Grand Canyon Cycle Challenge raises over £30,00 so far!

3rd July 2001 - The Grand Canyon Cycle Challenge has been organised to raise vital funds for Dentaid, the charity responding to the needs of dentistry in the less-developed world. Startting at the end of September, the challenge route takes riders from the Grand Canyon North Rim in Arizona to the Zion National Park, covering 260 miles of different terrains in 6 days. Participating riders pay a registration fee of £250 and pledge to raise at least £2,250 in sponsorship in order to take part. As well as raising money for Dentaid, this fund will cover the arrangement and tour expenses giving riders the opportunity to concentrate on training and fundraising. Over £30,000 has been raised to date. Visit the challenge website at http://www.grandcanyonchallenge.com [Source - Dentaid]

Cast gold restorations - Has the esthetic dentistry pendulum swung too far?

28th June 2001 - In an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), US dentist Gordon J. Christensen, DDS., MSD., PhD. questions the tendency for dentists to place more tooth-coloured crowns and for patients to demand such restorations. His research among groups of practicing dentists has shown that most dentists prefer to have gold alloy restorations for their own posterior teeth. Claiming that some of the new tooth-coloured crown types have been introduced on the market after very little research, he recommends that dentists placing tooth-coloured crowns should evaluate research on the products and all patients considering crowns for their teeth should be educated about the treatment alternatives available for their mouths so that they can give informed consent to the treatment of their choice. Dr. Christensen is co-founder and senior consultant of Clinical Research Associates, and is a member of JADA’s editorial board. He said "I am a charter member and past president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and I have been a longtime supporter of the esthetic dentistry concept. However, I am convinced that the time has come to re-examine our acceptance of many of the esthetic treatments that are being presented to the public without proper patient education and, therefore, are being administered without patients’ informed consent." Read full article online at JADA online [Source - JADA]

Instrumentarium significantly strengthens its position in dental Imaging with the acquisition of Soredex

28th June 2001 - Instrumentarium announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Orion Corporation to acquire the dental imaging business and all related assets of Soredex, a leading manufacturer of dental X-ray and Computed Radiology (CR) equipment based in Finland and USA. The acquisition is expected to close on July 1, 2001. Soredex will operate as an independent unit of Instrumentarium's diagnostic imaging business and continue to serve its customers through its own existing global distribution network. Both in terms of customers and technologies, Soredex is a highly complementary fit with rapidly growing Instrumentarium Imaging. Soredex will benefit of the advanced imaging technologies at Instrumentarium Imaging for new product development while Instrumentarium Imaging gains from Soredex' expertise in digital image processing and dental office software applications. Soredex is a leading supplier to the high volume segment of dental panoramic imaging market. Soredex also pioneered digital CR equipment technology for intraoral dental imaging and today is the market leader. Instrumentarium Imaging develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic X-ray imaging systems for mammography, surgical and interventional imaging, and dental imaging. In 2000, Instrumentarium Imaging had net sales of approximately EUR 73 million and employed 472 people. See www.instrumentarium.com  [Source - Instrumentarium press release]

Journal of the American Dental Association available online

27th June 2001 - The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) can be accessed free of charge by all visitors during 2001 from the June 2001 issue. Beginning in 2002, visitors who are not ADA members or Journal subscribers will be charged on a pay-per-view basis. Articles are available in either HTML or PDF format. Past issues can be viewed in the "Archives" section, or by searching. This allows full text and graphics to be viewed online. The journal is peer reviewed, and contains timely clinical, scientific and practice management information – clinical reports, original research, reviews, case reports and editorials. It offers a Continuing Education program for ADA members. See JADA online  [Source - JADA]

GDC reviews Maintaining Standards

18th June 2001 - The General Dental Council is reviewing its ethical guidance, Maintaining Standards. The review will look at every aspect of the publication including its content, format and presentation and will examine the approach to regulation in the context in which individuals practise. As part of the review, the Council will be consulting widely. Professor Nairn Wilson, President of the GDC will be contacting representatives from the dental profession, PCD groups, consumer groups, educational bodies, professional associations and defence organisations. Professor Wilson said: 'The practice of dentistry requires the exercise of professional judgement and an acceptance of personal responsibility, informed by the Council’s ethical guidelines and the principles on which these are based. 'The Council is acutely aware of the changing circumstances under which many members of the dental team are practising. The current guidelines for dentists, for example, are aimed very much at the sole practitioner and do not recognise that there is now a wide variety of employment situations. 'We must ensure that Maintaining Standards helps dental professionals and patients to understand the ethical framework within which dentistry is practised. I look forward to receiving comments from dental professionals, consumer groups, interested organisations and individuals on the sufficiency, clarity and format of Maintaining Standards.’ A dedicated email address, consultation@gdc-uk.org has been set up for those who wish to find out more about the Maintaining Standards review. The consultation period will end on 24 August 2001 and the Review Group will consider responses by October.  [Source - GDC press release]

Gagging dental patients 'cured' by acupuncture

18th June 2001 - Patients unable to undergo dental treatment because of an exaggerated gagging reaction could soon be able to attend that all-important check-up. Dentists wanting to treat these patients now have the potential to use ear acupuncture as a safe, cheap, quick and non-invasive way of allowing treatment to take place. Research published in the latest edition of the British Dental Journal, has revealed that ear acupuncture had a 100% success rate in controlling the gag reflex when tested on a group of ten volunteers. The treatment involved inserting acupuncture needles into an anti-gagging point on each ear, followed by manipulation of the needles before dental treatment was started. Results proved to be a success: participants in the study who had previously avoided dental treatment or who had only been able to receive treatment with sedation, were all able to withstand a trip to the dentist’s chair. They successfully received a range of treatments including fillings and tooth extractions and on all occasions were fit to leave the surgery and travel home unaccompanied. The research also points out the cost-effectiveness of this treatment: 20 pence covered the cost for one person per treatment episode, but the authors emphasised that treatment should only be carried out by practitioners who have been properly trained in dental or medical acupuncture. Explanations given for the success of this technique differ. The traditional explanation of ear acupuncture depicts different points on the ear which represent different body parts. The nerves which controls swallowing and gagging corresponds with the area of the ear containing the anti-gagging point. However, the report’s authors did warn that further study, in the shape of a controlled clinical trial, was necessary to investigate the placebo - or suggestive - effect of the treatment.   [Source - British Dental Journal]

Fears for the future as dental graduates turn their backs on the NHS

25th May 2001 -A new survey of recent dental graduates has shown a lack of confidence in working in the NHS, delegates to the British Dental Association’s annual conference heard recently.

