Launched in 2022, the MPS Foundation sits alongside Dental Protection as part of the wider Medical Protection Society. The global not-for-profit research initiative funds research addressing key challenges facing dentistry, including workforce pressures, mental wellbeing, human factors in practice, digital innovation, and improvements in dental education and training.

Since its launch, the MPS Foundation has supported more than 60 medical and dental research projects worldwide. Funded initiatives include a multidimensional wellbeing programme for dental students and professionals across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, aimed at strengthening mental health and professional resilience within the dental workforce.

The Foundation is inviting applications for research that strengthens the wellbeing of dental professionals and teams, enhances patient safety in dental care settings, and supports evidence-based improvements in clinical practice. Grants of up to AU$388,500 are available, depending on the ambition, scope, and duration of the proposal. Smaller, practice-based studies are also encouraged, with previous awards as little as AU$4,850.

Applications are open to both members and non-members in regions where MPS operates, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Caribbean and Bermuda, Ireland, the UK, and South Africa. Joint applications between Australia-based researchers and international partners are welcomed, particularly where shared learning can enhance patient safety and clinician wellbeing across healthcare systems.

Research proposals must be academically robust, evidence-based, and aligned with at least one of the MPS Foundation’s four strategic priorities:

• the impact of human factors on patient safety, outcomes, and risk in healthcare settings, including dental practice
  • the personal and professional wellbeing of healthcare professionals and teams
  • the impact of digital integration and technology on patient safety, outcomes, and risk
  • evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching and learning innovations

Professor Gozie Offiah, MPS Foundation Chair, said:

“Dentistry faces several unique challenges, from workforce pressures and mental wellbeing concerns to rapid technological change and evolving patient expectations. The MPS Foundation is committed to supporting high-quality research that delivers practical improvements for dental professionals and safer outcomes for patients.

“We particularly welcome applications from dental practitioners and teams working in real-world settings, where research findings can directly inform everyday practice and enhance patient care.

“If you have an idea that could improve patient safety or strengthen the wellbeing of dental teams, we encourage you to apply and join our growing community of grant recipients. We also provide a range of resources and support to help applicants throughout the process.”

Applicants can register their interest and apply via the online grant portal at www.thempsfoundation.org. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17:00 BST on Friday 1 May 2026.

The MPS Foundation will also host a series of online Q&A clinics to explain the application process and provide guidance on submitting a strong proposal. Details and booking information are available on the MPS Foundation Grant Portal.

The post Applications open for MPS Foundation’s 2026 grant programme appeared first on The Dental Review.

George takes over the role from Raj Rattan, following Raj’s recent appointment as the first Global Adviser at Medical Protection Society (MPS) – of which Dental Protection is an important part. Both George and Raj take up their new roles in April 2026.

George qualified at the University of Sheffield. After completing foundation training, he moved into general practice working in the NHS and then private practice.

Having a keen interest in dental education, George was the Training Programme Director for the Performer List Validation by Experience Programme in Yorkshire and the Humber until the end of 2018 and has held a number of other roles including Chief Examiner at the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.

He joined Dental Protection in 2016 first as a part-time adviser, then full-time Dentolegal Consultant, Senior Dental Educator and, most recently, Deputy Dental Director for three years.

George pursues several other interests as an experienced leader within the profession, including as a Trustee of Dentaid the Dental Charity. He is also a Board member at the MPS Foundation, a global, not-for-profit, research initiative, dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk, and enhancing the wellbeing of all healthcare professionals.

As Dental Director, George will lead on engaging with dental professionals and organisations around the world whilst also representing the member voice and ensuring members remain at the heart of everything that Dental Protection does.

Dr George Wright said: “I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of Dental Director at such a pivotal time for the organisation. Our ambitious strategy embraces all that I have come to value most about working at Dental Protection and I am excited to play my part in growing the support and assistance my colleagues and I provide to dental professionals around the world.”

Raj Rattan, incoming MPS Global Adviser, commented: “I have known George for many years and offer my heartiest congratulations as he deservingly takes up the Dental Director role.”

Dr Rob Hendry, MPS Chief Member Officer, added: “These are exciting times for Dental Protection as George brings years of dental experience and passion to the role. It is also great news for members that Raj will be continuing at MPS as a senior global ambassador closely engaging with dental members, professional bodies and key stakeholders worldwide.”

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The free, interactive webinars, which will run during February and March 2026, will cover:

• How to stop the slide into burnout – 11 February
• How to support your colleagues without burning out yourself – 4 March
• How to manage yourself and stay resilient during a complaint – 25 March

Dr Yvonne Shaw, Underwriting Policy Lead at Dental Protection, said: “We see firsthand how burnout adversely impacts colleagues in their personal and professional lives, and in turn impacts the delivery of patient care. Without early support, these issues can lead to dental professionals feeling disengaged, needing time off work or even leaving dentistry altogether.

“Receiving a complaint from a patient can also cause stress and anxiety and lead us to question our own capability. It can trigger a range of emotions which can affect the ability to respond constructively.

“We are proud to partner with Wild Monday on this series of three webinars to help support members in developing strategies to prevent burnout, protect team members from burnout, and stay resilient through times of crisis or uncertainty.

“I would like to remind Dental Protection members facing mental wellbeing concerns to make use of our confidential counselling service which is a benefit of membership. Members can access telephone support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as face-to-face counselling sessions.”

Dental Protection members can log into their Learning Hub account to register for the webinar series:

• How to stop the slide into burnout: https://prism.medicalprotection.org/mod/page/view.php?id=17079
• How to support your colleagues without burning out yourself: https://prism.medicalprotection.org/mod/page/view.php?id=17094
• How to manage yourself and stay resilient during a complaint: https://prism.medicalprotection.org/mod/page/view.php?id=17109

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Catherine qualified in dentistry from Leeds in 1992. After spending two and half years in hospital roles, Catherine moved into general dental practice, first as an associate and then as a joint principle of a practice for almost twenty years. She has worked in roles at Denplan and Simplyhealth.

She is currently the Director of Policy and Clinical Affairs for the Association of Dental Groups as well as the Head of Policy at Dentaid The Dental Charity. She also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Dentists’ Health Support Trust, where she has supported the charity’s important work in supporting dentists facing mental health and addiction challenges.

She has a Masters in Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College London.

Catherine commented: “Dental Protection and the wider MPS plays such an important role in protecting its members around the world. It is exciting to join the Council and I look forward to using my experience and insights to help keep members at the heart of everything the organisation does.”

Graham Stokes, Chair of MPS Council commented: “I am delighted to welcome Catherine to the Council. Her governance experience as well as her prolific stakeholder engagement and policy work across dentistry and the wider healthcare landscape will greatly benefit our members.”

The post Dentist Catherine Rutland joins MPS Council appeared first on The Dental Review.

A highly respected leader in dentistry, Raj has served as a senior dentolegal consultant and, for the past decade, as Dental Director of Dental Protection. Over this period, he has authored numerous textbooks and articles, lectured extensively around the world, advised governments, built strong relationships with professional bodies, and driven significant improvements in member engagement.

