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National Smile Month is the perfect opportunity for you to pay extra attention to the importance of oral health. With this in mind, Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, has eight top tips for terrific teeth.

National Smile Month is the perfect opportunity for you to pay extra attention to the importance of oral health. With this in mind, Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, has eight top tips for terrific teeth.

1. Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

It doesn't matter how old you are, or how many teeth you have, you should always follow your dentist's advice about how often they need to see you.

So why are check-ups so important? Well, for starters prevention is always better than cure. Regular visits to the dentist can identify problems developing early, and more importantly set you on a path to rectify them.

There's a chance everyone will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives - it's that common - so do remember to get to your dentist or hygienist as often as they recommend.

2. Take diet into consideration

Diet may have a large impact on the growing obesity problem in the UK, but there's no escaping the damage a poor diet does to our teeth.
One of the Foundation's key messages is ‘cut down how often you have sugary foods and drinks'. This is a particularly important message for parents to remember. The more often your child has sugary or acidic foods or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary and acidic foods to mealtimes only. Food and drinks which are kindest to teeth include cheese, crackers, breadsticks, raw vegetables, plain water and milk.

It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods contain quite a lot of sugar. Try checking the list of ingredients - the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product. Sometimes, these are shown as fructose, glucose, lactose, or sucrose.

3. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste

It's important to brush your teeth first thing in the morning and just before you go to bed for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. Why? During the night the flow of saliva, which is the mouth's cleaning system, slows down. This leaves the mouth more at risk to decay; therefore brushing acts as a preventive measure.

Fluoride is an incredibly important addition to the toothpaste we use. It's also found in drinking water across the country. There are different levels depending on how old you are. All children up to three years old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm (parts per million). After three years old, the Foundation recommends you use a toothpaste that contains 1350ppm-1500ppm. If you're unsure how much fluoride is on a particular brand, check the packaging for the Foundation's approved symbol for reassurance.

4. Indulge in interdental cleaning

As brushing alone only cleans around two thirds of the mouth, it is important to use interdental brushes or floss to clean away any food debris caught between the teeth. It can help to reduce the risk of gum disease. Given that gum disease has been linked to heart problems, pneumonia and even pancreatic cancer to name but a few, interdental cleaning at least once a day isn't too much to ask!

5. Get empowered with a power toothbrush

Rigorous tests have proven electric toothbrushes with small round oscillating rotating heads to be up to twice as effective at removing plaque than a manual brush. Many also have two minute timers to ensure you clean for the recommended period of time. Some such as the Oral B Triumph with Smart Guide also have a remote display to help your brush for the correct time and sensors to show you when you are brushing too hard. Look for the British Dental Health Foundation accredited logo which shows that the claims the product is making have been scientifically proven.

6. Remember the one hour rule

It takes an average of 40 minutes for the mouth to neutralise the acid caused by eating or drinking sugar. Therefore it is best to wait at least one hour after eating before brushing teeth. Eating or drinking weakens the enamel on the teeth, meaning if you brush too soon it cause tiny particles of the enamel to be brushed away. You can help to speed up the time that is takes for the saliva to neutralise these plaque acids and lessen the damage that they can cause by chewing sugar-free gum containing Xylitol, rinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse or plain water.

7. Teeth are not tools!

Although you can't legislate for genuine accidents, please remember your teeth aren't tools. If your party trick is to open a bottle of beer with your teeth, or if you're always biting open the crisp packet, you're actually doing your teeth more harm than good.

If you somehow lose a tooth, the important thing to remember is not to panic. Get to the emergency dentist as soon as possible, as with the right care, the tooth could be successfully put back into the socket. Ideally you should try and put it back in straight away, without handling the root.
The best chance of having your tooth successfully put back in is to keep the tooth in the cheek. If this isn't possible, keep it in some milk until you receive the necessary emergency dental work. The sooner you can do this the better.

8. Think about appearance

If you have a great oral hygiene routine, or even if you don't, there's no reason why you can't think about some cosmetic treatment to help brighten or restore your smile. People who smoke, drink red wine and lots of coffee may find over time their teeth become stained. There are toothpastes available that can remove these stains, but they won't alter the natural shade of your teeth. It's always best to have a good chat with your dentist about the options, which can include tooth whitening, crowns or veneers.

We work as a close team priding ourselves in providing the highest standard of dental care. We maintain a strong preventative ethos, enabling patients to avoid future dental problems through a range of measures such as early detection, oral health...  more >

We work as a close team priding ourselves in providing the highest standard of dental care. We maintain a strong preventative ethos, enabling patients to avoid future dental problems through a range of measures such as early detection, oral health education combined with product advice and other treatment modalities.

During National Smile Month, we are offering special discounts on examinations and products such as Oral-B toothbrushes. We are also holding our Invisalign open day this month to raise awareness of teeth straightening in relation to good oral health and maintenance and systemic disease. We will be offering substantial discounted fees in a bid to raised awareness of the importance of good oral health for all-round health.

Getting there

Excellent communication is key to patients taking care of their teeth and our patient care pathway begins the minute anyone calls and speaks with the practice. Advice is available on the phone even before the patient walks through the door. Knowledge is paramount to the patient to enable them to make an informed decision on treatment options. Patients are encouraged to visit our fabulous dental therapist on a regular basis (at least every three months) for hygiene maintenance and to ensure patients stay motivated. We also offer advice on diet, smoking cessation - all free of charge!

All staff members are trained to offer this advice to ensure that there is plenty of time available to for patients to ask questions and understand.

Regular team meetings and lots of lunchtime updates keep staff abreast on new products and techniques. Staff training ensures everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. The team is encouraged to attend meetings such as the ADI and these are funded by the practice.

We are a small practice with lovely patients who are often recommended by existing patients and, because it is small it is like a close family, we support each other and encourage all staff to participate in all areas of the practice and treat patients as part of that family. Regular visits and a comfortable and warm atmosphere ensure compliance from patients, too. We never leave patients feeling unable to ask advice and we demonstrate huge encouragement and praise for when patients show improvement.

Selling points

Our main seller is the Oral-B professional toothbrush range and the Pro-Expert toothpaste. We do stock a variety of products depending on what is required for the patient's needs.

Our practice provides implants, orthodontics all of which rely on good oral health for the long-term success of the treatment. We plan to keep our patients for life so we've a vested interest in keeping them healthy! Recommending products that you know work can be highly motivating - patients can see and feel the difference when using these products - particularly in stain reduction which leads to increased oral health awareness and personal confidence.

High Five

1. Never offer a patient less than they deserve and always aim to provide the highest standard possible
2. Listen to the patient's needs, treating each one as an individual and considering the patient as a ‘whole'
3. Work closely with your practice team encouraging continual professional development
4. Establishing mutual respect and appreciation within the team - they are ALL essential ingredients or cogs in the machine
5. Accept that you are not perfect and, if mistakes do occur, always be honest. Refer when you need to.Dr Jane Butterworth (pictured right) has been practising dentistry for almost 30 years, after gaining her qualifications in 1984.

Dr Jane Butterworth (pictured right) has been practising dentistry for almost 30 years, after gaining her qualifications in 1984.

Jane has been placing and restoring implants since 1990 and has 20-plus years of experience. Her implant treatments range from single tooth replacement to full mouth rehabilitation including All on 4 and same day teeth. She also offers the simple mini implant system for patients requiring dentures and has a keen interest in orthodontics. She is able to provide both removable, fixed braces and Invisalign aligners. She has been Invisalign certified since 2004 and has held Platinum status accreditation with Invisalign for the past seven years. Her practice - Higher Lane Dental Practice - is situated in the heart of Cheshire in the village of Lymm.

I first heard about Special Olympics International and its British contingent, Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) a couple of years ago through conversation with a member of their Board; the eminent humanitarian Mr Philip Nathan, MBE, Board m...  more >

I first heard about Special Olympics International and its British contingent, Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) a couple of years ago through conversation with a member of their Board; the eminent humanitarian Mr Philip Nathan, MBE, Board member of MedicAlert International and the chairman of The MedicAlert Foundation (UK and Ireland), where I am a trustee. At the time, SOGB were hosting their National Games in Leicester in 2009.

Four years on and the next National Games are upon us and as a special care dentist, I'm proud to be directing both their Special Smiles programme and their Healthy Athletes programme which, in addition to dentistry, also houses several other health disciplines such as Opening Eyes (eye tests and the provision of glasses) Healthy Hearing (audiology tests and hearing aids), Fit Feet (podiatry) , Funfitness (physical therapy), Health Promotion (better health and well-being) and MedFest (sports physical exam).

Healthy Athletes is a global movement with roots in the USA. In 1994, Dr. Steve Perlman, a Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine professor and long time advocate of people with intellectual disabilities, founded the Special Smiles® initiative after working with the Shriver family as they struggled to find adequate dental care for Rosemary Kennedy - sister of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (the founder of Special Olympics) and John F. Kennedy. Dr. Perlman's concerns about health disparities for people with disabilities prompted the Officially launched in 1997, Healthy Athletes organizes its events in a welcoming, fun environment. Its screenings educate athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identify problems that may need additional follow-up.

Miracles happen at every screening. A volunteer dentist from California, USA saved an athletes life by finding his mouth cancer. On another occasion, a female athlete in Egypt, fitted with a hearing aid, heard her language and her coach for the first time in her life. Stories like these are inspiring nations like Egypt to expand their offerings to athletes and all Special Olympics Egypt athletes now receive medical examinations and follow-up care.

SOGB falls under the regulation of Special Olympics International and is part of the Olympic family, but is different to the general Olympic and Paralympic Games in that it provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities (IQ 75 or below) of all abilities and ages, rather than a single event for elite (professional) athletes.

The charity, led by sterling CEO Karen Wallin and her dedicated team is important in the lives of thousands of people with learning disabilities and their families across Great Britain. SOGB have proven that sport can transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop the skills and confidence and overcome the barriers and discrimination that they face everyday life.

Right now SOGB has over 130 groups run by over 2,800 volunteers and provides coaching and competition opportunities to 8,000 intellectually disabled athletes.

This year SOGB has its National Summer Games (28th August-1st September, 2013) in Bath (golf), with a few sports to be held in Bristol (swimming and bowling). There are just under 1,600 athletes competing this year and, as part of these games, there is a healthy athletes programme which I am coordinating and directing.

