Fresh Dental Care Web Log

Robot dental patients!

Dentists practice on robot patients

Trainee dentists in Japan are now able to practise their skills on a robot patient designed to simulate a patient’s reaction to the dentist, reports BBC online. Simroid, the robot patient, has sensors built into its teeth and body and is capable of replicating blinks and “muffled gurgles” suggesting the ‘patient’s’ level  of comfort (or discomfort) during treatment. Professor Naotake Shibui from Nippon Dental University Hospital, who invented the prototype, says Simroid helps the trainees not only understand the technique, but also the patient’s feelings.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8137007.stm

Sweet remedy

The Daily Express and the Metro today both include brief health reports describing the teeth saving properties of an oral syrup containing natural sweetener xylitol. According to the reports, the sweetener acts as an antibacterial agent against the organisms which cause dental caries. Researchers from Washington University, who carried out a study on children aged nine to 15 months, suggest that an 8g dose of xylitol a day, in two daily doses, “could prevent up to 70 per cent of decayed teeth.”

 Marcus "Robot patients!....could only happen in the land of robots, Japan! I don't think that working on a robot simulator will really be a good substitute for the real thing, but its an interesting idea for dental students"

" The xylitol article sounds good, doesn't it? As I've said before, I think that applied mouth washes and the like are the way forward with decay and gum disease, but always remember to brush and floss and don't eat sweets frequently."

Bad breath pass the coffee

How coffee could cure bad breath

Compounds found in coffee beans prevent the release of bacteria responsible for halitosis, according to a study carried out by Tel Aviv University.  Reports from the Daily Mail and Daily Expressnote the work of Professor Mel Rosenberg, who has spent two decades studying the diagnosis and treatment of halitosis, and who is the inventor of the Dentyl range of products. He claims that while coffee has always carried a reputation for causing bad breath, tests involving the addition of black coffee to bacteria-laden saliva resulted in a reduction of odour causing gases by up to 90 per cent. 

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/110048/Coffee-cures-bad-breath-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1195537/How-cup-coffee-keeps-breath-smelling-sweet.html

 Marcus " Well you never can tell can you? I thought coffee gave you a bit of bad breath, as it says in the article. I think that anti bacterial agents are the way forward with this and other gum problems for the future."

I like being a dentist

Treating the nation

A healthcare supplement in today’s Telegraphincludes an article on “rewarding careers” in healthcare, listing amongst others, dentistry as one of four professions. BDA Executive Board member Nilesh Patel is featured, describing his professional progression as a dentist and his view that if an individual is “prepared to work hard and be fully committed, [they] can have a really rewarding career.”

Marcus: " I agree with Nilesh - being a dentist is great! I don't think I would say that if I worked within the NHS but, as a private dentist, the opportunities for providing patients with wow fabulous service and with fantastic advances in technology make the day to day life at Fresh Dental Care very fulfilling.

We are looking at advances in the treatment of gum disease; Rachel, my hygienist, has been on a course recently and we are now combining a new regime of mouth washes with regular detailed cleaning and bacterial analysis to see if antibiotics are needed to properly treat this dreadful disorder."

The cost of clean dentistry

Added costs may drive NHS dentists into private practice

The Scotsmantoday reports that new standards for decontamination in Scotland may prove too costly for some NHS dentists to manage, potentially driving them to take on more private patients in order to meet the added cost. Chief dental officer Margie Taylor says the government was “looking at seeing what the options are” for approximately 140 practices in Scotland who “can’t expand,” adding, “we don’t want to put in jeopardy the services they are currently offering to their communities.” Meanwhile, BDA Scotland director Andrew Lamb expresses concern over the threat of closures urging the government to provide “the facilities and the infrastructure and the ongoing revenue costs to allow them to continue.”

http://news.scotsman.com/health/Added-costs-may-drive-NHS.5337616.jp

Marcus: "Full, no holds barred, cross infection control in dentistry is costly, we know that from experience here at Fresh Dental Care. It is what we have to do to gain and keep the confidence of our patients, so the government in Scotland will have to fund the NHS improvements."

