Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

F or more than two dec- ades, scientists have re- lied on studies linking tooth development in juvenile primates with their weaning as a rough proxy for under- standing similar landmarks in the evolution of early hu- mans. New research from Harvard, however, challenges that thinking by showing that tooth development and wean- ing aren’t as closely related as previously thought. A team of researchers led by three members of Har- vard’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology — pro- fessors Tanya Smith and Rich- ard Wrangham and postdoc- toral fellow Zarin Machanda — used high-resolution digi- tal photographs of chimps in the wild to show that after the eruption of their first molar, many juvenile chimps con- tinue to nurse as much as, if not more than, they had in the past. Understanding how those early human species devel- oped, Machanda said, can help shed light on one of the most unusual aspects of hu- manity — childhood. “One of the most important changes that occurred over human evolution is our ex- tended period of juvenile de- velopment,” she said. “Com- pared to other primates, the apes have a very long child- hood, and compared to oth- er apes we have a very long childhood. By examining how chimps develop through their childhood, the hope is we can understand how and when that extended childhood be- gan, and that will give us a greater understanding of the evolution of the human spe- cies.” The researchers, studying the Kanyawara chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park in Uganda, teamed with wildlife photographers who snapped photos of the teeth of juvenile chimps whenever they opened their mouths. What the images revealed, Smith and Machanda said, came as a surprise. Where earlier studies sug- gested that juvenile primates were weaned shortly after the first molar eruption, this study showed that, in addi- tion to eating more solid food, chimps continued to “suckle as much, if not more, than they had before,” Smith said. “They were showing adult like feeding patterns while contin- uing to suckle, which was un- expected.’’ DT Are tooth development and weaning closely related? Primate studies I ntegrated Dental Holdings (IDH) has announced the creation of a new type of dentistry role aimed at grad- uate dentists, offering free continued professional devel- opment training (CPD) and realistic UDA targets to ease them into the workplace post study. The Regional Dentist at IDH will put graduates into roaming positions across the country, gaining experience with the largest dental em- ployer in the UK. This allows them to work in a variety of practices, with different cli- nicians during a year-long contract before they have the opportunity to move into self- employed Associate positions within the business. Matt Reeves, Head of Re- sourcing at IDH says, “We’re aware of how tough the first year of work can be for a new dentist and this gives them an opportunity to secure a role that is tailored to their level of experience and desire for variety. We ran this scheme on a smaller scale last year with 10 graduates and were encouraged by their feedback, therefore have created a fur- ther 50 roles for this year’s graduates’.” The successful applicants will be given a driving allow- ance to cover their travel costs as well as mentoring from clinicians and resourcing ex- perts at IDH to help them with the practicalities of the role. Neil Haldar, a current IDH Regional Dentist in the Mid- lands commented, “The secu- rity, variety and financial re- wards far outweigh being an associate. It’s a perfect move if you’re finishing your voca- tional training or if you’re cur- rently an Associate. I’ve learnt a lot more than my friends (in Associate roles elsewhere) by working with a variety of den- tists and specialists across my region.” The IDH Regional Dentist offer for 2013 is a competitive total earnings package which includes basic salary, car al- lowance, lab fees paid, free online CPD and access to off- site networking/development days. Anyone interested in ap- plying for the Regional Dentist Programme can contact the IDH resourcing team online or on 0845 647 7364. DT IDH launch regional dentist role Graduates can work in a variety of practices 4 News United Kingdom Edition February 25- March 3, 2013 T he Throat Cancer Foundation has called for a new vaccine for boys to prevent a throat can- cer epidemic. Throat cancer can be caused by HPV (Human Paillo- mavirus). With rates of throat cancer on the rise, the Foun- dation are advocating for boys to be vaccinated against HPV, a vaccine which is currently given to girls in the UK in an attempt to cut cervical cancer rates. The Throat Cancer Foun- dation says such a vaccine could cost as little as £45 per person, and save hundreds of lives. Professor Christopher Nut- ting, lead clinician of the Head and Neck unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, said: “We are seeing a rising number of cases of throat can- cer in our clinics in the UK. We need to do all we can to raise awareness of this issue, so the launch of the Throat Cancer Foundation is timely. “At the moment girls are routinely vaccinated against HPV but boys are not, meaning they are routinely being ex- posed to a virus that can cause life threatening cancers. “Evidence from Australia proves that HPV vaccination is effective; where a national programme led to a 90 per cent drop in cases of genital warts in men and women.” Jamie Rae, Founder and CEO of the Throat Cancer Foundation, said: “Throat cancer is a ticking timebomb. Current HPV vaccination pro- gramme is discriminatory and a danger to public health. “When I myself was treat- ed for throat cancer in 2010, I was alarmed by the lack of information for patients. The Throat Cancer Foundation will tackle this need head- on and give a voice to those whose lives are touched by this cancer.” DT Calls for HPV vaccine for boys Boys should be vaccinated