Disabled children should use fluoridated toothpaste earlier than other children, according to research from Trinity College Dublin.
The general recommendation is that young children should not use fluoride rich toothpaste. However, a study led by Professor June Nunn and Dr Darius Sagheri says that children with disabilities can be more prone to oral disease, justifying the case for using it.
The authors said: ‘Up to three years of age there was virtually no dental decay in these children. But once you got over that threshold, that’s when decay started to develop, and when they have decay it tends to remain untreated.
‘The recommendation here in Ireland is that children under the age of two shouldn’t be using fluoridated toothpaste. However, given the vulnerability of these children, and the fact that dental care can take years to develop, we need to start protection early.
It is recommended that children brush their own teeth, but in cases where this is not possible, parents or carers should brush the child’s teeth.
There are a number of reasons why children with disabilities are more prone to oral disease.
Some genetic problems can cause defects in tooth enamel, and Down’s syndrome has been linked with gum problems. In addition, children who have difficulties chewing do not benefit from the natural cleaning action of the tongue cheek and lip muscles.
^1326844800^4786^Fluoride toothpaste recommended for…^Disabled children should use fluoridated toothpaste earlier than other children, according to research from Trinity College Dublin.The gener…^
Core CPD the easy way^
Get your year’s core verifiable CPD covered in a day!
The hugely popular CPD Essentials seminar returns in 2012, once again covering all 5 core subjects in a single day.
Due to popular demand, there are four dates for 2012, providing an opportunity for everyone to attend.
The first date for 2012 is Friday 3 February at the prestigious London location and only a few places remain! Take advantage of our fantastic January offer and save 25%!
Completing verifiable CPD can be a tricky task. In today’s demanding and busy world, finding the time is not easy.
This year, Independent Seminars provides the answer to achieving this with the hugely popular CPD Essentials, which provides you with 7 verifiable CPD hours.
Four exceptional dental experts will be presenting educational, stimulating and relevant lectures on the core subjects, providing delegates not only with their core verifiable CPD for the year, but with crucial updates in these important subjects.
Dr Len D’Cruz will take on the topics of legal & ethical issues and complaints handling.
Dr Martin Fulford will present the topic of disinfection and decontamination.
The last two topics, medical emergencies and radiography & radiation protection, will be explored by Dr Yusof Omar and Dr Jimmy Makdissi respectively.
Plus, for the first time ever, we’re taking this first-rate course to Leeds on Friday 9 March. We will also have an additional two dates in London on Friday 6 July and Friday 19 October if you are unable to attend in February. Whichever location is best for you, get booked soon as the CPD Essentials courses always sell out very quickly.
Dentists call 0800 371 652 and quote ‘JAN25’ to benefit from our CPD January Spectacular – Receive 25% off until 23 January!*
Pay just £266+VAT usually £355+VAT!
Or why not take advantage of Independent Seminars’ cost-saving special team rate? This rate covers attendance for one dentist and two team members and is just £625+VAT, saving you over £100! (Standard dentist rate: £355+VAT, DCP rate: £195+VAT.)
*Not in conjunction with any other offer.
Visit www.independentseminars.com for more details
^1326844800^4787^Core CPD the easy way^Get your year’s core verifiable CPD covered in a day! The hugely popular CPD Essentials seminar returns in 2012, once again cover…^
The countdown is on! ^
The countdown is well and truly on for the inaugural Irish Dentistry Awards, which take place next Wednesday, 25 January.
Dublin’s Round Room at the Mansion House will host the event, welcoming the cream best of the Irish dental profession through its doors. The Irish Dentist Awards recognise the very best that the country’s dental profession has to offer.
By splitting the country up into regions, they pay respect to the leading clinicians, teams and practices working for the good of patients all over Ireland.
