Sebastian Evans

A study has revealed that young people reduce their intake of calcium and dairy products as they enter their 20s. During the transition from middle adolescence to young adulthood, females and males respectively reduced their daily calcium intakes by an average of 153mg and 194mg. In addition, during middle adolescence, more than 72% of females…

The BDA Conference in Glasgow took place against the somewhat surreal backdrop of the local and European elections and the progressive implosion of the government. I haven’t seen so many bits falling off a cabinet since I last bought a cheap one from MFI. One minute I was discussing that we didn’t know how long…

The National Adult Dental Health Survey – postponed from last year – gets underway in September. The survey had taken place every 10 years since 1968 with the aim of reflecting the state of the adult nation’s oral health and is conducted by the Office of National Statistics and some dental schools. Chief dental officer…

The BDA has produced a series of vintage oral health promotional posters and postcards featuring designs produced by the Ministry of Health between 1930s and 1960s. The series, unveiled at the British Dental Conference and Exhibition, uses a combination of eye-catching vintage illustrations and photographs to emphasise the value of good oral health and nutrition…

A London dental team is planning to walk the bridges of London to raise money to help the slum children of India. Kavita Verma, who is manager at Sparkle Dental Boutique in Hanwell, west London, is heading for to Goa at the end of the year to carry out voluntary work for a UK charity,…

The General Dental Council (GDC) is issuing advice for dental professionals following the latest developments regarding swine flu. The World Health Organization has confirmed the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. Detailed advice and guidelines have been issued by each of the UK Health Departments. The GDC’s statement is published in full…

New research by consumer group Which? suggests that nine out of 10 people* who have tried in the last two years to see an NHS dentist were able to get an appointment with an NHS dentist. But the report also shows that three million people in England** tried but were unable to get an NHS…

Two members of the dental profession appeared in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Honours went to Eric Nash, formerly postgraduate dean with the dental school at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff who was honoured for services to healthcare with an OBE. And Linda Wallace, director of policy and professional services with the British Dental Association…

A Scottish dentist has been struck off the register for misconduct. Andrew Boyd, who practised in Troon, Ayshire, for 18 years, was removed from the register following a hearing by the General Dental Council. The GDC was told that the treatment of more than 900 of his former patients had to be reviewed after complaints…

The General Dental Council (GDC) is looking to appoint a new chair and member to its Appointments Committee. The Appointments Committee ensures an independent recruitment process for our Fitness to Practise and Investigating Committee panels. Its responsibilities include screening applications, interviewing and having an oversight of the entire appointments process. It also makes sure a…

Early detection and changes in lifestyle are the best ways to beat oral cancer, delegates were told at the BDA event Biting back: early detection of oral cancer held at Stormont. The event was addressed by the acting Chief Dental Officer, Donncha O’Carolan, who said: ‘We know that tobacco and alcohol are the two major…

There’s no doubt that when we’re going through difficult times, like a recession, we need to cheer ourselves up – and we tend to do this by indulging in small, affordable treats. This trend has been around for decades. The term ‘the lipstick index’ was coined by Leonard Lauder, former chairman of cosmetics giants Estée…

Windsor was the venue for a recent international opinion leader meeting on rediscovering the role of the daily use of mouthwashes in maintaining oral health. The meeting comprised a number of a keynote presentations and roundtable discussions under the chairmanship of Professor Nairn Wilson, Dean and Head of the King’s College London Dental Institute. A…

Scientists have discovered a genetic link between the dental disease periodontitis and heart attacks. The link has been found to occur on chromosome 9, where a specific version of a gene appears to be present in both periodontitis and coronary heart disease. This discovery confirms what scientists have known for a long time – that…