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DENTAL TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Newspaper · Asia Pacific Edition PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG Aestethic dentistry in Asia An interview with AAAD President Dr Sim Tang Eng Page 15 www.dental-tribune.asia Practice design The benefits of refurbishing and expansion Page 18 NO. 3 VOL. 8 today ADX 2010 A look at Australia’s premier dental showcase Page 21 More Olympians screened for oral cancer Lisa Townshend DT UK LONDON, UK: Dentists have screened a fifth of all athletes taking part in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in Canada for oral cancer. Around 800 athletes sat in the dentist’s chair during the competition, with more than 70 dentists and their assistants on hand to practise preventative dentistry in addition to fixing teeth and mouths. Dental associations have welcomed the increased screening campaign that will also educate athletes on the importance of applying sun-cream to help prevent mouth cancers. The decision to examine 20 per cent of all athletes in the Games was taken by the International Olympic Committee. At the last Winter Olympics in Turin in Italy, only 10 per cent of Olympians were screened for oral cancer. Dental treatment services at sports events like the Olympics usually focus primarily on treating infections and emergency trauma cases involving possible damage to teeth, lips, cheeks and tongues, and broken bones. Owing to their training conditions, athletes tend to neglect their Japanese dentists switch party support The Japanese Dental Association (JDA) has announced that it will cease its support of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in favour of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in the upcoming Upper House elections. The decision came after the DPJ told the Association it would support the idea of a dentist running on the party’s ticket and campaign for the candidate. Being a long-time supporter of the LDP, the JDA is the first of the country's powerful medicalrelated political groups, many of which have incumbent Upper House members, to stop backing the Liberal Democrats. Founded in 1955, the LDP is one of the most consistently successful political parties in the democratic world. It held office in Japan for nearly 54 years with only one interruption in 1993/1994. Last year the party lost executive power in the national elections, giving away government posts and many of their seats in the Lower House to members of the DPJ. DT AD This photo shows Tim Burke (USA) competing in the 4 x 7.5 km biathlon relay at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Outdoor athletes like him have a higer risk of developing oral cancers. (DTI/Photo Jonathan Larsen ) oral health, according to Dr Jack Taunton, Co-chief Medical Officer of the Games. He said that they are so nomadic they tend to postpone dental treatment. Some athletes in Nordic events also chew tobacco, which contains numerous carcinogens that can cause oral cancers. In addition, the reflection of ultraviolet radiation off snow and ice increases the risk of developing skin and lip cancers. “You have to consider they are exposed to these intense ultraviolet rays for up to 30 years, through their training and postcompetitive coaching years. The skin on the lips is thin and poorly protected,” said Dr Chris Zed, Associate Dean of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia and Co-head of Dental Services for the 2010 Winter Games. He added that the danger is cumulative and could lead to the development of oral cancer later in life. DT (Edited by Daniel Zimmermann, DTI) Genes control early tooth development Several genes affect tooth development in the first year of life, according to the findings of a study conducted at the Imperial College London, the University of Bristol (both in the UK) and the University of Oulu in Finland. The research found that the teeth of babies with certain genetic variants tend to appear later and that these children have a lower number of teeth by the age of one. In addition, those children whose teeth develop later have a 35 per cent increased likelihood of requiring orthodontic treatment. Some of the genes identified have been linked in previous studies with the development of the skull, jaws, ears, fingers, toes, and heart. The discovery may lead to innovations in the early treatment and prevention of congenital dental and occlusion problems. DT An elderly Indian man smoking a cigarette. Almost half a million people in the country die from tobacco-related oral diseases each year. (DTI/Photo Ansar Babu) ASIA NEWS, page 2. Malaysia surveys oral health The Ministry of Health in Malaysia has started a new nationwide campaign to determine the oral health conditions and dental treatment needs of more than 14,000 adults. The last survey published in 2000 found that more than 50 per cent of people had not made a dental visit in the previous two years. DT China co-ops with Germany The Tsinghua University in China has signed a five-year cooperation agreement with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany for the development of new bio-nano materials in dentistry. The joint research also aims to achieve progress in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone fractures. DT Distinguished by innovation We shape the future of dentistry with our innovative products and systems. They distinguish us – in the field of restoratives, all-ceramics and aesthetic prosthetic solutions. A wealth of experience, great commitment and innovative ideas help us to always find the optimum solution for high-quality products that allow you to make people smile. www.ivoclarvivadent.com Ivoclar Vivadent AG Bendererstr. 2 | FL-9494 Schaan | Principality of Liechtenstein Tel. +423 / 235 35 35 | Fax +423 / 235 33 60