New study suggests alternative to dental fillings

Everyone hates fillings. Fortunately a new study, titled "Nanostructured Assemblies for Dental Application", suggests that they could become a thing of the past thanks to a biomaterial that encourages the regeneration of tooth enamel.

Applied as a gel or strip, MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) is placed adjacent to the damaged tooth to encourage growth and regeneration of cells. In tests performed on cavity-filled mice teeth as part of the study, researchers saw extremely positive results -- after a month the cavities had disappeared. Although obviously it's important to remember mice teeth are considerably smaller than human teeth.

The study was published in the journal ACS Nano and is the work of scientists at the French Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) Faculty of Medicine. Its focus is to heal cavities after they develop, though a researcher was keen to remind us that this is not an incentive to completely ignore dental hygiene.

Whilst MSH is being billed as a potential replacement for the drilling and filling process, the technology is only in its formative stages and may only be useful in particular cases. It faces many years of clinical trials until the product hits market, so dentists needn't hang up their drills just yet.

From: Wired.co.uk

Survey reveals patients views on accessing NHS dentists

Dental patients will for the first time reveal the issues they have in accessing an NHS dentist.

Earlier this year, patients were invited to answer questions about dental appointments in the existing GP survey – their answers will be published tomorrow (1 July).

The survey draws on data for the fourth quarter of 2009/10.

The questions, regarding NHS dental services, were added to the annual NHS GP survey following successful trials with 12 PCTs last year.

The questions on dentistry in the survey were:

• When did you last try to get an NHS dental appointment for yourself?
• Last time you tried to get an NHS dental appointment, what type of appointment were you trying to get?
• Last time you tried to get an NHS dental appointment, was it with a dental practice you had previously visited for NHS dental care?
• Were you successful in getting an NHS dental appointment?
• (If relevant) Why haven't you tried to get an NHS dental appointment in the last two years?

The Department of Health hope responses will help to inform estimates of future demand for NHS dentistry by establishing how many people report the unavailability of NHS dentistry as the main reason they've not tried to get an NHS appointment.

It will assess the proportion of each PCT's population who have tried to get an NHS dental appointment as well as the percentage of those people who have been successful.

It's important to note that only 30% (approximately) of patients will receive the dentistry questions; the remaining 70% will receive questions on care plan, as the patient survey is being split for this quarter.

The survey was piloted through a random telephone survey of 1,000 people in each of 12 PCTs in the summer of 2009.

It was shown to be effective in differentiating between PCTs in terms of people's success in being able to get an NHS dental appointment.

PCTs will continue to be measured on delivery of their planned increase against the current Vital Sign (in terms of the number of patients accessing NHS dentistry over 24 months).

PCTs may, however, need to adjust their demand forecasts in the light of the results generated by the new indicator to ensure that their demand estimates are sufficiently robust to meet the dental access goal by March 2011.

From: Dentistry.co.uk

Teeth-Bleaching Compound May Improve Dental Health In Special Needs, Elderly Patients

Mark McGhee writes in Better Health Research

Carbamide peroxide, a tooth-whitening compound, may improve oral hygiene in elderly and special needs patients, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.

While standard dental treatments, such as teeth brushing and flossing, may be easier for most patients to follow, these tasks may be challenging for individuals with mental disabilities or poor eyesight. If these minimal treatments go overlooked, patients will suffer from tooth and gum disease as well as other severe health complications.

In an effort to make dental care easier for these patients, dentists have found that the bleaching compound, which was originally used to eliminate plaque and bacteria from teeth while improving pH levels in the mouth, can be used daily to protect one’s teeth.

These researchers have discovered that using a carbamide peroxide gel in a custom-made mouthguard can help mentally challenged or elderly patients improve the oral hyigene care.

David Lazarchik, associate professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, stated that "tray bleaching can be a very effective supplemental method of oral hygiene for patients facing greater challenges keeping their mouths clean."

In 2004, approximately 92 percent of all adults aged 65 years and older had developed tooth decay in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Dental patterns as accurate as DNA

A person's dental patterns can identify a person as accurately as DNA testing in forensics.

Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) in Spain came to this conclusion after analysing the dental patterns of more than 3,000 people. “There is sufficient dental diversity between people to enable a scientifically-based human identification method to be developed for forensic purposes,” said Stella Martde las Heras, professor of legal and forensic medicine at the University of Granada and study leader.

Martin de las Heras and her team carried out a statistical analysis of 3,166 full and partial sets of teeth taken from the databases in the National Surveys of Oral Health of the years 1993, 2000 and 2005.

From : The Hindu

Child Smile Campaign Bears Fruit

The campaign regarding improved access to the NHS dentistry is showing positive outcome. However, health officials are apprehensive of the fact that less number of children is being registered for NHS.

In the past one and a half year 1,170 children have been registered for dental checkups in Moray. However, only 55% children are registered with the practice, which delivers NHS treatment.

