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Objectives The objective of this paper is to describe the contemporary teaching of dental implantology to dental undergraduates in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The paper also aims to assess the attitudes of dental school educators in relation to future trends in dental implant training for dental undergraduates.Methods An online questionnaire relating to current and future possible trends in dental implantology education was developed and distributed to Heads of Division/Departments of Restorative Dentistry, or equivalent, in each of the 15 dental schools with undergraduate dental programmes in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The questionnaire included both 'open' and 'closed' style questions.Results All 15 dental schools invited to participate in this survey responded. Of the 15 schools, two do not provide any training for their undergraduate dental students in relation to implant dentistry. The teaching is mainly delivered in lecture-based or phantom head room settings (eight of the 13 implant-teaching schools). Only four schools allow their students to interact clinically with implant patients. All schools anticipate an increase in dental implant teaching in the next five years, however, there is much variation in the scope and nature of this increase.Conclusions The teaching of dental implants in the UK and Ireland has increased since the time of previous surveys. It would seem prudent for this theme of teaching to further increase in order to best prepare graduating students for independent clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent surveys from general dental practice have found increased placement of direct composite resin restorations in occlusal (Class I) and occlusoproximal (Class II) cavities in permanent teeth by general dental practitioners. This has been matched, and possibly driven, at least in part, by the development of new composite resin materials and bonding technologies. Recent studies by the authors have found an increase in the teaching of Class I and Class II composite resin restorations in the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. The increased teaching in the UK and Ireland, however, was not as great as in North America, and several worrying trends were observed. The aim of this paper is to discuss these trends and related factors considered important to the necessary further development of the teaching of Class I and Class II direct composite resin restorations, let alone modern operative dentistry in general, in the UK and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThe aim of this paper is to investigate methods employed for teaching removable partial dentures in dental schools in Ireland and the United Kingdom.Materials and methodsA questionnaire was distributed by email in May 2005 to each of the 15 dental schools with undergraduate dental degree programmes in Ireland and the UK. The questionnaire sought information relating to the preclinical and clinical teaching of removable partial dentures (both acrylic and cobalt-chromium based dentures).ResultsEleven completed questionnaires were returned. The average duration of a preclinical course in removable partial dentures was 67 hours (range = 24-200 hours). This course was directed by a senior clinical academic alone in eight schools, by a senior clinical academic in collaboration with a dental technician in two schools, and solely by a dental instructor technician in one school. The median number of cobalt-chromium and acrylic removable partial dentures provided by undergraduate dental students was 3 (range = 2-5) and 2 (range = 0-3), respectively. Four schools reported that their patient pool is not entirely satisfactory for clinical teaching of undergraduate dental students.ConclusionVariations were noted between dental schools in both the amount and content of teaching programmes. Experience gained by undergraduate students in dental schools is limited, and appears to be hampered by limited access to patients suitable for undergraduate teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To investigate attitudes of Irish dental practitioners, cardiologists and patients with cardiac lesions to the new NICE guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis and to determine the implications of this guideline for dental practice in Ireland.Methods Individually tailored anonymous postal questionnaires were sent to 500 dental practitioners, 54 cardiologists and 50 patients with a history of antibiotic prophylaxis usage before dental treatment.Results Two hundred and ninety questionnaires were returned from dental practitioners (a response rate of 58%), 20 questionnaires were returned from cardiologists (a response rate of 37%) and 34 questionnaires were returned from patients (a response rate of 68%). Two thirds of patients surveyed would be concerned about the possible cessation of antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment and would require either verbal or written confirmation from a cardiologist. Among the dental practitioners surveyed a significant majority were not willing to implement the NICE guideline without further information from the patient general medical practitioner, cardiologist or an official Irish body.Conclusion To enable patient re-education regarding antibiotic prophylaxis, dental practitioners must keep abreast of changes to current guidelines and understand the rationale driving these changes. Difficulties arise for dental practitioners when there is no national statutory body endorsing such guidelines, particularly now that the guidelines in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis in dentistry