JUL
31
0

Perio for Dummys

Periodontology for Dummys

  9683 Hits
9683 Hits
FEB
09
0

Don’t Allow Microorganisms To Tarnish Your Reputation - Simon Davies

Don’t Allow Microorganisms To Tarnish Your Reputation

Thankfully, news stories relating to the lack of hygiene in dental practices are rare. Consequently, when a serious lapse of infection control happens in dentistry, the headlines are all the more shocking[i].
 

For dentists, successful decontamination is a multi-layered process, where vigilance is key. The microorganisms found in dental settings are often on surfaces and hidden in self-contained water supply systems. Moreover, many pathogens are growing ever more resilient to disinfectants and drugs so preventive methods are even more crucial. Also, our increasingly ageing population have weaker immune systems and greater susceptibility to water and blood-borne illnesses.
 

The quality of water supplying dental unit water systems (DUWS) e.g. autoclaves, washer disinfectors and Reverse Osmosis filters, has to be of optimum purity. The complex network of connecting plastic tubes integral to DUWS, have consistently proven to be prone to microbial biofilm cultivation. Whilst the majority of opportunistic pathogens are eliminated by chlorine added to our water supplies, the composite nature of some bacteria renders them either completely resistant to, or more robust in their defence against disinfectants.
 

One example is Cryptosporidium – a parasite causing the diarrheal disease, cryptosporidiosis, acquired through drinking contaminated water. It is resistant to most forms of disinfection and therefore constitutes something of a headache to the water industry and health officials. Reverse Osmosis water filters that have been correctly maintained, have shown to effectively eradicate this insidious pathogen.
 

Other gram-negative (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms found in DUWS output water include:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa (leading to infections of the blood), the legionella species (leading to serious respiratory diseases).
  • Human-derived pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (leading to MRSA)[ii].
  • Legionella pneumophila, causing Legionnaires’ disease, which thrives especially well within biofilms.


Reverse Osmosis water filters dilute water from a more concentrated state by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane. They are highly effective in removing protozoa (single celled microscopic organisms) such as Cryptosporidium and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus[iii].
 

CleanCert is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of infection control solutions. For example, its range of exemplary Reverse Osmosis filters are demonstrably effective at reducing the risk of waterborne infections. The team is also dedicated to providing you with more cost-effective ways of maintaining compliance, by developing simple to use ‘annual maintenance kits’ and water analysis ‘dipslide apps’, to ensure you can manage and maintain your own decontamination protocols effectively, quickly and inexpensively. 

 

Protect yourself, your staff and your patients, call CleanCert today.

 

For more information, please visit www.cleancert.co.uk, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 08443 511115

 


[i] Daily Mirror - Five Former Patients of HIV-Scare Dentist D’Mello Test Positive For Hepatitis C. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/five-former-patients-hiv-scare-dentist-5353918 (Accessed 7/10/2015)

[ii] PubMed – Management Of Dental Unit Waterline Biofilms In The 21st Century. O’Donnell MJ, Boyle MA, Russell RJ, Coleman DC, 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22004039 (Accessed 7/10/2015)

[iii] CDC Centers For Disease Control And Prevention – A Guide To Drinking Water Treatment Technologies For Household Usem 2008, http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/household_water_treatment.html (Accessed 7/10/2015)

 

  7571 Hits
7571 Hits
JUL
14
0

BSDHT: decidedly European!

BSDHT-decidedly-European.jpg

Europerio8 was attended by 9400 delegates and the BSDHT was honoured to be co-hosting this prestigious event. The official opening ceremony was an opportunity for the 29 member  societies to come together and celebrate the start of an exciting and innovating three days of research, dialogue and discussion held in London for the first time.

These congresses, held every three years, aim to implement the EFP vision of "Periodontal health for a better life". BSDHT President Michaela ONeill, addressing delegates from the stage said:

"On behalf of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, I would like to thank the European Federation of Periodontology and the British Society of Periodontology for what promises to be a very stimulating and productive few days.

My role, and the role of my fellow dental hygienists and therapists, is one part of a vast chain of dentistry that leads to good oral health.

We’re constantly trying to translate our research into patient friendly messages.

The recent results of the European Workshop in Periodontology have focussed new light on how we thought we should educate our patients – especially as it included what looks now like a one hundred and eighty degree turn in the new recommendation for interdental brushing rather than flossing.

But beyond conference, and indeed academia, it is crucial that we are "people facing"   and that we can filter the messages of a major conference like this directly to our clinical staff: they are the gatekeepers who will present your messages direct to our patients.

