Sir, a longstanding NHS patient came in for her annual check up recently. She was a little overdue as I last saw her 16 months ago. As she was settling into the chair, I asked how she was getting on with the upper partial chrome/cobalt I fitted on her last visit. Immediately she appeared a bit sheepish and we all know the symptoms: she has either never worn it or the dog has chewed it up!

On examination I was surprised to see a well fitting and highly retentive denture in place and as I removed it with some difficulty, I was struck with horror as I realised it had not been removed since I fitted it 16 months ago – the patient was apologetic.

This is a record for me after 34 years in practice but I know records are there to be broken so over to you, respected colleagues!