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Despite frequent claims to the contrary, there is little evidence that dental pain could be the only symptom for cardiac insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication during dental training has become an increasingly influential idea within dental schools, both in the United Kingdom and European contexts. Research into this curriculum innovation has provided evidence to argue that benefits accrue both in terms of professional understanding and the development of dental professional learning dispositions.Objective This study investigates the interactions within a trainee dental team. In particular, the paper reports the professional experiences and development of trainee dental technicians and undergraduate dental students during a prolonged shared learning exercise in a combined UK university dental school and hospital.Methods Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological framework, data sources included reflective diaries, focus group interviews and participant feedback.Results Eleven major domains were identified that accurately characterised the participants' beliefs, thoughts and practices. The results indicate that both trainee dental technicians and undergraduate dental students were pragmatic but positive in terms of their expectations of shared learning. In particular, they regarded the exercise as useful in terms of communication and understanding each other's role. Evidence also indicated the presence of original elements such as crisis of confidence and feelings of awkwardness that do not arise in other studies.Conclusions The implications for dental education are that for effective professional collaboration during training to take place a merger of interests among educators and policy developers in dental education must occur, and the challenges encountered within practice cultures must somehow be overcome. Therefore, more investment in evaluating research into interprofessional learning in dentistry would contribute to our knowledge about the place and role of interprofessional education in the professional dental curriculum and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents letters to the editor of the periodical 'British Dental Journal' for the January 9, 1999 issue. Use of general anesthetics; Dental surgeons with inadequate sedation experience; Amendments to maintaining standards.

The article offers information on the official launch of Mouth Cancer Action Month at the Houses of Parliament held on November 14, 2012 in Great Britain. It mentions that British Dental Health Foundation chief executive Nigel Carter opened the event by acknowledging the late Mouth Cancer Action Week founder Richard Horner while professor Simon Rogers presented an oral cancer update with a realistic outlook. It also cites that the campaign of the event focuses early detection of mouth cancer.

The article offers information on the centennial graduand that will be awarded with Bristol British Dental Society (BDS) degree on a meeting on November 17, 2012.

A calendar of events for the Great Britain area from February to October 2012 is presented including the GDC Registrant Event, British Dental Conference and Exhibition and S4S Introduction to Occlusal Splints for the GDP.

The article offers information on how to be a member of the British Society of Occlusal Studies (BSOS) in Great Britain which will be having its autumn meeting and annual general meeting (AGM) in Chester, England on November 11-12, 2011.

The article reports on the decline in sale value of the average dental practice in Great Britain from 98 percent of turnover in the quarter ending April 2011 to 90 percent of turnover in the quarter ending July 31 2011.

Objectives To investigate autonomous working among singly and dually qualified dental hygienists and therapists in UK primary care. Earlier studies and policy papers suggest that greater autonomy for these groups may be a desirable workforce planning goal.Methods UK-wide postal surveys of hygienists, hygienist-therapists and therapists. Respondents were asked whether they undertook 15 clinical activities on their own initiative, how comfortable they would feel undertaking such clinical activities if referral from a dentist were not required, and how they perceived dentists' reactions.Results Overall response rate was 65% (n = 150 hygienists, 183 hygienist-therapists and 152 therapists). Over 80% of hygienists and hygienist-therapists reported undertaking BPEs, history-taking, pocket charting, mucosal examinations and recall interval planning autonomously. Similarly high proportions of hygienist-therapists and therapists reported giving local analgesia and choosing restorative materials autonomously. However, fewer than 50% of all three groups said they undertook dental charting, fissure sealing, resin restorations, taking radiographs, and tooth whitening autonomously. While confidence in undertaking such activities without a dentist's referral was generally high, it was lower in respect to mucosal examinations, identifying suspicious lesions, interpreting radiographs, tooth whitening, and (except for singly qualified dental therapists) diagnosing caries.Conclusions Results suggest high levels of experience and confidence in their ability to work autonomously across a wide range of investigative activities, treatment decision-making and treatment planning. The exceptions to this pattern are appropriate to the different clinical remit of these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding the approach of the General Dental Council (GDC) toward the protection of patients from the inequities of the dental contract in the 2010 issue.

