Author: Dental Design

Age is not just a number

A hundred years ago people expected and accepted the idea of wearing full dentures in later life. Today, the majority of people aged over 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth. Progress in prevention, dental care and public attitudes has greatly improved, which is an achievement that should be celebrated. However, the provision of dental care for older people has become more complex. For example, periodontitis is apparent to some degree in most older adults[1] and globally, high levels of tooth loss, dental caries, xerostomia and mouth cancer are evident.[2],[3] Where once treatment may have consisted of providing older people with full dentures, it now requires increased attention to manage and maintain the oral health and well-being of our ageing population.

According to Age UK there are almost 12 million people aged 65 and above in the UK.[4] Health conditions that remain common in this cohort include hearing loss, cataracts, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia.[5] Many older adults are likely to experience one or more long-term or chronic health conditions and more than half of adults aged 65-74 take prescribed medication.[6] The most common side effect of the most widely prescribed medicines is xerostomia[7] and with a reduction of saliva and its natural anti-microbial properties, this poses an increased risk of dental decay and oral disease.[8] Nevertheless, the care of older adults is largely focused on managing long-term conditions and improving disability and frailty. Consequently, the mouth is one of the first areas that can become neglected by people with infirmities in old age.[9]

People that have difficulty with mobility or manual dexterity can have problems with daily activities such as performing an effective oral hygiene routine, preparing meals and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Those that experience pain as a result of dental issues can have problems sleeping or eating properly and patients that are embarrassed about the condition of their teeth may be reluctant to speak, smile or socialise. As well as a higher risk of dental caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss, poor oral health can have wider implications on general health, well-being and quality of life.

Research has shown that there is an association between poor oral health and a range of adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory problems.[10] Over the last two decades evidence has emerged to suggest that diabetes can heighten the chances of developing periodontal disease[11],[12] and increase periodontal destruction.[13] However, this is a bi-directional issue as periodontal infection can adversely impact glycaemic control,[14],[15] and make it more difficult for diabetic patients to control their blood glucose levels. Poor oral health has also been linked with frailty, which is associated with adverse outcomes such as hospitalisation, disability, functional decline, the need for long term care and even death. Frailty is defined by the presence of at least three of the following characteristics – low grip strength, low energy, slowed walking speed, low physical activity, and/or unintentional weight loss.[16]  Tooth loss, denture related problems and dry mouth can all influence eating, chewing and swallowing functions which in turn, can affect nutritional status. Moreover, composite or cumulative oral health problems are associated with greater risk of incident frailty. [17]

Recently a systematic review indicated that patients with periodontitis may have a higher probability of developing cognitive impairment than those without periodontitis.

Studies suggest that the relationship between periodontitis and cognitive decline may be attributed to three possible mechanisms – direct process through the bloodstream; an indirect process through inflammatory mediators or induction of expression of platelet aggregation proteins.[18] It should be noted that patients with cognitive decline may have difficulty with self-care and oral hygiene, which could explain a higher incidence of periodontal disease in these individuals. However, studies reveal that periodontitis is associated with an increase in cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Indeed, research conducted in 2019 showed that proteins produced by the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (a keystone pathogen in chronic periodontitis) are highly concentrated in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.[19]

Oral health is generally under-recognised in the assessment and care of older adults. Yet as discussed, it may provide useful markers for conditions such as frailty and cognitive decline and offer a valuable addition to the health screening of individuals in later life. The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) provides a voice for dental hygienists and dental therapists. It listens, responds and supports its members, influences positive change and actively promotes the vital contribution that these clinicians make to the ongoing health of the nation.

The extent and severity of oral conditions intensify with age and the complexity of treatment required is likely to increase dramatically over the coming years. Good oral health forms an essential part of the healthy ageing process and ensures that individuals can participate in life free from pain and embarrassment. It allows older people to enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet that contributes to their well-being, quality of life and general health.

