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Dublin dental nursing meeting free to members

The Irish Dental Nurses’ Association (IDNA) Conference 2016 will take place on 22 October in Dublin and is free to all members. This year’s theme is promotion, prevention and education in oral health and includes a host of speakers, including IDNA president Dr Mary O’Donnell, Dr Barry Dace from the US, Orlagh Pettigrew, Dr Anne … Continued

EFP defends use of toothpaste while brushing

A recent review has found that toothbrushing alone may be just as effective as toothbrushing with toothpaste to remove plaque. It found that there is ‘moderate certainty that toothbrushing with a toothpaste does not provide an added effect for the mechanical removal of dental plaque’. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has responded, adding that … Continued

Mouth cancer deaths predicted to rise by 2030

Mouth cancer related deaths are expected to rise between now and 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Mortality rates are predicted to increase by almost a quarter (24%), along with throat cancer (25%), bladder cancer (29%), diabetes (34%) and prostate cancer (38%). More than 300 cases of mouth cancer are detected each year … Continued

Selfies could improve toothbrushing habit

Selfies have been shown to improve the effectiveness of toothbrushing in a small pilot study. A group of dentists and researchers from India and the USA performed a proof-of-concept study to track the effectiveness of toothbrushing with taking a photo of themselves on their smartphone (a ‘selfie’). Indian dental students recorded five toothbrushing selfies on … Continued

Watching cartoons eases child dental anxiety

Watching cartoons during dental treatment could lessen children’s anxiety, distress and disruptive behaviour. In a study, 56 ‘uncooperative’ children underwent three separate treatment visits involving an oral examination, injection with local anaesthetic, and tooth restoration (max 30 minutes). The researchers monitored each child’s vital signs, blood pressure, and pulse. Children rated their own anxiety as … Continued

Special care dentistry focus in Galway

Special care dentistry took centre stage at the Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health’s (ISDH) annual conference in Galway in June. Chief dental officer Dympna Kavanagh outlined plans for the National Oral Health Policy and its relevance for special care patients at the meeting. Four dental professionals were also awarded for research and innovation … Continued

Dublin to host global dental hygiene meeting in 2021

The Irish Dental Hygienists Association (IDHA) has won the bid to host the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene in 2021 in Dublin. The news came in June at the 20th International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Switzerland, as IDHA members fought to secure votes for Ireland facing ‘stiff competition’ from Australia and Italy. Louise Fleming, … Continued