DentalStudentAustralia

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in this issueHello from DPL and ADSA 2 News from DPL 3Just relax 4–5Quiz time 5

School reports 6–8The good, the bad and the ugly 9–10Up and away 11ADSA Convention 12

Support for dentalstudents from Dental Protection

Dressed to impress at the ADSA Convention 2009

Welcome to the third editionof Dental Student Australiamagazine. Thanks so muchto everyone who hascontributed, and helped tomake it another packededition of news, events and photos

Hello from theDPL team!

Get involved

Welcome to the third edition of Dental Student Australia! As you know by now, DentalStudent Australia is a biannualpublication produced by DentalProtection Limited (DPL) inconjunction with the AustralianDental Students Association(ADSA).

ADSA is the only national bodyto represent the dental studentsof Australia. We aim to fostercommunication between theschools, support you throughyour course and inform you ofexciting issues. Our website isup and running, and is the bestway to keep updated withADSA.

This is a really exciting edition as we update you on ourforthcoming convention this6th-11th July in Melbourne. A long-standing tradition, theAustralian Dental StudentsConvention is an amazing andinspiring six days. Even ourgreying lecturers will recall fondmemories and lastingfriendships from conventionspast.

The week provides anexceptional chance to broadenyour academic horizons andanswer such questions as:Where in the world candentistry take me? What newtechniques should I knowabout? What issues is dentistryfacing? What will I face when I graduate?

During March I was in Australiaand held a number of events atthe dental schools. It was greatto meet up with so many of you during my trip. I had aparticularly memorableexperience during my time inPerth, when I was caught up ina freak storm, whilst visitingUDSS. The dental school wasflooded, cars smashed andstudents stranded - all in adramatic fifteen-minutedownpour. I hope you’re allfixed up and dried off!

We now have over 6,000 dentalstudents as members withDental Protection, with over 700student members in Australia. If you’re already a member withDPL you will have received thispublication through the post.Remember to update us of anychanges to your contact details,to avoid missing out of futureeditions. If you would like to joinDPL for free as a studentmember, simply visit ourwebsitewww.dentalprotection.org.au

You’ll see that this publicationincludes a range ofcompetitions and awardinformation. Remember tocheck out the differentcompetitions as you can winanything from gift vouchers,right up to $3,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to London!

Good luck to everyone who willsoon be entering exam season -I hope you find the ‘Just Relax’article useful. Remember wealso have a range of articles onour website, which you mayfind useful during your courseand as you approach graduation.

Best wishes and enjoy!

Rebecca LuptonDental Marketing Managerrebecca.lupton@mps.org.uk

Our academic programme willbe nicely balanced by a socialprogramme which will includeplenty of costumes, lots of newpeople to meet, a river cruise,laser force, the Melbournenightlife, a sports comp, go-karts, a cocktail evening andmore. The convention will bringtogether students from first to final year, from Perth toTownsville. We can’t begin todescribe the opportunities forfriendship, networking andlearning this conventionprovides.

Of course, none of this wouldbe possible without thestudents who form ourcommittee. The committee is responsible for networkingbetween dental schools,supporting and informingstudents, developing the scopeof ADSA and running the annualconventions. We are alwayslooking for fresh faces andideas, so take a look at ourwebsite to see how you can be involved.

See you in Melbourne this July!

The ADSA committeewww.adsa.org.au

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News from DPL

The Photo competition isback!

About tograduate?

The PremierAwards

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What photo best representsyour time at dental school?Thank you to everyone whoentered the DPL AustraliaFacebook photo competition.We’d love to see your photos andwe know other DPL studentmembers would too!

Simply email us your best photosfrom your time at dental schooland we have $500 worth of giftvouchers to give away to ourfavourites! Your photo doesn’tneed to be a clinical snap, justyour favourite photo from yourtime at dental school. You canview the gallery of photos throughthis page and we’ll update thegallery as the photos come in.

We had some great entries lastyear. Congratulations to DannyDemosthenous from Sydneywhose winning entry was on the cover of Dental StudentAustralia 2.

Simply email your photos torebecca.lupton@mps.org.ukor get in touch if you have anyquestions.

Good luck! Closing date: 12th June

Fancy winning a share of$12,000 and an all expensespaid trip to London to collectyour prize?Then why not enter the PremierAwards? There is anundergraduate, postgraduate andDCP category. You simply needto enter an assignment relatingto risk management. You mayhave already completed asuitable project during yourcourse. For more details visit:www.dentalprotection.org/au

Your future startshereCheck out the new ‘Your Future’section of our website. It’spacked full of useful articles, toptips on the job applicationprocess, information on workingabroad and other freeeducational resources to helpduring your early years indentistry. Simply visit the YoungDentist section of our website:www.dentalprotection.org/au

Graduation may seem someway off but we just wanted toremind you that we offer agreat graduate membership soyou can get your membershipsorted before you start work. 18 months indemnity insuranceis only $55.