This depicts that Moray has one of the lowest levels of registration in Scotland. A Consultant in dental public health for NHS Grampian, Ray Watkins, revealed to the regional health officials that there are many children, who are not being provided withdental service.

However, he was convinced that the efforts of Child Smile would bear fruit. The campaign was designed in order to promote oral health among children. They focused on nursery school children and primary school youngsters.

The campaign will soon get more children registered for NHS. The last 18 months have witnessed a rise in the number of adults registering for NHS treatment. This has been possible due to increase in thedental facilities available with NHS .There has also been a rise in the number of practicing dentists.

Some years ago, there was a dearth of dentists in the region but now the administration has recruited more dentists to counter the problem.

From Top News

NHS Psychological Therapies 2010 include Dental Phobia

The UK Department of Health recently published a press release titled, “Psychological therapies offered across the NHS”, as a response to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's announcement on 23 June 2010 that psychological therapies will continue to be rolled out across the NHS.

The UK government has pledged £70 million for 2010 to provide existing and new psychological therapies to treat mental health conditions and anxiety disorders. These therapies may be used as an alternative to medication, or be used with medication to optimise treatment. This funding pledge is part of the 2010/2011 investment commitment total of £173 million to address mental health services.

Andrew Lansley reported that services will cover wider geographical areas and more types of therapies will be available for choice to support those people in need. Paul Burstow, Care Services Manager, added that approximately 3,600 therapists would be trained with fully-functioning services all over the UK by 2011.

These psychological therapies will also be available to dental patients suffering from dental anxiety and phobias (also referred to as dentophobia). Approximately 13 percent of the population are affected by dental phobia, and impacts women more than men. Dental practices will be able to refer patients for therapy to address their fears about dentists, dental processes and treatments.

From Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Decay figures 'at 10-year low'

MORE than two out of five children in the North-east have signs of tooth decay before they start school, it was revealed today.

New Scottish Government figures showed 41.4% of children under five years in the area had dental disease.

But the figures were welcomed by health bosses who said they were at their lowest rate in 10 years.

The NHS in the Borders had the lowest rate in Scotland with 29.2% and Lanarkshire was highest with 47.8%.

Today, bosses at NHS Grampian said they were "delighted" with the improvement in the North-east and defended their efforts to provide dentists for children.

There are 32,000 people on the waiting list for an NHS dentist - but all registered children are guaranteed to be seen within two weeks.

A spokeswoman said 97.5% of city children aged three to five now had an NHS dentist.

She said: "We are delighted our performance in dentistry is improving year on year.

"We are continuing to expand preventative programmes and more than 14,000 children are now brushing their teeth daily in nurseries and schools.

"No children are on a dental waiting list - they will get an appointment within a fortnight.

"All oral health improvement targets set by the Scottish Government have been achieved."

One North-east dad today welcomed the moves to give children access to an NHS dentist.

Taxi driver Darren Wilson, 36, waited almost a year to get his nine-year-old daughter, Megan, registered with the NHS.

During that time, the Portlethen family had to shell out £320 to have a broken tooth repaired privately.

Mr Wilson said: "It makes a difference - you shouldn't have to be paying out hundreds of pounds."

(From DentistryIQ )

Dental health is smiles better!

A CAMPAIGN to put a healthier smile on the faces of Moray residents by increasing access to NHS dentistry is starting to bear fruit.

But health chiefs are still concerned about the low numbers of children registered with an NHS dentist.

Despite 1,170 more children being signed up with dentists in Moray over the last 18 months, overall just 55% are registered with a practice delivering NHS treatment.

That gives Moray one of the lowest levels in Scotland, Ray Watkins, consultant in dental public health for NHS Grampian, told local health administrators.

"There are a huge number of children who are not getting any kind of dental service," he said.

Mr Watkins is confident that the Child Smile initiative, designed to promote good oral health among nursery and early-years primary school youngsters, will start to deliver increased NHS registration among children.

The increased provision of NHS dental facilities and practising dentists in Moray has seen a huge increase in the number of adults registering for NHS treatment in the last 18 months, with 10,286 more registered over this period, taking the total number of adults with an NHS dentist to 19,125.

That is compared to just over 10,000 registered adults in June, 2007.

Across Moray, 29,770 adults and children are registered with an NHS practice.

The chronic shortage of NHS dentists in Moray has been eased in the last couple of years with long overdue investment in local facilities and a recruitment drive to fill them.

In the last year alone, said Mr Watkins, three new dental practices have opened in Moray, mainly offering NHS care. These were at Glassgreen in New Elgin, Bishopmill, and the new Spynie Dental Centre, the largest, with ten surgeries.

Check rest of story

Southampton residents urged to sign up with NHS dentists

MORE people are being urged to sign up with a local NHS dentist in Southampton.

