dentist

BOS encourages patients to enter Against the Odds award 2018

The British Orthodontic Society’s Against The Odds award showcases the transformative power of braces by identifying the best account of orthodontic treatment told by a patient. Entries are now being encouraged for the deadline of 31 August 2018.

Patients who enter the award should describe in five hundred words their experience of treatment, explaining how the final outcome was achieved “against the odds” and how their specialist supported them through the treatment.

Sponsored by Ormco, the award is open to children and adults and is now in its 12th year. The most recent winner was 17-year-old Lubo Rnic. (www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Against-the-Odds/Against-the-Odds-Lubos-Story)

Lubo’s orthodontic treatment was carried out by Bristol-based orthodontist Dr Peter Thomas after speech and language therapist Sarah Barnett suggested that orthodontics could help Lubo.

The first prize is £750 worth of travel vouchers for the patient while the orthodontist is awarded with a trophy. To download the entry form: www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Against-the-Odds

Dental Protection: Good record keeping key in phase-down of dental amalgam

Dental Protection is reminding dentists in the UK to maintain good clinical records and obtain full consent if a decision is made to use amalgam as a restorative material, ahead of changes to EU Regulations on its use.

The EU Mercury Regulation is intended to protect the environment from the adverse effects of mercury pollution. It reflects the aims of the Minamata Treaty to reduce the use of dental amalgam in the medium to long term, and to eventually phase it out altogether.

From 1 July 2018 amalgam is not to be used in primary teeth, children under 15 years and during pregnancy/breastfeeding – except if deemed necessary on the ground of ‘specific medical needs’. This should be interpreted as including the specific dental needs of the patient.

By 1 July 2019 the UK and other EU member states will be required to have a national plan on the phasing down of the use of dental amalgam.

Dental Protection advises members to take extra care in obtaining consent and record keeping, to help in defending any future claims, complaints or regulatory investigations that may arise from the use of amalgam in the restricted groups.

Dr Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection, said: “Complaints and claims may arise despite a dentist’s efforts to ensure that patients are satisfied with their treatment. Therefore, in situations such as these extra care needs to be taken.

“If a dentist deems it appropriate to use amalgam in a patient in one of the restricted groups, they must communicate the rationale to the patient, or the person who has parental responsibility for them, explain why the decision is in the patient’s best interest, and provide information about the material risks and benefits of amalgam in that particular situation. Valid consent must then be obtained ensuring they are aware of the restriction in specific patient groups.

“In order for the patient or their guardian‘s consent to be valid, they should be given the opportunity and time to ask questions about the proposed treatment to make an informed shared decision.

“Once the decision has been agreed, the justification for placing the amalgam should then be recorded in the patient’s clinical records, along with any discussions about the options, risks, benefits and costs as part of the consent process.

“Records should state clearly on what basis the decision to use amalgam in one of the restricted groups was taken, and that it was made with the patient or guardian’s full knowledge and understanding.”

The use of amalgam is so far not restricted in patients who do not fall into the identified groups. However, patients with knowledge of the restriction may express anxieties about the use of dental amalgam in their own mouths.

In these circumstances Dental Protection advises members to discuss the position of the EU Regulation with the patient, explain the risks and benefits, discuss any alternatives and ensure proper consent is obtained before proceeding with the treatment. Details of this discussion should be recorded in the patient’s records.

Dr Raj Rattan added: “Without proper consent and comprehensive, well-kept records, a dentist will be heavily disadvantaged in defending any allegations made down the line. Detailed records of treatment will influence whether a case can be defended or whether it will need to be settled. Dental Protection can provide members with further advice and guidance.”

Henry Schein Orthodontics presents fourth Annual European Carriere Symposium in Paris

Henry Schein Orthodontics, the orthodontics business of Henry Schein, Inc., has announced its fourth Annual European Carriere Symposium that will take place from 20-22 September 2018 in Paris, France, at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile Hotel.

The symposium will focus on the latest technologies and evidence-based treatment protocols to achieve an entirely new level of orthodontic excellence. Attendees will have the chance to learn about new and innovative concepts and tools that make a total-health difference in the lives of patients. From the ground-breaking SAGITTAL FIRST Philosophy to the new Carriere SLX 3D Complete Bracket System and Carriere MOTION 3D Appliances, renowned speakers will present innovative concepts to help diagnose and establish treatment plans. They will share proven strategies that increase clinical efficiency, shorten treatment time, and help achieve extraordinary long-term results.