Here, we present the shortlisted entries competing at next week’s ceremony:
Best new practice
Blue Poppy Dental Practice
Cranmore Dental & Implant Clinic
Railway Dental Surgery
Woodquay Dental
Woodstown Dental Centre
Zen Orthodontics
Most attractive practice
Church Road Dental Care
DMcC Orthodontics
Dunmurry Dental Practice
Foyle Dental Spa
Redmond Molloy
Seapoint Clinic
Woodstown Dental Centre
Best dental team
Belmore Dental Clinic
Church Road Dental Care
Flynns Dental Care
Northern Cross Dental
Portobello Dental Clinic
Seapoint Clinic
Wellington Quay Dental Centre
Best patient care
Blueapple Dental & Implant Team
Blue Poppy Dental Practice
Church Road Dental Care
Eyre Square Dental Clinic
DMcC Orthodontics
Flynns Dental Care
Northern Cross Dental
Pembroke Dental
Portobello Dental Clinic
Seapoint Clinic
Wellington Quay Dental Centre
Best specialist practice
Blueapple Dental & Implant Team
Cranmore Dental & Implant Clinic
DMcC Orthodontics
Northern Cross Dental
Best community or charity project
Belmore Dental Clinic
Blueapple Dental & Implant Team
Browne Orthodontics
Pembroke Dental
Best marketing
Absolute Dental Care
Blueapple Dental & Implant Team
Bray Dental
Dunmurry Dental Practice
Gate Dental Clinic
Redmond Molloy
Wellington Quay Dental Centre
Best employer
Belmore Dental Clinic – Dr Sinead McEnhill
Blue Poppy Dental Practice – Siobhan Murray
Flynns Dental Care – Hannah Flynn
Northern Cross Dental – Kieran Daly & Declan Furlong
Pembroke Dental – Brenda Barrett
Seapoint Clinic
Woodquay Dental – Lisa Creaven
Best dental laboratory
Southern Cross Dental Laboratories Ltd
Dental Tech Dental Lab
Best website
Blessington Dental Surgery
Gate Dental Clinic
Northern Cross Dental
Pearls Dental Clinics
Portobello Dental Clinic
Ratoath Dental Centre
Seapoint Clinic
Wellington Quay Dental Centre
Woodquay Dental
Outstanding individual of the year
Dunmurry Dental Practice – Philip McLorinan
Foyle Dental Spa – Victoria Kelly
Seapoint Clinic – Nicky Mahon
Practice of the year – Northern Ireland
Bachelors Walk Dental
Belmore Dental Clinic
Blueapple Dental & Implant Team
Church Road Dental Care
Cranmore Dental & Implant Clinic
Dunmurry Dental Practice
Practice of the year – Republic of Ireland West
Eyre Square Dental Clinic
Gate Dental Clinic
Woodquay Dental
Practice of the year – Republic of Ireland East
Pembroke Dental
Ratoath Dental Centre
Practice of the year – Dublin
Portobello Dental Clinic
Seapoint Clinic
Woodstown Dental Centre
Practice of the year – Republic of Ireland South
Absolute Dental Care
Flynns Dental Care
^1326844800^4788^The countdown is on! ^The countdown is well and truly on for the inaugural Irish Dentistry Awards, which take place next Wednesday, 25 January.Dublin’s Round Room…^
Private dentists ‘putting patients at risk’^
Private dentists have been accused in Parliament of putting patients at risk with unnecessary operations.
Labour MP for Rhondda Chris Bryant said many private providers were encouraging patients to have procedures they ‘certainly do not need’ and urged government to include dentists in any investigations into private sector cosmetic surgery.
‘Will the Secretary of State add laser surgery clinics to his list, and also private dentists, many of which are encouraging patients to undergo operations they certainly do not need?’
Health secretary Andrew Lansley has asked the medical director of the NHS, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, to convene an expert group to look at the future regulation of the cosmetic service industry following the PIP breast implant scandal where implants were filled with non-medical grade
silicone intended for use in mattresses.
Mr Lansley said: ‘I think their ability to meet their liabilities towards their patients should be one of the issues we look at.’
And Mr Bryant said dentists must not escape scrutiny.
Speaking in a debate on the PIP breast implants, Mr Bryant said: ‘May I suggest to the Secretary of State that the problems in the cosmetic intervention industry may be far more extensive than we have known thus far? A few years ago, I had my eyes lasered. I visited five clinics, four
of which seemed to be trying to sell me an intervention rather than trying to do anything that would be in my general health interest. Will the Secretary of State add laser surgery clinics to his list, and also private dentists, many of which are encouraging patients to undergo operations
that they certainly do not need?