Although the majority of graduates taking part in the survey still expressed a belief in a core NHS dental service free at the point of delivery, over 70% said that they were considering a future in private practice. Even the Government’s new schemes to increase access to NHS dentistry failed to interest them, with only 10% of those surveyed saying that they would consider a role in a dental access centre or in the Personal Dental Service (PDS). General Dental Services (GDS) didn’t fare much better. Indeed, 65% of respondents said that the Government’s recent announcements did nothing to encourage young dentists to commit to a long future within the GDS. Andrew Lane, a researcher at the University of Manchester’s dental school who commissioned the survey, said:

“This survey gives us a unique insight into how new graduates view their future. They are clearly full of confidence, with 88% wanting to gain a postgraduate qualification, but they appear to have virtually dismissed the NHS as a relevant career choice.”

Chair of the BDA’s Young Dentist Committee Jim Lafferty is also concerned at the results of the survey: “The youngest and newest dentists see nothing in NHS dentistry to attract them. Put simply, they do not want to work in a system where they cannot treat patients to the standards they were taught at dental school. As a result, they’re looking for jobs anywhere except in the NHS General Dental Services. “The Department of Health has already lost the confidence of young dentists, who are committed to further training and the provision of high quality dentistry, which they believe cannot be done under NHS regulations.”

 [Source - British Dental Association press release]

Smile-on completes second round of funding from The Boots Company plc, Brainspark plc and Private Investors.

22nd May 2001 - Brainspark plc, the incubator focused on investing in, and developing technology and Internet-related businesses, today announced the successful completion of a second round of funding for Smile-on Holdings plc (www.smile-on.com), one of its partner companies. Smile-on, the independent Internet education and online service for dental professionals, has secured £1.05m of second round funding from The Boots Company plc, Brainspark and private investors. Brainspark, which previously provided seed investment of £400,000 for the company, has incubated Smile-on since January 2000. Smile-on, which provides the dental profession with access to information, education and commercial services, will use the additional funding to fuel business expansion and to meet the growing demand for e-learning. The company also plans further to develop its partnerships, which currently include organisations such as the British Dental Association.

Stewart Dodd, CEO of Brainspark added: This is another piece of great news for Smile-on and for Brainspark. Noam and his team have built a great offering and this funding round is evidence of the value that has been created by their business. We look forward to Smile-on’s continued growth and innovation."

 [Source - Brainspark plc press release]

GDC President addresses UK dental schools

27th April 2001 - Professor Nairn Wilson, President of the General Dental Council, will be visiting all UK dental schools within the next year to give presentations and answer questions on the work of the Council. The series of seminars, which will be primarily targeted at students and staff of all UK dental schools and postgraduate institutes, will commence at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School on 10th May. This initiative is part of the Council's evolving communications strategy, aimed at creating a better understanding of the role of the Council in the regulation of the dental profession. The seminars will also provide an opportunity for students and staff to quiz the President on other issues affecting the profession and the Council. Professor Wilson said,

"It is vital that the Council communicates with future and existing members of the profession. I am striving to ensure that all members of the dental team and students have a much greater feeling of ownership of the Council and an understanding of its importance and range of functions." "In addition, I consider it important that the Council is seen to be ensuring high quality education at all levels, with clear career pathways together with effective registration arrangements. I am anxious that the profession, including students, feel that their regulatory body is strengthening dentistry and building and maintaining the confidence of the profession and the public."

 [Source - UK General Dental Council press release]

Chronic Periodontal Disease Could Lead to Diabetes

19th April 2001 - Chronic periodontal disease may contribute to diabetes, according to a review of recent research presented today. While it has been established that people with diabetes are more prone to developing periodontal disease, new research is suggesting that periodontal disease may, in turn, be a risk factor for diabetes. The research review was presented at an American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) symposium on periodontal systemic connections in Bethesda, Md., USA. Periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and activate immune cells. These activated cells produce inflammatory biological signals (cytokines) that have a destructive effect throughout the entire body. "In the pancreas, the cells responsible for insulin production can be damaged or destroyed by the chronic high levels of cytokines. Once this happens, it may induce Type 2 diabetes, even in otherwise healthy individuals with no other risk factors for diabetes," explained presenter Anthony Iacopino, D.M.D., Ph.D. in the Division of Prosthodontics at Marquette University's School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wis.

According to Iacopino, hyperlipidemia or high serum cholesterol, not impaired glucose tolerance, seems to be a significant risk factor for periodontal disease in diabetics. "Therefore, lipid-lowering therapies, such as low-fat diets, lipid lowering drugs and exercise, are vitally important for diabetics who want to improve their quality of life, as well as their oral health," he said. "The same approaches may also prove beneficial in non-diabetic patients with high cholesterol." The next step to determine for sure whether or not periodontal disease can cause diabetes is to perform clinical studies and intervention trials, which answer the question, when periodontal disease is treated, does the risk for diabetes decrease? "Until we have results from intervention studies to better understand the role periodontal disease may play in diabetes, as well as heart disease, preterm births and respiratory disease, the best advice is for people to take excellent care of their oral health to help ensure they keep their teeth as well as maintain overall health," said Michael McGuire, D.D.S., president of the AAP.  [Source - American Academy of Periodontology press release]

New payment scheme to help NHS dentists meet the cost of continuing professional development announced

10th April 2001 - Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt today announced agreement with the British Dental Association on a new payment scheme to help NHS dentists meet the cost of continuing professional development as part of the Government's drive for better quality in the NHS. The new Continuing Professional Development Allowance (CPDA) will be paid quarterly to dentists working in the General Dental Services (GDS) of the NHS and is in addition to payments already agreed for clinical audit and peer review. Lord Hunt said: " Better and more effective Continuing Professional Development relies on partnership between Government, NHS Employers, the health professions and regulatory bodies. When you go to an NHS dentist, you need to be certain that your care and treatment will be provided by properly trained health care professionals and their support staff, up to date with the latest scientific and technical information. Lifelong learning will enhance and promote professional self-esteem. Today's announcement means that dentists now have the right financial arrangements to encourage and support this."

