December 2010 Dental News
Dental patients urged to 'compare the market'
"Patients have been urged to 'compare the market' before they choose a dentist, under a new online government initiative to put the customer in the boss's seat.
The 'dentist comparison' website will allow the public to contrast the services offered by local dentists and will feature comments from patients revealing their experiences in the chair.
Does Fluoride Really Fight Cavities by 'the Skin of the Teeth?'
"In a study that the authors describe as lending credence to the idiom, "by the skin of your teeth," scientists are reporting that the protective shield fluoride forms on teeth is up to 100 times thinner than previously believed. It raises questions about how this renowned cavity-fighter really works and could lead to better ways of protecting teeth from decay, the scientists suggest."
BDA heralds next step on path to reforming family dentistry
"Today’s announcement that pilots to shape the reform of family dentistry in England will begin in 2011 has been given a positive reception by the British Dental Association (BDA). The Department of Health has announced that pilots will begin in April and will test new contract models that focus on providing continuing care for registered patients and improving access. They will also explore ways of moving away from the target-driven basis of the current dental contract and instead focusing on prevention and quality of care.
Dr John Milne, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: “Today’s announcement is an important, positive step towards the goal of improving NHS dental care for patients across England. The current arrangements, which were implemented in 2006, have failed to promote preventive care for patients and have been deeply unpopular with dentists. The BDA has campaigned hard for a re-think and we are encouraged that the Department of Health is to begin testing new ways of delivering care. We are pleased that two principles that we believe are particularly important – quality of care and a continuing care relationship between practitioner and patient – are central to what is being piloted."
Accurate Method for Detecting Dangerous Levels of Fluoride
"Used in the proper amounts, it can make teeth stronger and aid in the treatment of osteoporosis. When excessive amounts are consumed, however, it can be a killer -- a carcinogen that causes bone, lung and bladder cancers. The "it" is fluoride, a common additive in most American communities' drinking water and an ingredient in the vast majority of commercially produced adult toothpastes.
Determining the level of fluoride, be it in water, consumer products or the human body, is an important and attractive challenge for scientists. To address that, a Florida State University researcher has developed a molecular sensor that changes color when a sample containing fluoride is added to it."
Local Dental Committees back BDA red tape campaign
"Local Dental Committees (LDCs) from across England are supporting a BDA campaign calling for the Government to address dentists’ mounting concerns about the burden of red tape on general dental practice.
Attendees at the 2010 LDC Officials’ Day, which took place at London’s Hotel Russell on Friday 3 December, interrupted their day to pledge support for the campaign and urge colleagues around the country to do the same. More than sixty officers, representing Local Dental Committees from across the length and breadth of England, threw their weight behind the campaign which calls for action on concerns about the registration of practices with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)."
BDA positive on improvements in adult dental health
"Commenting on the preliminary findings from the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS) published today, the British Dental Association has given a positive reception to the continuing improvements seen in adults’ oral health. The report shows that adults are retaining at least some of their natural teeth later into life. Additionally, the report found that 86 per cent of adults had 21 or more natural teeth. In 1978, this was the case for only 74 per cent of adults."
Tooth Decay to Be a Thing of the Past? Enzyme Responsible for Dental Plaque Sticking to Teeth Deciphered
"The Groningen professors Bauke Dijkstra and Lubbert Dijkhuizen have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries will be a thing of the past."
Dental News Archive
November 2010October 2010