Mr Lansley replied: I will reserve my position on dentistry, because there is a very wide range and cosmetic intervention constitutes a substantial proportion of overall dentistry activity, but I will happily consider whether there is an issue to be dealt with.’
Other MPs said if firms are not indemnified against the risk of surgery or willing to accept responsibility they should not be allowed to practise.
Mr Lansley added: ‘The position we have inherited is that I have no powers in relation to the provision of private health care by private companies. The Heath and Social Care Bill provides for the establishment of Monitor as health sector regulator that will license such providers. I am not
making any judgement at this point on whether it would be appropriate for conditions to be attached to such licences in relation to the continuity of service to patients, but it is one option that we can consider.’
The British Dental Association said it supported the patients’ right to choose.
A spokesperson for the BDA said: ‘Dentists provide a wide range of NHS and private care. While the NHS provides what is clinically necessary, patients can access a wider range of procedures and treatment options in the private sector.
‘These can include aesthetic treatments such as whitening, choices such as different types of crown and filling materials, and greater flexibility about appointments. Dentists working in the private sector are also free of the constraints of the UDA system, which means they can spend more
time with patients.
‘The BDA supports dentists in providing a full range of treatments and patients’ right to choose in which sector they receive care. Treatment decisions should be made by dentists and patients together. The availability of private care extends patient choice, which the BDA supports.’
In the UK, private cosmetic companies have been urged to remove implants they fitted – however, some have said it would be unaffordable and have blamed a failure of regulation.
^1326931200^4790^Private dentists ‘putting patients …^Private dentists have been accused in Parliament of putting patients at risk with unnecessary operations.Labour MP for Rhondda Chris Bryant …^
Ofcom to veto Royal Mail price increases^
Massive increases to the price of posting mail in the UK will harm small business such as dental practices and hasten the demise of the Royal Mail.
In a letter to Ofcom, the not-for-profit group, the Forum of Private Business, has urged the industry regulator not to allow Royal Mail bosses to go ahead with radical reforms which could drive the price of a second class stamp by as much as 50%.
Ofcom is currently consulting on the proposals which are part of a huge shake-up planned by Royal Mail executives who say the changes will allow it to become profitable again, but could see second class stamp prices rocket from 36p to 55p.
Other proposals being considered are no-limit increases for the price of a first class stamp until 2018 which would not require Ofcom approval as per current rules.
Royal Mail, whose letter business lost £120 milion in 2011, have submitted the proposals to Ofcom who have to agree to any price revisions before they can be implemented.
But the Forum has warned the industry watchdog that agreeing to them would simply create another cost barrier to trading for small firms reliant on postal services who can ill afford further price hikes.
‘We understand that Royal Mail is currently a loss-making organisation and action needs to be taken to address this, but we believe constant price rises are not the way to tackle the issue,’ said the Forum’s head of campaigns, Jane Bennett.
‘Small businesses are regular users of the service and would be the hardest hit by any increases, and it’s these businesses which are already experiencing high business costs.’
^1326931200^4789^Ofcom to veto Royal Mail price incr…^Massive increases to the price of posting mail in the UK will harm small business such as dental practices and hasten the demise of the Roya…^
New oral health science website ^
New research in oral health emerges all the time.
Oral Health Science brought to you by Colgate, offers a convenient place to find interactive study highlights, full journal articles, audio summaries and email updates about the latest findings in oral health, all qualifying for verifiable continuing professional development (CPD).
Studies sited on Oral Health Science are compelling and topical.
Current studies under review consider recent advances in the way we view oral care, along with the relationship to overall health.
Some of these findings demonstrate how innovative toothpaste formulations can now help your patients to prevent dental caries and improve periodontal health.
You could choose to review a comparison of toothpaste formulations or an in-depth survey of approaches to oral care, each will add to your understanding of current treatment modalities.
Each article summary you review qualifies for 0.5 hours verifiable CPD.
For further information and to register visit www.oralhealthscience.co.uk.
^1327017600^4791^New oral health science website ^New research in oral health emerges all the time.Oral Health Science brought to you by Colgate, offers a convenient place to find interactiv…^
Dentistry focus: social networking – a must^
Social networks are a great and easy way for you to communicate with your potential customers, says Brendon Macdonald, a socialmedia expert.
He says: ‘Nowadays, the buyers set the ground rules on when and where they will engage and increasingly turn to trusted third parties for education (including via blogs, twitter and other social media).
‘This means your business must develop an integrated social media strategy which identifies where potential patient conversations are happening and effectively uses various digital channels to acquire, convert and retain patients.’
‘By the end of 2013 it is estimated that 90% of web browsing will be completed on mobile phones’
Brendon Macdonald is co-founder and chief engagement officer at ApexHub and director at Interactive Dental Media.
Brendon will be giving a presentation at the Dentistry Show in March, entitled ‘Social Media for your Business – Evolve? Or Dissolve?’ that aims to inform and instruct practice managers and dentists alike on how to use social media to their advantage.
Brendon’s message is that technology is taking over the world at an alarming rate, leaving no prisoners and social networking is a series of unavoidable stepping-stones that practice managers and dentists need to walk across to reach their full potential.
The key focus will be about understanding the social network trends that will happen in 2012.
He will discuss how practice managers can understand what a social business is and how dentists can consider what needs to be provided for a practice, having a strong presence that will filter down through their staff, enabling time saving and economical growth.
The efficiency of social media is underrated and the presentation will explore how to give social networking tasks to members of staff, forming a cohesive, balanced and organised structure that will lend itself to future marketing strategies.
Practice managers and dentists will learn about levels of product contact that can be measured within social networking and distributing positive content in their area, whilst spending the least amount of time on it.
The presentation will look to find enthusiasm on this subject, placing personalities to the correct networking contact.
Organic opportunities are becoming increasingly hard to find due to the overcrowding of social networking sites.
Finding the correct resources and tools for the practice and dentist is half the battle. Nowadays, sponsored updates that go into news feeds need to be heavily filtered to find relevant information and it is imperative to give priority to key areas that will give maximum exposure.
The presence of the web is overwhelming in the dentistry business and the future of web traffic lies in online videos.
By the end of 2013 it is estimated that 90% of web browsing will be completed on mobile phones. For now, with many companies trying to sell via popular trends, quality of content on site is becoming increasingly important for practice managers and dentists in order save time and raise their profile.
Brendon will show a case study during his presentation that will demonstrate how to set up an info structure through social networking to maximise marketing opportunities.
For practice managers, it’s about learning about the ‘must have’ tools to manage their time and appearance in the industry, and for dentists, it is about understanding the trends that will happen in social networking. For both parties, it means deciding what needs to be provided online and how to maintain this strong presence in the long term.
The key points Brendon hopes practice managers and dentists will take away are:
• What a social business is, and what the benefits are.
• What lies ahead in 2012 for social media for business.
• Finding breathing room in an overcrowded social network.
• Must have social tools for businesses to use.
• Case study of a social media campaign in a dental practice.
The Dentistry Show is at the NEC, Birmingham March 2nd and 3rd 2012.
For more informatio, visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email [email protected].
^1327017600^4792^Dentistry focus: social networking …^Social networks are a great and easy way for you to communicate with your potential customers, says Brendon Macdonald, a socialmedia expert….^
Dental foundation recruitment hailed a hit^
At the end of the first phase of nationally co-ordinated recruitment to Dental Foundation (Vocational) Training in England and Wales, 84% of candidates have already been offered places on training schemes commencing in 2012.
Plans for the process were agreed by a steering group comprising postgraduate deans, associate deans and members of London Deanery recruitment team, together with a BDA representative.
Recruitment was co-ordinated by the Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans & Directors (COPDEND) in partnership with London Deanery, which has considerable expertise in medical recruitment and managed the process.
There were 1,190 applications made online and of these, 1,145 eligible candidates, including 97 from European dental schools were invited to one of five selection centres held across England.
In November 2011, 1,109 candidates attended these assessments and interviews, which were carried out by experienced foundation trainers and training programme directors who had undergone standardised training and calibration.
Each applicant was asked to state a preference order for each of the 74 training schemes and offers of a place were made on the basis of ranked scores achieved and stated preferences. Those who scored highest were offered a place on the scheme they most preferred.
All 927 places were allocated within a week of offers being made and of these 45% secured their first choice, 65% were offered a place on one of their top three schemes and 84% on one of their top 10 schemes.
