Sebastian Evans

Cosmetic dentists will be donating their fees from teeth whitening to charity all next week. The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) is encouraging more than 800 member dental practices to carry out all teeth whitening treatments in aid of the Smiling for the World charity for a week, starting 19 May. Any whitening treatment…

Scientists have discovered a gene variation that may help to explain why some people crave sugary foods more than others. A variation in the gene called glucose transporter type two (GLUT2) affects cravings for foods that are high in sugar, according to researchers. The findings could help tackle diabetes and obesity. The gene controls the…

Top dental experts, government ministers, MPs and Lords will debate the state of the nation’s oral health tomorrow (Thursday). Under the spotlight: how poor oral healthcare routines are leaving people at risk of serious health conditions including strokes, diabetes, heart disease and low birth weight babies. The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) will also use…

Health professionals must take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, the British Medical Association (BDA) has said. They are asked to take urgent action to reduce energy consumption and make greater use of electronic communications, according to the new report on climate change. Health professionals: taking action on climate change urges organisations to carry out…

As a new graduate I was very much encouraged by my peers to become a member of the Irish Dental Association (IDA). Since graduation, I have been present at a number of very informative evenings organised by the Munster branch of the IDA on various dentally-related topics. The last presentation I attended was on the…

As I write this article, my family and I are busy packing for our annual family trip to the Excellence in Dentistry seminar in Sandestin, Florida. This will be my seventh year attending and the family’s fifth. The kids missed last year’s due to it being Junior Cert year for one of them and now…

The most common form of stress that dental professionals experience is the feeling of being overwhelmed with far too much to do and having little time to do it. In fact ‘time poverty’ is the biggest single problem facing our profession today. We simply do not have enough time to fulfil our responsibilities. Because of…

There is a critical member in every successful implant team. While the clinical skills of the surgeon and restorative dentist are absolutely necessary, it is another member of the team who keeps cases functioning at an optimal level – the implant treatment coordinator (ITC). The ITC acts as the liaison between the surgical and restorative…

Bell’s palsy is named after Sir Charles Bell, a 19th century Scottish surgeon who was the first to describe the condition. The disorder, which is not related to stroke, is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Generally, Bell’s palsy affects only one of the paired facial nerves and one side of the face, however,…

I asked the following question at a recent presentation I was delivering to over 300 people from the dental profession: ‘How many people here are in sales?’ Only a few hands went up, maybe less than 10%. So why is it only a few hands went up? And how do you feel about selling? Well,…

A group of dental nurses on the social network website Facebook, calling themselves ‘I’m a dental nurse and I hate patients because…’, has angered the General Dental Council (GDC). Under the heading ‘Group Info’, the group claims it’s ‘Just for fun – Inside Jokes’ and, describing themselves, write: ‘This is a group for dental nurses…

The first-ever drug aimed at undoing the effects of local dental anaesthesia has been given the go-ahead in the US. In clinical trials, the drug cut the median time it took for full sensation to return to the lips by about 75 to 85 minutes, or by more than half. Called OraVerse, it was developed…

Tom Roberts takes a look at what’s been going on in the world of oral health over the past few weeks.

Dental school scientists have found previously unidentified families of bacteria that contribute to bad breath. The experts – on the trail of a cure for halitosis – found the bugs in the back of people’s mouths by using new techniques for gathering and analysing bacteria. The three-year study was carried out by a team of…

One of the world’s experts on occlusion techniques is making a rare appearance in London this month, courtesy of Independent Seminars. The renowned ‘grand master of occlusion’, John Kois, will be presenting a one-day seminar that promises to revolutionise the way delegates approach occlusion. Functional occlusion will be held at the Royal College of Physicians…

Conservative MP and former dentist Paul Beresford will be the host at the World Aesthetic Congress (WAC) dinner taking place at the Houses of Parliament. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes in a tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords, followed by the three-course dinner in the stunning private members’ room with surprise after-dinner…

There has been a lot of media coverage recently about infection control in dental practices – and about instrument decontamination, in particular. As part of the drive for higher and higher infection control standards throughout the healthcare professions, dentists are keen to adopt current best practice. But what is regarded as best practice for dental…

The partners in Breathe Business have worked with approximately 750 dental practices in the last 11 years and we have trained, consulted and coached them in the implementation of eight key strategies to produce ‘more profit in less time’. Quantative results are an average 25% increase in bottom-line profits in 20% fewer working hours for…