many students say they cannot afford regular trips to the dentist.

Many students are putting off trips to the dentist due to monetary fears, it has been claimed.

Dental Plans reported that poor dental health is becoming more commonplace within the student population, as the impact of the economic downturn has meant that many now feel the cost of regular check-ups is one area where they can make savings.

“I realize that college students are tight on funds,” said Marie Yax, a registered dental hygienist at All Smiles Dental in Saginaw.

“But often, if they would have come in earlier to prevent problems, they will save lots of money in the long run.”

Elsewhere, the Hartlepool Mail recently reported that people across the UK should look to book a visit to their dentist in order to screen against mouth cancer – a disease that has grown in prevalence in recent years, especially in men over the age of 50.

People could improve their oral health through a healthy diet.

Having a healthy diet can be the best way to ensure a person maintains a good level of oral health, it has been claimed.

The Vancouver Sun reported that poor nutrition can lead to a shortage of the minerals needed to maintain strong bones and teeth and, as such, it is important to eat a balanced diet in order to promote oral health.

“Good nutrition promotes good oral health because it encourages healthy development and maintenance of the mouth’s tissues,” says Natalie Brown, a registered dietician based in Surrey.

Elsewhere, research carried out in Canada recently showed that conditions including heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illnesses can all be linked to having poor overall oral health.

Indeed, the report claimed harmful bacteria in the mouth can find their way into the bloodstream when a person does not take care of their teeth and gums properly and this, in turn, can result in serious health complications.

Mouth cancer check-ups recommended.

People across the UK have been urged to visit their dentist regularly in order to screen against mouth cancer.

The Hartlepool Mail reported that NHS Hartlepool is inviting individuals who are at a higher risk – men over 50 – to get free check-ups at the organisation’s mobile dentistry unit in April.

The publication stated: “Oral cancer kills more than 5,000 people annually. Smokers, drinkers and men over 50 are most at risk.”

Furthermore, NHS Hartlepool revealed that incident rates have been rising in recent years for mouth cancer sufferers.

Elsewhere, the Mal Hutton CHANCE (Campaign For Head and Neck Cancer Education) Fund recently echoed this sentiment and suggested Brits worried about their general health should head to their local dentist’s office to have a check-up.

Wigan Today reported that dental professionals will routinely check for this disease and it can be a good way to spot the early signs of cancer development.

Rising costs are putting people off having check-ups.

More people are putting off visits to the dentist because of money worries, new research has discovered.

SimplyHealth’s Annual Dental Survey for 2010, which questioned 1,005 working adults earlier this year, found that one in ten of those surveyed admitted to not having a dentist at all.

One in 30 parents also claimed that they had never taken their children to a dentist because of financial constraints.

In addition, the poll found that 35 per cent of those not seeking regular dental treatment revealed that this has had a negative impact on their oral health.

Michael Thomas, practising dentist, explained that those people not receiving regular check-ups could be forced to seek emergency dentistry when their problems became worse.

He said: “Failure to look after your teeth can have an impact not just on your oral health, but that of your entire body – and in some cases can result in problems requiring severe treatment.”

SimplyHealth’s annual poll also disclosed that companies are increasingly including dentistry as a staff benefit because of its popularity and effect on absences.

People could be in danger of other conditions if they do not look after their oral health.

People have been warned that failing to have in place a good oral health routine could put them at higher risk of developing a range of illnesses.

Research carried out in Canada has shown that conditions including heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illnesses can all be linked to having poor overall oral health.

Indeed, the report noted harmful bacteria in the mouth can find their way into the bloodstream when a person does not take care of their teeth and gums properly and this, in turn, can result in serious health complications.

Elsewhere, Dr David Mady Jr recently told the Windsor Star that people who keep their teeth in good condition have faster check-ups with the dentist and suffer from less stress as a result.

He noted that while this will ensure a person’s teeth are in the best condition, it will also enable them to spend less time in the dentist’s chair when they come in for a check-up.

Businesses are considering the benefits of dental health programmes.

