I was invited to an engagement party over the weekend. It was such a lovely occasion. I'll set the scene. Happy couple, pleased to be sharing their great news with their nearest and dearest, big smiles on their faces, the bride-to-be showing off her enviably sized 1.5 carat diamond on platinum ring. Congratulations hugs, hand shakes and kisses being passed around. With champagne on tap to toast the joyous occasion, I am in an amazingly great mood, feeding off the positive energy in the room.

Then someone taps me on the shoulder and asks ' Excuse me, are you a dentist?' Before I even get a chance to open my mouth to answer a timid 'yes' (experience has taught me to answer with great caution, especially to complete strangers), I hear a second voice 'Dentist, who? Tell me, who is the Dentist, my crown fell out last night while chewing on a.........' This second person had hardly had time to finish their sentence when a third person interrupted - 'I need to find a new dentist, I want Zoom teeth whitening'. Aaargh! Just as I was really getting into the party mood, someone had to selfishly remind me about my day job! Tell me, why is it that once my professional identity of 'Dentist' is revealed at social events, I suddenly have a long queue of people waiting to chat to me at their various dental ailments? I always kindly oblige, well maybe to the first two.........

Having given it more thought, I realised a weekly Q & A for my website and blog might be a great help to address those questions that everyone always wants to know about their teeth. So from now on, I will add a helpful and hopefully interesting tip, to help increase people's knowledge on Dentistry, their mouths, teeth and gums. Then maybe, just maybe, in the not so distant future, I will be able to enjoy all social events without having to do mini dental consultation at the dinner table! (I do enjoy it really)

And as they say, there is no time like the present!

Q: My crown fell off - what should I do?

A: Keep the crown safe in a tissue or a small container. Call to book an emergency appointment with your dentist at their and your earliest convenience.  The earlier you have it recemented the better, as this will prevent movement of the teeth on either side of the gap and movement of the tooth directly below the gap. A crown can usually be recemented back into place if the understructure that supports the crown (the tooth structure that was reduced so that the crown could be placed) has not been damaged and can still hold the crown. In the mean time, try not chew on the side the crown has come off - if you do chew on it by mistake, it shouldn't cause much harm. Brush the tooth as normal if it is not too sensitive.

Boots sells a Dental First Aid Kit which is an easy to use kit with materials which can be used to temporarily secure loose crowns, caps and inlays.

Ok, I put my foot in it here! Hosting a wine tasting event at The Covent Garden Dental Spa............ 'What on earth?' I found myself having to defend my appreciation for good wine - or more like - being a dentist who appreciates good wine AND endorses wine consumption to her clients by promoting wine tasting events at Covent Garden Dental Spa......... Mmmmmmmmm. Reading back I feel a slight pang of a guilt. BUT that's besides the point. I am guilty as charged, so be it!

You just had to be there, crazy as it sounds. The Spring Whites and sparkling wines event on the 18^th of March was an overwhelming  success.

We had Laura Lindsey of Red, White and Pink talking us through some amazing wines, my favourite being the 2008 Rioja Blanco Luis Cana. Laura gave some great wine tasting tips and educated us on how to distinguish between the tastes of classic grapes.

Dave Alexander and Matt Barnett exhibited their unique works of art. Displayed were an eclectic mix of sculptures and art pieces. Our guests enjoyed having the artists talking them through each individual piece and explaining the originality of their work.

Our guests on the evening were a lovely mix of existing Members and friends of the Covent Garden Dental Spa, local Covent Garden visitors and local businesses. A good few were new to the Covent Garden Dental Spa and were all very impressed by the lavish interior and design of the Covent Garden Dental Spa. Several expressed amazement that the decoration and ambience did not in any way resemble that of the dental practices they were used to visiting, but instead exuded the luxury of an upmarket London boutique hotel. I was very flattered. Needless to say, a good portion of those who were visiting for the first time have since become Members of the Covent Garden Dental Spa, and have enjoyed coming to us for dental treatment.

The biggest winner of the night was our massage chair in our Relax and Massage Room. The queue for the relaxing massage on the chair was out the door. I guess the idea of being a Member of the Covent Garden Dental Spa coupled with the thought of having a complementary 15 minute pampering session on our massage chair prior to dental treatment is motive enough!

Now, that’s what I call Dentistry with a pampering touch! Thank you again to all who attended the event and contributed to making it a great success.

CLICK HERE  for photos and video clipping of the wine tasting evening at the Covent Garden Dental Spa