City health bosses believe that nearly half of all residents do not have an NHS dentist, even though there are many dental practices accepting NHS patients.

Areas where the uptake of NHS dentistry is lowest include the Freemantle, Portswood and Swaythling areas.

Now NHS Southampton City, responsible for NHS dentistry, is encouraging all those who do not have an NHS dentist to get a check up before any problems develop.

Clinical director Dr Adrian Higgins said: “Unfortunately most people tend to wait until something goes wrong and they are in pain before they see their NHS dentist, but our message is don’t delay.

“Contrary to popular belief there are many dental practices across Southampton currently accepting NHS patients and it is a quick and simple process to sign up with them.”

NHS Southampton City’s campaign coincides with National Smile Month run by the Dental Health Foundation.

To find out which dental practices are accepting NHS patients or details about dental treatment costs call the Southampton Dental Helpline Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 5.30pm on 0845 050 8345 or visit www.southamptondentalhelpline.nhs.uk

(From: This is Hampshire)

Mothers with poor dental care may affect their children's habits

Mothers who suffer from tooth decay may double the odds that their children will develop the dental problem, according to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research.

During the trial, a team of researchers from the University of California in San Francisco enrolled a total of 179 mothers in a study to determine the effects of poor dental care on their 387 children.

The investigators discovered that approximately 46 percent of mothers and 27 percent of their kids had untreated tooth decay, the journal reports. This trend was especially high in families who live in areas that are underserved.

"The oral health of parents, especially moms, can impact the oral health of children, so dentists should include the whole family in the dental care process - not just the individual in the chair - to prevent future disease," said Jane A. Weintraub, a chair of the Division of Oral Epidemiology and Dental Public Health at the school. She added that "these results translate into key messages for parents, dentists and policy makers."

From Dental Plans

Fear of the dentist's chair is by no means just for younger patients

Read the following post by Bruce Corcoran in The Chatham Daily News :

The first visit to the dentist's office can be a trying time for a child, but it's nothing compared to the first filling.

Our daughter experienced her first drilling and filling last week. I'm sure it was a more harrowing experience for her dad than for her.

Both my wife and I have always had a phobia when it comes to dentists. For me, I hate the high-pitched scream of the drill. As a child, I once had a dentist in Quebec fill a small cavity without any freezing. He said it was just a surface cavity and I shouldn't require freezing. It hurt.

I also remember the days of feeling the needle go in and feeling the discomfort of the freezing agent as it was pumped into my gums. That sucked.

And then came the drill.

I believe more than a few armrests on dental chairs from Malartic to North Bay and then Lindsay had damage done from my white-knuckled grip. Heck, when I go in for a cleaning, I still have to make a conscious effort to relax.

With all that angst, I'm sure some of it was empathetically transferred to my daughter prior to her inaugural drilling.

She was nervous heading into the appointment. But by the time it was done, and it wasn't long at all, she wondered what all the fuss was about.

We went so far as to sign her up for a bit of nitrous oxide -laughing gas -to ensure she was relaxed.

Worked like a charm (I should have taken a couple of hits as I sat and watched). She calmed right down in the chair while the dentist, Nicole Baggs, got down to work. A quick application of numbing gel to the gum, followed by the freezing needle -where the doc told my daughter to wiggle her feet during the process (a great distraction), and a short wait for the freezing to take effect before the drilling began.

Through all this, I found myself getting uptight at times, first as it looked like she was in pain when the needle went in (the foot wiggling) and then as I heard the drill kick in.

And then it was over. All in 25 minutes. And the final five of that was to clear the nitrous oxide out of my kid's system.

As for the pain, my girl said there was none. In fact, she asked when the needle went in. It turns out the wiggling was nothing more than following instructions.

Naturally, a filling for an eight year old is followed by two things, a lot of poking, prodding and playing with the rubber side of one's face while it's still frozen, and a milkshake (the latter at the "order" of the dentist).

Cancer patients struggling to afford dental care

A new study has revealed that cancer patients are avoiding going to the dentists because the cost of treatment is too high.

The research, which was carried out by a team at the Baptist Medical Center at Wake Forest University, indicated that many cancer patients were forgoing dental treatment because they couldn’t afford it. The team used information from questionnaires, which asked patients which health services they used and which they avoided; the surveys were filled in by cancer survivors. The results found that of the participants, 11.3 percent said that they avoided dental treatment because it was too expensive. Dentistry was the most popular choice for the question of which service patients avoid due to expense. The study also found that patients with Hispanic and African American heritage were more likely to avoid going to the dentist.

The results of the research study are alarming; often, cancer survivors require long-term health and dental care and if they cannot afford this treatment, their general health will undoubtedly suffer. Dentists have urged patients to consider taking out dental insurance plans to cover dental treatment instead of putting off going to the dentist.

