A UN meeting at the end of the month in Uruguay will consider a legally binding agreement which would curb the use of dental amalgam world-wide. If agreed it could be ratified next year. Separately the UK Government led by the Department of the Environment, not Health, has been discussing how the rest of Europe could come in line with those, mainly Scandinavian, countries which have imposed severe restrictions on the use of the material.

Oral bacteria that escape into the bloodstream are able to cause blood clots and trigger life-threatening endocarditis, according to recent research. If the bacteria Streptococcus gordonii enter into the blood stream through bleeding gums they can start to wreak havoc by masquerading as human proteins.

Oasis the dental corporate is reported to be trying to raise £250m-plus in order to expand. The company runs 205 dental practices, but believes that it can double this number. However, Duke Street Capital, the private equity majority owner of Oasis, needs to raise a fresh injection of funding — either by attracting a new investor, or selling the company.

The Office of Fair Trading report calls for greater patient choice and competition in the dentistry market. Its recommendations include provision of clear, accurate and timely information for patients, direct patient access to dental care professionals, redesign the NHS dental contract to facilitate easier entry into the market, simplification of the complaints process and a code of practice covering the sale of dental payment plans.

There was a party atmosphere at the Heart Your Smile stand during the 2012 BDA conference, as the team celebrated the launch of official website www.heartyoursmile.co.uk The website is bursting with articles, a blog, photographs and videos, and practitioners are invited to share their stories and charitable events. Delegates ate cake and Jammie Dodgers while they discovered how the campaign is working to encourage people to go to their dentist.