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This paper does not set out to describe the reasons why a new concept of dental care should be deemed as acceptable and recognised as mainstream. Rather, the starting point of this paper is the belief that some dentists who are increasing the overall vertical dimension for worn dentition patients are not using the protocols of the traditional 're-organised approach'. If adhesive direct restorations are used, there seems to be anecdotal indication that despite not restoring in the terminal hinge axis, it can have a successful outcome.So, while not criticising this approach simply because it does not follow orthodoxy, the paper has two objectives. It hopes to stimulate some debate and research on this subject. Furthermore, by suggesting some parameters for what might be considered a new approach, it aims to improve patient outcome., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Background Many dental professionals are now completing higher degrees that involve a research project. However, many of those research projects, although worthwhile, are not written up for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Aim To encourage and assist novice authors in transferring their project report into a paper to submit for publication.Discussion The relationship between the authors and contributors is considered, and advice is given on how to focus on the specific research question and produce a succinct paper within the target journal's word limit. Emphasis is placed on choosing the right journal for submission and the need to follow the 'instructions to authors', as well as what happens post-submission, post-acceptance and post-publication. Furthermore, some of the difficulties that the authors have encountered on their own publication journeys are highlighted.Conclusion Great satisfaction will be derived if the novice researcher makes the most of their opportunity of undertaking a research project and subsequently getting it published in a peer-reviewed journal. Publishing gives the author recognition within their professional community, a feeling of personal achievement, can create better career perspectives and allows others to build on the work.

'The Colgate-Palmolive Company is extremely proud of the clinical program ... addition of 1.5% arginine to fluoride toothpaste.'

All brands of endodontic paper points shed fibres, and these fibres may be associated with foreign body giant cell reactions.

Overview: This study investigated the general and oral health status and behaviours and the dental treatment requirements of remand prisoners. It makes recommendations on how their oral health care needs may be met., Method: A convenience sample of 78 remand prisoners participated in the study within HMP Brixton. The study involved a structured interview, to establish health status and behaviours as well as perceived oral health needs, combined with an oral examination to establish normative treatment need., Results: Prisoners' general health was compromised. In particular, there were high levels of mental illness and infectious disease. Unhealthy behaviours such as tobacco smoking, alcohol use, drug dependency, and high sugar diets were commonplace. This affected the remand prisoners' oral health, which presented with high levels of decay and relatively low levels of both missing and filled teeth. Whilst prisoners made high use of prison dental services, they made little use of dental services outside of prison. The high turnover of remand prisoners and high demand for emergency care made the delivery of preventive and routine care difficult., Conclusion: Remand prisoners have compromised general and oral health compared with the general population. They exhibit poor oral health, which is contributed to by their lifestyles and health behaviours.

The oral cavity is a unique and complex environment, where hard and soft tissues exist in close proximity, within bacteria-laden saliva. All oral tissues are receptive to laser treatment, but the biophysics governing laser-tissue interaction demands a knowledge of all factors involved in delivery of this modality; through this knowledge, correct and appropriate treatment can be delivered in a predictable manner.

Objective: To determine the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on patient attendance at dental practices and maintenance of oral health., Design: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire-based study., Setting: Leicestershire, United Kingdom., Subjects and Methods: People with MS in Leicestershire identified from local health authority records (n = 476)., Main Outcome Measures: Number registered at dental practice, frequency of attendance, issues and perspectives relating to attendance and maintenance of oral health., Results: A response rate of 61% (n = 289) was obtained. When compared to the general population, a higher number of people with MS were registered with a dentist (49%:88%) and displayed more frequent practice attendance (71%:81%) in the past year. People with MS reported difficulties in attending a dentist and maintaining oral health, which were exacerbated by deterioration in general health. Problems relating to reduced personal mobility had the greatest impact on attendance., Conclusions: MS has a negative impact on perceived patient attendance and maintenance of oral health. Patients with a progressive disability could benefit greatly from the provision of preventive oral health care. The importance of seeking care earlier rather than later needs to be emphasised to both professionals and patients alike. Further efforts are required to increase awareness of the importance of oral health to the quality of life of people with MS and ensure that individuals with physical disabilities receive the same access to dental services as the able-bodied.

The word laser conjures in the mind's eye many aspects of what might be described as 'modern' life. The words 'powerful', 'precise' and 'innovative' complement our conception of the world in terms of technology, whereas patients often associate the words 'magical' and 'lightening quick' with the use of lasers in medical practice. The purpose of this series of articles is to explore the history and development of lasers, the integration of lasers into clinical dentistry and the safeguards as to their regulated use.

Zyban is a drug, newly available on NHS prescription, to aid smoking cessation. Two clinical trials suggest superior efficacy to nicotine patches, however side-effects include xerostomia and its use may have an impact on oral health.

This is a case study to investigate in an objective way how fluoridation is reported in the press. All press cuttings collected by a reputable national agency covering a 9-month period were studied; were rated as being profluoridation, antifluoridation or neutral. The rating system was calibrated before the study by comparing the scores given by the author and a selected group of experts. Overall, press article coverage was antifluoridation, though it is not clear how intentional this is.

