Archive for the ‘Dentistry’ Category

Cumbria dentists take part in health pilot

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Dentists in Cumbria will offer new preventative treatments.

Dental professionals in Cumbria have been chosen to take part in a new health initiative to provide preventative dentistry, it has been revealed.

The Westmoreland Gazette reported the scheme has already been launched in Kendal, Appleby, Wigton and Brampton and will be rolled out to other areas over the coming months. It will see dentists offering cutting-edge preventative treatment alongside their normal emergency dentistry offerings to patients.

Eric Rooney, NHS Cumbria’s consultant in dental public health, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to pilot these developments as part of the implementation of the national review of NHS dentistry.”

Elsewhere, the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard recently reported a new dental practice is set to open in Cirencester to help fulfil the emergency dentistry needs of local residents.

Dr Ross Cutts and his family have moved to the area from Kent to open the new surgery – Cirencester Dental.

BDA: Funding increase is disappointing

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

BDA unhappy with pay increases.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has claimed its funding levels for 2010-11 are “disappointing”. dentist funding

The Department of Health announced salaried dentists will see a pay increase of one per cent over the coming year, while dental practitioners are set to receive a 0.9 per cent raise.

Susie Sanderson, chair of the BDA’s executive board, said: “High street dentists will be particularly disappointed that the government has chosen to disregard the review body’s advice that efficiency savings should only be considered retrospectively.”

Indeed, Ms Sanderson noted the government would appear to be ignoring the fact that provision of dental services is getting more costly.

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported access to emergency dentistry facilities remains poor in Yorkshire.

An NHS review showed 42,000 fewer adults were able to access dental health services in North Yorkshire in 2009 in comparison to 2007, despite the fact the government pledged to improve access in 2006.

Scots ‘must improve oral health’

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Oral health is a key issue in Scotland.

A report on the state of oral health in Scotland has revealed that a third of women in the country aged over 54 have lost all their natural teeth. scots oral health

Therefore, opposition MPs have called on the Scottish government to install measures to fix this issue as soon as possible or face the possibility of missing its target for ensuring 90 per cent of Scottish adults have some natural teeth by 2010.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie commented: “Unless the Scottish government takes drastic action, they won’t meet the target set by the previous government.

“Improving Scotland’s diet is essential. Our sweet tooth is not only taking its toll on our waistlines, it’s hitting our teeth too.”

Elsewhere, My West Texas recently reported February was National Children’s Dental Health Month in the US and as a result, Parents across the country were urged to ensure their children eat less sugar in future in order to boost oral health.

In addition, they were advised to ensure their offspring had regular check-ups with a dental professional in order to keep on top of any problems with oral health before they snowball.

Sports drinks ‘bad for teeth’

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Many sports drinks could be damagaing to teeth.

While consuming sports drinks could have a beneficial impact on the fitness of sportsmen and those who enjoy being active, they could be having a damaging effect on their teeth, it has been revealed. sports drinks and teeth

Dental surgeon John Banky, a member of the Australian Dental Association and Sports Medicine Australia, told the Sydney Morning Herald that exposure to the amount of sugar found in these drinks could over time erode tooth enamel.

He told the publication: “‘With repeat exposure there’s the possibility of permanent, irreversible damage.”

”Participants need to be aware of the risks beforehand and often that’s not the case.”

Elsewhere, Dr Samuel Low, associate dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, recently noted gum disease has been linked to an array of serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and as such, it is important to maintain good oral health.

Too much saliva ‘can be a problem’

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

too much salivaSaliva production problems could be due to infection.

Anyone who suffers from an over-production of saliva could be finding the malady increasingly frustrating, as well as embarrassing, but a simply trip to the emergency dentist might be able to fix the complaint.

Neil Bateman, consultant ENT surgeon at the Royal Hallamshire and Sheffield Children’s Hospitals, told the Telegraph that excessive salivation could be caused by infecion of the salivary glands and this could be easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

Other possible conditions include laryngopharyngeal reflux – a condition wherby problems such as heartburn or acid reflux stimulate production of saliva from the glands and this can be treated with anti-reflux medication.

Elsewhere, Beauty writer Zara Rabinowicz recently claimed the trend for men to be more obsessed about their appearance has continued in recent months and is unlikely to end in the near future.