This gives you DPLmembership and indemnityinsurance from when yougraduate up until 30th June2012. As a member of DPL you are able to apply for aProfessional IndemnityInsurance Policy with $20m of cover underwritten by MDANational Insurance Pty Ltd(MDANI).

For more information aboutgraduate membership with a difference simply visit the:‘About to graduate’ section of our website.

Are you a buddingjournalist?Dental Student Australia is abiannual publication and we’dlove you to get involved andsubmit an article. You may liketo write about your elective, or experiences during yourcourse? If you would like towrite an article for futurepublications please email:rebecca.lupton@mps.org.uk

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Just relaxA dental student’s guide to stress free exams

AIf you are aware of how you arethinking, feeling and behaving, it is a step towards bringingbalance and control into yourlife. If you are hard at work,feeling stressed-out, bent overyour desk, computer or patient,are you aware of the tension inyour body? Do your head, neckand shoulders ache? If so, beaware of the fact that your bodyposture is incorrect and dosomething about it. Try thesequence below to releasetension.

Quick tension release• Release shoulders by pullinggently down away from yourneck. • Release the jaw byseparating your teeth slightly.Feel the tonque loose in thefloor of your mouth. • Release tension in yourforehead by thinking of it ashigher and wider than before.Eyes should feel relaxed. • If your hands aren’t full ofdental instruments, give them a shake.

BRelaxation is fundamental tomanaging of stress and themore you include it in your dailyroutine, the better. Relaxationenergises you and can actuallyaid study by increasing yourconcentration.

How about changing your studyroutine to incorporate somerelaxation. Try starting yoursession on the hour andfinishing on the hour; forexample, work for twentyminutes and have a five-minuterelaxation break. Continueworking for another twenty-fiveminutes and have a ten-minutebreak.

It has been proven that workingin shorter bursts is actuallymore effective than sittingwithout a break for long periodsof time. If however you aredoing work that is slightly lessdemanding, perhaps work forforty-five minutes and have afifteen minute break. Choosewhichever combination suitsyou best.

Quick sitting relaxation youcan do in study breaks• Sit in a chair with your backwell supported. • Breathe in and stretch.Breathe out and snuggle backcomfortably. • Make sure your feet are flaton the floor in front of you andyour hands are resting palmsdownwards on your thighs. • Close your eyes and focuson each part of the body in turn.Let your thighs roll outwards -ankles and legs feel loose andrelaxed. • Fingers feel limp, curved and still. • Abdomen moves easily asyou breathe.

• Arms feel heavy.Face -cheeks feel soft, lips are hardlytouching, forehead and eyesfeel relaxed. • Stay relaxed for theremainder of the five-minutebreak and become aware of thewhole body’s sensation inmuscles and joints. Slowly openyour eyes, stretch, look aroundand return to your workrefreshed.

‘Well if you don’t know itnow, you’ll never know it’.Doesn’t that little voice inyour head drive you crazy asyou are sitting there in a stateof panic, heart thumping, legslike vegetable soup, trying tocram in everything you’velearnt over the last five yearsinto the next couple ofmonths?

Don’t you just regret all thoseboozy parties, hung-over daysand ‘slob-out’ nights? All thoseopportunities for furtherstudying are gone, fading intothe dim and distant past.Stress management is all aboutbeing organised and preparedfor any task. The lifestyle of theaverage dental student is simplynot like that. So we’d like toshare some ideas with you tohelp you through theforthcoming weeks in arelatively calm and relaxedmanner, before you reach thatfinal coffee and chocolate fillednight of last-minute revision.

Start with ABC

Awareness brings Balance and Control

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Quiz timeWhy not relax and try our dental quizzes

Anagram competitionWe’ve jumbled up some common dental words and phrases:1) Hideout Duct See 2) Raincoat Curl Less3) Anteater Slur Dip

To be in with a chance to win a gift Westfield gift voucher, email thethree correct answers to rebecca.lupton@mps.org.uk

Please add the subject title DPL competition and include your contactdetails so we can send you your prize.

Whose teeth?Can you spot the famous person behind these smiles?

To be in with a chance to win a Westfield gift voucher, email the four correct answers to rebecca.lupton@mps.org.uk

Please put ‘DPL smile competition’ in the subject line of the emailand include your contact details so we can send you your prize.

All correct entries will go into a hat to win a gift voucher. Simply email your correct answers to rebecca.lupton@mps.org.uk

Good luck!

