Society loses some members

The Dentists' Provident Society has produced a list of 'lost' members which it wants to contact. The Society, which provides permanent health insurance and income protection for dentists, is anxious to trace the members because they may have unclaimed money in accounts.

The members are: Susan Brewer, Peter Foster-Smith, Meredith James, Jeremiah Lynch, Robbie Robinson, Jyoti Sahdev, Samir Shohet and Richard Simpson.

Anyone who can help the Society to trace these members should call: 0171 222 2511.

Research grants for dental neuroscience

Research grants worth more than £250,000 have been awarded to staff working in the field of dental neuroscience at Sheffield University's department of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The Wellcome Trust and Action Research grants were given to Tilly Loescher, Fiona Boissonade and Peter Robinson for study into the aetiology of sensory disorders following trigeminal nerve injuries. A Medical Research Council clinical training fellowship has been awarded to Helen Rodd to study the role of neuropeptides in dental pain.

BDHA honorary vice presidents

Above: BDHA president Christine Pleasance (second right) with honorary vice presidents at the BHDA Annual General Assembly of Members and Scientific Meeting. (From left) Stephen Hancocks, Graham Smart and Norman Davies.

The golden years

Professor Ashley (pictured above, left) received the presidency from Robin Seymour at the Royal Society, London.

The British Society of Periodontology has celebrated its golden jubilee with the inauguration of new president Frank Ashley.

Dental surgery is hands-free

A Gloucestershire dental practice has become the first organisation in the UK to use a new hands-free telephone headset system.

The equipment installed at the Leckhampton Dental Clinic allows the reception team to deal with patients' phone queries immediately — even if they are walking around the clinic.

Ian Seddon, principal, says the technology revolutionises the receptionist's job: 'It allows them to check on patients records without delaying answering the phone or ever putting the handset down'.

London dentist sues CRE over poster

A dentist is to sue the Commission for Racial Equality over a giant poster sited opposite his west London practice.

Dr Sunny Luthra, principal at Capital Dental Care, believes the poster, which shows a black man's face with the caption 'Scared? You should be, it's a dentist' has an adverse effect on patients. 'I've spent years trying to overcome the prejudice people have about visiting their dentist', he says.

The CRE claims it did not want to upset dentists. A spokesman said: 'We do not believe that this poster would reinforce people's fears about visiting the dentist'.