There can be no doubting the importance of the internet, and the significant role it now plays in all our lives. With more and more patients now using the internet to search for dental practices, rather than traditional methods such as phonebooks or local directories, it is essential that your practice has a web presence that fully reflects your vision and the services you are able to provide.

Chris Neve is Business Manager at Queens Park Dental Team, Bournemouth, and has been responsible for overseeing the development of the practice website for over a decade. While the practice was one of the ‘early adopters’ of dental online marketing in 2004, with the surge in internet use across the country, Queens Park Dental Team now attracts more new patients through its website than any other method.

To create the Queens Park Dental Team website, Chris worked closely with Krishan Joshi of Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’. With each new mock-up of the website, Chris and the team provided feedback on elements of the design so Krishan could build the final website to their exact tastes and specifications.

‘We were all really pleased with the website,’ says Chris. ‘It was exactly what we were after – a much fresher look, and with all the latest features as it was back in 2004. A few years later in 2008, we then decided to have a major revamp of the site – a complete redesign. Our new website was so good we even won an award for ‘Most Improved Private Website’. We were very happy! This was great publicity for our practice and we even appeared in the local press as a result.’ 

In terms of marketing, in the past, Chris used to use a number of different marketing strategies for Queens Park Dental Team, but given the success of his new website, he’s found that many of the ‘old’ methods of marketing are fast becoming obsolete.

‘Our new website is absolutely great,’ continues Chris. ‘In fact we attract most of our new patients through our website. We used to be in the Yellow Pages. In fact we were the first practice in Bournemouth to have colour in our advert when colour adverts came in. Obviously that was quite a big draw at the time, but we started to do research into where our new patients were coming from and it seemed that Yellow Pages was providing very few results for the money we were paying. We used to be on Yell.com as well, but that didn’t really bring anything either. So we dropped both the Yellow Pages and Yell.com and decided to focus our marketing efforts on our website and our search ranking on Google and Bing. Of course we do carry out other kinds of marketing as well. We do leaflet drops around our local area and other such things, but majority of new patients are by word-of-mouth or through the website. This is very cost effective in comparison to the “old” methods such as Yellow Pages.’

When it comes to dental online marketing, it really pays to trust the experts. With the internet now such an important part of any dental practice’s marketing mix, choosing a web design company that offers proven results time and time again will help ensure your practice makes the most of the fantastic opportunity that online marketing provides.

For more information call 020 7183 8388, or visit www.dentalfocus.com

There has never been a time when it hasn’t been important to keep a close watch on your personal finances. But, the constant changes we are seeing during the current economic downturn mean that it is more important than ever that our fiscal situation is closely assessed. This is especially true when it comes to making investments.

A regular review will ensure that you are setting aside the right amount and that this money is being put to use in the best way possible. Some forms of investment will provide the potential for financial growth, whereas others will offer the chance for an instant income, some will even provide a mixture of the two.

The investment you choose to make will all depend on what it is you are looking to achieve, so it is important to keep in mind that it is all down to personal circumstance. There are two key areas that have to be considered before choosing the form of investment that you wish to make. The first is the length of time that you want to invest for, this is awfully important as it will affect the shape of the policy. The length of the investment will hinge on whether you are looking to make your money grow over time or if you are seeking immediate income from the investment. It is also worth deliberating whether you will be looking to spend your savings before your death or whether you will be looking to leave some to your heirs.

The other aspect that must be considered is what the most tax-effective method of investing will be. Depending on your choice, your policy can increase the money you retain from your savings and investments tax. For instance, pension plans are a really tax-efficient option because contributing to them will receive a tax relief depending on how much you earn. There are also other options that offer tax relief however, these are not as stable as a pension plan. Seeking the appropriate advice when looking to make an investment is indispensible. Taking advantage of specialist advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) will help you to pick the most suitable investment option.  

When the financial situation of an individual changes, reassessing your investments should be a priority as they will be affected. For example, a gap in employment may mean that the amount saved in your pension will not be enough to cater for your whole retirement. It is vital that the investor as an investor you are aware of the number of factors that can influence an investment strategy. You may even find that you decided to change your investment policy because you want to be more adventurous or more careful with your financial decisions.

As an investor you will acquire an annual statement, this is to be used in your personal records and to keep a watch on how much your investment has grown. This document will allow you to evaluate the performance of your investment and see if there are any issues relating to your investment fund.

When making an investment a professional fund manager must draw up an Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This statement must be tailored to suit the investor and will lay out a plan of how the investment will be managed and what the aims of the investment are. This document should be reviewed annually, because as the investors financial attitudes change, the investment will, thus the IPS must be altered to reflect this.

An investment balances the level of risk with the level of reward, this of course means that the chance of greater financial gain brings with it uncertainty and an increased chance of a significant loss. This means that as an investor you must prepare yourself and determine the amount of risk that you are willing to make. Some investors are happy to have an unstable portfolio, as long as it still generates money over time. Regardless of this, an IPS must detail an action plan in the event that not everything goes to plan. By doing this you can be safe in the knowledge that even if this don’t work out there is a plan in place to overcome the problem.