 

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

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

 

Author:

DIANE ROCHFORD – President BSDHT. CEB DIP DENT HYGIENE 1996, BSC (HONS) 2016. DENTAL HYGIENIST

 

[1] Thomson W.M. Epidemiology of oral health conditions in older people. Gerodontology 2014 31 (suppl.1): 9-16. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ger.12085 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[2] Petersen P.E et al. Improving the oral health of older people: the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. April 2005; 33(2)81-92. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00219.x [Accessed 24th October 2018]

[3] Tonetti M.S. Dental caries and periodontal diseases in the ageing population: call to action to protect and enhance oral health and well‐being as an essential component of healthy ageing – Consensus report of group 4 of the joint EFP/ORCA workshop on the boundaries between caries and periodontal diseases. J Clin Periodontdol 2017: 44 (S18) S135-S144. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jcpe.12681 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[4] Age UK. Later life in the United Kingdom 2019. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/later_life_uk_factsheet.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[5] World Health Organsiation (WHO). Fact sheet. Ageing and health. http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[6] NHS. Almost half of adults take prescription drugs. Dec 2014. Findings from The Health Survey for England 2013. https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/almost-half-of-all-adults-take-prescription-drugs/ [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[7] Public Health England and The British Association for the Study of Community of Dentistry. What is known about the oral health of older people in England and Wales. A review of oral health surveys of older people. Published December 2015. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/489756/What_is_known_about_the_oral_health_of_older_people.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[8] Faculty of Dental Surgery of Royal College of Surgeons. Improving older people’s oral health. file:///Users/pr/Downloads/FDS%20Improving%20older%20peoples%20oral%20health%202017%20(2).pdf [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[9] Saunders M.J and Yeh C. Oral health in Elderly people. Chapter 8. http://samples.jbpub.com/9780763782627/9780763782627_CH08_PASS01.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[10] Siegal E. et al. Interventions to improve the oral health of people with dementia or cognitive impairment: A review of the literature. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 2017;21(8):874-886. https://europepmc.org/article/med/28972239 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[11] Dr Guglielmo Campus et al. Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: A Case-Control Study

 Journal of Periodontology 2005, 76(3) 418-425.  http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2005.76.3.418 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[12] Ira B Lamster et al. The relationship between oral health and diabetes mellitus. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2008, 139, Sup 5,19S-24S. http://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)63883-6/fulltext [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[13] Mealey BL. Periodontal disease and diabetes. A two-way street. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006 Oct;137 Suppl:26S-31S. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17012733 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[14] Mealey BL. Diabetes and periodontal disease: two sides of a coin. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2000 Nov;21(11):943-6, 948, 950. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11968145 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[15] Taylor GW et al. Periodontal disease: associations with diabetes, glycaemic control and complications. Oral Dis. 2008 Apr;14(3):191-203. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336370. [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[16] Fried LP et al. Frailty in older adults: evidence of a phenotype. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Mar;56(3):M146-56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11253156 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[17] Ramsay S.E. Influence of poor oral health on physical frailty: A population-based cohort study of older British men. JAGS March 2018: 66(3) 473-479 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jgs.15175 [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[18] Nascimento P.C. et al. Association with periodontitis and cognitive impairment in adults: A systematic review. Front Neurol 2019: 10: 323. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6492457/pdf/fneur-10-00323.pdf [Accessed 19th October 2020]

[19] Dominy S.S. et al. Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors. Science Advances. Jan 2019: 5(1); eaau3333. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333.full [Accessed 19th October 2020]

Align Technology launches new hygienist programme – Improving Oral Health Through Tooth Alignment

Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN), has announced the launch of a training programme, specifically created for hygienists and therapists to help improve oral health through tooth alignment. The programme is designed to show dental hygienists and therapists the pivotal new role they can play within a multi-disciplinary, digitally-focused practice. The four-part series is delivered on a dedicated Invisalign webpage and is free for dental hygienists and therapists keen to learn how their expanded scope of practice makes them the ideal partner for dentists, offering Invisalign treatment.