I am looking for dental volunteers and dental supplies for the Special Smiles screenings. It's a great opportunity and wonderfully heartwarming and inspiring experience. Special Olympics Great Britain transforms lives! Wouldn't you like to be a part of that?! Please have a look at our website: www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk.

Dr Amber Qureshi: Specialist in Special Care Dentistry / Clinical Director, Special Smiles, Special Olympics Great Britain / Healthy Athletes Program Director, Special Olympics Great Britain.

Did you know that nearly three in every four adults in the UK have lost a tooth? And although on the odd occasion this can be as the result of a ‘freak' accident (a sporting injury, or a particularly tough piece of c...  more >

Did you know that nearly three in every four adults in the UK have lost a tooth? And although on the odd occasion this can be as the result of a ‘freak' accident (a sporting injury, or a particularly tough piece of chocolate, but to name a few) more teeth are lost through gum disease and tooth decay - two major yet entirely preventable oral health problems.

We've been sent this great infographic created by Ollie & Darsh that we want to share with you. It's all about tooth loss, and looks in detail at just one of many options available to you... implants.

Dying from simple dental decay might seem impossible, but on the eve of World Oral Health Day Mark Topley points out that - in some parts of the world - it is all too common.

I run a Br...  more >

Dying from simple dental decay might seem impossible, but on the eve of World Oral Health Day Mark Topley points out that - in some parts of the world - it is all too common.

I run a British dental health NGO out in Tanzania. At a dinner recently on the shores of Lake Victoria, I sat next to an America surgeon visiting the area. As well as working within our local city, Mwanza, she was carrying out surgery in one of the district hospitals where our emergency dental training teams are based. As we chatted, the subject turned to the training we'd been providing in the Lake Zone.

Although I knew that complications from untreated dental disease could cause real problems for people living in this part of the world, the comments my dinner companion made shocked me. Many of her patients, she said, needed major surgery to remove diseased tissue caused by untreated dental infection. As she explained, when a dental infection fails to ‘drain' properly, the infection can track into the neck and then spread from there into the chest. This leads to tissue necrosis (tissue death) and septicemia (severe infection in the blood), often fatal. Treatment is to cut away the necrotic tissue and give high doses of antibiotics.

Sadly, she reflected, this very rarely works. Once a person has infection tracking into their neck, the prognosis is not good. It was one of the enduring memories, and frustrations, from her visit. She summed it up with a comment at the end of dinner:

"If I had my way, I would train an army of people to take teeth out safely. What people need in the villages round here is someone who can simply remove a diseased tooth, and stop the infection spreading."

Dying from decay

It is 2013 and people are still dying from untreated dental decay. Two of our teams have just returned from the regions of Musoma and Bukoba in Tanzania, where for 10 days they have been training local health workers in emergency dentistry. They will train them in areas without running water or power, or the standard sterilisation kit we are used to here back in the UK (special charcoal-burning sterilisers are used instead). Yet for thousands of people living in distant, rural settlements there are now a dozen locally-qualified people who are able to treat their communities day-in, day-out, helping to prevent the sort of hideous conditions that my dinner companion had mentioned.

Sadly, however, the shocking reality is that three-quarters of the world's population have no access to even the most basic of dental services. Dental Caries as the dental profession calls them - or tooth decay - is the world's most common disease. It causes debilitating pain and drastically affects a person's ability to function.

Most developing countries don't have enough dentists: here in Tanzania there is one dentist for approximately every 100,000 people (in the UK the ratio is 1:2,500). In Rwanda, where we are about to launch a new project, there are just 11 dentists for the entire country! To make matters worse, these dentists usually live in cities and large towns, where in these east African nations only a minority of the population is based. This lack of access to pain relief leads to chronic suffering, the loss of ability to work or support the family, withdrawal of children from school (to help support subsistence farming), and complications that can and do lead to death.

So the access to a dentist in every village remains a utopia. What we believe is necessary, and where we feel our partnership with the Tanzanian government is leading the way, is to train medical personnel already deployed to these rural areas to provide a basic, pain-relieving service, combined with oral health education. We're extending that partnership elsewhere in Africa now, backed by the support of many British dental professionals. Above all, though, all of us involved in this field must focus on relieving dental pain through training, so that local medics can carry out safe tooth extractions. Otherwise, literally, a toothache can kill.

Mark Topley is CEO of Bridge2Aid, a British dental health NGO operating in East Africa www.bridge2id.org | @mark_topley

Director of Operations for the Foundation, Sharon Broom, emphasises that working for the Helpline is an opportunity for dental nurses to continue to use their dental skills but in a non-clinical environment.

Sharon said: "It is a good career...  more >

Director of Operations for the Foundation, Sharon Broom, emphasises that working for the Helpline is an opportunity for dental nurses to continue to use their dental skills but in a non-clinical environment.

Sharon said: "It is a good career progression for those who want a new challenge, but want to continue to use their dental knowledge. The Helpline team are communicators and educators of good oral health-care; essentially, they are still helping patients on a day to day basis."

Louise Chidlow joined the Foundation in 2005 as a Helpline Advisor, having worked as a dental nurse for almost 10 years both in NHS and private practices. It had always been an ambition of Louise's to work in a profession that involved both working with the public and required medical knowledge.

Louise said: "I wasn't actually looking for a job when I joined the Foundation. I saw the advert and decided to apply, as it looked interesting. In the end, I decided it was a great opportunity to work for a recognised organisation and to help a wider audience than just the patients coming into the practice I worked in. Plus, it was a chance to learn new skills and do something a bit different."

Karen Coates, another member of the Helpline team, has also pursued new challenges since joining the Foundation. After working at various dental practices in Warwickshire, Karen took a position as Territory Manager for Sensodyne and CTS Dental Supplies. After joining the Foundation in November 2005, Karen has trained as a spokesperson for the Foundation and gives regular interviews to the media.

In 2006, Yvonne Lee joined the Foundation after 24 and a half years in dentistry, working as a dental nurse, head receptionist and a practice manager. Looking for new challenges but not wanting to leave the industry, the Helpline position was ideal.

Yvonne points out that the time spent working in dental practices have helped the team to communicate effectively with the public.

She said: "We get callers from all walks of life, and we never know what we'll be asked next; but it is satisfying being able to offer informed advice and reassure the public. The Helpline offers the opportunity for us to do just that."

Another advantage of working for the Helpline is that the team often get an opportunity to attend tradeshows. Karen highlights that this is something none of them had the chance to do before as dental nurses, and that it is a great way to speak to dentists and hygienists.

"The profession isn't always sure what we do at the Foundation. It's great to speak to them and show how we can help them. Dentists often don't have time to go through a procedure in detail with their patient, but at the Helpline we can discuss any oral health topic for as long as the caller requires. We are there immediately for the public, but it is also a service which can work in conjunction with dental practices - somewhere they can send their patients to for more information or independent advice."

Another key development in the Foundation's work was the introduction of two annual campaigns, National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month. National Smile Month runs from mid-May to mid-June, and promotes good oral health to the public. Mouth Cancer Action Month is held annually in November and encourages the health profession to educate and inform the public of the risk of the disease and the early warning signs to look out. The campaign uses the tagline ‘If in doubt, get checked out'. Dental nurses are in a prime position to promote both of these campaigns. As the essential link between a dentist and a patient, dental nurses often have more time to communicate such messages to a patient, or organise an event at a practice to raise awareness.

A hot issue in the Helpline currently, is Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD was introduced in August 2008, and requires dental nurses to complete 150 hours of dental development in five years. 50 hours of this has to be verified, covering core subjects such as Disinfection and Decontamination, Medical Emergencies and Radiography and Radiation Protection, and has to be certified by a third party and meet all of the General Dental Council's educational criteria.

Louise highlights that the CPD helps keep the Helpline team up to date. She said: "It gives the team more confidence when answering calls from both the public and the profession.

"This is also a positive step for dental nurses. The extra training will help them with any extra responsibilities they are given, such as taking x-rays or running oral health classes in their practice. It is also brilliant for patients, as it gives them extra confidence in those treating them."

There is a concern that non-surgery based nurses, though those are few and far between, will struggle to cover their certified hours and core subjects. Luckily, the Foundation encourages the Helpline team to participate in courses and seminars as part of their verifiable hours, to ensure there are the best advisors possible when answering calls.

Another problem area for nurses is where they can go to get their certified hours, and how to balance the demand of surgery hours and the need to attend courses to develop their skills. The Helpline suggest regularly checking dental journals and the trade unions such as British Association of Dental Nurses and the British Dental Association to cover help cover the core subjects.

The job does have its lighter moments, with a fair share of unusual enquiries from the public. Karen said: "I have been asked: ‘Is it ethical to ask my dentist out on a date?' and ‘Can I snog with my denture in?'

There are even a few that have left the team speechless: ‘Can you solve the clue in today's Daily Express crossword, 8 down 11 letters, dental term for the study of the mouth!'"

As Louise said: "Whether you work on a Helpline or not, Dental Nurses be prepared!"

The Helpline is available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0845 063 1188. You can now talk to them via email by visiting the dental health website or via Twitter by following @Dental_Advice or via Facebook by liking the page Dental Helpline

Since July 2010, 543 Dental Centre have been working in partnership with City Health Care Partnership and Henry Schein, developing an oral health improvement programme called the "Brush Bus". Managing Director Chris Groombridge explains the import...  more >

Since July 2010, 543 Dental Centre have been working in partnership with City Health Care Partnership and Henry Schein, developing an oral health improvement programme called the "Brush Bus". Managing Director Chris Groombridge explains the importance of the Brush Bus and why we all need to get on board.

We have been working together on a pilot study to see how public and private businesses can work together to achieve the same goal - this being to improve the oral health of children in Hull. Many of the children benefitting from the Brush Bus are from areas of severe social deprivation where generations of families have experienced poor oral health.

Initially, 543 supported a local primary school by providing toothbrushes and toothpaste for all of the children to enable them to take part in the supervised tooth brushing programme.

40% of these children stated they did not brush their teeth every day at home and 8% stated they never brushed at home. Many children shared a toothbrush with a sibling and some didn't have toothpaste at home because it was too expensive. Naturally, this came as a surprise to us and we knew we had to do something to help these children.

Henry Schein generously supplied the toothbrushes and toothpaste at cost price to 543 as they too believed we had a social responsibility to facilitate an improvement in the oral health of many disadvantaged children in the Hull area.

