“We do a lot of work on improving smiles and funnily enough it’s lot of smiling that contributes to crows feet – the wrinkles by eyes. A number of patients have been asking me to offer Botox treatments for ages so I had to make time to do the training”.

The botulinum toxin drug used in anti-wrinkle treatments like Botox works by relaxing the small facial muscles around the wrinkle but eventually wears off within 3 to 4 months. Simon explained why this makes it a popular treatment.

“Cosmetic surgery can not only be very expensive but the patient has to live with the results or undergo further surgery if they want to make changes. With the temporary nature of anti-wrinkle injections there is very little that can go wrong but the results can be a huge confidence boost to the patient”.

“Because the treatment involves injections and can only be prescribed by a medical professional it’s not something typically offered by beauty salons and spas. While it might seem odd that a dentist is offering Botox treatments, as well as keeping teeth and gums healthy we do a lot of cosmetic work on teeth for patients who want to feel better about their appearance.”

Find out more about our Anti-wrinkle treatments

An EU Directive came into force on 31 October 2012 changing the strength of chemicals allowed in tooth whitening products. However, tooth whitening treatments still may only be carried out by qualified dentists or under their direct supervision by qualified dental hygienists and dental therapists.

Simon Bromley, a dentist at Bridge Dental Smiles in Oakengates, Telford expressed his concerns;

“While the results of teeth whitening can transform how someone feels about their appearance, for some patients the procedure may not be suitable due to their dental health. That’s why anyone considering this treatment should talk to their dentist first.”

“People may be attracted by low prices but they are taking a risk when having tooth whitening outside of their dental practice. We’ve seen one case of a women who came to us with badly burnt lips after using a tooth whitening kit provided by a beauty therapist.”

The body that governs dentistry in the UK, the General Dental Council, has reaffirmed its position on the treatment insisting that an appropriate clinical examination is carried out in order to ensure that there are no risk factors or any other oral pathology concerns.

Simon Bromley added,

“Only dentists can legally prescribe the chemicals used in conventional and laser tooth whitening treatments. Patients looking to save money may be tempted to buy the chemicals online. If legal these chemicals will have little effect due to the non-prescription strength allowed. However, there is no guarantee what you will be exposing your mouth, teeth and gums to and the damage could be permanent.”

“We also know some therapists try to get around the legislation by using other chemicals such as chlorine dioxide. The result here would be white teeth at the cost of damaging the surface of the enamel. Bottom line is if a therapist can’t tell you the name of the chemicals they use and how they work then go to a professional.”

Consumers and dentists alike are being encouraged to contact their local trading standards office if they suspect a therapist is breaching the law.

Removing Anxiety and Pain when Visiting the Dentist

Steve Martin as the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors

It was a welcome surprise when I was asked to write a summary of how “Five Element Acupuncture” may be able to assist in the treatment of dental anxiety and post dental pain.

We have all experienced that nervous, unwelcome, gut wrenching feeling when we wake up and realize that it is our dental appointment. Regardless of what we are having done! The noise of drills, the smell of antiseptic and the dentist saying, “ Ok, lets take a look”. This for most has at some time or other stopped us in our tracks.

I am nearing the end of my Degree in Five Element Acupuncture and it is with this knowledge, and the availability of a clinic room at Bridge Dental (Smiles) that it has actually been made possible to treat patients with acupuncture to try and alleviate some of the symptoms patients feel when visiting the dentist, and help patients feel more relaxed before and after their treatment.

There is evidence to support that by inserting a hair thin needle in certain area’s on the body, it may make the visit to the dentist a transition from anxiety, fear and stress to one that is a simple, inexpensive method of relaxation, one which is going to be much more of a pleasant experience for the patient.

(B.M.J.British Medical Journal)

It is evident that pain, anxiety, and visiting the dentist may cause a vicious circle, and although acupuncture may conjure up images of magical, tribal ceremonies, fast forward three thousand years and we may be able to understand the benefits of how, by using this ancient art of healing alongside today’s advanced technology may give us a clearer picture. It is thought that acupuncture when applied correctly releases “Feel good endorphins” those that the body naturally produces at different times throughout a person’s life. Endorphins are a group of hormones secreted within the brain, and are known to play an important role in relieving common pain. (www.patient.co.uk)

Research at the “neuroscience research institute” at Peking conducted by Ji – Sheng Han, reports that although acupuncture has been accepted worldwide as a treatment for acute and chronic pain, it has been revealed that “endogenous opioid peptides” in the central nervous system are stimulated by the mechanisms of the acupuncture action, and these can result in a maximal therapeutic effect assisting in neuropathic pain. (www.sciencedirect.com)

Neuropathic pain is caused by problems with one or more nerves and is often described as aching, shooting, stabbing, and like an electric shock. (www.roadtohealth.com)

It is thought that acupuncture may help to calm the central nervous system therefore reducing the accompanying symptoms such as raised blood pressure, rapid heart beat, and in some incidences sheer panic.