Companies are increasingly placing value into dentistry as a method of reducing sickness at work.

That is according to the results of SimplyHealth’s Annual Dental Survey for 2010, which discovered that two-thirds of the human resources (HR) managers questioned believe that dental benefits cut absences.

Moreover, this percentage has increased dramatically from 2008 when just 30 per cent of the HR specialists questioned had this view.

Regular dental appointments could help to improve the health of employees, while people who do not receive check-ups could find they require emergency dentistry to treat a decaying tooth.

James Glover, spokesman for SimplyHealth, believes that dental benefits have a “demonstrable value”.

He said: “It is evident that this benefit carefully strikes the balance between adding value to your employee wellbeing package whilst giving something back to the employer.”

The dentistry provider’s poll also discovered that 63 per cent of respondents have struggled to register with an NHS dentist for themselves or their children over the past 12 months.

Students in Japan are practicing dentistry on a robot.

Dentistry students In Japan are now able to practice their skills on a robot, ahead of actually treating human patients, it has been revealed.

According to News Centre, 88 students at Japan’s Showa University have been able to carry out treatments on a robot that mimics the human mouth. It enables the students to hone their skills safe in the knowledge that they cannot cause any harm.

“Medical skill and ability is first built upon failures. One’s skills only improve once they have failed once,” said vice-director of Showa University Dental Hospital Koutaro Maki.

As a result, the institute has developed a robotic surrogate on which students can practice their skills without harming anyone in the process.

Elsewhere, Dr James McAnally, director of the Healthy Heart Dental Program, recently revealed that having good oral health is key in the fight against gum disease.

He noted taking the time to get regular check-ups from the dentist could dramatically improve a person’s health and increase their lifespan in the process.

Older people are keeping their teeth for longer.

Improvements in oral care are leading to more older people having healthier teeth than ever before, it has been claimed.

The Auburn Reporter revealed that in times past it was unusual for people aged over 60 to have all of their own teeth, but medical advances in recent years, as well as an increase in the number of preventative treatments against gum disease, decay and other oral ailments has meant this is now not the case.

“Older teeth may need additional treatment to keep them healthy. But today, most people can keep the majority of their existing natural teeth for a lifetime,” the publication noted.

Elsewhere, the Herald Sun recently reported 22-year-old Nicky Welfare has been told he will have to have all his teeth removed due to the amount of alcohol he consumes.

The publication revealed Mr Welfare drank 24 cans of lager every day, as well two litre bottles of cider and as such, his alcoholism has cost him his teeth, as he will now need to have dentures fitted.

babies’ teeth need special care.

Infants will begin getting their first teeth around the six to nine-month mark and therefore parents need to understand how best to look after their children’s teeth.

Paediatric dentistry firm Kearns, Ashby, Rajchel & Kearns told Pennlive.com that children’s teeth can be prone to decay of they are not looked after properly and there are a number of simple rules to ensure they remain healthy.

The firm noted children should not be allowed to fall asleep with a drink and as soon as teeth appear, parents should take the time to brush them after eating with a damp cloth.

Elsewhere, research carried out as part of the Australian Child Health Survey recently revealed that 50 per cent of children under six in the country have signs of tooth decay, according to Cosmetic Dentistry Guide.

The report concluded that parents in Australia therefore need to ensure their children are taking better care of their teeth.

Dentist’s surgery to open in Chorley.

A new emergency and cosmetic dentistry office is to open in Chorley.

Local newspaper the Chorley People reported the practice will offer places to up to 7,000 patients and the new Ravat & Ray Dental Care office will have three surgeries.

“It is anticipated that these services will make a huge difference to the oral health of local residents by increasing access to NHS dentistry,” Janice Nicholson, head of dental commissioning in the region, told the publication.

She added that this new practice will significantly boost access to dental services in the region and will mean people will have shorter waiting times to receive treatments.

Elsewhere, the Brundall Dental Practice is set to open in Norfolk to offer places for dental patients that wouldotherwise have had to wait for treatments.

This is thanks to a £2.8 million investment in dental care services in the region that was made last year.