CIf work is causing youproblems, and you feelconfused, uptight or anxious -do something to release yourpent up energy. Dance aroundin your room, go for a jog oreven run up and down thestairs, then follow the quicksitting relaxation sequencebefore resuming study.Incidentally, there is anothertechnique you can use whenyou start to feel panicky. It iscalled the ‘stop technique’. Thiscould be particularly useful onthe morning of a written exam,or just before you start yourassessment of the patient inyour clinical exam.

The Stop technique• Mentally say ‘Stop’ toyourself. Let your breath go.Don’t breathe in first.• Take a slow gentle breath -not a big one.• Let it go slowly with aleisurely sigh of relief.• At the same time, drop yourshoulders and relax your handsand face.• If you have to speak, do somore slowly and in a lowerregister. If you have to walk, doso at a slower pace.

During this stressful period, it isespecially important to keepyourself as well and as healthyas possible. Pay particularattention to eating well. It isvery tempting to fill up on junkfood, fizzy drinks and coffee, butremember these foods are verylow in nutritional value andprovide limited energy. It ismuch better to eat as muchfresh fruit and vegetables aspossible. Also eat balancedmeals and snack on fresh nuts,seeds, dried fruit etc. Drinkplenty of water.

Keep up with the exercise.Make sure you do somephysical exercise at least twicea week and have a social life.

You can do it all, if youremember to pace yourselfproperly.

Equally important is yourattitude to your work. Have apositive outlook - don’t wastetime and energy worrying aboutwhat you haven’t done -concentrate on what stillremains to be done. If you arenot sure of certain points, asksomeone. Don’t keep worryingon your own.

Hopefully all these ideas willhelp you to approach yourexams in a calmer and moreconfident manner. But if, afterall this, and when the day of theexam arrives, you’ve been up allnight cramming your mind withfacts and your body withchocolate, coffee and Lucozade,don’t worry. There should beanother little voice in your headthat says, ‘You always knowmore than you think you know’.Trouble is do you believe it?

Good luck

Ros EdlinRos Edlin is a freelance stressmanagement and relaxationtrainerros@stresswatch.co.uk

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CB

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School reports

Our Semester 1A has beenbusy with the AUDSS O’Weekand Beyond Program which ranthrough February to March, andincluded events such as theAUDSS Membership DriveWeek, Freshers’ BBQ,Freshers’ Basement Party andDean’s Welcome. In addition,the AUDSS Dental Campserved as an opportunity forvertical integration among yeargroups, while the RecentGraduates Event provided a funcasual night of ten-pin bowlingfor students and young dentists.

Student affairsThe AUDSS Academic &Professional DevelopmentProgramme (AAPDP) began asa new initiative of the 2010AUDSS, consisting ofapproximately 20 seminarsthroughout the year focussingon recent advances andtechnologies, notable casereports and professionalpractising tips. The Semester 1programme started off with animpressive turnout of studentsto debate the controversialissues surrounding Denticareand the proposal for DentalInternship.

Community aidThis past term we have beeninvolved in CommunityOutreach Dental via fortnightlyvisits to homeless shelters,supported residential facilitiesand nursing homes. Studentshave been involved in oral-health promotion, or on-siteassisting roles for clinicians orthe screening team.

Jennie HanAUDSS Presidentwww.audss.org

Adelaide: AUDSS

We kicked off 2010 by meeting,greeting and eating with the newfirst year cohort at our annualGUDSA Pizza Night. Once againthe night was a success and thebar staff were kept busy. Toomuch pizza was eaten and lots ofsocialising and mingling was done.It is always a great way to meetour newest GUDSA membersand I think we are in for a treatwith the new comers!

Once we had all got into therhythm of uni, it was time to chilland gear up for the next socialevent of the year. A new event inthe calendar is the GUDSAMember’s Keg Party. Hosted byour ever-so-generous fifth yearrepresentative Scotty, the nightwas a massive hit. We had a greatturn out (which probably hadsomething to do with thecomplementary kegs!) and all hada very fun night. A lot of photossurfaced from the event and a lotof amusing stories also! I definitelythink this event will resurface onthe GUDSA calendar again andpossibly another later this year.

A couple weeks back DentalProtection provided us with a pizzalunch. This was then followed bya helpful information sessionwhich provided us all with somemuch needed knowledge.Everyone got very excited whenwe were giving funky highlighters! Well it’s time to start training for

the gruelling Halas Cup soccermatch against our friendly rivalsUQ. This year it is essential thatwe reclaim our trophy from lastyear and make Griffith proudone again. UQ are going to belooking to win after their defeatlast year and the end to theirfive-year winning streak. Littledo they know we want to stayon top! With plenty of interestfrom our newest fellow pupils, I think our success this year willbe a cinch! Watch out UQ...we’re coming to get you!

