Managing plaque levels is key for reducing the risk of periodontal issues. As such, mouth rinses which contain antimicrobials act as a helpful supplement for those who are at a higher risk of developing periodontal issues, as well as patients with limited dexterity.

Perio plus Balance mouth rinse from Curaprox is the ideal oral hygiene supplement for patients who are at a higher risk of dental disease. The rinse contains 0.05% chlorhexidine, CITROX®, polylysine, and xylitol. Each active ingredient works to control bacteria and protect against caries. This is the perfect solution for patients who need long-term protection against gingivitis and periodontitis – as the rinse can be used day and night for up to six months.

To find out more about the Perio plus range, please contact the Curaprox team today.

For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk

Are you looking to freshen up your patients’ oral hygiene routines? Visit Curaprox on stand J55 at the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show at the NEC Birmingham.

This is a great way to see Curaprox toothbrushes, toothpastes, interdental brushes and more in person, and pick up your new favourite products! Discover our new Curaprox Wood Ultra Soft toothbrush made using ultra-durable beech-wood, as well as our Aligner Foam, the ideal solution for patients with clear aligners.

Dental hygienists in attendance will have the chance to enrol and claim a FREE Chairside Box. You can also get involved in our Touch 2 Teach demo with our CS 5460 toothbrush and are welcome to try your luck in our Spin to Win game too!

Join us on 17-18 May to discover our full range and pick up your favourite products.

For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk 

Clyde Munro recently delivered training for dental students from Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow at its state-of-the-art Advanced Dentistry & Clinical Skills Centre in Perth.

Dr Amanda Bassey-Duke delivered the training to Glasgow and Dundee dental students. She says:

“The students loved it and it was a pleasure to present the training days! The discussion around AI technology in dentistry was particularly popular, as it is technology that many students had previously only dreamt of. 

“Clyde Munro practices are among the few in Scotland to have access to such equipment. We have everything from in-house CT machines to intraoral scanners, AI-assisted radiography diagnostic software, CEREC machines and an in-house, fully equipped training centre. I think it’s important for students to know what’s available after training and that all of this can be accessed here in Scotland.

“Clyde Munro has invested a lot in its facilities and in training dentists to ensure they can maintain an exceptional standard of dentistry. It’s been a fantastic place to work with a forward-thinking team. They also follow through on their promises – I was promised mentorship and access to quality tools, and that’s exactly what I got when I joined.”

Find out about the career opportunities and vacancies available with Clyde Munro today at careers.clydemunrodental.com.

Dr Teki Sowdani has opened two new clinics in recent years, the first project undertaken July – August 2020, and the second September – October 2023. He describes his experience of working on his most recent project, and offers advice to anyone looking to embark on a similar journey:

Preparing for the project

My motivation to set up a new clinic was to be able to implement all of the ideas I had gathered and developed while working as an associate to give the best experience to my patients.

The main goal was to make the practice feel as little like a dental practice as possible so that we could create a calming environment for our patients, allowing them to feel relaxed and at home. At the same time, I wanted to offer them the latest technology and the best quality of care.

My main worry was having to run the practice and everything that involves, as well as giving patients my undivided attention as well. The project took me a long time to prepare for, financially. Mentally, it was going through the pandemic that gave me the extra push to chase my dreams – because nothing was guaranteed.

From the very first conversation that I had with Matt Rowlingson from Clark Dental, I was really impressed with the service that I received and how bespoke things could be for the practice that I was building. The communication was always great and that gave me the confidence that, even after the project was finished with regards to aftercare and the maintenance side of things, I would be looked after.

Decision making around equipment

I had an idea of the equipment I wanted as I was lucky enough to have trialled some in the practice that I was working in as an associate. Then it was a case of me finding the best and the very latest versions of that equipment. Clark Dental helped me in my decisions to ensure I was choosing the right solutions for my own practice – the advice from the team was always bespoke, taking my unique needs into account at all stages.

The Axano treatment centre has taken intuition to the next level for a dental chair. I am still being amazed by the new features that it has. And, from a style perspective, it wows every patient that comes in. It is also practical and comfortable for the patient, which are incredibly important requirements.

I have had previous experience using the x-ray systems that I chose, and the team at Clark Dental offered advice and recommendations with regards to the specific models (Dentsply Sirona Xios Supreme digital x-ray kit and Nomad hand held x-ray machine) to allow me to meet the needs of the practice. Similarly, I was familiar with autoclaves and handpieces from W&H, and Clark Dental helped me to decide on the specific models.