Before making any financial decisions it is essential that the advice of an IFA is sought. Not only should the IFA be experienced, they should be able to tailor their knowledge to your individual circumstances. IFAs like money4dentists specialise in assisting those who work in the dental industry to make the right financial choices. Their knowledge extends to tax planning, income protection and mortgages. As a specialist IFA, money4dentists can review your finances and debt and help you toachieve your financial aspirations.

When looking to make an investment there are a number of considerations that must be made, but the first and most important thing to do is seek the services of a knowledgeable and experienced IFA.

For mortgages we act as introducers only.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

For more information please call 0845 345 5060, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.money4dentists.com

Introduction

As dental professionals, we are all aware of the difference an improved smile can make to our patients. There’s inevitably an increase in self-assurance, they’re quick to smile more frequently and this positivity impacts on almost every aspect of their lives. A large number of adults in the UK are dissatisfied with their teeth - 45% according to a recent YouGov study[1] - but are put off rectifying any problems for a number of reasons, such as lengthy treatment time and fear of pain. With a combined treatment approach, we are able to offer a bespoke solution that unites the benefits of minimally invasive dentistry and a faster treatment process to achieve excellent results.

Adult orthodontics has come a long way in recent years and has much to offer in a huge number of cases. Referring dentists are pleasantly surprised when I explain how orthodontic treatment can transform a tricky case to a very straightforward one where extractions, restorative or implant treatment is either minimal or not required at all.

History

This case report demonstrates the joint treatment of a 63-year-old female with a combined orthodontic and restorative approach. Her initial complaint was that she did not like her uneven and worn teeth and in particular “a lower tooth that was crowded out.”

When she was initially seen and examined, it was decided that a satisfactory restorative solution alone would be difficult to achieve due to her upper incisor positions and reduced overjet. This was also a likely factor in her anterior tooth wear, as she was edge to edge. She was subsequently referred for orthodontic alignment of her crowded dental arches and in particular to provide sufficient clearance for placement of new upper anterior restorations, facilitated by a positive overjet. Her medical history was clear.

Clinical Examination

The patient presented with a class III incisor relationship on a skeletal I base, with an increased Frankfort-Mandibular planes angle and increased lower face height. The upper lip line was high and she had increased gingival display on smiling. The overjet and overbite were reduced and showed an edge to edge relationship. There was mild lower arch crowding and a spaced upper arch, with a midline diastema. She had a fairly heavily restored dentition and signs of anterior tooth wear attributed to her malocclusion. Her oral hygiene was satisfactory.

Treatment Plan

Several treatment options were discussed in-depth with the patient. It was felt that a restorative solution alone to restore the worn upper teeth would not be sufficient to achieve a stable long-term, aesthetic solution. The longevity of such restorations simply could not be guaranteed due to the nature of her current occlusion. She was also unhappy with her lower teeth and preferred a more comprehensive approach to improve the look of all of her teeth, in the most conservative approach possible.

It was agreed to provide upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances to relieve the lower crowding, reduce the upper spacing (whilst maintaining a discrete diastema) and create a normal overjet, overbite and class I incisor relationship. She was happy to have labial ceramic fixed braces and was aware that interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) was necessary in the lower arch in particular. She was also happy to wear elastics to facilitate retraction of the lower labial segment and control the correction from a class III to a class I incisor relationship. Permanent bonded retainers (PBRs) in addition to removable vacuum formed retainers (VFRs) were planned from the outset and the importance of long-term retention of the final result was stressed. The total orthodontic treatment time from start to finish was five and a half months.

This was to be followed by restoration of her worn incisors and replacement of old discoloured fillings.

Post-orthodontic treatment plan

The treatment plan was revised to account for the reduced need for invasive preparation of the newly aligned teeth. Conservative anterior composite bonding and contouring was carried out using a silicone index method. The patient also had her teeth whitened.

Patient feedback

Primarily motivated by her family to change her smile, the patient is ‘absolutely delighted with the results’. She described the whole experience as ‘brilliant’ and felt fine during the treatment process, in no small part thanks to a reassuring and professional team. The patient said her new smile has exceeded her expectations and given her more confidence.

Summary

By utilising a combined orthodontic and restorative approach at the London Smile Clinic with good communication between each clinician an aesthetic, well aligned and well interdigitated class I occlusion was achieved in a conservative manner.

The result was a much-improved aesthetic and functional dentition and the total treatment duration was just under six months.

The patient was initially very reluctant to the idea of wearing a fixed appliance. This is a very common situation that can be very easily overcome in adult patients. Initially I considered offering her a lingual appliance due to her hesitation but found that she had never seen, let alone held a typodont with a ceramic fixed appliance in-situ and was pleasantly surprised at how discreet and aesthetic it actually was. Backed up by examination of treated cases and good photos, she had no hesitation in proceeding with treatment with ceramic labial appliances over lingual appliances, in this case, as she felt they were “quite attractive in fact!” I have found this time and again that people who initially opt for a more invasive treatment approach, due to the stigma attached to wearing braces as an adult, are happy to proceed with orthodontic therapy following a thorough discussion of the advantages and demonstration of the appliances up close.