A calendar of events related to dentistry in Great Britain from August to September 2010 is presented including the 8th International Dental Ethics and Law Congress in Finland on August 18-20, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) World Congress in Germany on August 26-28, and the employment law training in England on September 2.

Objectives To evaluate a pilot specialist practice-based minor oral surgery service.Methods Service monitoring data were analysed to evaluate activity, waiting times and outcomes. Patient satisfaction was assessed by a modified version of the Dental Visit Satisfaction Scale.Results Of 705 treatment appointments, 12.7% were not attended and treatment was not provided in another 11.6%. Mean waiting time from referral receipt to treatment was 6.8 weeks. Treatment provided included surgical removal of third molars, surgical removal of non-third molars and surgical endodontics (26.7%, 60.4% and 4.9% of cases, respectively). Antibiotics were prescribed in 15.0% of treatment cases and 2.3% of treatment cases required appointments for postoperative complications. The response rate for the satisfaction survey was 81%. All participants reported overall satisfaction and strongly agreed/agreed with positive attitudinal statements about the oral surgeon's communication/information giving, technical competence and understanding/acceptance. 77.8% were seen on time and 22.2% within 15 minutes of their appointment. Overall 74.1% felt the standard of service was better than they would expect from a hospital and none felt it was worse.Conclusion The findings of the evaluation suggest that specialist minor oral surgery can be successfully provided in dental practice and is acceptable to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the increase in payment for doctors and dentists in Great Britain. It states that a 1.5% increase in pay is about to receive by doctors and dentists. The said increase is being accepted by the Ministers based on the figures recommended by the Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration Review Body. However, the British Dental Association (BDA) said that the increase will amount to only a 0.21% gross pay uplift, and not to promote National Health Service dentistry.

The article focuses on the Nintendo Wii technology, developed by Pearse Hannigan, David Lagan, and Adam Gray, final year dental students at the University of Glasgow Dental School. The concept, which intends to aid dental students practice their operative skills, won the Dental Innovation Technology Ideas Award. The Nintendo Wii console will be used via a software to simulate operative techniques. Dr. David Watson of the University of Glasgow Dental School cites the advantages of the idea.

The article reports on the expansion of the Premier Awards that offer a £6,000 cash prize for dental risk management projects in Great Britain. In 2009, the awards would accept entries of original papers on dental ethics in six subject areas including infection control, health and safety, and record keeping. It states that all members of the dental team are eligible to enter.

Information about several papers discussed at the British Dental Association Conference in 2008 in England is presented. Health spokesman Mike Penning asserted that dentists' contracts should be for a minimum of five years and practitioners should have the right to sell on the contract if they sold their practice. Chief dental officer Barry Cockroft stated that there is no shortage of dentists wanting National Health Services contracts and new services.

The article reports that the Department of Health in Great Britain has launched a consultation paper on streamlining the complaints procedure in health and social care which will make it easier for people to complain. The said initiative aims to resolve complaints locally with the presence of a more personal and flexible approach to handling complaints and a robust handling of all cases. According to the agency, the initial consultation will run for four months and close on October 17, 2007.

