Almost all Swedes brush their teeth, yet only one in ten does it in a way that effectively prevents tooth decay. Now researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, are eager to teach Swedes how to brush their teeth more effectively. Most Swedes regularly brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. But only few know the best brushing technique, how the toothpaste should be used and how fluoride prevents tooth decay.

With the European Council having recently published the European Cosmetics Directive, the future of dental whitening is beginning to look marginally brighter according to the British Dental Bleaching Society. The new directive will allow dentists to supply patients with products containing up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, a significant leap from the current UK limit of 0.1%.

Three dentists will be amongst the thousands who will carry the Olympic torch on its journey round the UK. Tony Chivers (91) will carry the torch through Bournemouth on 13^th July; Barry Funnell through Luton on 8^th July and Pan Taneja through Solihull on 1^st July. Good luck to all three.

NHS Worcestershire has commissioned therapy for the estimated 12 per cent of its population who have some kind of phobia of going to the dentists. The plans involve teaching cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sometimes called ‘a talking therapy’ to dental nurses which helps patients tackle their phobia so they can be more at ease at their family dentist.

Speaking at the BDA conference in Manchester, health minister Earl Howe reaffirmed the Government's commitment to improving access and better oral health. He paid tribute to the hard work carried out by those involved in the pilots and to the BDA for its input to the process. He said on HTM01-05 that if evidence indicated that changes should be made this would be done.

New research from Queen Mary, University of London in collaboration with research groups in the USA sheds light on why gum disease can become more common with old age. The study reveals that the deterioration in gum health which often occurs with increasing age is associated with a drop in the level of a chemical called Del-1.