Research At Derby Dental Practice Could Provide The Key To Preventing Tooth Decay
Research carried out at a Derby dental practice could prevent thousands of children from developing tooth decay.
Sixty children in Alfreton were treated with a new form of sealant before their adult teeth were fully erupted. The dental team believe this method is more effective as the tooth is exposed for longer and has a higher risk of becoming decayed when the sealant is applied after the tooth has fully erupted.
Dental therapist, Laura Rose Brady, has applied the special sealant to more than 170 teeth since 2011 and the results have been positive. Regular check-ups have confirmed that none of the teeth covered with the sealant became decayed. Miss Brady said the results were pleasing and could make a huge difference to children’s oral health in the future. She added that the practice is currently working with other surgeries in the county to see if they want to trial the sealant.
The practice carried out the research in partnership with Sheffield and Nottingham universities.
Dr Bhupinder Dawett is now putting together a proposal to the National Institute for Health Research to apply for further study into the sealant, which is manufactured by GC Ltd. Dr Dawett is approaching other practices in the county to see if they want to try the sealant before he submits the proposal in the summer and said that the findings were exciting.
Keith Mann, head of primary care at NHS Derbyshire County, said the trial has been a huge success and added that he is looking forward to seeing if other studies were equally successful.
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