"At Fresh Dental Care we have an 'all zones backstage pass' for our patients. Patients are welcome to visit any part of the practice and be shown the measures we take for their safety - but I think most patients take it for granted that we will look after them."

NHS Dentistry vs Private

HSJ on “toothless dental policy”

The Health Service Journal includes an opinion piece from Simon Stevens, CEO of UnitedHealth, exploring the core issues creating “”chronic confusion and dissatisfaction” over NHS dental provision. Stevens takes into account the evolution of the service since its inception in an attempt to clarify the underlying aim of NHS dental provision.  He also addresses the “mess” arising between public and private provision, and praises the “sign of bravery” demonstrated by Conservative proposals for changing the system, which, he suggests, is necessary. The piece acknowledges the “perverse incentives” inherent the 2006 contract, which he says have led dentists to “pick and choose” how much NHS work to undertake, and ultimately concludes that any measures taken in the interim to expand provision “won’t work” without tackling the incentive issue and clarifying “what NHS dentistry is trying to achieve.”

 Marcus: " As a private dentist, it is very easy to criticise the NHS. I do not know how to make the NHS dental service work properly. I am of the opinion that it is not working too well, as can be seen by the above article. The choice between NHS and private is a value choice. At Fresh Dental Care we try to balance high quality customer service and good value for money. We try and produce high quality work of the latest technological specification and of high aesthetics."

Be prepared

Policies to protect all the family

The Daily Mirror looks into the range of health cash plans available to ease the costs of ‘everyday’ health expenses, such as dental check-ups and eye care, in the midst of the credit crunch. The article explores various options for provision and makes comparison with private medical insurance cover.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/money/2009/05/06/taking-a-look-at-the-best-health-policies-to-protect-all-the-family-115875-21336042/

Marcus: " I think it might be best to invest in a dental plan, as it would offset the cashflow impact of a sudden, medium dental bill. In my experience, there is no foolproof, all singing low cost plan, but I think that somthing is better than nothing in helping you to budget for private dentistry."

Dental decisions decisions!

Should we fluoridate Britain’s water supply?

The Times asks whether we should be fluoridating Britain’s water supply and offers two views on the debate presented by British Dental Health Foundation chief executive Nigel Carter, who is in favour, and Nick Reeves, executive director of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, who is against. The former argues that fluoride “occurs naturally” and that other “effective measures” such as adding chlorine in water to stop typhoid, have faced no objection.  Meanwhile, the latter argues the ethical question of mass medication calling it a “quick fix” and a “financially driven” decision.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/public_sector/article6108099.ece

Marcus:"Wow, lots of comment today. My view on fluoride? ... Do it! Not a moments hesitation; we need one part per million in the water to massively reduce decay and it's safe."

Dentist removes unwanted tattoos

A video report on BBC Online reports on Skipton dentist Andy Bates, who has added laser tattoo removal to his services having recognised a gap in the local market. The report notes how locals, including tattoo artists, have welcomed the service.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8003206.stm

Marcus: "I think I probably have enough to be getting on with as it is, but I always try to keep my options open." 

CBBC asks how healthy are your teeth?

Another online video report from CBBC Newsroundfollows recent media coverage on dental decay in children and the rise in hospital admissions. The news piece asks young viewers what they think of going to the dentist and offers guidance on seeking treatment at their dentist’s practice and/or at the hospital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8000000/newsid_8001700/8001700.stm

Marcus: "You have to allow in your budget an amount for your dental care, and then come along so that we can help before things get out of hand. I do sympathise."

Britain’s Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle advised not to change her looks

Surprise singing sensation Susan Boyle, the 47-year-old from Blackburn who has garnered international attention after her recent “show-stopper” performance singing on television’s Britain’s Got Talent, has been begged by one of the programme’s judges, actress Amanda Holden, not to succumb to the temptation of a “Simon Cowell make-over” complete with “bright teeth.” According to reports from the Telegraph Online and the Mirror, Ms Holden has vowed she “won’t let Simon Cowell take [Ms Boyle} to his dentist” saying Ms Boyle needs “to stay exactly as she is because that’s the reason we love her.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5169328/Britains-Got-Talent-sensation-Susan-Boyle-warned-against-image-makeover.html

Marcus: " No way! She should definitely improve her looks dentally, if she chooses, and, if Ms Boyle needs a dentist, please recommend me."

