Lasers have great potential to improve treatment and are being increasingly used in dentistry. Patients, practice staff and visitors need to be protected from their potentially harmful effects on the skin and eyes, so dental staff need to understand and apply safety principles
There is a lack of awareness of the progressive auto-immune disease, multiple sclerosis. Symptoms occurring during a period of relapse may adversely affect both general and oral health and can make dental visits difficult. Knowledge of this disease will assist dental nurses in caring for patients wi
Tooth whitening or bleaching is one of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments, and can be carried out in the surgery or in the patient's home. The procedure offers opportunities for dental nurses to increase their scope of practice and boost a practice's business
A professional oral care provision includes the removal of plaque, calculus and staining. The finishing procedure may be an important factor on the long-term oral hygiene performance and may be enhanced with the utilisation of oral hygiene products such as prophylactic pastes
Dental practices receive advice from numerous sources, including engineers, external agencies, trainers and other experts, and articles in professional journals. This advice can sometimes be conflicting, so employers have to clarify areas of uncertainty
NHS Health Checks have been introduced across England so disease can be prevented and detected at an early stage. Plans to make them more widely available could lead to them being carried out by dental nurses
Richard Guyver, Principal at enVisage Dental Practice, discusses implementing a diabetes screening programme in the dental practice and the role of the dental nursing team in making it a success
The aim of this paper is to discuss cancer of the head and neck, the causes, and potential treatment options and their side effects. It also discusses the role of the specialist dental team in assessment and dental treatment prior to cancer treatment and dental management during cancer treatment
Understanding a person's readiness to change could improve the way in which oral hygiene interventions and advice are given in the clinical setting. The aim of this article, therefore, is to provide a brief guide to behaviour change using motivational interviewing when discussing interdental cleanin
Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar found in plants and fruits, is becoming an increasingly important agent against tooth decay. Dominique Tillen, Founder and Direct of Brushbaby, looks further at its application in dentistry
Dental radiography can be carried out safely, with doses to patients, staff and visitors kept to a minimum by following fundamental principles. As dental nurses are present when most x-rays are taken, they have a role in ensuring that the process is safe and in raising concerns
Impression materials are used to record the shape of the teeth and alveolar ridges. There are a wide variety of impression materials available, each with their own properties, advantages and disadvantages. The aim of the article is to provide a brief guide to dental impression materials
Mouthguards or gumshields are used to protect patients’ teeth against damage from sports injuries or bruxism. Dental care professionals have a role in producing these appliances and supporting patients in their use
Pregnancy provides an opportunity for education on the role of oral health for both the mother and her unborn child. Advice given at this time can be extremely effective when tailored to the individual and focussed on healthy outcomes for both mother and child
