3 April 2005

British Society for Dental Research conference

Photo opportunity: 11.30am, Monday 4 April, Bonar Hall, Park Place, University of Dundee

The latest evidence on the effects smoking in cases of facial birth defects will be discussed at the 2005 British Society for Dental Research (BSDR) conference hosted by the University of Dundee next week.

The University of Dundee's Professor Peter Mossey will present an update on his team's research, which has shown there is a significant link between smoking and facial deformities in children. The initial findings came from the study of groups of women smokers and non-smokers in Scotland, Manchester and Liverpool [Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal (2004) ; 41(4):381-6]. Now the Dundee research has been backed up by evidence from studies across the world, which concur with Prof Mossey’s findings and he will explain why smoking is now firmly recognised as a risk factor for facial deformities in children.

A team of researchers from Queen Mary University, London will take the opportunity to discuss results of their ongoing studies that show smoking has a major negative impact on the outcome of periodontal treatment for extensive gum disease.

The theme of smoking and the dental profession will feature highly throughout the four-day event. Smoking is associated with not only cardiovascular and respiratory problems but also oral cancer, gum disease resulting in early loss of teeth and as the research in Dundee has recently unveiled, maternal smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor in the cause of cleft lip and palate.

Smoking cessation advice has now become a formal part of the remit of general dental practitioners and is included in the General Dental Council's Recommendations for Dental Training published in November 2002.

Other themes at the conference include improving access to dental care particularly in remote and rural areas of the UK, including Scotland and discussion on early intervention to improve dental health. The dental profession believe that early educational intervention accompanied by dietary advice has implications for general health and avoidance of obesity and diabetes as well as improving dental health and reducing dental decay.

Over 300 of the UK's leading researchers and dental practitioners will come together to unveil the latest dental research as well as discuss current issues in the profession including improving access to dental care.

The conference takes place between Monday 4th and Thursday 7th April 2005 and is the largest annual conference on Dental Research in the UK.

For full details on the conference including all speakers please visit www.dundee.ac.uk/dentalschool/bsdr

Please contact Angela Durcan, Press Officer on 07968 298585

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk