Equality in dental committees p23 | Advertising feature p44 |


News Plan to tackle ‘ticking time bomb’


IDA president reveals strategy for dentists to help their patients in the fight against diabetes


The president of the Irish Dental Asso- ciation (IDA) revealed a new diabetes risk-profiling system that he says will help tackle the “ticking time bomb” of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Speaking at the recent IDA Annual


Conference in Galway, Dr PJ Byrne said the association was close to publishing a one-page risk-profiling system that would be available for use at clinics all over the country. Speaking to delegates at the Radisson


Hotel, Dr Byrne said: “Dentists see patients with pre-diabetic conditions, often unknowingly, on a regular basis. In many cases this is manifest in poorly controlled periodontal (gum) conditions. They point out the danger signs to the patient and advise patients to follow it up with their GP.


Sugar tax is


It is often many years later that the patient attends again, having been diagnosed with diabetes. “Previously research was lacking and dentists weren’t sure about the links between chronic diseases that are inflam- mation based such as lung disease, arthritis, Crohn’s disease and gum disease. Now, through extensive research we know the links are there. “When dentists are carrying out their


examinations they very often can see the early warning signs in the gum condition. Gum disease shares many common risk factors with diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardio vascular disease.” Dr Byrne also said that he would be keen


to meet with doctors leaders to explore how the two professions could work together on this and other issues. “If a patient suffers from arthritis or other


chronic inflammation-based diseases, it is very likely they may also have gum disease.


An integrated treatment programme which addresses chronic diseases such as diabetes or other inflammation-based chronic conditions and gum disease will lead to better outcomes for the patient,” he said.


no panacea Twomey says frequency and volume of intake more important than price


The introduction of a sugar tax would not be a panacea for the chronic levels of tooth decay affecting Irish children, according to the outgoing president of the Irish Dental Association (IDA). Dr Anne Twomey, who was speaking at the IDA Annual


Conference in Galway, said that the focus should be on encouraging people to reduce the frequency and volume of high sugar content drinks and food, rather than the price they are paying for them. She said: “There is overwhelming evidence that sugars


in food and beverages are the main dietary causes of tooth decay and erosion in children and adults. “We believe the best approach is through a co-ordinated


programme of education and promotion in tandem with an effective school screening programme at junior infant level or even via free dental care for the under sixes.” Dr Twomey quoted studies that show that half of all Irish


ı2-year-olds and 75 per cent of all ı5-year-olds have some decay in their permanent teeth. Earlier this year, the UK Government announced a sugar


levy on sugar-added soft drinks. Dr Twomey said that if a similar scheme was to be introduced in Ireland, she hoped that revenues raised would be used to fund oral healthcare programmes.


Winter conference line-up announced


The Irish Dental Hygienists Annual (IDHA) Winter Scientific Conference 20ı6 will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Cork on ı4 and ı5 October. To mark the eighth year


of its inception, the IDHA event has the title “Innov8, Integ8, Motiv8” and, as well as two days of workshops and lectures, the conference will also see the presentation of the Kin Dental Hygienist of the Year 20ı6 Award. The Friday afternoon will


feature three workshops covering perio screening hosted by Elaine Tilling, education and project manager for TePe Oral Hygiene Products; manual scaling and Cavitron use for the dental hygienist, hosted by Dentsply Sirona; and finally Dublin periodontist Dr Barry Dace will host a clinical workshop on periodontal planning. The Saturday will see a full day of presentations


with speakers such as: UCC professor of restorative dentistry, Professor Anthony Roberts; Marina Harris, dental hygienist tutor at the University of Portsmouth; paediatric dentist Dr Jennifer McCafferty from Citygate Specialist Dental Clinic; senior lecturer in dental surgery at UCC Dr Eleanor O’Sullivan; Dublin periodontist Dr Rory Maguire; and UCC senior lecturer and consultant in oral medicine Dr Christine McCreary.


Dr Barry Dace


Ireland’s Dental magazine 11


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