Meet the 2013 conference chairs SEE PAGE 3
Exhibition Floorplan
Exhibitor News
SEE PAGES 4 & 5
SEE PAGES 6 & 7
RECOGNISING ORAL CANCER It is important for all dental professionals to regularly update their skills and knowledge, in order to broaden their understanding of modern dentistry, and improve the service they provide their patients.
IT’S BEEN AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE NEWLY REGISTERED CHARITY, HEART YOUR SMILE! Hundreds of dentists have been signing up to join a national movement, which is set to transform the mood in the profession. Energy has been sinking in recent months, with the doom and gloom news of double dip recessions and the burden of regulation, so in a move to throw out the newspapers and get the profession moving and shaking again, Heart Your Smile have developed a vision to drive more patients through the doors and help patients to take better care of themselves and their mouths. Their aim is to create opportunities to have conversations and to connect. Campaigns are quite simply based on connecting dental professionals with each other and dentistry with the public on an emotional level. Relationships are built on trust, and few actions are more powerful than acts of kindness towards our patients. This requires a nationwide proactive effort to engage the public by getting out and working within the local community. Using campaigns never seen in Dentistry before, based on humour, powerful visuals and collective effort, Heart Your Smile is set to make a measurable difference. They are developing a range of: • • •
Fundraising activities will be coordinated by an army of ambassadors who believe in their core values.
Dr Philip Lewis BDS
While it is largely up to the practitioner to choose which subject areas they wish to expand on, the GDC recommends three core CPD topics for all professionals to focus on: Medical Emergencies, Disinfection and Decontamination, and Radiography and Radiation Exposure. Other recommended topics for either verifiable or non-verifiable CPD include legal and ethical issues, and handling complaints, further enhancing practitioners’ patient care. The GDC has recently added Oral Cancer: Improving Early Detection to their list of recommended CPD topics, which has been called for and supported by many outside organisations, such as The British Society for Oral Medicine, the Government Department of Health, and The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry.1 Cancer Research UK was also amongst the independent organisations fully behind the new scheme, and the Head of Health Information, Hazel Nunn, said “We’re pleased that the GDC has taken this step towards recognising the crucial role that dentists play in detecting oral cancer early. We think preventing oral cancer and detecting it early should be a core CPD subject for dentists, and we hope this will be considered as part of the CPD review.” The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) estimates that one person dies every five hours from oral cancer, in the UK. The recorded number of cases has increased by 41% in the last decade, with a noticeable rise of oral cancer found in young people.2 This increase has been linked to the rising rates of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted from person to person by oral sex.3 Smoking and heavy drinking are also thought to be major risk factors
Resources for outreach and in practice work around patient and public engagement Volunteer programmes Merchandising
to later developing some form of oral cancer. For this reason, it is crucial that dental professionals not only recognise the early signs of the killer disease, but also strive to educate their patients about the possible risks, and help “It’s all about routine change the figures.
– being systematic.
Dr Philip Lewis BDS is a Early detection Director Board Member for begins the moment the BACD and European Society of Cosmetic the patient walks Dentistry amongst his through the door.” many responsibilities, and understands the importance Dr Philip Lewis BDS of remaining vigilant with regards to oral cancer. When discussing how he does this in practice, he said “it’s all about routine and being systematic. Early detection begins the moment the patient walks through the door, checking for facial symmetry and extra-oral things that shouldn’t be there. The intra-oral exam is also easy: I use a fixed protocol, starting on the left side of the patient’s mouth and working around. It is of course important to tell the patient that I’m going to palpate, otherwise they may find it unusual and feel slightly uncomfortable. “Using the skills every dentist has in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, I am privileged to be able to improve the quality of Continued on page 2
Their first fundraising event was spearheaded by Kieron Khoobhoor of Hook Lane Dental Surgery – a 5-a-side football tournament between 10 teams at Bexleyheath’s Goals. Local practices turned up to play as did teams from the industry. Henry Schein entered a team and so did FMC, who scored the winning goals. What’s more there were practice managers, nurses and families there to support the players and we raised over £500 for Heart Your Smile. Another football event is planned for September, so if you’d like to enter or set one up locally, let Heart Your Smile know via the contact form at www.heartyoursmile.co.uk. From making monster cakes at trade shows and Oral Health Promotion campaigns to fundraising for a local cause or for HYS, you can make a difference locally and raise your practice profile too. The dental press have got behind the campaign and you’re sure to enjoy the feel good factor that is starting to buzz around the profession. Come join the fun and do something great. For more information visit: www.heartyoursmile.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/HeartYourSmile Twitter: @heart_yoursmile YouTube: heartyoursmile