Individual deaneries will be allocating these successful applicants to individual training practices over the next few months.
Further training places are expected to become available later in the year and 133 candidates on a reserve list will be notified about these after 2012 BDS final examinations are concluded.
Future offers of a place will be made on the same meritocratic basis as in this first round, using ranked scores and applicant preferences. Dental Foundation training places are funded by the NHS and the final number of funded places available for 2012/13 has not yet been confirmed.
A follow-up independent quality assurance of the entire process will be carried out by the UK Advisory Board for Dental Foundation Training, to ensure the process is both transparent and fair.
COPDEND and London Deanery are also undertaking a thorough evaluation, including statistical analysis of the data from the selection centres.
Initial results demonstrate minimal variation in average scores achieved on different days and in different locations for the selection centres and confirm there was no advantage in attending on a particular day. A detailed report will be published after the completion of the 2012 process.
Professor Chris Franklin, chair of COPDEND said: ‘I am very pleased with how well this process has gone and would like to congratulate all those who have been offered a place in the first round.
‘I do understand that the uncertainty may be unsettling for those who are still waiting to hear about a training place and would encourage those at dental school to concentrate now on preparing for final examinations. In previous years, most students didn’t know where they would be training until much nearer the start of the programme.’
^1327017600^4793^Dental foundation recruitment haile…^At the end of the first phase of nationally co-ordinated recruitment to Dental Foundation (Vocational) Training in England and Wales, 84% of…^http://dev.dentistry.co.uk/sites/all/themes/dentistry/images/news_images/students.png
2,000 Twitter followers for Henry Schein Minerva ^
Henry Schein Minerva is leading the way in dental social media and now has 2,000-plus followers on Twitter!
By using the social media site as an immediate and interactive tool, Henry Schein Minerva is breaking new ground for the dental industry and providing innovative ways for dental professionals to access exclusive offers.
Now, thanks to further collaboration with Ivoclar Vivadent another company at the forefront of the social media revolution, dentists can take advantage of three exclusive incentives which can be accessed by following @HenryScheinUK on Twitter, liking HenryScheinMinervaDental on Facebook or adding Henry Schein Minerva to their Circle on Google+ at Henry Schein UK
1. The first 250 dentist to message and ‘Request a Sample’ will receive a sample of Ivoclar’s Ivoclean.
2. Followers, Likes or Circle friends who post a picture or video or submit a written testimonial of them using Ivoclar Empress Composite will be entered into a competition to win* an Empress Direct Kit and a £100 HSM product voucher to spend on Ivoclar product. Offer closes June 30th 2012.
3. Buy a Bluephase Style curing light and receive a jumbo pack of either Tetric EvoCeram A2 Cavifil or Tetric EvoCeram A2 Syringe, FREE
*terms and conditions apply
^1327017600^4794^2,000 Twitter followers for Henry S…^Henry Schein Minerva is leading the way in dental social media and now has 2,000-plus followers on Twitter! By using the social media s…^http://dev.dentistry.co.uk/sites/all/themes/dentistry/images/news_images/twitter.jpg
Give us a job, say students^
Professor Franklin’s throwaway comment that he ‘understands’ how unsettling it is for those final year students without a training place, must rank as one of the most patronising remarks of the year.
As is his advice for them to ‘concentrate now on preparing for final examinations’. But not, apparently for work in the NHS, rather for a future of unemployment.
The news from the Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans & Directors (COPDEND) claims ‘success’ in allocating 927 places among the 1,109 candidates who attended for interviews. Of the 182 (16%) with no place, 133 are on a ‘reserve list’ who may get a training place. The remaining 49, the output of one UK dental school are thrown on the scrap heap.
Back in 2004, the then government announced that 185 extra dentists would be trained each year. Now that they have qualified, this government is telling 182 of them that there is no job for them in NHS dentistry. At an estimated cost of £250,000 per student, it has cost the UK taxpayer £15.4 million for each dentist joining the NHS.
To make matters worse, hidden in the story, is the fact that 97 of those who applied came from European dental schools. Unlike UK qualified dentists, those from the rest of the EU do not need to do Foundation Training to go on an NHS Performers List.
How many of these 97 displaced students trained at the UK taxpayers’ expense is an unknown. But it only adds to the scandal (not the success, Professor Franklin) of ‘new-style dental foundation recruitment’.
