Features in 2009

Orthodontic therapist Kelly Brown describes the results of a clinical audit carried out at her practice.

Do dental therapists feel sufficiently trained and empowered to report suspected cases of child abuse? Barbara Chadwick, Jane Davies, Shannu Bhatia, Colleen Rooney and Neil McCusker conducted an investigation to find out.

Are dentists sufficiently equipped to communicate effectively with dental laboratories - and do they? Andrzej Juszczyk, Robert Clark and David Radford from King's College London Dental Institute sought to find out.

A directory of DCP courses held at the main universities and colleges across Great Britain.

Much confusion still surrounds the role of dental therapist. Josephine Stockley sorts the facts from the fiction.

Michael Watson introduces Vital to the dental specialty concerning the oral health issues specific to the older members of the population.

Anglophile Friederike Schoonhoven, 33, originally trained for a career as a violin maker. Here she tells Vital how she came to be working as a dental hygienist/therapist in Banbury.

Isobel M. Madden, Rural Training Advisor, NHS Education for Scotland and Head of School, UHI School of Oral Health Science introduces Vital to a brand new school for dental hygiene and therapy.

Arveen Bajaj spoke to dental hygienist Linda Douglas who left London almost 20 years ago and now calls Ontario, Canada, home.

Arveen Bajaj looks at the latest statistics on smoking cessation and meets one dental team who are providing optimum support to quitters in their community.

Laura Gartshore explains why there is a paediatric dental specialty and how DCPs are involved in treating children.

Dental nurse Laura Goucher needs your help! She is raising money to build a much-needed health clinic in Ghana.

Could Jo Russell have more strings to her bow than any other DCP featured in Vital so far? Kate Maynard thinks it's entirely possible.

In dentistry, you name it, there is an award for it. Apart from one crucial area: cleanliness. Caroline Holland went to meet a member of the dental team seldom in the limelight.

Aby Gopal had the opportunity to offer dental and dietary advice to the local population in Rajasthan, India.

Award-winning dental practice manager Emma John has shared her expertise with over 80 practices across the UK. She tells Kate Maynard how.

By Linda M. Douglas, a dental hygienist from Ontario, Canada