Objective This paper describes an objective method for assessing the decontamination procedures used for reprocessing dental instruments in primary dental care facilities.Materials and methods The study population comprised all general dental practitioners in Scotland with an NHS list number. A two-stage process was used to identify which surgeries were to be surveyed, using a proportional stratified random sampling method. First, practices were randomly selected in proportion to the distribution of practices within each of the health boards. Then, if there were more than one dentist within a selected practice, simple random sampling was used to identify a single dentist within the selected practice to be approached. The surgery that the dentist worked from and its associated decontamination facilities were the subject of the survey. A set of data collection forms provided questions designed to investigate compliance with extant guidance documents on decontamination. Specific training for the survey team members was provided during a three day course, to ensure consistency of approach. The data collection forms were piloted in 20 dental surgeries.Results A methodology was developed, which utilised both staff interviews and direct observation of decontamination processes. Data were collected on a set of 28 standard forms, which could be machine read. Three hundred and seventy-three dentists were selected at random from the dental practitioners list held by Practitioner Services, Scotland. One hundred and eighty-nine practitioners either declined to participate or could not be contacted at the address supplied. One hundred and eighty-four surgeries were surveyed, data were available for analysis from 179 sites. Data from five sites were rejected because of illegibility (three) and incomplete data (two). Each surgery survey was undertaken by a team of two surveyors, comprising one infection control/decontamination expert and one experienced dental practitioner. The survey team interviewed the dental practitioner and dental nurse, reviewed documentation relevant to the survey, directly observed decontamination practices and recorded the physical layout of the premises.Conclusion The use of machine readable data collection forms, trained survey staff and direct observation of decontamination protocols provides a workable method for accurate collection of decontamination practice in primary care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the selection of dentist Rishma Shah as recipient of the British Orthodontic Society Audit Prize 2005 in Great Britain. Along with the award is a cash prize of 3,000 pounds for clinical excellence. The prize was available to full members of the society. Shah expresses her happiness in winning the said award.

The article focuses on the advice for dentists to check if the finance contracts for their dental practice computer systems allow for upgrades in anticipation of the new contract introductions in Great Britain. When the new contracts will be introduced, practices will be required to replace or update their computer systems. If the current contract lacks provision for upgrades, dentists are urged to speak to their finance provider to understand how they can invest in new technology without increasing the monthly cost.

The article focuses on the significance of the continuing professional development to dentists and their practices in Great Britain. Majority of the users of the program claimed that they gad changed some aspect of the practice as a result of using it. The goal of the program is learning, self-improvement and development for the practice. It will also help enhance the art of dentistry.

In the past general dental practitioners have tended to combine running a business with providing a dental service for the community, a tricky blend of skills and expertise. Since the inception of the NHS this mix of commercial and clinical has been relatively successful, especially in the early days when the NHS paid the bulk of patient costs; fee setting was unnecessary for most practitioners because the system imposed the fees and patients knew little about the true cost of dental care. Slowly the emphasis on who was paying for dentistry shifted, until most fee-paying patients were contributing substantially to their treatment, but the actual fees were still set by the NHS. This article discusses several issues related to the patient's value of dentistry as a factor in setting prices. Of course most dentists are unaware of what each patient values, something that would have been thoroughly researched in many other businesses.

ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to measure the fluoride content of still bottled waters on sale in the UK and to estimate and compare the fluoride intake from tap and bottled water for British children.MethodsThree bottles of 25 commercial brands of bottled water were purchased from supermarkets, grocery stores and health shops in the North-East of England. All samples were still spring, mineral or distilled waters, sold in plastic bottles. The fluoride content of all samples was determined, in duplicate, using a Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode.ResultsThe mean (± SD) fluoride content of the bottled waters was 0.08 (± 0.08) mg L-1 with a range from 0.01 - 0.37 mg L-1 which is below the accepted standard for optimally fluoridated water. The mean fluoride intake for 4-18-year-olds when the source of water intake is solely fluoridated tap water was estimated to be 0.26 mg F per day; compared with 0.16 mg F per day, when a combination of tap and bottled water is consumed.ConclusionsBottled water, from those samples, is unlikely to make an important contribution to total fluoride intake in British diets. Consumption of bottled water containing a negligible amount of fluoride in preference to fluoridated tap water might result in less than optimal fluoride ingestion in young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on health risks associated with smoking and alcohol drinking among people in Great Britain. Attitude of British society towards smoking and drinking; Need for healthcare professional to advice people to avoid smoking and drinking; Habit of drugs use and drinking among British vocational dental practitioners; Association between smoking, drinking and oral diseases.

