Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

ORTHOPHOS XG 3D The most popular X-ray unit in the world. Now with 3D! Telephone: 0845 0715040 e-mail: info@sironadental.co.uk www.sironadental.co.uk Simply outstanding. The new ORTHOPHOS XG 3D combines all the advantages of digital panoramic, cephalometric and 3D imaging into a single easy- to-use system. Its optimized field of view ensures greater precision and opens up new perspectives for your practice, such as simultaneous prosthetic and surgical implant planning with CEREC. The fully automatic 2D / 3D sensor, intuitive operation and a finding-based workflow make your routine practice even more efficient. Enjoy every day. With Sirona. Sirona Dental Systems, Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park, Heathrow, London UB11 1BD T h e D e n t a l C o m p a n y CAD/CAM SYSTEMS | INSTRUMENTS | HYGIENE SYSTEMS | TREATMENT CENTRES | IMAGING SYSTEMS FoV 8x8 cm, 5x5.5cm Combi sensor Metal artifact reduction software MARS Automatic positionning in 2D Sirona Dental Systems The Dentistry Show Stand No. D12 U p to half of all head and neck cancer survivors face a diminished qual- ity of life, even after five years of survival. That is according to a recent study undertaken by the Univer- sity of Iowa, which concluded that a large percentage of long-term survivors of head and neck cancer have poor oral function, resulting in persistent eating problems and long term depression. More than half of respondents (51.6 per cent) reported prob- lems with eating, while on av- erage one in four survivors still experienced speech problems who lived for five or more years. It was a similar story when it came to a patient’s physical and mental health, with more than a third (36.7 per cent and 39.3 per cent respectively) recording low functionality after the five-year analysis. Mouth cancer campaigners have recently estimated 6,000 people in the UK contracted the disease in 2011, and while early detection can transform survival rates to 90 per cent, without it one in two will die. According to Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foun- dation, Dr Nigel Carter, the study highlights the problems mouth cancer sufferers face. Dr Carter said: “The re- sults of the study show the scale of the problems mouth can- cer patients have to live with. The corrective surgery required to remove cancerous cells often leaves physical and emo- tional scars that can take years to heal. “While all cancer patients re- quire a great deal of care, those recovering from mouth cancer clearly suffer from the after-ef- fects of surgery, both physically and mentally.” While Dr Carter also suggest- ed the results show patients need as much support from the health service as possible, a loophole in the NHS means problems may be compounded, as mouth cancer patients have no guarantee that their restorative dental treatment will be paid for by the NHS. As a result of this loophole, campaigners are calling for the inequality to be put right in the new commissioning arrange- ments for NHS dental contracts to make sure that mouth can- cer sufferers are exempt from dentalcharges.Ane-petitionform, available at http://epetitions.di- rect.gov.uk/petitions/22063 has been established to seek profes- sional and public support, and if sufficient signatures are obtained it will prompt debate on the issue in the House of Commons. Dr Carter added: “Support- ing the e-petition will not only bring the issue into the public limelight, it will help to improve the quality of life for mouth cancer patients.” DT Cancer survivors face poor quality of life T he General Dental Coun- cil is heading to Glasgow for the latest in its suc- cessful run of registrant events. Dental professionals from in and around the city are being asked to come along to the IET Glasgow: Teacher Building, 14 Enoch Square, G1 4DB on 28 Feb- ruary 2012 to find out about how the GDC’s work affects them. They will also have the chance to take an active role in one of two workshops; one on the review of the GDC’s Standards for den- tal professionals and one on the responsibilities of being a dental professional. The event is free and partici- pants will be awarded two hours of verifiable Continuing Profes- sional Development (CPD). Director of Policy and Com- munications at the GDC Mike Browne says these events are a good chance to get face-to-face feedback: “We have already held events in Bristol and Derry/Londonderry this year and we have found that speaking directly to registrants is a valuable way for GDC staff to find out what people are con- cerned about. We have reached key stages in our reviews of CPD and Standards and we’re keen to know exactly what dental profes- sionals think.” Any dental professionals in- terested in attending can book online. It should be noted that places are limited, so early book- ing is advised. DT GDC to meet registrants in Scotland B ridge2Aid has come a long way since its epic journey began in 2002, and as their new video shows, their work at the Hope Dental Centre in Tanza- nia and the Bukumbi Care Centre in Mwanza, are having a massive impact on the surrounding com- munity. The profits of the Hope Dental Centre(HDC)clinichelptofundthe work Bridge2Aid do in train- ing medical officers in emer- gency dentistry in Tanzania and it’s becoming very clear early into this New Year that their work in Tanzania is growing at an exciting pace. However, to help with these changes the charity requires more people to join their team and they have two exciting opportunities available. HDC Business Manager - to enhance the clinic systems and processes ensuring the clinic is running efficiently and effective- ly, giving the patients a positive experience. HDC Principal - to promote efficiency and quality within HDC and ensure all clinical procedures are delivered to a high standard. Bothrolesarefor12-18months and would be ideal for a married couple or two individuals. Assis- tance with living expenses will be available. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact jo@bridge2aid.org before 10th February 2012. The positions begin in September 2012 or before if possible. For an insight into the role of a DVP watch Bridge2Aid’s most recent video, which covers the incredible journey that the char- ity has been on, from the extraor- dinary time the DVP’s have and their team experiences, to the travelling and the environment they work in, the video captures a taste of what the charity is all about. Using simple equipment in basic accommodation, the whole experience, as one DVP describes, is “dentistry that’s outside the box.” As all of the volunteers explain, becoming a DVP is one of the most rewarding experiences, being both a chal- lenge and a chance to give some- thing back. The video can be viewed on Bridge2Aid’s website, www.bridge 2aid.org/b2a/today-movie.html DT “Restoring smiles, changing lives” February 6-12, 2012United Kingdom Edition