This year we are looking to adda couple more events to ourcalendar. There has been talk ofan inter-year touch contest,which has drawn muchattention. Playing year againstyear is sure to stir up somecompetition! We look forwardto this highly anticipated eventlater this year.

Of course, everyone isforestalling our highlyanticipated GUDSA Faculty Ballat the end of the year, especiallyafter last year’s huge success.Word has also spread to thefirst years that the night is anenormous hit, so we expect amassive demand for tickets.This event seems to be gettingbigger and better. Details haveyet to be revealed, but we allexpect a night of glitz andglamour.

Now it’s time to get our headsdown, study hard and then playhard. We are looking forward toa fantastic year being part ofGriffith University Dentistry andGUDSA, and will keep you allposted!

GUDSA Committee

Griffith: GUDSA Western Australia:UDSS

Dentistry, the course of dreams.It’s still a controversialstatement until UDSS steps inand changes dentistry from adegree to a lifestyle! Corny, butcatchy.

Our first lifestyle-changing eventof the year was the annualfresher camp which was heldout in the bushes along with ourextended family withinMedicine, Podiatry and HealthSciences. This year the dentalfreshers proved they are by farthe loosest we have everwitnessed by winning both theboat racing competition and‘iron guts’.

Following the now coolreputation of dental kids, UDSSthrew the biggest party ever,out on the dental school lawn,with over 500 people rocking upto welcome the latest flock ofbaby dentists. This allowedthem the chance to meet theupper years, post-grads, tutorsand staff of OHCWA under theencouraging setting of discolights and sweet sweet tunes.

But wait! Slow down! Don’tdental students study 24/7?Why no! Not if UDSS hasanything to do with it. Straightafter most students’ cars hadbeen destroyed by the freakstorm, UDSS decided to holdthe annual car rally, NorthNogga. This saw both thephysical and psychologicaltemperaments of participantspushed to the absolute limit.Race to see who can drive tothe top of the hill and then sculldown an Oyster sauceflavoured milkshake? Don’tmind if I do!

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Hello all. We kick started the yearhere in Orage with our firstcommencementball held at a lovelywinery; a perfect setting to formallymeet the first year students. Theevent had a cocktail theme withdelicious food and alcohol providedwith the backdrop of the sunsetting over the surroundingvineyard. As we now have 80students the social scene is gainingmomentum and for future yearsthis event should be even morefun. Our new committee wasannounced during the evening, andthe planning of future events hasbegun.

The next big social function is pubgolf. Orange is a great country townand there is a pub on almost everycorner and we plan to make full useof them. Whilst it will only be a parthree nine-hole event, I’m sure theavid players will demonstrate that itisn’t such a difficult course providedthat it is played in the correct spirit.We also hope to invite ourcolleagues from the bachelor of oralhealth course in Wagga Wagga to a conference here in Orange.

Both first and second year dentistrystudents are fielding mixed touch-football teams in the local universitycompetition. Currently both teamsare sitting at the top of the table,although the second year teamhave bragging rights due to a 7 to 3victory in their only encounter. Thewinning team at the end of theseason walks away with the cashprize of over $200.

We are looking forward to meetingfellow students from all the differentuniversities at Melbourne this July.There should be a fantastic turnoutparticularly as we anticipate thatalmost half of our students will beattending. We’ll see you all inMelbourne.

Adam BarrettCSU SDA

Charles SturtUniversity: CSU SDA

In a couple of weeks we plan tohold our nautical-themed Nobote -the ingenious pub-crawl solutionto not having enough students tojustify hiring a real boat - whichends up being a great opportunityfor tutors and students to bond.

Next on the Calendar of Coolcome more adventures in theform inter-year soccer, net-sketball(don’t ask), beach volleyball, GVBlack’s Birthday Party,Staff/Alumni vs. Students lawnbowls, and the pinnacle of thesocial calendar, the Annual UDSSDental Dinner. Bring it on!

Kavindu CalderaUDSS President

James Cook University Dental Student’sAssociation: (JCUDSA)

Greetings from tropical Cairns!This year has started off with abang and a load of excitementfor anyone involved in JCUDentistry. First off, wewelcomed our new intake offirst-year students. There aresome second-years who havebeen selected as mentors for asmall group of first-yearstudents each. Needless to say,the mentors have been doing awonderful job with guidanceand motivation for theirmentees.

O-Week was a grand successwith many enjoyable socialnights and a party bus!However the routine of studyquickly commenced; first-yearssettling into their new degreeand study load, and second-years experiencing more time inpractical sessions in our world-class Sim Labs. The second-years are also doing communityplacement this semester inprimary schools that aresituated in low socioeconomicareas throughout Cairns. Theseplacements involve building arapport with primary schoolstudents on the importance ofgood oral health and layinghabitual oral health foundationsfor life.