In his new role, Raj will act as a senior global ambassador for MPS, drawing on his extensive clinical background and his ongoing clinical work, alongside more than three decades of experience in dentolegal work and risk management. This continued, first-hand involvement in patient care ensures his focus on education, risk management and member support remains firmly grounded in the realities of modern clinical practice.

He will continue to engage closely with medical and dental members, professional bodies and key stakeholders worldwide, helping to ensure MPS services evolve in line with the changing clinical, regulatory and technological needs of healthcare professionals.

This appointment builds on his pivotal contribution to developing global resources on the safe and responsible use of AI in healthcare. This includes leading the creation of the AI Safer Practice Framework, launched in October 2025 to a global audience, which supports clinicians in navigating consent, accountability and the importance of robust clinical records.

Raj Rattan said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Dental Director for the past ten years, and before that as a dentolegal consultant for many years. Dentists and dental care professionals often come to Dental Protection at moments of greatest need, and it has been immensely rewarding to support them through challenging times while championing positive change for the profession and for patient care.

“We are living through one of the fastest-changing periods in healthcare. I am delighted to be taking on this wider role within MPS to help ensure that dentists and doctors around the world continue to receive the best possible protection, advice and support.”

Graham Stokes, Chair of MPS, added: “Raj has been a guiding voice for me and for thousands of dentists worldwide throughout his career. In this new role, members will continue to benefit from his knowledge, expertise and insight, and he will play a key role in ensuring our organisation continues to deliver an exceptional member experience.”

Dental Protection will look to recruit a Dental Director in the new year.

The post Raj Rattan MBE appointed Global Adviser to Medical Protection Society appeared first on The Dental Review.

The pioneering framework – designed by Dental Protection’s Raj Rattan – is made up of two parts: INFORMED and RECORDS.

INFORMED guides ethical decision-making using AI at the point of care, while RECORDS ensures AI assisted decisions are thoroughly documented in case of any dentolegal challenge. The framework has been structured around these acronyms to ensure it is practical and memorable.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “As a clinician, I understand the pressures and complexities of modern practice. I developed this framework to ensure that the adoption of AI enhances – not compromises – our standards of care.

“The integration of AI into clinical care will be transformational, introducing a host of new opportunities, but also some risks. In dentistry, AI can support diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient monitoring, allowing clinicians to focus on the nuances of informed consent, the complexity of clinical decision-making, and their professional and ethical responsibilities.

“I am proud to introduce the AI Safer Practice Framework – designed to support clinicians in making informed decisions when using AI and to ensure clinical records are prepared with clarity and rigour. This initiative ultimately helps safeguard patients, while protecting the reputations and careers of dental professionals.

“INFORMED – the first part of the framework – is a real-time, process-based guide for using AI in clinical care. It supports clinician oversight, promotes collaborative decision-making, and reduces automation bias thereby avoiding over-reliance on algorithmic systems.

“RECORDS – the second part – is used for documenting AI-driven decisions. It captures clinical rationale, the role AI has played, and the clinician’s final decision – crucial for transparency in audits, dentolegal matters, or legal reviews.

“At Dental Protection, our aim is to support dental professionals in embracing AI, while helping them to understand and navigate the associated risks. I hope the Safer Practice Framework provides a helpful and practical basis for integrating AI into dentistry safely, and I look forward to sharing further developments over the coming months.”

Dental Protection’s AI Safer Practice Framework can be accessed here: AI Safer in Practice

Watch the AI in Clinical Dentistry: Progress and Pitfalls webinar, in which the Safer Practice Framework was introduced, at: [02/010/25] AI in Clinical Dentistry: Progress and Pitfalls on Vimeo

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The webinar, taking place on 2 October 2025, will examine the new opportunities that AI has to offer, while also making dental professionals aware of the new clinical and ethical concerns that could arise from its use.

The webinar will also introduce the Safer Practice Framework designed by Dental Protection’s Raj Rattan – to help integrate AI safely and responsibly into practice.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection and webinar host said: “The transformative potential of AI in all walks of life cannot be overstated, and dentistry is no exception. All dental professionals need to be supported in embracing AI – from diagnostics, record keeping and predictive analytics, to patient and practice management systems – while understanding and mitigating the dentolegal and ethical risks associated with its use.

“Our upcoming webinar, open to both Dental Protection members and non-members, will help all dental professionals to better understand the impact of AI in general dental practice and recognise both the benefits and risks – including the ethical and legal aspects.

“I will also introduce the Safer Practice Framework, designed to make the use of AI in dentistry safer. This framework will encourage clinicians to ask the right questions at the right time and stay in control of decisions. I look forward to sharing the framework in the upcoming webinar and explaining how the tools within it can be applied for safe, defensible use of AI in clinical settings.”

The webinar is free to attend, and both members and non-members of Dental Protection can register at: https://medicalprotection-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8p4UXm4YR96I1RQFGQ4JPA

The post New Dental Protection webinar to help dental professionals navigate risks and opportunities of AI appeared first on The Dental Review.

The Consent modules cover key aspects of obtaining valid consent – including communicating risk, the importance of two-way dialogue, checking patient understanding, and effective clinical decision-making.

The course also explores the legal and ethical principles of consent, the 6D framework for shared decision-making, and how these concepts impact communication and patient care.

Dental Protection’s Online Learning Hub hosts a wide range of resources aimed at helping dental professionals manage their risk and support professional development. These include interactive courses, webinars and videos which can be accessed at any time.

All courses available on the Online Learning Hub can be accessed at no extra cost for Dental Protection members.

Dr Yvonne Shaw, Deputy Dental Director at Dental Protection, said: “Obtaining valid consent is an integral part of providing quality dental care and demonstrating that a patient’s consent to treatment is valid is a crucial factor in defending dental claims.

“It is important for all dental professionals to keep up to date with legislation and guidelines around consent to better support their patients. Understanding the challenges that can arise in this area can also help dental professionals protect themselves from a complaint or claim relating to consent.

“This online course not only looks at the complex area of obtaining valid consent to treatment, but also how it is framed in theory and law.

“Completing the course will assist Dental Protection members in understanding the challenges that can arise and how to ensure their consent process is robust.”

The post Dental Protection launches new course to help dental professionals navigate consent appeared first on The Dental Review.

The MPS Foundation, a global not-for-profit research initiative that aims to shape the future of patient safety and wellbeing, is inviting applications for its 2025 grant programme.

The MPS Foundation was launched by Medical Protection Society (MPS) – of which Dental Protection is part of – in 2022 and has since supported more than 50 medical and dental research projects from across the world.

The MPS Foundation is now inviting new research grant applications from both MPS members and non-members. It will invest in research and analysis with a focus on the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, teams, and patient safety, for both medical and dental fields. Applications will be considered from countries where MPS has members. This includes Australia, The Caribbean and Bermuda, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK.