This case demonstrates the simple and effective method in which a combined approach can be utilised to give a highly aesthetic and conservative result, which the patient was very pleased with. Clear, effective communication between the orthodontist and restorative dentist is essential, with each clinician working to their respective strengths.

Almost every adult patient can benefit from some form of orthodontic treatment from mild crowding through to the more complex multidisciplinary cases, often requiring surgery. We are responsible as trustworthy clinicians for providing all the relevant and appropriate treatment options to our patients, in order to provide informed consent and avoiding coercion into one particular treatment that we may prefer. As demonstrated, where there is any doubt refer to a specialist in orthodontics who can substantiate the pros and cons of the orthodontic element with solid evidence-based research.

Author

Dr Bhogal graduated from Birmingham Dental Hospital in 2000, winning the Walpole-Day Prize in Orthodontics. He then undertook several posts including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Paediatric Dentistry and worked for several years in general dental practice. In 2003 he obtained Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and in 2008 obtained his Masters in Orthodontics, MPhil (Orthodontics) and Membership in Orthodontics (M Orth) at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr Preet Bhogal is listed in the General Dental Council’s Specialist Register and therefore entitled to use the term “Specialist Orthodontist,” recognising that he has followed the highest standard of training possible in orthodontics in the UK.

Dr Bhogal has a keen interest in the field of contemporary adult orthodontics, interdisciplinary treatment and the use of aesthetic hidden braces, including clear aligner systems (e.g. Invisalign) and lingual fixed appliances (e.g. Incognito Braces)

Follow Dr Bhogal on Twitter at @PreetBhogalUK.

I was shocked and more than a little annoyed to discover an article in the Sunday Express recently that claimed, “Now we pull out our own teeth: Boom in DIY dental kits as patients cannot afford NHS fees”. Of course it doesn’t take too much in the way of imagination to guess what follows next. As you would expect, the writer embarks on a meandering and incoherent tirade claiming that, “Unable to afford soaring charges, almost a fifth of people have all but given up going to their dentist”.

But wait a minute; I thought this article was supposed to be about the cost of NHS dentistry? We are only one line in and already the writer has confused the issue. The writer then goes on to claim, “Up to a third of adults no longer have an NHS dentist, according to the latest figures”. But of course, the writer doesn’t say where these figures come from – nor does she explain what she means by the words “no longer”. Are we to take it that everyone is supposed to have an NHS dentist in the current system? Do these people really “no longer” have dentists down to cost and cost alone?

I could go on here, but I am sure readers get a sense of the type of article the Sunday Express has published here. It is but yet another example of appalling, lazy journalism that continues to fill our national media with stories that mislead patients and paint our profession in a negative light. Not only that, but it’s so confusing is it any wonder patients don’t understand how the NHS dental system works?

Of course the whole issue that the article raises is an emotive one, but I think as a profession we need to ask ourselves just why these patients are doing these things in the first place.

As you would expect, the author of the article certainly doesn’t seem to know quite why these patients are pulling out their own teeth. One moment it’s the greedy dentists, the next moment it’s the poor patients, and then it’s the broken NHS. Though the author seems to level blame at just about anything or anyone who comes to mind, she singularly fails to address the three key points: accessibility, education and expectations.

A major problem we all face in our day-to-day work as dental professionals is fighting against the all too common trend of patients not placing enough value in dentistry, and not concerning themselves with their oral health until it gets too late. Is it any wonder then that patients feel aggrieved when they find themselves in pain and can’t receive treatment on account of the fact they aren’t registered? One also has to wonder why, after all these years, has there been no concerted effort to educate and inform patients on a national scale about how NHS dentistry works!

I think what concerns me more than anything about this “DIY dental kits” story is that it’s not an isolated case – these stories seem to crop up almost every week! It worries me the impact these stories are having on our patients. It’s no wonder people are pulling out their own teeth if the papers regularly print horror stories about greedy dentists who do more harm than good.

I wonder do these people have nothing better to write?

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

Dr Michael Sultan BDS MSc DFO FICD is a Specialist in Endodontics and the Clinical Director of EndoCare. Michael qualified at Bristol University in 1986. He worked as a general dental practitioner for 5 years before commencing specialist studies at Guy’s hospital, London. He completed his MSc in Endodontics in 1993 and worked as an in-house Endodontist in various practices before setting up in Harley St, London in 2000. He was admitted onto the specialist register in Endodontics in 1999 and has lectured extensively to postgraduate dental groups as well as lecturing on Endodontic courses at Eastman CPD, University of London. He has been involved with numerous dental groups and has been chairman of the Alpha Omega dental fraternity. In 2008 he became clinical director of EndoCare, a group of specialist practices.

On 3rd July this year, Alliance Boots held their annual supplier conference, with all their major suppliers across the healthcare, beauty and baby industries in attendance.

Recognised as the Number 1 product for ‘Innovative Product Launch’ was CB12, acknowledged for its product uniqueness and the effectiveness of the marketing support utilised at the launch.