So far this year, JCUDSA hassponsored students to attend aspecialist dental course inTownsville. On May 1 we arealso sponsoring ten students toattend the North QueenslandOral Health Convention.JCUDSA is also in the processof organizing a formal shirt for allstudents; a blood and plasmacollection drive for theAustralian Red Cross BloodService; and a dentistry camp.Students from JCU Dentistrywill also be at the AustralianDental Students’ Convention inJuly.

Prime Minister Kevin Ruddvisited our dental schoolrecently to see the progress ofour new building during hishealth agenda trip to Cairns. Forme and the other students whomet him, it was a memorableand honourable experience todiscuss with him health issuesand dentistry in Far NorthQueensland. Plans have alsostarted for our end of yeardental ball to be held at theCairns Casino. This was an epicway to celebrate the end of lastyear and will be much the sameagain. All in all, Semester Onehad many memorablemoments and events and I amsure there will be many more tocome!

Sarah BosnicJCUDSA

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The year traditionally startedwith O-Week festivities. Theinaugural Pub Crawl was a greatsuccess with a large number ofstudents littering the streets andpubs of Melbourne wearingdental gowns, masks andgloves. With plenty of gamesincluding the limbo and inter-year level Boat Races, the nightwas a great way to reuniteeverybody after the summerholiday, as well as introduce thenew BOH intake of 2010.Dental camp was also a fun-filled and intimate way to spendthe last weekend of holidays.With a beautiful camp site, greatbunch of students, flowingalcohol and a toga-party at night,many stories would becirculating for the weeks tocome! We’d love to tell youmore but what happens at dentcamp stays at dent camp...

The Charity Talent Show will bea greatly anticipated event,showcasing the talent (or lackthereof) within the dentalschool. Previous years haveallowed musical prodigies,singing starlets, rock bands, hip-hop dancers and comedianscome into the spotlight! Not tomention it was also thebirthplace for MelbourneDentistry’s own boy-band, TheBackTeeth Boys (can be foundon YouTube, available to performat 18ths, 21sts, weddings andother private functions).

Melbourne: MDSS Sydney: SUDUA La Trobe University:BOHDS

Nearly four months have gone bythis year and we haveaccomplished so much. Firstyears are questioning what theygot themselves into, secondyears are recovering from firstyear, third years are in the middleof planning their 4 week electiverequirements and fourth years areorganising their clinical timesaround their 4 week ruralplacement.

While all this is happening theSydney Dental Faculty ispreparing their new curriculum forthe new DMD four year program,and SUDUA is preparing thelaunch of their new communityawareness program, goody (giveonly one day year), and we werestill able to find the time to have adental cruse. Thanks to all ourpartners - the ADA/NSW, and ourmany sponsors for making theseevents possible.

Kendall W JamesPresident, Sydney UniversityDental UndergraduateAssociation

School reports

In Bendigo we have kept ourstudents active with a ‘jam-packed’ start to the semester of 2010! The year commencedwith a full O-week calendarincluding an official welcome.We then moved on to ourrollerblading night which sawover 60 students car-pool to thevenue to try out their skills inthe rink. It was a greatintroduction to the year for allour members, complete withplenty of stacks and whacks,games and prizes, andfriendships formed.

Next up was our annual ‘ThankDoc you’re here!’ This is a night of theatre sports andimpromptu acting. There ishidden talent amongst ourpeers which could leave youwondering why sometimesthey don’t pursue an actingcareer instead!

Lunch and Learn is an initiativeby BOHDS to introduce dentalcompanies to the students. So far Oral B and Colgate havepresented to different yearlevels of dentistry and oralhealth students.

An interclub soccer match isalso currently being organisedbefore we reach the highlight ofthe year with the Annual Ball inmid May. Students and staff willenjoy an elegant dinner, share adrink and hit the dance floorJames Bond style!

Alison SahharBOHDS

2010 is a particularly excitingyear for Melbourne, as we willbe hosting the 2010 AustralianDental Students’ Convention!The prestige of the MelbourneDental School and the livelinessof the nightlife of theMelbourne City will undoubtedlykeep you informed andentertained through a week ofmayhem and madness!Whether you’re a ConventionVeteran or attending for yourfirst time, MDSS and ADSAhave planned a week that willchange your life. Promise!

We also look forward toorganizing the usual eventssuch as sporting competitions,mentor/industry nights, boozecruise and of course the GrandDental Ball!

To keep updated with eventinformation and photos, visit ourwebsite on www.mdss.org.auSee you all at the DentalConvention!