In line with the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body recommendation for this April, dentists working in the GDS will be paid a quarterly allowance to reimburse loss of earnings associated with verifiable CPD up to 10 hours each year, pro rata to their NHS commitment. In addition, up to a further five hours verifiable CPD may be paid in respect of attendance at approved postgraduate courses on application. For the first time ever an allowance towards the loss of earnings associated with travel to courses will be paid to dentists. The General Dental Council recently launched its Recertification Scheme for the dental profession. All dentists will be expected to undertake at least 75 hours of verifiable continuing professional development over a five year period. The new CPDA will enable a dentist committed to the GDS to meet the requirement in full. Chairman of the General Dental Services Committee of the British Dental Association, Anthony Kravitz said: " Dentists have willingly made the commitment to the GDC's recertification scheme. We support moves to ensure that dentists update their skills on a frequent basis so that patients remain confident they are receiving the highest standard of care. We now have a sensible and flexible way of ensuring dentists committed to the GDS can meet the lifelong learning expectations of the 21st century. This is a good deal for dentists and should make a real contribution to quality assurance in the GDS."

In the next few weeks, dentists will receive more detailed information about the new allowance and what information they need to provide to register for it. Once they have done that, payments will be made automatically each quarter by the Dental Practice Board.

1. Under the new CPDA dentists on HA dental lists will: * Receive payment for 10 hours verifiable CPD each year * Be able to claim up to an additional 5 hours approved training * Be able to claim up to a further 6 hours for travelling time to attend courses - one hour in respect of each two and half hour session.

2. Payments will be at the hourly rate of £52, scaled down by the extent to which the dentist undertakes private work, as recommended by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body,

3. The new allowance will be backdated to 1 April 2001

4. CPDA replaces Postgraduate Education Allowance which required dentists to make claims for reimbursement of loss of earnings for attendance at a maximum of two approved postgraduate courses of at least 2.5 hours.

 [Source - UK Dept of Health press release]

Boots PLC acquires Portland Ceramics dental labs

30th March 2001 - The Boots Company PLC today announced the £1.63m acquisition of one of the UK's leading dental laboratories, Portland Ceramics Limited ("Portland"). The acquisition will strengthen Boots ability to meet increasing patient demand for dental implants and other specialist services. (The consideration will be met through the issue of unsecured loan notes.) Boots Dentalcare currently has 30 practices in the UK with a further 18 due to open by the end of June this year. The total investment for these practices is over £22m. The implant market in the UK is worth over £50m with a projected growth rate of 30% per annum. Mark Hamburger, head of implant services, Boots Dentalcare, said: "The demand for implants and other specialist dental services is growing as patients begin to understand the choices that are available to them. Boots Dentalcare will lead the way in developing those markets and offering the highest levels of service. The acquisition of this laboratory means our patients can be sure of consistent quality delivered with even greater efficiency.” Boots Dentalcare has opened six Centres of Excellence, with a further four planned. These act as a referral service for patients requiring implants or other specialist services including prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery and periodontics. The acquisition of Portland Ceramics Ltd is a crucial link in the chain that will allow Boots to provide and manage every stage of specialist treatments. John Wibberley, one of the UK’s leading dental technicians and founder of Portland Ceramics, will continue to manage the business. He will also work closely with Mark Hamburger to provide a comprehensive training programme to increase the clinical skills of Boots dentists in implantology, and will manage the quality standards of all additional external laboratory work produced for Boots dental practices. Visit Boots plc web site...  [Source - Boots plc news release]

Access to NHS Dentistry report published by Health Select Committee

27th March 2001 - The report by the UK Commons Health Select Committee into Access to NHS Dentistry has been published. The Committee considers that (in part):
 
"The General Dental Service (GDS) remuneration system is the heart of the access problem. The fee structure encourages the move of dentists out of the NHS. It also discourages preventive dental care and the continuing maintenance of good oral health. The system has been reviewed comprehensively in the past, and both this Committee and the DoH developed options for alternative systems. Yet it remains unchanged. In the light of this history we do not advocate yet more reviews for their own sake, but rather action: we believe the time for reform is ripe. We recommend that talks should take place immediately between the Government and the profession's representatives to revise the GDS contract."

The Committee has received extensive written evidence and is quite clear that urgent action is required. They consider that dentistry has never been fully integrated into the NHS and as a result major health inequalities exist. They believe that the present arrangements for accessing NHS dentistry are inequitable, uncertain and getting worse.  Speaking on the publication of the Committee’s Report, Chair of the BDA’s Executive Board, Dr John Renshaw said:

"The BDA was delighted when the Health Select Committee decided to hold this inquiry, and we were pleased to be invited to give evidence. We are now looking forward to working closely with the Government, with other agencies and other interested parties to implement the report’s proposals and improve the nation’s oral health.”

Read the full report...  [Source - UK House of Commons Health Committee Publications, BDA press release]

NRPB study shows dental x-rays on the increase

22nd March 2001 - The NRPB has recently completed a long awaited reassessment of the number and pattern of medical and dental x-ray examinations performed in the UK. The study covers all diagnostic and interventional procedures using x-rays, both within and outside the National Health Service and is the first such national survey conducted by NRPB since 1983. One of the most significant findings is that whereas the total number of medical x-ray examinations per head of population has remained substantially constant, the number taken by dentists has increased by nearly 50% since 1983, to the extent that dental x-rays now comprise 30% of all x-ray examinations. However, despite their large number, the impact of dental x-rays on the collective dose to the population is small. Of far more importance is the increasing clinical exploitation of new high dose imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and digital fluoroscopy and the rapid expansion of medical imaging from pure diagnosis to the guidance of therapeutic interventions.  Read full article at NRPB web site...  [Source - NRPB Bulletin March 2001]

GDC encourages nominations from the profession

13th March 2001 - The UK General Dental Council has published a letter on its web site inviting nominations for the forthcoming elections for the new Council. Professor Wilson said,
“Every registered dentist and enrolled dental auxiliary is entitled to be nominated as a candidate for election and I hope that many members of the profession will take this opportunity to offer themselves for election. As the Council embarks on its pioneering programme of constitutional reform it is of particular importance to have well contested elections. Participation in the nomination and subsequent electoral process will contribute to the future success of the Council.”  Read full article at GDC web site...  [Source - GDC]