She noted males are using more beauty products than ever before and are taking more care to look their best at all times – while boosting their smile could be achieved by a trip to the dentist.

Dreams ‘point to dental fears’

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

People who have anxiety anout dentists could be having bad dreams.

The British Dental Health Foundation has called for people to be up front about any dentistry nightmares and to take the time to get regular check-ups. dental fear

Dentistry.co.uk reported the organisation has claimed anxiety about dentistry can cause people to have bad dreams and this should be tackled head on by facing their fear and visiting a dentist.

Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter, said: “Don’t ignore any warning signs or concerns you have about your teeth – make an appointment to visit your dentist as soon as possible when signs of gum disease such as loose teeth or regular infections are present.”

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported a study has been carried out which has found a link between children who have psychological problems and fears over the dentist.

Research from the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy revealed children from turbulent family backgrounds are more likely to have a fear of visiting the dentist.

Mouthguards ‘offer protection during sports’

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Teeth can be protected when playing sports.

Wearing a mouthguard can be an important part of protecting the teeth when playing sports, it has been claimed. mouthguard 

North Bay Today reported the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has recommended that all athletes use these devices to ensure that the rough and tumble of sport does not impact on their oral health.

Dr Don Friedlander, president of the CDA, told the publication: “Wearing a mouthguard to protect the mouth is obviously a part of the winners’ game so be sure to wear yours too and keep your teeth intact.”

Elsewhere, John E Peterson recently wrote in a blog for the Emporia Gazette that people of all ages should remember to floss daily in order to improve their oral health.

He claimed the mouth contains more than 700 different kinds of bacteria and left unchecked these can multiply – especially in areas where brushing cannot reach – and cause tooth decay.

Botox ‘could help with migraines’

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Botox injections could reduce the frequency of migraines.

Having Botox treatments could be helpful in reducing the effects of migraines, according to a new report. botox injection

Research published in the JAMA journal Archives of Dermatology revealed the injections could reduce the frequency of attacks by as much as ten times.

It found that after three months of treatments, migraine frequency was reduced for study participants from a typical rate of 6.8 days per month to an average of 0.7 days.

The study’s author explained: “Our findings invite consideration of using botulinum toxin type A injections to prevent migraine headaches and may promote the role of the dermatologist in the treatment of patients with migraine.”

Elsewhere, a recent study led by David Havas of University of Wisconsin-Madison revealed anyone suffering from anger or depression issues could improve their moods by having Botox injections.

It found that the numbing reaction of having Botox injected can mean it is more difficult to grimace and frown, meaning the effects of these expressions are less keenly felt by users.

Emergency dentistry fixes eagle’s beak

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Bald eagle requires emergency dentistry.

An unusual case was recently presented to emergency dentists in the US.

The Telegraph reported Cyrano – a North American bald eagle – had a big problem with his beak after it had become entangled in some heavy-duty fishing line.pet dentistry

Dentist Kirk Johnson was able to rebuild the top half of the bird’s beak using cosmetic dentistry putty, making the animal the world’s first bird to receive a filling.

“This was just a big tooth for a different individual – a very different individual.

“When they asked me if I had an interest in helping to repair a damaged bird’s beak I thought why not,” commented Dr Johnson.

Elsewhere, in human-related emergency dentistry news, a woman from Alrewas in Staffordshire travelled to Hungary to have emergency dentistry treatment carried out after her local dental professional killed the nerves in one of her teeth.

Julia Vorley, aged 40, made the trip to Budapest following an accident made by her local dentist.

Acupuncture ‘could help reduce pain’

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

dental acupunctureTooth pain could be reduced with acupuncture.

Anyone feeling pain after a cosmetic dentistry procedure may be able to reduce their discomfort through acupuncture, it has been claimed.

Dr Mike Cummings, medical director at the British Medical Acupuncture Society, said because of the localised effects of acupuncture, the treatment could be an effective method of pain relief for those who are feeling down.

He commented: “Acupuncture also has effects on sensory nerves in the spinal cord – called segmental effects – and in nerve endings around the area stimulated, called local effects.”

Dr Cummings added that the treatment could also be perfect for women after pregnancy, as it has been found to lift the mood and help with depression.

According to research carried out scientists at the University of York and the University of Hull, acupuncture could have a significant effect on specific nerve structures, resulting in a sensation called deqi.

Analysis showed this switches off areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain.