Sebastian Evans

The Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Congress Youth Committee are campaigning for a decent public health service. According to Des Derwin, President of the DCTU, the decline in the health services can be directly attributed to the drive towards privatisation. ‘The only way we can safeguard…

An elderly man from Sweden came out of his dentist’s appointment an experience richer earlier this year after swallowing a diamond that had come loose from a cleaning tool. The 77-year-old patient accidentally ingested the gem during a visit to a dental practice in Ulricehamn in February. The dentist has now reported the matter to…

The General Dental Council (GDC) has successfully prosecuted a Bristol dentist for practising whilst off the register. Dentist Stuart Folland pleaded guilty to carrying out dental work from January 2006 until October 2007 despite being removed from the Dentists Register in January 2006 for non-payment of the annual fee.   Mr Folland was fined £400…

In these times of economic gloom, it is even more important than usual to know where you are with your finances. While, as a student, financial planning may not have extended much beyond securing the funds for a night out, as a recent graduate you have a lot more to think about. Getting a mortgage,…

I’m delighted to have been asked to contribute to the debate on hot topics in dentistry and look forward to a full exchange of views with Dentistry.co.uk readers. I was not surprised to hear a group of mainly NHS dentists saying how scared they were at having to tender for new UDAs – the ‘old’…

In the light of recent news stories about toxic lead found in cheap dental imports, lab technician Tony Griffin suggests that the UK’s dental authorities should strike while the iron’s hot by tightening regulations – now. Nothing to worry about in those cheap dental crown and bridges etc imported into the UK? Or maybe there…

A new website has been launched in the States to inform the public concerned about recent reports of lead contamination in dental crowns imported from overseas. The website – www.whatsinyourmouth.us – is the brainwave of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and provides consumers with an opportunity to contact the association’s staff with questions…

Health officials have warned people not use teeth whitening kits containing dangerously high levels of hydrogen peroxide that were being sold by a UK company on the internet. Officers from Northamptonshire Trading Standards seized the kits from a firm – they apparently have more than 100 times the legal amount of the chemical. The authority…

Dental care professional registration and the next steps for the fully registered team will be the focus of the General Dental Council (GDC) at this year’s British Dental Association annual conference. ‘DCP registration – moving forward’ will emphasise the need for dental nurses and technicians to register with the GDC before the 30 July deadline.…

There are wide variations across England in the amount spent on NHS dental care, figures have suggested. One NHS authority spent almost 67% more per head than another. In 2005/06, Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority (SHA) spent £50 per head, an increase of 70% from 1997/98. Meanwhile, Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA spent…

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has revealed that dentists in Northern Ireland extracted nearly 30,000 teeth last year from children aged under 13. Most of those extracted were rotten baby teeth, which are meant to be lost naturally. Mr McGimpsey released the figures to the SDLP health spokesperson Carmel Hanna. Ms Hanna said the level of…

Regularly eating yogurt and other foods with lactic acid may be good for your mouth, Japanese researchers have discovered. Dr Yoshihiro Shimazaki led the study that found that consuming yogurt and lactic acid drinks was significantly associated with better periodontal health – although milk and cheese were not. Outside of regular brushing and flossing, effective…

US researchers have found evidence of periodontal disease leading to gestational diabetes. The findings, published in the April 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Research, underscore how important it is for expectant mothers to maintain good oral health. A study by a New York University dental research team has discovered evidence that pregnant women…

A set of proteins found in saliva may one day lead to ‘spit’ tests replacing blood tests for cancer, heart disease or diabetes. A major step in that direction is the cataloguing of the ‘complete’ salivary proteome, a set of proteins in human ductal saliva, identified by a consortium of three research teams, according to…

During a visit to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on the evening of 19 March, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey praised its specialist dental unit. The unit, staffed by members of the Community Dental Service (CDS), provides dental care for special needs patients such as those with a learning disability, physical disability or a compromising medical…

Record numbers of holidaymakers are flying out to Bulgaria this summer for sun, sea, sand – and cheap dental treatment. That’s according to UK company, Dentaprime Dental Clinic (www.dentaprime.co.uk), who report rocketing figures for their summer 2008 bookings from UK residents looking to combine a trip to the dentist with their holiday. As more and…

The seventh World Aesthetic Congress (WAC) – the UK’s leading and largest aesthetic dentistry event – takes place 6-7 June and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees will gain advice to enhance their dental skills from some of the world’s leading experts from the fastest-growing area in UK dentistry. With patients…

More than 80 million Easter eggs will be consumed in the UK this weekend, prompting a warning about tooth decay. Chief Dental Officer, Barry Cockcroft, has issued a reminder for people not to forget to clean their teeth properly during this annual choc-fest, offering advice for protecting teeth while indulging in sugary treats. He said:…

Senior dental leaders from around the world have attended a leadership programme organised by the Global Child Dental Health Taskforce (GCDHT) to tackle the issue of global child dental disease. Supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and led by Professor Raman Bedi, Head of the Centre for International Child Oral Health at King’s College,…