are so different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study was undertaken to devise a suitable survey instrument to measure morale, and to undertake an assessment of morale amongst vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) in the UK.Design Postal questionnaire survey.Setting Dental vocational training schemes in the UK.Subjects Vocational dental practitioners.Method A confidential postal questionnaire was used to measure levels of morale among all VDPs in the UK in 2007.Results A response rate of 76.7% was achieved. The mean morale score for Scottish VDPs was significantly higher than that of the Northern Irish VDPs, which in turn was significantly higher than those of the VDPs in England or Wales. In England and Wales females recorded higher morale scores than males. Lowest morale scores were associated with statements referring to concerns about future changes to NHS dentistry, and the limits on treatment within the NHS system. The highest scores were associated with good working relationships.Conclusion The use of an appropriately tested questionnaire has provided a convenient objective measure of morale. The morale of VDPs in the United Kingdom was lower than expected. Scottish VDPs recorded higher morale scores than other VDPs and responded more positively in the survey instrument. The most negative responses from all VDPs were regarding the effect of the NHS system on treatment and concerns about future changes to the NHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThe aim was to assess the oral health needs of a homeless population residing in North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust area, in order to determine levels of unmet need and allow recommendations for service delivery to be made.MethodA sample of single homeless people was gathered using a snowballing sampling technique. Fourteen hostels located in North and West Belfast were visited in tandem with the homeless healthcare co-ordinator. All consenting participants were asked to complete a detailed medical history questionnaire and a questionnaire to assess their health and psycho-social needs, dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life. All participants received an oral examination.ResultsThree hundred and seventeen homeless people consented to take part. Two hundred and sixty-seven (84%) were male. Thirty-three percent of participants had mental health problems including psychotic illness, depression and anxiety. Forty-three percent of the sample stated they were addicted to alcohol and 3% were registered injecting drug users. Five percent (16) of the sample had soft tissue swellings of which two were found to be oral cancer. The participants had a mean D3cvMFT of 16.16 (95% CI: 15.71, 17.46). Seventy-five percent of the sample had bleeding gums and calculus; however only 4% had pocket depths of 6 mm or more. Dental anxiety status was related to dental disease experience which impacted negatively on quality of life. Forty-seven percent of the participants felt at least occasionally self-conscious and/or felt ashamed by the appearance of their teeth.ConclusionsHealth and psychosocial factors associated with being homeless must be incorporated into the delivery of context-sensitive oral healthcare for this socially excluded population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the letter regarding the Irish Prison Service's healthcare service in the 2015 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Advances of composite systems and their application have revolutionised the management of posterior teeth affected by caries, facilitating a minimally invasive approach. Previous surveys have indicated that the teaching of posterior composites within dental schools was developing, albeit not keeping pace with clinical evidence and the development of increasingly predictable techniques and materials. Concurrently, surveys of dental practice indicate that dental amalgam still predominates as the 'material of choice' for the restoration of posterior teeth within UK general dental practice. In light of such considerations, the aim of this study was to investigate current teaching of posterior composites in Irish and UK dental schools.Methods An online questionnaire which sought information in relation to the current teaching of posterior composites was developed and distributed to the 17 established Irish and UK dental schools with undergraduate teaching programmes in late 2009.Results Completed responses were received from all 17 schools (response rate = 100%). All 17 schools taught the placement of occlusal and two-surface occlusoproximal composites in premolar and permanent molar teeth. Two schools did not teach placement of three-surface occlusoproximal composites in either premolars or molars. In their preclinical courses, ten schools taught posterior composites before teaching dental amalgams. Fifty-five percent of posterior restorations placed by dental students were of composite (range = 10-90%) and 44% amalgam (range = 10-90%), indicating an increase of 180% in the numbers of posterior composites placed over the past five years. Diversity was noted in the teaching of clinical techniques and students at different schools are trained with different composites and bonding systems. Some cause for concern was noted in the teaching of certain techniques that were not in keeping with existing best evidence, such as the teaching of transparent matrix bands and light-transmitting wedges for occluso-proximal composites (eight schools) and the teaching of bevels on the cavosurface enamel margins of both the occlusal and proximal box margins (three schools).Conclusion The teaching of posterior composites in the Irish and UK dental