Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and fragile, is usually treated by bisphosphonate medication. These drugs can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, which has significant implications for dental care
This article aims to review the introduction of close support dentistry in the undergraduate curriculum for dental science and dental nursing students by improving their understanding of the benefits of a fully trained and well integrated dental team
The advent of bonding agents has led to major changes in practical dentistry. As bonding agents continue to evolve rapidly, it becomes increasingly important to identify different types of adhesives, their purposes, and the differing techniques required for their efficient placement
Working as a team prevents medical errors and increases patient safety, hence the importance for the dental nurse and their team to understand how to maximise patient safety and minimise medicolegal consequences. This article focuses on the legal ramifications of preventable nerve injuries
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that has seen a renaissance in the west over the last 20 years. Many practitioners offer acupuncture for a range of conditions, and dental patients may benefit from acupuncture to facilitate treatment and improve outcomes for a range of dental issues
Most procedures performed by the dental team have the potential for creating contaminated aerosols and splatter. These aerosols represent an infection hazard due to their gross contamination with microorganisms and blood. This article outlines how aerosol contamination can be reduced
Over the last 5 years there have been a considerable number of changes in dentistry that have irreversibly altered the course of the profession. Sam Ball looks at these changes, and predicts their impact on the future of the industry
Clinical supervision (CS) was implemented in the Community Dental Service within an NHS Trust. Dental nurses, community dentists and dental therapists participated in clinical supervision sessions over a nine-month period. An evaluative research study was undertaken into staff’s engagement with CS,
Impacted teeth have several causes and can lead to problems if left untreated. Their management includes extraction, long-term orthodontic treatment or monitoring for problems, and depends on both human and clinical factors
In today's modern era, patients expect easy and instantaneous methods of booking a dental appointment. The days of waiting on the telephone to speak to the receptionist are becoming a thing of the past. This article introduces some of new software available for managing bookings electronically
Making decisions about oral feeding when patients cannot clearly give their views can be a minefield. Harriet Gordon outlines how a recent report can help with making the best decisions
This article looks at the regulatory bodies responsible for monitoring standards for health provision in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and their interpretation of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. It goes on to demonstrate that a whole team approach is required to meet the relevan
Care pathways can support a preventive approach to oral health and improve public health by encouraging patients to self-care. Ann Smith and Ravi Singh describe how a practice redesigned its services to focus on prevention, and the dental nurse’s central role in the new arrangements.