The keynote speakers and inventor of the Carriere Philosophy, Dr. Luis Carrière, will focus on evidence-based clinical solutions for the treatment of complex class II and III cases.

“Innovations in our profession are ranging from equipment and new tools to treatment concepts that positively impact every aspect of how we achieve consistently, clinical excellence while enhancing the patient experience,” said Dr. Carrière. “Therefore, it is crucial to be open to new concepts, embrace innovations that deliver dental, facial and total health results that exceed patients’ expectations. With a simple, bonded biomimetic device such as MOTION 3D Appliances, for instance, utilising the SAGITTAL FIRST Philosophy orthodontists can reposition the mandible, expand the airway and balance the relationship between the nose, upper and lower lips and chin for enhancing facial harmony – either for Class II or Class III cases. This results in a non-invasive approach to face and health-driven orthodontics that greatly reduces extractions and surgery and thus the need for interdisciplinary therapy for the good of patients. I am convinced that orthodontists play a social importance in people’s lives.”

Dr. Luis Carrière will be supported by the programme chairman, Dr. Dave Paquette, who is also Henry Schein Orthodontics’ lead clinical advisor and presenter of “The Evolution of Self-Litigation”, and featured speaker Dr. John Graham, who will talk about how “SAGITTAL FIRST will transform today’s orthodontic practice”, along with an impressive line-up of world-renowned speakers.

Additional speakers and topics include:

  • Dr. Ana Maria Cantor (Spain) Simplification of Class II and Class III Corrections Treatment Protocol
  • Dr. Peri Colino (Spain): CBCT in Orthodontics: Advance 3D Solutions
  • Dr. Francesco Garino (Italy): Aligner therapy simplified: Fewer trays, less time, better results.
  • Dr. Antonio Guiducci (Italy): SAGITTAL FIRSTTM with passive self-ligation: Transforming today’s orthodontic practice.
  • Dr. Glenn Krieger (USA): Increased case acceptance, amazing clinical images, and lower stress.
  • Dr. Jep Paschal (USA): SAGITTAL FIRSTTM treatment approach explained.
  • Dr. Olivier Setmon (France): The benefits of achieving a Class I platform in mixed dentition.
  • Dr. Norihid Tsubura (Japan): Shifting the way we approach complex cases, by turning them into simple cases.

The presentations will be held in English and Spanish and simultaneously translated into French. Breakout sessions will be offered in French, Spanish and English. A breakout session will be dedicated for hands-on exercises.

At the symposium’s exhibition area, a broad spectrum of the latest innovations and new clinical solutions will be showcased, focusing on the integrated processes of the digital orthodontics workflow, including intraoral scanning, digital imaging, clinical orthodontic planning, and 3D printing.

In addition, networking will be available to allow orthodontists the opportunity to share their experiences with other peer professionals from around the world.

As in prior years, the event is expected to sell-out, bringing together leading orthodontic speakers and forward-thinking attendees in a powerful learning environment. To register, visit www.carrieresymposium.com

A great buzz and valuable learning

Following a highly successful collaboration between the British Dental Conference and CloserStill Media, the British Dental Association and Dentistry Show 2018 has already received some amazing feedback.

Susie Sanderson OBE, President of the BDA, commented: “I thought the event had a great buzz about it and everyone I spoke to seemed to enjoy themselves enormously. This is important for me, as it demonstrates the coming together of dentistry. It’s something we previously achieved with the BDA Conference and I’m pleased that it has been perpetuated in the joint event. The collaboration of CloserStill Media and the BDA appeared to be greater than the sum of its parts, so we were really getting the best of both worlds.

“It was lovely to see the event busy the entire time. I learnt a huge amount from the sessions I chaired in the BDA Theatre, which were all full, with enthusiastic audiences that asked lots of questions. The speakers were very high quality and the theme was entirely appropriate for today’s dentistry. The Theatre delivered high class CPD that offered some very valuable learning for delegates.”

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 will take place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May at the Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

Dental Awards winners revealed!

The prestigious Dental Awards event took place this evening (Friday) at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, celebrating the hard work, commitment and passion of hundreds of dental professionals from across the UK.