An initial pilot for the programme proved extremely popular amongst the 150 hygienists and therapists who participated, and it has now been available nationwide across the UK. The agenda for the four-part online programme runs as follows:

  • Part 1: An educational session about how the Invisalign system fits into the hygienist/dentist interface and practice workflow; how to identify the patients who could most benefit from tooth alignment to improve their oral health; and how to introduce the Invisalign concept during the hygiene consultation.
  • Part 2: How to effectively communicate with patients during the Hygiene consultation.
  • Part 3: The relationship between oral health and straight teeth.
  • Part 4: How to implement a digital workflow between practitioner and hygienist in the practice: how to diagnose and scan with the iTero inter-oral scanner.

Part Three of the programme is presented by Anna Middleton, who was the highest ranked dental hygienist on this year’s Dentistry Top 50 – coming in at number 9 – and best known to her 11.6k Instagram followers as the @LondonHygienist. Here Anna explains more about the new training programme and the new role she plays in upskilling her peers:

“This is an online programme, especially developed for dental hygienists and therapists to give them an insight into how Align Technology offers a solution to aid patients in their treatment choices. I will be discussing both how I use digital scanning to have open conversations with patients about their dentition, and how I use it in my iTero workflow as an aid to the other clinicians in practice.

“More and more hygienists and therapists are looking for ways to help their patients achieve high levels of good oral health, as well as building further skills by offering additional services, which can create a unique and positive patient journey. They are also keen to undertake such additional roles to help their practices to continue their growth. In the pilot sessions of the programme delegates were keen to learn more about how they could incorporate digital scanning into their scope of practice. They were also keen to develop ways to initiate conversations with patients about teeth straightening, and why these conversations are so important. I was able to share some of the dialogue I use and discuss the steps I take with my patients.

“With this orthodontic programme, there a real scope of opportunities for these dental professionals. I always say ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’. Often when I see a patient under direct access, they may not have visited a dental practice for some time. It is during this time I can discuss not only their oral health but their dental health. I use scanning of my patients as a digital record and we all know the saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’… it couldn’t be more true. The scans allow me to show patients all the areas in their mouth in detail, and use it to discuss any concerns they may have – then discuss potential solutions.

“Hygienists and therapists play an important role in any dental practice. The start of any smile make-over journey will begin with a session with me, and the dentists I work with always stress the importance of good oral hygiene and health in order to achieve results and well as preserve their treatment for long after it has been completed. Many of my patients who had difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene due to crowding, have now said how much better their mouths feel and how much easier it is to clean. Those who had more frequent visits in a year are now on 6-12 month recalls.

“I have had conversations with some hygienists and therapists who would like to use their expanded scope of practice more. I believe there is plenty of work to go round and often all it takes is to have a few open discussions with the team and implement a new workflow. The dentists I work with have special interests in aesthetic and restorative dentistry and by sending elements of work to me, means they can focus on the areas they best enjoy. This in turn, is also a better use of their time.

“I see the Invisalign programme helping hygienists and therapists to help their patients as we know misalignment of teeth can be a contributing factor to poor oral hygiene and tooth wear. While Invisalign treatment may not be suitable for all patients – it is the dentist or specialist orthodontist who makes the assessment and decides if the patient is a suitable candidate for a clear aligner treatment – it is a discrete and affordable solution, and one that some patients might not even be aware of. I still have patients who think that ‘braces’ means ‘metal train tracks’ so by being able to scan patients for Invisalign treatment means that you can offer options to your patients. The programme will also show hygienists and therapists other benefits of scanning as it records restorations and calculus. I use digital scanning for all my impressions now. I had a patient who desperately wanted whitening but could not tolerate alginate impressions, I used the iTero to scan their teeth to produce their whitening trays – this was a complete game changer for them.

“The iTero digital workflow between me and the dentists I work with has made things really simple. I have longer appointments for all new patients which allows plenty of time to scan and then treatment options with the patient. Then if there is anything they would like to discuss further, I book them in with the dentist, and because they have already had a scan, they can then continue the conversations – it is like passing the baton seamlessly. We are also now slowly scanning all existing patients so we have base-line digital recordings. It is easy to assume that patients are happy with their smile, but that can change over time. I have found that patients have been fascinated by the technology and then they tell me about what they see, that they do not like – which is the best way to initiate conversation about what we can do to help.