In addition to providing toothbrushes and toothpaste we carried out dental assessments, after obtaining written parental consent and offered care at our practice to those children who were identified as requiring dental treatment.

Six months later we repeated the dental assessments and found there was a reduction in the number of children who required dental treatment from 41% to 33%.

As a result of this encouraging data, we, together with Henry Schein, increased the number of schools we were supporting to twelve. All twelve schools received toothbrushes and toothpaste every school term and dental assessments were carried out twice yearly.

The dental assessments carried out on 1,801 children, concluded that 532 children were identified as requiring dental treatment. 276 of these children required urgent dental treatment in the way of multiple extractions necessitating the need for a general anaesthetic. 256 of these children required routine dental treatment.

Unfortunately, the study confirmed many children did not routinely visit the dentist and that some parents simply ignored this basic health need. Numerous children had untreated decay and in many cases urgent treatment was required to deal with pain and discharging abscesses.

Many would argue it is a parents' responsibility to access dental treatment for their child, but for a high percentage of children this just does not happen. Offering assessments and minor treatments for example the application of fluoride varnish, within the school environment by a Dental Practitioner and a Dental Care Professional from a practice within the local vicinity of the school will ensure those children who do not routinely access dental treatment would benefit not only from a prevention programme, but also from the acclimatization of dental treatment. For many, their only experience of dental treatment is a general anaesthetic when they are in severe pain, which unfortunately for some leads to a dental phobia.

The programme was awarded the Patron's Prize for Innovation in June 2012 from the NOHPG.

In September 2012, after delivering a presentation on the Brush Bus at an LDC meeting, we were successful in recruiting two further dental practices from Hull who between them now support five additional schools in the programme. Principals of other dental practices have shown an interest in the programme and we are hopeful they too will join the partnership in the very near future.

In November 2012 we piloted the second phase of the programme and that was to implement the application of fluoride varnish in the schools. Again, we obtained written parental consent and applied the varnish at the same time as the dental assessments took place.

I'm delighted to say the pilot proved to be a success and we will be implementing the application of fluoride varnish in all of the schools we support from May 2013.

From May 2013 10% of the dental assessments will be undertaken by a calibrated Dentist to ensure consistency of assessment criteria.

We now support over 6,000 children in the programme in 19 schools.

It's very easy for those of us who have successful businesses to feel complacent knowing we provide an excellent service to the patients who visit our practices, but we should all take a little time to consider those less fortunate who are very often forgotten and have the odds stacked against them in so many aspects of their lives. Here at 543, we know for certain we are making a difference to the oral health of so many children and hope to continue to do so for a very long time to come.

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone is ready and geared up for the festivities to get underway. Mince pies, champagne, selection boxes and umpteen bags of sweets will no doubt make their way into our festive diets. It's a thoroughly en...  more >

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone is ready and geared up for the festivities to get underway. Mince pies, champagne, selection boxes and umpteen bags of sweets will no doubt make their way into our festive diets. It's a thoroughly enjoyable time of year, but spare a thought for your teeth.

Constant snacking, drinking and eating of sugary foods and drinks over Christmas can make the holiday period a miserable time for teeth. The indulgences and tempting treats on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in particular means that teeth are going to be in harm's way for over the 48 hours over the festive period.

Some traditional Christmas foods like Cranberries, the perfect accompaniment for your Turkey, are scientifically proven to be beneficial to overall health, and scientists have also shown they may have the capacity to help prevent both gum disease and tooth decay. However, moderation is important as cranberries are acidic and it is a good idea not to have them too often.

That means it is important to be extra vigilant with your oral health over the Christmas period. Remember, teeth are under attack for up to one hour after eating or drinking, and if you think about how much is consumed, and how often, particularly over Christmas and Boxing Day, your teeth don't really get the chance to recover.

So please forgive the Foundation Grinch, but to make sure your teeth don't suffer the festive blues, here are five ways to look after them this Christmas and New Year.

1.Beware of the mince pies, Christmas cake and pudding

Mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding may satisfy millions of people after a traditional Christmas dinner, but one thing they do not satisfy is your teeth. They are all laden with dried fruit, which is high in sugar. These kinds of foods stick to teeth and can cause the most damage, particularly if we're gorging on them throughout Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

2.Don't ditch the routine

The worst thing you can do is wrap up your oral hygiene routine on Christmas Eve for a few days. Teeth take a bit of a hammering, what with all of the chocolates, sugary foods and drinks and the alcohol consumed over the festive period. Christmas morning might be an exciting time for children, but if you're a parent make them wait a little longer - it's only two minutes after all! If a post-Christmas snooze on the sofa is more your thing, then do remember to brush your teeth before you head to bed.

3.Say cheese!

Cheese is great for teeth. It helps to return the mouth to its natural acid balance and help reduce the chances of developing tooth decay. That's why cheeseboards after the main meal are a great idea. Even a little piece of cheese can have the same effect. The same can be said for sugar-free chewing gum (although it may not be great table etiquette!).

4.Use the bottle opener

We can all confess to attempting to open a bottle of beer with our teeth at some point in our lives. Although you can't legislate for genuine accidents, please remember your teeth aren't tools. If your party trick is to open a bottle of beer with your teeth, or if you're always biting open the crisp packet, you're actually doing your teeth more harm than good.
If you somehow lose a tooth, the important thing to remember is not to panic. Get to the emergency dentist as soon as possible, as with the right care, the tooth could be successfully put back into the socket. Ideally you should try and put it back in straight away, without handling the root.
The best chance of having your tooth successfully put back in is to keep the tooth in the cheek. If this isn't possible, keep it in some milk until you receive the necessary emergency dental work. The sooner you can do this the better.

5.Moderation

Moderation is definitely the most important thing to remember. In order to ensure you fully enjoy this time of year without having to compromise on what you eat and drink, bear in mind it is not how much sugary food and drink you have, it is how often you have them that causes a perilous situation for oral health. It's ok to say no to that extra sweet as the tin comes round, or have a glass of milk instead of one last glass of fizz.

The wide popularity of chewing tobacco has raised many alarming concerns for health experts in most countries around the world. According to recent health studies the number of oral cancer patients is increasing day by ...  more >

The wide popularity of chewing tobacco has raised many alarming concerns for health experts in most countries around the world. According to recent health studies the number of oral cancer patients is increasing day by day in India, with smokeless tobacco at its heart. The use of tobacco in India can be traced back to ancient periods of times when it had been used with betel leaf however; the use of tobacco has been increased up to a great extent after the production of readymade sachets.

History of Tobacco in India:

Tobacco was introduced in India about 400 years ago by Portuguese merchants. Before that, Indians were also using locally grown tobacco product. India is considered as the second largest tobacco producer in the world today. The perfect weather condition, fertile soli, frequent rainfall and sufficient sun shine has created a favorable atmosphere for the growth of tobacco tree. There are different varieties of tobacco produced in India and some of them are also being exported to foreign countries. All these kinds of tobacco can be classified into 3 main categories.

• Leaf tobacco
• Chewing (smokeless tobacco) products
• Smoking products

Excessive production and use of tobacco products has increased the chance of oral cancer in the country. India is seen as one of the biggest tobacco markets in world today. There have been several steps taken by India to reduce the usage of tobacco products. According to National Sample Survey (NSS), the use of tobacco has been decreased up to a great extent in the following few years. Still there are lots of attempts to be made to make India a tobacco free country.

Smokeless tobacco damage in India:

India ranks second in the number of tobacco users in the world next to China. There are around 275 millions people using such toxic product in the country. Unlike China, India has more numbers of smokeless tobacco users (around 206 millions).

-Study published in 17th Aug 2012 in "The Lancet" Newspaper-

The major form of smokeless tobacco used in India is chewing products and leafs. Leaf tobacco has been used in many Indian subcontinents these days. During 2008-10, around 23% men in India were smokers, which was quite less as compared to other countries like U.K, U.S and Russia. India has nearly 33% male smokeless tobacco users.

GUTKHA: A chewing tobacco brand in India

Gutkha is a common tobacco chewing product used widely in India. Although the brand doesn't say that it contains Tobacco; it is quite injurious to the body and can cause deadly disease like oral cancer in the later stage. It is available in small sachets also which can be purchased from local stores. Some Gutkha products are used as only mouth fresheners whereas some other types are also used with chocolate flavor.

Diseases caused by Smokeless tobacco:

Using tobacco regularly can bring in several health issues starting from general mouth infection to deadly oral cancer. The products are quite popular among children of 15-17 years of age. Following are few important diseases caused by such toxic products.

Oral Cancer:

The study by medical experts has revealed that excess use of tobacco products can cause deadly disease like oral cancer in individuals. The chances of pre-cancerous growth in children below 11-12 years of age have become a major concern for many health experts. The disease has 10 years of incubation period and it can appear any time during that time frame. Oral cancer is really a lethal disease and it should be identified at the beginning stage. You need to visit a good health clinic in your city in order to come out from the complications. Don't forget to consult an experienced health expert as he or she can identify the stage of disease at the right time.

SMF

Sub-mucous fibrosis (SMF) is another major health issue caused by use of smokeless tobacco. Using such toxic substance for longer period of time produces a hardened structure at mouth lining which then turns into mouth cancer in the later stage. If such hardening structure appears in your mouth, it is really important to take appropriate measures right from the initial stage of disease. You need to consult an experienced health specialist as he can identify the main cause behind the disease and suggest the right measure to heal it effectively.

After the formation of SMF within the mouth region, the patient faces difficulty while opening and closing the mouth. The problem deepens with the passage of time and in some cases, the patient becomes unable to eat solid foods. This happens when the muscles in mouth becomes contracted and prevents it to open. Those patients are fed only with liquefied foods.

Prevention tips to make India free from oral cancer:

•Since the main reason for oral cancer is excessive use of smokeless or chewing tobacco products, you need to avoid them. It might be difficult for you to stay away from tobacco products in the first stage but it would turn into a habit after few days.

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Clean your mouth by using a good mouth rinse product. This would help you to get rid from poor hygiene conditions and you can eliminate the chances of oral cancer as well.

• You need to follow regular exercises as that would help in blood circulation around the arteries and veins. This would also help to drain away all toxic substances present in the cells in the form of sweat.

