Sebastian Evans

A dentist has been ordered to pay £3,020 in compensation to a patient who needed a tooth removing after a botched operation. The dentist, who works for NHS Forth Valley, has also been ordered to undergo further training. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Professor Alice Brown detailed how the unnamed patient continued to experience pain after…

Being organised is generally considered to be something you are either good or bad at – there is no in between. Some people simply have the ability to sort their life into different compartments, knowing exactly where everything is and having all the tools for any eventuality. While this regimentation to your life may seem…

The sixth World Aesthetic Congress (WAC) is fast approaching, so time is running out to book your place at this unmissable event. Attendees will gain advice from some of the world’s leading experts and benefit from the fastest growing area in UK dentistry. With patients around the UK asking for more cosmetic work than ever…

Dentists will have to wait a little longer for the government’s verdict on its own NHS reforms. The Department of Health has revealed its evaluation of the first year of the new dental contracts will not be published until next month [June] at the earliest. Health Minister Rosie Winterton, in a Parliamentary written answer, said:…

Dentists could be in line for a pay rise to help them absorb the added costs of switching to single-use reamers and files. The Department of Health is investigating the likely impact of its recent decision to ask dentists to use disposable endodontic instruments. The results will be passed to the review body responsible for…

A retraction from Dentistry magazine. In the 17 May edition of Dentistry magazine we published two articles on the front page about the British Dental Association, and an editorial comment relating to one of the articles. We acknowledge that we failed to contact the BDA in relation to the two articles before publication to check…

A dentist has won a ‘highly significant ruling’ after successfully appealing against a decision to be awarded a zero valued GDS contract. The British Dental Association (BDA) supported the appeal, through the use of judicial review proceedings, against the NHS Litigation Authority. The case, heard by Mr Justice Goldring, came to court after the dentist…

Kevin Lewis discusses the announcement – and its timing – of the Department of Health’s guidelines on single-use endodontic tools. Once is enough Don’t you think there is something slightly magical about writing a letter and getting an instant response? If so, then Barry Cockcroft will surely be made an honorary member of the Magic…

The land of sauna, Santa and Nokia was to be my home for four months when I was given the fantastic opportunity to study abroad at Helsinki Dental Institute, thanks to an exchange agreement with my home dental school in Newcastle upon Tyne. I took part in the exchange with a friend (a fellow fourth-year…

Knowing what clinical challenges one will be confronted with in a case is essential. Radiographs provide the information to visualise anatomy which otherwise obviously would not be seen. Reading the radiograph properly and interpreting all the information present is an essential skill. Ideally, the clinician will take three radiographs pre-operatively before beginning treatment, one from…

With climate change now a major concern for most people, it’s worth dental practices giving some thought to ways they can effectively neutralise their contribution to global warming. Scientists and environmentalists are clear in their message that everyone urgently needs to change their behaviour to stand any chance preserving the planet. At home, many of…

New figures have highlighted the problems that beset the government’s dental reforms, according to the British Dental Association (BDA). The statistics show that 12 months after the introduction of the new contract in England, 396 of the 2,726 contracts originally signed in dispute are yet to be resolved. The failure to resolve the problems with…

A high-profile neurologist has called for government regulation of the cosmetic use of Botulinum toxin. Dr Marie-Helene Marion believes that the proper administration of Botox has been hijacked by people working in the beauty therapy and leisure industries, and says current UK regulation is inadequate. The use of Botox has increased in dentistry in recent…

Alan Hudson, the internationally famous magician, will be appearing on the British Dental Trade Association (BDTA) stand at the BDA Conference and Exhibition later this month. In keeping with the ‘Touch of Magic’ theme being used to promote Dental Showcase this year, delegates should prepare to be amazed by some of the tricks and illusions…

John Chope discovers that its annual performance review provides a snapshot of what the GDC has been up to during the past year. Glowing report for GDC The GDC has received its 2006/2007 annual performance review from the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE). It’s a bit like an end of term school report, except…

Q. I went on a marketing course recently where one of the speakers suggested that targeting new home owners in the area would be a good way of increasing my patient numbers. I think this would work really well for my practice, but am unsure about what my next steps should be. A. New local…

Government ministers, MPs and Lords joined dentists at the House of Commons as the British Dental Health Foundation officially launched National Smile Month. The national campaign to improve oral health education runs from May 13 to June 12 using the tagline Two Minutes Twice a Day to raise awareness of the importance of twice daily…

For the first time in its history, the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has opened its membership to dental students. The news means the Faculty is the only academic dental institution in the UK to offer free membership to undergraduates in their final two years of study. From July 2007, dental students will be…

The Dental Defence Union has opened nominations for its fifth annual educational awards. Students and vocational dental practitioners have until 31 July to nominate the teachers whose approach has motivated and inspired them the most. The dentist teacher of the year, vocational teacher of the year and dental care professional teacher of the year will…