There were 21 different awards presented throughout the night, with around 10 finalists in each category. Below is a list of the winners, and the finalists that were chosen as Commended or Highly Commended.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Professor Liz Kay OBE

 

Best National Smile Month Event

Winner – University of Glasgow Dental School

Highly Commended – Boundaries for Life

 

Dentist of the Year

Winner – Gary Stacey

Highly Commended – Patrik Zachrisson

Commended – Andrew Taylor

 

Young Dentist of the Year – South

Winner – Andrew Wilson

Highly Commended – Andre Faro Leite

Commended – Kamil Ahmed

 

Young Dentist of the Year – North & Central

Winner – Affan Saghir

Highly Commended – Nigel Parkash

Commended – Michael Hicks

 

National Young Dentist of the Year

Winner – Andrew Wilson

 

Dental Therapist of the Year

Winner – Amy Hills

Highly Commended – Suzanne Morton

 

Dental Hygienist of the Year

Winner – Jocelyn Harding

Highly Commended – Gulab Singh

Highly Commended – Renate Putrus

 

Website & Digital Campaign of the Year

Winner – Narberth & Herbrandston Dental Practices

Highly Commended – London Hygienist

 

Dental Nurse of the Year – South

Winner – Rebecca Silver

Highly Commended – Alisha Shaw

 

Dental Nurse of the Year – North & Central

Winner – Joanne Speight

Highly Commended – Catriona Thornton

 

National Dental Nurse of the Year

Winner – Joanne Speight

 

Dental Practice of the Year – South

Winner – Pure Periodontics

Highly Commended – Bow Lane Dental Group

 

Dental Practice of the Year – North & Central

Winner – Andrea Uhbi Dentistry

Highly Commended – Revive Dental Care

 

National Dental Practice of the Year

Winner – Pure Periodontics

 

Dental Practice Manager of the Year

Winner – Lesley Holden

Highly Commended – Hannah Haines

Highly Commended – Mariana Sadowska

 

Dental Practice Team of the Year – South

Winner – Imogen Dental

Highly Commended – The Wessex Dental Specialist Centre

Highly Commended – Wensleydale Dental Practice

 

Dental Practice Team of the Year – North & Central

Winner – Andrea Ubhi Dentistry

Highly Commended – Sharoe Green Dental Practice

Highly Commended – New Road Dental

 

National Dental Practice Team of the Year

Winner – Andrea Ubhi Dentistry

 

Dental Practice Design & Interiors

Winner – Sorriso Dentistry

Highly Commended – Novos Dental Clinic

Commended – The Sandford

Commended – Happy Kids Dental

 

Dental Receptionist of the Year

Winner – Emma Hobbs

Highly Commended – Sarah Singleton

 

Huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists this year!

Testing the water with your infection control knowledge

Have you ever wondered how up to date you and your colleagues are regarding infection control and water lines in your practice?

CleanCert, which specialises in developing innovative dental infection control and water purification products, is providing you with the perfect opportunity to test your infection control knowledge via a thought-provoking survey.

To be launched at this year’s Dentistry Show in Birmingham, held later this week on 18 and 19 May, this simple survey will help dental professionals understand what is required of them to achieve ‘best practice’, as well as enabling CleanCert to tailor a programme to support customers going forward.

Commenting on this exciting new project, Simon Davies, Managing Director, said: ‘Those of us working in dentistry know that there’s more to infection control that meets the eye, and there is more to CleanCert, too. Whilst our products meet all of the practice’s health and safety needs, all the while achieving ‘best practice’ safely, easily and cost-effectively, we know there’s more to be done.

“That is why we created this survey, in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the realities of infection control and water lines in dental practice for those working at the ‘coal face’. Once we have collected and analysed the data, we at CleanCert will be able to offer our customers a greater level of service than ever before, because we will have a better understanding of the limitations and challenges facing the dental team in their pursuit of ‘best practice’.”

To take part, simply pop by stand H100 – where you can be sure of a warm welcome – or complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DL23GKK before the end of June 2018.

What’s more, anyone who completes the survey before the cut-off date will be entered into a prize draw to win a luxury spa day for two at a Mercure Hotel.

For further details, visit cleancert.co.uk, email sales@cleancert.co.uk or call 08443 511115.

Tooth decay in five-year-olds now increasing in some parts of England

Survey figures published by Public Health England (PHE) show the state of oral health of five-year-olds in the North West, Yorkshire and The Humber and the West Midlands has worsened since the last survey in 2014-2015, bucking a previous improving trend. Overall, in 2016-2017, 23.3 per cent of five-year-olds in England experienced tooth decay, improving from 24.7 per cent in 2014-2015.