Dental web sites top the list for advertising impact

8th March 2001 - It’s no secret that there has been an unprecedented level of advertising on the Internet over the past few years. Harris Interactive OnSite^SM data show dental health, gay health, running and vegetarian information site ads get more attention Preliminary findings from the most recent Harris Interactive OnSite^SM survey suggest that site quality alone will not guarantee that an ad will be read. Health care consumers need to feel that an advertisement on the site is acceptable. That it is appropriate. Then they may read it and, in fact, be influenced by it. There is a strong relationship between thinking that advertising on a site is acceptable and the likelihood of reading ads on a site. Equally strong is the relationship between looking at ads and the likelihood of buying something from a particular site. Advertisers with any number of different messages targeted at the health care marketplace want to place ads on health and medical information sites because the ads are likely to be read by the very people they are trying to reach. But will consumers visiting health and medical information sites actually read the ads placed on these sites? The answer – "It depends." It depends on the kind of health care site the ad is placed on.Dr. Anne Axelrod, Senior Vice President of Harris Interactive e-Health Research, notes, "Advertisers need to know that their ad dollars are being well spent. Now they can do so. They will know that a toothpaste ad will get more attention on a dental health site than it will on a drugstore site. OnSite is the first research tool of its kind to provide advertisers with the information they need to make informed decisions about where to spend their advertising dollars."  Read full article online at the Harris Interactive web site...  [Source - Harris Interactive News]

Second Bacterium Confirmed as Cause of Tooth Decay

8th March 2001 - Identifying the causes and mechanisms of tooth decay, one of the most common chronic infectious diseases of mankind, is a primary goal of dental researchers. One type of bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, is a known cavity-inducing organism. Investigators at the University of Connecticut and the University at Buffalo, in previous research, suggested that a second bacterium, Streptococcus gordonii, also may cause tooth decay, but they didn't know how much and under what conditions. In results presented here today (March 8, 2001) at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, the investigators confirmed that Streptococcus gordonii induces tooth decay in an animal model, but that it is less virulent than Streptococcus mutans.  They also showed that Streptococcus gordonii is equally decay-inducing in the presence of either ordinary sugar (sucrose) or high-fructose corn sweetener. These results were in contrast to the known activity of the more virulent Streptococcus mutans, the decay-causing ability of which is strongly augmented by sucrose, but is weaker in the presence of the corn sweetener. "These results provide one more piece of information about how tooth decay occurs," said Jason M. Tanzer, D.M.D., Ph.D., professor of oral diagnosis and head of the Division of Oral Medicine in the School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, and lead researcher on the study. Read full article ...  [Source - University at Buffalo, NY press release]

First UK Patients get access to their own on-line medical records

6th March 2001 - Patients at two GP practices have become the first in the country to have direct on-line, secure access to their own medical records. The two practices, in Derbyshire and Oxford, are trialing the new facility - a move towards achieving the target set in the NHS Plan to make electronic health records available to everyone by 2004. The practices are exploring how patients can make best use of access to their personal medical records. The pilots will not only look at patients’ views and attitudes to the type and format of information available but also those of the GPs and other practice staff. Starting this month, patients will be able to go into their GP’s surgery and sit at a computer, in a private place, and view their own records. In Oxford, patients will have access to all their consultations for the last four years and other relevant information held on the practice computer. This will include their medication and allergies; all their GP and nurse consultations for the last four years; results of investigations and letters from hospitals. In Derbyshire patients will look at a summary of their records plus any new material. Practice staff will be on hand to answer queries and provide any necessary help.

Dr Cecilia Pyper at Bury Knowle Health Centre in Oxford said: "Rather than trust me I’m the doctor, the focus should be -‘trust me I’m the patient’. "Offering patients access to information is like offering a currency that enables them to form more equal partnerships with health professionals. We believe the only way to move forward is to work in partnership with patients and understand their concerns and seek solutions together."  Both pilots are addressing issues such as secure access, confidentiality and how to manage medical information that may be ‘bad news’ for the patient. Results will be co-ordinated by the NHS Information Authority and used to inform the development of the Electronic Health Record, which will be available to every citizen by 2004.  [Source - UK Dept of Health press release]

Northern Ireland Health Trust admits to unfair and unsatisfactory recruitment practices

5th March 2001 - A Northern Ireland orthodontist won substantial out-of-court damages from the Royal Hospital in Belfast today following a sex discrimination claim. Dr Borghild Breistein, a Clinical Director of Community Dental Services at the North and West Belfast HSS Trust in Northern Ireland, was passed over for a position within the Royal Group of Hospitals in favour of a male candidate when she applied for the post of Staff Grade in Orthodontics. However, when the matter was brought to the attention of the British Dental Association, they found the procedures used to be deeply flawed. Despite meeting the person specification and being well-qualified for the position – for which she was prepared to take a considerable reduction in salary in order to have a more patient-centred role – the job was given to the male candidate. However, there were irregularities in his appointment, with the interview panel being changed at a late stage to include the male candidate’s referee, the successful candidate had neither Dr Breistein’s level of experience nor was he as highly qualified. The appointee was then permitted to work on a part-time basis, enabling him to develop his own orthodontic practice . Once this was established to a level that could sustain him full-time, he left the Trust’s employment.

Following the British Dental Association’s intervention and the lodging of an Employment Tribunal claim on the grounds of sexual discrimination , the Trust has now conceded that its selection procedures were not satisfactory and operated unfairly against Dr Breistein. It has agreed to pay an undisclosed but substantial sum to compensate her for injury to her feelings in this matter and has apologised accordingly. Andy Pike, Industrial Relations Officer with the British Dental Association, said: “The BDA is delighted that the Trust has recognised that their procedures were not satisfactory and that, as a consequence, our member was treated unfairly and suffered significant injury to her feelings. Dr Breistein has shown commendable commitment to the NHS, including being prepared to take a significant reduction in salary, yet the Trust appointed someone who has since left the NHS to set up his own practice. “We are obviously extremely pleased that Dr Breistein has been spared the added stress of going through a formal tribunal hearing. We hope that this will send a message to other NHS employers and that, in future, they will ensure that their recruitment procedures do not discriminate against female applicants. We would encourage any dentist who believes that they have been treated unfairly in this manner to contact the BDA. We have an excellent record in discrimination cases and will ensure that the NHS treats our members in accordance with good employment practice.”