The installation process was smooth and it was good to get to know the engineers during the process. I found it very interesting, they were great at explaining things – and I was able to take great progress pictures along the way which was helpful.

Reflecting on the experience

I was quite lucky as to not come across major challenges during the project, it went very smoothly. I believe this was a credit to Clark Dental – always being at the end of the phone and being flexible with my working day, especially considering that we were a busy clinic with patients every day. I had found it much more manageable than anticipated to balance these two sides of my work.

I definitely met my main goal with this project. It makes me happy every time I have a patient that comes in and gives feedback. Patients don’t feel like they’ve come to the dentist, and describe how relaxed they feel. I have also received feedback from other dentists who come and visit the practice to do training, who are also wowed by the quality of the equipment that we have. To them, everything looks and feels very premium which is fantastic.

Opening my new clinic has allowed me to create the work life balance which was difficult to achieve without having my own business. It has also given me an insight into the workings of owning and running a practice rather than solely clinical work. And I have been able to meet some really nice and helpful people in the industry.

My advice to others would be that, when you are creating a project like this, it’s important to build life-long relationships. This is because it’s not just a case of once you’ve built the practice that’s it, there is a lot of maintenance and things that might potentially go wrong. So, you need to be comfortable and feel safe that who you’ve chosen to work with are going to be able to deliver the aftercare that you may need.

I would definitely recommend Clark Dental, and when I opened up my second site, there was no question as to who I was going to use to install the equipment and support me there.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email

info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Author:

Dr Teki Sowdani is the owner of and principal dentist at Teeth by Teki, a private aesthetic clinic in Islington which focusses on elevating patient care. Over the past 10 years, Teki has built his experience, skills, and social media presence, providing Invisalign and composite bonding to his patients.

Rodericks Dental Partners is a top choice for dental hygienists and therapists to develop their careers alongside a large network of peers.

At the heart of Rodericks Dental Partners is a belief that empowered, supported professionals are better equipped to offer the best care for patients, and this is embodied in the extensive development opportunities offered to all team members.

For high-quality CPD, that covers all core CPD topics, and ongoing skills development alongside supportive mentors, peers and clinical advisors, Rodericks Dental Partners is the best choice for dental hygienists and therapists looking to expand their horizons.

Contact the team today to find out more about the benefits of working with Rodericks Dental Partners.

To find out more about what it’s like to work with Rodericks Dental Partners and to discuss current vacancies, you can visit www.rodericksdentalpartners.co.uk/careers

Reliable imaging enables you to decrease the time to diagnosis and accurate treatment. Clark Dental understands the importance of this, which is why they offer a wide range of intraoral and extraoral imaging systems to meet your needs.

The Dentsply Sirona XIOS XG Supreme AE is an excellent option. With multiple functions and features like varying cable lengths, sensor sizes, and connectivity options, the sensor can adapt to your requirements.

XIOS XG Supreme delivers fantastic image quality, as well as the ability to immediately see images on the computer. The sensor is designed to optimise chairside diagnosis for all patients, whether you provide general or restorative dentistry, endodontics or hygiene procedures.

To find out more about the XIOS XG Supreme from Clark Dental, please contact the team today.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email

info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Visit Carestream Dental and the Swissmeda team at the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show in Birmingham, 18-19 May, at stand J40.

Envision your future practice with the CS 8200 3D Family of CBCT systems. For those starting their CBCT journey, get access to more confident diagnoses, improved patient care and the possibility of growing your business with the NEW CS 8200 3D Access. For an optimized workflow, extended fields of view and scout view, the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition allows you to transform your care without compromise.

Attendees will also be able to see how artificial intelligence has already made an impact on dentistry with the exceptional AI Insights tool. This has the ability to automatically analyse panoramic x-ray images with immediate assessments on the spot, now including new detections such as Mandibular Canal Proximity and Perio Pro Mode.

Additionally, our Swissmeda team will guide you through the implant workflow from acquiring your imaging data to implant planning, surgical guide design and finishing with fully guided surgery.

Visit Carestream Dental at the BDCDS in May to find out more about leading imaging solutions in dentistry, or contact the team today.

For more information on Carestream Dental visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

Intraoral scanning gives the dental professional accurate data and streamlines processes, while patients benefit from greater comfort than traditional impressions alongside enhanced education and trust.