More than a third (33.9 per cent) of five-year-olds in the North West have tooth decay, according to PHE’s data. The proportion of five-year-olds with tooth decay is also very high in Yorkshire and The Humber, where 30.4 per cent have rotting teeth. In the West Midlands more than a quarter (25.7 per cent) of five-year-olds are suffering decay.

The Faculty of Dental Surgery has said that although an overall drop in the percentage of 5-year-olds is welcome and reflects the work that has gone into educating families about oral health in recent years, including through NHS England’s new Starting Well programme, more needs to be done to stop deterioration in the worst affected areas of England.

Stephen Fayle, Board Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons, said: “We are very disappointed the proportion of young children with tooth decay has increased in some areas of England, especially as this deterioration has occurred in parts of the country where decay levels are already high. This growing inequality is despite efforts to educate children, parents and carers. It is even more concerning when you consider that approximately ninety per cent of dental decay is preventable.

“More work must be done to understand why the message isn’t getting through in these areas, or if it is, why it isn’t leading to the decrease in tooth decay, seen in other parts of the country. With so many children still suffering from decay, we also need to make sure children can easily access NHS dental services, which are free for under-18s.

“We are pleased the overall number of five-year-olds in England with tooth decay continues to decrease. Many, including the Faculty of Dental Surgery, have worked hard in recent years to make people aware of the awful state of our children’s teeth.

“We can’t let children’s oral health fall off the Government’s agenda. We need to be constantly pushing for public health initiatives that remind families to brush teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste, reduce sugar consumption and visit the dentist routinely.

“We would also like to see the promising ‘Starting Well’ initiative rolled out more widely across the country – for example, there are currently no programmes in the West Midlands even though this region has seen a rise in levels of tooth decay.”

The full results of the oral health survey of five-year-old children 2017 published by Public Health England are available here: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-children-2017

Dental charity’s new website gives new opportunities to campaign for better oral health

The Oral Health Foundation has re-launched its website, with the focus on giving its supporters more opportunities to be actively involved in raising awareness of important causes.

The new online platform not only allows visitors to support all the charity’s campaigns and activities, such as National Smile Month (which is now underway for 2018), but also gives many more chance to participate in them.

The website (www.dentalhealth.org) also houses its own dedicated fundraising platform, which means that individuals and groups can create and share their own fundraising efforts and raise money for a series of charitable causes related to oral health.  

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, is excited by the possibilities brought by the new website.

Dr Carter said: “For more than 45 years’ we have worked with people and organisations who are passionate about raising awareness of oral health. This new website is all about providing these supporters with a platform which will make campaigning for oral health issues easier and more effective.

“Our new home also allows you to take a more in-depth look at who we are and what we do. Our charitable activities and the causes we support sometimes go under the radar, so we are delighted to be better able to share our successes with our supporters, the ones who make it all possible.”

As part of the launch, the charity’s patient-facing information, which was accessed by more than three million visitors last year, has been adapted to make it simpler for people to find what they need.

The Oral Health Foundation has also delivered a multi-language portal, which allows users to access all their oral health information across nine other world languages.

“It has been a remarkable project and one that we hope can have a real and tangible effect on the general public’s knowledge about oral health.

“More than 600,000 words have been translated by native-language speakers to ensure patients from as many countries as possible have access to trusted oral health information. These can also be used by health professionals for non-English speaking patients, with confidence and reassurance about the quality of information.”  

Visitors can also read about the latest oral health news, take interest in a series of new blogs and read the charity’s digital magazine.

The Oral Health Foundation’s Dental Helpline will also be available for those seeking answers to their oral health questions. The free advice line is staffed by fully trained and qualified dental experts and has been a useful tool for health professionals looking to point patients in the right direction in between appointments.

The charity is also excited to announce the launch of a brand-new online shop, which makes it easier for dental teams and oral health educators to find and purchase all the products they for oral health promotion.

Director of Educational Resources at the charity, Amanda Oakey, said: “Oral health promoters and professionals see such a wide range of people throughout the course of their careers and all these people require different needs.

“That’s why we spend a great deal of time producing high quality information and oral hygiene products to health professionals for their patients and local community.

“Our new online shop features our entire catalogue of more than 500 products and is incredible easy-to-use. I urge anybody involved in promoting oral health to go online and take a look.”

The redesigned website is live now at www.dentalhealth.org.

Susie Sanderson inaugurated as BDA President

Susie Sanderson OBE, a leading figure in national and international dental politics, was installed yesterday (10 May) as the President of the British Dental Association (BDA), succeeding Peter Dyer. In a break with tradition, the presidential inauguration took place for the first time at the BDA’s head office at 64 Wimpole Street, London.

