Missed out on this week’s dental news? No problem, here’s what happened over the past seven days…
Experts warn of serious risks to oral health from tongue piercings
The warnings come after a recent study found that more than half of tongue piercings and 20% of lip piercings result in complications.
Experts also point to complications with procedures such as tongue splitting, including infection, problems with breathing and swallowing and nerve damage.
The Faculty of Dental Surgery is now calling for the law on oral modifications, such as tongue splitting, to be clarified.
Government considering vaping tax to raise £40million for the NHS
The Government is considering a tax on vaping fluid as a new way to raise money for the NHS.
The Sun reports that vapers spend around £275 a year on vaping fluid, which would raise £40 million in a year, based on a 5% tax.
Around half of regular vapers claim they use e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking
KFC and Kellogg’s told to remove junk food adverts
KFC and Kellogg’s told to remove junk food advertising that appeals to children.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) claims the advertising breaks strict rules on promoting high fat, sugar and salt products to children.
Specifically, ASA is referring to an advert promoting Coco Pops during a cartoon watched by children, and KFC advertising a Mars product on a phone booth near a school.
ASA also investigated a McDonald’s Happy Meal advert, ruling it ok to go out during children’s TV shows.
Now McDonald’s has improved the nutritional content of its Happy Meals, ASA believes it falls in line with advertising rules.
PHE warnings on sugar levels in pureed vegetables and savoury foods
Fruit juices, smoothies and fruit bars contain too many harmful ‘free sugars’, which PHE says is partly to blame for the obesity crisis.
Now it’s saying pureed savoury foods, such as vegetables, beans and pulses, are also sources of free sugars.
Critics claim categorising pureed vegetables could lead to confusion over what is healthy and what isn’t.
Total number of clinical academics continues to rise
Workforce figures from the Dental Schools Council (DSC) show a 2.2% increase in full-time clinical academic staff over the past year.
Despite the rise more than two-thirds of dental schools experience difficulties recruiting in one or more specialties.
Dental schools are also increasingly reliant on part-time staff, making up 59% of the workforce, an increase of 2% since 2013.
Figures show an increasing number of staff in teaching posts over research posts.
The British Dental Association (BDA) claims this could lead to UK dental academia losing its global reputation.
