Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

United Kingdom Edition 7News O ral health charity the British Dental Health Foundation has pro- duced a new public information leaflet on the topic of smokeless tobacco. Presented in a Q&A format, ‘Tell Me About: Smokeless To- bacco’ contains information about the effects of smokeless tobacco, particularly addressing its relationship with mouth can- cer. The leaflet also explains the health benefits of giving up smokeless tobacco, as well as offering advice on how to quit. Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foun- dation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, says more work needs to be done to improve education of smokeless tobacco, especially in South East Asian communi- ties and believes dental pro- fessionals are in the ideal po- sition to communicate the key messages. Dr Carter said: “There is currently a lot of on-going confusion about the risks of smokeless tobacco, which is particularly worrying given the number of people, main- ly those in ethnic minority groups, who use it. “That is why we have pro- duced an information leaflet specially focussing on smoke- less tobacco – what it is, what it is made of, and why it is so dangerous. The leaflet can be displayed in waiting rooms, or handed out to patients who might be at risk. It is written using non-technical language and has been awarded the Plain English ‘approved’ logo, which is a guarantee that the language is straightforward and easy to understand by the general public. “We encourage all dental practices, particularly those with high ethnic minority pa- tients, to stock this leaflet and help eliminate one of mouth cancers growing risk factors.” ‘Tell Me About: Smokeless Tobacco’ is freely available to view online at www.dental- health.org/tell-me-about/top- ic/mouth-cancer/smokeless- tobacco while printed versions can be purchased in packs of 100 from the Foundation’s shop. DT T he Alpha Omega den- tal fraternity has an- nounced its lecture programme for the 2012/2013 period. Lectures include: • 29/1/ 2013: The therapeutic gradient, a medical concept for actual dentistry? - Dr Jean Pierre Attal • 12/2/13: Wearing away - Prof David Bartlett • 30/4/13: Some psychogenic/ neuropathic aspects of re- storative dentistry - 28 years of clinical experience - Dr Michael Wise • 21/5/13: Biology and aesthet- ics – are all crowns equal? - Dr Ailbhe Mcdonald • 28/6/13: Annenberg Lecture featuring Dr Didier Dietschi All evening lectures will be held at the BDA, 64 Wimpole Street, London, with registra- tion at 6:30pm for a 7:15pm start. These evenings are all free to members, with guests welcome at no charge for one meeting. The annual Annen- berg Lecture will be held at the RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, London. This special event will feature lectures from 9am-4:30pm and will include a trade show available during the lecture break periods. This special event is avail- able for £300 to AO members and £340 to non-members, with special rates available to those who book before 28th February 2013. For more information visit www.ao.org. DT U K-based dental or- ganisation the AOG has announced that it is organising a research trip to New Zealand, with the option of extending the trip to include a visit to Australia, offering the experience of a lifetime. The trip to New Zealand will take place January 21-1 February, travelling around the country from Auckland to the sulphur thermal pools and Maori culture of Rotorua and then Hawke’s Bay in the North, before heading south to Christchurch, the glacier of Franz Joseph and the breath- taking scenery in and around Queenstown. The Australia extension then flies to Sydney, Cairns and Brisbane, visiting Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains, and the Great Barrier Reef before coming to an end on the Sunshine Coast on 8 Feb- ruary. The AOG is a charitable organisation that believes in setting up and supporting sustainable projects around the world. AOG members will use this trip to find ways in which they can work with the dental associations in New Zealand and Australia, and help further improve people’s quality of life. To take advantage of this amazing opportunity and find out more about the Tour, go to www.aoguk.org DT I n a time of global eco- nomic crisis, the Benevo- lent Fund has received the highest ever number of applications for assistance. When tragedy strikes, be it an accident or ill health, or there is another reason why a den- tist cannot work, it may not be long before financial worries become serious problems. Christmas adds an addi- tional burden and, together with escalating winter fuel bills, leaves some dentists un- able to cope and fearful for their family’s future. The BDA Benevolent Fund offers grants where appropriate to help UK dentists and their families during the hardest of times. One grateful recipient of the Fund’s assistance said: “Thank you for informing me that the BDA Benevolent Fund are able to help support me and my family over the com- ing months, since my hus- band’s stroke. I cannot tell you the relief and gratitude I feel. Your letter made me cry. I am so touched by the generosity of the charity and of friends, neigh- bours and even complete stran- gers. The world is a kinder place than I ever gave it credit for.” Please give a gift to the Fund’s Christmas Appeal and help your colleagues and their dependents when they need it most. Visit www.bdabenevo- lentfund.org.uk or send a cheque to BDA Benevolent Fund, 64 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8YS. DT BDHF smokeless tobacco leaflet launched Lecture programme announced AOG 2013 tour announced Dentists’ fund calls for Christmas aid November 12-18, 2012