Regularly eating yogurt and other foods with lactic acid may be good for your mouth, Japanese researchers have discovered. Dr Yoshihiro Shimazaki led the study that found that consuming yogurt and lactic acid drinks was significantly associated with better periodontal health – although milk and cheese were not. Outside of regular brushing and flossing, effective … Continued

During a visit to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on the evening of 19 March, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey praised its specialist dental unit. The unit, staffed by members of the Community Dental Service (CDS), provides dental care for special needs patients such as those with a learning disability, physical disability or a compromising medical … Continued

Senior dental leaders from around the world have attended a leadership programme organised by the Global Child Dental Health Taskforce (GCDHT) to tackle the issue of global child dental disease. Supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and led by Professor Raman Bedi, Head of the Centre for International Child Oral Health at King’s College, … Continued

At the General Dental Council meeting held on Wednesday 5 March, it was agreed that the Council should establish an office in Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland and Wales. Members authorised the Finance and HR Committee to sanction up to an additional £100,000 if needed for this purpose during 2008 and noted that a … Continued

Belfast company StreamOn has launched a video-based e-learning site for healthcare professionals, including dentists. Courses are available for download to the user’s PC from the website www.edcastmedical.com, with prices starting at £20 sterling. The site will provide training from dental and medical professional bodies, commencing at the launch with content from the Northern Ireland Medical … Continued

Adult special needs patients in Cork are going without basic dental care because there is no facility to provide a general anaesthetic service, it has been reported. Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Deirdre Clune said relatively minor dental treatment, such as fillings, can be traumatic for some adult special needs patients and can lead … Continued

A US dental technician is blazing a trail as one of the world’s first tooth tattooist. Steve Heward is also a trained tattooist and hand paints minute works of art onto crowns. His company, Heward Dental Lab, based in Utah, US, has been established for 20 years and his team of technicians are trained to … Continued