“Hygienist and therapists are in a prime position to carry out scans, by utilising those in your team who are happy and want to take on extra duties, the practice should be able to see an improvement in workflow and time management, as well as an increase in revenue, which I am sure would be welcomed by any dentist.”

Working in tandem

Anna Middleton works with Dr Rhona Eskander, who added: “I think this hygienist programme is such a good idea because ultimately the success of the Invisalign workflow depends on teamwork. The hygienist tends to have a very good relationship with the patients so educating them that aligning the teeth has a massive benefit on oral hygiene is a huge help. Patients are more likely to understand about teeth straightening options because the hygienist had already highlighted the benefits. Anna sees patients herself as a result of Direct Access and often I get referrals for aligning their teeth. In my experience the hygienist convinces the patient to have treatment before you have even seen them, so ultimately more patients can be seen because the hygienist has already had that discussion with the patient.

“I would advise dentists to get on board with this Align hygienist programme particularly if their staff are already talking to their patients about Invisalign treatment. With so many more hygiene than dental appointments, it makes sense to involve their hygienists and it is something that really should not be missed.”

Access to the training programme is via the Invisalign portal and to register, the dental hygienist or therapist needs to log on in collaboration with the Invisalign provider in the practice where they work using their IDS number. CPD certification is conferred on all participants on completion of the course.

Thanks to Dr Nishan Dixit for outstanding leadership

The BACD would like to thank Dr Nishan Dixit for spearheading the Academy as President for the last year.

Dr Dixit brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the BACD Presidency, helping the Academy progress and maintain a strong community of members during an extremely challenging period of time.

He will continue to serve as a vital cog in the clockwork of the BACD’s operations, supporting Dr Paul Abrahams in his role as the next President.

Everyone at the BACD wishes Dr Dixit the very best of luck in his future endeavours within and beyond the Academy.

 

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com

Helpful, reliable systems and service

Amy Booth, Practice Manager at Delph Dental in Swadlincote tells us about her experiences with Eschmann’s customer care and why she would recommend Eschmann products to others:

 

“The customer service from Eschmann is simply exceptional. Our engineer, Mark, is always incredibly friendly and provides the team with CPD to ensure that we are all using the systems properly and to their full potential – he is always happy to help!

“We have the Little Sister SES 2010 Non-Vacuum Autoclave and the SES 2000 Autoclave as well as a Washer Disinfector, and all three of these systems are excellent value for money – I would rate them all 10/10! I would also recommend Eschmann systems to other professionals as they are easy to use and dependable.”

To find out more, contact Eschmann today.

 

For more information on the highly effective and affordable range of decontamination equipment and products from Eschmann, please visit www.eschmann.co.uk or call 01903 875787

“I rarely need to take a second impression”

Jon Portner of Portner Pittack Dental Practice has used COLTENE’s impression materials for the last 15 years.

“For accurate crown and bridge work, AFFINIS™ and PRESIDENT™ offer choices – different washes, working and setting times and consistencies. Different colours too, which I am able to mix and match. AFFINIS™ PRECIOUS materials, in gold and silver, have a variable working time, for example. The materials are predictable and easy to handle and my dental nurse Jadeen loves working with them too!

“I rarely need to take second impressions and the material is well-tolerated by my patients. Likewise, my technicians almost never send impressions back for a retake.

“As well as AFFINIS™ and PRESIDENT, I like COLTENE’s Jet Blue Bite Fast registration material. The specialists at our practice expect nothing less than the highest-quality materials to work with, to deliver exceptional treatment.”

 

For more on COLTENE, visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.

Maintaining safety and peace of mind

Some safety measures in the dental practice are being adjusted in order to improve productivity and efficiency. This has only been made possible by optimising other aspects of infection control.

Giving practitioners and patients total peace of mind, the new Curasept H2O2 Mouthwash from J&S Davis provides an effective pre-procedural solution. The latest in a line of globally popular Curasept products, it contains 1% hydrogen peroxide to minimise the risk of infection by gargling the solution before dental treatment commences.