It also begs the question of why, if all dental schools in Europe have equivalence, the NHS treats UK students differently in requiring an extra year of Foundation Training from them.
We can also ask why our government does not guarantee sufficient training places for all who qualify from our universities.
Until now, we have gone along on the assumption that the different treatment, as regards Vocational and now Foundation Training is an immutable rule of the European Union (EU).
In a similar way, we have been told that Britain is not free to ban foreign doctors, dentists or nurses from working in this country if they do not speak adequate English nor if there are concerns over their medical ability.
However in a recent Daily Telegraph article, Michel Barnier, EU commissioner for the internal market, says any problems associated with foreign doctors are the responsibility of the NHS. He said it was a ‘myth’ that Britain cannot ban EU doctors.
By the same logic it is presumably also a ‘myth’ that EU-trained dentists are subject to different rules from those qualified here. It is time that the newly euro-sceptic partners in the coalition took some action to ensure all UK trained dentists can practise in the NHS.
^1327276800^4795^Give us a job, say students^Professor Franklin’s throwaway comment that he ‘understands’ how unsettling it is for those final year students without a …^
Stephen Fry falls asleep at dentist^
Comedian and actor Stephen Fry underwent dental surgery last Friday.
The comedian and actor had a temporary triple crown fited but is returning to his specialist this week to have a permanent replacement fitted.
In a tweet on Twitter, he wrote: ‘Hell’s teeth & a bucket of blood. 3 hour session at the dentist coming up. There isn’t enough (anti-anxiety drug) Xanax in the world to prepare for this.’
And updating followers later in the day, he added: ‘Well that went better than expected. Temporary triple crown fitted on bottom row. Real ones installed next week. Actually fell asleep.’
^1327276800^4796^Stephen Fry falls asleep at dentist^Comedian and actor Stephen Fry underwent dental surgery last Friday.The comedian and actor had a temporary triple crown fited but is returni…^
Cash incentive for tooth decay crackdown^
Preventing cancer, cutting tooth decay in children and the population weighing less, are some of the challenges local councils will be able to track when they take over looking after the health and wellbeing of their residents.
That’s according to health secretary, Andrew Lansley.
For the first time, public health will be measured against a framework which sets out 66 health measures so councils and the government are able to see real improvements being made and take any action needed.
From April next year, councils will be given a ring-fenced budget – a share of around £5.2 billion based on 2012/13 funding – and will be able to choose how they spend it according to the needs of their population. Those who make the most improvements will be rewarded with a cash incentive.
The results this progress will be measured against include:
• Fewer children under five will have tooth decay
• People will weigh less
• More women will breastfeed their babies
• Fewer over 65s will suffer falls
• Fewer people will smoke
• Fewer people will die from heart disease and stroke.
But public health is more than just moving more and eating well. It’s also about tackling the causes of ill-health.
That is why the new measures also look at school attendance, domestic abuse, homelessness and air pollution.
Speaking at the Royal Society for Public Health, Andrew Lansley said: ‘We are giving local councils the money, the power, the right expertise and information to build healthier communities. Every area of the country is different so councils will be able to decide what the most important public health concern is for them and spend the money appropriately.
‘It is absolutely right that the budget and decision making sits with councils. They will be able to address all aspects that affect our wellbeing – such as school attendance, homelessness and fuel poverty – in the round.
‘Using the framework we have published today, local professionals will be able to make real changes to improve health.’
The health secretary also highlighted how public health has already started to change, thanks to the Responsibility Deal.
Now, people on the high street can be reassured that artificial trans fats are not lurking in their food from many outlets such as Greggs, Costa or McDonald’s.
In supermarkets, people will know a lot of the food going into their basket will have less salt in. And customers will know that when they eat out at popular high street restaurants this year over a third of meals and takeaways will have their calories labelled, helping people to opt for the healthier options.
Andrew Lansley added: ‘The Responsibility Deal has led to real changes for everyone and we can now see these in our everyday life – on our high street, in our supermarkets and at work, too.
‘People might not realise that these changes are down to the Responsibility Deal but we can now see that it is helping people to live healthier lives.’
^1327276800^4797^Cash incentive