And on behalf of the BSDHT, we are proud that the importance of our role within periodontology is being reflected at EuroPerio 8."

 

Follow the BSDHT on Twitter @BSDHTUK or further information about BSDHT

Tel:     01788 575050  |  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  |  Web:   www.bsdht.org.uk

Address:  Smile House, 2 East Union Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 6AJ

  4168 Hits
4168 Hits
JUN
15
0

Dentures: Quality and Care - Sparkle Dental Labs

Dentures: Quality and Care - Sparkle Dental Labs

Nearly 15 million people in Britain wear removable dentures[i], and with an increasingly aging population, the number of people requiring prostheses is likely to rise. But how much care do your patients take keeping their dentures clean? Do they require more information about how to look after them and why it’s so important for them to do so?

A recent study found that the vast majority of patients assessed (84%) had very poor levels of denture hygiene[ii]. This was attributed to the lack of hygiene instructions given by dental professionals, as after clinician led patient education, denture cleanliness index (DCI) scores increased significantly2.

Currently there is no clearly defined or regularly used standard or scoring system for determining denture hygiene in the UK. Therefore, the researchers devised the DCI scoring system prior to the audit, which ranges from 0-4. Additional studies are required to refine, test and evaluate the classification, however it could help dental professionals in the future to determine denture hygiene status of patients and highlight any areas of concern2.

Compared to dental care, denture hygiene has received little attention, yet neglecting to look after prostheses can significantly increase an individual’s risk of developing oral infections and systemic diseases[iii],[iv].

Dentures offer a reservoir for microorganisms to thrive and it is well documented that patients wearing partial sets are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and dental decay of the teeth directly adjacent to the dentures[v].

Several studies have shown that plaque biofilm accumulates on the internal surface of dentures and certain pathogens may even preferentially colonise on prostheses over oral soft tissues3,[vi]. Acting as a reservoir for bacteria and fungal microorganisms, these pathogens are involved not only in the appearance of local infections like denture stomatitis, but also systemic diseases such as endocarditis, pneumonia and respiratory track infections3.

Problems can also arise if there are any surface defects or other flaws in the denture which are either inherent and due to the fabrication process or acquired due to general use. These can cause imperfections and roughness, which increases the surface area on which bacteria can adhere and potentially colonise[vii].

Furthermore, if the finish is rough it can make cleaning the prosthesis and mechanical removal of the microorganisms difficult, as well as causing discoloration of the denture base materials. The irregularities on the surface can provide niches in which microorganisms are protected from oral hygiene measures, thus allowing the entrapped microbial cells to attach irreversibly to the prosthesis7.

Working with a laboratory, such as Sparkle Dental Labs, that complies with all of the current standards and regulations, uses the very best materials and creates dentures that fit perfectly is essential. The renowned company are able to offer complete traceability on every item and all dentures are fitted to duplicate models to ensure ultimate precision and patient comfort.

In the future the DCI scoring system could be used to help practitioners to identify patients suffering from poor denture hygiene. However, in the mean time dental professionals are encouraged to continue to fit quality dentures and offer patients oral healthcare advice.

 

For more details about Sparkle Dental Labs, please call 0800 138 6255, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit:

www.sparkledentallabs.com



[i] Health & Social Care Information Centre. Adult Dental Health Survey. Published 24th March 2011. Available online: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/article/3894/Adult-Dental-Health-Survey [Accessed 23rd December 2014].

[ii] Mylonas, P., et al. (2014). A clinical audit of denture cleanliness in general dental practice undertaken in the west midlands. British Dental Journal, 217.

[iii] de Andrade, I. M., et al. (2014). Trial of an experimental caster oil solution for cleaning dentures. Brazilian Dental Journal, 25 (1).

[iv] Milward, P., et al. (2013). Knowledge of removable partial denture wearers on denture hygiene. British Dental Journal, 215 (10).

[v] Coulthwaite, L., & Verran, J. (2007). Potential pathogenic aspects of denture plaque. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 64 (4), 180-189.

[vi] Salerno, C., et al. (2011). Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Oral Medicine and Pathology, 16 (2), 139-143.

[vii] Govindswamy., et al. (2014). The influence of surface roughness on the retention of candida albicans to denture base acrylic resins – an in vitro study. Journal of Nepal Dentists Association, 14 (1), 1-9.

 

  3904 Hits
3904 Hits
MAY
11
0

Hygienists

Hygienists

  7104 Hits
7104 Hits

Please do not re-register if you have forgotten your details,
follow the links above to recover your password &/or username.
If you cannot access your email account, please contact us.

Mastodon Mastodon