The case was due to come before the Belfast Employment Tribunal on 6 March 2001, but was settled on 2 March.  [Source - BDA press release]

BDA issues oral cancer alert after BDJ study confirms high usage of areca nuts amongst UK born South Asian children

23rd February 2001 - New research published in the latest edition of the British Dental Journal (BDJ) has highlighted the increased risk of oral cancer amongst South Asian children. The study - the first to investigate the extent of the areca nut habit by 11-15 year old children - exposes their high usage amongst UK-born South Asian children in this age-group: 77% of the sample reported having used at least one habit. Areca nuts have been linked to higher rates of oral cancers in countries which have a high prevalence of the habit but research suggests that other possible mitigating factors exist. The researchers concluded that by the time the children are entering their teens, they already have an increased likelihood of developing pre-cancerous lesions which can lead to oral cancer. There is mounting cause for concern specifically because attendance at dental surgeries is low within the Bangladeshi community: dentists play a unique role in spotting early signs of oral cancer. In particular, the findings noted that 'Pan Masala' had the highest average frequency of use per week: previous research has indicated a strong relationship between pan masala use and oral cancer.
Read full article online in the BDJ...   [Source - BDA press release]

Prof Andrew Rugg-Gunn appointed as a member of new UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

22nd February 2001 - Prof Andrew Rugg-Gunn, University Clinical Professor, Newcastle University Dental School has been appointed to the new Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). Yvette Cooper, the Public Health Minister, announced today on behalf of the UK Health Departments and The Food Standards Agency the appointment of members to the new Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). SACN will be a committee of independent experts, which will advise the Government on matters relating to diet and nutrition and health. SACN succeeds the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) which was established in 1963. The Committee's establishment follows the setting up of the Food Standards Agency and the consequent need to review existing arrangements for scientific advice on nutrition. The Committee will advise The Agency and Health Departments and will be supported by a joint secretariat from The Agency and the Department of Health. Prof Rugg-Gunn is adviser to the British Dental Association on nutrition and oral health; author of two textbooks, one of which is a definitive work on nutrition and dental disease, and he has extensively published work in nutrition and oral health. Read full release...   [Source - UK Dept of Health press release]

Joint statement from the Department of Health and the BDA regarding commitment payments for NHS dentists

14th February 2001 - The UK Department of Health and the General Dental Services Committee of the British Dental Association have reached agreement on a revised Commitment scheme for NHS dentists. As a result revised, more flexible arrangements will be introduced from April this year.
The main improvements will be:

• An increased number of steps in the scheme to ensure dentists' commitment to the NHS is better recognised.

• Better recognition of commitment shown by dentists accepting treatment on referral

• The minimum earnings for qualification for the main scheme will be lowered from £50,000 to £40,000.

• Recognition of other important NHS activity that dentists undertake, for example supporting training and working with Health Authorities to improve oral health.

Dental team cleared over girl's death

6th February 2001 - A dentist and an anaesthetist have been cleared of the manslaughter of a five-year-old girl who died after being given a general anaesthetic in the Towngate Dental Surgery in Leyland, Lancashire. However the dentist was fined £3,000 for breaching health and safety regulations Read the full BBC report here...   [Source - BBC]

UK General Dental Council appoints new Chief Executive & Registrar

2nd February 2001 - The General Dental Council has appointed Antony Townsend as its new Chief Executive and Registrar. It is expected that Antony will take up the post on 30th April 2001. Antony Townsend (43), is currently Director of Standards and Education at the General Medical Council. He has substantial responsibilities for policies on medical education, standards and ethics, and initiatives for improving the regulatory system. Most recently, Antony has also been responsible for the development of proposals for revalidation, and for reforming structure, constitution, and governance within the field of medical regulation. Professor Nairn Wilson, President of the GDC, commented on the appointment, "I am delighted to welcome Antony to the General Dental Council. The Chief Executive and Registrar plays a demanding and key role in the regulation of the dental profession, particularly at this time, as the Council acts to become a smaller, more strategic body able to meet the ever increasing expectations of the public, profession and government." He added, “Antony was selected from a very strong field of candidates. His blend of experience, expertise and skills will equip him well to successfully lead the administration during this exciting period of substantial change and growth for the General Dental Council." Antony Townsend said, "I am delighted to be joining the GDC at a time of rapid change in the field of professional regulation. The GDC has committed itself to a programme of radical reform, and I look forward to working with the Council, its staff, the profession and government, to deliver those reforms for the benefit of the public and the dental profession."  [Source - GDC press release]

 Dentist pleads guilty to defrauding NHS and admits using unsterilised equipment

1st February 2001 - The online Scotsman newspaper carries a report on the trial of William Duff, 38, from Kilbarchan, near Glasgow. He pleaded guilty in Glasgow Sheriff Court to defrauding the health service of £12,000 and admitted using unsterilised equipment on patients in the full knowledge that he was exposing them to the risk of serious infections with diseases including AIDS and hepatitis. Read the full Scotsman report here...  [Source - Scotsman Newspaper report]

First UK Reference Centre for Oral Cancer Screening Opens in Manchester

1st February 2001 - Zila Europe, international provider of healthcare and biotechnology products for dental/medical professionals and consumers, announced the opening of the United Kingdom's first reference centre for oral cancer screening. On January 18, Dr Philip Greene opened the centre at his Quayside Dental Practice in Salford, Manchester. "We have oral cancer expertise here," he said, "which we are very happy to share with our fellow dentists, as well as other colleagues from medical practices and pharmacies. Each has an important role to play in the education of the public and in ensuring that patients are guided down the most effective referral pathway." Dr Greene, a specialist in periodontal treatment, said a large number of his patients with gum disease are heavy smokers, a habit that puts them at high risk for oral cancer. He notes that deaths in the UK from oral cancer (1,700 pa) exceed fatalities from cervical cancer (1,225 pa), and yet although cervical cancer has its own established screening programme, this is not the case for mouth cancer. "Oral cancer, in its early stages, is asymptomatic and almost invisible," Dr Greene noted, "often presenting as an innocuous mouth ulcer making it extremely difficult to detect. For this reason we are now enhancing our visual examination of patients in at-risk categories with a vital staining procedure called OraTest(R). OraTest is a disclosing mouth rinse, used by dentists, which stains abnormal tissue royal blue. We believe that this simple procedure will highlight lesions at the earliest possible stage, even before we can see them through careful visual examination, alerting us to the need for specialist referral and biopsy." OraTest is a product of Zila Europe. Read more...  [Source - Zila Europe, press release]