• Incase you found hardened structure inside your mouth; you should consult a good health specialist immediately. Doctors have suggested that 99% of oral cancers can be cured if those are identified right at their beginning stage.

• Don't forget to consult a good and experienced dental or oral professional if you experience any sign or symptom of oral cancer.

• Children from the age group 15-20 years use tobacco products in excess amounts. It is the primary responsibility of all parents to teach their children about the harmful effects of oral cancer.

------------------

Please visit www.DentistMum.in, a campaign-based website by Dr Patel, which provides information to people about oral health and oral cancer in India. You can also follow Dr. Patel on Twitter.

References:

THE HINDU: 206 million Indians use smokeless tobacco: study

Economic history of tobacco production in India

BBC: Cancer epidemic on the way

We're almost halfway through Mouth Cancer Action Month 2012! So far the campaign has generated fantastic pick-up from the profession, press and public alike. Almost ...  more >

We're almost halfway through Mouth Cancer Action Month 2012! So far the campaign has generated fantastic pick-up from the profession, press and public alike. Almost 200 practices in the UK have registered to hold mouth cancer screening events while we have distributed well in excess of 600 Blue Ribbon Appeal Kits - all activity is going a long way to help raise awareness of mouth cancer, one of the UK's fastest growing cancers.

Yesterday we held a magnificent reception for the campaign at the House of Commons. Hosted by Parliamentary sponsor the Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP, the event went exceptionally well, and a huge thank you to all who attended.

I have attached some photos from the event below.

All the best,

Nigel.

Above: Parliamentary sponsor the Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP hosted the reception.

Above: Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation.

Above: Sarah Bradbury, Brand and Strategic Partnership Manager, Denplan.

Above: Keith Hern, Guest speaker to the Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Above: Professor Simon Rogers, University Hospital Aintree.

Above: British Dental Health Foundation team (back-to-front, left-to-right), David Westgarth, Michelle Childs, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Simon Howell, David Arnold, Doychin Sakutov, Sharon Broom, Becky Sollis and Amanda Oakey.

Above: (Left-to-right) Dr Carmel McLaughlin of Waterside, Professor Simon Rogers and Mike Mcgovern of University Hospital Aintre.

Above: (Left-to-right) Mia Habens, Isabel Hokken, Roger Matthews, Caroline Newton, Sarah Bradbury and Lynsey Thorp.

Above: Dr Chet Trivedy and Dr Priya Gulati, Village Dental Practice.

Above: Dr Nigel Carter OBE and Dame Margaret Seward.

Above: Professor Elizabeth Kay of Peninsula Dental School and Barry Cockroft, Department of Health.

Above: Tony Newton, British Dental Health Foundation President-Elect, Trustee Lorna Grazette, and guest.

Only 13 per cent of people ask their dentist to check them for signs of mouth cancer and shockingly almost the same amount of people have never heard of the disease¹.

Over the past 20 years the dental profession has rallied to hel...  more >

Only 13 per cent of people ask their dentist to check them for signs of mouth cancer and shockingly almost the same amount of people have never heard of the disease¹.

Over the past 20 years the dental profession has rallied to help promote awareness of mouth cancer and Denplan dentists in particular have been among the first to offer free oral cancer screenings. Denplan, a major sponsor of Mouth Cancer Action Month; the annual awareness campaign in November, has been actively supporting the highest standards in private dentistry for more than 25 years.

Denplan member dentists and their teams are in a unique position to share information with you, highlight risks and spot early signs of mouth cancer that can be lifesaving. We are encouraging our 6,500 member dentists to offer free screenings throughout November.

Well over half the population received a dental consultation in the last two years. And as part of the examination dentists perform a pain-free careful check for potentially significant signs, like unusual lumps, red and white patches in the mouth and other possible signs of the disease. Use Mouth Cancer Action Month to ask your dentist if they offer free screenings.

For you, your oral hygiene routine is key and can help prevent other health conditions developing throughout your life. It is about working with your dentist and their dental team so they can identify any factors that could place your dental health at risk, and reduce the daily damage occurring to your teeth and gums.

Denplan's relationship with the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) encompasses the very essence of what Denplan was founded upon - providing dentists with the tools to support preventive private dentistry.

If you are a dentist or patient interested in finding out more about mouth cancer symptoms, we recommend you visit BDHF's website.

Don't be shy - ask your dentist. If you need more tips about preventive dentistry, how best to look after your teeth, how to budget for your preventive private care or to find a Denplan dentist, visit our newly launched website at www.miteeth.co.uk.

¹ BDHF survey, October 2012, conducted by Atomik Research

With London 2012 well under way, everyone is very excited about sports and all the medals Team GB is winning. Hopefully the whole Olympic atmosphere will result in a renewed enthusiasm for sport, for people of allages groups and maybe even to try...  more >

With London 2012 well under way, everyone is very excited about sports and all the medals Team GB is winning. Hopefully the whole Olympic atmosphere will result in a renewed enthusiasm for sport, for people of allages groups and maybe even to try sports they have not tried before.

If you are feeling inspired to take up a new activity, then remember to drink water to rehydrate ratherthan sports drinks. Sports drinks generally contain high levels of sugar and acid which can be harmful to the enamel of the teeth, causing tooth decay and dental erosion.

Whilst exercise is very good for us, a healthy mouth is just as important as a healthy body. If a proper oral health regime is not followed it can lead to gum disease, which has been linked to:

- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Respiratory problems
- Diabetes
- Low birth weight and premature babies

To keep that gold medal smile just remember to:

- Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day using a good fluoride tooth paste.
- Clean in-between the teeth (interdentally), once a day using either floss, tape or interdental brushes.
- Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

All the best,
Karen

Throughout our partnership with the British Dental Health Foundation we have been urging people to think about saving water as well as saving their teeth. Our messages have been simple, if you convince just 50 adults or children to brush for two m...  more >

Throughout our partnership with the British Dental Health Foundation we have been urging people to think about saving water as well as saving their teeth. Our messages have been simple, if you convince just 50 adults or children to brush for two minutes and turn off the tap, it is not only good for their oral health, but you'll also be saving over 1,000 litres every day!

But it's not just at home that we need to get wise about our water use. Studies show that water efficiency could save a business up to 50 per cent on water bills. That's why we're calling on you to help us spread this message because you and your team are brilliantly placed to make a real difference.

A few quick changes make a big difference. So here are just a few ideas for you to try in your dental practice:

1. Many patients may choose to brush their teeth in the dental practice before their check-up. Put up some posters or notices advising them to turn off the tap.

2. Fit water efficient devices, such as aerators or sensors on taps and toilets.

3. Turn off the tap while you lather your hands.

4. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks or dripping taps.

5. Think about reducing the amount you are using make sure your spittoons are not constantly running water.

6. Everybody needs a break-time - but do make sure you boil just the right amount of water for the coffee round!

7. When sterilising, make sure the autoclave is full before using - you wouldn't put the dishwasher on with one dish in would you?!

8. Fish tanks are a popular relaxation aid in waiting rooms up and down the country but when cleaning them out, try giving the nutrient-rich water to your plants instead of sending it down the drain.

Above all, saving water should be fun, not a chore. Having a water saving challenge at work reduces water use, saves on bills and will see your team-mates getting involved too. Make a start by speaking to your water company, they can advise you how to reduce wastage and save on your bills.

The water companies' websites are also full of advice and easy to implement tips for using water wisely at work as well as at home. Either visit your specific water company's website or go to www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/turnoffthetap.

Best wishes,

Tim Robertson, SaveWaterSaveMoney.

The House of Commons was brimming with ‘Smileys' on Tuesday, ahead of start of National Smile Month. It was great to see so many faces and leading figures from the world of dentistry come together for the launch of the largest oral health campai...  more >

The House of Commons was brimming with ‘Smileys' on Tuesday, ahead of start of National Smile Month. It was great to see so many faces and leading figures from the world of dentistry come together for the launch of the largest oral health campaign, which kicks off this Sunday.

National Smile Month is a campaign dedicated to highlighting the importance of oral health, and sees dental practices, community groups, businesses, schools, and members of the public getting involved by organising fun activities throughout the country - all of which made slightly easier with the introduction of the campaign's new symbol....the ‘Smiley'!

Hosted by Parliamentary Sponsor the Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP, the launch event included speeches from some of dentistry's leading experts including the Foundation's Chief Executive Dr Nigel Carter and President John Siebert.

We have received a wonderful response to the campaign so far and in particular with the ‘Smileys'. I've attached a few of the photos from the event below and encourage all participants to have their photographs taken with the Smiley and then upload them on to the National Smile Month Facebook site, or let us know via our Twitter address.

All the best, and have a great National Smile Month!

Last Friday, I took a trip to St Marie's Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Rugby, as almost 500 children showed off their ‘Smileys' as part of National Smile Month.

On the timetable... oral health education, as children had the chance...  more >

Last Friday, I took a trip to St Marie's Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Rugby, as almost 500 children showed off their ‘Smileys' as part of National Smile Month.

On the timetable... oral health education, as children had the chance to learn about the importance of a healthy mouth in a classroom environment. A huge thank you to all those at St Marie's, it was a fantastic day for all those involved, the children undertook many fun and friendly tasks while understanding and learning more about oral health and its significance at such an early age, developing good habits now, to take into adulthood.

You can read more about the event in the news story All smiles at St Marie's, meanwhile, here are some images from the event.

Yesterday, more than 750,000 people were expected to ‘take the leap' and get ready to quit smoking as part of No Smoking Day. But the campaign remains as much about the profession as it does about those attempting to quit. No Smoking Day gives t...  more >

Yesterday, more than 750,000 people were expected to ‘take the leap' and get ready to quit smoking as part of No Smoking Day. But the campaign remains as much about the profession as it does about those attempting to quit. No Smoking Day gives the profession the opportunity to recommend tips on how to maintain a healthy mouth and although most patients know that smoking is hazardous to their health, they may not be aware of the many dangers caused by tobacco, such as gum and periodontal disease, or know it is linked to mouth cancer.

Dental Hygienist Michele Trewhella discusses the importance for the profession in being actively involved in smoking cessation.

As a Hygienist I see my role in smoking cessation as crucial. My experience over the last 40 years has given me a good insight into the damage smoking causes to the mouth and its surrounding structures.

When I started my career in the 70s at least 50 per cent of my patients smoked and so did I. Although difficult to admit, to my shame if I had an awkward patient with lots of tobacco stain, I would sneak off afterwards to the staff room for a ciggy.

