Sebastian Evans

The General Dental Council is looking for views on its draft guidance for registrants concerning their responsibilities when acting in a business capacity. The guidance, Principles of management responsibility, will apply to any registrant who has a management role, whether that is for a dental body corporate, a primary care trust, a dental practice, a…

The British Dental Trade Association has released details on how delegates to this year’s Showcase can claim their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Whether you are researching a new product, comparing the services of two companies or watching a live demonstration, the learning that takes place at the exhibition plays an important part of a dental…

It is very important to carry out a thorough and accurate dental assessment. This will help in the treatment planning stages, and is important for medico-legal records. The assessment can be divided into the following stages: 1. The interview. 2. Dental radiographs (Dental Panoramic Tomograph, bitewings and full-mouth periapical radiographs). 3. Digital photographs (A full…

This patient was a 53-year-old female with a repeated pain history associated with her unerupted third molar. The referring practitioner had made several attempts over 18 months to resolve the pain and swelling with antibiotics, however the chronic infection persisted. This case illustrates the simple surgical management of a buried troublesome third molar. Repeated use…

Shopping around for motor and home insurance has become much easier in recent years. You can get quotes by phone or use the internet to get special deals. There are also many price comparison sites available. However, using the services of a broker that deals with a selected panel of insurers can have significant advantages.…

The government’s first-year report on the new NHS dental contract has confirmed the controversial reforms have failed to increase access to services. However, the Department of Health insisted that NHS dentistry is on a more secure footing, despite the figures. The report showed that 28.1m people had been to an NHS dentist in the previous…

MPs are to launch an inquiry into the government’s controversial dental reforms. The Commons Health Select Committee plans to kick-off its investigation when members return from their summer break in October. Professional associations and other industry representatives will initially be invited to submit their assessments of the new contract in writing. The Committee is then…

High-street retailer Superdrug is planning to launch dental services such as teeth whitening for a trial period. The service starts later this month and, as well as whitening, will include breath freshening and hygienist treatments, which will be carried out in consultation rooms and will cost from £35 to £350. Superdrug trading director Jeff Wemyss…

There is compelling evidence to introduce a new dental school in Scotland, according to an MSP. Jim Hume, who represents the south of Scotland, made the call following figures released that show there is only one dentist for every 2,070 people in Scotland. He said: ‘These figures are very worrying. This is yet more supporting…

A career as a dentist should be relatively straightforward. After all, you have been specifically trained to do a job, you have qualified, completed a year of Vocational Training (VT) and now all you have to do is get on and do it. There is none of the indecision that some non-vocational graduates are plagued…

Creating beautiful smiles for appreciative patients is perhaps the most rewarding experience one can have as a dentist. Helping people who have been self-conscious and nervous about showing their teeth, or who have lost effective function, become confident and comfortable is not only satisfying but also fun. I used to believe that if I just…

Q. I have just bought a new Cerec machine to save on lab costs. How can I use it to help attract new patients? A. From a patient’s perspective, the biggest advantage that Cerec treatments have for them is the convenience factor. It’s quick, you can get your new restoration done in just one day,…

The British Dental Trade Association (BDTA) has extended its thanks to Peter Rees, who will step down after serving as its president for the past 18 months. Peter will step down as president from 31 August 2007, following his resignation from Dentsply UK. The BDTA said in a statement: ‘During his presidential term, the number…

The results of a new survey have supported claims that there is an ‘oral health crisis’ in Australia. Nearly half of Australians believe their budgets will not stretch to cover the cost basic dental care, according to the study. The results also showed that 23% of people had not seen a dentist in more than…

Fruit juices traditionally perceived as healthy are harming children’s teeth, a dentists’ group has warned. Organic juices which combine sugar and fruit are eroding teeth, and half of UK parents are unaware that they can contain as much sugar as some fizzy drinks, a YouGov survey revealed. Dr Philip Stemmer, a dentist at Teeth For…

Tesco has announced it will start offering dental insurance cover for both NHS and private patients. The move follows the company’s launch of health insurance in January. It is launching two products – one for NHS dental patients and one for those opting for private treatment. As an incentive, it is offering customers a free…

As the clock counts down to compulsory registration in 12 months time, the General Dental Council is urging all dental technicians and nurses to register now. GDC registration licenses dental professionals to work in the UK, and dental nurses and technicians will be working illegally if they have not registered with the GDC by the…

A piece of floss once used by Paris Hilton, smudged with pink lipstick and found in the trash outside her Hollywood home, has sold for $1,000 on an online auction. The sellers of the floss, HollywoodStarTrash.com, made headlines worldwide and created an online frenzy with a video showing the process of how they acquired the…

A further 2,500 patients will be able to access NHS dental treatment in Plymouth over the next year, the local primary care trust (PCT) has revealed. The news comes as part of local efforts to improve dental services for people in the city. Since April 2006, Plymouth Primary Care Trust has offered NHS care to…