Dentsply International Announces Agreement to Acquire Friadent GmbH

28th December 2000 - DENTSPLY International Inc. announced today that the Company has agreed to acquire all the outstanding shares of Friadent GmbH for DM 220 million (approximately US $100 million).  The acquisition is contingent on regulatory approval and is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2001. This transaction is expected to add $41 million to DENTSPLY's annual sales. Headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, Friadent is a major global dental implant manufacturer and marketer that has a number one market share position in Germany and a number two market share position throughout Europe. Although Friadent's U.S. operations were only established three years ago, they are rapidly gaining market share from other dental implant competitors. In commenting on this transaction, John C. Miles II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DENTSPLY said, "We have been diligently searching for a suitable partner with which to re-enter the large, high-growth dental implant market. We believe that Friadent, with its state-of-the-art product line and superior management, provides us with a great opportunity to accomplish this objective. Friadent has been a pioneer in many of the product innovations seen in this sector, especially those dealing with superior anterior aesthetics. Additionally, the Friadent organization provides a base outside of the United States for the Company to more fully exploit the exciting worldwide potential of our P-15 bone growth stimulant product." DENTSPLY believes that it is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of dental prosthetics, endodontic instruments and materials, prophylaxis paste, dental sealants, ultrasonic scalers, and crown and bridge materials; the leading United States manufacturer and distributor of dental x-ray equipment, dental handpieces, dental x-ray film holders, film mounts and bone substitute/grafting materials; and a leading United States manufacturer or distributor of impression materials, orthodontic appliances, dental cutting instruments, intraoral cameras and dental operatory software systems. The Company distributes its dental products in over 100 countries under some of the most well established brand names in the industry. DENTSPLY is committed to the development of innovative, high quality, cost-effective new products for the dental market. [Source - Dentsply press release]

Above inflation pay rises announced for NHS staff

18th December 2000 - UK Nurses, doctors, dentists and therapists will receive an above inflation pay rise next year. All NHS junior doctors, consultants, dentists and GPs will get a 3.9 per cent rise. Health secretary Alan Milburn said: "We're determined to do right by frontline NHS staff. Year on year we are making steady progress on increasing their numbers and improving pay rates. These fair and affordable pay rises will help increase still further the numbers of trained, qualified staff working in the NHS" Read full details... The British Dental Association has welcomed the 3.9% increase in fees and salaries for dentists as recommended by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body but feels that the award is unlikely to improve significantly the retention of dentists in the NHS. The payment for continuing professional development (CPD) for GDPs will compensate dentists for taking time out of their surgeries for updating their skills and is recognised as a valuable contribution. The BDA is disappointed that the award of discretionary points for senior clinicians in the Community Dental Service is lower than it had hoped for, although it will go someway to improving morale. The BDA regrets that the Review Body has failed to address the disparity in salaries between dentists working in the Community Dental Service and those working in Personal Dental Services and in Dental Access Centres. Dr John Renshaw, Chair of the BDA’s Executive Board, said: “Whilst welcoming some parts of the Pay Award, it appears unlikely that it will help to overcome the shortage of dentists working for the NHS and alleviate the problems for some patients who are trying to find an NHS dentist. We had hoped that the Review Body award would help to convince dentists to continue to see patients on the NHS but we are not optimistic that this will occur.” [Source - UK Dept of Health and BDA press releases]

Journal of Periodontology finds that oral piercing can cause localized gingival recession

12th December 2000 - A case report entitled "An Unusual Cause of Gingival Recession: Oral Piercing" published in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology found that piercing the tongue, lip or cheek could cause localized gingival recession. Researchers analyzed the case of a 26-year-old female who had localized gingival recession around the area of her lip piercing. "Oral piercing has become a popular trend, and most people do not seek advice from a dental or medical professional prior to the piercing," said Michael McGuire, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "Another important concern is hygienic maintenance of the pierced oral area. The mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing." Read more...  [Source - American Academy of Periodontology press release]

GDC seeks views of the Profession regarding its Constitution

6th December 2000 - The GDC is to consult with the dental profession about the next steps forward in the Council's constitutional change. This consultation follows the meeting on 14 November, where the Council agreed to a pioneering programme of reform to produce a smaller, more strategic Council comprising 12 professional members, including the President, and 11 lay members with the four Chief Dental Officers as associate members. Professor Nairn Wilson, President of the GDC is now writing to all members of the profession to seek views regarding the Council's new formation with regard to: - Whether the members of a separate Fitness to Practise Panel should be elected or an alternative mechanism be considered such as an appointments system - The mechanisms to be used to provide the new-style Council with professional members who collectively reflect the growing diversity of dentistry and the profession throughout the UK. He said, "The Council has seized the opportunity to reform legislation which has largely remained unchanged since 1956 and to become a more strategic body with greater input from more members of the profession. I hope the profession will take the opportunity to help resolve these issues and contribute to the modernisation of the General Dental Council." The background papers to these developments are posted to the Council's website at www.gdc-uk.org and a dedicated email address, consultation@gdc-uk.org has also been set up so that members of the profession can forward comments to the Council. The consultation period will end on 5th January 2001 and Council will consider responses on 9 February 2001. [Source - General Dental Council press release]

Study Finds Genetic Basis for Risk of Periodontal Disease

4th December 2000 - New research provides further evidence that a person's genes play a major role in the onset and severity of periodontal disease. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, concluded that approximately half of the variance in periodontal disease in the population can be attributed to genetic differences. The study examined periodontal health in 64 pairs of identical and 53 pairs of fraternal twins. The study found that between 48 and 59 percent of the differences in measures of periodontal disease, such as attachment loss and probing depth, could be attributed to genetics. When correlating eight different clinical measures for periodontal disease among the two types of twins, all eight measures were statistically significant in the identical twins, while only two measures were significantly greater than zero in the fraternal twins. "Periodontal disease is multifactorial, meaning that susceptibility involves genetic and environmental factors," explained John C. Gunsolley, D.D.S., M.S., one of the authors of the study. "The basic question of what portion of periodontal disease risk among individuals is genetic versus environmental is important because it may lead to a better understanding of disease susceptibility. Identification of people at high risk for periodontal disease before they even display symptoms may provide new avenues for treatment." Gunsolley cautions that there are likely a number of genes that play a role in susceptibility, and these may differ in different races and ethnic groups. "I hope future studies will determine the genetic determinates underlying the risk for periodontal disease," he said. Michael McGuire, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), agrees. "I'm pleased that the role of genetics in oral health continues to be studied. I'm convinced that genetic research, such as the Human Genome Project, is going to revolutionize the way we treat diseases in general, including periodontal disease."  [Source - American Academy of Periodontology press release]