schools has substantially increased over the last five years. Dental students in these schools often gain more experience in the placement of posterior composites than amalgam. However, practice trends indicate that a majority of GDPs continue to place amalgam in preference to composite, thereby suggesting a source of tension as current dental students emerge into the dental workforce over the coming years. There is, as a consequence, a challenge to the dental profession and its funding agencies in the UK to encourage more of a shift towards the minimally interventive use of composite systems in the restoration of posterior teeth, in particular among established practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For three quarters of a century the Council of Heads and Deans of Dental Schools (CHDDS) has met to discuss issues relating to the UK and Irish dental schools. In this, the 75(th) anniversary year, it seems timely to review the work of the Council to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Published studies in the international dental literature illustrate that the quality of prescription and fabrication of cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures (CCRPDs) by general dental practitioners frequently fail to comply with ethical and legal requirements. The reasons cited for this in the past have broadly related to either financial or educational issues. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of financial and educational factors on the quality of CCRPD design and fabrication by general dental practitioners. Materials and Methods: This investigation was completed in two parts. (1) A pre-piloted pro-forma was distributed to a number of dental laboratories throughout the UK and Ireland. These sought information relating to the quality of written instructions for CCRPDs received by these laboratories, and details of the remunerative scheme under which they were being provided. Three categories of remunerative scheme were considered, private CCRPDs in Ireland, private CCRPDs in the UK, and CCRPDs being provided by salaried NHS practitioners. (2) A pre-piloted questionnaire was distributed to vocational dental practitioners in the UK and Ireland. This sought information relating to their attitudes, opinions, and educational and clinical experiences of CCRPD design and fabrication. Results: (1) Three hundred completed pro-formas were returned from dental laboratories, 100 of which related to each of the three remunerative schemes. Poor or no written instructions were provided in 47% (n = 47) of CCRPD cases funded privately in the UK, 46% (n = 46) of CCRPD cases funded privately in Ireland, and 50% (n = 50) of CCRPDs being provided by salaried NHS practitioners. (2) One hundred and seven completed questionnaires were returned from vocational trainees. Vocational dental practitioners had completed fewer CCRPDs during VT than in dental school (dental school: median = 4, inter-quartile range = 3 to 5; VT: median = 2, inter-quartile range = 1 to 4). One-fifth of respondents (n = 22) had not completed any CCRPDs during VT. Nine per cent of VT practices (n = 10) had a surveyor on their premises. Only 15% (n = 16) of respondents felt the time they had spent in VT had increased their confidence in the design of CCRPDs. Conclusion: Financial factors did not have as significant an effect on the quality of prescription and fabrication of CCRPDs as did educational factors. Serious deficiencies in the teaching of CCRPDs during vocational training were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To investigate attitudes of Irish dental practitioners, cardiologists and patients with cardiac lesions to the new NICE guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis and to determine the implications of this guideline for dental practice in Ireland.Methods Individually tailored anonymous postal questionnaires were sent to 500 dental practitioners, 54 cardiologists and 50 patients with a history of antibiotic prophylaxis usage before dental treatment.Results Two hundred and ninety questionnaires were returned from dental practitioners (a response rate of 58%), 20 questionnaires were returned from cardiologists (a response rate of 37%) and 34 questionnaires were returned from patients (a response rate of 68%). Two thirds of patients surveyed would be concerned about the possible cessation of antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment and would require either verbal or written confirmation from a cardiologist. Among the dental practitioners surveyed a significant majority were not willing to implement the NICE guideline without further information from the patient general medical practitioner, cardiologist or an official Irish body.Conclusion To enable patient re-education regarding antibiotic prophylaxis, dental practitioners must keep abreast of changes to current guidelines and understand the rationale driving these changes. Difficulties arise for dental practitioners when there is no national statutory body endorsing such guidelines, particularly now that the guidelines in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis in dentistry are so different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calendar of events for the different associations in dental practice for April and May 2007 is presented. The Irish Dental Association Annual Scientific Conference will be held at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork, Ireland from April 18-21. The city of Jakarta in Indonesia will be the host of the 29th Asia Pacific Dental Congress that will run from April 26-28. Meanwhile, the International Osteology Symposium 2007 will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco from May 10-12.

