Can I congratulate you on another great issue of Vital. The article that caught my attention was Agent of germ warfare (Vital spring 2009 pages 20–22). Cleaners are often overlooked in our profession but as your article points out they are hidden and often forgotten gems of the dental world. They play a vital role in maintenance of our working environment and it makes a real difference to be welcomed by a sparkling surgery at the start of a day. Often cleaning can be left to the dental nurse who is often overworked with little spare time at the end of each day to take care of the general cleanliness of non-clinical areas.

Well done for highlighting and reminding us that cleaning staff are valuable members of the dental team.

Ed's note – Apparently a lot of practices are hoping to poach superstar cleaner Jan Sherwood from Chertsey Dental Practice – principal Phil had better watch out!!

Dave wins Beverly Hills Formula goodies worth £100.