I stopped when I was 30 thank goodness, but I believe I lost 3 of my molar teeth through smoke damage.

When I say smoke damage, that's exactly what I mean. Obviously the chemicals and nicotine are harmful and carcinogenic. But what occurred to me was that I was essentially barbequing my gums and soft tissues with hot smoke which I sucked in with the power of a Henry Hoover forcing the smoke into the tissue.

As we know smoke rises, so the palate becomes like a kipper - pale and devoid of a blood supply. The intensity of the smoke will hit the upper back molars as it is sucked up. Hygienists will have noticed that the gingival palatal tissue surrounding the 6's and 7's in smoker has receded by at least 4-5mm, but not so much the buccal aspect. Perhaps the cheek tissue prevents the infusion of the smoke!

As far as I know there has not been any scientific research into this theory, but one only has to look at the crinkled lined lips of smokers and dehydrated facial skin to acknowledge there is something more to this than just nicotine.

People of my generation grew up with smoking. It was the norm. Indeed for us ladies it was seen as sophisticated - remember the iconic photo with Audrey Hepburn?

What really concerns me is the amount of young people I see smoking. Rising costs to stave people off the habit means more youngsters have turned to rolling their own. Guys, it's not sophisticated and it's not a good look. How does this relate to tailor-made cigarettes? Is the tobacco stronger in roll ups? Is there less protection from the filters? Do they inhale more or less smoke? Again I can't find any research relating to this.

When broaching the subject of smoking with my patients I take a very holistic approach. They don't want to be nagged yet again by another health care professional. They KNOW smoking is bad for them. I am honest about my experience of smoking. I take on board all the other daily stress of their lives. These are people not just mouths with teeth and gums. All I want for them is to keep their health teeth and sanity.

I hope I can help them to understand what the consequences are so they can then make informed decisions. That's all I ask and all I can expect.

When I finish treatment I ask patients not to smoke for at least one hour to give the enamel a chance to re-mineralize. I hope to plant the seeds of awareness so they may think about stopping. It's a start.

Like weight loss and many other addictive problems, patients have to want to stop. We mustn't tell them off or the shutters will come down and they probably won't return.

As for me I wouldn't even dare have one again. It might seem such a good idea at a party with a glass of merlot, but two weeks later you're standing in the corner shop saying "Twenty Bensons Please".

The term "smoking gun" was originally, and is still primarily, a reference to an object or fact that serves as conclusive evidence of a crime or similar act. How apt!

Michele Trewhella EDH , cert FE

We all love a bargain, something free, and should accept no less than value for money - and dental patients are no exception.

How many times do we visit a restaurant with our children and after the meal, the proprietor offers the child a 'lo...  more >

We all love a bargain, something free, and should accept no less than value for money - and dental patients are no exception.

How many times do we visit a restaurant with our children and after the meal, the proprietor offers the child a 'lolly' or similar? Not only is our child thrilled, we are happy to receive ‘something for nothing'! (Although we would probably prefer a sugar-free lolly)

This is probably a perception on our part and 50p has been added to our bill for said ‘lolly', but we still go away with a warm feeling that the establishment enjoyed having us as customers and we are more likely to return.

I have often wondered why a dentist does not, at least give each patient a small ‘thank you' for their custom, especially after a long and costly course of treatment! It does not have to be something of high monetary value and if funds are limited, the cost could always be added to the bill if absolutely necessary!

Children love a sticker or a balloon, but have you thought about a sugar-free lolly, a tattoo, a bouncy ball, a pencil..... The list of motivators available from The British Dental Health Foundation is practically endless! In our online shop we have many unique ideas to give that extra perceived value, increase patient satisfaction and improve the chances of the patient returning.

Of the adults should not be left out either! I personally love the Floss Cards and the compact ID brushes, they are great for in your bag or pocket for those emergency flossing needs when you are out and about! You can even personalise toothbrushes so that your practice details are available for your patient every time they brush!

In this day and age, it's not only about gaining patients, it's important to keep our patients too. By treating everyone as we would like to be treated ourselves, repeat business and recommendations are something that we can look forward to.

Why not give us a call on 01788 539 793 and we will be pleased to discuss motivational tools for your practice, or alternatively, take a look around our website and you can order from there too!

All the best

Karen

Everyone in the UK has a right to comprehensive, quality dental care. The oral health of those with learning disabilities can often be put at risk because of poor communication and a general understanding of their needs. An individual with a learn...  more >

Everyone in the UK has a right to comprehensive, quality dental care. The oral health of those with learning disabilities can often be put at risk because of poor communication and a general understanding of their needs. An individual with a learning disability may not wholly understand or appreciate the importance of keeping a healthy mouth, which can be difficult when it comes for dental professionals or carers trying to get the individual to corporate with a healthy day-to-day routine. People with special needs may also become overanxious at the thought of going to the dentist or may need extra reassurance while people suffering from severe medical problems may need extra precautions or care. To address this there are several things we as the profession could do.

First and foremost, we should ensure that people with learning disabilities have the opportunities to learn about their oral health and that information is provided in ways that take communication difficulties into account. Plain English literature or picture-based books are available which are targeted at people with learning difficulties and their carers, with the addition of video and visual support which, along with carefully monitored supervision can be a great help to those with special needs gaining an understanding about oral health.

People with severe learning and communication difficulties may also not be able to express discomfort or pain in usual ways. Carers must be aware of this and sensitive to changes in behaviour or well-being that indicate pain, illness or unhappiness. Some patients prefer to be seen at certain times of the day depending on their needs. For instance, evening appointments may not be suitable for those patients that tire easily or may spend the day worrying. Some patients rely heavily on routine and may need regular appointments at the same time.

People with mental illness often avoid dental care, and their oral hygiene may be impaired, with consequential periodontal disease and caries. Their medication may produce adverse oral effects, such as dry mouth due to a lack of saliva (with increased risk of caries) and oral dyskinesias - an involuntary repetitive movement of the mouth and face. Dental management commonly involves ensuring good oral health care, which may involve the support of a carer, delaying treatment until there is relative psychiatric equilibrium, keeping appointments short, and oral or intravenous sedation could all be required.

People with special needs are those whose dental care is complicated by a physical, mental, or social disability. Barriers to the access of dental services for them, which most of us take for granted, remains a consistent problem - one that has dogged those with special needs for decades.

Those with learning difficulties tend to receive less oral health care than the general population, and just like all of those who do not see their dentist regularly, they may have oral problems that can affect systemic health. Improving oral health for people with special needs is possible mainly through community based dental care systems. Education of patients and parents or carers with regard to prevention and treatment of oral disease must be planned from an early stage. This will minimise disease and operative intervention since extractions and surgical procedures in particular often produce major problems.

All the best,

Nigel

We wish to draw to your attention to the unfair situation faced by many mouth cancer patients compared to most other forms of cancers.

It is an issue that needs to be put right in any new dental commissioning arrangements to ensure that mout...  more >

We wish to draw to your attention to the unfair situation faced by many mouth cancer patients compared to most other forms of cancers.

It is an issue that needs to be put right in any new dental commissioning arrangements to ensure that mouth cancer sufferers do not have the financial burden for recovering from their condition and returning their lives to normal.

Macmillan Cancer Support have recently highlighted in the media the financial burden affecting cancer patients, with two thirds (66 per cent) reporting an increase in costs are a result of suffering from cancer. For many mouth cancer sufferers the financial challenges are even more daunting. During Mouth Cancer Action Month we believe it is important to raise the financial inequalities that some patients with mouth cancer have to endure in addition to the burden of their disease.

Within the hospital system mouth cancer patients receive all their treatment free of charge in line with patients with other cancers. Sadly, this is not the case outside the hospital setting. The nature of treatment for mouth cancer, irrespective of the modality, has a significant impact upon the teeth as well as the soft tissues of the mouth as a direct consequence of treatment. This often leaves the patient with significant lifelong dental needs. If they were fortunate to have access to a restorative specialist, who was linked to their cancer unit, this treatment would be free.

However, where these resources are unavailable, or where there are long waiting times, patients have to register with their local dentist and pay for routine treatment. Some may view full mouth rehabilitation following surgery with implants, bridges and crowns as non-essential aesthetic treatment, only available privately. However giving a patient who has had major facial surgery their smile back is often a major priority for the patient.

In our opinion there would be a public outcry if patients with any other type cancer were asked to contribute to the cost of their reconstructive treatment.

Given the uncertainties over the new dental contract and the commissioning of future dental services we are concerned that patients who have treatment for mouth cancer, and who cannot have all their follow up in the hospital setting, will continue be forced to pay to maintain their oral health.

We think it is time for the dental profession to stand up for patients and we have established an e-petition to encourage Government to add patients who have had treatment for mouth cancer to be exempt from NHS dental charges. We hope all dental professionals will support the e-petition which can be signed by visiting here.

We also feel strongly about the limited availability of free examinations for mouth cancer. Improvements in survival rates for mouth cancer are lagging behind most other cancers. Early detection is vital and without changes to the current arrangements 30,000 people are likely to lose their life to mouth cancer over the next decade. These figures are greater than cervical and testicular cancer combined.

We believe that all patients should have a right to access free professional care when they are worried about having cancer. A patient with a breast lump or a testicular swelling can see their general medical practitioner to be examined and referred for free whereas a patient with a mouth ulcer who is worried that a mouth ulcer may be cancerous will have to pay for that same privilege unless they fit into one of the NHS exemption categories.

Often dental patients who cannot get access to an NHS dentist are forced to pay significant amounts of money for this service through the private route. Furthermore those patients who are unable to afford the price of a private consultation may see their doctor for a free consultation. Sadly there are still too many cases where malignancies, which are missed or poorly managed due to the lack of training of medical professionals, in diagnosing mouth cancer.

Although the cost of an NHS check-up, which is meant to include an examination of the oral mucosa, may not seem like a big expense it may be a significant cost to those on low incomes in the current economic climate. Furthermore given that a low socio-economic status is an independent risk factor for mouth cancer this may dis-incentivise the very people who are at a higher risk of developing mouth cancer from getting timely professional advice.

