An experiment by researchers in Spain has shown that exposing human gingival cells to compounds found in red wine appeared to protect against microbes that cause plaque and cavities. The authors suggested the molecules should be tested as “preventative therapies” for various oral diseases. Here in the UK, Prof Walmsley urges caution.
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The Government is to restrict lawyers by capping the costs that they can recover in clinical negligence cases, following a consultation exercise on their proposals. Ministers will establish a working group to establish how the cap, which would apply to all cases worth less than £25,000, will work in practice, to report in the autumn.
Read more: Government to cap lawyers fees in negligence cases
Ben Underwood, creator of the toothbrushing app Brush DJ, has been named the winner of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry’s Outstanding Innovation Award. The judges were unanimous in their decision as well as united in their praise for the high standard of entries in 2018. Two other entries were Highly Commended and both originated from Leeds where the oral health of children is among the worst in the country.
The Department of Health and Social Care has invited practices to submit their expression of interest to become a prototype practice. Prototype regulations have been extended for a further two years. The aim in taking on additional sites is both to increase the overall learning while simultaneously focussing on the practical learning that will be gained. The deadline for applications is March 9.
Read more: Department seeks practices for 4th wave prototypes
The BDA says that successive below-inflation pay awards, combined with lengthy delays in their implementation, have led to very considerable erosion of dental incomes. In its 2018/19 submission, the BDA has called for a pay uplift, which must at the very least curb any further erosion of pay in real terms. They are calling for an inflation (RPI) linked award plus 2%.
A number of beauticians in London are performing illegal teeth-whitening procedures, which can leave patients in crippling pain if they go wrong, the BBC reports. One place was secretly filmed using illegal levels of the hydrogen peroxide at a strength of 25%, compared with the maximum legal strength useable by dentists of 6%.
Read more: Illegal teeth whitening caused "excruciating pain"
A woman from Stockport has spoken out to raise awareness of the issue after she was fined £100 for accidentally filling out a form incorrectly at her dentist. She said it affects thousands of people each year. She revealed that in her case: “The details were correct – I had just put them in the wrong box.” The BSA has reported that a total of 217,539 fines were issued in the first six months of 2017/18.
A study from the University of York looking into how financial arrangements with dentists affect what goes on in the dentist's chair has found a marked increase in the number of X-rays when dentists receive payment for them. It concludes that dentists' calculation of the benefits vs the risks of X-rays is being distorted by financial incentives.
Read more: Patient exposure to X-rays depends on how dentists are paid
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced ministerial responsibilities following the reshuffle. Junior minister, Steve Brine, MP for Winchester retains the dentistry portfolio. In the Commons questions were asked by MPs Liz McInnes, Diana Johnson and Tim Farron. In the Lords there was a short debate on fluoridation.
Read more: Parliamentary news from Health Department Commons and Lords