Software of Excellence acquires UK Software Business from Henry Schein

30th November 2000 - Software of Excellence UK has acquired the DSD and Clockwork software programmes from Henry Schein Technologies Limited. (A subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc).  The approximately 700 practices that use DSD and Clockwork will continue to be supported by Software of Excellence as of the 1st of December. The acquisition of DSD and Clockwork makes Software of Excellence UK the largest supplier of dental software in the UK.  Henry Schein Technologies has also entered into a marketing agreement to sell Software of Excellence products in the UK. "In an ongoing effort to enhance focus on our core growth businesses, we made the decision to exit the development and technical support aspects of these software products.  The existing size of the user base did not substantiate the investment required to keep these products continuously updated," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Henry Schein, Inc.  "We are confident that our DSD and Clockwork customers will be well-served by Software of Excellence." Software of Excellence plan to recruit the entire software support team currently employed by Henry Schein. The Software of Excellence international web site has a question and answer section of interest to dentists currently using DSD/Clockwork. Boots have chosen the Software of Excellence Dental Practice Computing Management and Marketing System for their dental practices. Software of Excellence is making an offer of up to 5 million shares at $1.00 each to raise $5,000,000 and is planning to list on the New Zealand Stock Exchange before Christmas. Some of the new capital raised in the offer will be used to fund the purchase of the UK software business from Henry Schein Technologies Limited.  It will also provide the flexibility for other strategic acquisitions and the pursuit of growth opportunities in new geographic markets such as the US. [Source - SOE press release]

Telegraph Article reports on proposed changes for children's orthodontic treatment, plus BDA comment.

27th November 2000 - The Electronic Telegraph newspaper has carried an article concerning the future eligibility of UK children to orthodontic treatment on the NHS. The article is entitled "50,000 children may lose free work on crooked teeth." The BDA has provided the following statement in response to the recent press reports on the state of orthodontic treatment in the NHS: The BDA is discussing with the Government their proposals for changes to the present system of orthodontic provision. The system must aim to concentrate on clinical need rather than appearance. The BDA is concerned that necessary care should be available to all under the NHS and that the long waiting times experienced by some patients should be cut. The aim of orthodontic treatment is to produce a healthy bite, straight teeth and an attractive smile – which can help improve a person’s confidence. Straight teeth also make cleaning easier, consequently helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Commenting on the proposals, Dr John Renshaw, Chairman of the BDA’s Executive Board, said: “The Labour Government came to power promising to tackle inequalities in health and provide better access for patients to NHS services. Any changes must be flexible and not lead to a two-tier system where only the better-off can afford treatment”.  Read full Telegraph article... [Source - Electronic Telegraph newspaper & BDA press release]

BBC reports Dentist to treat Walruses in Moscow Zoo

23rd November 2000 - UK dentist Peter Kertesz, who specialises in animal dentistry, is to fly out to Moscow to treat walruses as soon as the zoo has raised enough money. The 10 walruses were rescued as orphans in the wild. 2 minute 30 second Real Player streaming audio visual report available. Read and full article and see video on BBC site... [Source - BBC News]

Nobel Biocare launches Brånemark System Novum - new teeth in one day on one visit

20th November 2000 - Nobel Biocare AB have announced details on the new Brånemark System® Novum. This is a revolutionary new concept that offers new permanent fixed teeth in one day on one visit. This used to take several months and require many visits to a dental specialist. Brånemark System® Novum is based on a high level of standardization. Precision surgery with prefabricated components makes a standardized uniform treatment possible. No impressions or temporary components are needed. The implants are installed in the morning and the patient receives an individually crafted fixed bridge in the afternoon. After about eight hours in the dentist’s care, the patient has received permanent new teeth with immediate function. "The launch of Brånemark System® Novum is another milestone in Nobel Biocare’s record of bringing new unique and innovative treatment concepts to the benefit of both the clinician and the patient. It is clear that Brånemark System® Novum will open up totally new opportunities for both the dentist and the patient. Many people who thought implant treatment was not for them are now very likely to reconsider", says Jack Forsgren, President. To date more than 300 patients have been treated with the new concept. Sales are expected to develop gradually as Brånemark System® Novum requires additional training and education for the oral surgeon and his team. The new technique is so far available for the edentulous lower jaw and can be used to treat most mandibles. Approx. 15% of all patients missing teeth is estimated to be suitable candidates for Brånemark System® Novum. Brånemark System® Novum. will be gradually rolled out globally. [Source - Nobel Biocare AB Press Release]

American Dental Association announces internet alliance with rdental.com

20th November 2000 - The American Dental Association (ADA) and its for-profit subsidiary, ADA Business Enterprises, Inc. (ADABEI), today announced an Internet alliance with rdental.com, including Web site content and continuing education marketing efforts. The most significant element of the alliance relates to the presentation of ADA’s consumer oral health content on both rdental.com and WebMD sites. This is a result of an exclusive relationship between rdental and WebMD. “We are pleased to join with rdental in this venture that broadens the public’s access to ADA’s consumer oral health information and provides additional opportunities for the dental professional to pursue continuing education courses, enabling them to stay abreast of the latest clinical techniques available, ” said Robert M. Anderton, D.D.S., J.D., ADA president. The alliance also includes the joint sale and marketing of numerous rdental offerings, including online and videotape dental education courses, and the development and sale of dental practice web sites. In addition, a management advisory council will be formed to help guide rdental’s growth, with representation from the ADA, ADABEI, rdental.com, and WebMD.   Read more... [Source - ADA and rdental Press Release]

