On 6 March at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Minister for Health, Mary Harney, suggested that the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) could be used to fund orthodontic treatment for patients in some parts of Ireland where there are very long waiting lists. Questioned about using the Fund by Fianna … Continued

After 18 months of research, and with the help of a leading consultant microbiologist, Marks & Spencer has launched Sleep Safe, a new antibacterial nightwear range to help protect against MRSA. The nightwear is made using See It Safe fabric with X-Static silver technology, which is clinically proven to reduce the risk of MRSA. It … Continued

The graduation of the National Dental Nurse Training Programme of Ireland class of 2007 took place on 22 February 2008 for all centres. Prizes for the highest result in each of the following centres were sponsored by the Dublin Dental School and Hospital and the recipients were as follows:• Dublin – Marina Quinn• Galway – … Continued

An endangered type of sea turtle is to be fitted with a prosthetic flipper, attached via a dental implant. Allison, an Atlantic green sea turtle, lost three of her flippers in a shark attack, leaving her with just her right front flipper that can only propel her to the left. But her permanent circling may … Continued

The cases of oral cancer caused by a virus transmitted during oral sex appear to have increased drastically over the last 30 years, according to a study by US researchers. The number of tongue, mouth and throat cancers due to the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), which can also cause cervical cancer in women, … Continued

Touchstone Healthcare’s plans for a five-storey primary care building in Carlow town still have a long way to go despite being granted planning permission. The application was submitted to Carlow Town Council in August 2007 and was granted permission last month. However, with 37 conditions attached to the decision, it has been appealed to An … Continued

The EQUATOR Network (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) is a new quality improvement initiative that seeks to enhance the reliability of medical research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting. Researchers, editors and peer reviewers put an incredible effort into the production of health research publications. However, there is clear evidence that … Continued