ObjectiveThis study was designed to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in vocational dental practitioners (VDPs).DesignAnonymous self-report questionnaire.Subjects and methodsAll UK vocational dental practitioners (n = 719) who started practice in the summer of 1999 were questioned on their use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other illicit drugs whilst a VDP and before graduation.ResultsEighty-nine per cent of males and 88% of females reported alcohol use. Of these, 35% of males and 36% of females drank above sensible levels (up to 21 units per week for males, 14 units for females), with 48% of males and 52% of females 'binge drinking'. Thirty-three per cent of respondents reported cannabis use whilst a VDP. Regular drug use (use at least once a month) other than cannabis whilst a VDP was found to be highest among males, with regular ecstasy use reported by 4% and regular cocaine use reported by 2%. Regular tobacco use (ten or more cigarettes per day) was reported by 9% of VDPs. Regular tobacco users were found to be six times more likely to use cannabis on a regular basis, three times more likely to use ecstasy on a regular basis and four times more likely to use cocaine on a regular basis than those VDPs who reported non regular tobacco use.ConclusionVDPs are drinking above sensible limits, binge drinking, using tobacco and indulging in illicit drug use to a degree that will cause health problems. However, use of all substances had reduced since qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls on the British government to be honest in its National Health Service prioritization. Publication of the first General Dental Council Order, under Section 60 of the Healthcare Act 1999, in November 2001; Provisions of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill; British Dental Association's release of the discussion paper 'Modern NHS Primary Care, Organisation and Development 2001-2005.'

Examines patients' perception of their consent to dental care in Great Britain. Written treatment plan; Consent form; Importance of consent procedures.

Comments on a study which evaluated primary dental care practitioners in commissioning groups in Great Britain. History of health care policy in the country and its impact on the way public dentistry is provided; Willingness of general dental practitioners to act as commissioners of secondary dental services; Hindrances to primary care led dental commissioning.