Leighton PhuPresident, Melbourne DentalStudents’ Society andBackTeeth Boy

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But at the same time thepotential for problems is hugeand when problems do arisethe costs involved and electivenature of the treatment canmake it very difficult for thedentist to control the situationwhich can arise if you fail tomeet patient expectations

The good, the bad and the uglyCosmetic dentistry can be hugelyrewarding for both dentists andpatients alike

The key thing is to ensure:1) Both dentist and patientagree on the end result.2) Patients are aware of all thetreatment options.3) Patients fully understand anypotential short and long-termcomplications.4) The dentist is working withintheir skill and experience leveland working with a suitablytrained technician.5) Valid consent is obtained andmeticulous records are kept.

It’s beyond the scope of thisarticle to discuss specific clinicaltechniques, but the mainmessage is, ‘know where youare going and how to get therebefore you start.’

Many of the problems incosmetic dentistry arise from a failure to understand thepatient’s expectations and toaccurately communicate theintended final result. There areseveral tools that I use withevery new patient to helpensure dentist and patient areon the same wavelength:

1) High quality digitalphotographyAside from their use as legalrecords photographs areessential to enable co-diagnosisas most patients find it hard tocommunicate their cosmeticconcerns verbally. Digital SLRcameras are easy to use andprovide amazing detail. TheBritish Academy of CosmeticDentistry (BACD) recommendstwelve views that, takenproperly, will allow a thoroughevaluation of all the teeth. Seefigure 1.

Dr James Russellis a Director of theBritish Academy ofCosmetic Dentistryand a member of theAmerican Academyof CosmeticDentistry.

He lectures oncosmetic dentistryand has helpeddevelop newtechniques for theethical provision ofcosmetic dentistry.

His opinions and skillshave recently beenfeatured in the pressand on TV

Figure 1BACD photographicviews

Figure 2Computer imaging

Figure 3Pre-op smile

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2) Computer imagingDigital manipulation ofphotographs to show whatresults are possible is one of thebest techniques a dentist canuse in the early stages ofpotential treatment discussion.This is not pasting library smilesbut accurately altering teeth andtissue to ensure that the imageis highly realistic in terms ofwhat can be achieved. Thispredictable and inexpensive toolcan prevent communication andexpectation problems from anearly stage - either confirming achosen plan or stoppingtreatment before it starts. Youdon’t need specialist dentalsoftware, Photoshop Elementswith a graphics tablet is morethan enough. See figure 2.

3) Diagnostic wax-upOnce a treatment plan has beenagreed then impressions andbite records (in CR ifindicated) should be used tocreate a highly accurateaesthetic and functionaldiagnostic wax-up. Puttymatrices of the wax-up can alsobe used to create a trial smileby injecting a temporary crownmaterial into the matrix andseating this over the naturalteeth. Once set, both thedentist and patient can visualisethe intended result in the mouthand, if required, make anyadjustments at this completelyreversible stage. The wax-upshould also be used to makepreparation guides to allow thedentist to accurately remove theminimal amount of toothrequired, allowing for thicknessof material and the position ofthe final restoration. A furtheruse of the wax-up is thattemporary restorations can bemade from the matrix aftertooth preparation allowing easyfine tuning of the aesthetics,function and also shadeevaluation. See figures 4, 5 and 6.

Case studyThe case illustrated in figure 3 is a great example ofmiscommunication, followed bypoor execution by both theclinician and technician. The resultwas an unhappy patient and legalproceedings.

The patient had asked for awhiter, wider smile but the endresult was highly unnatural due toimproper axial inclinations, bulkyteeth and highly opaque ceramicswith poor surface anatomy butthe main issue that lead to thiscase turning nasty rather was thatno wax-up was created beforepreparation and therefore thepatient had no idea of what herfinal result would actually look like.If this preparatory stage had beenincluded the dentist would havehad an opportunity to put thingsright, before any tooth preparationwas performed.

The corrected case in figure 7shows a much more naturalsmile and a happy patient. Thefinal facial surface was a full 3mmmore palatal than in the first set of veneers.

The good, the bad and the ugly

Figure 4Wax-up

Figure 8Minimal preparation of a diastema casefollowing orthodonticpre-alignment

Figure 5Trial smile

Figure 6Temporary veneers

SummaryFollowing best principles in the early stages of a case willalways make the treatmentmore predictable and lessstressful.Some key factors to alwaysbear in mind are:• Don’t ignore the basics:Chart, perio, radiographs, studymodels.• Have the knowledge andinformation to make an accuratecosmetic diagnosis.• Present all options (bleach,orthodontics, compositebonding etc) Sometimes acombination approach will have benefits. See figure 8.• Make the patient fully aware of all risks/benefits.• Ensure all patients concernswill be met or any limitationshave been understood.• Make sure you can providethe treatment with confidence.• Understand the materialscience involved.• Charge enough to choose a good lab.• Never compromise clinicalperfection for cosmetic goals.• Be prepared for aftercare.

