‘Some clinicians are still reluctant to refer patients to dental therapists for restorative treatment’, says Josephine Stockley in Being a dental therapist (page 22). Why is this and what can be done to change it?

For a start, everyone should read this issue of Vital, which has an emphasis on dental therapists like never before. We have cover star Friederike who is part of the first dental therapist VT scheme; a feature on a new training course in the Scottish Highlands; a survey on dental therapists' experience of child protection; and of course Josephine's illuminating account which includes dental therapists' progress over time, permitted duties and salary.

For those of you crying out for CPD on the core subjects set by the GDC, you will be pleased to turn to the advice section of this issue (pages 46–51). CPD article 1 asks ‘would you know what to do?’ in an assortment of medical emergencies; article 2 investigates infection control.

If you're thinking of moving on in your career, I have also compiled a detailed list of DCP courses for this issue, as at present there is no central source of this information. See page 40.

We also meet Linda Douglas who relocated her dental hygiene career to the land of Mounties and maple syrup, and discuss levels of communication between dental technicians and dentists.

So what are you waiting for? Drag out your deckchair, put your feet up and read on!

Kate Maynard Editor vitaleditorial@nature.com