It is difficult to think of a single word to describe the White Paper Modernising NHS Dentistry — Implementing the NHS Plan that was launched on 19th September. Words that came into my mind included 'official', 'innovative', 'comprehensive', 'clear', 'slick' and 'clever.' But the dominant word that struck me as I read through the document describing the dental strategy was 'control'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the effect of dental health education (DHE) on caries incidence in infants, through regular home visits by trained DH Educators over a period of 3 years. Method A randomly selected cohort of 228 children born between l st January and 30th September 1995, in a low socio-economic/high caries suburb of Leeds (UK) were divided into the following groups: A) DHE focused on diet; B) DHE focused on oral hygiene instruction (OHI) using fluoride toothpaste; and C) DHE by a combined diet and OHI message. DHE was given using an interview and counselling for at least 15 minutes at home every 3 months for the first 2 years and twice a year in the third year of the study. A fourth group D was given diet and OHI, at home, once a year only. All children and mothers were examined for caries and oral hygiene. A fifth group E (control) received no DHE and were never visited but examined at 3 years of age only. Results In the groups of children visited regularly only two developed caries and three had gingivitis (all in group A). In group E, however, 33% of children had caries and nine (16%) had gingivitis. The differences in caries levels and caries risk factors between study and control groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Mothers of the study groups also showed an improvement in their own levels of gingivitis, debris and calculus scores by the second and third examinations (P < 0.001). Conclusion Regular home visits to mothers with infants, commencing at or soon after the time of the eruption of the first deciduous teeth, was shown to be effective in preventing the occurrence of nursing caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction This study identifies funding of NHS services supporting dental students' teaching over the last 20 years, focusing on human disease (HD) teaching.Aims To identify NHS funding for education in UK dental schools following publication of the 1997 General Dental Council curriculum introducing specific funding for HD teaching and the years 2015/16 to 2019/20.Material and methods Searches of the medical literature, grey literature (government and regulatory authority reports, legislative articles) and freedom of information requests to hospitals helping to deliver teaching.Results There are few publications describing current funding of dental undergraduate teaching. Freedom of information requests gave data for NHS hospital allocations for teaching both clinical dentistry and HD. HD funding has dropped by £2 million in five years.Conclusions NHS Trusts linked to dental schools receive monies to deliver teaching and offset costs of accommodating students. Tracking these funds over 20 years has seen some schools lose up to £1 million of HD funding and some lose it all. Greater transparency regarding funding for HD delivery would help improve teaching. Increasing numbers of older patients, with a greater chronic disease burden who are retaining teeth into later life, need graduating dentists with good medical knowledge to deliver safe care., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction The demographic shift in the age profile of the UK is now well established. Older people have more complex requirements to maintain their oral health and appropriate training is required to provide good-quality oral and dental care. This research aimed to review the training in gerodontology currently being provided to undergraduate dental and dental hygiene therapy (DHT) students in the UK.Methods Quantitative data were generated through completion of an online questionnaire, emailed to the directors of dental education in each of the UK dental (n = 16) and DHT schools (n = 21). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V26.Results There was a response rate of 37.5% from dental schools and 61.9% from DHT schools. Although gerodontology was being taught in every school that responded, it was only a standalone course in 16.7% of dental schools and 7.7% of DHT schools that responded. While all respondents reported a theoretical component, only 50% of dental schools and 53.8% of DHT schools reported providing clinical experience. Moreover, 33.3% of dental schools and 15.4% of DHT schools reported closely following the European curriculum guidelines in gerodontology.Conclusions The current training in gerodontology is not standardised across either dental or DHT schools in the UK and there seems to be a lack of awareness of the recommended European guidelines. The findings from this research demonstrate that future improvements in gerodontology training are still required for this to be achieved., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Following the Editorial Board Meeting at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Congress in Vancouver, it was agreed that from July I 1999 authors submitting manuscripts of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to the British Dental Journal will need to adhere to the CONSORT guidelines for the reporting of RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dentists are responsible for 9-10% of all antibiotics dispensed in primary care in the UK, many of which may be provided contrary to clinical guidelines. Since antibiotic consumption has been identified as a major cause of antibiotic resistance, dental prescribing may be a significant contributor to this important public health problem.Objective This study aims to explore general dental practitioners' (GDPs) perceptions and attitudes towards antibiotic use and resistance.Method Qualitative interview study with 19 purposively sampled GDPs working in Wales. A set of open-ended questions were developed and amended during semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and codes were developed using thematic analysis.Results Perceptions of antibiotic use and resistance varied widely between practitioners, particularly with respect to the prevalence and impact of resistant strains on the management of dentoalveolar infection, and the impact of dental prescribing on the emergence of resistance. GDPs