With ‘bad breath’ found to be in the top five most embarrassing conditions to discuss[i], CB12 provides an effective solution to eliminate both the physical and physiological effects for suffers. The winning mouth rinse formula neutralises the VSCs (Volatile Sulphur Compounds) responsible for malodorous breath, relieving suffers of symptoms for up to 12 hours.

Supplied by Meda Pharmaceuticals, the team are delighted to have faired so well against the industry giants, and would like to thank to all who helped make this possible.

To see what CB12 could do for your patients, please visit www.cb12.co.uk

The NOMAD® Pro represents the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging technology, and is available from Clark Dental in the UK.

Weighing just 2.5kg, the NOMAD Pro produces crisp, clear, high-resolution images time and time again, with no blur from hand movement, and a low radiation dose. Not only is the NOMAD Pro an incredibly safe and efficient unit, but it’s also reassuring – and shareable! Thanks to the great portability of the unit, the NOMAD Pro can eliminate the need for multiple conventional X-ray units, and can also provide X-ray functionality in out-of-office environments such as nursing homes and patient home visits. It also allows the clinician to remain in the treatment room with the patient while the X-ray is being carried out.

Dr Eddie Scher is a Registered Specialist in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. He says:

“The NOMAD Pro is great because it allows me to safely stay with patients whilst taking radiographs, which is particularly useful when my implant patients are sedated.”

For more information on how the NOMAD Pro could benefit your practice, contact Clark Dental today.

For more information contact Clark Dental on 01270 613750,
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.nomadhandheldxray.co.uk

The NOMAD® Pro represents the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging technology, and is available from Clark Dental in the UK.

Weighing just 2.5kg, the NOMAD Pro produces crisp, clear, high-resolution images time and time again, with no blur from hand movement, and a low radiation dose. Not only is the NOMAD Pro an incredibly safe and efficient unit, but it’s also reassuring – and shareable! Thanks to the great portability of the unit, the NOMAD Pro can eliminate the need for multiple conventional X-ray units, and can also provide X-ray functionality in out-of-office environments such as nursing homes and patient home visits. It also allows the clinician to remain in the treatment room with the patient while the X-ray is being carried out.

Dr Eddie Scher is a Registered Specialist in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. He says:

“The NOMAD Pro is great because it allows me to safely stay with patients whilst taking radiographs, which is particularly useful when my implant patients are sedated.”

For more information on how the NOMAD Pro could benefit your practice, contact Clark Dental today.

For more information contact Clark Dental on 01270 613750,
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.nomadhandheldxray.co.uk

The thought of creating your own dental practice, or taking over an existing one, can be very exciting. The idea of employing your own staff, working the way you want, in a space you can call your own is perhaps the ultimate goal for any dental practitioner.

However, doing so can be a difficult and time-consuming task. You may have the ultimate dream surgery in your mind, but first of all, you need to find the right site; one that provides you with enough space for the services you wish to provide, has good access, local parking, reasonable visibility to potential customers, and leaves you with enough budget to fit out or refurbish the interior.

Once you have your site, the real work begins. Your new practice may not be set out the way you want it, or have reasonable provision for disabled people. This could mean drawing up and getting plans passed, engaging in building work (and adhering to building regulations), which requires employing and overseeing sub-contractors. Then you will need to source suppliers.

The way your practice finally looks will say a lot about you and the way you run your business, so creating the right environment for both patients and staff is essential. In doing so, you will need to ensure you make optimal use of space for all your chosen facilities and comply with all the necessary health and safety regulations, CQC and other regulatory requirements. You may want to make provision for future services when experience and budget allow.

All this requires a variety of skills, outside those of dentistry, including planning – knowing where to site services such as plumbing and lighting, and the best utilisation of space; organisation – managing multiple sub-contractors at the right time to ensure a continuous flow of work; and supervision – keeping on top of the project so that work is done the way you want it.

If you are refurbishing an existing site, you may have the problem of maintaining a full appointment book alongside the work. If the surgery is brand new, although you will have the luxury of an empty site, you will have no practice income. Either way, the project will need to be completed as soon as possible, and without any extra budgetary surprises.

Suddenly this exciting project can seem like a daunting task filled with problems and pitfalls to snare the unwary. Without doubt, creating or refurbishing a practice is a mammoth job, but you can take much of the stress out of the equation by employing a company that specialises in dentistry assignments, which will organise and run the project with you.

A company of this nature can be involved to whatever degree you require, from initial planning right through to completion if you wish. The first thing they will do is discuss your needs and establish exactly what you want from your surgery.

Having surveyed the premises, taking into account any structural needs, the company will then offer various suggestions and ideas to meet your requirements. They will work out the best use of space that ensures services are properly positioned, fixtures, fittings and equipment are utilised, and ensure the whole thing complies with all the regulations. They will then suggest complementary décor and furnishings.