GDC votes for constitutional reform

17th November 2000 - At its meeting on 14 November 2000 the General Dental Council agreed to embark on a pioneering programme of constitutional reform to produce a smaller, more strategic Council, comprising 11 lay members and 12 professional members including the President, with the four Chief Dental Officers as associate members. The Council also agreed that health and professional conduct cases should in future be decided by a panel of lay and professional people who are not members of the GDC. Read More.. [Source - General Dental Council press release]

Boots Dentalcare launches new dental website

12th November 2000 - Boots Dentalcare Ltd has launched a new website to help promote their High Street dental practices. Their website covers patient topics such as 'Healthy Teeth' and includes an online magazine entitled 'Fresh'. Boots Advantage card holders can earn points from visiting their dentists. The 'Corporate Care' section outlines the Boots Dentalcare Corporate Scheme for employers and employees. Extensive treatment price lists are provided along with a 3-d practice visit.  Boots Dentalcare website  [Source - DentalGuide Web Watch]

UK Dentists join fight against NHS fraud

6th November 2000 - New checks are to be carried out in dental surgeries to help stop patients falsely claiming free dental treatment. Millions of pounds are being lost in the NHS through patient fraud. Health minister Lord Philip Hunt said: "Every pound the NHS loses because of evasion of patient charges is a pound less spent on patient care. That’s why we are determined to stop this fraud. Jim Gee, director of the NHS counter fraud service, said: "When a patient claims they are exempt from paying NHS dental charges, the dentist must ask for proof that they do not have to pay." Similar checks were introduced into pharmacies in April last year and have already reduced patient prescription fraud by £48 million. The new checks have been welcomed by Dr. Anthony Kravitz, Chairman of the General Dental Services Committee of the BDA. He said: "I think the new checks on the patient exemption from charges in dentistry are a good idea because they will help to eliminate the fraud that is taking place. "I don't think these new checks will have a big impact on the majority of the public. They're used to having to show proof that they're exempt from charges to their chemist when they pick up their prescription, and it's no more of a burden for them at the dentist. But those who are claiming to be exempt from dental charges when they are not - they will need to think twice in the future about claiming that they're entitled to free treatment. "Dentists will simply have to mark the NHS form to show when they haven't seen proof but we have been told to carry on treating people normally, even if they forget to bring with them their proof of entitlement to exemption or remission of NHS charges." [Source - UK Dept of Health and BDA Press Releases]

Sulzer Medica to acquire Paragon Implant Company

6th November 2000 - Sulzer Medica announced today the purchase of Core Vent Corporation/Paragon Implant Company for a purchase price of USD 100 Million. The acquisition will double the market share of Sulzer Medica, positioning it among the top three in sales of dental implants worldwide. "The acquisition of Paragon puts Sulzer Medica in a strong position for sustained future growth above the market rate," says André P. Buchel, CEO of Sulzer Medica. "The new company will gain strengths in products, distribution, manufacturing and technology while increasing financial performance." The dental implant market offers good growth potential as the penetration of the implant technology into the tooth replacement market is still in its infancy. Over 95% of all tooth replacements are still done through conventional fixation procedures, such as bridges and crowns. However, conversion to implant technology is expected to grow. The dental implant market is currently estimated to exceed USD 550 Million with an annual growth rate of approximately 12%. The USA and Europe represent each approximately 40% of the market, which is dominated by six companies worldwide. The industry is in a phase of consolidation to move towards global companies well positioned to compete in all major markets for an increased share in the tooth replacement market.   Read more... [Source - Sulzer Medica Press Release]

UK Government names sites for 49 new dental access centres

3rd November 2000 - The Government has announced the location of 49 new dental access centres as part of the drive to make NHS dental care more easily available. The latest £23 million wave of dental access centres will bring the total number of centres in operation by April next year to more than 60. The centres provide easier access to NHS dental services in those Health Authority areas where it is most difficult to obtain. Health Minister Lord Hunt said: "Some centres will be sited in areas of poor oral health but with no tradition of regular visits to dentists, and these centres will work closely with other healthcare professionals to make sure that people who need dental care can get it." Although  welcoming the Government’s announcement, the BDA is concerned that the Access Centres are not going to be a solution to the problem of access to NHS dentistry nationally. The BDA estimates that between two to four million people are still not receiving NHS dental care when they are in need of it. Dr John Renshaw, Chairman of the BDA’s Executive Board, said: “Health Authorities receive an average of about 20,000 phone calls each month about problems finding a dentist. Around 570 more dentists are needed to make a significant difference to NHS access problems in England and Wales. The BDA welcomes the creation of these new Dental Access Centres but they still fall short of what is required if the Government is to achieve their target of enabling access to NHS dentistry for all who want it by 2001”. List of 49 dental access centres...  [Source - UK Dept of Health and BDA Press Releases]

Zila Europe Reports UK OraTest(R) Developments

3nd November 2000 - Zila Europe, announced developments relating to the company's OraTest(R) oral cancer detection product. The UK's independent dental capitation plan (provider, Denplan, owned by PPP Healthcare, a member of the Global AXA Insurance Group, recently advised member dentists that if they feel it is clinically necessary for Denplan Care patients to be administered OraTest, this should be included within routine care and therefore covered under the Denplan contract. Patients in DenPlan's program are charged only for the cost of the OraTest kit -- 16.20 pounds sterling. At present over one million patients are registered with nearly 6,000 Denplan Care practitioners. Cancer in the mouth and throat afflicts 3,500 people each year in the UK, eventually killing approximately half this number. There are about 45 new cases per one million population each year in England, and twice that number in Scotland. Five year survival rates in the UK are just under 50 per cent and dentists are committed to improving this figure.  Read more... [Source - Zila Press Release]

Guardian newspaper article discusses UK NHS dentist shortage

2nd November 2000 - The Guardian newspaper has run an article discussing the shortage of 1800 'NHS' dentists in the UK. Judy Hirst outlines the most alarming reason why patients are not visiting dentists - ie the acute shortage of dentists. Having quoted the £100m to be spent by the government to entice dentists to stay within the NHS, the British Dental Association views are then presented. She concludes that the reason for the exodus from NHS dentistry comes down largely to a question of money. The impact of the personal dental service and fluoride is summarised also. Read full Guardian article... [Source - Guardian Newspaper]

If you have news or press releases of interest simply contact us by email or post.

To find previous articles click here for a list of headlines by month.

return to top of page