Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

B ridge2Aid used this years’ BDA Annual Conference in Manchester to thank the dental profession for their support over the last nine years and to announce their ambitious plans for the future. With an im- minent geographical expansion and a long term goal to free the world of dental pain, B2A spoke passionately about their achieve- ments to date and the difference the Dental Volunteer Programme (DVP) and the emergency den- tal training it supports had made to the people of Tanzania, and would continue to make in the future. Speaking on the Friday of the conference Dr Ian Wilson (Found- er of B2A) and Mark Topley (CEO, B2A) discussed the shocking sta- tistic that more than 70 per cent of the world’s population still have no access to even basic oral care. With millions living in pain and with no hope of treatment, Mark and Ian outlined B2A’s dedication to this cause, not only in Tanza- nia but throughout the develop- ing world, claiming that ‘change is here to stay’ and providing emer- gency pain relief would continue to be their focus. Talking about their vision for the future, B2A outlined the differ- ence the DVP and training of rural health workers in emergency den- tal treatment can make to eradi- cate dental pain, and how dental professionals can get involved in making a tangible, lasting dif- ference. Mark Topley said: “The work to change our logo and adjust our messaging represents us enter- ing a phase when we will honour and continue all that has been achieved at Bukumbi, whilst ac- tively pursuing expansion of the DVP and emergency dental train- ing, which has become the larger part of what we do. While our targets are ambitious, we have all been overwhelmed by the support shown by the profession and look forward to the next phase of B2A.” Showcasing a new logo and a stronger message that stretches throughout the world, B2A dem- onstrate their commitment to the future. With B2A Founder Dr Ian Wilson returning to the UK, the dental charity will be taking leaps and bounds forward over the coming months and years and calls on the profession for their ongoing support to help in their quest to free the world from dental pain. To find out how you can sup- port B2A further or for more de- tails on their Dental Volunteer Programme contact Ruth Bow- yer, Visits Administrator, on 07748 643006 or email her at Ruth@ bridge2aid.org. Alternatively visit www.bridge2aid.org to download an application form. DT ‘Change is here to stay’ I nstinctively, we all know the power of a wonderful smile. But research from the US now suggests that the British smile itself can be some- thing to smile about. Psychologist Dacher Keltner has analysed US and UK smiles and the 43 facial muscles used to produce them. He found such sharp differences between the way Americans and Brits smile that researchers could spot the difference accurately over 90 per cent of the time. The British smile by pulling the lips back and upwards, ex- posing the lower teeth, whilst Americans part their lips and stretch the corners of their mouths. We Brits are more like- ly to raise our cheeks when we smile, showing crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes – giving rise to a more sincere smile, which is harder to fake. The most rep- resentative British smile was considered to be restrained but dignified – which the scientists have titled “The Prince Charles”. Most US smiles by contrast are far less expres- sive! So, we Brits may have a head start in the global smile league, but too often we throw our ad- vantage away through poor oral hygiene and strained teeth. However, Dr Harvey Gra- hame, Clinical Director of Smi- lepod, said: “Thanks to our ob- session with film and TV stars, most of the people who visit Smilepod are looking for a nicer genuine smile. Smilepod con- centratesonthosekeytreatments people really want - cleaner, whiter and straighter teeth in really convenient locations with life friendly times and a customer friendly people.’’ DT An honest British Smile for start of 2011 T he Dean of King’s Col- lege London, Professor Nairn Wilson, has been honoured by the University of Brescia with the confer- ment of the title of Cultore Della Materia delle discipline Odontostomatologiche – the University’s equivalent of Vis- iting Professor, during his attendance at the most success- ful ninth Anglo-Italian Collo- quium held in Brescia between 5 and 8 May. Regarding his new title, Professor Wilson said in King’s College London press release: “I am deeply honoured to have had the title of Cultore Della Materia delle discipline Odon- tostomatologiche conferred on me by the University of Brescia. This is a tremendous accolade, which I will greatly treasure. I wish the highly suc- cessful, long-established col- laboration between the Dental Institute and the Dental School of the University of Brescia every success in the future. I will endeavour to attend the special celebrations being planned for 2012 to mark the tenth anniversary of the launch of the now truly international annual Anglo-Italian Collo- quium.” DT Dean honoured at Brescia June 6-12, 20116 News United Kingdom Edition S ome of the brightest young minds in medicine and dentistry have gathered in Birmingham to discuss the im- pacts of changes to the National Health Service and how Wes- leyan Medical Sickness can aid young doctors and dentists. Wesleyan Medical Sickness’ Junior Advisory Board is made up of a select group of doctors, medical and dental students from across the UK. The group, the first of its kind in the finan- cial services sector, provides in- sight into issues affecting young medical and dental profession- als, ensuring Wesleyan contin- ues to serve their needs through- out their career. Sally Lovell, Student Liaison Manager at Wesleyan, said: “Un- derstanding our customers is an important part of what Wesleyan Medical Sickness does. The Jun- ior Advisory Board provides a vital insight into the needs of young medical and dental pro- fessionals, meaning we can con- tinuously improve our products and services.” The Junior Advisory Board complements Wesleyan’s main Medical Sickness Advisory Board, which is made up of emi- nent members of the medical and dental profession, including Professor Parveen Kumar, past president of the British Medi- cal Association and current president of the Royal Society of Medicine. Dr Ben Attwood, president of the Junior Advisory Board and a registrar junior doctor working at Oxford Deanery, added: “I’ve been a policyholder with Wes- leyan Medical Sickness since I was a medical student. I think there are a variety of pressures facing junior doctors and medi- cal students these days and the members of the Junior Advisory Board can offer a unique insight into their wants and needs. “There has been a huge in- crease in medical student debt by the time people qualify, as well as pressure in the early years trying to find a job. Those jobs are no longer for life and there’s absolutely no guarantee you will be able to follow the speciality you’d like to do or pursue it in the place you’d like to work. This can be really challenging for young graduates, which is why they need support from organisa- tions that have an understanding of what they are going through. This is where we on Wesleyan’s advisory boards can help.” The meeting was held at Wesleyan’s head office in central Birmingham. The Junior Advi- sory Board provides a useful de- velopment opportunity for young medical and dental profession- als, as well as allowing them to see how organisations such as Wesleyan operate. DT Wesleyan Medical Sickness’ Junior Advisory Board meets in Birmingham The members of the Wesleyan Medical Sickness Junior Advisory Board, Michelle Baker, Krishna Kasaraneni, Holly Morgan, Shiv Chopra, Ben Attwood, Vaibhav Gupta, Ro- sanna Busuttil, Kyle Gibson, Natalie Crawford and Kieran Zucker