LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Many thanks for publishing my letter in the JIDA in January 2017. My thanks also to Drs Hal Duncan and Padraig O'Reachtagain for replying with their letters in the February/March 2017 edition. In Dr O'Reachtagain's case, could the treatment be claimed for as "lancing an abscess"? In reply to Dr Duncan, I must respectfully disagree that a similar amount of pus drainage through a tooth can be obtained with a suction tip or a syringe compared to that obtained by closed mouth suction. Closed mouth suction is much more powerful, effective and quick. I was writing with a busy general dental practice in mind, where a few times per week, prompt professional treatment of acute pain or infection is rightly expected. Patients must be "squeezed in". Drainage and a further appointment is preferable to antibiotics and a further appointment. But the treatment must
be simple and quick; otherwise, because of time constraints, it won't be used. Usually drainage can be got quickly by opening the chamber – often without local anaesthetic – and sucking. While I agree with Dr Duncan that endodontic treatment itself should be done under rubber dam, if some filing is needed to help drainage it could not be called real endodontic treatment: it is more akin to "lancing an abscess". One can tie a length of dental floss to the file for safety. Protection of the airway is paramount of course, and contamination must be minimised with cotton rolls or other barriers and use of the surgery aspirator. If the cavity is then closed, cross-contamination must be minimal, and is irrelevant if extraction is planned. In addition to reducing antibiotic use, this treatment has the advantage of taking the emergency away so that decisions about the fate of the tooth can be calmly decided later. Yours sincerely, Dr Frank McCrea
North and south surgeons meet The inaugural Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Study Day, incorporating Ireland and Northern Ireland, was held at the RCSI on February 3. The study day covered many topics in oral and maxillofacial surgery, clinical audits and innovative research. There was a focus on quality of healthcare, and a frank discussion on the management of oral and maxillofacial cases took place. All oral and maxillofacial units were represented, including St James’s Hospital, the Dublin Dental University Hospital, Galway University Hospital, Limerick University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, The Ulster Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital. Private practitioners from the Ulster Independent Clinic and the Mater Private Hospital, Cork, were also in attendance. Interesting talks were presented on the topics of the delivery of maxillofacial care in Dublin, facial infection rates in Northern Ireland, quality improvement in maxillofacial care and medicine-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. A very interactive session was held on diagnostic and management dilemmas encountered in practice. A frank discussion ensued between all clinicians in relation to the problems presented. Prizes were awarded for the best presentations given by NCHDs and the recipients were Dr Chris Wright from Altnagelvin Hospital on his presentation on 'BCC excision margins', and Dr David McGoldrick of St James’s Hospital for
At the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Study Day were (from left): Mr Paddy McCann, Galway University Hospital; Mr Conor Barry, St James's Hospital; Prof. Leo Stassen, St James's Hospital; Mr Dermot Pierse, Ulster Independent Clinic, Belfast; and, Mr Ged Smith, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry. his paper entitled 'Significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic aid in cancer and in particular its relationship to mouth cancer'. The organisers plan to hold this meeting on an annual basis, and would like to thank sponsors GS Medical, KD Surgical, Techno Surgical and Zimmer Biomet for their support.
Diary of events APRIL 25
JUNE North Munster Branch meeting Clinical quick tips: practical tips for everyday practice and AGM
MAY
60
Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health Marker Hotel, Dublin 2 Annual Conference – ‘Dental anxiety and phobia’
SEPTEMBER
11-13 Irish Dental Association Annual Scientific Meeting 18
23
Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny
Irish Society of Dentistry for Children
Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, Town Centre, Portlaoise Annual Scientific Meeting. More details to follow so save the date Journal of the Irish Dental Association | April/May 2017 : Vol 63 (2)
15-16 IDENTEX
Citywest Hotel, Dublin
OCTOBER 12-13 HSE Group of the IDA Annual Seminar
Hotel Kilkenny, Kilkenny