Good oral health has been proven to be an indicator of good general health and recently a number of studies have confirmed a link between poor oral health and serious medical conditions including heart disease and an increased risk of strokes and diabetes. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis can help to reduce the risk of harmful oral health conditions and promote good general health.

From Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Dental expert included in Queen's Birthday Honours list

A dental expert has been included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

John Rose, a dentist who now advises health chiefs, has been recognised for his services to dentistry. Mr Rose was awarded the MBE as a result of his hard work and commitment to improving dental services in the UK.

Mr Rose, now 66, said he was delighted that dental advisers were getting the recognition they deserved. He has now been working for an adviser to the NHS for over twenty years, having previously worked as a dentist at King Street Dental Practice in Newcastle for thirty years.

Mr Rose was the founder of the National Association of Dental Advisers and is working to improve access to dental services and raise standards of NHS dental care across the UK.

From Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Patients' health put at risk by imitation gold implants

Read following article from Cosmetic Dentistry Guide :

Dental patients are being put at risk by dentists who are using fake gold dental implants in a bid to save money.

The Independent on Sunday yesterday revealed that some dentists were using fake gold crowns and dental bridges and using them on patients who believed they were having gold restorations. In dental laboratories all over the UK, thousands of cheaper, gold coloured restorations and implants are being manufactured for both NHS and private use.

Some private patients may choose to have the cheaper alternative because they want to save money; however, NHS dentists are not allowed to use the substitute restorations, which are made from copper and aluminium based alloys and therefore NHS patients should only receive real gold implants and crowns. The cheaper alloys are thought to be dangerous because they have the potential to release harmful toxins and gases into the body.

Records are no longer collected by the NHS so it is difficult to estimate the extent to which this practice is occurring in the UK; however, of the thirty dental practices called by The Independent on Sunday as part of their covert investigation, seven were willing to discuss the cheaper alloy restorations and were therefore breaking the law. Dentists agree to do such work because it means they make more profit; since the law on salaries changed in 2006, dentists are paid on a monthly basis according to a pre-determined number of units of dental activity; the unit cost includes the materials and therefore saving money on laboratory materials means that dentists walk away with more money at the end of the month.

Last month a dentist was struck off after an investigation found that he had fraudulently claimed a large sum of money from the NHS for work he never did; he was also found to be using fake gold restorations and was reprimanded for this crime as well.

Dental injuries in children

Read following article by By Dr Kiran Koora MDS (Paedodontist):

Dental health for children should not be ignored… it should be planned. Our goal is to have children become independently healthy, so they may grow up disease free, with no teeth injuries or fillings and with the necessary knowledge to keep their teeth and gums healthy for life. Paediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry concerned with providing comprehensive dental care and treatment for the child patient, making it the most satisfying and rewarding type of dentistry. Getting your child into a good oral health routine at a young age will help ensure that they continue to have good oral health when they are older. Treating a young child is the most challenging speciality where most of the general dentists do not dare to venture. The main reasons for this could be the strain involved in the management of children with pain and anxiety issues and mastering the vast speciality that comprises paediatric dentistry.

Let’s talk first about dental trauma (injury). It is any injury to any part of the mouth such as the teeth, lips, gums, tongue and jawbones. Sports, bicycle/car accidents, physical fights, hard food, hot liquids are all potential causes of dental trauma. Injury to both the baby teeth and permanent teeth and the supporting structures is one of the most common dental problems seen in children. Trauma to the dentition should always be considered an emergency situation. It occurs frequently and results in functional (mastication, speech development) and aesthetic disturbances accompanied by concern from both patient and parent.

Read more at Stabroek News

Dental fillings: Do you think they're unsafe?

The safety of dental fillings containing the toxic metal mercury will be debated at public hearings later this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

Amalgam fillings, which contain mercury and other metals, are commonly used by dentists in Canada and the United States. Both nations have declared the fillings to be safe, but a public outcry in the U.S. has prompted a review of the evidence.

A citizen's petition filed with the FDA in July 2009 asks the agency to "formally ban the use of encapsulated mercury fillings as dental restorative material."

All of the petitions filed with the FDA oppose the use of amalgam fillings. The primary concern is that mercury from the fillings might leach into the body and accumulate, possibly causing damage to the kidneys or central nervous system.

In a position statement on amalgam, the Canadian Dental Association states, "although amalgam fillings release minute amounts of mercury vapour, current scientific consensus supports the position that amalgam does not contribute to illness."

(From CBC News )

Bad dental hygiene leads to heart damage

Read following post from International Fresh News :

Should brush their teeth at least twice daily to prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.

This is the conclusion I would reach the Scottish researchers conducting a study on the relationship between dental hygiene and heart disease and conducted on a sample of 11,000 persons, men and women.

During the eight years of study, researchers were able to observe the behavior and lifestyle of the subjects, failing to understand that whoever is not careful dental hygiene twice daily was 70 percent higher risk of encountering heart disease.

