In case you haven't already spotted the cover of this issue or our special logo, this year is Vital's 10th anniversary! I was thrilled to toast Vital's first decade at April's British Dental Conference and Exhibition with colleagues, contributors and a few familiar faces from past issues! Visit page 9 to see some photos of the event.

To commemorate the anniversary, I have also been catching up with some of our former cover stars to find out what they have been up to since they featured in Vital (page 28). It was lovely to hear about the positive responses each of them gained from appearing in Vital, both from peers and from family and friends.

Joining Vital's cover star hall of fame this issue is dental nurse turned clinical treatment coordinator Rachel Hughes. Rachel took the proactive step of contacting me herself and outlining why she thought she might be suitable as an interviewee and how she hoped to inspire other dental nurses. That is what I like to hear! If any other readers would like to tell their story in Vital, do drop me a line or write me a letter. At Vital we know how popular pen and paper continues to be among DCPs (see letter, page 4).

As the deadline approaches for the first 5-year cycle of CPD for DCPs, if you still need to top up your verifiable hours, make sure you complete the two hours in this issue, on decontamination (page 26) and toothwear (page 30).

Kate Maynard Editor www.facebook.com/vitalmagazine