Diana fund award for dentists

A grant worth £60,000 has gone to the Development Group of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the RCS of England.

The award — from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund — was made to help the Group develop clinical guidelines and integrated care pathways of oral care for people with learning disabilities.

This one-year project will be a joint venture with the British Society for Disability and Oral Health. The final report will be made widely available to help all those with a responsibility for care.

HEA is the leader of the pack

A new self-assessment pack on oral health for health visitors and school nurses for post-registration education has been produced by the HEA.

The self-assessment pack complements the HEA's Oral health promotion — a practical guide for health visitors and school nurses, published in 1998. Nurses working through the pack will be able to get 20 continuing education points (CEPs) from the Royal College of Nursing.

Oral and dental research trust awards

Above: Recipients of the SmithKline Beecham Research Awards, presented by the Oral and Dental Research Trust at the BDA in London. The nine awardees were: Sarah Myers, Paula Moynihan, Roderick McNab, Marcello Riggio, David Dymock, Lama Awadeh, Brian Mullally, Nicholas Vine and Philip Marsh.

Honour for Jim Ralph

Jim Ralph has been made an honorary visiting professor at York University.

Mr Ralph (below), a consultant in restorative dentistry at the Leeds Dental Institute and postgraduate dental dean for Yorkshire, will work at York's new Centre for Dental Services Studies.

Name change

The British Society for Dentistry for the Handicapped has changed its name in response to pressure from its membership.

Now called the The British Society for Disability and Oral Health following a formal vote at its winter conference, members felt the old title was stigmatising and made the change to better reflect its client group. The new title also brings the BSDH into line with the re-named International Association for Disability and Oral Health.

Above: from left to right: BSDH President Mike Prendergast with past presidents Janet Griffiths, Roland Blankenstein, Janice Fiske and John Hinchcliffe.

New Products

Independent dentists bite back

A new independent dental purchasing group has been formed to help independent dentists to compete against large DBCs.

Run by dentists, Indenco buys products cooperatively so that members can benefit from the same kind of price reductions enjoyed by DBCs.

As well as cutting purchasing costs, Indenco hopes to develop group referrals, an in-house private capitation scheme and staff recruitment. Member practices will also be assured 'exclusivity' in a certain area.

Reader response number: 051

Above. Malcolm Dickenson-Beese, De Birkett, Jerry Watson, Trish Dickenson-Beese, Kevin Lewis, Jackie Fletcher, Richard Shaul, Mike Busby and Carole Brennan. The group were all speakers at the Partners in Practice who cares wins training day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Heal naturally

Myzotect-Tincture from Meyer-Haake is applied after periodontal treatments and surgical measures, as well as to pressure sores or aphthae. The company says the product makes the routine application of antibiotics unnecessary in many cases.

Myzotect-Tincture contains myrrh, long known for its tissue-firming, astringent and styptic effects, and is enhanced by benzoin, which is added for its germicidal and antiseptic properties.

Highly viscous, Myzotect-Tincture adheres to the gingiva for longer than watery solutions so it can take its full effect. Pleasant-tasting, it is free of antibiotics and corticosteroids and does not burn. A 50ml bottle gives hundreds of applications.

Reader response number: 052

Goodbye Vita

Vita's metal bonding porcelain VMK6S has been discontinued to comply with the CE marking rules.

VmK6s users will find that its successor, VmK95, and Omega 900 just as easy-touse, but with extra benefits. Both products give a more translucent finish and are easier to work, while VMK95 has the same working characteristics as its predecessor.

Technicians will benefit from the advantages of higher grade porcelain and value for money when combined with the Vita 3D Master shade guide system.

Reader response number: 053

Over the moon about Luna Comfort

Roeko's Luna Comfort is a dental roll with a dense mass of absorbent fibres surrounded by a 'tissue-friendly' cover.

Highly absorbent, Luna Comfort continues to absorb saliva throughout treatment, and so needs to be replaced less often. The muchophile cover — which has a textured surface to keep the roll in place during treatment — prevents the roll from sticking to soft tissue, which can cause an unpleasant burning sensation for the patient.

Luna Comfort has replaced Luna 2000 in the Roeko line. It is available in sizes 1, 2 and 3 through dental dealers.

Reader response number: 054

Sensor probes

DHB is running an offer on PDT Sensor Probes. The controlled force probe is practical to use as its markings are clearly defined and provide a high contrast against oral tissue, making measurements easy to read.

Probing forces can be subject to operator variability, so the Sensor Probe makes it possible to maintain the constancy of the probing force and gives users the choice of three CPITN markings plus the CP12 and STM (Roy), is autoclavable and virtually non abrasive.

Until the end of March DHB is offering 12 probes free for every 24 ordered.

Reader response number: 055