And most important - if you’renot sure, don’t do it. If you wantto learn more about cosmeticdentistry then find a mentor andgo on as many courses as areneeded to create a zone ofconfidence based on provenskills.

Figure 7Post-op smile

Hi! My name is Dr. GiancarlaGraneri. Yes that’s right.Doctor. You’ll get there soon kids – it’s all worth it. I graduated last year fromUWA with a BDSc (Hons) andthis year I have taken a jobwith the Centre of Rural andRemote Oral Health of UWA...finally, uni’s paying me!

The towns I visitBasically I fly into five WA townsand work in the Aboriginal HealthServices (AHS), which areprimarily governed by Aboriginalpeople for Aboriginal people.Most AHSs have visitingspecialists like paediatricians,cardiologists, dentists etc, and ifit’s Warburton, a visiting GP is aluxury too! The other towns I goto are Kalgoorlie, Geraldton,Wiluna and Roebourne. Thepatients eligible for treatment areAboriginal people with ahealthcare card (Centrelinkpension card), and the treatmentthey receive is free. The serviceis great as it aims at reducingbarriers to treatment forIndigenous Australians like costand accessibility.

Up and awayDr. Giancarla Graneri discusses herexperiences of working in theAboriginal Health Services

The treatmentSo far I’m having a great timecruising around the countryside- normally with a final yearstudent to hang out with meand help in the kitchen. Thepatients are always interestingand everyday is guaranteed tobe different. It’s very humbling,and not very glamorous. Mosttreatment is emergency work;this week I did two fillings andwhat seemed like one millionextractions. Crown and bridgekids wouldn’t survive out here...you’d cut a lot of beautifulshoulder margins with 6 degreetapered walls but probablynever see the patient again tocement your shiny all-ceramic,shade-perfect crown... oh andthere’s no impression materialout here!

The benefitsI am very lucky to be able tosee so much of WA’s beautiful,albeit stark, countryside andespecially privileged to beallowed into some of these verysmall communities and treatsome very lovely people. Thecultural differences vary fromone place to the next – forexample those in Kal and Geroare very urban, whereas Englishmay be a second or thirdlanguage in Warburton. This ofcourse proves to be an addedchallenge to communication.Also, dental school gives you agreat idea of what ‘idealtreatment’ is – ‘save every toothat all costs’. Well boys and girls,cost becomes a very realconsideration that you learnabout very quickly when youstart working. I don’t mean justthe financial cost, but also thetime and other personal coststo the patient; not all patientsplace the same life-or-deathvalue on teeth that you mayhave after completing yourschooling.

A challengeOne of the most confrontationalthings that I’ve had to do was to extract two untreatedtraumatised upper centrals thathad become infected on agorgeous young womanbecause she didn’t want RCT.No matter how I tried, I couldn’tconvince her – I drew pictures, I used props, I even offered tocolour in her teeth black so shecould see how ugly it wouldlook but she didn’t want a bar of‘saving them’ – she just wantedthem ‘knocked out’!

Some of the more traditionalcommunities still practice TribalLaw – and part of the Men’sBusiness is to have one of theircentral incisors removed...normally in the bush (and I canassure you it’s not done with LA and the gentle hand of anice dentist with sterilizedinstruments). So there I was,taking out completely healthycentrals for these young guys(some only 14) sweating bulletsat the sight of the instruments!Even though my teachers atdental school would probably becringing, I had to respect thatthis is what they wanted and if Icould help them I should. Bythe same token, I get theopportunity to fix people’s teethso they feel comfortable smilingagain, and get them out of painso they can eat again - which issuch an honour.

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On your ownI could say the worst bit of thisjob I had was the need to figureout at lot of things on my own –but that’s also the best bit. Myboss KD is always there as amentor to help me through anydifficulties that I find myself in –be it trivial (‘Carla, try turning thepower on at the compressor tomake the drills work’) or,complex (see ‘one hour phoneconversations’).

To sum upThis is a great job - and you’dlike it if you like travelling, likemeeting new people and tryingnew things (like goanna). It’s ajob for new grads so if you’regraduating, interested, and youwant an awesome uniqueexperience – apply!

© Dental Protection Limited May 2010DPL Australia Pty Ltd

PO Box 2305, Brookside CentreQLD 4053T (07) 3862 7788 F (07) 3862 7747Freecall 1800 444 542

Membership RepresentativeVicki Biddlevicki.biddle@dpla.com.au

Operation ManagerKen Parkerken.parker@dpla.com.au

Editordavid.croser@mps.org.uk

Dental Protection Limited (DPL) ispart of the Medical ProtectionSociety (MPS) providing discretionarybenefits for dentists and other dentalcare professionals. These benefitsare set out in the Memorandum andArticles of Association published onour website. Neither DPL nor MPSare insurance companies

ADSAConvention2010

The six-day extravaganza beginson Tuesday the 6th of Julywhere we’ll meet at the IbisHotel in Melbourne, a five-minute walk from MelbourneUniversity and a five-minutewalk from the city centre. Thisis the time to becomeacquainted with your fellowroommates, LCD flat screen,internet access and hairdryers.