The award-winning Virtuo Vivo^TM Intraoral Scanner[i] from the Straumann Group is a small and lightweight solution which is ergonomically designed for a pen-like grip. It uses an open system, allowing the clinician to easily export and share scan data with partner laboratories.

With the Virtuo Vivo^TM hard and soft tissue are scanned from multiple orientations simultaneously, capturing difficult-to-see areas with minimal effort. It also boasts a removable, autoclavable sleeve in coated metal to ensure proper hygiene standards.

With two out of three patients saying they would consider switching to a dentist who uses more advanced technology,[ii] discover how the Virtuo Vivo^TM Intraoral Scanner could transform your practice by visiting the website today!

For more details, please visit
https://www.straumann.com/digital/us/en/home/equipment/io-scanners.html

[i] Virtuo Vivo^TM won Most Improved Intraoral Scanner as well as the People’s Choice Awards 3^rd Place best scanner of 2022, voted by over 3,500 dentists from around the world.

[ii] The Need for Digital Dentistry Education: A Global Evaluation of Patients’ Awareness, Attitudes and Behaviors, Carestream Dental.

Later this year, the Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, bringing together the finest athletes from across the world to compete as we watch on in awe.

Physical health is key for these professionals, as well as the everyday athletes in the world around us – the Saturday morning park runners, the weekend-away cyclists, and the 5-a-side footballers of the world. Dentists have the responsibility of looking after the oral health of those that are physically active in our communities, especially when they could be at a greater risk of oral health issues.

A range of problems

Whilst the athletes of the world may be the most in tune with their bodies, they could be at a greater risk of oral health issues. The literature describes the incidence of caries among professional athletes sitting between 15% and 70%, dental trauma between 14% and 70%, dental erosion at 36%, and periodontal disease up to 15%.[i]Athletes in two sports were described as at a higher risk of oral health issues; football and swimming.ⁱ

A study of F.C. Barcelona players found they had more than double the presence of active caries compared to dental students studying at the local university, as well as a decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMF) index of 5.9.[ii] Further research has observed that around 37% of football players lived with active caries.[iii]

Interestingly, athletes in more competitive sports have been observed to have significantly more decayed teeth, as well as increased probing depths, when compared to those that take part recreationally[iv] – even when they have similar oral hygiene behaviours.^iv Whilst clinicians may treat elite athletes on a regular basis, understanding the effects of consistent exercise could help dental professionals support those that are more active in everyday life.

Running themes

The link between sporting activity and oral health features a number of nuances that will affect each of your patients differently. This could be based on the exercise they partake in, how they sustain themselves in each sport, as well as their own oral hygiene routines.

If a patient presents with an increased accumulation of dental plaque, they may be putting their gingival health at risk during exercise. It can reduce the immune response dependent on the activity performed, its duration and intensity, making patients more susceptible to infections, including periodontal disease.ⁱⁱⁱ Removing this plaque with a regular oral hygiene routine is essential to prevent the development of an infection.

Advantage to the acids

One noticeable oral health change during exercise is the increased rate of salivary flow, which is reflected in the literature.[v] Saliva helps to protect the oral and peri-oral tissues with an antimicrobial and cleansing impact, whilst neutralising acid production and controlling the plaque pH.[vi] Yet the increased flow during sporting activities may not provide such benefits.

Physical activity produces lactic acid, which lowers the blood pH. Salivary secretion relies upon nutrients from the blood, and a change in salivary pH will depend on the blood levels of CO₂.[vii] With an increase during exercise, CO₂ is transferred to the saliva at a high rate, thus decreasing the salivary pH.ⁱ In acidic conditions, bacteria can cause severe damage, putting individuals at risk of enamel demineralisation.[viii]

Personal dental trainer

It makes sense that these biological processes could make up some of the oral health disparity between athletes and less active individuals, which could be compounded as the intensity of competition increases with elite level sports. Plus, fluids such as sports drinks are commonly used to rehydrate during exercise, but they too are often high in sugar and acidic in nature, in turn decreasing the salivary pH.^vii

Active individuals, from professional athletes to the everyday gym-goer, must look after their oral health with an effective dental hygiene routine. By removing any present plaque and bacteria that rests in the oral cavity, they can minimise the negative impacts exercise has on their health.