The inflammation of the mouth may lead, in extreme cases, clogging of the arteries and then the attack, but in this case, according to Judy O’Sullivan British Heart Foundation, the problem is a bacterium that lurks between your teeth and can cause severe inflammation.

The only way to remove it, of course, is to use so frequent and effective toothbrush.
The data obtained showed that six out of ten people going to the dentist once every six months, and seven out of ten brush their teeth at least twice a day.

However, there is still a large group of people associated with poor dental hygiene a healthy lifestyle at all, characterized by the habit of smoking, to poor nutrition and lack of regular physical activity.

In these cases, the risk of heart attack is actually very high use of irregular brush is just the tip of the iceberg.

New Oral Health Guidelines Released for Pregnant Women

Journal of the California Dental Association Publishes Expert Guidance on Dental Care During Pregnancy

Health care providers now have evidence-based guidelines to emphasize the importance of pregnant women maintaining good oral health care and the safety of providing appropriate treatment during pregnancy as published in the June Journal of the California Dental Association.

"Oral Health During Pregnancy and Early Childhood: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Health Professionals" was developed by a panel of state and national medical, dental, and public health experts who reviewed scientific literature and recent research on the relationship between oral disease, treatment and pregnancy outcomes.

Prenatal and oral health providers are sometimes limited in providing oral health care during pregnancy because they lack understanding about its impact and safety. Dentists may needlessly withhold or delay treatment of pregnant patients because they fear injuring either the woman or the fetus – or because of fear of litigation.

The guidelines, which contain clinical recommendations tailored to specific health professionals, are intended to assist health care practitioners in private, public and community-based settings in understanding the importance of providing oral health services to pregnant women and making appropriate decisions regarding their care.

"Despite the multiple benefits of dental care for mothers and their babies, many women have nagging concerns about its safety during pregnancy," said Lindsey Robinson, DDS, chair of the California Dental Association Foundation, which convened the panel in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX. "We hope these guidelines put to rest some of those worries and make dental treatment a recognized staple of prenatal care."

The panel concluded that prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, including dental x-rays and the use of local anesthesia, are highly beneficial and can be undertaken during pregnancy with no additional fetal or maternal risk when compared to the risk of not providing care.

Specifically, studies show there is no evidence relating early spontaneous abortion in the first trimester to dental treatment. The panel also found that preeclampsia, a challenging condition in the management of pregnant patients, is not a contraindication for dental care. Additionally, control of oral disease in pregnant women has the potential to reduce the transmission from new mothers to their infants of the pathogenic bacteria that causes dental disease.

Robinson hopes the guidelines will encourage prenatal care providers to fully integrate oral health into the care of their pregnant patients. "Pregnancy is a teaching moment for expectant mothers who should be encouraged to include dental hygiene and treatment in their prenatal care for their own health and their baby's well-being," Robinson said.

The Journal of the California Dental Association is an award-winning monthly peer-reviewed scientific publication that informs dentists about scientific advances, business management strategies and new products.

More info: www.cdafoundation.org.

Mouth cancer patients 'ignore' symptoms

Following post from Dentistry.co.uk :

Many mouth cancer sufferers ignore the first symptoms of the disease and do not seek the advice of a healthcare professional during the early stages – the results of a new study have shown.

The research, which interviewed relatively young mouth cancer patients in Scotland, found that most had heard of oral cancer but they didn't think their symptoms were indicative of the life-threatening illness.

Furthermore, 40% of participants decided to self manage their symptoms and sought over-the-counter treatments which were suggested by a pharmacist.

Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter says the study further confirms gaps in understanding and awareness of oral cancer.

Dr Carter explains: 'Public awareness of oral cancer and the associated risk factors appears to be too low here in the UK.

'An awareness of the risk factors and symptom recognition by the public is a critical issue in determining survival rates, as early detection greatly improves the chances of survival.'

Almost 9% of patients who were interviewed had a prior knowledge of oral cancer and the causes such as tobacco and alcohol.

However, this prior knowledge was neither instrumental for them to suspect they may have mouth cancer nor did it prompt them to visit a healthcare professional in the first place.

None of the interviewees thought it would happen to them.

A third of interviewees mentioned their first sign as some kind of 'lump', a few described a ‘white spot' ‘mark' or ‘patch' and two described an abscess. Exactly 40% said their mouth felt sore while just fewer than 30% said they felt no pain or soreness at all.

It was also found that wasting time of a healthcare professional or appearing to be a hypochondriac was a delaying factor in patients seeking help.

'The custom of not bothering the GP or dentist unless it was thought as “serious” is a big obstacle for earlier access. Much research supports the notion that greater awareness of oral cancer and its symptoms is required. We need to let the public know that if their symptoms continue past three weeks then they need a professional opinion.'

Mouth cancer is a potentially fatal condition that is taking more lives each year. Without early diagnosis chances of survival plummet down to 50%.