Research projects should be focused on at least one of the MPS Foundation’s four strategic priorities:

• the impact of human factors on patient safety, outcomes and risk
• the personal and professional wellbeing of healthcare professionals and teams
• the impact of digital integration and technology on patient safety, outcomes and risk
• evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching and learning innovations

The MPS Foundations supports research projects that are academically robust, and evidence based. Available funding will range from AUD$10,290 – AUD$411,600 – the equivalent to £5,000 to £200,000 (subject to currency fluctuations), depending on the scale, focus, and duration of the research proposal.

Professor Gozie Offiah, MPS Foundation Chair, said: “We are thrilled to invite new grant opportunities for research projects focused on the critical areas of patient safety and clinician wellbeing. Funding for research in these areas has been limited, and we are proud to have changed that through supporting over 50 diverse projects which aim to benefit healthcare professionals and their patients all over the world.

“The MPS Foundation wants to fund research that is original, evidence-based, and focused on applied research.  We particularly welcome proposals from dental care environments.

“If you have a research project that you think may be suitable, please register your interest and join our growing community of grant recipients. I urge all dental professionals to consider applying for support whatever the scale of the proposal and to make the most of the additional resources available to support applicants this year.”

Applicants can register their interest and apply by visiting www.thempsfoundation.org and entering their details via the online grant portal. Calls for expressions of interest close on Friday 2 May 2025.

The MPS Foundation will also run a series of online question and answer clinics whilst the call for Expressions of Interest is open to explain the application process and what makes a successful application.  The booking form for these clinics can be found on The MPS Foundation Grant Portal The team will also be on hand to answer any questions about the process.

Medical Protection Society– the world’s leading protection organisation, currently supports more than 300,000 doctors, dentists, and healthcare professionals, and has 130 years of global healthcare experience and expertise.

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The White Paper ‘Avoiding the AI ‘Off-Switch’: Make AI Work for Clinicians, to Deliver for Patients’ is a collaboration between the MPS Foundation, the Centre for Assuring Autonomy at the University of York, and the Improvement Academy hosted at the Bradford Institute for Health Research. The MPS Foundation, along with Dental Protection, is part of the wider Medical Protection Society. The Foundation was established by MPS in 2022 to fund research in dentistry and medicine aimed at improving patient safety and clinician wellbeing.

The White Paper builds on results from the Shared CAIRE (Shared Care AI Role Evaluation) research project, which ran in partnership with the Centre for Assuring Autonomy. The research examined the impact of AI decision-support tools on clinicians – ranging from tools which simply provide information, through to those which make direct recommendations to clinicians, and conversational AI tools which can understand, process speech and respond to patient queries in real-time.

The authors concluded that to unlock the potential benefits of AI technologies to patients, more needs to be done to generate confidence in AI among the clinicians using them. The White Paper sets out several key recommendations intended to guide a range of clinicians, including dental professionals, on AI use:

1. Clinicians should regard the output from AI as another clinical perspective which informs the diagnostic and treatment planning process.
2. Clinicians should seek training on any AI systems they intend to use in the practice. This training should include AI capabilities, constraints, decision thresholds, and an understanding of the underlying algorithms.
3. Clinicians should feel confident to discuss the use of AI and decision support systems with a patient, as part of a wider conversation around diagnosis, treatment options.
4. Clinicians should engage with healthcare AI developers, when asked and where possible, to ensure that AI is user centric.

The White Paper also says healthcare organisations, including dental practices, should ensure any AI recommender systems procured have product liability which covers loss to a patient from an incorrect or harmful AI recommendation, or their contract with the AI company includes an indemnity or loss-sharing mechanism in cases where a patient alleges harm by an AI recommendation implemented by a clinician, and the clinician is subsequently held liable.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection, said: “This White Paper makes an excellent and timely contribution to the discussion around the potential of AI and how it can be responsibly integrated into all aspects of healthcare delivery.

“The transformative potential of AI in all walks of life cannot be overstated, and dentistry is no exception. The dental profession needs to be supported in embracing AI, from diagnostics, record keeping and predictive analytics, to patient and practice management systems. It is important that users have a good understanding of the workings, as transparency is the key when it comes to building trust in AI and boosting user confidence.

“This could lead to a range of benefits for patients, lessen the administrative burden, streamline clinical workflows and increase efficiency.

“It is a fast-evolving field and at Dental Protection we aim to remain at the heart of it – to help ensure members and their patients reap these benefits, and to provide advice and support which helps members understand and mitigate any emergent dentolegal risks in relation to the use of AI – for example, patient consent.

“In addition, and as the White Paper rightly sets out – to unlock real benefits for patients, AI tools must work for those actually using them, and at Dental Protection we will do everything we can to ensure that message is heard by the government, AI developers and regulators.”

View the White Paper.

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Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is a computer-generated artificial environment transmitted to the user by a special VR headset. Virtual reality can lower anxiety in dental patients. Soothing simulations played on the headset distract the patients from the ongoing dental work, making their visit more pleasant and allowing the dentist to work without interruptions. It is helpful when treating paediatric patients who are more anxious than adult patients. Virtual reality has provided a breakthrough in dental education; dental students can practice dental procedures freely in virtual dental simulations without endangering human beings. VR eliminates the risk of iatrogenic damage to nerves, vessels and other vital structures. [1] Even expert dental professionals use this technology in complex procedures such as implant surgeries. Virtual reality systems guide dentists when positioning dental implants at the correct anatomical location, avoiding sinuses and nerves. Pinpoint measurements help dentists to locate implants at the proper inter-implant & implant-tooth distance. VR reduces guesswork in dentistry, reducing human error and improving implant success. [2]

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captured the popular imagination in recent years and is now influencing the field of dentistry as well. AI has modernised dental healthcare by providing accurate and timely diagnoses, advising treatment plans, and unprecedentedly predicting prognoses. These advancements improve the way patients perceive and approach dental care. AI’s capacity to analyse “big data” sourced from dental radiographs, particularly CBCT scans (Cone Beam Computed Tomography), has enabled it to detect patterns and markers that help it diagnose many dental conditions such as caries, periodontal disease & even cysts and tumours. [6] Through its complex deep learning algorithms, AI detects and identifies budding diseases like cancers that may go unnoticed by the human eye. Timely diagnoses like these empower dentists to take preventive measures, possibly stopping disease progression and saving the patient a lot of pain and money.

Artificial Intelligence helps dentists in complex dental fields such as orthodontics: it can foresee tooth movements, assisting dentists in determining the force to be applied when using appliances. Dentists can show patients expected results enabling better-informed decisions about their treatment options.[8] Endodontics is made more predictable by AI, which determines the difficulty index of a root canal treatment, helping dentists make a better decision about treatment outcome, relaying it to the patient, and allowing them realistic expectations about endodontic treatment results. [7]

Digital Dentistry

Dentistry is an amalgamation of art and medical science. It involves many aspects of art, such as material handling and manipulation. A leading example is of impression-taking by materials such as silicones and hydrocolloids. However, this conventional technique is uncomfortable as it induces gagging in some patients and the replicas made could be more accurate as these materials undergo dimensional changes with time. Technological advancements have rid dentistry of this hassle by introducing a 3D intraoral scanner. This handheld device scans the oral cavity, producing an accurate & detailed 3-dimensional copy of it, overcoming the material disadvantages and patient discomfort associated with conventional impression techniques. The result is improved patient acceptance and experience.

