Sebastian Evans

We have heard many times from health minister Earl Howe and from the department of health that the new contract will remove dentists from a ‘treadmill’ and introduce more education, more prevention and some form of capitation. But no-one really knows what’s going on in pilots definitively. No-one really knows what the end product will…

The process we call PR is happening all around us, all the time. Any and all communication results in others forming a view of us and our business, so it is imperative that we take control of the messages we may be inadvertently sharing, which can be good or bad! Always bear in mind that…

Dr Kim Taylor, who recently won a prestigious MyFaceMyBody award, will be joining Private Dentistry’s Best Dental Practice UK 2012, The Smile Spa, in Stockton-on-Tees. Dr Taylor graduated from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a Distinction in Clinical Dentistry in 2006. She has since undertaken extensive postgraduate training in the field of Cosmetic…

In March, Laboratory magazine revealed its new image for 2013 – a glossy, modern and brighter look for the UK’s leading title for dental technicians and their teams. After the resounding success of the previous Private Laboratory Awards, FMC Events are thrilled to announce the return of the event, The Laboratory Awards 2013, this November.…

Earlier this year, Chancellor George Osbourne reiterated the government's intention to implement a new type of employment contract by 1 September 2013; the Employer Shareholder Contract.  Formed as part of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, this new form of contract does exactly what it says on the tin; it gives employees the option to have…

The government is to urge all dentists to join a 'comparison website' – amid concerns they are falling behind doctors in the drive to increase public scrutiny.   The ‘NHS Choices’ website lists details of three-quarters of GP surgeries, the full services provided and comments describing the experiences of patients.   The site is now…

Dentist Barry McGonigle, the new BDA president, described the continuing problem of preventable disease ‘as a national disgrace’ as he was installed at the BDA conference last week. A general dental practitioner from Omagh in Northern Ireland, he was installed as the new president at the Conference held in London. In his presidential address, he…

When we amble around the corridors of any dental exhibition, or sit in a conference auditorium or seminar room for any length of time, the chances are that we will come within touching distance of something that could make a big difference to our professional lives. It may be a new instrument or piece of…

The start date for Dental Foundation and Dental Core Training will be moving to early September to improve supervision of dental trainees and promote better patient care. The change will be introduced from September 2014 for Dental Foundation. Training posts in general dental practice and by 2015 for Dental Core Training posts in hospital and…

The project Dental INN has been designed by the architect Peter Stasek as a dental facility in form of a therapy-lounge for dental beauty in Viernheim/Germany. The project represents a new concept of interior design for dental practices themed 'healing effects of organic shapes and natural structures' and was mainly developed for Dr Bergmann, an international…

New research in the field of periodontology suggests that there are links between healthy gums and general wellbeing, including systemic illnesses such as diabetes and cardio health. The research, gathered over a period of 30 years, also includes associations between gum disease and pregnancy complications. One of the main causes of gum disease is the…

The new EU Directive on needlestick safety that aims to crack down on the one million needlestick injuries each year in Europe may protect dentists from more than a simple scratch. The new UK legislation requires healthcare professionals to assess the risk of needlestick injuries and control it – but many are cyncial about the…

The department of health (DH) was asked for progress on the shake-up, as it prepared to launch the second wave of pilot schemes, which began at the start of April.   But Norman Lamb, a health minister, told MPs: 'No date has been set for the introduction of a new dental contract.   'The government…

At a meeting on 28 March 2013 the General Dental Council (GDC) voted to remove its barrier to direct access for some dental care professionals after considering the possible impact on patient safety. In the past every member of the dental team had to work on the prescription of a dentist. This meant that patients…

May Day used to be marked in Oxford by some students jumping off the Magdalen College Bridge into the River Cherwell. Health and Safety have in recent years closed the bridge to prevent serious injury as the water under the bridge is only two feet deep there. For the dental profession this year, May 1…

The dental charity, aimed at promoting positivity within the profession as well as to the public, is looking for ways to turn oral heath around for patients. It is offering support in the form of mentorship, grants and products to help dental teams get innovative oral health initiatives out into the community. Based on these…