Archives

Nigel Jones gives his insight on the impact of stress on dental health and what dentists can do to help their patients.

The mental health issue raised by COVID

COVID has brought to light the importance of open communication about mental health. We have been encouraged to keep communication going with our own family and friends during lockdown. By socially distanced means of course.

For those who have had to self-isolate, stress about safety has been high. When combined with limited social interaction, the impact of the pandemic on the nation’s mental health is clear.

The ONS reports that more than two thirds of the UK’s adult population felt somewhat or very worried about the impact of the pandemic on their lives.

These are worrying statistics which can have a knock-on effect on physical health as well as mental health.

The link between stress and dental health

Stress is … Read the rest

Patient waiting times for NHS dental work are doubling as COVID-19 continues to cause interruptions. 

This is according to new data seen by the Daily Mail.

Following a Freedom of Information request, the news outlet found that waiting times have spiked – although overall numbers have not due to fewer referrals.

For example, the average waiting time at the Eastman Hospital in central London has almost doubled. In October 2019, it was 16 weeks – yet stood at 28 weeks at the end of August.

Significant spike

In total, around 7,700 patients are waiting for longer than 18 weeks between referral and treatment. But this figure was at 4,100 last year.

It is estimated that up to 14 million dental appointments could have been missed across the UK over the course of the pandemic.

Other hospitals have seen similar spikes in waiting times. For example, at Birmingham Dental Hospital … Read the rest

Archformbyte is offering dentists a global first – the opportunity to attend Skip Truitt’s course on maxillofacial orthopaedics and orthodontics from your home.

Held on the 5 and 6 December, Skip will show attendees how to implement orthopaedic and orthodontic therapy into their own practice.

The course will cover:

• Distinguishing between orthopaedic versus orthodontic therapy
• Orthopaedic treatment options for patients with dental and skeletal imbalances
• The concept of early interceptive orthopaedic treatment
• Embryology and anatomy of the growing patient and factors influencing the development of the facial and alveolar bone
• How to identify patients who require early interceptive orthopaedic treatment
• How to obtain the necessary records leading to diagnosis and treatment of skeletal and dental imbalances
• Step-by-step guide through case analysis and formulation of a treatment plan
• Provision, maintenance and adjustment of the orthopaedic appliances
• How to implement orthopaedic and orthodontic treatment into your own practice.

And now, Archformbyte is … Read the rest

Paul Riddick gives his thoughts on the current focus on air changes per hour and suggests dentistry is overlooking a potential solution.

Recent publications still constantly focus on ACH (air changes per hour) on the basis of ‘diluting’ the air of potential contaminants (after the event) to reduce fallow times.

As you probably already know, all dentists in the UK have to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations 2002.

There are legal implications for not complying. However, SOP guidelines from both the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FDGP) and Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) constantly fail to mention this key point in relation to aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).

COSHH Regulations for Hazardous Substances in the Workplace

The COSHH Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) specifically allows the COSHH assessment to be part of the general risk assessment, which is required under regulation three of the … Read the rest

The chief dental officer for England has confirmed that NHS dental services will remain open during the UK’s second lockdown.

In her latest news bulletin, Sara Hurley said dental practices should remain open to treat patients over the next four weeks.

Dental teams should carry out treatments in line with the latest standard operating procedure (SOP) as well as recently-updated infection prevention control guidance.

The updated SOP allows for a reduction in fallow time if practices meet the necessary ventilation and mitigation requirements.

New national measures

When six to nine air changes take place each hour (ACH), a baseline fallow period of 20 minutes is recommended. Additionally, this can be reduced to just 15 minutes if there are 10 or more ACH.

The government is again calling for the public to stay home to save lives. Households can leave for limited reasons, including for education, work if it cannot be … Read the rest