The 3D oral scanner gained wider usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic when its use increased to limit patient-dentist interaction, reducing virus transmission while providing an accurate image of oral tissues. 3D scanners eliminate potential problems that can arise with conventional impressions, reduce chair time, and simplify the procedure for dentists and patients alike. [9] A replica of the oral tissues produced by this 3D scanner empowers technicians to build a perfect individualised prosthesis for the patient. This prosthesis is manufactured by Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD-CAM) with an unmatched fit and function and reduced material wastage using additive manufacturing techniques instead of conventional subtractive methods. CAD-CAM technique has drastically reduced waiting times and given rise to single-visit dentistry. During a single appointment, trained dentists can produce restorations like crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures. This breakthrough increases treatment acceptability in patients who can’t afford multiple visits for various reasons.

Robotics in Dentistry

Robotics is ushering in a new era in dentistry and revamping oral healthcare delivery. Robots provide precision, reducing human errors. Many semi-autonomous robots assist oral surgeons with implant surgeries and endodontic treatments. Robots that perform traditional lab work like crown preps, teeth set up on dentures, and archwire bending speed up the production process, giving more accurate results by eliminating human error. Autonomous robots with integrated AI have been introduced into the market and can perform complex dental procedures, such as root canal treatments. But only time will tell how well dentists and patients accept them and how well they perform in the real world.

Teledentistry

High-quality dental facilities and practitioners are usually accessible in urban areas. Access to quality oral healthcare between rural and urban areas is needed. Teledentistry is a means to bridge this gap and provide healthcare to people in remote areas. [3] Teledentistry was used widely during the COVID-19 Pandemic to prevent virus transmission while providing consultation with the aim of screening for diseases and preventive oral healthcare. More comprehensive 4G  and 5G network coverage will see increased use of teledentistry.

3D printers

The emergence of 3D printing has revolutionised the production of dental appliances and prostheses. 3D printing resulted in a significant shift from time-consuming, complex procedures of manual labour to the quick and easy conversion of digital designs into tangible dental appliances. The process has improved prosthodontics by speeding up the production of crowns, bridges & dentures, making one-visit dentistry possible. [4] 3D printing has also facilitated complex dental procedures such as implants by producing guide splints, which aid in the placement of implants with unmatched precision. 3D printers have accelerated orthodontics by quickly making custom aligners, reducing waiting times and improving patient satisfaction.

Internet of Dental Things

Internet of Dental Things means using physical devices, which are a part of everyday life, to collect data about habits and usage patterns to analyse and improve them. In dentistry, its primarily implemented by advanced electric toothbrushes that collect data about patients’ brushing habits, technique, duration and areas of brushing. A toothbrush can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, displaying the data in an associated app. It can have in-built sensors that sense if the patient is brushing too vigorously and informs them, helping prevent gum recession. As a result, dentists can monitor, analyse and suggest improved brushing techniques, drastically enhancing plaque removal and the patient’s efficiency, reducing the incidence of diseases such as caries and periodontal disease. Smartphone App also gives brushing recommendations, suggesting which areas to focus on more during brushing and motivating them to brush regularly.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has removed the need for paper patient records making for easy storage and retrieval of digital patient records. In addition, cloud-based digital records enable remotely located dentists to collaborate on a case. Online appointment systems have also streamlined workflow, reducing the agony of waiting times for patients.

Conclusion: 

As technology continues to impact dentistry, the dental experience will evolve for both stakeholders. Accurate diagnoses, precise treatments, and improved treatment outcomes will result in a greater level of satisfaction for patients, ensuring profitability and work safety for dentists. Though technology can’t wholly replace dental professionals with the help of Teledentistry, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Virtual Reality, Dentistry is ready to unlock a new era in oral healthcare, which ensures a healthy and glowing smile for people globally.

References

[1] Roy E., Bakr M.M., George R. The need for virtual reality simulators in dental education: A review. Saudi Dent. J. 2017;29:41–47

[2] Ayoub A., Pulijala Y. The application of virtual reality and augmented reality in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. BMC Oral Health. 2019;19:238

[3] Khan S.A., Omar H. Teledentistry in practice: A literature review. Telemed. E-Health. 2013;19:565–567. doi: 10.1089/TMJ.2012.0200

[4] Ma B., Park T., Chun I., Yun K. The accuracy of a 3D printing surgical guide is determined by CBCT and model analysis. J. Adv. Prosthodont. 2018;10:279–285

[5] Golob Deeb J., Bencharit S., Carrico C.K., Lukic M., Hawkins D., Rener-Sitar K., Deeb G.R. Exploring training dental implant placement using computer-guided implant navigation system for predoctoral students: A pilot study. Eur. J. Dent. Educ. 2019;23:415–423

[6] Hung K., Yeung AW K., Tanaka R., Bornstein M.M. Current Applications, Opportunities, and Limitations of AI for 3D Imaging in Dental Research and Practice. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17:4424

[7] Mallishery S., Chhatpar P., Banga K.S., Shah T., Gupta P. The precision of case difficulty and referral decisions: An innovative automated approach. Clin. Oral Investig. 2019;13:1–7

[8] Kunz F., Stellzig-Eisenhauer A., Zeman F., Boldt J. Artificial intelligence in orthodontics. J. Orofac. Orthop. Fortschr. Der Kieferorthopädie. 2020;81:52–68

[9] Mangano F., Gandolfi A., Luongo G., Logozzo S. Intraoral scanners in dentistry: A review of the current literature. BMC Oral Health. 2017;17:149

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Toothpaste is typically sold in liquid or gel form in collapsible tubes. These toothpaste tubes are made of plastic and aluminium, none of which can be recycled.

Impact of Toothpaste Tubes on Environmental Pollution

According to the World Health Organisation, the average person consumes six toothpaste tubes annually. Therefore millions of people will use billions of toothpaste tubes each year. Such consumption causes grave environmental damage, as heaps of plastic waste pile up yearly.

According to recycling experts from the independent eco-labelling programmes in Australia, toothpaste tubes are tough to recycle as they are made of various plastics and glazed metal, which makes recycling them even more challenging. Only 10% of the 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes discarded each year are recycled, meaning about 1.3 billion end up in landfill, incinerators and oceans, upsetting the fragile ecological balance.

Plastic waste in landfills and oceans disrupts food chains and ecosystems and takes hundreds of years to degrade. Plastic waste seriously threatens sea animals, which can choke on plastic trash. Microplastics have been detected in seafood.

Toothpaste tubes are a major contributor to non-recyclable plastic waste, leading environmental experts to demand action from toothpaste manufacturers. To tackle this problem of ever-increasing plastic waste from discarded toothpaste tubes, researchers introduced toothpaste tablets in 2007, marketed as a sustainable alternative to conventional toothpaste tubes.

What Are Toothpaste Tablets?