reported that their antibiotic prescribing decisions were driven by both clinical pressures and wider public health considerations.Conclusions Interventions to enhance the quality of antibiotic prescribing in primary care dentistry should address issues associated with inappropriate prescribing as well as providing education about the causes, prevalence and impact of antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In some parts of the world, soya milks are found to be a significant source of fluoride (F). Among western commercial markets, although there has been a sustained increase in soya milk products available for purchase, there are limited data on their F content.Objective To determine the F content of soya milk products available in the UK market including fresh and ultra-high temperature products in addition to sweetened and unsweetened soya milks.Materials and methods Fifty-two traditional and UK-produced soya milk samples commercially available in northeast England were analysed to determine their F concentration using a modified hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion method with a F-ion-selective electrode coupled to a potentiometer.Results The median F concentration of all products was 0.293 μg/ml ranging from 0.015 μg/ml to 0.964 μg/ml. The median F concentration of ultra-high temperature (UHT) (n = 42) milks was 0.272 μg/ml lower than 0.321 μg/ml obtained for fresh (n = 10) soya milks. Organic soya milks contained less F compared with non-organic for sweetened and unsweetened categories.Conclusion Commercially available soya milks in the UK do not pose an increased risk for dental fluorosis development. Further research is necessary into the manufacturing process of soya milks, which may influence the overall F content of the end product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the impact of a community-based dental care pathway on the dental care of children entering residential or foster care.Design The study used qualitative data collected during interviews with children who used the service, their carers and key professionals involved in the pathway, and routine quantitative data concerned with care entry and the dental service use.Results The dental pathway facilitated dental care access for children entering statutory care, met the dental needs of service users even when dental care provision proved challenging, and offered a consistent dental service regardless of care moves. Improved interagency integration and support was reported by key professionals as was better dissemination and documentation of dental assessments and outcomes.Conclusion The dental care pathway had a beneficial impact on the dental access and experiences of children who used it, promoted better interagency working and facilitated record keeping. These findings call for extension of the service to a wider population to allow further evaluation of its impact and efficacy in different regional areas and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the study was to explore dental leaders' perceptions of the current position of leadership in the dental profession.Design A qualitative, key informant, exploratory research study was used with semi-structured interviews as the means of data collection.Materials and methods Participants were invited based on their role in dental services in the UK and their ability to act as a key informant. Thirteen participants were secured and interviewed either at their workplace or in a University setting. Each interview lasted between 45 and 60 minutes.Results The findings show that while recognising that a lack of focus on leadership skills has caused problems in the past, current dental leaders are prepared to lead the profession forward. The participants viewed education at all levels as vital to this process and education for leadership at undergraduate level was perceived as an important way forward.Conclusions The development of effective leaders is essential for all healthcare professions and increasingly is becoming a key focus for the UK dental profession. There is comparatively little research about dental leadership in a UK context and this paper should begin to help to redress the balance and to highlight areas for future consideration. Three broad emergent themes are described and discussed - characteristics and behaviours of dental leaders; challenges for dental leaders; education and training for dental leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to Stephen Hancocks' editorial Sawbones no longer, this paper examines the future role of oral physicians and patients' need for dental professionals to play a larger part in overall healthcare. Whilst the financial structures behind the US and UK dental systems differ, it can be questioned whether the outcomes of impending change will be as diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pathology of the peri-implant tissues, namely peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis are conditions that are often encountered and can threaten the long term survival of the implants.Aim This study aimed to compare the attitudes of registered specialists in periodontology in Australia and the UK towards aetiology, prevalence, diagnosis and management of mucositis and peri-implantitis.Methods A validated questionnaire was used and the sample consisted of UK and Australian specialists.Results There were differences in the demographics of specialists in the two countries, with the Australian specialists being significantly younger. Most specialists in both countries identified the prevalence of peri-implant pathology between 0-25%. Although there was agreement as to the role of plaque in the aetiopathogenesis of the diseases, UK specialists were more likely to include adverse loading and smoking as etiological factors. There were significant differences in the management of the disease between the groups, including the use of mouth rinses, local and systemic antibiotics. Australians were more likely to use systemic antibiotics than in the UK.Conclusions The results suggested that differences in professional demographics, educational resources and market factors, and the absence of consensus treatment standards can significantly affect the treatment modalities patients finally receive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article which provides figures on the movement of dentists qualified in member states in Great Britain.