The company will draw up detailed plans, which can be produced as either 2D or even 3D, full-colour drawings. These drawings will form the basis of your project plan. Because they are produced using computer-aided design (known as CAD), they can take you on a tour of your various options, turning the surgery of your dreams into a ‘virtual’ reality before you make your final decision. Any changes you may wish to explore can be easily undertaken, and the outcome quickly reviewed. Once your plan, budget and timescales are agreed, the company will organise all the necessary contractors, suppliers and materials, as and when they are needed.

A specialist company with more than 30 years’ experience of surgery design and equipment solutions is a family-run business Clark Dental. They not only offer attractive, unique designs, they can also provide the best equipment and furnishings from leading manufacturers. One of their greatest assets is their personal service, treating their customers ‘like family’; building trust to ensure those customers are confident they are getting the best possible advice.

Creating your own dental practice should be an exciting, trouble-free experience, but like any major project, it is fraught with problems that can potentially hinder and frustrate the inexperienced or time-pressed dentist. The design of your practice is important. You want an environment that makes you and your staff happy to come to work, and makes your patients feel comfortable and safe.

Whether your project is large or small, choosing a reputable, established company with specialist knowledge and skill in the dental industry, and a proven record of keeping projects on track, will make the experience a more enjoyable one that will turn your dream surgery in to a reality.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk.

Thomas Norlin recently opened his brand-new practice Esthetique Dental, Shropshire. He says:

‘I opted to work with Richard Beal and the team at Clark Dental, as they seemed to really understand exactly what I wanted. Richard picked up on my vision very quickly and turned it into something far better than I could have designed myself. Throughout the design process they were able to provide me with 2D drawings and then 3D designs as well. This was really useful as it helped me to picture what each room would look like once the work was complete, and also enabled me to try out various colour schemes as well as different worktop configurations.

‘The next stage of our project was then to start choosing the equipment packages we would need. I’ve always liked A-dec dental units, and Clark Dental are experts at dealing with A-dec equipment, so we decided to go with Clark for that reason as well. They really did do a very good job throughout, from the design stage right the way through to delivery and installation.’

For more information contact Clark Dental on 01270 613750,
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.clarkdentalsurgerydesign.co.uk,

The years towards the end of a dental professional’s career can be the most fruitful, with greater financial rewards. The height of a lifetime’s knowledge places dental professionals at the top in their career and with this in mind, CPD places heavy emphasis on lifelong learning to keep the brain astute. But what measures can be put into place in order to ensure that the modern practice supports the clinician’s body for longevity in a profession that demands physical agility and health?

Planning retirement from dentistry may be the last thing on a young dental professional’s mind, but thinking about the future is not just about pensions. People are living longer and the UK government’s policy is set to increase the number of people aged 50 + in employment by over 1 million.[1] Dental professionals are subject to higher risks of work- related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and repetitive strain injuries, which over time, may lead to long-term disability and in extreme cases, early retirement.

Dentistry requires repetitive motions of the fingers and wrists, forceful pinching and prolonged awkward positions. These factors make the clinician susceptible to MSDs, and this risk can be increased if the equipment that they use is poorly designed or improperly used. Problems that can develop may not only cause forced retirement, but also hinder their performance. The best clinician is surely a healthy one; painful working conditions and lost workdays will not be conducive to the best results.

With this in mind, preventing MSDs from occurring in the first place should be priority when considering the design of a dental practice. “Ergonomics” may have become something of a buzzword, but applying principles of safety and efficiency to the practice is a lifetime investment. The focus of ergonomics is to make the workplace and the equipment within it fit the practitioner – not the other way around. Not only this, but ergonomic design will maximise the space in the dental operatory so that patients are comfortable and the best possible clinical outcome is achieved.

Ultimately, the key objective for clinicians is to find a position that allows them to achieve optimum access, visibility, comfort and control at all times. At the centre of all clinical work is the dental unit, and one that is ergonomically sound will not only increase comfort and ensure safety, but will also account for the spatial and interactive relationship between the dentist, patient and assistant for the ideal situation: true four-handed dentistry.

Four-handed dentistry means that the practitioner and assistant act on time and motion principles and use ergonomic equipment, so that all four hands work together to deliver treatment. This approach has been praised in dentistry as the best way to increase productivity and reduce stress. If done effectively, four-handed dentistry can conserve motion so that the risks of repetitive strains and MSDs can be reduced.

In response to the demands of the industry, modern dental units have come a long way to combine aesthetics with ergonomics. The new Skema 8 from Castellini for example, has been designed to respond to all the classic two-handed and four-handed treatment procedures. Its special sliding patient chair mechanism, gives the clinician unparalleled access to the patient, as the lowering of the backrest moves with the seat rising – for a constant distance ratio between the dental unit modules and operating zone.

Ergonomic dental units should acknowledge that treatments require specific ergonomic needs. Equipment that factors this into design, will allow dentists to work with optimum freedom in any clinical situation. Good ergonomic design will also enhance seating the patient, instrument exchange, oral evacuation and infection control.

Dental units that exude the benefits of modern design will not only make the most out of the space in the dental operatory for seamless treatment, but will make your practice look sophisticated. Ergonomic design is visually stimulating and state-of-the-art dental units have impressive finishes and precise lines that emanate professionalism. 