Now you might be wondering what toothpaste tablets are. They are dry, compressed discs that can be crushed and mixed with water to form a paste. They are marketed as having a major edge over conventional plastic tubes due to their recyclable packaging. Additionally, they are promoted among environmentalist groups as consisting of ingredients free from animal testing and cruelty.

Tidalove, an environmentally conscious business specialising in self-care products, introduced its fluoride-containing toothpaste tablets to meet all oral and environmental needs without compromising on the other.

Since toothpaste tablets’ advent, efficiency and sustainability have been debated among dental and environmental groups.

This article will compare many features of toothpaste tablets and conventional toothpaste tubes to help you decide what’s best for you and your patients.

How are Toothpaste Tablets Environment-Friendly?

For decades, regular toothpaste has been sold in collapsible plastic tubes discarded after we finish them, contributing to the ever-increasing size of plastic landfills and ocean plastic waste.

In contrast, toothpaste tables are available in recyclable packaging. Furthermore, Tidalove has introduced reusable tin packs of toothpaste tablets, which can be refilled monthly, eliminating the plastic trash that comes with every new pack of regular toothpaste.

If you’re an environmentalist and an oral hygiene enthusiast like me, toothpaste tablets are a win-win situation for us and the environment.

Are Toothpaste Tablets Any More Convenient Than Regular Toothpaste?

Frequent travellers know the pain of adhering to tight liquid allowances on-air. Regular toothpastes often fall into the liquid category, so travellers frequently need to buy extra travel-sized tubes for luggage.

This is where toothpaste tablets step in. They are dry, compact, and, unlike regular toothpaste, don’t fall under the liquid category, making them a very convenient choice for carry-on baggage. They also don’t leak into your luggage or bag, making them a less messy travel-friendly option.

If you’re travelling somewhere with extreme weather, Tidalove toothpaste tablets will be your oral hygiene partner, as they have a lower chance of drying out than regular toothpaste.

These characteristics make them an obvious choice for a frequent traveller, hiker, or anyone looking for a convenient toothpaste option.

What Are The Constituents of Toothpaste Tablets?

Tidalove has formulated its toothpaste tablets to be as nature friendly as possible, free from harmful ingredients usually found in conventional toothpaste, like:

1.  Preservatives, e.g.parabens, which disrupt normal endocrine function by releasing oestrogen,
2.  Foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulphate can cause irritation, dryness and sensitivity.
3. Artificial colours

These tablets are also free of gluten and animal products, making them suitable for vegans and people with celiac disease.

While formulating toothpaste tablets and keeping the ingredients as natural as possible, many toothpaste tablet manufacturers tend to ignore an important player in maintaining oral health by fighting cavities, fluoride. Most manufacturers’ tablets contain only xylitol, an anti-cavity sugar, but alone is not enough to prevent cavities.

The absence of fluoride has led to criticism of toothpaste from the Dental community. Fluoride is an important element that reinforces enamel structure by replacing Hydroxyl ions in the Hydroxyapatite with fluoride ions, forming strong fluorapatite crystals more resistant to caries attacks. It also induces remineralisation in tooth structure, which is demineralised by the carious process.

According to the American Dental Association’s recommendation, Tidalove has introduced toothpaste tablets containing fluoride, the mainstay anti-caries agent. “We are thrilled to introduce Tidalove toothpaste tablets, a game-changer in oral care,” said Penny Choi, founder of Tidalove, at the launch of their toothpaste tablets, “Our fluoride-infused tablets offer a sustainable alternative to traditional toothpaste, allowing individuals to maintain their oral health while contributing to a cleaner planet.”

With the addition of fluoride in toothpaste tablets’ formulation, more dentists are likely to recommend it to their patients.

Apart from fluoride, Tidalove has formulated toothpaste tablets with the following beneficial EWG Green Grade ingredients:

1. Xylitol – the only anti-cavity sugar
2. Sodium bicarbonate – neutralises plaque-causing acid.
3. Hydroxyapatite – an important constituent of enamel structure
4. Silicon Dioxide – an anti-plaque agent
5. Green tea extract – anti-inflammatory effects
6. Apple extract – controls Halitosis (bad breath)
7. Rosemary Extract – eliminates bacteria.
8. Vitamins E, B6, and C: prevention of gum disease

Are Toothpaste Tablets as Efficient as Regular Toothpaste?

A major concern for a dental professional would be: Are these toothpaste tablets as efficient as conventional toothpaste?

The efficacy of toothpaste depends on its constituents having the ability to prevent cavities, gum disease and provide a clean, fresh smile.

Tidalove toothpaste tablets have many potent ingredients (as previously mentioned) that provide an efficient cleaning action, including fluoride, making it even better.

According to research comparing the abrasiveness of both toothpaste options by a micro-computed tomography analysis, toothpaste tablets were less abrasive than conventional toothpaste. This means that tablets provide a gentle brushing experience essential to maintaining the irreplaceable enamel layer. [1]

How to Use Toothpaste Tablets

Regular toothpaste tubes are easy to use; squeeze it out of the tube on the toothbrush, wet it and start tooth brushing. Toothpaste tablets may be odd for some people, mostly because it is a new experience, not because it’s difficult.

Using it is simple in just four easy steps:

1. Chew: take a Tidalove toothpaste tablet and place it in your mouth; chew the tablet to break it apart, and let it mix with saliva to form a paste.
2. Brush: use your soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth; make sure to clean your tongue by the backside of the toothbrush or a tongue cleaner
3. Rinse: After brushing, rinse thoroughly with water. Some users may experience a gritty feeling, but another rinse would eliminate that feeling.
4. Smile: Enjoy a brighter smile every day.

What Else Does Tidalove Have to Offer?

Tidalove tablets offer a greener substitute for regular toothpaste by eliminating single-use plastic waste. Furthermore, you can purchase refills eliminating the need to buy another tin pack for storage. Tidalove offers these tablets in two delicious flavours: Sweet Cinnamon & Minty Yuzu. [https://tidalove.com/collections/oral-care].

References:

1. Shaikh M, Lund G, Ko J, Roque-Torres G, Oyoyo U, Kwon SR. Micro-computed tomography analysis of abrasivity of toothpaste tablets compared to conventional toothpaste. Am J Dent. 2021 Oct;34(5):235-239. PMID: 34689444.

The post Tablets: The New and Sustainable Future of Toothpaste appeared first on The Dental Review.

Dentists play an important role in the early detection of oral cancer. They can use various tools and techniques to aid in detection, including visual examination, palpation, and imaging technologies such as autofluorescence visualisation.

Autofluorescence is the natural emission of fluorescent light by certain tissue molecules when they are excited by specific wavelengths of light. In the context of oral lesions and cancers, autofluorescence refers to the characteristic fluorescence emitted by normal and abnormal oral tissues when illuminated with violet/blue light. Normal and abnormal oral tissues have different fluorescence profiles, and premalignant and malignant tissues often exhibit a loss of autofluorescence, especially in the green wavelength range. This loss of autofluorescence can be used to differentiate between malignant and surrounding normal tissues.

