D17_376_Ghassak_Ghazi_Faisal.pdf April 12, 2021.

[9] Zheng D., Kang X., Wang Y., Huang Y., Pang C., Chen Y., Kuang Z., Peng Y. Periodontal disease and emotional disorders: a meta-analysis. 2021; 48(2): 180-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13395 April 12, 2021.

[10] Saczuk K., Lapinska B., Wilmont P., Pawlak L., Lukomska-Szymanska M. Relationship between sleep bruxism, perceived stress, and coping strategies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(17): 3193. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173193 April 12, 2021.

[11] Wu Y., Arsecularatne J., Hoffman M. Attrition-corrosion of human dental enamel: a review. Biosurface and Biotribology. 2017; 3(4): 196-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsbt.2017.12.001 April 12, 2021.

[12] Bucci C., Amato M., Zingone F., Caggiano M., Iovino P., Ciacci C. Prevalence of sleep bruxism in IBD patients and its correlation to other dental disorders and quality of life. Gastroenterology Research and Practice. 2018; 7274318. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7274318 April 12, 2021.

[13] Zhou Y., Gao J., Luo L., Wang Y. Does bruxism contribute to dental implant failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2016; 18(2): 410-420. https://doi.org/10.1111/cid.12300 April 13, 2021.

[14] Li Y., Yu F., Niu L., Hu W., Long Y., Tay F., Chen J. Associations among bruxism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tooth wear. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2018; 7(11): 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm7110417 April 12, 2021.

[15] Wu Y., Arsecularatne J., Hoffman M. Attrition-corrosion of human dental enamel: a review. Biosurface and Biotribology. 2017; 3(4): 196-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsbt.2017.12.001 April 12, 2021.

Royal recognition for DDU’s employee training programme

The excellence of the Dental Defence Union’s employee training has been recognised by HRH the Princess Royal. City and Guilds group has awarded the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the parent organisation of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), with a Princess Royal Training award for its membership development training.

The not for profit, mutual organisation previously won the award in 2018 and is the first and only dental defence organisation to hold the award.  

Commenting on the achievement, John Makin, head of the DDU, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our training programme has been recognised with the Princess Royal Training (PRTA) award. We are one of only 46 organisations who received awards and are the only dental defence organisation to be given this accolade.

“It’s vital that our team acquire the right levels of knowledge and competency to ensure members receive an efficient and quality service. This is the foundation of all that we do and underlines our member focused ethos.”

Craig Johnson, MDU membership learning and development manager said: “I am extremely proud of everyone in our membership services team and am delighted that we have won an award in recognition of their ongoing learning and development.

“Throughout the pandemic, when delivering an efficient service was paramount, our team answered more than 116,000 calls with over 83% answered within 20 seconds. In addition, we answered 100% of the 107,000 items of member correspondence within five days of receipt. Our induction programme, ongoing coaching and skills development path facilitate high levels of knowledge and skill, meaning many of our team develop long term careers across the organisation.”

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group said:  “The last 18 months have caused disruption to the way most organisations operate which has led to major changes for all of us in how we live and work. Despite these challenges, it’s fantastic to see so many organisations’ continued commitment to training and development as well as the positive and life changing impact learning can have on people.”   

Find out more at www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com.

A successful practice sale despite everything

Dr Adnan Rehman reflects on his recent practice sell, which he completed with the support of Dental Elite:

“I decided to sell my practice due to existing personal and professional commitments. I was looking for a buyer that could look after the practice and protect all the good work that we had put into it over the years. It was important to me that the buyer would continue providing high-quality care for patients and looking after the staff. 

“I needed an agent to help me find a dentist that would be caring enough to fulfil these ambitions and who shared my philosophy when it comes to dentistry. 

“I’d had dealings with Dental Elite in the past and had been quite happy with them, so I decided to approach them again. I worked very closely with Julie Randle, who was very warm and had a fantastic personality. At no point did she come across as ‘salesy’ and there was no pressure on me.

“During the process, Julie always kept me up-to-date with any situation. I can’t commend her enough for how she kept me motivated during the sale. I felt like she understood the process, as well as how the seller feels and she became a real friend during the transaction.

“The biggest challenge for my practice sale was trying to work around the restrictions and other challenges caused by COVID-19. This, combined with all the uncertainty in the industry and further afield, made the process difficult at times.

“However, we got there in the end! I would highly recommend Dental Elite again – particularly Julie Randle – to any dentists wanting to sell their practice to someone who is going to look after it post-completion. Thank you to Julie and Dental Elite.”

 

For more information on Dental Elite visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.uk or call 01788 545 900