Oral health joint venture

The Boots Company has established a new joint venture with the University of Sheffield to conduct research into oral health.

The aims of the centre are:

  • To identify consumer-oriented research opportunities

  • To carry out research programmes both independently and in co-operation with other research centres.

  • To support the conversion of research outputs into commercially viable products

  • To enhance the research of the School of Clinical Dentistry

  • To extend Boots position and authority in the oral health sector.

The National Centre for Applied Research into Oral Health has been set up to capitalise on the complementary strengths of Boots Contract Manufacturing and Sheffield University's School of Clinical Dentistry.

Dental awards

The Annual Dental Awards were held recently at the Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane and were as follows: Corporal Angela Burgess for Practice Manager of the Year, Dr Ian Clift and his wife Rani of Dentique won the award for Practice Environment, Colin Hall-Dexter won the award for Lifetime Achievement, the dental team at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability won the award for Team of the Year, Alison Williamson the award for Hygienist of the Year, Health Promotions for Oral Health Education Initiative (Health unit), Dr Howard Samuels for Services to Dental Phobia, Andrea Noble for Dental Nurse of the Year, Dr David Reekie for Dentist of the Year and Practice Plan won the award for Best Dental Team Support Programme.

Britich Endodontic Society prizewinners

The winners of prizes funded by the British Endodontic Society are pictured above with the new President, Peter Carrotte (centre), who presided over a Spring Scientific Meeting covering Focal Infection.The winners from left to right are; Drs C. O'Driscoll and S. Matharu (Research Grant Award), Mr Giles Round (Student Elective Project Prize) and Mr Gary Prince (Harty Medal Undergraduate Essay Prize).

Two editors at the Palace

Following the announcement of their honours in the New Year's Honour's List, Dame Margaret Seward DBE and Alan Lawrence OBE are seen here at Buckingham Palace immediately after the ceremony to receive their awards on 9 March 1999. Dame Margaret Seward is currently President of the General Dental Council, whilst Alan Lawrence is Editor of the BDJ's newly launched supplement Evidence Based Dentistry.

Specsavers to enter dental services

Specsavers Opticians announced that it is expanding into dental services. The group has purchased a dental body corporate and is preparing to open their first dental practice within the next six months.

Specsavers believe that the dental market today is very similar to the optical market of 10–12 years ago, with falling Government contributions and reduced NHS availability forcing a move towards the private sector.

Doug Perkins, founder of Specsavers Optical Group said, 'I believe that speculative investment is detrimental to the long term future of dentistry...We have different values from many public companies – we take the long term view and we operate more as an extended family'.

New products

Services at St Paul's

A new medical indemnity organisation, St Paul International Insurance, is offering its services to UK doctors and dentists. It claims to offer three new benefits: no discretionary element in paying claims; significant cost savings for most GPs and dentists; and the backing of a £21 billion strong company. 'Claims are increasing by 15% a year' said Dr. Paul Lambden, St Paul Medical and Dental Principal, 'and we offer doctors and dentists a fresh option'. The support services include ethical, legal and claims advice, pre-hearing assistance and a 24–hour helpline.

St Paul currently insures over 75,000 doctors and dentists world-wide as well as providing protection and risk management to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Its UK office is in Surrey and it has recruited widely from the medical, dental, legal and nursing professions. It has a network of regional representatives and plans a series of PGEA seminars on medico-legal issues.

Reader response number: 051

Stuck on Stick

STICK fibre reinforcement materials claim to improve the mechanical properties of dental acrylics and composites dramatically. Fatigue sets in after 15,000 chewing moments on acrylics, whilst STICK materials last through 1,200,000. The products are for surgery or laboratory use in prosthetics, orthodontic removeable appliances, temporary crowns and bridges, repairs, and periodontal splints.

STICK is produced in unidirectional and woven formats, the former for bridge frames and thick areas, the latter for thinner areas. It is the result of eight years of research at the Turku Dental School in Finland and is manufactured there by STICK TECH Ltd.

Soon to be introduced is the STICK PEN system which carries the fibres and the resin together to aid in wetting and placement.

Reader response number: 052

Prestigious award for Prestige Dental

Above: Prestige Dental, of Bradford and London, have gained the Investors in People award in recognition of their in-house training and business commitment. From left to right: Tony Gadie representing the Investors in People organisation, Professor Meredith of Leeds Dental Institute and Steven Blackhall and Lucy Gabbitas of Prestige.

Reader response number: 053

Gore glides through

A threading device has been built into Glide Threader Floss, from W.L.Gore & Associates, which was launched at the BDA Conference in Torquay. It offers a convenient and comfortable way to floss between teeth and around bridges, braces and implants. Made of expanded PTFE, with similar properties to BDA-accredited Glide floss, it slides easily through tight contacts without fraying. The product comes in boxes containing 30 individually wrapped packets.

Reader response number: 054

Dentistry in the Dome

A toothbrush and a magnetic denture attachment have been selected as Millennium Products and will find a place in the Greenwich Dome

Magna-Cap by Technovent Limited is a prosthetics anchor system which combines closed-field magnets with a biologically safe material. It has a range of uses for dental and maxillo-facial appliances.

The Ozone Toothbrush from Ozonex Limited claims to be much more hygienic than conventional toothbrushes, having a hole in the head which allows residues of plaque and food debris to be washed out of the bristles. The base is also curved to encourage a better rinsing action.

Reader response number: 055

Luxury from Listerine

A luxurious health spa break worth £1,000 is the final prize in Listerine's new award for dentists and hygienists. Entrants can compete for the monthly cash prize of £100 and each participant will get Listerine samples and leaflets worth £30. The final award will be made in December 1999 from all the entries reserved. The award is part of a company initiative to educate the profession about mouthwashes, which is supported by direct mail and newsletters.

Entrants will need to answer three questions about oral care practice and products. Listerine is also involved in a joint sponsorship venture with the British Society of Periodontology and maintains a presence at regional and international dental seminars and exhibitions.

Reader response number: 056