Sebastian Evans

The number of patients seeing NHS dentists for treatment has fallen since the new contract of April 2006, new figures confirm today (Thursday). Those who were seen for NHS dental treatment also varies from area to area, according to the latest figures released by The NHS Information Centre. The report – NHS Dental Statistics for…

When you look at our Recruitment section anywhere a dental nurse is rarely mentioned. Some offer one in the way that ‘air conditioning’ or ‘fully computerised surgery’ is mentioned, and some state that a nurse is available. I know there are divided views on the subject. Many hygienists prefer to work on their own for…

The dental water jet was developed by a dentist and hydraulic engineer and introduced in the United States in 1962. Since then it has been recommended or dispensed by dental professionals all over the world. Collectively, the research has evaluated safety and efficacy demonstrating a significant reduction in bleeding, gingivitis, plaque, calculus, pocket depth, and…

A drug-using dentist who practised without indemnity and whilst suspended from the register has been struck off by the General Dental Council (GDC). In January 2007, the Interim Orders Committee of the GDC imposed an interim suspension order on Christopher Bohler’s registration for a period of 18 months – initially on the basis of reports…

A family dentist, convicted of child porn offences, has been struck off the register by the General Dental Council (GDC). Barrington ‘Barry’ Keen, from Luton, was convicted of 18 charges of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child and two charges of having indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child in October 2007. In…

What are probiotics? Probiotics are usually defined as microbial food supplements with beneficial effects on the consumers. The gut flora can be broadly divided into three main groups: Bifidobacteria (probiotic beneficial ‘good’ bacteria), bacteroides species (pathogenic micro organisms) and prebiotics (non digestible food ingredients that encourage the growth of bifidobacteria). Most probiotics fall into the…

Introduction Alcohol abuse is frequently included in the list of risk factors for the development of cancer in the upper alimentary tract. In view of this association, there has been concern in recent years in relation to the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes and the possibility of an increased incidence of oral cancer. One survey has…

Patients suffering with nagging headaches should book a dental appointment. That’s according to a US expert, who suggests that the link between headaches and toothaches is to do with the main nerve – the trigeminal nerve – running through the face and neck. Director of the Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Graduate Program at the…

Parents are under attack for allowing children as young as five to brush their own teeth unsupervised. A survey has found that more than one in five under-fives are being left to brush their teeth alone. This comes at a time when dental experts are stressing that learning good oral care habits at an early…

Lack of access to NHS dentists in England are being linked to a rise in patients admitted to hospital with dental abscesses. The number of hospital admissions for abscesses has nearly doubled in eight years to just less than 1,500 a year. Bristol University researchers said the increase represented a ‘major public health problem’ and…

Staff at Primley Park Dentistry Practice in Alwoodley in Leeds are lacing up their running shoes to take part in the Leeds 10K run, on Sunday 22 June, and raise awareness and funds for the Mouth Cancer Foundation. Team leader, Joanne Hobson, 48, from Menston in Ilkley is the Practice Business Manager at Primly Park…

A cancer charity has come up with a novel way of beating mouth cancer – via the internet. Cancer Research UK’s new online ‘Track Your Drinking’ Google gadget enables people to monitor their drinking habits while comparing them to recommended intake levels – one small drink a day for women (about two units) and two…

Learning new skills has always been a good way to enhance one’s position and therefore one’s career prospects. However lack of access to skilled training, time and money are often cited as obstacles to personal development, so Philips Oral Healthcare has co-opted some of the Country’s leading experts to develop a free training programme which…

A new expert report published in the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion examines the potential link between oral hygiene, associated gum disease and other systemic diseases involving inflammatory processes such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. The authors conclude that current evidence suggests periodontitis is associated with an increased risk for CVD and diabetes.1…

The BSDHT has announced the appointment of Julie Rosse, previously secretary of the BSDHT North East Group, to the newly created role of regional group co-ordinator. Julie’s career began in dental nursing following training in Sheffield. She subsequently enhanced her skills by qualifying as a dental hygienist in 1998. Julie works in two practices, one…

Cadbury has hit the US market with a gum that includes an ingredient it claims will help rebuild tooth enamel. Cadbury Adams, the confectionery giant’s US arm, has unveiled Trident Xtra Care. The new gum includes Recaldent, a form of calcium that ‘increases tooth remineralisation’ and is derived from milk, the company said. Cadbury, which…

‘Street’ dentists were out and about in Essex, offering free check-ups to children. In a similar style to BBC TV’s Street Doctor  – in which a group of GPs take to the streets to offer primary care to patients – the dental check-ups were part of a number of activities to mark NHS 60 (the…

Never has there been a better time to be a part of the dental profession worldwide. We are witnesses to an amazing transformation of products, procedures and materials. Changes in the UK are even more pronounced as huge numbers of dentists transition off of NHS and other contract plans to all private or increased private…