Alcohol consumption and affordability in the UK has increased over the last 50 years and is associated with a range of adverse oral health outcomes, the most serious of which, oral cancer, is also increasing in incidence. Despite this, routine screening and intervention relating to alcohol consumption within general dental practice remains uncommon. This review of the literature describes the background and outlines the evidence base for undertaking alcohol screening and delivering brief interventions in general dental practice. Consideration will be given to the rationale for, and range of issues related to, introducing this into general dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since August 2009, members of the Primary Care Dentistry Research Forum (http://www.dentistryresearch.org) have taken part in an online vote to identify questions in day-to-day practise that they felt most needed to be answered with conclusive research. The question which received the most votes formed the subject of a critical appraisal of the relevant literature. Each month a new round of voting takes place to decide which further questions will be reviewed. Dental practitioners and dental care professionals are encouraged to take part in the voting and submit their own questions to be included in the vote by joining the website.This paper details a summary of the findings of the fifth critical appraisal. The results of the critical appraisal conclude that there is a lack of evidence relating to perceptions of oral health in deprived areas. There were no studies identified that have compared the perceptions of oral health among people from deprived areas with those from non-deprived areas in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the introduction of the Points Based Immigration System to the UK the opportunities for overseas trained dentists to train in the UK have been limited. This paper describes a new opportunity which has resulted from the Tier 5 Medical Training Initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the erosive potential of seven different commercially available candy sprays in vitro and in vivo.Material and methods The erosive potential was determined in vitro by measuring the pH and neutralisable acidity. The salivary pH and flow rate were measured in healthy volunteers after administration of a single dose of candy spray.Results Candy sprays have an extremely low pH (1.9-2.3) and a neutralisable acidity varying between 0.8-1.6 ml of 0.25M NaOH. In vivo, candy sprays induced a short-term 3.0 to 5.8-fold increase in salivary flow rate with a concomitant drop in salivary pH to values between 4.4 and 5.8.Conclusion All candy sprays tested have an erosive potential. This information is of use for clinicians counselling juvenile patients with dental erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective There are more than 3,500 new cases of oral cancer each year in the UK. The purpose of this study was to establish the proportion of patients attending a dental access centre that are at risk of developing oral cancer because of lifestyle habits, and in turn determine whether access centres are a suitable location for the provision of advice on smoking cessation and alcohol consumption.Methods Data were collected prospectively about the smoking and drinking habits of patients attending a dental access centre in Nottingham. Three hundred and fifty-nine patients attended the dental access centre during the survey period. Patients were categorised into one of four groups ranging from low risk to high risk, according to their smoking history and alcohol intake.Results More than 50% of patients attending the dental access centre were smokers, with almost 40% of the patients in high or very high tobacco and alcohol use groups. The majority of attendees were under 45 years of age.Conclusions Significant numbers of patients attending the dental access centre have lifestyle habits that make them vulnerable to oral cancer. Dental access centres could usefully provide opportunistic health messages to patients about risk factors in the development of oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background With regard to the management of dental anxiety in general dental practice, it has been considered that general dental practitioners (GDPs) are well placed to treat adults with mild forms of dental anxiety. However, little is known about the specific anxiety management techniques being used by GDPs in the UK.Aim To determine the views and experiences of dental practitioners in their current use of anxiety management techniques, their undergraduate and post-graduation training in these techniques and future training needs.Methods A postal questionnaire was sent to a sample of GDPs working in the Midlands region (n = 750) in the UK. Dentists were randomly selected using lists provided by the primary care trusts for each locality.Results The response rate was 73% (n = 550). Of these, 90 were not included in the final analysis due to exclusion criteria set prior to questionnaire release. This left 460 questionnaires for analysis. Eighty-five percent of respondents agreed that dentists had a responsibility to help dentally anxious patients (n = 391). Dentists were asked their reasons for not using anxiety management techniques in practice. Psychological techniques, sedation (oral, inhalation, or intravenous) and hypnosis were reported as not having been used due to the paucity of time available in practice, a shortage of confidence in using these techniques and the lack of fees available under the NHS regulations. Also, 91% reported feeling stressed when treating anxious patients. When asked about the quality of teaching they had received (undergraduate and postgraduate), 65% considered that the teaching was less than adequate in the use of psychological methods, whereas 44% indicated that they would be interested in further training in psychological methods if financial support was available.Conclusion The need for further training in managing