Acupuncture according to research has found “Some evidence” that favors the use of acupuncture for “Pre surgery anxiety”. A study conducted in 2007, showed that taking medication to lower anxiety levels in painful dental work equaled the effectiveness of a pre treatment acupuncture session.

There is room for dental acupuncture along side “Western pain medication” if that is required, but when applying acupuncture there is no medication going into the body.

A “reflux” sensation that is also often experienced at the dentist may also provide long lasting relief with acupuncture.

My conclusion is that three thousand years of history must merit continued evaluation of acupuncture as an efficacious paradigm for medical treatment in the 21^st century.

At Bridge Dental Smiles, acupuncture is available free of charge for this treatment. Give it a try, you may find you actually start enjoying your visits to the dentist.

Yasmin Anderton

Research and bibliography

www.sciencedirect.com

www.roadtohealth,com

www.patient,co.uk

The CWC’s mandate is to check whether dentists are meeting Government standards and the inspection not only involves inspecting clinical facilities but also interviewing staff and speaking directly with a number of patients.

“Any inspection of our practice can be a stressful experience” explained Bridge Dental Smiles dentist, Simon Bromley, “however, I’ve never known an inspector to go into so much detail with questions and checking every drawer and cupboard. It was extremely thorough”.

“I have to admit I was quite moved by the debrief the inspector gave me. She said everything was very good, she was really impressed with how caring the team were, there was a happy atmosphere and everywhere was very clean. But the best bit was when she told me in ten years of doing her job she had never had such positive comments from patients about the service provided and or about the team. She told me she was very impressed and I should be very proud.”

The CWC inspection for Bridge Dental Smiles came just one month after passing an onsite audit from the British Dental Association for their Good Practice Scheme and three months after scoring an outstanding 98% in an NHS infection prevention and control audit.

Extract from CWC report:

‘As part of our review we spoke with eight people who used the service. They all spoke very highly of the staff and were extremely positive about their experiences. One person told us they were most impressed with their initial consultation and had not received this with any other dentist’

Conclusion of Care Quality Commission (CWC) report published February 2012:

‘People using the service receive safe, assessed and well planned care and treatment which improves their dental health and meets their individual needs’.

You can read the full CWC report here.

Hoping to raise £500 in sponsorship, this will be split between Dentaid and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Simon explained his choice of charities,

“Dentaid does invaluable work promoting good oral hygiene in developing countries where some people are as unfamiliar with a toothbrush as they are with a dentist. Much needed funds help pay for educating youngsters about how to look after their teeth and also provides basic treatments. CRY also means a lot to me after a close family friend, 15 year old Lewis Smith from Newport, died suddenly last year”.

“I’m dreading some steep, long climbs over the Pennines on the second day but when the ride gets really tough I know I’ll be thinking about the people these charities help to keep me going”.

Simon will be joined on the ride by his 14 year old son Scott, a pupil at Adams Grammar School in Newport. If you would like to sponsor Simon you can call into Bridge Dental Smiles at 2, Bridge Street, Oakengates or call 01952 613311.

Bridge Dental Smiles and its patients have been bringing smiles to frontline troops serving in Afghanistan by sending small parcels of much needed items. We came up with the idea when a staff member’s son, who is serving on the frontline in Afghanistan, said how difficult it was to get hold of basic toiletries in the field.

The team at Bridge Dental Smiles swung into action and started filling shoe boxes with the requested items and sending them to our colleague’s son. He could then share the contents with his colleagues.  However, as soon as patients heard about the idea they wanted to get involved.

Dental Receptionist Stacey Busby explained how the idea grew,

“We started with a few simple items like toothpaste and toothbrushes and mentioned what we were doing to some of our patients. They loved the idea and asked how they could help. We now have a list of requested items that we are allowed to send and keep a shoe box in reception for the collection. Some patients have donated money and some now call in to the practice just to drop off things like shower gel for the boys on the frontline”.

The team have been amazed at the generosity of their patients. Stacey continued,

“It makes me makes me feel proud our local community is so keen to support the troops abroad and shows the soldiers we are thinking about them and what they are doing for the country”.

The boxes are sent to soldiers serving right on the front line where there is no access to shops. The most popular items are shower gel, sun cream, lip balm and chewing gum.

Anyone wishing to donate small items can bring them into Bridge Dental Smiles at 2, Bridge Street, Wellington or call 01952 613311.

See the video below to see what will happen when you visit Bridge Dental Smiles for teeth whitening.

After much discussion, photo shoots and videoing, our new website is now live. We hope you like it!