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Welcome News


NEW ONLINE ORTHODONTICS Welcome to your


A NEW report found tooth decay among five-year-olds in England is at its lowest level in 10 years – yet the NHS spent a whopping £35 million on tooth extractions on under-18s in 2013-2014. So what is the real story behind child tooth decay? My article on page 4 takes a closer look at this tricky issue and asks what can be done about it. Despite improvements in NHS


provision, many people still struggle to access affordable dental care. But an innovative new scheme is trying to change that. Dentist Nick O’Donovan tells us about his work volunteering with The Real Junk Tooth Project on page 12.


As the General Dental Council


investigate an increasing number of complaints against dentists, what should you do if one of their letters lands on your doorstep? Don’t panic! MDDUS dental adviser Claire Renton has some


practical advice on what to expect on page 10. Clinical guidelines are a fact of


life for dentists today, but following them may not always be the most appropriate way forward. Our article on page 6 looks at the need for “logical” justification when deviating from accepted practice. Finding out what a patient wants and explaining all viable treatment options is key to informed consent. MDDUS dental adviser Doug Hamilton offers advice on page 7.


The specialty of oral surgery is a dynamic and challenging one that doesn’t require a medical degree. Find out more about the job on page 8. Our case study on page 14 looks at issues of consent surrounding an abscess incision.


• Sameera Teli Editor


UPDATED FACULTY GUIDELINES


THE Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has launched a new edition of its good practice guidelines on Clinical Examination and Record Keeping. Gareth Kingstone, membership and marketing director at the


FGDP(UK) said: “These guidelines are of relevance to all dental professionals, and we hope that this new edition will provide much needed clarity and practical assistance for the profession. We are very grateful for the contribution made by MDDUS to the development of these guidelines.” Order a copy on the FGDP(UK) website: tinyurl.com/gw246mh


RESOURCE AN online resource to help patients make decisions about treatment has been launched by the British Orthodontic Society. Orthodontics for Adults is designed for patients to read before they see a clinician. It is divided into four parts, looking at the “why, how, where and who”. Each section has key points or tips that guide the patient towards the information they need to make the right decision. It covers areas such as brace types; teeth straightening; snoring and sleep apnoea; and orthognathic treatment, as well as FAQs about adult orthodontics.


The guide is accompanied by a video featuring Professor Tim Newton,


professor of psychology as applied to dentistry, who advises on which questions to ask a clinician. Access the resource at: www.bos.org.uk/adultorthodontics


DENTAL HEALTH CRUCIAL


EDITOR: Sameera Teli BChD MFDS


ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Joanne Curran Jim Killgore


DENTAL CONTENT EDITOR: Claire Renton BDS FDS RCPS (Gla) MML


DESIGN: Connect Communications www.connectmedia.cc


PRINT: Printwell www.printwell-ltd.co.uk


CORRESPONDENCE: SoundBite Editor MDDUS Mackintosh House 120 Blythswood Street Glasgow G2 4EA


t: e: 0845 270 2034 jcurran@mddus.com w: www.mddus.com


SoundBite is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Articles of Association. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in SoundBite are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.


GPst is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.


IN DIABETIC PATIENTS PRIORITISING the oral health of diabetics would not only save millions of pounds but also provide those patients with a better quality of life, says the Oral Health Foundation. The charity cites research showing a statistically significant


association between maintaining gum health and reduced healthcare costs among people newly diagnosed with diabetes. Analysis of data from more than 15,000 adults aged 18-64 newly diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes found that those who had gum disease treated at an early stage had an average saving of almost £1,500 in healthcare costs over a two-year period. Speaking about the findings, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral


Health Foundation said: “Giving patients the information and treatment they need to look after their gums can help to preserve the oral health of millions in the UK while also saving NHS coffers.” President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, Michaela O’Neill, said that diabetic patients should be especially aware of the signs of gum disease. She said: “Gum disease can potentially lead to tooth loss and people


with diabetes are more at risk of aggravating gum disease. It then becomes a vicious circle, as gum disease can increase blood sugar which can lead to an increased risk of diabetic complications.”


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