By using specialised imaging equipment, healthcare professionals can visualise the fluorescence emitted by the oral tissues and identify areas of abnormal fluorescence that may indicate the presence of premalignant or malignant lesions. Autofluorescence visualisation can be used in addition to conventional white-light examination to improve the detection of oral premalignant lesions and oral cancers.

A study published in the National Institute of Health [“Autofluorescence-Guided Surveillance for Oral Cancer” Vijayvel Jayaprakash et al. complete article below] found that adding autofluorescence visualisation to conventional white-light examination improved surveillance sensitivity for detecting oral premalignant lesions and oral cancers from 71% to 91% while maintaining a high specificity of 93%. The positive predictive value of the combined approach was 85%, compared to 67% for white-light examination alone.

These findings suggest that autofluorescence visualisation could be a useful complementary diagnostic aid in the surveillance of high-risk patient populations. However, it is important to note that further refinement in autofluorescence technology and the development of adjunct genetic and molecular markers may be needed to improve the specificity of this technique.

Conclusion

Autofluorescence visualisation is a promising new tool for the early detection of oral cancer. However, more research is needed to improve the specificity of this technique. In the meantime, dentists can use autofluorescence visualisation as a complementary diagnostic aid in the surveillance of high-risk patient populations.

The post Autofluorescence and its use in the early detection of oral cancer appeared first on The Dental Review.

Lung cancer was on the rise, yet there was not enough evidence linking smoking to it. Cigarette companies convinced doctors that throat irritation associated with smoking was due to environmental pollution and a lack of menthol, not the smoking itself.

It was not until the late 1950s that doctors realised smoking was harmful and publicly declared it a direct cause of lung cancer in 1957.

With the advent of fast-paced research in the 21st century, doctors are determined not to repeat this mistake with vaping. Yes, vaping is the new “smoking,” the fun-flavoured e-cigarette you might have seen your friends use, most of whom say it is not harmful, even advocating it as a healthier alternative to smoking.

As a dentist, we must be equipped with the correct knowledge about this new prevalent habit, its effects on oral health and be ready to help our patients with the right approach.

What is Vaping?

Vaping, a short form of Vaporizing, is inhaling and exhaling the aerosol produced by an electronic cigarette, commonly known as a vape pen. This vape pen contains a liquid known as vaping juice, available in various attractive flavours and contains many chemicals, including nicotine. This liquid vape juice is heated, turned into vapours (hence the name), and inhaled by users.

According to research, vaping has skyrocketed to more than 1500% increase in users between 2019 and 2021. The latest numbers are even more alarming; according to an early 2023 survey, more than 3.5 million Australians use vape or smoke, with the majority being teenagers.

Why do people vape?

Like cigarettes, manufacturers have advertised vaping as the symbol of youth and being in vogue, attracting many teenagers to use it out of curiosity and try the many attractive flavours.

Teenagers are also pulled into the vaping habit by peer pressure. It is cheaper than regular cigarettes and readily available at stores. Moreover, it is easier to hide from parents, available in small shapes and sizes, no more than a USB flash drive.

Is not vaping better than smoking?

Numerous people who smoke regularly switch to vaping as their first attempt to quit, claiming it is better than smoking. They cite early research suggesting that vaping exposes fewer toxins, not producing tar and carbon monoxide like smoking.

However, vaping is not without its associated risks; it contains nicotine (responsible for addiction), inhibits brain development in teenagers and causes smoking-like respiratory problems, i.e. asthma and bronchitis.

No one ever thought that smoking could be fatal until the 2019 outbreak of E-cigarette associated lung injuries that hospitalised more than 2800 individuals, resulting in the death of 64 individuals. This incident raised grave concerns about the safety of using e-cigarettes.

For smokers considering vaping to quit smoking, there are other practical and proven ways to overcome this habit, like counselling and medication. Talking to a health professional about it is the best way to make an informed decision.

Know that vape is not a smoking cessation product, and as we will discuss below, it is just as detrimental to our oral health as it is to our physical health.

Effects of Vaping on Oral Health?

The effects of smoking and vaping on the lungs and other body systems are widely discussed, but the impact on oral health is often overlooked. Our duty as oral health professionals is to be well informed on the effects of vaping on oral health as an emerging healthcare problem.

Like cigarette smoking, vaping can cause gum irritation, leading to bleeding and, finally development of periodontal disease. Weak periodontal tissues lead to gum recession, eventually resulting in the loss of mobile teeth. You then need a prosthesis like a dental implant to replace the lost tooth, but does vaping spare even that?

Well, studies show that vaping decreases implant success by constricting blood arteries that cause poor perfusion and delayed healing of the implant surgical site.

Even if healing occurs, vape users are more prone to peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implants). A study found vaping to be the primary causal factor of peri-implantitis by inducing inflammatory reactions in oral epithelial cells and periodontal fibroblasts.

Clinically vape users showed the poorest prognosis when treated for peri-implantitis, followed by smokers and non-smokers (who showed the best prognosis).

All these periodontal issues are linked to nicotine, the equally main culprit in cigarette smoking. A famous vape manufacturer claims it is as efficient in delivering nicotine as a cigarette, just 2.7% faster. However, many manufacturers under-label the nicotine content in their e-cigarettes.

Vape users are at a higher risk of developing caries. According to a survey, vape users are 79% more prone to develop caries, linked to 2 reasons: Xerostomia & Harmful Ingredients that promote the carious process.

Vape users have reported symptoms of dry mouth (xerostomia) linked to 1)the heat produced by the vape and 2)a volatile ingredient: isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol reduces the secretion of saliva and acts as a diuretic, resulting in dehydration and, eventually, dry mouth. This mechanism inhibits saliva’s natural flushing action, allowing more carious organisms to thrive and cause cavitation.

Apart from nicotine, vape juice has another harmful ingredient: sticky MCT oil, enabling more microorganisms and sugars to adhere to the tooth surfaces, releasing acids and causing demineralisation. Additionally, some vape juice flavours can cause more biofilm (plaque) formation, aiding adherence of sugars and carious microorganisms.

Vapes are electronic devices powered by lithium batteries to heat the vape liquid. These batteries can get overheated and result in an explosion, causing burns and terrible injuries. According to US FDA, there were over 2000 Emergency room visits for a vape explosion from 2015 to 2017. These injuries significantly affect nicotine users due to impaired immunity, constricted perfusion, and reduced connective tissue turnover.

How to prevent the adverse effects of Vaping?

As mentioned previously, vape users are at a higher risk of developing caries and periodontal disease. They need to be extra careful about their oral health. Maintaining oral hygiene is important:

Brushing twice daily, once before bed and once after breakfast, with a fluoride-containing toothpaste
Use of floss in the interdental spaces to prevent food lodgement and restrict the carious process
Regularly visiting the dentist, so they can detect any early signs of oral disease, treating it in its early stages.
Switch to nicotine-free vape juice alternatives and gradually reduce its usage.
How can we help vape users as Dental professionals?

Dentists have a crucial role in educating patients about vaping in a helpful, friendly manner.