For those attempting self treatment there was an inevitably some delay in visiting their GP or dentist.

This period of delay in these cases ranged from a few days to two months. The period of time which elapsed between the interviewees noticing their symptoms and them making contact with a health care professional varied from a few days to a year, although two thirds saw someone within eight weeks.

Participants who had taken part were all in their thirties and forties and from Scotland.

Mouth cancer has previously been found to be more common in men than women and people over the age of 40, though an increasing number of women and young people are developing the condition.

Tobacco and alcohol are thought to contribute to at least three–quarters of mouth cancer cases.

Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases. Evidence shows an increase in fruit and vegetables lowers the risk, as can fish and eggs.

Around 5,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year, claiming the lives of almost 2,000, making it the UK's fastest growing cancer.

That is why the charity, who organises Mouth Cancer Action Month during November, strongly advises people of all ages to start checking their mouths more frequently and continue to attend their check–ups on a regular basis.

Dr Carter added: 'It is tremendously important to follow our Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign slogan: If in doubt, get checked out.'

For information and expert advice on mouth cancer and other oral health issues call the National Dental Helpline on 0845 063 1188, alternatively visit the website at www.mouthcancer.org.

The Scottish research, entitled ‘The experiences of young oral cancer patients in Scotland: symptom recognition and delays in seeking professional help', was conducted by lead author Liz Grant, a Public Health Pharmacist from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

The study was published in the May issue of the British Dental Journal.

Report finds children's dental health has never been better

Following post from STV News :

Children's dental health in Scotland has never been better, according to a new report.

The report, by the National Dental Inspection Programme, found that 64% of primary seven pupils have no sign of tooth decay, a figure that exceeds the Scottish Government's target for 60% of primary sevens to have no obvious signs of tooth decay.

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison announced the report's findings at an NHS Scotland event for National Health Service staff.

She said: "There are now more kids in Scotland with healthy teeth than ever before.

"We wanted 60% of primary sevens to have no sign of tooth decay by 2010 and I am pleased to say that this target has been met.

"Dental health in Scotland is improving, particularly in deprived communities, and this is a trend that we want to continue.

"Thanks to work to ensure that children know the importance of dental care at the earliest age, Scotland's primary sevens are now better placed to have a lifetime of good oral health.

"Across all areas of the NHS, not just in oral health, we are committed to improving the wellbeing of our nation. That means supporting measures that prevent ill health. We don't just want to treat people who are ill, we want to make sure people stay healthy."

During her speech, Ms Robison also commented on successes in public heath such as shifting cultural attitudes to smoking and ground-breaking work to address Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

Experts divided over reliability of thyroid cancer study

Dental experts are divided over the relevance and reliability of a study which found that regular dental x-rays increased the risk of thyroid cancer.

The study, which was conducted by researchers in England in conjunction with a team in Kuwait, found that having ten or more dental X-rays increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer by more than five times. Previous studies had linked both dental and general X-rays to an increased risk of thyroid, brain and salivary gland cancer, but the latest study revealed such a significant increase in the chance of developing thyroid cancer, that it made experts question the safety of carrying out routine X-rays.

Many dental experts have started to question the use of dental X-rays as a part of routine examinations, while others have questioned the reliability of the study. Concerns have been raised over the relevance of the study in the UK because the data that was used came from patients in Kuwait, where thyroid cancer is much more prevalent than in the UK.

Despite the concerns over reliability, the figures suggest that there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases of thyroid cancer; between 1975 and 2006 the number of cases doubled. There has been a similar increase in the number of cases of other forms of oral cancer.

Research has undoubtedly urged experts to reconsider the amount of dental X-rays used by dentists; now, officials are considering decreasing the frequency of X-rays and finding ways of shielding the thyroid and salivary glands during the X-ray procedure. Further research into the link between X-rays and certain types of cancer is set to be conducted in the near future.

From Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Doctors Frequently Misunderstand Dental and Skin Problems

Read following post from Worldental.org :

According to a recent study, many doctors frequently misunderstand the problems that patients face with regard to skin disorders and dental problems.

In an effort to reduce this problem, there needs to be courses in communication provided during healthcare personnel training.

The study focused on how the healthcare provider perceived the patients’ situation psychosocially as a result of dental or skin problems.

It was determined that, among other things, that dermatologists frequently underestimate how often depression and anxiety occurs among their patients.

It is believed that this may be the result of poor communication between the doctor and the patient however, it is likely that is also the result of the doctor only looking at the situation from a clinical viewpoint.

It is also understood that it isn’t easy to evaluate the mental status of a patient in the short time the doctor spends with the patient however, even in such a short time a doctor should be able to have a conversation with his patient.

The study also dealt with patients who had dental problems. The results showed that dentists often tend to underestimate the quality of their patients’ lives. In general, this can equate to the fact that a patients’ dental status doesn’t make as much of a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life as most dentists seem to believe.

