A pilot dental care program, which employs psychologists to
persuade patients to brush more, has reversed decay in many
patients. It resulted in a 50 per cent decline in the need for
first-time fillings, a 40 per cent reduction in the incidence of
decay and a 50 per cent reduction in repeat visits to the
dentist, Sydney University says. That's great news for the 50
per cent of Australians who hate the drill so much that they
avoid the dentist entirely or go infrequently. As a result,
nearly 30 per cent of adults aged 25 to 40 have untreated dental
decay. The university's pilot program was developed by Professor
Wendell Evans, who has made reversing tooth decay his life's
work. The program has had such "outstanding" results that the
university will launch a new no-drill clinic at Westmead Centre
for Oral Health next year. Trainee dentists will combine
prevention (such as proper brushing technique and the
application of professional strength fluoride) with behavioural
management. The dean of Sydney University's