Dentists on campus

Airthrey Park Dental Centre has become Scotland's first university campus dental practice, and was officially opened at Stirling University by the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland, Ray Watkins.

Funded by the Government's Scottish Dental Access Initiative, the centre is living up to the promise of the scheme by registering 2,200 student patients — well over the 1,500 NHS patients required.

The Aithrey Park dental team

A totally NHS service, the new surgery is an annexe to the existing medical practice at Airthrey Park and aims to benefit the local community, where NHS services are currently minimal, by improving communication between health professionals and providing the best primary care integrated service for students anywhere in Scotland.

Centre benefactors honoured

Lord McColl of Dulwich, professor of surgery at Guy's Hospital has unveiled a plaque at the Manchester Dental Education Centre to mark the generous contribution from the Wolfson Foundation to the building and equipping of the centre.

Situated on the north wing of the University Dental Hospital of Manchester, the centre was opened in June 1997.

Funds for the new centre were raised by grants and voluntary contributions from healthcare and public authorities, commercial companies, associations and members of the profession.

From left: Professor Sam Moore, Baroness McFarlane and Lord McColl of Dulwich

Denplan Practice and Receptionist of the Year

Ann Burdall from the Renshaw, Aitchison and Rickinson dental practice in Scarborough has been named as the 1998 Receptionist of the Year at the annual Denplan awards, which honours nominees who demonstrate excellence in the provision of patient care. The Practice of the Year Award went to the Stricklands Dental Fitness Centre in Haslemere. Above, from left to right: Margaret Seward (President GDC), John Hunt (Chief Executive BDA), Mary Aitchison and Ronnie Aitchison, Meredyth Bell (Non-executive Director, Denplan) and Mark Adams (Chairman Denplan).

Caribbean appointment

Dr Robin Matthews, senior lecturer in oral medicine at the University of Bristol, has been appointed professor in oral medicine and director of dental studies at the dental school of the University of the West Indies, Trinidad, as from April this year.

Expert witness web

The Society of Expert Witnesses has launched its new web site. The site provides information on how to join the Society, details of forthcoming events, newsletters and conference information. The site can be found at: http://www.sew.org.uk

New Products

Big step for Gulliver

Italian dental manufacturer CIR Anthos demonstrates its commitment to the UK dental market by launching a British subsidiary on May 1, 1999. Three systems, the Phase K, the Gulliver and the Kisar, each comprise a dentist's and a nurse's stool, light, delivery system and cuspidor. Gulliver and Kisar are fully programmable.

Anthos is proud of its build quality and price, with systems priced from £10,000 to £14,000. Durability, ergonomics, functionality, aesthetics and comprehensive infection controls distinguish each unit.

Winning the Best Stand Award for high quality construction, aesthetics, attention to detail and customer satisfaction at the last BDTA Showcase epitomised the characteristics that the company hopes to bring to the UK market.

Reader response number: 051

Golden gel

MiDAS Dental, now a direct sales and service office for Dental/Medical Diagnostic Systems (DMDS) has struck gold with its in-surgery Whitening Gel, which is selling heavily throughout the world. DMDS is based in California and includes the best-selling Telicam intra-oral camera and the Apollo 95E plasma system in its innovative product range. A new storage system on the Telicam uses floppy discs rather than memory space in the surgery computer. DMDS will soon be launching the 3.2mm sensor digital x-ray system at a direct-from-the-USA price

Reader response number: 052

Locked in laughs

Innovative features on a new range of RA devices from Blackwell include a keyed lock to prevent unauthorised use of nitrous oxide. The Accutron range of inhalation sedation equipment is available in either portable trolley systems or cabinet-mounted for connection to piped gases. Promoted as the alternative to GA, particularly for paediatric patients, all Accutron devices have built-in scavengers which connect to the central suction system. Nasal masks are latex-free and are available as multi-use, or a variety of single-use, brightly coloured and scented masks. The units are contemporary in design and CE marked. Flowmeters carry a five year warranty.

Reader response number: 053

BDTA code is no secret

Training modules prepared for the British Dental Trade Association's 'Introduction to Dentistry' course are proving popular with dentists. The course covers all aspects of dentistry and is designed for newcomers to the dental industry, but practices are finding them useful reference works for non-clinical staff.

A poll of dentists and hygenists showed that 'Mt First Colgate' is the brush most recommended by respondents for use by babies and toddlers up to the age of four, They approved its easy-to-hold shape, rounded-end filaments and indicator for toothpaste dosage.

All new, and many established employees with member firms, are now taking the course and examination. The new Code of Practice of the BDTA is designed to assure the profession that staff are competent and well informed. The association receives many calls from dentists who are having problems with equipment and recommends that purchases are always made from BDTA firms, who should be competent to install and maintain equipment correctly. Products will conform to current legal requirements and appropriate standards.

A limited number of the modules, on dental anatomy and function, filling materials and cements, infection control, radiography and laboratory procedures are available from the BDTA at 01494 431010.

Reader response number: 054

Miles ahead

LMS finance company is offering forty free AIR MILES for every £1,000 of equipment financed through them. 'The AIR MILES for Dental Professionals' scheme was launched three years ago by a consortium of dental traders. AIR MILES can be used for holidays and fun days out as well as free flights.

Reader response number: 055

Silver crystals

Ideal diagnostic qualities coupled with low exposure values are promised by the new Agfa Dentus Ortholux film. Multi-layer emulsion technology and a perfected silver crystal structure are said to produce particularly sharp and well contrasted images. The film exhibits high light absorption, minimal graininess and very homogenous blacking. It reproduces even the finest details over the entire density range.

The film replaces Agfa Dentus ST8 G and can be used with all commercial orthochromatic or green light emitting intensifying screens.

Reader response number: 056