With a new government taking office, many dentists will be wondering what the future holds for British dentistry. But many concerns faced by dentists and patients are far more basic than the things politicians might address.

This is not to say there are not big issues, something everyone recognises, and the incoming Labour administration has pledged a series of major steps such as reforming the NHS contract for dentists, ending ‘dental deserts’ with incentives for new graduates to work in them and supervised brushing for kids aged 3-5.

However, while the last of these may be very useful in helping reduce childhood tooth decay, many dentists will lament that they have adult patients who are still far from adept at using a toothbrush, no matter how much advice they are given.

That is why when patients turn up, effective equipment like a single tuft toothbrush can prove so invaluable in reaching the parts many people just don’t reach themselves.

By getting to those difficult-to-access crevices, you can be sure you are giving your patient the best possible dental care, while highlighting the benefits of getting particular areas clean to them in the process.

Of course, in an ideal scenario, they will take your advice and floss regularly to cover all angles, as well as change their toothbrush every three months (or whenever the bristles start to lean to the side).

Some may even take the hint to get an electric toothbrush, where the bristles usually last for six months and the device is more effective at brushing where it is most needed.

The reality, of course, is that all too many people will fall short of this and the best care they get by far will come not from having the best equipment at home and using it, but every six months when they visit you.

Whatever the new government does, there is no doubt that getting single tuft toothbrushes for your surgery should be one of your top policy priorities.