Combined with the Curasept ADS 220 Mouthwash, it provides a comprehensive solution that helps to maintain the highest safety standards for everyone in the practice. Contact J&S Davis for more details.

 

For more information on the industry-leading products available from J&S Davis, visit www.js-davis.co.uk, call 01438 747 344 or email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry gains two new editors

The International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (IJPD) has two new Editors. Dr Chris Vernazza has been appointed Honorary Editor by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) while Professor Donald Chi has been appointed Editor-in-Chief by Wiley, which co-owns the journal with BSPD and the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD). Both will sit on the journal’s editorial board.

The journal is a membership benefit for both BSPD and IAPD members and dental schools around the world maintain a subscription.

Professor Chi will work closely with Wiley on the day-to-day production of the IJPD. Based in Seattle, Professor Chi is a paediatric dentist and a health services researcher whose focus is on oral health inequalities and on improving oral health for vulnerable populations. He is Professor of Oral Health Sciences in the University of Washington School of Dentistry and Professor of Health Services and Associate Chair for Research in the School of Public Health.

Professor Chi commented: “Premier journals like the IJPD facilitate global knowledge exchange with the goals of improving clinical care, providing an

evidence base for optimal health policies, and pushing the boundaries of science. I am honoured and thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with a community of scholars to identify and showcase work that will benefit children’s oral health worldwide.”

Dr Vernazza will assist by reviewing some of the hundreds of annual article submissions as well as assessing the BSPD conference abstract submissions. His research interests are in health economics and health services research.

He commented: “It’s exciting to be involved in one of the world’s top journals in the field and to contribute to the dissemination of excellent research and evidence which is so vital for the care of young patients. I am delighted to be working with Professor Chi.”

Truly adaptable

Take advantage of the hybrid x-ray unit that’s truly adaptable.

The Orthophos S 3D combines a CSL sensor with an autofocus function, enabling it to produce high-resolution images at the lowest possible radiation dose – even in anatomically difficult cases. It also features automatic patient positioning aids such as an occlusal bite block and 3-point head fixation system to prevent incorrect exposures.

Furthermore, if you wish to advance your diagnostic capabilities, the Orthophos S 3D has you covered with the facility to retrofit a cephalometric arm or 3D sensor without having to replace the entire unit.

Discover the benefits of the Orthophos S 3D by contacting Clark Dental.

 

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Tapping into the power of social media

Very few aspects of our modern world are as pervasive as social media. It has quickly become part of the home, workplace and just about every other element of daily life. It also continues to evolve at such an astonishing rate that it’s difficult to predict exactly what changes it will bring about next. What we do know is that social media usage is increasing rapidly, especially at a time when a global health crisis is driving more people online in order to stay connected with each other. For dental professionals, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge to better engage with patients and, consequently, boost business.

According to a report by We Are Social and Hootsuite, there are now 3.96 billion social media users worldwide. Of the 3.7 hours that people spend using mobile phones each day, approximately half is spent on social and communication apps, meaning these platforms account for the same share of our mobile time as all of our other mobile activities put together. Unsurprisingly, Facebook continues to dominate as the most used social media platform, but others that are proving popular too include YouTube, Whatsapp, Instagram and TikTok.[1]

There are various reasons why people use social media, with the key motives being to entertain themselves, stay in touch with friends and family, and keep up-to-date on news and current events.[2] It is clear from the research that social media has become central to our lives, so it’s no wonder that it is having a profound impact on human behaviour, including how we perceive ourselves and others. Within an increasingly appearance-focused society, social media gives us the power to represent ourselves online in a way that we choose and can, therefore, influence body image.[3]

Due to the emphasis that social media places on self-image, some people feel motivated to invest in cosmetic procedures in order to enhance the way that they look, which is a key driver behind the rising popularity of cosmetic dentistry. At a time when we are spending more time on social media and video calling each other, many patients are seeing themselves more often on a screen and are undoubtedly feeling more conscious about their smile. Attitudes towards oral health are further influenced by celebrities, beauty bloggers and social media stars, many of whom are using their online platforms to endorse cosmetic dental procedures.