The answer may be in how differently dentists or dental hygienists and patients perceive the situation.

To the patient, the dental problem, although it may be serious, is only one of multiple problems in their lives, but the dentists’ knowledge of the problem may lead them to overestimate how the patient may be affected by it.

The differences are believed to be a sign of communication problems. As a result, courses in communication need to be included with the health care provider training and be a part of their continuing education.

Zookeepers go wild with dental check ups

Check following Post from Dentistry.co.uk :

Zookeepers marked National Smile Month this year by brushing up on dental duties for their inmates.

Staff at Dudley Zoological Gardens got involved in the campaign by staging a massive check up of the animals' teeth.

Chief executive Peter Suddock says: ‘Regular check-ups are important. If an animal is grumpy the first areas to be checked are the gums and teeth, as they are often the cause.

‘Several of the more manageable species in the collection, such as the hoofed animals and primates have monthly check-ups, including our heavyweight Patagonian sealion, Orrie, (405 kilos) whose teeth are not only checked, but also cleaned, as part of his veterinary care.'

Other species receiving a hands-on dental check this week include reindeer, tapir, babirusa and alpaca, while close-up inspections are in order for chimps, lemurs, orang- utans and crocodiles.

With the vast majority of the UK population now expecting to remain dentate for life, the latest Smile Month campaign has captured the essence of what the dental profession needs to focus upon.

‘Teeth4Life' is the tagline for this year's campaign, a month-long focus highlighting the importance to patients of maintaining their oral health, organised annually by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) for 35 years now. The campaign is running until 16 June and will encourage the dental team to promote practices, and for patients to maintain regular dental visits.

The National Dental Helpline (0845 063 1188) receives thousands of calls every year for advice on preventive care and general oral health issues. Visit www.dentalhealth.org.

Repeated Dental X-Rays Increase Thyroid Cancer Risk

Check following post from Top News United Kingdom :

It has been claimed by the researchers that repeated dental x-rays raises the risk of having thyroid cancer.

It has been stated by the researchers from Brighton, Cambridge (England) and Kuwait that thyroid cancer risk elevates with an increase in the number of dental x-rays. This finding was cited in the medical journal Acta Oncologica.

According to the reports, rates of thyroid cancer have doubled from 1.4 per 100,000 in 1975 to 2.9 per 100,000 in 2006 in the UK, as the patients take up more and more number of dental x-rays.

The researchers say that many other factors can also be resulting in the increase of thyroid cancer cases. The sensitive diagnostic techniques cannot be solely blamed. For confirming the exact effect of such techniques on cancer, further research is required.

The research was headed by Dr. Anjum Memon, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

This was a combined research conducted by Brighton and Sussex universities and NHS (National Health Service) Brighton and Hove.

It is known that the thyroid gland gets exposed to radiation from many dental x-rays. Thyroid gland is sensitive to ionizing radiation in children especially. The research points out to the potential risks that dental radiography often causes to thyroid gland.

Ways to Avoid Dental Fear

Read following post from Dental Health Magazine :

Is dental visit a scary thought for you? Getting nervous at a dental clinic is one of the main reasons why people hesitate to go for a routine dental check up. Studies have revealed that about one third of US population neglect minor dental problems due to dental fear. This attributes to increasing poor oral health in the population.

Fear is the basic human emotion to express his anxiety. Dental fear may be shown out as a feeling of anxiety or in severe cases, fainting or syncope.

Signs of dental fear

* Sleeplessness in the night before dental visit
* Nervousness while waiting for the consultation
* Feeling physically uncomfortable even with a thought about dental treatment
* Uneasiness inside the dentist room like, difficulty in breathing while the dentist tries to place some instruments in the patient’s mouth.

As per dental fear study conducted by researchers the main reasons for dental fear are:

1. Fear of pain while dental treatment: This root from the previous unpleasant experience in a dental clinic or some painful stories told by others about their dental clinic experience. But the recent advanced technology used in dentistry offers painless procedures in the dental clinic.

2. Fear about the side effects of local anesthesia used in dental procedure: some people are worried about the temporary numbness of the lip and associated areas.

3. Fear seeing the injection needle: A few are scared of the needles used inside the mouth for giving anesthesia.

4. Fear of physical closeness with dentist: Many people feel uncomfortable when the dental hygienist or the dentist comes close to their face.

Ways to deal with dental fear

Treatment of dental fear and anxiety is often a combination of behavioral and pharmacological techniques. The psychologist’s interaction with the dentist has been way very effective in helping people to deal and subside their dental fear.

There are also ways on how to stop dental fear from developing. These ways are applicable to children also.