If we want to really make an impact on the statistics and support for mouth cancer sufferers in the UK we cannot ignore the unfairness of the current arrangements. We hope it is an issue that the whole profession will support over the coming months.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Chetan Trivedy and Dr Nigel Carter

The British Dental Health Foundation is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and we will be in force at this year's Dental Showcase in Birmingham to tell you all about our work and encourage you to get involved. The event is an ideal opportu...  more >

The British Dental Health Foundation is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and we will be in force at this year's Dental Showcase in Birmingham to tell you all about our work and encourage you to get involved. The event is an ideal opportunity to support us and find out more about our activities including National Smile Mouth and Mouth Cancer Action Month, educational resources for patients, product accreditation and the National Dental Helpline.

Supporting dental professionals to improve their patient education and communication is an important aspect of the British Dental Health Foundation's work, and Dental Showcase is the perfect venue to display our efforts in this field. Our Exhibition Stand (W06) will be packed full of patient education material and other essential resources for every dental practice. Foundation staff will be there in force to meet with colleagues and customers to discuss our work and how we can assist the profession.

The new 2011 Resources Catalogue will be freely available featuring hundreds of new products, of which an extensive range, including models, motivators and dental packs can be found on the stand itself. Additionally, many of the dental profession's firm favourites will appear, such as appointment books, hygiene demonstrators and dental gifts.

The Foundation will also be promoting its Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign, which takes place throughout November, by urging dental and medical practices, pharmacies, health centres and oral health educators to help raise awareness of the early symptoms and the main risk factors to the public. With 6,000 people in the UK diagnosed with the disease every year, it is increasingly important to further educate the general public and take any steps we can in helping to reduce the impact of this devastating condition.

This year's campaign guide and posters will be available for free on the stand, and members of the Foundation's PR team will be there to tell you how you can get involved in this year's campaign. We'll also be able to tell you how you get involved during National Smile Month, how to join the Foundation, sponsorship opportunities and making a donation by supporting the Blue Ribbon Appeal during Mouth Cancer Action Month in November.

We look forward to seeing you there and your support throughout our anniversary year.

All the best,

Nigel.

Copies of the Resources Catalogue, Mouth Cancer Action Month Guide and Poster, are available now! For free copies please call the Foundation on 0845 063 1188. Visit www.dentalhealth.org and www.mouthcancer.org for more information.

With the summer holidays over for yet another year, parents up and down the country have been preparing to get their children ready for going back to school. Having to prepare school uniforms, shoes, sports kits, school bags, stationary and many m...  more >

With the summer holidays over for yet another year, parents up and down the country have been preparing to get their children ready for going back to school. Having to prepare school uniforms, shoes, sports kits, school bags, stationary and many more essentials can be overwhelming for many, so much so that one of the really important measures could easily get overlooked.

In the morning school rush, many children might not spend enough time brushing their teeth. If this is the case, it can soon lead to poor oral health and dental decay - the most common childhood disease! The good news is that this is completely preventable. So just follow some of the back to school tips and make sure you send your child off to school smiling!

Karen's Top Tips

• Teaching your children good habits early on will help them throughout their childhood and into their adult years. Get it right and you could save hundreds of pounds on unnecessary dental treatment in the future.

• Let your child choose their own toothbrush. Make it has small-to-medium-sized brush with soft to medium bristles and don't forget to replace it when the bristles are worn and splayed.

• Children are often particular about flavours of food that they eat, and the flavour of toothpaste is no different. Find one they like and stick to it, they will be less likely to oppose brushing.

• Make sure they brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. It is a good idea to monitor them until you are confident they can be trusted to brush for the full two minutes unsupervised, usually until the age of around 7.

• Pack a nutritious lunch & snack for school. Breadsticks, vegetables, and cheese are great choices as they are good for teeth because they help neutralise acids. Try to stay clear of fruit juices and fizzy drinks because they are very acidic and erode tooth enamel.

• Get them to use a straw when drinking as this helps the acid to go to the back of the child's mouth and reduces the number of acid attacks on their teeth.

• It's unlikely that kids can brush their teeth after lunch. But a quick trip to the water fountain to rinse their mouths is almost as good! Teenagers can also chew sugar-free gum after eating to help make more saliva and neutralise the acids which form in their mouth after eating.

The final point to make here, and one of the most important, is to ensure that a dental check-up for your child is on the horizon, as regular checkups, at least one a year, will make sure their smiles are healthy an bright.

Until next time,

Karen.

If you have a back-to-school tip that could help another parent or caregiver, please share it! If you have a question or comment, please feel free to post that as well.

For more information and tips for their oral health visit our ‘Tell Me About' Section here.

Since its introduction to the mainstream, two decades ago, the Internet has changed significantly. One of the biggest, and arguably one of the most important developments, has been that of the emergence of online communities. With the intention to...  more >

Since its introduction to the mainstream, two decades ago, the Internet has changed significantly. One of the biggest, and arguably one of the most important developments, has been that of the emergence of online communities. With the intention to emulate physical communication, features such as instant messaging have allowed users to not only imitate real-life communities but expand their network of contacts across the entire globe.

I'm sure some of you think, ‘so what' or ‘I just don't get it'. But it's worthwhile taking a closer look. Most people will have heard of the phrase ‘word-of-mouth'. Online communities are a virtual extension of this mode of communication - except its impact is limitless. And we all know how word-of-mouth is important to reputation and standing.

Online communities offer a distinct advantage by the exchange of instant information, something that is not often possible in the "real" world. Access to thousands of discussion groups and the forming of relationships, with peers and colleagues, as well as the general public themselves, can be easily made and maintained with effortless access and quick response times. Another benefit is that these types of communities can give users a feeling of membership and belonging. Users can give and receive support, and it is simple and cheap to use. And this is exactly why dentistry should embrace it!

A number of months ago now a young dentist from the UK, who I will not name, was an active blogger and contributor to online channels such as YouTube, producing content to engage the public while aiming to generate greater communication throughout the profession. However, after many months of trying to make a difference, he decided to take a step back, and withdraw his content from the web. Why? He claimed that he was being used as an example of how the levels of professionalism have dropped in dentistry.

Whether or not the content published sent out the right or wrong message, the principle that he is at least attempting to connect with an audience should be applauded, not ridiculed. After all, being able to broadcast thoughts and views to have them received by the masses is what the Internet is all about. Most professionals in dentistry have slightly different ideas about clinical practice but we should not use those differences against any one person, especially if they are only just beginning their careers in the field. Freedom of expression that ignites debate, no matter what the starting point happens to be, will only improve the system in the future, possibly with the materialisation of clinical support networks for the more experienced professionals and the younger generation to talk about what is happening within dentistry without the feeling of being chastised.

Just like any on or off-line community, groups are composed of crowds of people that share similar interests, of which dentistry is just one of tens, possible hundreds, of thousands. Greater accessibility, sharing, self-expression, relationships and education are all areas in which the creation and development of online communities can encourage engagement. Many professions have already experienced the benefits of this technology - we should turn a blind eye to it at our peril.

All the best,

Nigel.

Even at the best of times, a visit to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether it is your first time in the chair and you are not sure what to expect, or you are a veteran attendee who has been going for many years, choosing the rig...  more >

Even at the best of times, a visit to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether it is your first time in the chair and you are not sure what to expect, or you are a veteran attendee who has been going for many years, choosing the right dentist is vitally important. And that's just why I have come up with these Do's for picking the right Practice.

DO ask the people you trust

This is really important. Asking your friends, family, work colleagues or neighbours for personal recommendations or their experiences will often make you feel more comfortable about coming to a decision about what's right for you. Asking about how long they have been with their dentist and their standard of work or professionalism will give you an idea of how happy they are.

DO shop around

Don't be afraid to go shopping around. Finding a good dentist and the right practice is just as important as anything else. You wouldn't buy the first house you viewed, and it should be the same for the dentist. Check out several dental practices to find the one that seems right for you would by visiting in person or by looking at their facilities online or in their practice brochures.

DO ask yourself...

Asking yourself a series of questions after visiting the Practice is again, another really helpful tip in assessing how comfortable you would be if you chose that particular Practice or dentist. Were the team helpful and friendly? Is it close to home or convenient to travel to? These are all questions you should ask yourself before committing to a dentist.

DO consider their treatments and services

It is important to know that the Practice has the support and infrastructure you are looking for. Consider whether or not you are interested in any particular procedure or treatment, for example cosmetic or orthodontic work. Enquire about the dentist's experience with that particular procedure, after all, some dentists will specialise more in one area of dentistry than another.

DO talk to the team

Although you are unlikely to get to meet the dentist before they take you on, you can still talk to the front-of-house team and dental nurses. There may be no way for judging clinical quality other than recommendations, so having a nice friendly practice that makes you feel welcome should be high on the priority list.

DO look at promotional material

It might seem a fairly superficial way of judging the skills of a dental practice but taking a look at their advertising and promotional material can actually be a fantastic indicator. Some self promotion in the market at the moment is excellent, and a great way to assess an active practice and thriving business. Needless to say, take these with a pinch of salt; all in all, it's the quality of work that matters most but don't discount these kind of campaigns, more often than often, they will be offering a fantastic service and who knows, there's maybe a bargain or two that can be found!

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Try to follow these simply steps and you will have a great chance of finding the right dentist for your needs, who makes you feel comfortable and who carries out quality work to a professional and high standard. Throughout your life you will make countless trips to the dentist's chair so it's important that you do not rush, take your time and find the right person to take care of your teeth.

With thanks,

Nigel.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many of us will be thinking about treating ourselves to a well-deserved luxury break. But whether it's California or Cleethorpes, Corfu or Cornwall, there's nothing worse than having a relaxing getaway in...  more >

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many of us will be thinking about treating ourselves to a well-deserved luxury break. But whether it's California or Cleethorpes, Corfu or Cornwall, there's nothing worse than having a relaxing getaway interrupted by a sudden bout of illness. It is important that we know the potential risks to our dental health during this time so that something as easily preventative as a toothache doesn't ruin our holiday celebrations.

So, here are a few tips to get us through the holidays...

1. The dental check-up

First things first, before you set off on your summer holiday, make sure you take a flying trip to your dentist. Although a visit to the dentist may not be at the forefront of your mind when preparing to go on holiday, it should be a part of everyone's pre-holiday preparations, either as a precaution or to eliminate potential long-term damage to your dental health. But if you really can't do it before - do it immediately after. A scale and polish might be a good thing after giving your teeth a hard time.

