Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

PUBLISHED IN LONDON A n on-going investigation by Essex County Coun- cil Trading Standards Officers is directly affecting the availability of hydrogen peroxide-based whitening prod- ucts to dentists triggering many dental associations to speak up and call for government clarifi- cation regarding teeth whiten- ing products. The British Dental Bleaching Society (BDBS) has endorsed such calls, stressing that there is no question around patient safe- ty regarding bleaching when carried out by an appropriately trained and qualified dental healthcare professional. The British Dental Asso- ciation (BDA) has already ex- pressed concerns that any sup- ply problem could mean patients seek whitening treatments from non-dental professionals, which is illegal and dangerous, and is seeking a meeting with the De- partment for Business, Innova- tion and Skills (BIS) as a matter of urgency. As stated in a recent press release, the BDA is aware that the current investigation by trading standards at Essex County Council is having a ma- jor impact on the availability of hydrogen peroxide-based whitening products to dentists, and as a result, the situation is adversely affecting their ability to provide whitening treatments to patients. This supply prob- lem could mean that patients will seek whitening treatments from non-dental professionals instead. The European Union is cur- rently reviewing the EU Cos- metics Directive, which it is hoped will provide a coherent legal framework for the provi- sion of tooth whitening prod- ucts in the UK. Meanwhile, the BDBS and the BDA are urging Trading Standards officers to maintain the low-key approach to enforcement around the sup- ply of whitening products to dental professionals previously advised by Local Government Regulation (LACORS). The BDA would like to see the previous low-key approach to enforcement around the sup- ply of whitening products to dental professionals previously advised by LACORS and taken by trading standards re-instated. Stuart Johnston, Chair of the BDA’s Representative Body, said: “The recently-changed ap- proach to the supply of whiten- ing products, and particularly the impact the investigation be- ing undertaken in Essex is hav- ing, is a significant concern for patient safety. This must be ad- dressed as a matter of urgency and the previously adopted low- key approach to supply to dental professionals reinstated. A sig- nificant body of evidence dem- onstrates the safety of whitening products when used by trained dental professionals. We urge trading standards officers to adopt a pragmatic approach that recognises this and puts patient safety first.” In a statement from the BDBS, there is no question around patient safety when dentists observe the following guidelines: • A full examination must take place before any bleaching pro- cedure • Informed patient consent is paramount and patients must have alternatives and risks thor- oughly explained • Before and after photos must be taken and retained through- out the course, and following completion of, treatment • Any products supplied for home use by a dental practice must meet Scientific Committee on Consumer Prod- ucts (SCCP) guidelines • There should be a commitment by the trade not to supply beau- ticians or the public direct. DT – Perfect results everytime – Multipoint connection – Time saving – Can be used with 90% of all popular 1:1 ratio catridge systems – Economical - no more expensive than a traditional mixing tip Ref: BKST130 - Boss-klein ‘Slick Tips’ – Pack of 100 £19.50 exc VATFor a FREE SAMPLE phone us on 0800 132 373 Instant fit to the cartridge Fits all cartridges! Time saving, high performanceOnly £19.95 per 100 TM slick tip Topdental Products LTD Dental House 10 Steeton Grove Industrial Park Steeton West Yorkshire UK BD20 6TT Freephone 0800 132 373 Fax 01535 652 751 Website www.topdental.org No need to locate the ‘v’ point to the cartridge “ “ Will fit the cartridge either way Tooth whitening has become a popular cosmetic treatment June 13-19, 2011 Pomegranate power A new university study has found that pomegranate juice reduces stress hormone lev- els in British workers. Re- searchers at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh stud- ied the physiological effect of daily consumption of 500ml of Pomegreat Pure pomegran- ate juice over a two-week period and found that daily consumption caused a signif- icant reduction in the level of stress hormone cortisol in sa- liva and a significant reduc- tion in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all volun- teers. Volunteers also showed an improvement in arterial health as measured by pulse wave velocity. Volunteers were also assessed on mood status using a specialist test. After consumption of pome- granate juice most subjects reported that they were more enthusiastic, inspired, proud and active and all reported that they were less distressed, nervous, guilty and ashamed according to the attributes tested. The full results of the study will be presented at an international confer- ence in Barcelona in October. New Ministers Following the May 5 elec- tions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, new min- isters have been appointed. In Northern Ireland, Demo- cratic Unionist Party Member Edwin Poots has been an- nounced as the new Minister of Health, taking over from Ulster Unionist Party Mem- ber Michael McGimpsey. In Wales Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths has become the new Minister for Health. She was previously Deputy Minister for Skills, In- novation and Science. In Scot- land, Nicola Sturgeon MSP retains her post as Deputy First Minister and Secretary for Health. Jackie Baillie La- bour MSP will be the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health. Toothless tourist DTI: On 9 May, an expedi- tion investigating the cause of the vanishing lakes in the Blue Mountains World Her- itage Area, stumbled across dentures that had gone miss- ing there about 30 years ago. A German tourist had lost them while boating in the Thirlmere Lakes area, south- west of Sydney. Ms Graham and the environment writer Denis Wilson, confirmed the teeth’s history with the former owners of the holiday camp that once graced the lake’s shore. They now aim to return the teeth even though no one now remembers the name of the German tourist. www.dental-tribune.co.uk Gone FISH-ing Elaine Halley catches up Income Protection Dino Charalambous discusses appropriate cover Retail is detail Johnathon Fine discusses the finer features News in Brief Money Matters Practice ManagementMSc BlogNews NHS DIRECT New app hits the top spot page 4 page 11 pages 19-20 Dental associations speak up over whitening debate Could this be the call for reclarification on whiteneing products? VOL. 5 NO. 14 pages 13-16