News

FGDP(UK) supports drive to improve oral health in care homes The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) is supporting a new standards document from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on oral health promotion in care homes.

Members might like to know the Mail on Sunday, 21st May, published a pull-out Dental Health Guide. This contains a number of articles about gum health, including one by former BSP President, Dr Phil Ower, on Gum Disease. Sadly, the Guide was only distributed to 365,000 within the London & South East. However, the full guide can be accessed online and Dr Ower's article appears at Page 42 via the link below.

Once again, we are supporting the European Federation of Periodontology's annual initiative to raise awareness of gum disease among dental professionals, health professionals and the general public. Our flyer says it all!

I am delighted to introduce myself as the Chair of the Dental Practitioners Section of the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) which has by far the largest number of members. I was elected to this prestigious and important post in 2014 and since then have represented the interests of hard working General Dental Practitioners at the British Society of Periodontology.

Sent on behalf of Sandra White National Lead for Dental Public Health, Public Health England The British Society of Periodontology were closely involved in developing the guidance of the 3rd edition, originally published in 2014 Revisions to Delivering Better Oral Health have now been published on: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention In response to recent revised guidance 2 sections of Delivering Better Oral Health (DBOH) version 3 have been updated: • Section 4 Healthier eating advice and relevant summary tables: to reflect the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Carbohydrates and Health report (2015) • Section 8 Alcohol misuse and oral health and relevant summary table: to include The Chief Medical Officer for England guidelines on lower risk drinking. This is further supported by an online training module for anyone wanting the knowledge and skills to deliver very brief alcohol consumption advice: https://www.alcohollearningcentre.org.uk/eLearning/IBA/ In addition, 2 NEW DBOH factsheets have been published which summarise the key actions for oral health improvement for adults and children. DBOH is a key source of evidence based advice for dental teams and wider professional groups.

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Professor Crispian Scully, Emeritus Professor Of Oral Medicine of UCL and past Dean and Director of Research and Studies (1993-2008) of Eastman Dental Institute.

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has published an outline of its plans for 2017-18. FGDP(UK)’s outline plans for 2017-18 are also accessible online (see below) FGDP(UK) Dean, Dr Mick Horton, said: “This year marks our 25th anniversary as the academic home for primary dental care, and our plans for the coming year will significantly strengthen our community of practice. We look forward to working ever more closely with our members and the wider dental community, and would be delighted to have your support as we prepare to bring an independent national professional body for dentists to life.”

In a 'showcase' article, the BSP made the news in a more unusual publication this week - PR News.

Dr Phil Ower hands over to Professor Ian Needleman as President for 2017. The presidential year now runs from January to December, in line with the membership year and the Society's financial year. Professor Needleman was voted in as President at the AGM held in Oxford in April 2016. It is all change on Council with the following people taking up their membership of Council on 01 January: Dr Penny Hodge - President Elect 2018, Dr Mark Ide - President Elect 2019, Dr Trevor Watts - Senior Vice President, Dr Richard Tucker - Honorary Editor, Dr Praveen Sharma - President of the Early Career Group, Dr Aradhne Tugnait - Other Member of Council Thanks were given at the meeting held in December to all those standing down for their valuable contribution to the work of Council.