With intelligent design the body does not have to compromise to fit to the working environment. A healthy dentist is the most important asset to any dental practice, and looking at treatment from the best possible angle, will always require ergonomic design that maximises good posture and conserves movement.

Ergonomic design in the practice is not only good for your posture but also vital for your career, especially since the attitudes towards work and ageing are changing to favour dental professionals who may wish to make the most of advanced skills and knowledge later in their lives. As technology prevails, the advancement of new treatments will continue to require acute precision and physical agility and choosing ergonomic design in practices, will preserve these attributes.   

Castellini UK Ltd

Please call 08000 933975 for details of your local Castellini dealer: Castellini has service centres through out UK

We live in an age of mobile telecommunication. Since the first commercially available mobile phone arrived 25 years ago, we have watched it morph from a house-brick-sized novelty for the few, to a slender necessity for the masses.

More recently, laptops, tablet computers and PDAs have added to our expectation of being connected to the rest of the world at any and every time and place we wish. People of all ages from those in school to those in retirement reap the benefits of such technologies, whether they use them for communication, entertainment or information sources. And while the type and complexity of the device may vary depending on people’s social status, background and living situation, this seems to have had little influence over whether they actually own a device, particularly when looking at phones. In fact, modern statistics for mobile phone use are staggering; in the UK alone there are more than 80 million subscriptions, with the volume of calls now exceeding that of fixed phones[1].

One of the greatest innovations added to the mobile phone has been the text message. Whether you are a sophisticated 4G tech-savvy professional or a simple mobile user, texts, or SMS (short message service) have very much become part of our everyday life. For many people, this simple method of transmission is now the first choice for communication with friends, family and colleagues across a whole range of mobile devices. With more than 150 billion messages sent every year[2], it has become the fastest growing use for the mobile phone[3].

In recent years, text messaging has become a much more widespread tool for businesses to reach their customers. It is not unusual to receive a text informing you that an item of interest to you is currently in store, provide you with the delivery details of a recent purchase, or remind you to pick up a reserved product.

And research has shown it to be an effective form of correspondence between business and customer. A survey by SinglePoint revealed that text message open rates exceed 99%, with 90% of all text messages opened within the first three minutes of being received on the phone[4], while email open rates are generally believed to be around 33%. The convenience of the text is of course paramount to these figures, as recipients can access the information quickly and repeatedly, wherever and whenever they need to. Unlike email, there are no spam filters to divert a text message, so it can’t get lost in amongst the excessive amount of junk mail received daily. In direct contrast to phone calls, text messages are far less intrusive and enable the user to keep their conversation private, making it an effective form of communication for healthcare providers and their patients.

While some business may take advantage of the text message to market themselves, many dental practices are now utilising the service as an effective reminder tool for upcoming appointments. For patients it is far more convenient than a phone call or a letter in the mail, and the information is immediately saved in a place they can access it when they have time.

From the dental practice’s point of view, text message reminders have been proven to reduce the amount of time and revenue lost through missed appointments.[5] For dental practices, this could mean a decrease in ‘no shows’ of up to 50 per cent. According to the British Dental Association, approximately 3.5 million appointments are missed each year, equating to nearly two full weeks of work for one dentist. Clearly paper mail and email reminders are not as efficient as they were once believed to be, and this is where the text message has flourished. Not only can a practice save money by reducing ‘no shows’ with mobile reminders, but text messaging is also nearly 80% cheaper than traditional mail, ensuring optimum cost efficiency.

There are a variety of service providers now in the dental market, offering the text message reminder as either an additional or incorporated programme. Providers such as market leaders Carestream Dental offer the service as part of their innovative and fully integrated CS R4 Clinical+ Practice Management Software. Using the data saved securely in the patient records, the software sends patients text message reminders for upcoming appointment automatically, saving staff both time and effort in addition to directly saving the practice money. Any replied requests for cancellations are also then updated in the appointment diary, freeing up space in the appointment schedule for other patients or emergency cases.

So regardless of where your practice is situated, what type of treatments you offer and how many patients you have, text message reminders might be just the solution you need. You can now reduce your ‘no-shows’ and encourage higher and more consistent revenue while saving your staff time and money.

For more information, please contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692

or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

Starting a new job is a massive challenge for anyone, but starting a new job in a new country is even more challenging still – especially when the first language is not your own! After qualifying in Tartu, Estonia in 2003, Maryana Milerman moved to London in 2005, where she began working as an Associate. Though when she first moved to London she didn’t know anyone, and struggled to find her feet in the local dental community, a colleague invited her to attend a meeting held by the Alpha Omega London Chapter.

“I graduated from dental school in Estonia in 2003 and moved to London a few years later. I now work at City Smile Dental Practice, Hackney,” says Maryana. “During the course of my work I met a dentist who was a member of Alpha Omega, and he invited me to come along to one of their regular meetings. I can’t really say one thing in particular attracted me to attend – it was everything really: to make new friends; find some connections; to learn more about dentistry in the UK; to meet other dentists. It’s strange to think that when I moved to the UK I didn’t know anybody at all! I didn’t even know what the NHS was or how it worked, so I was looking for people to help explain it all really as when I first came over here, nothing seemed to make sense!

