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THOMAS TO TARGET BDA SEEKS URGENT MEETING OVER TEETH WELSH TEETH WHITENING PRODUCTS The British Dental Association (BDA) non-dental professionals, which is ille- is seeking an urgent meeting with the gal and dangerous. Department for Business, Innovation ‘The recently-changed approach to the and Skills (BIS) to resolve concerns supply of whitening products is a sig- about the position trading standards nificant concern for patient safety,’ said officers are adopting in relation to the Stuart Johnson, Chair of the BDA’s Rep- supply of teeth whitening products. resentative Body. ‘This must be addressed The BDA is aware that a current as a matter of urgency and the previously investigation by trading standards at adopted low-key approach to supply to Essex County Council is having a major dental professionals reinstated.’ impact on the availability of hydrogen The BDA is also seeking progress on peroxide-based whitening products to the ongoing review of the European , which adversely affects their Union’s review of the EU Cosmetics ability to provide whitening treatments Directive, which it hopes will provide to patients. The BDA believes that this a sensible legal framework for the pro- supply problem could mean that patients vision of products instead seek whitening treatments from in the UK.

GRADUATE PERIO GUIDE LAUNCHED David Thomas was appointed Wales’ new Chief Dental Officer in May The British Society of Periodontology is a 31-page ‘easy read’ this year. (BSP) has launched a collaborate guide with contributions from enthusiastic Mr Thomas qualified as a in for newly qualified dental graduates, specialists keen to pass on their expe- Cardiff in 1976. Since 2008 he has led the Young Practitioners Guide to Peri- riences in the management of patients the All Wales Dental Public Team odontology. with periodontal diseases. and has worked as an Honorary Senior The launch took place at the BSP Over the next few months the BSP Lecturer in the academic Spring Meeting in Belfast (pictured). will be providing a copy of the guide to department in Cardiff University. The Young Practitioners Guide to all new UK dental graduates. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Dental Officer to the Welsh Government in 2010 and was named Acting Chief Dental Officer (CDO) later that year fol- lowing the retirement of the previous CDO, Dr Paul Langmaid. ‘I look forward to working with the Welsh Government Ministers on the many aspects of dental policy and prac- tice,’ said Mr Thomas, ‘including pro- moting and improving the dental health of the people of Wales.’

BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL VOLUME 210 NO. 12 JUN 25 2011 561

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