2. Don't forget your toothbrush

This should go without saying but during the packing process, which can get especially manic, it's surprising what can get left behind - even something as valuable in your daily routine as your toothbrush! It's also a good idea to take a spare toothbrush, just in case you have a mishap with your regular one. Before a holiday is also the perfect time to buy a new toothbrush and pop it in your toilet bag. You could also take this time to try something new to give your teeth some extra TLC - interdental brushes for example.

3. Water is the drink of choice

As mentioned in my blog last week, the importance of water during a hot summer holiday is vital for our overall health but it also provides a vital role for our oral health too. We should avoid regularly consumption of drinks with high sugar and acidic content such as sports drinks or fruit juices which increase the chance of dental decay and enamel erosion. A word of caution on drinking tap water abroad though, to reduce the risk of picking up a tummy bug, bottled water is probably the better option.

4. Limit your sugary foods

Our summer holidays are usually the time where we eat more excessively than usually, which more often than not, makes for a high-in-sugar diet. During the holidays we are more likely to "graze" but we must remember to keep this to a minimum. It is better for our teeth and general health to stick to three meals a-day instead of having seven to ten of these "snack-attacks", which can cause dental decay and erosion, the loss of tooth enamel, which if worn away the dentine underneath is exposed and your teeth can look discoloured and become sensitive.

5. Protect your lips

While basking in the sun, many of us will sensibly apply suntan lotion to protect ourselves against the sun's rays, in a bid to help prevent such diseases as skin cancer but what many people fail to realise is the importance of protecting our lips. With the skin on our lips being thin and particularly vulnerable due to the lack of melanin, shielding our lips from the sun on holiday is essential as prolonged exposure could lead to forms of oral cancer.

6. Pack your dental first aid kit

This is a crucial piece of equipment to take on holiday. Often small and inexpensive, there are many dental first aid kits in the market and the majority of them contain everything you would need in a dental emergency. No matter how careful we are, accidents do happen so make sure you are prepared for any eventuality.

7. Regulate your alcohol consumption

It's easy to get carried away, but there a certain holiday luxuries that you should be particularly careful of - and one of these is alcohol. Regular consumption of sweet cocktails and fizzy alcoholic drinks can result in tooth decay...not exactly the holiday souvenir you were hoping for. And with alcohol being a leading cause of oral cancer we must make sure that we drink responsibly.

8. Take your spare dentures

This may come as a surprise but many sets of dentures are lost by their owners on holiday so taking a spare pair is always a good idea. Most dentures on holiday are lost through a being sick, following a bout of seasickness or food poisoning for example, with the owner not realising that their dentures have slipped out, more often than not either overboard, or down the toilet.

9. Beware of sporting injuries

Briefly touch on in a past blog post, oral sporting injuries are a common occurrence, and especially prevalent during the holiday period. Lost or cracked teeth when diving into swimming pools is a common one, as is the impact of a ball or bat to the mouth. Accidents happen and unfortunately there's not much you can to do prevent them but simply being aware of the potential dangers will perhaps make you think twice when taking part in activities.

10. Know the support available

... And finally. You may be far away from your regular dentist but there is still professional support available to you in an emergency. For European holidays you will have your European Health Card with an emergency support number - don't be scared to call it - they are there to help! Your Holiday Rep will also have contact details for nearby dentists while purchasing travel and holiday insurance could also save you an expensive bill for treatment. If you decide to stay in the UK, the Dental Helpline (0845 063 1188) is available to answer any questions you might have about your oral health.

Happy holidays,

Nigel.

For 20 years, the British Dental Health Foundation's Accreditation Programme has been offering concerned consumers reassurance about product safety and quality by marking oral health products with its certified ‘Approved' logo. With more than 15...  more >

For 20 years, the British Dental Health Foundation's Accreditation Programme has been offering concerned consumers reassurance about product safety and quality by marking oral health products with its certified ‘Approved' logo. With more than 150 approved products to date, the Foundation's accreditation scheme evaluates and clinically tests these products against manufacturer's claims about their performance. Today, I am pleased to announce the latest edition to that essential list.

Last Friday on July 1, Procter & Gamble launched the first toothpaste under its Oral-B dental brand in the UK, called Pro-Expert. More than 15 years in development, the Pro-Dental range includes four toothpastes that have each been developed to provide an all-in-one toothpaste that targets the eight problem dental areas identified by dentists, have just passed our independent scientific panel.

It's a big step to launch your first toothpaste, so for Oral-B to launch four of them, and to get each one to tick all the boxes in terms of a "gold" standard toothpaste, is something very special indeed. I would like to welcome to Pro Expert range to the Accreditation family and hope their new range of products can excite the public while being able to improve their oral health.

The toothpaste itself is being talked up as being one of the most significant new oral care product launches of the year, and you can see why. Its unique stannous fluoride formulation makes tooth enamel more resistant to bacteria-generated acid attacks than convention sodium fluoride used in most toothpastes. While the eight areas in which help make the Pro-Expert range so effective include protection against gum problems, plaque, caries, calculus formation, dentinal hypersensitivity, staining and bad breath as well as erosion - it really is an all-in one toothpaste - an exciting progression in the market.

The Pro Expert toothpaste, as with all the Foundation's accredited products range will be marked with the official ‘approved' badge (see right).

Until next time,

Nigel

The Foundation welcomes submissions from all manufacturers who feel their products will satisfy the Foundation's rigorous and objective accreditation criteria.

It seems like only yesterday that the UK was celebrating beating Paris having been chosen to host the 30th Olympic Games in 2012. In fact, when a colleague recently told me that was six years ago now, I couldn't quite believe it. The two weeks its...  more >

It seems like only yesterday that the UK was celebrating beating Paris having been chosen to host the 30th Olympic Games in 2012. In fact, when a colleague recently told me that was six years ago now, I couldn't quite believe it. The two weeks itself will unquestionably be a roaring success, with the very best athletes in world putting on a sporting feast, but beyond the Games itself, there is a superb opportunity to get more children active and healthy by participating and taking up sport.

UK sports bodies are investing tens of millions of pounds into a London legacy programme they hope will see 300,000 teenagers take up sport, while many millions more will be inspired as results of what they have seen during the Games. The long-lasting effect of overall health in people from the UK could be looking considerably more positive, though with more youngsters expected to take up sport over the next year the Foundation must educate schoolchildren about the relationship that stands between sport and their dental health.

Dental injuries are a frequent incidence in sport, ranging from anything such as a cut lip, or a chipped tooth, to teeth that have been entirely knocked out. It is for this reason that mouthguards in contact sports, or sports involving fast moving objects, must be worn by all competitors. I have seen some horrific oral sporting maxillofacial injuries, all of which could be prevented with the correct equipment. A well made mouthguard will protect the teeth, the jaw bone, even the lips. It can also reduce the chance of picking up a concussion after a heavy impact.

At large, it should be down to the patient to approach their dentist about oral safeguards in sport. In that case, any good dentist will be more than happy to talk the patient through the various options and the process of treatment - which today, isn't as expensive as you might think. However, more often than not this will not happen. Maybe it is the out-dated thought of having to run around a sports field wearing a rather unsightly and "goofy" looking 1950's style retainer. Or perhaps it is simply that the patient is unaware of their options.

Displaying posters and information in the waiting room of the practice will be of great assistance to patients in realising that mouthguards can be comfortable and cost saving prevention in the long run. But there is another underlying issue here.

Throughout the many events of the 26 Olympic sports and 20 Paralympic sports, how many of the athletes featured, broadcast live to millions across the world, will lead by example and wear the correct oral equipment themselves? For sure, there will be exceptions to this. Those involved in sports such as hockey and boxing are usually very careful in the way they protect their mouths, but how about those in the many cycling events such as BMX or the mountain biking, and other combat sports such as judo and taekwondo?

In conjuncture with wider initiatives and strategies, London 2012 is a fantastic opportunity to change the oral health, overall health and the lives of youngsters in the UK. However, we must make sure the next generation of sporting stars grow up being aware of any injury risks from sport and teach them the importance to be safe. Although the dentist and the parents of the children will have a role here, it will most likely be the athletes as role models that will be the influential factor. Children will look up to the current athletes and mirror their style on the field and safety should play just as big a part in that than the eventually rewards of sporting success.

All the best,

Nigel

Do you have a story to tell about your dental health and how it has been affected by a sporting injury? Please contact us at pr@dentalhealth.org.

In 1968, the very first Adult Dental Survey in England and Wales found, what now, seems to be a somewhat remarkable statistic - over a third of adults had none of their natural teeth. Considering where we are today in terms of our oral health as a...  more >

In 1968, the very first Adult Dental Survey in England and Wales found, what now, seems to be a somewhat remarkable statistic - over a third of adults had none of their natural teeth. Considering where we are today in terms of our oral health as a nation, it is quite unthinkable. Thankfully, since then a transformation has taken place across the UK in terms of how we choose to look after our teeth. Tooth loss in adults still remains, but not nearly to the same extent. Today, only six per cent of adults in England and Wales are edentate, but new stem cell research could make any amount of tooth loss a thing of the past.

Last week, reports from America have indicated that continuing work into stem cell research could one day make replacement teeth a distinct possibility. Previously, we have relied upon dentures and more recently, dental implants, to combat tooth loss, so is the idea of tooth regeneration, developed by stem cells in a laboratory the next step along the path to perfect health? As of yet, the increasing availability and affordability of cosmetic dental treatment has rightfully not replaced our day-to-day oral care routine. However, with the potential ease of simply being able to "grow" a new tooth adds a new and interesting dimension to oral care in the future.

There is no doubt that such research is impressive as a feat of scientific achievement, and the concept of tooth regeneration, particularly in cases of lost, avulsed or cracked teeth through either sporting injuries or disfigurements could be of great help. Though I believe access to technology like this, along with any cost, are likely to make this development out of the reach of a majority of the populace, for the foreseeable future, my worry remains that the concept of being able to generate new teeth via a stem cell injection to the jaw has concerning implications when it comes to the motivation of oral care at home.

It remains difficult to imagine a future where we can completely eliminate tooth loss. There will always be people whose oral health and function does not meet the best possible standards. Good oral health cannot be taken for granted, even in the young, and the variations between rich and poor, and to a lesser extent, geography, will always be very apparent. And it is for this reason that we must continue to support the message that prevention is better than the cure.

