Dental Tribune UK Edition, September 20-26, 2010, Vol. 4 No. 22

T he British Dental Health Foundation has issued a warning over a new tooth- brush that cleans your teeth with solar power. The Soladey-3 ionic tooth- brush from Japan claims to get rid of plaque with electrons that work with saliva to remove it from your teeth. A solar panel attached to the handle absorbs electrons from light and transmits them to your teeth through ionized water and a titanium oxide semicon- ductor in the upper shaft of the toothbrush. You can still use toothpaste but Soladey claims it loosens plaque effectively using only elec- trons. However the British Dental Health Foundation has expressed its concern over the new inven- tion and is advising people to continue using toothpaste. Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Ni- gel Carter, said: ‘‘It is absolutely vital that we stick with fluoride toothpaste when brushing our teeth, in order to maintain the good modern day levels of oral health. Good toothpastes, along with a steady brushing action, can remove harmful plaque and bacteria from the mouth, prevent- ing such diseases as caries, gum disease and tooth loss. ‘‘Over the last century, the in- gredients in toothpaste have de- veloped to such an extent that it now offers us an exceptional level of protection against oral diseases such as decay and gum disease.’’ The addition of fluoride for instance, which became com- mon in toothpaste from the 1970s, helps strengthen enamel and makes the teeth more resistant to tooth decay. Other important components in toothpastes include anti- bacterial agents such as Triclosan and zinc, which helps thwart gin- givitis. If untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease, the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Dr Carter is warning people to be cautious about the new Japa- nese brush, which is currently in the prototype stage. The solar-powered brush is the idea of Dr Kunio Komiyama, who is now a professor of den- tistry at Canada’s University of Saskatchewan. The brush itself is called the Soladey-J3X. Dr Carter said: ‘‘The com- ponents that make up today’s toothpaste are far too complex, for what essentially is a ‘gadget’, to replicate. I’m certain that more tests need to be undergone to see if the brush can do what it claims and, in addition, to measure any potential long-term effects not using toothpaste may have on an individual. ‘‘As we know of, there is yet no substitute for brushing our teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste – and I cannot see that changing.’’ The company responsi- ble for the brush is currently conducting a study to determine how teenagers rate the solar powered toothbrush in com- parison with a regular tooth- brush. DT Warning issued over solar powered brush T he Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) will be hosting the second in a series of free research events for dental care professionals. This free event on 27th No- vember builds on the highly suc- cessful introductory event in June 2009, which was aimed to pro- mote research activities among dental care professionals (DCPs). The Research Day will once again be a collaboration between the FGDP (UK) and the Brit- ish Society for Dental Hygienists and Therapists, with additional sponsorship from partners in the British Dental Trade. The programme will focus on the progress made since June 2009 and will include a report of a pilot study into DCP skills usage and plans for a national study of dental hygienists skills usage and job satisfaction. There will be a series of pres- entations from DCPs on their achievements in the field of research. The programme will also include essential information on the opportunities for further progression in research, includ- ing presentations on retrospec- tive studies, undertaking a PhD and literature review. Delegates will have the opportunity to take part in breakout group sessions on producing research abstracts and posters; these will be led by DCPs and dentists who have pro- duced and presented research posters and abstracts. They will also take part in research topic selections and literature search- ing in small groups. Ken Eaton, FGDP (UK) na- tional research facilitator and leader of the initiative said: ‘‘Al- though in the past active involve- ment in research has not been of interest to the vast majority of DCPs, it has been very encour- aging to see the enthusiasm of the small minority who have become involved and the results that they have achieved. ‘‘I am particularly pleased by feedback I have received from DCPs and that the deeper in- sights they have obtained from research has changed the way in which they treat their patients.’’ The Research Day is open to all DCPs who are involved or in- terested in developing in the field of research. There is no fee for the meet- ing and certificates for five hours of verifiable CPD will be provid- ed to delegates. Registration will be at 10am The Research Day starts at 10.30am and will finish at 4pm. For further details and to register for the event please contact the Amrita Narain on 020 7869 6750 or email anarain@rcseng.ac.uk DT Free research event for dental care professionals September 20-26, 20104 News United Kingdom Edition