“It was just so nice to become part of a community of people who all do their best to look out for one another. Everyone I met at Alpha Omega tried to help me and explain different things to me. A few of the members even pointed me to the Eastman to do some postgraduate study, which they said was very good, so I went to study there and improve my understanding of dentistry further still. I even met some Alpha Omega members there who were working as tutors!”

As well as lecture evenings, Alpha Omega also organises a number of other events throughout the year. These include the annual Annenberg Lecture day, as well as trips to conferences and social events held overseas.

“The social side to Alpha Omega is very important to me,” says Maryana. “I have already been to Israel to take part in the Jerusalem Conference. Whilst we were there we visited The Hebrew University: School of Dental Medicine, Hadassah – Ein Kerem Campus, attended a conference day, and took part in an exhausting social programme. I really enjoyed the trip, my first with Alpha Omega.”

All in all, Maryana is delighted to have discovered Alpha Omega, and is looking forward to continuing her membership for many years to come.

“Alpha Omega is such a great resource, I recommend it to anyone,” continues Maryana. “It’s a fantastic pool of information for any dentist. With so many highly skilled, knowledgeable dentists a part of the group, it’s very easy to get answers to your questions, and get second opinions on difficult cases. The strength of the community is another important factor for me. It’s nice to have things in common with fellow members, and you know that everyone is always looking out for one another. All in all it’s a really nice organisation to be a part of.”

For more information on the Alpha Omega London Chapter, visit www.alphaomegauk.co.uk

New blog for LLOC

http://www.londonlingualbraces.com/blog.php

A leading orthodontic practice, the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, unveils its new blog this week with the aim of sharing insights into its work as well as reflections on dental health and beauty issues.

The first orthodontic clinic in the UK to specialise in the lingual technique (brackets behind the teeth), LLOC hopes the blog will attract new visitors to its website as well as educate patients about health and hygiene while they are in treatment.

Asif Chatoo, Principal of the practice, said: “We are often asked for our views on orthodontic issues and a blog seemed a good way to encourage conversations and engagement.”

The blog will include posts by in-house hygienist Katharine Wright, practice manager Carla Reed and by Asif himself. Among the topics at the launch of the blog:

·    What makes a million dollar smile?

·    The impact of robots on treatment planning

·    Teeth whitening and the General Dental Council

·    Why fizzy drinks are destructive to teeth

There will be monthly updates to the blog and as time progresses, other members of the LLOC will contribute posts.

Over the past few years there’s been a big change in the way dental practices are operating. More people are now entering the private market and so are trying to find ways to attract more patients and compete against their local rivals. The problem however is that while all practice principals will have gained excellent clinical skills over the years, very many lack the business skills to help them realise their practice’s full business potential.

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself: what sort of dentistry do you want to do? Once you’ve decided this you then need to attract the right sort of people to your practice. This is marketing, and it comes in many different forms. If you ask me, ‘What sort of marketing activity will attract me 100 new patients?’ I will tell you that you’re looking at marketing the wrong way. What you really need to be doing is carrying out 100 activities that will give you one patient each, so that if a few of these patients drop out you still have 80 or 90 new patients to treat. Instead of looking for a quick fix you need to build a robust system over time that will give you solid long-term growth.

Digital marketing is a particularly hot topic at the moment. The thing is, it’s not just about having a website, but how you use that website and what you do with it. The same applies to social media. It’s not simply a case of having a social media account, but it’s considering what you actually do with that account, and how you use it to interact with patients and build relationships. It’s all about creating a ‘brand’ for your practice – creating a set of unique selling points that establishes your identity and creates something patients can trust and believe in.

Once you have people coming through the door who are wanting the type of dentistry that you offer it’s then about the changes that you can make to make their experience within the practice as good as possible. These sorts of things depend very much on your team, and having the right team of people who reflect your business values. You can’t do anything without a great team in place so it’s important that you build a team that you can rely on to help your practice grow.

If you’d like to learn more about some of the issues I’ve discussed here – and many more besides – on Saturday 9^th November I will be presenting a lecture alongside my wife Bhavna at the BACD Annual Conference. In our lecture, ‘Entrepreneurial Thinking for Strategic Success!’ we will cover many different facets to strategic thinking and business management to help you take your practice to the next level. We will use examples from big business, and some of the world’s most successful CEOs and apply their thinking to dentistry. Leadership in particular is an area we will give a lot of attention to, and we will also explore strategies for eliminating local competition and making your practice really stand out from the crowd. We hope delegates will leave our lecture feeling inspired and reinvigorated, armed with plenty of hints and tips they can take away for strategic success!

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7^th, Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information call 0207 612 4166, fax 0207 182 7123, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bacd.com

About the author:

Dr Rahul Doshi qualified from Guys Hospital in 1991.  He is the clinical director and founder of The Perfect Smile Studios and the Advanced Training Institute, where he teaches Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Aesthetic Hands-On Dentistry. He is also on the Board of the BACD.

