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Dental Tribune Untited Kingdom Edition

A new hard-hitting cam- paign, highlighting the shocking truth behind second-hand smoke recently hit our TV screens. The New TV and radio ad- verts will show that smok- ing by a window or the back- door is not enough to protect children from second-hand smoke. More than 80 per cent of second-hand smoke is in- visible. This contains harmful cancer-causing toxins and poi- sons that are unknowingly dam- aging children across the coun- try every day. Millions of children in the UK are exposed to second- hand smoke that puts them at increased risk of lung disease, meningitis and cot death. It re- sults in more than 300,000 GP visits, 9,500 hospital visits in the UK each year and costs the NHS more than a staggering £23.6 million every year. The only way to completely protect people from second- hand smoke is to make homes and cars entirely smoke free. As the campaign launches, a new survey reveals that children want smoke free lives. The sur- vey found: • 98 per cent of children wish their parents would stop smok- ing • 82 per cent of children wish their parents wouldn’t smoke in front of them at home • 78 per cent of the children wished their parents wouldn’t smoke in front of them in the car • 41 per cent of children said cig- arette smoke made them feel ill • 42 per cent of children said cig- arette smoke made them cough Health Secretary An- drew Lansley said: “We all know smoking kills but not enough people re- alise the serious effect that sec- ond-hand smoke can have on the health of others, particularly children. “This campaign will raise awareness of this danger and en- courage people to take action to protect others from second-hand smoke. “This is just one part of our wider strategy on tobacco. We need to do more. That is why we will end tobacco displays in large shops. We will also be consulting on plain packaging this spring.” Chief Medical Officer Pro- fessor Dame Sally Davies said: “Second-hand smoke can cause a range of serious health prob- lems for children and adults. Smoking damages our lungs, causes cancers and is now the biggest risk for cot death. Parents who smoke need to think about the effect it has on their family. “Giving up smoking or mak- ing sure you have a completely smoke free home and car is the only way to protect your family. “If people do want to quit there is excellent support and ad- vice available. Get in touch with your local stop smoking service, GP or pharmacist or visit nhs.uk/ smokefree.” Consultant Paediatrician at the Royal Surrey Hospital Dr Charles Godden said: “I see children every week with condi- tions which are made worse by second-hand smoke. Most par- ents would be horrified to know that even a short car journey where an adult has been smok- ing would result in breakdown products of nicotine in their child’s urine. “This shows exactly why we should all make our homes and cars smoke free and that children need protection from exposure to second-hand smoke.” Smokers can order a new NHS Smokefree Kit by tex- ting POISONS to 63818 or by vis- iting nhs.uk/smokefree for facts, tips and tools to help them on the way to a smoke free future. DT Children call for smoke-free homes T he nominations process for the new BDA Prin- cipal Executive Com- mittee (PEC) has opened. The new committee, which will replace the current Repre- sentative Body and Executive Board, will assume overall re- sponsibility for BDA policy and governance. PEC members will also be the legally respon- sible directors of the Associa- tion. The Committee will consist of 15 members, 12 of whom will represent geographical con- stituencies and three who will be elected on a UK-wide basis. All members will be elected in spring 2012. Seats will then be subject to a revolving cycle of elections starting in December 2014, when a third will be sub- ject to fresh elections. Those interested in stand- ing for election are invited to submit a completed nomina- tion form and personal sup- porting statement by Friday 23 April 2012. Members will have the opportunity to hear from prospective candidates at a series of ‘speed-dating’ style events at the British Dental Conference and Ex- hibition which takes place in Manchester between 26-28 April, and will receive ballot papers, where required, at the end of April. Encouraging applications, BDA Chief Executive Peter Ward said: “The BDA occu- pies a unique position in UK dentistry. Members of the new Principal Executive Commit- tee will be working in the in- terests of their professional colleagues, taking on the gov- ernance and stewardship of the Association and oversee- ing the next stage of its de- velopment. They will inherit resources, reputation and re- search and will help shape the future of the BDA and the den- tal profession. “I encourage all members who care passionately about the future of the organisation and UK dentistry to think seri- ously about standing for elec- tion to the PEC.” Further information on the Principal Executive Com- mittee and the election time- table, is available at: http:// www.bda.org/pec Nomina- tion forms are also available via the above link.DT Nominations open for Principal Executive Committee D elegates at the forthcom- ing British Dental Con- ference and Exhibition can plan their visit to the exhibi- tion element of the event using an innovative new online bookings system that allows attendees to re- serve time with exhibitors. For the first time ever, visi- tors can book time with exhibitors that they want to spend time with in advance of the event, using a simple online bookings system hosted on a BDA-managed British Dental Conference and Exhibition microsite. The system also allows delegates to plan the conference sessions that they intend to attend, thereby creating a personalised schedule for the event that can be downloaded to Outlook diaries. The exhibition is expected to feature more than 140 exhibitors, including equipment suppliers, product manufacturers, service providers and trade associations. The meeting reservation facility hasbeenintroducedinresponseto feedback from exhibitors and visi- torsandaimstohelpbusydelegates maximise the value of their visit by allowing them to schedule all of the key appointments they need. Linda Stranks, Director of Marketing and Membership at the BDA, said: “Some delegates are happy to peruse the exhibition and find inspiration as they explore, but others visit the exhibition with a very specific aim – researching the purchase of a particular piece of equipment, for instance. “This new tool will help del- egates to tailor their British Den- tal Conference and Exhibition experience to create a bespoke schedule that ensures they get the time they want with exhibitors when they want it, to fit around the conference sessions they are planning to attend.” The 2012 British Dental Conference and Exhibition takes place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from 26-28 April. For full details visit: www.bda.org/confer- ence. DT Make an exhibition for yourself in Manchester A group of dental hygien- ists have formed a cam- paign group in order to influence the future of dental access to patients. Key DCPs are hoping to en- courage fellow DH&Ts to help influence the future of their profession. The Direct Access Action Group is campaigning for di- rect access to patients for den- tal hygienists and plans to keep colleagues in the loop as to what this will mean for them, the profession as well as for patients. The Office of Fair Trad- ing (OFT) is currently re-ex- amining whether the private and NHS dentistry markets are working well for patients Ð and this includes an investigation into how patients currently ac- cess dental care including ac- cess to dental hygienists. Elaine Tilling, Sarah Mur- ray, Christina Chatfield, Mar- garet Ross, Bal Chana, Amanda Gallie, Dave Bridges and Ann Gilbert have together formed the Direct Access Action Group in time for the release of the OFT’s report, due in May. The group would like the help of all DH/Ts in collating evidence of their current per- ceptions of the Direct Access issue. To take part, visit www.fa- cebook.com/DAActionGroup or follow @DAActionGroup on Twitter and take a few min- utes to fill out a brief survey hosted on Survey Monkey. Go to www.surveymonkey. com/s/HK8C56P or email the group at directactiongroup1@ gmail.com. DT Action group seeks DA evidence April 16-22, 20122 News United Kingdom Edition