In turn, some patients are investing in treatment to emulate their idols and improve the health and appearance of their smile. This presents a chance for dental professionals to promote the benefits of minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry that ensures an effective, long-lasting result in the safest, most ethical way. In fact, now is the ideal time to engage with patients about their oral health, given the surge in screen time as a result of lockdown measures – the latest Ofcom research into online behaviour revealed that people in the UK spent 36% more time on social media during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April.[4]  

With people likely to be looking at their screens more frequently and absorbing more information, this is your opportunity to improve communication with existing and prospective patients. Social media marketing is still in the early adoption stage within the dental profession, but more and more clinicians are benefitting from the power of being active on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These social media networks ultimately provide a vital link to patients that every dentist should be tapping into as a means of promoting their services, including cosmetic dentistry – an area of practice that’s already high in demand.

A major factor in ensuring success is to invest in a marketing strategy that outlines why you want to be on social media, who your target audience is, what content you are going to share, where you are going to distribute this content, and when you will do so. With image-sharing at its heart, Instagram, in particular, can be an effective platform for you to showcase your cosmetic dental work, including before-and-after images of past cases you have completed. These photographs can also be used to demonstrate your track record of success, as well as your passion, skill and experience in delivering top-quality results.

Of course, determining how best to maximise your time on Instagram can be challenging, which is why the BACD offers useful insight on the topic through an online CPD course, available via its members portal on the BACD website. Entitled “Building Influence With Instagram”, this in-depth webinar is presented by social media expert, Shaz Memon, who covers everything you need to know about Instagram, including how to attract new patients, grow your followers authentically and the type of account you should have. This provides a foundation of knowledge for you to explore the benefits of using Instagram for yourself.

Considering the effects of social media on self-image, having healthy, beautiful teeth is more important to people than ever before. Take advantage of social media now to show patients exactly what they can achieve with their smile through minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatments, delivered by the best clinicians in the field.

 

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com

 

Author:

Nishan Dixit qualified from Guy’s Dental Hospital in 1994. After qualifying, he worked as an associate in a couple of practices in North-West London for 5 years. In 2000, he established Blue Court Dental in Harrow, Middlesex. Being in a general practice environment, he covers all aspects of dentistry. However, he has a particular interest in minimally invasive aesthetic dentistry.

He is the Past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and was previously the Scientific Director. Prior to this, he served on the Anglo-Asian Odontological Group (AOG) Committee for 10 years in various capacities.

Following his passion has led him to be trained by leading clinicians both nationally and internationally.

 

[1] Kemp, S. (2020) Digital 2020: 3.8 billion people use social media. We Are Social. Available at: https://wearesocial.com/blog/2020/01/digital-2020-3-8-billion-people-use-social-media. [Last accessed: 24.09.20].

[2] GlobalWebIndex. (2020) Social: GlobalWebIndex’s flagship report on the latest trends in social media. Available at: https://www.globalwebindex.com/reports/social. [Last accessed: 24.09.20].

[3] Martinez-Aparicio, P. et al. (2019) Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes: An Exploratory Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 16(21): 4177. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214177.

[4] Ofcom. (2020) Online Nation: 2020 Report. Available at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/196407/online-nation-2020-report.pdf. [Last accessed: 24.09.20].

Real game changers

Dr Akit Patel from Perlan Specialist Dental Centre in Eastbourne shares his thoughts about the new RelyX Universal Resin Cement and Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive from 3M Oral Care:

“A game changing cement and adhesive that can do it all. I only need one bottle and one syringe for all my direct and indirect adhesive restorative workflows. I was one of the first to test them and they work beautifully. I used the predecessor adhesive for 10 years and have now upgraded to Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive from 3M – this is the best glue with ultimate strength, speed and simplicity.”

 

Visit 3M.co.uk/RelyX-Universal to learn more and find out how you can try these products completely risk-free.

 

END

 

3M, Scotchbond and RelyX are trademarks of the 3M Company.