Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Do you have an opinion or some- thing to say on any Dental Tribune UK article? Or would you like to write your own opinion for our guest comment page? If so don’t hesitate to write to: The Editor, Dental Tribune UK Ltd, 4th Floor, Treasure House, 19-21 Hatton Garden, London, EC1 8BA Or email: lisa@dentaltribuneuk.com Editorial comment LISTERINE® ZERO™ is alcohol- free yet retains the LISTERINE® brand’s 4 essential oils. So it has a softer taste1 but kills up to 49% more plaque bacteria in vitro than other alcohol-free daily mouthwashes.2 And there’s the added benefit of 220 ppm (0.05%) fluoride with high uptake3 for extra enamel protection. When patients want a less intense, alcohol-free mouthwash, why not add LISTERINE® ZERO™ to their oral care routine? Powered by 4 essential oils contains 220 ppm fluoride NEW ListEriNE® ZEro™ Highly effective yet alcohol-free for a less intense taste References: 1. Data on file 45348, McNEIL-PPC, Inc. 2. Data on file, microbiology dossier, McNEIL-PPC, Inc. 3. Data on file 103-0214, McNEIL-PPC, Inc. *While stocks last. To receive a free sample*, please phone 0800 328 0750. Suitable for patients 6+. Adds zero alcohol to the Listerine® range 06924 ® 03372_ocdlis_DT_WPG_ad_A4_fa1.indd 1 5/13/11 11:49 AM D unmurry Dental Prac- tice is helping to spread the message of good oral health by organising an Open Day for National Smile Month. Showing that they have the smile factor, Dunmurry Dental Practice is organising an open day on Friday 27th May at their multi-award winning Practice –invitingthepublicandexisting patients to come in, see around our new facilities, meet the dentists, get oral hygiene ad- vice, participate in kids ac- tivities and a enter a prize draw. In addition there will be a limited number of free consultations and the opportunity for new patient to register with the Practice. Dr Philip McLorinan said: “We are delighted to get in- volved in National Smile Month and to give a little bit back to our patients and the communi- ty. A good oral healthcare rou- tine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes. By promoting good oral healthcare in a fun, im- aginative and non-threatening way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth.” For more information on National Smile visit www. smilemonth.org DT Have you got the Smile Factor? Child with Squin the Dragon 3NewsMay 23-29, 2011United Kingdom Edition S o we are looking forward to yet another round of the nation’s favour- ite pastime, ‘dentist bashing’. A one-hour long investigation into the greedy un- derhanded dealings of dentists stealing money from the patient’s wallet, all to a backdrop of a high speed drill and patients’ fears and wrapped up for some early evening TV. But what makes dentists such a prime target for these types of reports? Whether it is the Daily Mail, bbc.com, Channel 4 or the latest blog by a disgruntled patient, dentists come across as evil money grabbers who care little for pa- tients or ethical treatment. Some blame the fractured nature of the profession, which makes it easy to hide in your sur- gery and pretend it’s someone else’s problem. Others just reel off a list of names which have been brought before the GDC FTP committees for inappropriate treatment, misconduct, fraud, em- bezzlement and other misdemean- ours and say dentists are all the same. Then there is the group that say dentists need to communicate better with patients, be absolutely clear about what treatment is be- ing offered and whether it is NHS or private care. For me, I think it might be a mix of all three, added to the fact that cli- nicians are also trying to juggle the demands of running a practice with trying to actually practise what they have trained to do. Even the life of the tab- loid hack doesn’t seem so bad now...DT