1. Starting dental checkups at a very early age can make the child familiar and be comfortable with dental visits.

2. Making dental trips minimal by enforcing a good oral hygiene.

3. Be wary not to share dental fear to the child.

4. Looking for dentist specializing in pediatric care.

Among the proven effective behavioral and pharmacological techniques are as follows:

1. BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES

1.a. Positive Reinforcement — using constructive criticism and suggesting ways on how to improve oral health.

1.b. The use of non-threatening language

1.c. Tell-do-show technique — explaining the concept of the procedure to the patient.

1.d. Teaching relaxation techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation)

1.e. Cognitive (thought-based technique like cognitive restructuring and guided imagery)

1.f. Desensitization — alleviates the effect of disorders and phobias by graduated exposure therapy.

2. PHARMACOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES

Mild sedatives to general anesthesia are often used by dentist in conjunction with behavioral technique. These pharmacological product or sedative makes people feel calmer and drowsy during dental procedure but still remain conscious and can communicate with the dentist.

3. SELF HELP AND PEER SUPPORT

Family and friend’s support can help alleviate fear and boosts self-esteem and courage to undergo dental treatment.

4. DENTAL PRACTICE INNOVATION

Changing the environment setting from the usual threatening clinic to a more sophisticated and patient-friendly clinic can also alleviate dental fear. By integrating state-of-the-art technologies and entertainment media shifts the feeling of fear into a relaxed and pampering mood.

Personal stories of patients and dentists can also help alleviate dental fear. Dentists and researchers concluded that every patient and every appointment must be calibrated for individual needs at all time as most of the patient’s stories all points out to the fear of needles being penetrated deep in the gums.

Public unaware that smoothies are rough on dental health

Read the following post from Dentistry.co.uk :

A dental charity is going bananas over smoothies, after a recent survey shows members of the public are unaware of the damage the sugary drinks can do to their teeth.

The survey, which interviewed more than 1,000 members of the public on various oral health topics, revealed that many people are unsure about good oral healthcare, in particular the impact their diet has on their teeth.

When asking about which foods and drinks were good or bad for teeth, the survey found a general misconception among the public – over 50% of those who took part believed sugary drinks such as fruit smoothies were not damaging to their oral health.

People over 60 were the age group most likely to believe fruit smoothies were no risk at all, and men were found to be more likely than women to think smoothies weren't bad for their teeth.

The survey was conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation for National Smile Month.

The chief executive of the Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter says: 'These results are quite shocking. A smoothie is something which often has a very high sugar content and being thick sticks to the teeth, and therefore is obviously bad for them. That such a large number of the public are unaware of this shows a general lack of knowledge about oral health.'

Dr Carter added: 'As more and more serious illnesses are being linked with oral health, it really is vital people understand how to take care of their teeth properly. The Foundation wants to make information more readily available for the public and remind people how important it is to visit their dentist regularly for check-ups.

'This is not the first time we have noticed a misconception about oral health amongst the public. We have reported in the past about a lack of knowledge about products such as maple syrup. We will continue to keep an eye on this subject, and we hope the more information we get out there, the more things will improve.'

The Foundation recommends water and milk as the healthiest choices of drinks, but emphasises that cutting down on how often you have sugary drinks is a big improvement.

Midnight feasts could harm oral health

Read the following post from Cosmetic Dentistry Guide :

Dental experts have warned that eating snacks late at night could damage the teeth and gums.

Danish researchers have revealed that snacking late at night can cause serious damage to the teeth. The research team joined forces with colleagues in America to study data from existing medical studies and identify how eating late at night affects the teeth. Over two thousand medical records were examined by the team of researchers.

Of the 2217 participants, 8 percent were classed as ‘nocturnal eaters’, meaning they ate more than a quarter of their calorie allowance after tea time at least twice a week; this also included people who woke up late at night or in the early hours of the morning to snack.

The study found that the nocturnal eaters were much more likely to end up losing their teeth than people who ate the majority of their calories during the day and avoided eating during the night. Researchers have linked the findings to a lack of saliva at night; saliva is important because it helps to wash away and break down food debris after eating. At night, the mouth is dryer and therefore food cannot be removed so easily.

The team involved in the study have urged people to consider their eating habits; it is impossible to prevent people from eating late at night but people should be aware of the potential risks to their oral health and dentists are being encouraged to share this information with their patients. Professor Damien Walmsley, an advisor to the British Dental Health Foundation, said that people should be aware of the dangers of eating late at night, when the mouth is dry and food particles are left to linger for a long period of time. Professor Walsmley urged patients to brush their teeth twice a day, with one cleaning session coming before bedtime.

Research Reveals Scots Fear Dentists, Avoid Dental Check-ups

A recent research has revealed that nearly one-third of the people have been avoiding their dental treatment due to fear of dentists or the cost of treatment.

It said that 8% of Scots have been running away from the dental check-up. Nearly 7% avoid visiting the dentist because they are afraid of the dentist and 8% said they are not able to afford it.

Read the rest of story here .