News yesterday that in the last 8 years the amount of people being admitted to hospital each year with abscesses has doubled suggests, that despite the governments public push for greater access to dentists, the dental crisis is no closer to improvement. It is also reported that the new government contract introduced in 2006 has as yet had little impact. But then again – why would it? Without taking too close an examination there are three fundamental flaws that are immediately apparent with the new contract that was supposed to allow greater access to dentists.

The first is that NHS dentists have now become largely target based. That is to say they are valued at a yearly fee but have to hit a target of UDA’s (Unit of Dental Activity) to ensure that they keep that fee. In effect this can lead to dentists not only being under pressure to see patients quicker (thus making mistakes more likely), but it could also encourage them to perform treatment that may not be necessary  but will have a higher UDA value.

The second flaw concerns the route of these abscesses as surely we would be much better trying to focus on prevention rather than cure. With that I mean why not put a higher focus on oral hygiene education? If people are better informed how to look after their teeth and are more aware of what causes their teeth the most damage then surely this would much better tackle the route of the problem?

The third and final problem concerns the fact that the new contract seemingly had the effect of many dentists actually leaving the NHS – surely not a good  thing when trying to provide greater access to dentists. It seems that for many dentists the new deal left them a bit short on what they could earn before. And while it’s all very well saying that dentists earn enough money, realistically would any one of us put up with having to take a pay cut for providing the same level of service? I think not.

The fact is the best way to ensure that you aren’t one of those who ends up with a swollen face in casualty then the best thing to do us make sure you look after your teeth and get them checked regularly. A lot of people don’t like going to the dentist but if you haven’t been for years and then wake up one day with a swollen face, don’t be too surprised if your ensuing visit turns into an unpleasent one. The dentist really isn’t a bad place to go if you do it regularly and keep your teeth and gums in check. It might just save a lot of unnecessary suffering and, in extreme cases, even your life!

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Research has found that the chances of women carrying a gene that can lead to breast cancer has risen dramatically over the last 60 years. The  research, carried out by the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Centre in Manchester, warns that the current figures of 1 in 10 women developing breast cancer by the age of 80 could rise to 1 in 7 by 2024. Changes in women’s health has been attributed to lifestyle choices with experts encouraging women to have families earlier and avoid long term use of female hormones in HRT and contraceptives.  Regular exercise and a healthy diet could also make a difference.

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News from Reuters today reports on a Mediteranean diet, already used to fight heart disease, which appears to also fight off diabetes. And before you start getting excited Mediteranean diet does NOT equate to pizza. Well not in this instance anyway.

Research shows that people who stuck to the diet rich in fruit and vegetables, are a massive 83% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is closeley linked to obesity and heart disease so it is none the wonder that the diet counters both. In any case it shows the importance of keeping your weight under control and giving your body the nutrients it needs with a balanced and healthy diet.

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… then move to the South West says the Daily Mail today. Apparently the good folk of East Dorset have the highest life expectancy in the country – with men having a 78% chance and women an 86% chance – of living until 75. If you are a man living in Manchester then you may want to think about moving – your chances of reaching 75 are only 52% in comparison. Alternatively you could just stop smoking, eat healthily and take plenty of exericise! It’s well documented that the reason for these fluctuations usually reflects the life style differences of different demographic regions. It has been shown that those areas with poor education, less wealth and more working class are more likely to eat poorly, smoke and generally indulge in self-harm of the body. Of course stereotypes are there to be contradicted so even if you don’t fall into any of these bands it doesn’t mean you can’t choose a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. And the good news is – even if you don’t take the healthy route the chances of reaching 75 have markedly risen for all of us in the last two decades

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A BBC news article today suggests that bicarbonate, what most of us know as baking soda, can actually be used as a very early detector of cancer. As cancerous tissue is known to turn bicarbonate into carbon dioxide, researchers have been able to track changes using MRI scans to identify cancers at very early stages. With early detection of cancers being an immensely important factor in successful cancer treatment, it is believed this development could have a huge impact on improving survival rates. See more about this story and other daily health news.

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