the dentally anxious patient is supported by dentists' lack of confidence and inadequate training in treating such patients, as determined from the results of a postal questionnaire to UK GDPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimTo assess the attitudes of healthcare workers within the UK towards identification marking of removable prostheses, and quantify the frequency with which this is currently undertaken.DesignA postal questionnaire-based study.SettingThe study was undertaken within the UK between 2002 and 2006 and surveyed prosthodontists working in a wide range of clinical settings.Subjects and methodsQuestionnaires were sent to two sample groups: 1. Specialists in prosthodontics registered on the GDC specialist list; 2. Nursing staff in elderly care homes within the locality of Glasgow.ResultsReturn rate of questionnaires from prosthodontic specialists was high, with 119 from 160 (74%) completed and returned. 54.9% of prosthodontic specialists carried out complete denture marking in their clinical practice and 40.9% undertook identification marking of partial removable prostheses. The vast majority (81.0%) of specialists indicated that denture identification marking was a worthwhile procedure. Furthermore, 68.9% thought the introduction of some form of guideline would be beneficial. Differences in the frequency of denture marking existed between varying clinical environments. Denture marking was not undertaken by healthcare workers within any of the surveyed care homes.ConclusionThe overwhelming opinion of prosthodontic specialists within the UK promotes the use of denture marking as a routine procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThe aim of this paper is to investigate methods employed for teaching removable partial dentures in dental schools in Ireland and the United Kingdom.Materials and methodsA questionnaire was distributed by email in May 2005 to each of the 15 dental schools with undergraduate dental degree programmes in Ireland and the UK. The questionnaire sought information relating to the preclinical and clinical teaching of removable partial dentures (both acrylic and cobalt-chromium based dentures).ResultsEleven completed questionnaires were returned. The average duration of a preclinical course in removable partial dentures was 67 hours (range = 24-200 hours). This course was directed by a senior clinical academic alone in eight schools, by a senior clinical academic in collaboration with a dental technician in two schools, and solely by a dental instructor technician in one school. The median number of cobalt-chromium and acrylic removable partial dentures provided by undergraduate dental students was 3 (range = 2-5) and 2 (range = 0-3), respectively. Four schools reported that their patient pool is not entirely satisfactory for clinical teaching of undergraduate dental students.ConclusionVariations were noted between dental schools in both the amount and content of teaching programmes. Experience gained by undergraduate students in dental schools is limited, and appears to be hampered by limited access to patients suitable for undergraduate teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the reasons for and pattern of extraction of first permanent molars (FPMs) in three UK dental hospitals.DesignProspective multicentre study.SettingHospital.SubjectsThree hundred children attending Manchester Dental Hospital, Liverpool Dental Hospital and Charles Clifford Dental Hospital (Sheffield) who required extraction of at least one FPM.ResultThe mean age in months was 129 (SD 22.7), 139 (SD 29.4), and 133 (SD 26.8) for Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield respectively. Forty-five percent and 48% of children had four FPMs extracted at Manchester and Sheffield respectively, compared to 25% in Liverpool. The main reason for extraction was caries with poor prognosis (70%); molar incisor hypomineralisation was the reason for extraction in 11% of cases. General anaesthesia was the main anaesthetic method used in 77%, 55%, and 47% of cases in Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield respectively. Sixty-eight percent of cases had not received previous treatment for the FPMs and 5% had fissure sealants detected. Forty percent of children had had previous extractions.ConclusionThe children who are attending the hospitals for extraction of FPMs tend to be older than the recommended age for achieving spontaneous space closure. This study highlights the need for extensive prevention programs targeted at those children with high caries risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesTo assess general medical practitioners' (GMPs') and general dental practitioners' (GDPs') awareness of prevention and early detection of oral cancer.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire-based study.SettingPrimary careMethodQuestionnaires were delivered to all GMPs and GDPs in Tayside, assessing oral examination habits, delivery of advice on oral cancer risk factors, knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and clinical appearance, preferred point of referral and requests for further information.ResultsResponse rates of 71% and 84% were obtained from GMPs and GDPs respectively. GMPs were less likely to examine patients' oral mucosa routinely, less likely to advise patients about risk factors for oral cancer, identified fewer risk factors for, and felt less confident about diagnosing oral cancer from clinical appearance than their dental counterparts. Seventy-one percent and 80% of GMPs and GDPs respectively requested further information about oral cancer.ConclusionPatients with oral lesions often present to their general medical practitioner. The incidence of oral cancer is rising in the United Kingdom, therefore the role of general medical practitioners in prevention and detection of oral cancer is becoming ever more important. This study highlights the need for improved education of general medical practitioners on oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]