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Retailers and manufacturer branded products reduced sugar content by only 3% since 2017, sparking worries over the country’s health.

This falls well below the government’s aim to reduce sugar by 20% by 2020.

In a report by Public Health England (PHE), data reveals many products display ‘little or no reduction’ in sugar levels.

For example, quantities in chocolate and sweets have reduced by just 0.4% and 0.1% respectively. Additionally, they have actually increased in puddings by 2%.

On the other hand, other products have seen a notable improvement. The sugar content in yoghurt and fromage frais are down by 12.9%, with breakfast cereals cutting it by 13.3%

Mixed progress on sugar

The introduction of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy also had a dramatic impact on sugar levels in beverages.

Statistics show a massive 43.7% reduction in the sugar content of soft drinks between 2015 and 2019.

‘Progress achieved by retailers … Read the rest

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Ian Hutchinson speaks to Dentistry Online about how Tom Baddeley planned to torture him and whether there might be a stalking problem in dentistry.

Can you briefly explain what happened and who was Thomas Baddeley?

He was an adult patient wanting orthodontics due to severe crowding of his teeth.

We took out two teeth and straightened them.

Once we finished treatment, he started commenting about getting interdental brushes between his teeth. He claimed water was getting between his teeth and poisoning him.

So I sent him to the Bristol dental hospital and he saw a professor there. They said the work was fine and that there was nothing wrong with him.

But he turned around and thought he knew better.

He then asked me to put his two teeth back in his mouth. After two years of fixed braces that wasn’t going to happen.

We took the brace off and … Read the rest

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With the popularity of orthodontics growing following lockdown, Arnold Gangaidzo explains how to keep your patients happy.

Patients want their orthodontic experience to be clear, exciting and personal.

Once a patient feels valued, they will trust you as their clinician. And in some cases reward you with reviews and referrals.

In the same week of writing this article, I saw a lady to review her orthodontic treatment. She was eager to tell me about the positive responses she received from her family and friends in Portugal. She says this was ‘one of the best decisions’ she had made.

The time and investment into her smile was worth it and she was clearly delighted.

Delighting patients is key in order to develop a growing list of orthodontic patients. Here are some ways I find useful to delight my patients.

1. Speak their language

Building rapport begins with listening to what the … Read the rest

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‘A benchmark of 15 to 30 minutes’ – this is the new fallow time recommendation endorsed by the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK.

In its updated guidance, the FGDP(UK) and the College of General Dentistry amended its fallow time advice.

This follows the publication of a review on AGPs by the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). It argues that not all AGPs carry equal risk, suggesting fallow time is calculated using a multifactorial approach. As a result, times range from 10 to 30 minutes.

Currently, Public Health England (PHE) recommends a fallow period of 60 minutes if less than 10 air changes take place per hour following an AGP.

Increased delivery

‘Our revised guidance incorporates the fallow time recommendations arising from SDCEP’s thorough review of evidence on the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dentistry,’ said Onkar Dhanoya, vice dean of FGDP(UK).

‘It will enable general dental practices … Read the rest

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Sanaa Kader discusses her hobbies away from dentistry and why it is important to make the most of each day.

Please introduce yourself

My name is Sanaa Kader. I am the principal dentist of a mixed three surgery practice in Leeds. I am also an educational supervisor for the West Yorkshire Dental Foundation Training Scheme.

What do you get up to in your spare time away from dentistry?

I am a mother and wife, so most of my spare time is spent with my family. We enjoy the simple things in life, such as cooking, visiting family (not during COVID of course), enjoying getting outdoors and exploring all the natural beauty on our doorstep.

Are you a foodie? Why and what particular food do you go for?

I love all cuisines to be honest, and my South Asian upbringing, along with my Yorkshire roots and years spent living in London … Read the rest

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Missed out on this week’s dental news? No problem, here’s what happened over the past seven days…

Dental teams should receive priority access to COVID-19 vaccine

Health and social care workers should receive priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s essential if we’re going to get through this pandemic. The BDA has jumped in and called for the vaccination to include dental team members. This shouldn’t even be an issue, but past experience has taught us that if the government can sideline dentistry, it will. If the profession doesn’t make a loud noise now and clear up any ambiguity, before the vaccine is available, it won’t be heard when everybody else starts asking for it too.

NHS dental practices to get free PPE under new government plan

The government is now promising free PPE to all NHS dental practices under its ‘second wave strategy’. The Department of Health is … Read the rest

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Subway bread does not qualify as bread due to its high sugar content, a court has ruled. 

A judge found that Subway bread cannot be classed as bread as the sugars exceed the stipulated limit. Published on Tuesday, the judgement instead ruled that it falls under the category of confectionery.

The court ruling followed an appeal from Bookfinders Ltd, the Irish franchisee of Subway, over VAT. It argued that the bread used counts as a staple food and, as a result, should be exempt from VAT.

According to Irish law, the amount of sugar in bread should not exceed 2% of the weight of the flour in the dough. But for the bread used in Subway’s sandwiches, this stands at 10% – more than five times the limit.

No dispute

A 15cm (six inch) sub roll from Subway contains 5g of sugar, which is more than a milk chocolate … Read the rest

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Andrei Gutierrez reveals a new campaign to drive routine screening for erosive tooth wear as part of oral examinations.

Why is it important to prioritise erosive tooth wear among all other issues?

Andrei Gutierrez (AG): Erosive tooth wear is the third most common dental condition. And its prevalence is increasing.

Our modern snacking culture, coupled with an ageing population that retains teeth for longer, means erosive tooth wear is a rapidly increasing risk.

But with early identification and patient counselling, dental professionals can prevent the condition from developing.

Erosive tooth wear is not routinely identified or checked for. However, with the help of leaders from the Erosive Tooth Wear Foundation, we want to change that.

What are the implications of not treating the condition?

AG: Reports show that the rise in snacking culture combined with the popularity of fresh fruit and fruit juices has increased the risk of developing erosive … Read the rest

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The announcement is finally here! Here is the full shortlist of finalists for the The Dentistry Awards 2020. 

Best Team

South West

Bupa Dental Care Mermaid

Quay Mouthpeace Dental

Wadebridge Dental

South East

Bond Dental

Bupa Dental Care Hampton Hill Buckden Dental Clinic

Denbigh House Dental Practice Dental Training Consultants Oxford House Dental Practice North Hill Dental

Scotland

Dentistry on the Clyde Infinity Smiles

The Tooth Doctor

North

Dentist on the Rock

Digital Dental Academy

Oakley Dental

Bupa Dental Care Southey Green R Dental Clinic

… Read the rest Read More

Health and social care workers should be granted priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine when available in the UK.

This is according to new advice put together by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

As a result, the British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed the report – and is calling for the inclusion of dental team members.

It argues that if a vaccine is authorised for use within the UK, there should be ‘no ambiguity’ over the status of dental professionals in both NHS and private settings.

The report read: ‘Frontline health and social care workers are at increased personal risk of exposure to infection with COVID-19. And of transmitting that infection to susceptible and vulnerable patients in health and social care settings.

‘It is also recognised that vaccination of frontline health and social care workers will help to maintain resilience in the NHS and for health and … Read the rest

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