Professor Michael Escudier is Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The Faculty represents around 5,500 specialist dentists, who provide patient care in dental practices, hospitals and the community. It has been campaigning about the need to tackle child tooth decay for several years, and also published a report last summer highlighting the need to improve older people’s oral health.
Professor Escudier became Dean of the Faculty in June 2017. He is Head of Oral Medicine at King’s College London Dental Institute, having originally qualified in dentistry from Guy’s Hospital in 1985. He also subsequently studied medicine, qualifying from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1992.
1 What is the biggest health concern for dental surgeons today?
Tooth decay is a really big concern, particularly when it affects children. 45,000 children were admitted to hospital because of tooth decay last year, despite the fact it is 90% preventable. If a child has a high level of disease in their baby teeth it is more likely that they will go on to have disease in their permanent teeth too.
2 What can people do to best improve their oral health?
There are three crucial things you should do. Reduce the amount of sugary food and drinks you consume, brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and lastly make sure you visit the dentist regularly.
3 Have you noticed any trends in dental care amongst the Asian community?
People aren’t visiting the dentist as often as they should. 42% of children didn’t go to the dentist last year, despite the fact that NHS dental treatment for under-18s is free. It is really important that parents know they should be taking their children to the dentist at least once every 12 months so that any problems can be spotted early.
4 What advice would you give to young, aspiring Asian dentists?
Dentistry is a popular career and places to study are highly sought after. It’s important to do well in school, but also to show that you have got well rounded interests and experience and, crucially, an enthusiasm for helping others.
5 Name your three must-have dental hygiene products?
Three must-have products would be a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and interdental brushes or floss which you can use to clean between your teeth.
If you are buying for a child, choose a toothbrush with a small head and medium-textured bristles. Under-3s should brush with a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000 ppm (part per million) of fluoride, while children aged between 3 and 6 should use a pea sized amount of tooth paste containing more than 1000 ppm.
6 How often would you recommend seeing your dentist?
Children should be taken to see a dentist as soon as their first teeth appear, and certainly by the time they turn one, and have a dental check-up every year after that.
Adults should have a dental check-up at least once every two years, but may need to go more often and should be guided by their dentist.
7 Are there certain age groups which are more at risk of tooth decay or dental problems?
Tooth decay is a particular problem for children and a leading cause of hospital admissions. It remains relevant for adults, although they are affected by gum disease as well. Dental problems are an issue for older people too – we have estimated that at least 1.8 million people aged 65 and over could have an urgent dental condition, so it is important to be aware of the oral health of older generations.
8 What foods should be avoided or reduced in order to prevent issues to oral health?
Cutting back on sugary food and drinks is essential. Try to only eat sweet foods, including dried fruit, at meal times and avoid snacking throughout the day as this is bad for teeth. Sugary and fizzy drinks should also be avoided – one portion (150ml) of fruit juice a day is OK as part of your “5 A Day”, as long as it is consumed with a meal, but otherwise drink water and lower-fat milks.
There is lots of useful advice about healthy eating on the “Change4Life” website (www.nhs.uk/change4life) so take a look at that for more information.
9 Are there any conditions that can affect oral hygiene?
Any conditions that make it more difficult for you to brush your teeth regularly can have an impact on oral hygiene – for example, this can be an issue for older people with reduced manual dexterity, so family members should be aware that older relatives may need help to maintain good oral health.
10 What are the key signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
Some of the key symptoms of mouth cancer include mouth ulcers that don’t heal, unexplained and persistent lumps in the mouth or neck, red or white patches on the lining of the mouth and tongue, and changes in speech.
The NHS Choices website has a lot more information about mouth cancer (www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-cancer) including a detailed list of symptoms and steps you can take to prevent it. If you are concerned about symptoms then visit a doctor or a dentist to get these checked out.