Most vape users are teenagers and should be approached conversationally, like asking them if they know someone who vapes, what they think about vaping, and if they know about the effects of vaping on health. This approach will help build trust with the patient and then gradually explain specific oral health risks to them.

Adult vape users, especially those trying to quit smoking, are more receptive to advice. They should be informed of smoking cessation options, such as chewing gums and medications, that are nicotine free and more suitable for smoking cessation.

The most crucial task for the clinician is to screen for any developing diseases in vape users and use any preventive measures like fluoride sealants and restoration of early carious lesions to stop the disease from developing in the first place. Particular attention should be given to periodontal tissues.

More research is yet needed to understand the effects of vaping on oral health. Dentists can access more data than any researcher; they should document and report oral healthcare findings to better understand potential risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, even though vaping may be considered a “safer” alternative to smoking, it poses potential risks to your dental health. Dentists are essential in helping people make educated decisions regarding their vaping habits by being aware of the potential impacts and adopting preventative measures to protect their oral health.

References

Kim, S.A., Smith S., Beauchamp, C., Song, Y., Chiang, M. Giuseppetti, A.… Kim, J.J. (2018). Effects of E-cigarette liquids on oral microbiome and enamel properties. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 92(6), 10-18.

Farsalinos, K. E., & Polosa, R. (2014). Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 5(2), 67-86.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2021: Detailed findings. Drug statistics series no. 37. Cat. No. PHE 310. Canberra: AIHW.

AlJasser, R., Zahid, M., AlSarhan, M., AlOtaibi, D., & AlOraini, S. (2021). The effect of conventional versus electronic cigarette use on treatment outcomes of peri-implant disease. BMC Oral Health, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01784-w

The post Vaping and Oral Health: Unveiling the risks behind the Vape Clouds appeared first on The Dental Review.

Judith has worked in general dental practice for over twenty-five years and is committed to providing prevention based dental care to her patients. She has served as an elected Non Executive Director of the British Dental Association for over ten years and continues to sit on their General Dental Practice Committee.

Since June 2019, she has been a member of the Dental Board which advises MPS on developments within dentistry and on members’ needs.

Judith commented: “It has been a privilege to serve on the Dental Board for the last five years, championing the interests of our members all over the world. I will use my time on the Council now to build on this, ensuring our members remain at the heart of all that we do.”

Judith’s appointment to Council follows the recent appointment of Graham Stokes as the first dentist Chair of MPS Council in July 2024.

Graham commented: “I am delighted that Judith has accepted to join the Council. She is a keen advocate for the dental profession and patients, and her deep understanding of professional regulation, education, the dental team and professional ethics will greatly benefit our members.”

About Dental Protection

Dental Protection is a registered trademark and a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our E-learning, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The post Dentist Judith Husband joins MPS Council appeared first on The Dental Review.

Dental Protection has announced significant progress towards achieving net zero emissions in its operations by 2027.

The Medical Protection Society (MPS) 2023 annual report sets out the progress it is making at Medical Protection and Dental Protection towards its goals to reduce its environmental impact.

The 2023 annual report, published today, reports across the entire MPS estate:

• 99.9% use of renewable energy.
• 71% reduction in energy consumption and 98% drop in Biogas usage from 2022.
• 93% reduction in Scope 1 carbon emissions (direct emissions from things like air conditioning units, gas heating systems and company cars) and Scope 2 (indirect) carbon emissions.
• Use of FSC-certified carbon balanced paper to help World Land Trusts protect 1,754m² of critically threatened tropical rainforest.
• Saving of 75,269kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions through sustainable printing and donating or recycling redundant technology, equivalent to 3,146 new trees planted, taking thirty-two cars off the road for a year or grounding 76 long haul flights from London Heathrow to New York City.

This progress was warmly welcomed by dentist Dr Graham Stokes, whose tenure as Chair of MPS Council officially starts following the Annual General Meeting on 12 June 2024.

Dr Graham Stokes said: “We recognise our responsibilities not only to members and colleagues, but to the planet, our communities and to future generations to come. We know making the right choices for the planet is increasingly important to our members, and it is important to us.

“Our members can rely on us to be there for them in their professional journey as well as do our part in creating a greener, more sustainable future for the healthcare industry. We take great care in how we invest our funds and we have set a new bold net zero target by 2027.

“We are proud of the progress we have made, including our public commitment to incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our investment decision making and ownership practices. Dental Protection, as part of MPS, is the only indemnity provider that is a signatory to the internationally recognised United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing.”

The 2024 MPS Annual General Meeting will take place on 12 June 2024, and members can find out more and register to attend here.

END

For further information contact pressoffice@medicalprotection.org

About Dental Protection

Dental Protection is a registered trademark and a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The post Dental Protection Goes Green – 10 June 2024 appeared first on The Dental Review.

The MPS Foundation has partnered with FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) on a project aimed to raise awareness of the importance of managing mental health and develop further resources for oral health professionals.

Dental Protection is a part of Medical Protection Society (MPS), which launched the MPS Foundation in 2022. It is a global not-for-profit research initiative that invests in research into patient safety and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals and teams. Now in its third year, it has already supported over 30 projects from across the world.

The FDI project – which is in its second phase – will run until December 2025. The project activities will revolve around the World Mental Health Day in October to raise awareness of and destigmatise mental health issues in dentistry. It will focus on dental professionals and students, promoting and extending the resources and tools created in the first phase of the project.

The successful first phase resulted in the production of an online mental health toolkit for dental professionals, dental practices and national dental associations, as well as resources like podcasts to address challenges faced by individuals and practices.

In the second phase, the project aims to:

• Raise awareness of the importance of addressing mental health issues and wellbeing for dental practitioners and dental students, including the impact of patient dental phobia on practitioner mental health.
• Challenge stigma by normalising the discussion of mental health issues around dentistry.
• Develop resources and training materials for dental team members and dental students to address specific challenges.
• Develop resources for patients, to prevent and manage dental anxiety and fear of visits to the dentist.

Dr Graham Stokes, dentist and MPS Foundation chair, said: “We are pleased to partner with FDI on this important project to support dental professionals with mental wellbeing. The project sits well with the Foundation’s and Dental Protection’s objectives, and we look forward to seeing the insights that will arise from it.

“Our research has shown that increasingly more dental professionals deal with stress, worry and anxiety, which can result in serious mental health issues. These situations can also affect the quality of care provided and negatively impact on patients’ wellbeing.

“All stakeholders in the dental profession have a responsibility to promote mental health and wellbeing for dental professionals and dental students who are exposed to high levels of stress and burnout.

“Dental Protection members facing mental wellbeing concerns can continue to make use of our 24/7 counselling service and other wellbeing support available as a benefit of membership. The service is provided through a third-party partner and is completely confidential.”

Dr Greg Chadwick, FDI President added: “The support from the MPS Foundation is critical to FDI advancing its vital work in preserving the mental health and wellbeing of our current and future dental professionals, to ensure the highest standard of self-care and patient care.”

The MPS Foundation is now inviting applications for its 2024 grant programme. Applicants can register their interest and apply by visiting www.thempsfoundation.org and entering their details via the online grant portal. Calls for expressions of interest close on 3 May 2024.

