3 December 2008

Hat-trick of awards for dental innovators

A team of dentists and physicists from the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde have scooped a hat-trick of awards after developing new technology which has the potential to replace x-rays in dentistry.

The Infrared Imaging system developed by Professor Nigel Pitts and Dr Chris Longbottom at Dundee and Professor John Girkin and Dr Simon Poland at Strathclyde, won three prizes at the Medical Futures Innovations Awards, held in London last night (Dec 2nd).

They won the overall Dental and Health Innovations Award, the Best Diagnostic in Dental and Oral Health Award, and the NHS Technology Innovation Award. The awards bring a package of business support to the team to further develop the project. The team are currently testing the device and looking for funding to take it further.

Dr Christopher Longbottom, Professor John Girkin, Professor Nigel Pitts and Dr Simon Poland have used a miniature camera and tiny mirrors to produce images of teeth but without the risks associated with X-rays, especially in children.

The Infrared Imaging system works by using infrared light to produce images of teeth, bones and gums similar to X-rays. The team behind it say it may have wider applications including, for example, measuring bone density. The competition judges said they were 'highly impressed' by the potential of the technology and hoped it would progress to proof of concept.

Andy Goldberg, founder of Medical Futures, said, 'The potential of this technology is enormous and demonstrates the importance of collaboration between clinicians who know about unmet healthcare needs and scientists who have the skills to develop the technology to meet these needs.'

As well as the critical recognition and endorsement of an award, the team will receive a bespoke package of support to help turn ideas into viable propositions that appeal to investors.

The awards aim to overcome the challenge historically faced in the UK of being great at innovating but poor at getting ideas to the marketplace.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk