What you’ve missed this week

Missed out on this week’s dental news? No problem, here’s what happened over the past seven days…

Number of patients seeing an NHS dentist drops by 2% in England

Just under 22 million adults in England were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months, NHS Digital figures show.

That is equal to 50.2% of the total population, a drop from 52.5% a year ago.

Despite that, there were 39.7 million courses of treatment delivered during that period, a 1.28% increase.

New research shows mouthwash use could inhibit benefits of exercise

Although exercise is known to reduce blood pressure, the activity of bacteria in our mouths may determine whether we experience this benefit, according to new research

An international team of scientists has shown that the blood pressure-lowering effect of exercise is significantly reduced when people rinse their mouths with antibacterial mouthwash, rather than water – showing the importance of oral bacteria in cardiovascular health.

Male Northern Ireland dentists earn £38,000 more than their female colleagues

The average taxable income for male dentists in Northern Ireland (NI) is £38k more than female dentists.

Figures from NHS Digital show the average taxable income for male GDS dentists in 2017/18 was £87,600.

That compares with £49,600 for self-employed female dentists over the same period.

 Scientists develop tooth gel that repairs enamel

Chinese scientists at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine have developed a novel tooth gel that may mean the end of fillings

The answer, researchers  say, lies in a liquid solution they created by mixing calcium and phosphate ions into an alcoholic solution with the organic compound trimethylamine – this in turn produced tiny clusters of calcium phosphate, the main component of enamel, with a diameter of just 1.5nm.

Key new molecules uncovered that could help with tooth loss and regeneration

New research has shed light on the science behind the formation of the periodontal ligament, which helps keep the tooth stable in the jawbone. 

Research published in the Journal of Dental Research has improved the understanding will also help scientists work towards regenerating the tissues that support teeth.

Power brushes drive electric oral health improvement

Using an electric toothbrush could help prevent tooth loss, according to a new study.

Published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the 11-year observational study investigated the association between electric toothbrushing and periodontitis, caries and number of teeth present.

Dentists second most likely professionals to take to social media to complain

Dentists are the second most likely professionals to complain on social media, new research shows.

The trends and social media activity of over 84,000 professionals currently in the top 10 industries were analysed.