END

For further information contact pressoffice@medicalprotection.org

About the MPS Foundation

The MPS Foundation is a global, not-for-profit research initiative that aims to shape the future of patient safety by investing in research, analysis, education, and training. The MPS Foundation is part of Medical Protection Society (MPS) – the world’s leading protection organisation supporting more than 300,000 doctors, dentists, and healthcare professionals around the world. The MPS Foundation

About FDI World Dental Federation

FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for over 1 million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. FDI is the leading global voice of the dental profession and works with its members to improve oral health worldwide. FDI was founded in 1900 and is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. www.fdiworlddental.org

About Dental Protection

Dental Protection is a registered trademark and a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The post MPS Foundation partners with FDI World Dental Federation to Tackle Stress and Anxiety in Dentistry appeared first on The Dental Review.

Medical Protection Society (MPS) – of which Dental Protection is part – launched the Foundation in 2022. Now in its third year, it has already supported over 30 research projects from across the world.

The Foundation is now inviting new research grant applications from both MPS members and non-members. It will invest in research and analysis with a key focus on patient safety and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals and teams, both medical and dental. Applications will be considered from the jurisdictions where MPS has members. This includes Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Hong Kong, the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Research projects supported by The MPS Foundation need to be academically robust and evidence based. Available funding will range from AUD 9,704 to AUD 388,160 – the equivalent to £5,000 to £200,000 (subject to currency fluctuations), depending on the scale, focus and duration of the proposal.

The funding focusses on five main areas:

• the impact of human factors on patient safety, outcomes, and risk
• the impact of processes and delivery modes on patient safety, outcomes, and risk
• the personal and professional wellbeing of healthcare professionals and teams
• the impact of digital integration and technology on patient safety, outcomes, and risk
• the impact of the effectiveness of teaching and learning innovations upon patient safety, outcomes and risk.

Dr Graham Stokes, dentist and MPS Foundation Chair, said: “We are delighted to launch our third grant programme to support research projects on patient safety and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. Funding for research in this area has been limited but our grant programmes have been changing that. Projects that we have supported in previous years have shown great success in promoting best practise and wellbeing across several countries.

“Our aim is simple: to fund research that improves safety for patients and the wellbeing of healthcare teams.

“If you have a research project that you think is suitable, register your interest and join our growing community of grant recipients. I strongly encourage healthcare professionals to consider applying for support whatever the scale of the proposal and to make the most of the additional resources available to support applicants this year.”

Applicants can register their interest and apply by visiting www.thempsfoundation.org and entering their details via the online grant portal. Calls for expressions of interest close on 3 May 2024 at 17:00 BST.

The MPS Foundation team is holding two online question and answer clinics on 8 March and later in April to introduce the 2024 grant programme, explain the application process and what makes a successful application. The team can also respond to any questions applicants have about the process.

The Foundation is part of MPS – the world’s leading protection organisation – which currently supports more than 300,000 doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals, and has almost 130 years of global healthcare experience and expertise.

The post Global research initiative invites grant applications for patient safety and wellbeing projects appeared first on The Dental Review.

Its aim is to improve the health and quality of life of vulnerable people with poor oral health through the provision of pro bono dental treatment, education programs and advocacy.

Working with a number of registered charities, the programs prioritise those most in need, including asylum seekers, refugees and disadvantaged people who are unable to access mainstream dental services. This would not happen without the support of many volunteer dentists involved in the program.

In the past two years, Filling the Gap has facilitated more than 2000 appointments at the ADA NSW clinic in St Leonards and within volunteer private dental practices. It is estimated the total value of these appointments is over one million dollars.

Chair of Filling the Gap, Dr Jodie Olivier, said the dental clinics offer many opportunities to help others which in turn can have a profound impact on their lives.

“Most dentists I know have an innate desire to help people. Through volunteering with Filling the Gap we have the opportunity to do just that – the simple, yet enormous act of helping people,” Dr Olivier said.

“For the vulnerable groups that are referred to us, pro bono dentistry through the Filling the Gap and ADA Dental Health Foundation programs we facilitate are a lifeline to dental care.

“My work colleagues and I have firsthand experience of patients’ appreciation of the basic dental services that we often take for granted – relief of pain, fixing a broken tooth or the provision of dentures. I look forward to volunteering again for Filling the Gap…and again and again and again.”

Volunteer or donate today

Dental practitioners are encouraged to assist in providing pro bono dental services to disadvantaged people in our community through Filling the Gap and ADA Dental Health Foundation programs.

The programs are currently experiencing a long waiting list of referred patients. In particular, Filling the Gap are looking for volunteers willing to help by treating vulnerable people in your clinic, especially during the first six months of this year to June.

“Take the leap, and volunteer your practice to provide pro bono dental care to those in need. Our team can find the program that suits you. Each patient treated is one step closer to filling the gap,” said Dr Olivier.

Click https://bit.ly/3vyzYwd to download the Volunteer Welcome Pack. Here you will find all the information you need, detailing the options for volunteering your time and expertise. Contact the team today at smile@fillingthegap.org.au to express your interest.

Filling the Gap also accepts donations which are invaluable in helping us provide much needed dental aid to disadvantaged people suffering pain and dental disease. To make a donation, visit www.fillingthegap.org.au/donate

LISTEN NOW:
Filling the Gap podcast

To learn more about Filling the Gap, listen to the latest episode of The Dental Practitioner podcast which gives a look inside the dental charity.

During this episode, we learn more about Filling the Gap and how dentists can volunteer their time and make a difference in the lives of others.

To listen to the podcast, visit:

www.adansw.com.au/CPD/podcasts/dentalpractitioner

The post Pro bono dental treatment with life changing impact appeared first on The Dental Review.

Graham is a general dental practitioner with a special interest in implants and prosthetics. He also lectures widely on a range of dental topics, and has led numerous teams of dental volunteers to Tanzania providing dental emergency care.

Graham has been a member of MPS Council since 2017. His tenure as Chair will start following MPS’s annual general meeting in June 2024.

He takes over from Ian Eardley who is stepping down after five years as Chair. Ian steered the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that MPS met the evolving needs of members during this challenging time. He leaves the post with MPS having its largest ever membership, record member satisfaction levels as well as strong funding.

Confirmation of Graham’s appointment of Chair, follows the recent appointment of Karen Miller as Chief Executive of MPS, following the retirement of Simon Kayll.

Graham commented: “Having been a member of Dental Protection all my clinical working life, I know just how important it is to have the confidence and security that there are experts ready to support me – especially when I need them the most!

“I am honoured and humbled to be the next chair of Council for the Medical Protection Society and to be able to give something back to the organisation that has cared for me for so long.

“I look forward to working alongside all my Medical Protection and Dental Protection colleagues to ensure that our members are at the heart of all that we do and that members will, as they always have been, be safe in our hands.”

About Dental Protection

Dental Protection is a registered trademark and a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The post Dentist Graham Stokes to chair MPS Council – 12 March 2024 appeared first on The Dental Review.