Tariq Drabu Dentist Takes On Extra Commitments

Just thought I would share a PR piece that a colleague has written about my latest work, just to explain why things might get a little bit quiet over the next month;

Dr Tariq Drabu will be doubling his work commitment at UCLan Dental Clinic in Preston this August.

The announcement comes just a year after he was first appointed to a senior specialist teaching position at the brand new University of CentralLancashire (UCLan) Dental Clinic in Preston.

Tariq Drabu is responsible for leading the specialist oral surgery services at the UCLan Dental Clinic, a £1.3m state-of-the-art facility , which provides much needed services for local people as well as staff and students of the university. The clinic boasts four general dental clinics, and a 10 chair training bay, making it one of the few universities in the country, other than specialist dedicated medical centres, to offer facilities such as recovery rooms and training suites.

Dr Drabu will now work two days a week at the clinic, following an increase in patient numbers due to the clinic undertaking some contractual work from Blackpool Hospital, where patients are now being referred to UCLan Dental Clinic for assessment and treatment.

The role at the university is not the first time that he has worked in a university teaching environment with having been a senior teaching fellow in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Manchester Dental Hospital between 2001 and 2009.  Whilst at the dental hospital he was responsible for the teaching, lecturing and supervision of dentists on the University of Manchester’s Masters program in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Tariq Drabu will be balancing the work alongside his other work commitments, which include running his own successful dental practice, the Langley Dental Practice, which has expanded its patient base from around 1500 in 1998 to around 15000 now. He is also the clinical lead for NHS Heywood Middleton and Rochdale and NHS Oldham primary care minor oral surgery services.

Search Tariq Drabu Twitter on Google for more updates or alternatively follow him, @TariqDrabu65

Tariq Drabu Dentist Talks Illegal Teeth Whitening

Here is another piece I feel my followers may well be interested in as it directly involves topics I have spoken out on before.

Dr Tariq Drabu Dentist Supports Vote For Teeth Whitening Ruling

Where as many see teeth whitening as a simple procedure designed to boost people’s self-esteem and provide them with pearly white teeth, there is a lot more to it than that.

In recent years the desire to have whiter teeth has increased, which has sparked interest amongst non dental professionals such as beauticians and hairdressers who are experienced in working on people’s appearance. For them it is seen as an additional revenue stream in difficult economic times. However, although they may have experience carrying out procedures that enhance a person’s look, The General Dental Council, the organisation that regulates dental professionals in the UK, has concluded, with the backing of the law, that teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and therefore should only be carried out by a registered dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist.

Teeth whitening includes the use of different agents, such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, that need to be closely monitored to ensure a person is not put at risk during the procedure. Dental professionals, such as Tariq Drabu Dentist, have the necessary skills, training and knowledge to ensure they do not put at risk their patient’s oral health and well being. However, with beauticians not being specifically trained in dentistry there is a danger that they may use chemicals such as chlorine dioxide, which have been proven to dissolve enamel.  There is also a danger that any mouth guard provided by non dental professionals may not fit properly, which can cause the whitening solution to leak out and blister the gums and cause sensitivity.

Although there was previously some possible ambiguity in place regarding who could carry out whitening  procedures, in a recent ruling by the High Court it was said that tooth-whitening is a treatment performed by dentists and therefore constituted the practice of dentistry under the Dentists Act 1984. Summarising that a person not qualified as a dentist should be prohibited from providing the treatment.

The ruling came after Lorna Jamous, a beautician who previously carried out teeth whitening procedures, was prosecuted for practising dentistry, as she was neither a qualified dentist or registered with the GDC (The General Dental Council).

The High Court held that:

1. Teeth whitening constituted the practice of dentistry and therefore a non-dentist was prohibited from providing it by section 38 and section 41 of the Dentists Act 1984; and

2. The general public had to be protected from receiving treatment from those not qualified to give it. It was not relevant whether it could also be performed in a domestic context. When a parent brushed a child’s teeth, he or she was not providing treatment to the child and was not practicing a profession.

Dr Tariq Drabu commented on the matter, stating “I am very much against non dental professionals such as hairdressers and beauticians offering teeth whitening as I do not feel it is safe or an ethical practice. I also feel that the beauticians and hairdressers misrepresent us by saying that dentists charge a fortune, which is untrue. Here at Langley Dental Practice we are charging just £199 for upper & lower arch teeth whitening.”

Following the ruling, the High Court stated that now only dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists (working to the prescription of a dentist) are allowed to carry out tooth whitening.

Search Tariq Drabu Twitter on Google for more updates or alternatively follow him, @TariqJDrabu

Tariq Drabu Highlights Illegal Dentistry

Illegal dentistry – that is a topic that has been coming up quite regularly lately, and one that I feel falls fairly close into the realms of the illegal teeth whitening practice that I have previously touched upon. You only have to look at the General Dental Council's (GDC) newsfeed and you’ll no doubt find mention of illegal ‘Dentists’ being prosecuted for various acts.

What is meant by an illegal dentist? These are most often individuals that have taken it upon themselves to conduct dental procedures without a dental license, the right equipment or in extreme cases, the appropriate training. Needless to say, it’s a terrifying thought.

The most recent cases to be brought to light involve "practitioners" in Wirral and Surrey, both of whom were operating dental clinics without the relevant licensing, with one of the offenders never having registered with the GDC in the first place.

Just to highlight a fundamental point made by the GDC in both cases; “By law all dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK. This is to ensure only appropriately qualified and skilled dental professionals are part of the dental team looking after patients.”

The fact that there are members of the medical community that are openly breaking the trust that the general public place in medical practitioners not only worries me, but also astounds me. In some extreme cases, these medical rogues that are looking to save money could potentially be putting lives at risk. 

Needless to say, this is a topic that I feel very strongly about and fully support the decision of the GDC to take up prosecution proceedings. At the Langley Dental Practice all our staff are GDC registered and have been for many years. Trust and care are just two of the things that should precede all other motives to work in such roles in any medical field.

Regards,
Tariq Drabu

Tariq Drabu: Staff Members Take Home Award!

It is a proud day for any employer when a member of your team is praised for their work by a member of the public. It is an even prouder day when a member of your team is recognised and honoured in a public display by fellow professionals for their efforts to the profession I have held dearly for the past 27 years.

With a great sense  of pride  I am delighted to  announce that one of our dental nurse cadets took home an award at the recent regional Cadet Annual Award Ceremony held in Manchester this past week. Sarah Gorman was presented the award for being the best cadet from the Manchester Dental School for the 2012/2013 intake. 

Having worked with myself, Tariq Drabu, and the other staff at the Langley Dental Practice
over the past 12 months. we are all truly humbled to have Sarah recognised for the outstanding thought and care that she clearly puts into all of her efforts at the practice.

I personally feel that such awards should also stand as a testament to other practicing nurses and dental experts in our medical profession. After all, it is nurses like Sarah that will be the next generation of staff that help deliver vital treatment for years to come.  As medical practitioners, there is a certain level of expertise and care that the general public expect members of our profession to provide. If we are able to set and maintain a high standard of expectations amongst our practicing nurses and dental staff early on in their studies, then surely this will help maintain even higher standards for years to come. It is certainly food for thought.

In my many years I have heard quite a few  horror stories from members of the public that  have faced rude or brash staff at various hospitals and clinics throughout the UK. To me, this is simply unacceptable and it is staff like Sarah that gives me hope for the future.

Thank you for all your hard work over the past months, Sarah. It is truly appreciated!