Severe dental caries and other oral diseases that result from not taking correct care for our mouths, can still lead to the many systematic problems we have been hearing about for years - heart disease, strokes, diabetes, dementia, the list goes on. And unless scientists go on to develop "cures" for these diseases, we should not look towards stem cells as an adequate treatment for good oral health. One thing is for certain, the debate into stem cell research and any such implementation of stem cell procedures unquestionably have a long way to go. Maybe in generations to come we will look back with perfectly formed teeth, grown straight out of the lab, but for now, we will have to settle for taking pride, and taking care of, the teeth we are given.

Keep smiling,

Nigel

It's officially the start of National Smile Month! There is always a buzz and a sense of excitement in the air leading up and into the campaign - and this year has been no exception. The many months of endless hard work in preparation, promotion a...  more >

It's officially the start of National Smile Month! There is always a buzz and a sense of excitement in the air leading up and into the campaign - and this year has been no exception. The many months of endless hard work in preparation, promotion and development of the campaign sets in motion a month-long series of events to go about challenging and improving the oral health of those in the UK.

This year's campaign, going under the theme of the ‘Smile Factor' launched on last Thursday from the Houses of Parliament with a host of guest speakers and guest from the world of dentistry.

Hosted by Parliamentary sponsor the Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP, the event went fantastically well and was a terrific way to kick-start the campaign. The launch attracted almost 100 people, including some of the UK's leading dental experts, members of the profession, trade and press - I was thrilled to see so many in attendance.

We have received a tremendous response to the campaign so far. Hopefully by the end of the campaign I can come and write about the Smile Factor being one of our best ever campaigns!

Above: Organisers and sponsors from the BDHF, Proctor & Gamble, Wrigley, Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline get a breath of fresh air on the balcony. Copyright Mary Newing. Source TheDentalWeb

Above: Parliamentary sponsor the Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP (right) opened proceedings at the launch. Copyright Mary Newing. Source TheDentalWeb

Above: The Foundation's President Daniel Davis (left), and myself (right), also spoke, discussing the Foundation's aims and goals, what makes National Smile Month a success and thanking all those that make the oral health campaign what it is today, on its 35th anniversary.

Above: Jane Armitage of Thompson & Thomas in Sheffield, who last week at the Dental Awards picked up the prize of Best National Smile Month Event for last year's Teeth4Life campaign.

Above: Roger Matthews of Denplan (left) and Noam Tamir, CEO Smile-on (right), who have once again generously provided the website for the National Smile Month campaign. Copyright Mary Newing. Source TheDentalWeb

Above: Jane Baker (left) and Sue Cook (right), made the trip from NHS Gwent in Wales. They are two of the many oral health education from around the UK who take part in National Smile Month. Without them, along with others in the profession, the campaign would not be the success it is today.

Above: Operations Director at the Foundation, Sharon Broom, along with Chet Trivedy of Birwood Dental Care, who does some splendid and vital work campaigning for early detection and screening for mouth cancer.

Many health experts throughout the UK have voiced their concerns over the last week, after being told that potential funding cuts might well mean the end for a significant annual health survey. Conducted every year by the Office of Statistics, the...  more >

Many health experts throughout the UK have voiced their concerns over the last week, after being told that potential funding cuts might well mean the end for a significant annual health survey. Conducted every year by the Office of Statistics, the General Lifestyle Survey has been an important tool for a number of Governmental departments, providing vital insights into many of our behaviours. The survey conducts important research into our smoking and drinking habits, as well as looking at the issues of housing, employment and education.

So why is the survey so important? Simply put, the survey, which has been running since the early 1970's, has been central in enabling experts to spot a number of up-and-coming and recurring trends of UK residents. More so, however, it has been an essential tool in helping to develop effective health policies, which have often acted to reduce the inequalities in the nation's health. They are also vital in decreasing health-damaging habits such as smoking and excessive drinking and instead promoting active and healthy lifestyles.

The issue at large here, is the effect it will have alongside the coalition's target to refine a large proportion of public health strategies in order to improve health across the UK. Cuts to the General Lifestyle Survey will seriously hamper the monitoring of any new strategies put in place, not to mention preventing the assessments of areas in need of improvement. Many experts have suggested that this only heightens the confusing messages coming out of the Department of Health (DoH), who themselves have recently entered into agreements with both the alcohol industry and food manufacturers. There are also suggestions that the funding cut could break the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Until these cuts take effect no-one really knows what the repercussions will be, although several outcomes that have been hypothesised, such as an increase of obesity, binge drinking and smoking, could be hugely detrimental to our health as a nation in the long-term. If these outcomes do in fact come to pass then it would undoubtedly lead to a greater annual cost for the NHS and Government than the relatively cheap £300,000 survey. For ourselves, who campaign heavily on mouth cancer action, an increased uptake of the risk factors e.g. smoking and drinking, at the same time as taking away a value tracking resource to monitor such behaviours could pose a serious threat to the education and prevention of a cancer that has continually risen over the last decade.

The final decision to cut the survey lands solely at the feet of Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, who must decide whether or not to approve the NHS Information Centre's proposal. I do hope he sees the tremendous value the survey has had on public health in the UK over the last 40 years and will continue to have in the future, and block this proposed plan with immediate effect.

The line between cosmetic treatment and beauty therapy has always thrown up some interesting debates, particularly when it has come to the treatment of tooth whitening. A procedure that, until now has been widely offered not only by dentists but a...  more >

The line between cosmetic treatment and beauty therapy has always thrown up some interesting debates, particularly when it has come to the treatment of tooth whitening. A procedure that, until now has been widely offered not only by dentists but astonishingly by those who work in salons and health spas too. It is a practice that I have consistently been extremely concerned about in terms of danger to the public and one that I think has too often wriggled through the net, evading the eyes of the law makers and regulators here in the UK.

That's exactly why I was delighted to hear last week about a landmark ruling and the first case of its kind in this country. The General Dental Council (GDC) successfully prosecuted a non-registrant for performing tooth whitening, which the GDC itself regards as the practice of dentistry. The accused, who pleaded guilty to four offences including practising dentistry while not registered as a dentist or dental care professional between October 2010 and March 2011 was charged under the Dentists Act 1984.

Even though an eventual fine of £6,265 seemed worryingly lenient and would arguably not scare off those currently persisting in practicing illegally, the case itself has substantial repercussions for both the dental profession as well as for the public themselves. The GDC is now set to carefully consider its position and could potentially open the floodgates with regards to hundreds more complaints they have received about the illegal practice of dentistry over recent years.

While admittedly being capable of producing some tremendous results when carried out correctly, tooth whitening performed by untrained hands can be disastrous. Many times cases emerge of horror stories because the member of staff is simply not professionally able to orally examine the patient. Because of this they are unable to determine whether the materials they are applying are safe or effective which can lead to a whole range of hazardous effects, from wrecking tooth enamel or ulcerating the gumline to, in some cases, actually darkening the teeth.

As it has now been established in a court of law that whitening is the practice of dentistry, any spas, shopping centre kiosks or non-dental clinics performing the treatment will have to be registered and regulated in the same way as a dental practice currently does. It will certainly be interesting to see whether or not, after all the associated costs and red tape whether these establishments would continue to run these specialist treatments.

In line with the increasing importance of celebrity and the Hollywood smile, whitening has gone from being a flash-in-the-pan fad to the latest must-have fashion accessory. More and more are now undergoing whitening treatments and my feeling is that only a small percentage of those are doing it the safe way, the right way, and that is in the hands of a qualified dentist. Salons and home kits may sound more pleasing to the ears of many - being supposedly 'quicker' and 'cheaper' - but the appearance of our teeth, mouths and smiles are so crucially important to most of us. The whitening procedure remains a highly technical, delicate cosmetic procedure and we should not risk placing our trust in an untrained 'professional'.

Do you have a bad experience about teeth whitening?  We would like to hear from you.

To find out more about teeth whitening please visit: https://www.dentalhealth.org/tellmeabout/topic/RoutineTreatment/Toothwhitening 

All the Best,

Nigel

It's fair to say all the recent hullabaloo surrounding whether or not a dentist should or should not be assigned the title of ‘Dr' has struck a nerve with me of late. The issue, which has been bubbling away for the last year, will now been ...  more >

It's fair to say all the recent hullabaloo surrounding whether or not a dentist should or should not be assigned the title of ‘Dr' has struck a nerve with me of late. The issue, which has been bubbling away for the last year, will now been resolved in May, after the General Dental Council's (GDC) decision to put back the verdict. The additional time to investigate the matter further is, if nothing else, encouraging and shows the profession that the Council is willing carry out a detailed assessment of the issue.

The use of ‘Dr' as a courtesy title for dentists has never been an important issue for the public and there is certainly nothing to suggest the use of the title hurts them in any way. To ban the use of the title now, after almost 20 years, would only go to confuse patients while potentially causing serious harm to the reputation of the profession.

Around the world, dentists have been legally using the ‘Dr' title for a very long time - and rightfully so. Although a dentist is not, by definition, a medical doctor, it remains highly appropriate to keep the ‘Dr' title for several reasons. Much like a doctor, a dentist chooses to focus on a certain speciality. Some will study to become oral surgeons, endodontic or paediatric dentists. Medical doctors who choose to specialise in a particular form of the body are assigned the title, so why not dentists? Similar to doctors, we choose our area of expertise, only ours is focused towards the caring and prevention of disease on the teeth and gums.

If dentists were prevented from using the title then we are drawing a definition, and appointing almost a ranking system, between different areas of the body. There should be no difference between treating those with an inflammation to the mouth than those who have one on their back, or their leg. Our mouths are not cut off from our bodies.

Another hazardous effect of all of this would be on those dentists qualified in the UK. Dentists from other countries who are working here are already assigned the ‘Dr' title, and without any way for the GDC to influence foreign legislation, it will immediately cause an unlevel playing field whereby the patient could have a scenario of choosing between two dentists - one with a title of doctor, and the other who does not - it will lead to utter confusion.

Many countries also happily accept vets as doctors, just as we do those who take PhDs in non-medically based subjects. Dentists certainly should not be cut from this list.

Perhaps, instead of going back and forth, discussing an issue with very little relevance, we should be turning our attention to the education and prevention of oral disease amongst the public themselves - a population which has over the years come to rely on dentists as medical professionals, just as they would do with medical doctors.