Dealing with cavities could one day be as simple as taking a supplement to keep unwanted bacteria in check, according to findings published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Researchers at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, led by Dr Robert Burne, have a new strain of bacteria that could keep ‘bad’ bacteria under control, and pave the way to using probiotics to prevent cavities.
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Lloyds Bank has published its Healthcare Confidence Index which gives insight from primary healthcare professionals. It shows that dentists continue to lead the way in terms of optimism, perhaps reflecting the fact that their sector benefits from more non-NHS income. However, there is a continued concern about long-term funding of the NHS dental contract with 81% revealing doubts. With over a third (37%) of dentists now wanting more private work, the Index suggests the trend towards becoming privately funded will continue.
Read more: Dentists are most optimistic of health professionals
The cost of removing rotting teeth in children and teenagers has soared by 61 per cent in the last five years, leading to fears that youngsters' sugar addiction is spiralling out of control, the Local Government Association (LGA) reports. Latest figures show that hospitals spent £35 million on multiple teeth extraction in under 18s in 2014/15, compared with £21 million in 2010/11. Over the last five years, this amounts to nearly £140 million.
Read more: Hospitals spending £35 million on rotting teeth in children
The BDA has called on the next Assembly Government to tackle the oral health epidemic in Wales, with calls to cut NHS dental charges and use the proceeds of the new sugar levy invest in preventive care for children in disadvantaged communities. In a five point plan for better oral health launched recently, BDA Wales has outlined how the next government could turn around the nation’s poor history on oral health.
After lobbying by Dental Protection, dentists infected with bloodborne viruses to perform more procedures. They are pleased to see Public Health England’s new guidance for healthcare workers infected with bloodborne viruses, which will enable affected members of the dental team to perform a wider range of non-exposure prone procedures.
Read more: Dentists infected with bloodborne viruses to perform more procedures
Mixed and NHS Practice values continue to soar and the goodwill bubble certainly shows no sign of bursting at present as reported in the latest NASDAL (The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) goodwill survey. Practice sales as a percentage of goodwill continue to increase – particularly in the NHS and Mixed sectors.