This is not the only first for Susie, since she was also the first female dentist to be elected to the high-profile position of chair of the BDA’s Executive Board (this preceded the current Principal Executive Committee). She served the maximum six-year term and combined her BDA duties with working as a general dental practitioner in Yorkshire.

Susie’s work on behalf of the dental profession has also been recognised internationally, on both the European and global stages, playing key roles at the Council of European Dentists and the FDI-World Dental Federation. Respected for her leadership on many thorny issues of the day, including antimicrobial resistance, amalgam, and professional regulation, last year she was elected speaker of the FDI General Assembly.1

A distinguished career in dental politics has also seen her serve the profession at local level. She is a previous chair of Sheffield Local Dental Committee and in 2004 was elected chair of the annual conference of Local Dental Committees.

In her inauguration address, Susie Sanderson highlighted the similarities between dentists’ experience wherever they worked, be it in the UK, in Europe or beyond. Common to all, she said, are the tensions between personal professional accountability and the perverse incentives set out by health authorities.

Referring to the BDA’s 2017 manifesto, Putting Prevention First, she urged governments to get a grip on the oral health agenda, and pointed out the paradigm shift in modern caries management to the minimally invasive approach which contrasts with the staggering numbers of children who are admitted to hospital for multiple extractions for tooth decay at staggering costs to the NHS.

She said she couldn’t understand how this shift in treatment could be delivered if there continues to be a governmental intransigence in investing properly in NHS dentistry and in the wider public and oral health agendas.

Commenting on her inauguration, Susie said: “I am immensely privileged, honoured and not a little humbled to accept the responsibility of the Presidency of the British Dental Association.

“And I do see it as a responsibility which I will fulfil as fully as I possibly can during this very important year. I intend to make my Association proud and look forward to meeting as many members and future members as I can.”

Susie Sanderson is the BDA’s 132nd President and the Presidential term runs for a year.

  1. The General Assembly is the supreme legislative and governing body of the FDI, which brings together the worldwide dental profession to provide one voice for dentistry in addressing the international challenge of improving global oral health.

Dental neglect: Children falling through the cracks in “siloed health service”

The BDA has renewed its call for a joined-up strategy on children’s oral health, as new research reveals that GPs are not given the time or training to spot the tell-tale signs of dental neglect.1

The study, published in the British Dental Journal, surveyed all GPs in the Isle of Wight about their awareness and perceptions of dental health care in the identification of abuse. Among these family doctors, usually the first point of contact with the NHS, the majority had never liaised with a dentist. 96 per cent of respondents had never received any formal dental training and some did not perceive dental health to be important. Only five GPs mentioned a link between a lack of dental registration and childhood neglect and no GPs worked at clinics where child dental registration status was recorded.

Dental neglect is a marker of child neglect. It was defined in 2009 in the UK as “the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s oral or general health or development.” The research demonstrates that GPs lack time, training and confidence to identify dental neglect during routine examination of the oropharynx, and lack awareness of dental neglect as a potential marker of wider systemic neglect.

The study also notes that the sheer ubiquity of dental neglect within the general population may have desensitised many health practitioners to its wider social and health consequences, and blurred the lines between neglect and economic deprivation.

Official data shows that 41.8 per cent of children in England had not been to see a dentist for a check-up in the 12 months up to June 2017. Tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions among children across the UK. The BDA believes that progress can only be achieved by breaking down silos across the health service, along with co-ordinated and properly funded public health interventions.

The BDA’s Chair of General Dental Practice, Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, said: “Tooth decay can be a tell-tale sign of abuse or neglect, and many children are falling through the cracks in a siloed health service. GPs bear an enormous burden and it cannot fall to them to ‘multitask’, when government is failing to deal with the problem.

“Tooth decay is the number one reason for child hospital admissions, but dentists are not seeing those at most risk early enough to make a difference. Poverty, neglect or ignorance can be huge barriers to good oral health, and we desperately need joined-up policymaking to tackle them.

“Oral health has such a low profile that it is not surprising that awareness of its importance is low in other parts of the NHS. When we face an epidemic of decay, dentistry can’t be left in a corner. Without meaningful engagement in education, in media and across the health service we simply cannot expect progress.”

  1. See: Colgan, S.M et al (2018). ‘Bridging the gap’ – A survey of medical GPs’ awareness of child dental neglect as a marker of potential systemic child neglect, The British Dental Journal, published 11 May 2018