Dummy sucking usually ceases before permanent teeth erupt but digit sucking may persist beyond this stage producing a permanent disturbance and should be discouraged.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener. Beyond being non-cariogenic, it exhibits both passive and active anti-caries properties and is used in confectionery and oral care products.

Maltodextrins are not sweeteners but are added to wide variety of food and drink products for their physical and chemical properties. Although evidence is sparse at present, they must be considered to be potentially cariogenic.

This final part of the centenary series covers Kramer and McLean's paper, 'The response of the human pulp to self-polymerising acrylic restorations', which was one of the first papers to give such a detailed account and assessment of such changes. It is reviewed by Dr Graham Mount, who first met John McLean in 1973 and has worked closely with him since then.

This penultimate part of the centenary series looks at E Matthews' paper on "The alginates in dentistry' and is reviewed by Mike Braden. In the paper, Matthews discussed the need to find a suitable alternative to certain dental materials such as agar agar when the main supplier of this, Japan, entered the Second World War.

It was no accident that Warren Harvey's paper on 'Tooth temperature with reference to dental pain while flying' was published during the Second World War, as Harvey was given the opportunity to investigate this subject after aircrew reported dental problems during flight. Group Captain Peter Richardson of the RAF Institute of Dental Health and Training reviews the paper.

In this review of scientific papers, Peter Banks examines A H McIndoe's lecture of 1941 on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the middle third of the face. Peter Banks works at the same East Grinstead Hospital where McIndoe was the surgeon-in-charge and met him at the end of his career.

In this paper Professor Fleming describes several aspects of antiseptics. He begins by considering the influence of the medium on the antiseptic, and of far more relevance, the speed of disappearance of the antiseptic. He then describes the ineffectiveness of an antiseptic in sterilising and treating a septic wound, backing up his remarks with experimental evidence. His lecture then looks at the effect of chemical antiseptics on the body's normal protective mechanism, specifically how some antiseptics inhibit the antibacterial effect of protective fluids (such as saliva and tears) as well as the antibacterial action of leucocytes. At the conclusion of the lecture he mentions specificity, and prophetically remarks on how penicillin may be used in the future in the treatment of septic wounds.

This part of the centenary series covers Sir Wilfred Fish's paper on the pathology and treatment of periodontal diseases. Newell Johnson comments on this important British contribution to the developing science of periodontology earlier this century. Newell is a particularly apt commentator because he is now Head of the RCS Department of Dental Sciences, which was founded by Fish in 1936.

N J Ainsworth, in his paper on mottled teeth, published in 1933, was the first person in the UK responsible for identifying the presence of fluoride in water supplies and quantifying the amount of caries in areas with mottled teeth. As well as a brief summary of the paper by Mike Grace, John Murray writes a critical examination of this landmark paper.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of alveoplasty and primary closure following dental extractions in patients with an elevated medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) risk.Study design A retrospective review of 46 patients with an elevated MRONJ risk was conducted. This included a total of 124 teeth extracted, due to unrestorable caries (n = 46; 37%) and peri-apical pathology (n = 44; 35%).Results Our results showed 0% (n = 0) of patients in our cohort developed MRONJ post-operatively. Most patients were being treated with intravenous zoledronic acid for breast cancer (n = 23; 50%), with an average of 15 doses (range 1-72).Conclusions This study supports the use of alveoplasty and primary closure for patients with an elevated MRONJ risk. The authors highlight the importance of pre-operative cone beam computed tomography imaging, optimisation of immune status, post-operative prophylactic antibiotics, and the delay of bone modifying agents recommencement as influential factors in mitigating risk and favouring successful outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

The practice of dentistry contributes to 3% of the carbon footprint of the NHS. As awareness and concern about climate change increases, all dental care professionals must play their part in reducing the environmental impact of the care they provide. This paper aims to describe a novel method of teaching, both the theory and practical application of sustainable dentistry, by integrating sustainable quality improvement methods into the existing management and leadership requirements of dental core training., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Resin-bonded bridges are one of the main options for replacing missing teeth for hypodontia patients. This technique offers several advantages for these patients, who are often young, have unrestored abutment teeth, and have had tooth positions optimised by orthodontic treatment. However, the replacement of missing teeth can be challenging due to tooth positions and anomalies of abutment tooth shape and size.These patients are often young adults at the time of restoration, making the minimally invasive nature and predictable long-term success of resin-bonded bridges advantageous over other treatment methods.This paper in the hypodontia themed issue discusses the importance of case selection and gives practical advice for the design and provision of resin-bonded bridges., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This chapter aims to describe the types of waste produced in dental practice, the costs associated with disposal of this waste, and the impact that the disposal method has on the environment and on human health. It discusses the waste hierarchy and explores how dental surgeries can reduce their waste generation through simple changes in practice. The chapter continues by highlighting the benefits of performing a waste audit, with examples of how correct segregation of the waste produced in practice is both cost-effective and reduces the environmental impact of its disposal. Finally, we discuss some of the barriers and enablers of changing waste disposal behaviours in the dental practice and identify how the environmentally minded practitioner can encourage pro-environmental behaviour in their dental team., (© 2023. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022. Republished.)