From the Ibis we will make ourway to a secret location.Attendees will arrive in theirtribes, all displaying unity in theirdress (a camouflage theme willgive your school an advantage,so will light aircraft but we don’trecommend those) to engage in an adventure to prove yourdominance over yourunsuspecting peers. The nightwill be filled with friendlycompetition and mingling withother convention delegates.

Starts hereEnter Wednesday. The morningwill include a set of excitinglectures, salutations and a tourof the Melbourne DentalSchool. Following the mornings’activities we will make our wayto the Melbourne UniversitySports Ground for a sausagesizzle (yes sausages!) and asporting afternoon. Theafternoon presents a chance foryou and your team to proveyour agility, redeem yourselvesfrom the previous night andhave a good time!

The sports will continue into thenight with an orienteering-styleevent. This will have youtwisting your maps sidewaysand navigating your waythrough Melbourne’scobblestone laneways andlabyrinthine alleyways. Keepyour watches handy, can youreach all the watering holes atthe right time?

A new year in a new decadeand you’re still at dentalschool. Do you want toescape the hum-drum ofblock teaching? PBL?Lectures in general? Do youfeel like you need a break?

The solutionThe Australian Dental StudentsConvention is the only way tospend your winter break. Thisyear’s edition offers aconglomeration of eveningsoirees, sports, sausages (yessausages!), wine, boats (I’m ona boat!), serious adventure (veryserious), cocktails, a tradedisplay and exciting lectures.Did we just say exciting? Yes!We did. Fun lectures on funtopics that you didn’t get atdental school. And if you buynow, we’ll throw in breakfast!

Where?This year’s convention is set inthe great city of Melbourne;geared up with its secretlaneways, wacky weather andcopious amounts of ToothMousse, we can assure you it’sgoing to be a mischief making,academically inspiring, crackerof a week! You’d be bonkers tomiss it.

WeekendRise and shine its Saturdaymorning! We kick off withsome prime lectures andculminate in the most highlyanticipated social event of theconvention: the Cocktail Party.Set in the magnificent heart ofthe CBD, overlooking themajestic creatures of thisculture rich city, the cocktailparty will include a deliciousdrinks, tantalising food andexceptional music andcompany. Ladies will bedressed to the nines and thegentlemen will be looking verysuave. This promises to be afun-filled night where we dancetogether one last time.

The final day of conventioninvolves a farewell breakfastwhere we all lament and saygoodbye to our new-foundfriends, our old-found friendsand lovers alike. Following thetears, we will hold our AnnualGeneral Meeting where all areinvited to attend. At our AGMwe will be electing the newcommittee for 2010/2011 withsome exciting new positions.So come along and getinvolved!

For more information abouthow the new committee,convention, or ADSA in general,check out our website atwww.adsa.org.au

As you can see, convention isgeared up to be an absolutecracker of a week that you’d bebonkers to miss. Hope to seeyou there.

ADSA Committee

Take the tourThe third day will kick off with amerry road trip to Bendigo, anow famous town named aftera bank (the town’s people maytell you otherwise). This is agreat opportunity to check outone of Australia’s brand newdental schools. We’ll take a tourof the La Trobe Universityschool and sit down to a fewexciting lectures. After theexcitement we’ll be back on theroad, ready to sample somelocal wines, ciders and otherproduce.

The excitement doesn’t stopthere ladies and gentlemen. Asour road trip comes to an end,we will prepare for a night ofunknowable adventure. Thenight’s activities are likely toinvolve lasers, may involvesumo wrestling, go-karts oreven horses on roller skates.We don’t know. But you’ll findout!

Grab the opportunityFriday will kick off with agourmet buffet breakfast andthe trade display! Upongraduation, we are no longerlimited to the techniques,instruments and materials thatour dental school chooses. Thetrade show is the perfectopportunity to learn about whatcompanies are out there andbecome familiar with namesand products. It may or may notalso be a great chance to lootsome prime booty. Meet thesponsors, enjoy the food andstock up on a year’s supply ofstationary!! More excitinglectures will follow and somefree time will be available toexplore Melbourne-town.

This exploration will lead to thediscovery of a boat (I’m on aboat!). The mystery-themedriver cruise will depart fromDocklands and promises to be anight filled with piracy andcommandeering of larger boats.Either that or partying it up onour original boat.

Make the most of yourmembership. Register youremail address atwww.dentalprotection.org/australia

Editordavid.croser@mps.org.uk