AimPublished studies in the international dental literature demonstrate that the quality of prescription and fabrication of cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures (CCRPDs) by general dental practitioners frequently fail to comply with ethical and legal requirements. The reasons cited for this in the past have broadly related to either financial or educational matters. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of financial and educational factors on the quality of CCRPD design and fabrication by general dental practitioners.Materials and methodsThis investigation was completed in two parts. (1) A pre-piloted pro-forma was distributed to a number of dental laboratories throughout the UK and Ireland. These sought information relating to the quality of written instructions for CCRPDs received by these laboratories, and details of the remunerative scheme under which they were being provided. Three categories of remunerative scheme were considered, private CCRPDs in Ireland, private CCRPDs in the UK, and CCRPDs being provided by salaried NHS practitioners. (2) A pre-piloted questionnaire was distributed to vocational dental practitioners in the UK and Ireland. This sought information relating to their attitudes, opinions, and educational and clinical experiences of CCRPD design and fabrication.Results(1) Three hundred completed pro-formas were returned from dental laboratories, 100 of which related to each of the three remunerative schemes. Poor or no written instructions were provided in 47% (n = 47) of CCRPD cases funded privately in Ireland, 46% (n = 46) of CCRPD cases funded privately in the UK, and 50% (n = 50) of CCRPDs being provided by salaried NHS practitioners. (2) One hundred and seven completed questionnaires were returned from vocational trainees. Vocational dental practitioners had completed fewer CCRPDs during VT than in dental school (dental school: median = 4, inter-quartile range = 3 to 5; VT: median = 2, inter-quartile range = 1 to 4). One-fifth of respondents (n = 22) had not completed any CCRPDs during VT. Nine per cent of VT practices (n = 10) had a surveyor on their premises. Only 15% (n = 16) of respondents felt the time they had spent in VT had increased their confidence in the design of CCRPDs.ConclusionFinancial factors did not have as significant an effect on the quality of prescription and fabrication of CCRPDs as did educational factors. Serious deficiencies in the teaching of CCRPDs during vocational training were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate variations in tooth preparations for resin-bonded all-ceramic crowns (RBCs) in general dental practice (GDP). Design Laboratory-based retrospective analysis of dies for RBCs. Setting General dental practice in the UK and Ireland (2000). Methods A sample (n = 132) of laboratory models containing 180 tooth preparations for RBCs, featuring work from different general dental practitioners was obtained from four commercial dental laboratories. Aspects of the preparations were quantified and compared with accepted criteria defined following a review of the literature. Results The teeth found to be most frequently prepared for RBCs were maxillary incisors (41%). Margin positions were variably positioned with 29% of the preparations on the buccal aspect having subgingival margins. There were many tooth preparation dies for low fusing RBCs (47%) and Chameleon Fortress RBCs (62%) demonstrating overpreparation in the mesiodistal plane. The majority of the margins (84% buccally and 79% lingually) of the dies examined, exhibited appropriate shoulder or chamfer finishes. Of the Chameleon Fortress preparations analysed, 86% had been underprepared occlusally. 42% of the teeth had been prepared with no regard to tooth morphology and demonstrated just one plane of reduction. The majority (93%) of the clinicians failed to provide any information regarding the shade of the prepared tooth stump. Conclusions On the evidence of this survey of this sample of general dental practitioner's work, it was found that relevant guidelines for the preparations of RBCs are not being fully adhered to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Royal College of Surgeons of England established a Faculty of Dental Surgery in 1947 as part of a wider reorganisation. Its Fellowship in Dental Surgery began at the same time and became a mark of recognition of high standing as part of training programmes for dental specialists. Although similar fellowships were later awarded by the surgical colleges in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ireland, they are outside the scope of this article. Two questions are examined in this paper: when and why did they start?, (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

Since 2015, a series of papers which describe the systems for the provision of health and oral healthcare in nine European Union (EU) countries (France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden) have been published in this journal. This tenth and final paper in the series compares aspects of the systems for each country, with each other and with that in the United Kingdom (UK). The topics which have been covered are the organisation and funding of oral healthcare, national populations and oral healthcare workforce, education of dentists, uptake of oral healthcare, expenditure on oral healthcare and oral epidemiology. The comparison shows that there are wide differences between the care provision systems between the individual countries. In all of them, oral healthcare continues to operate outside the mainstream healthcare systems. In particular, the proportion of costs paid for them from public funds, raised through taxation or through compulsory social insurances, and those paid for by individual patients varies greatly. No comparable data exist on quality of care.