Dental professionals should reinforce the need for toothbrushing twice daily to remove leftover plaque and food, as well as interdental cleaning. Using both together improves periodontal health and maintains caries-free surfaces in the long-run.[ix]

Suggesting effective products to your active patients helps them remain healthier over time, whilst they continue participating in the sports they love. This could include the Waterpik^® Cordless Slide Water Flosser, a compact solution that collapses to 50% of its size for convenient storage at home or when travelling for sporting events. It effectively helps patients manage their oral health, as the Cordless Slide is 50% more effective for improving gum health compared to string floss,[x] whilst reducing up to 99.99% of plaque from treated areas.[xi]

Patients should be encouraged to keep up with regular exercise due to its myriad benefits for general health. However, dentists are uniquely situated in a role where they can provide them further protection against the lesser-known risks that come with being active, all by reinforcing the need for a brilliant oral hygiene routine.

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/.

Anne Symons Bio:

Anne Symons is  a Dental Hygienist currently working in a Specialist  Periodontal/implant practice and also a busy NHS surgery. She has previously worked in a Max Fax unit, and also taught Oral Health  care to staff in Nursing and Residential  homes. Anne is also a Professional Educator for Waterpik.

[i] Tripodi, D., Cosi, A., Fulco, D., & D’Ercole, S. (2021). The impact of sport training on oral health in athletes. Dentistry journal, 9(5), 51.

[ii] Gay Escoda, C., Pereira, D. M. V. D., Ardèvol, J., Pruna, R., Fernandez, J., & Valmaseda Castellón, E. (2011). Study of the effect of oral health on physical condition of professional soccer players of the Football Club Barcelona. Medicina Oral, Patología Oral y Cirugia Bucal, 2011, vol. 16, num. 3, p. 436-439.

[iii] de la Parte, A., Monticelli, F., Toro-Román, V., & Pradas, F. (2021). Differences in oral health status in elite athletes according to sport modalities. Sustainability, 13(13), 7282.

[iv] Merle, C. L., Richter, L., Challakh, N., Haak, R., Schmalz, G., Needleman, I., … & Wüstenfeld, J. (2022). Orofacial conditions and oral health behavior of young athletes: A comparison of amateur and competitive sports. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 32(5), 903-912.

[v] Ntovas, P., Loumprinis, N., Maniatakos, P., Margaritidi, L., & Rahiotis, C. (2022). The effects of physical exercise on saliva composition: a comprehensive review. Dentistry journal, 10(1), 7.

[vi] Dodds, M., Roland, S., Edgar, M., & Thornhill, M. (2015). Saliva A review of its role in maintaining oral health and preventing dental disease. Bdj Team, 2, 15123.

[vii] Tanabe, M., Takahashi, T., Shimoyama, K., Toyoshima, Y., & Ueno, T. (2013). Effects of rehydration and food consumption on salivary flow, pH and buffering capacity in young adult volunteers during ergometer exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 49.

[viii] Frothingham, S., Keith Fisher, J., (2018). What Is the pH of Saliva? Healthline. (Online) Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-saliva [Accessed December 2023]

[ix] Pitchika, V., Jordan, R., Micheelis, W., Welk, A., Kocher, T., & Holtfreter, B. (2021). Impact of powered toothbrush use and interdental cleaning on oral health. Journal of Dental Research, 100(5), 487-495.

[x] Rosema NAM et al. The effect of different interdental cleaning devices on gingival bleeding. J Int Acad Periodontol 2011; 13(1):2-10.

[xi] Gorur A, Lyle DM, Schaudinn C, Costerton JW. Compend Contin Ed Dent 2009; 30 (Suppl 1):1 – 6.

Explore the many benefits of the premier clear aligner, ClearCorrect^®, at an inspiring educational conference this summer.

The event, ‘Elevating ClearCorrect^® Excellence 2024’ on June 14 at Millennium Point, Birmingham, is a one-day experience for dental professionals who want to know more about the latest innovations in clear aligner treatment. It will also cover how to achieve the outstanding results made possible through ClearCorrect^® with sessions presented by practitioners already well-versed in the system.

Learn about the unique advantages of ClearPilot^™ 8.0., the ClearCorrect^® planning software, which – more than any other system – puts full control over treatment plans in the hands of the dental professional as well as enabling greater collaboration with patients.

ClearCorrect^®, the innovative clear aligner treatment trusted by clinicians all over the world for predictable results.

Find out more about ClearCorrect^®, and how it can benefit you and your patients. Book now for ‘Elevating ClearCorrect^® Excellence 2024’ to take part: https://event.clearcorrecteducation.co.uk/

For more details, please visit

ClearCorrect – Education – Education for dental Professionals to up their ClearCorrect Game