Brits have good teeth...or will do!

“The tooth, the whole tooth”

An article in the Times2 supplement of today’s Times explores the “good, the bad, and the downright scary of gnashers” following media coverage of BBC sports commentator Clare Balding’s televised gaff which involved mocking the smile of Grand National-winning jockey, Liam Treadwell. Times contributor, Hugo Rifkind, explores the association between Britons and bad teeth, as well as comparing the differences in perception ‘the perfect smile’ has in Britain versus the United States.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6047049.ece

Marcus:

"Ever since Austin Powers, our friends in the USA think that all Brits have bad,sticking out, crooked teeth. If I can do anything about it, this has, and will continue to change. Veneers, tooth whitening, invisable tooth braces and implants mean that a lovely smile is possible."

Mmmm!

Thirty per cent jump in tooth extractions in four years

An article in the Independent on Sunday explores figures, reportedly obtained by the Liberal Democrats, which suggest a 30 per cent rise in the number of tooth extractions carried out in the last four years, and a “steep rise” in hospital admissions. The piece discusses factors influencing these figures such as access and financial issues. The BDA is mentioned as noting the figures need more analysis before any firm conclusions can be made, but said it was “unlikely” that the new contract was solely responsible.

The Daily Mail meanwhile notes comment from Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb who says the “staggering rise in tooth extractions proves the massive failure” of the current contract, which he calls a “botched initiative.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/this-may-hurt-a-little-rise-in-hospital-admissions-for-lastditch-tooth-extractions-1662943.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1167707/Number-tooth-extractions-soars-30-years.html

Dentists “mistake” stains for decay

The Metro and the Belfast Telegraph report on new dental technology known as CrystalAir abrasion which can help identify “false decay” caused by hard-to-remove stains which, a study has revealed, can be “easily mistaken” for signs of decay. The articles suggests this discovery may mean that patients have had “unnecessary drilling.” A study was carried out on 200 patients which resulted in 63 per cent of “false alarms” resolved by the CrystalAir technology, which according to the reports, uses a narrow steam of aluminium oxide particles propelled by helium.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/dentists-mistake-stains-for-decay-14259431.html?service=Print

Marcus:

"My view, for what its worth, is that more teeth are being extracted on the NHS as it is more cost effective for the dentist. Having said that it can be easy to try and save a tooth that is unsavable to please your patient and then it ends up being extracted anyway. If your dentist can explain the pros and cons and let you decide then that is probably best."

"The second item talks about air abrasion which we have used at Fresh Dental Care for years and it does help. I believe that dentists can tell the difference between stain and decay, but that the treatment can be different; for example, you don't have to have stain removed if it does not bother you but active decay needs removal and filling."

You can't pull the wool

Coca-cola’s teeth-rotting myth the ‘real thing,’ says ad watchdog

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has forced the Coco-Cola company to publish “corrective ads” following a tv campaign which saw a popular Australian actress debunking ‘myths’ about the soft drink, including its reputation for being fattening, overly caffeinated and “teeth-rotting.” According to a report in the Financial Times, the Commission ruled the campaign to be “totally unacceptable,” while the drinks company, which was required to print corrections in seven national and state newspapers, claims they “certainly did not intend [the] message to be misleading.”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/220d2842-1f58-11de-a7a5-00144feabdc0.html

Marcus:

"I don't have a problem with the diet version of these drinks as these do not contain sugar, which is the main factor in tooth decay. I would advise avoiding the normal fizzy drinks that contain sugar especially for children. You have to be a bit careful with the diet versions as they are acidic and can cause enamel acid erosion but you need to be drinking about 4 or more cans per day for this to be a problem."