Some ultrasound technology has been added to the design of electric toothbrushes in the past but now a 100% ultrasound product is about to be released; the toothbrush doesn’t even need to move to clean the teeth effectively. The new Emmi-dent brush costs £79.95; it gives off a staggering 86 million sound waves per minute and can clean the teeth without rotating or vibrating at all. The waves emitted cause millions of tiny air bubbles to form; these bubbles get between the teeth and kill bacteria by bursting to dislodge tartar and food particles. The ultrasound technology also gets rid of bacteria on the brush head so the bristles are cleaner than regular brushes – both electronic and manual.

Special toothpaste is needed to get the best results from the brush and the manufacturers have added a slight vibration to the handle so that users know when it is switched on. The brush head needs to be held over the surface of each tooth for between five seconds and fifteen seconds, which should be enough to get rid of any bacteria and food debris.

Although initial tests have proved successful, the British Dental Association admitted that further studies need to be carried out to determine how effective the brush really is. Professor Damien Walmsley was keen to make sure that consumers don’t neglect dental hygiene on the basis of new technology, he said ‘The most important factor in maintaining good oral hygiene still remains regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and avoiding excessive consumption of sweet or acidic food and drink.’

UK dentists have spoken about their worry over the impact of NHS cuts on their most vulnerable patients. A recent survey carried out by the British Dental Association has revealed that most dentists think the budget cuts will affect services badly, limiting access to much needed treatments. 

Although job security was a major worry for the majority of those who took part, most dentists were thinking about the effect on their patients before themselves; 83% of respondents said there were longer waiting times for appointments, whilst 72% felt that there was a reduction in available treatments. 58% of those asked thought that the standard of care had been compromised following the announcement of large NHS budget cuts.

The survey was aimed at surgeons whose work centres on patients with special needs, showing that two thirds of dentists in this sector were concerned with their patients being denied access to dental care and as a result being neglected within the system.

fortunately, it seems their voices are not going unheard, as the British Dental Association has said it will be writing to the Department of Health to persuade against Primary Care Trusts making cuts to the services of special needs dental surgeries.

A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has proposed that the use of amalgam in dentistry should be phased down rather than phased out. Future Use of Materials for Dental Restorations considers the impact of different dental filling materials on the patients and the dental industry. The report also suggest that there should be an improvement in the quality of alternative materials used for fillings, saying that this could directly affect whether the movement away from amalgam completely should go ahead.

Chair of the British Dental Association’s representative body, Stuart Johnston, pointed out that this was a very thoroughly researched report, which would add a new voice to the ongoing debate on the subject. Regarding amalgam fillings, he said; ‘Dentists find amalgam to be a stable material for fillings, with good handling properties. Expert toxicologists and medics have reported no evidence that it causes harm to patients. The alternative materials that are available are not so well proven and have their own disadvantages.

He went on to say that although there was a risk surrounding mercury emissions from amalgam, there were procedures to prevent them harming patients, and that he hoped the need for fillings would be much less in the future. Finally, he added; ‘In the meantime, it is important that the potential problems with, and likely impact of, any change in policy are fully considered by the experts and competent authorities who make decisions about the use of dental amalgam and other white filling materials.
 

Image-conscious residents in Southampton who have contemplated teeth whitening procedures could benefit from new plans by the local council.

According to Dentistry.co.uk, community members will receive fluoridated water through their taps following proposals from the South Central Strategic Health Authority.

The scheme, which will affect 200,000 people throughout Southampton, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, will be put into action in the upcoming months.

Despite the benefits fluoride provides for oral health, the plans were opposed by a number of residents, who were finally silenced by a High Court ruling.

Backed by members of the British Dental Association, the new initiative will also affect areas of south-west Hampshire.

Fluoride, which is contained in a number of toothpastes and mouthwashes, acts as protection for teeth by strengthening enamel and limiting the risk of decay.

In addition, the substance creates shallower grooves in children's teeth, which makes it much easier to remove potentially harmful plaque. 

A new tax on chewing gum could increase the amount of people who have to receive cosmetic dentistry in the UK, it has been suggested.

Conducted by Saga, a study found that many people over the age of 50 are keen for the government to impose a tax on chewing gum to help fund a clean-up operation on the streets of Britain.

However, Dentistry.co.uk explains this could have a negative impact on the nation’s oral health.

The benefits of chewing sugarfree gum are recognised by the British Dental Association and dentists advocate it as a way of fighting tooth decay.

The news provider quotes the British Dental Health Foundation as stating: “Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which in turn cancels out the acid produced in your mouth after drinking and eating.”

It seems as though some people in Scotland could benefit from using chewing gum, as a study recently conducted by Implantium Network found those living north of the border have the greatest number of missing teeth in the UK.

A Wirral dentist has been voted bset in the north-west.

Simon Wright of Glencairn Dental Practice in Bebington has been voted best young dentist in the north-west at the 2009 Dentistry Awards.

Local paper the Wirral Globe reported Dr Wright beat competition from 500 other practitioners to take the coveted title, with categories split into nine regions throughout the UK.

“I was delighted to have been nominated for this award and then to find out that I won best young dentist was brilliant, especially as the competition was of a very high standard,” commented Dr Wright, who is also an acting partner in the newly re-opened Glenside practice in Pensby.

Elsewhere, the British Dental Association recently awarded Preston dental surgery Lane Ends Dental Practice the BDA Good Practice award for providing ” an exceptional” level of care.

The organisation noted resident dentists Dr Kaviani and Dr Tehranian are passionate about patient care and between them have over 2,500 hours of training and experience.

People should not swallow fluoridated toothpaste.

People across the UK have been advised to avoid swallowing fluoridated toothpaste in order to get stronger teeth.

Colin Shaw noted in a letter to Halifax newspaper the Evening Journal that adding fluoride to the water supply can be beneficial to oral health, but consuming large quantities of fluoride in toothpaste definitely is not.

He wrote: “I read a newspaper article by a member of the British Dental Association who explained that for fluoride to be effective in preventing tooth decay, it had to be ingested because tooth enamel is not permeable.”

However, Mr Shaw noted eating large quantities of toothpaste could be detrimental to a person’s health.

Elsewhere, Radio NZ reported the Northland District Health Board in New Zealand recently completed a two-year tudy into the benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water in the region.

It found that in the areas where fluoride had been added, incident rates of cavities in five-year-olds fell by five per cent.

An Isle of Man dentist has been awarded a top honour from her peers.

Amanda Wood of Abbey Dental in Ballasalla has been named the 2009 best oral health professional honour at this year’s Private Dentistry Awards.

Ms Wood received the honour of being chosen the Outstanding Individual of the Year.

Boss Dr Mark Hepworth said she had been the “lynchpin” of the surgery and noted her time management and dedication to charity were “amazing”.

Abbey Dental also featured in the shortlist for the UK’s Best New Dental Practice at the awards.

Elsewhere, the British Dental Association recently awarded Lane Ends Dental Practice in Preston, Lancashire with the BDA Good Practice award – the first surgery in Preston to receive the accolade.

The emergency dentistry practice was praised for providing “an exceptional” level of care to patients, with resident dentists Dr Kaviani and Dr Tehranian holding in excess of 2,500 hours of combined training in advanced implantology and cosmetic dentistry between them.