JIDA_DecJan2013-2014_JIDA 10/12/2013 13:25 Page 283
Business news JOURNAL OF THE IRISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Keral added to the list of prescribable medicines A. Menarini Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd has announced that Keral 25mg tablets (50-tablet pack) and Keral 25mg granules for oral solution (20-sachet pack) have been added to the list of prescribable medicinal products under the dental scheme. Keral tablets and Keral granules for oral solution are both indicated for the short-term symptomatic treatment of pain of mild to moderate intensity, such as dental pain and acute musculo-skeletal pain.
Keral tablets and Keral granules for oral solution contain Dexketoprofen Trometamol. Due to the solubility of the tromethamine salt in Keral there is rapid absorption that produces a greater plasma concentration of the drug in less time, which means a fast onset of action. The onset of the analgesic activity for both presentations of Keral was obtained in some studies at 30 minutes post administration. The analgesic effect persists for four to six hours. The recommended dosage is 25mg od-tid, with the total daily dose not exceeding 75mg. For full prescribing information, please refer to www.medicines.ie.
Special offer on Futurabond U
Voco has a special offer on Futurabond U until March 31.
Voco has announced a special offer to dentists on Futurabond U: buy one pack of 200 SingleDose and get a Trial Pack of 20 SingleDose for free, with a payback guarantee. This offer is available until March 31, 2014. Dentists should ask their Voco dental consultant or contact their dental dealer. According to Voco, Futurabond U is the market’s only true dual-curing universal adhesive offering usage in a disposable applicator. Besides the incredibly simple handling of SingleDose, the new
Futurabond U offers practitioners an outstanding range of options for application, as much with regard to indications as to selection of the etching technique (self-etch, selective-etch or total-etch) or the curing mode. Meanwhile, the company has expanded its premises by building a new head office. The construction of a new building in 1992, as well as two extensions (1997 and 2005), has now been followed by the building of a new company HQ with integrated training centre and a modern R&D laboratory complex in Cuxhaven. The manufacturer of dental materials made this move to cater for the firm’s ongoing expansion.
DeCare launches direct to consumer New research conducted by DeCare shows that 48% of people in Ireland have not visited their dentist in the past year. This research was conducted as it launched ‘Healthy Smiles’ and ‘TeamCare’, the first range of individual and corporate dental insurance plans directly available to Irish customers from DeCare. To help raise awareness of the launch, the company recruited Ireland and Munster Rugby legend Alan Quinlan. While the research demonstrated poor dental hygiene habits, the majority of people did recognise the significance of good dental hygiene. However, the cuts in tax relief and PRSI for dental care has led to a significant reduction in people attending the dentist, with one in four people claiming that they visit the dentist less now as a result. For the past ten years, DeCare Dental Insurance Ireland has partnered with Vhi to provide dental insurance, with DeCare providing the product, customer service and claims management, but now, as reported in our last edition, for the first time the company is offering insurance directly to the wider general public. The Healthy Smiles range of plans from DeCare Dental Insurance offers annual dental exams, dental cleanings, emergency treatment and significant contributions towards procedures such as fillings, extractions, root canal, dentures, crowns, inlays and onlays. The insurance also provides orthodontic benefits to cover items such as
Ireland and Munster Rugby legend Alan Quinlan with Maureen Walsh, CEO, and Dr Ger Gavin, Chief Dental Officer, DeCare Dental Insurance Ireland. braces depending on the level of cover that is chosen. While overall numbers with health insurance cover are declining, DeCare’s experience shows that there is growing interest in purchasing dental insurance, with increasing sales volumes and increased claims utilisation over the past year demonstrating more regular attendance at the dentist among the insured population. With annual prices starting at €108.60 for adults and €74.64 for children for Healthy Smiles Level 1 Plan, the insured person can instantly avail of the product by visiting their dentist for a thorough examination and clean at no cost. In addition, until February 28 children aged 18 or under can avail of a half price offer, with prices starting from €37.32 per year for Healthy Smiles Level 1. December 2013/January 2014 VOLUME 59 (6) : 283