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4 Opinion DENTAL TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition Dear reader, Daniel Zimmermann DTI To the Editor Re: Editorial “Digital technology does not make better dentists” (Dental Tribune Asia Pacific No. 1+2,Vol. 8, page 4) It’s interesting that you don’t think technology will make better dentists. Things like digital radiography and caries detection give clinicians the opportunity to see and diagnose things more quickly than they could before. Three-dimensional cone-beam imaging integrated with Cerec technology allows a dentist to plan, design and deliver restored implants like never before. And let’s not forget that the word better is very subjective, especially from a patient’s perspective. I would assume that most patients would consider faster treatment and longer lasting restorations that can be delivered with technology better. Joe McGonigal, USA, 24 Feb. 2010 When GSK recently announced that it is to remove zinc from their denture creams, there was outcry from customer protection agencies around the world. Almost at the same time, a website in the US warned that asbestos fibres found in some dental products can be harmful to dentists. No outcry was heard from the dental community. Similar to most health professionals, dentists have to face an array of hazards in their daily working lives. These are in the form of not only infectious diseases, but also substances found in dental materials and equipment that pose health threats to dentists. Although these threats are not acute, studies have demonstrated that long-term exposure has the potential to damage their health. Dentists traditionally place much trust in manufacturers, mainly because they have become comfortable using a certain product throughout their career and are hesitant to change. However, they should become more aware that they too are customers and if something seems odd, questions should be raised. If products can be made safer for the health of the masses, they can certainly be made safer for professionals. DT Yours sincerely, Daniel Zimmermann Group Editor Dental Tribune International AD Athletes, compete in oral health! Claudia Salwiczek DTI Two weeks ago, the 21st Winter Olympics ended with the passing on of the Olympic torch from Vancouver to Sochi in Russia. All the excitement and records aside, what remains are images of many athletes failing at their respective disciplines. Never before have the Games pushed the physical limits of what the human body can accomplish. Sadly, one athlete from Georgia lost his life after leaving the track at high speed during the men’s luge competition. One major issue overshadowed by these tragedies is oral health. It seems that athletes and officials alike are not paying much attention to this problem, maybe because a healthy mouth and teeth are not considered relevant to top performance. This assumption is certainly wrong. Pain resulting from tooth decay, root-canal infection or gum disease can trouble athletes to such an extent that they are not able to compete. In addition, UV radiation accumulated over a long time in sports like the biathlon or crosscountry can significantly increase the risk of developing oral cancer. The International Olympic Committee’s decision to screen more athletes for oral lesions this year is a step in the right direction and an acknowledgement that oral health forms part of general health. However, having these examinations every four years won’t change much in the general oral-health behaviour of athletes. Dentists, physicians and training staff need to drive home to them that a little investment in their mouths will help to remain more healthy not only during their active career, but also later in life. Let’s hope that the competition for better oral health will already have begun when the Olympic flame shines over Sochi in 2014. DT I am not in a position to tell you about all dentists. But I can say that I am a better dentist with the technology we use than I am without the technology. I do not use every technology because I do not believe that every technology is the best thing for our patients or us. I do believe that digital photography, radiography and the lasers we use all significantly increase our ability to treat our patients. We use a number of other technologies and should you wish to learn more, you could visit our website. I do not believe that any insurance benefits paid or not paid should ever enter into the decision to use a technology. Dr James L. Sanderson Jr., USA, 24 Feb. 2010 Contact Info Claudia Salwiczek is working as specialty editor for Dental Tribune International in Leipzig in Germany. She can be contacted at c.salwiczek@dental-tribune.com. Dental Tribune welcomes comments, suggestions and complaints at feedback@ dental-tribune.com Nano-C eramTechn ology Highest quality made in Germany All our products convince by excellent physical properties easy handling perfect aesthetical results more information: www.promedica.de Temporary crown and bridge material – particular fracture and wear resistance – now available in 6 attractive shades B le : New ade! 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