Immediate Results with 7Connections

Discovery Day

In order to gage how your practice is truly performing, sometimes you need to see it from a different perspective. As a result, it can be very effective to enlist the support of a business expert who can offer a totally objective analysis.

The team at 7Connections provide a Discovery Day to do just this. In a single day they will give your practice a full service – evaluating everything from staff and daily protocols, to turnover and potential growth. By comparing the results with the industry standards of excellence, they can not only show how you are measuring up to your competition, but they can also advise you and your team on where and how to improve.

Starting with a look at your financial situation, the experts will comb through and refine your business KIP’s, as well as breaking down the accounts and average daily yields, to ensure the business is being managed effectively and profitably. Other areas to be addressed include:

 Marketing and branding effectiveness.

 All clinical and non-clinical systems in place.

 Compliance with the various CQC and HTM 01-05 regulations.

 Staff performance appraisal systems, recruitment protocols and career pathway opportunities.

With the success of your business depending hugely on the patient experience provided, all aspects of the patient journey from first contact with the front desk, to treatment coordination and selling systems will also be assessed.

Once the full review is complete, the 7Connections team will put together a blueprint of your business, as well as an action plan showing where and how you should enhance the practice. This will also include a 90-day plan, a 12-month goal and a 3-year vision to give you and your team a high but realistic long-term target.

With more than 750 practices in the UK and Ireland having already reaped the benefits of the Discovery Day with 7Connections, make sure you don’t fall behind. Beverley Carlyle, business manager at Ballynahinch Dental Practice in Northern Ireland, recently took part in a Discovery Day and is keen to recommend the service to others -

“For all those practices who think they can do better but aren’t sure how much better, or how they might achieve that, I don’t think they can afford not to work with a business coach. As soon as we started implementing the systems 7Connections put in place, we started seeing results.”

 For more information about 7connections business coaching

please call 01647 478145

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Toothpick, the UK’s leading provider of secure online appointment booking, is proud to announce a new functionality that is set to revolutionise the way patients book their appointment on NHS Choices.

Widely recognised as one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on local health related services and providers, globally including GP’s, NHS dentists and pharmacies, patients can now book an appointment online directly from the NHS Choices website. With over 1 million visits a day, half of which are from a mobile device, making a dental appointment is now as easy as booking a hotel or shopping online. NHS Choices Editor, Paul Nuki (@PaulNuki), commented on Twitter, “Its a great day, ap'ment booking has been added to ?@NHSChoices and all without fuss or money. ?@toothpick we salute u.” [sic]

Toothpick offers both NHS and private practices instant appointment visibility to thousands of potential new patients 24/7, helping to fill unsightly gaps in your appointment book whilst you retain full control of your diary.  Dr Sandeep Senghera BDS, CEO and Founder of Toothpick said: “I’m delighted that NHS England have embraced online booking and are really behind a digital future. Together, our aim is to make life easier for the dentist, receptionist and patient alike.”

Start to fill the gaps in your appointment book today and visit www.toothpick.com/get-listed, call 020 7768 1851 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

Facebook: /ToothpickDental
Twitter: @toothpick

CB12 is a revolutionary new product designed specifically to tackle bad breath, or halitosis, at its source. Utilising a combination of zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate, the bespoke mouth rinse eliminates the mal odour and has been proven to relieve the sufferer from symptoms for at least 12 hour.s

While there are several different causes of halitosis, 90% of all cases have been found to originate within the oral cavity[ii]. As oral bacteria break down food particles, usually in the crypts at the back of tongue or in periodontal pockets[iii], volatile sulphur compounds, or VSCs, are released. CB12 has been proven to effectively neutralise these odour-causing gases, giving sufferers back their confidence and self-esteem.

Available in two different flavours, mint menthol and mild mint menthol, CB12 is suitable for all patients over the age of 12 years, and can used either once or twice a day for hours of protection against halitosis. It even contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay and to encourage a high standard of general oral health.

For an effective and affordable solution for halitosis, recommend CB12 to your patients today.

For more information on CB12, please visit www.cb12.co.uk

Zesty is not only making a big impression in the Dental industry, but also in the fields of Technology and Healthcare, with Zesty Co Founder, Lloyd Price, having recently been interviewed by The Next Web, one of Europe’s most respected technology journals.

Read Interview at: http://thenextweb.com/uk/2013/07/19/zesty-the-dental-startup-with-denture-capital-and-an-eye-firmly-on-uk-healthcare/

In the interview Mr. Price discusses Zesty and explains how it simplifies the process of booking dental appointments online for both practices and patients alike. All that practices are required to do is upload their available appointments to their Zesty account every few days. These vacancies are then made visible to the millions of people who search for dental appointments every month on Google, search engines and the internet across the UK. Zesty allows the patient to view the full range of available appointments and book whenever they like 24/7, making the service a great way of finding someone to fill late cancelations and keeping your practice busy.

We book restaurants, flights and cinema tickets online, so why not dental appointments? This is all changing thanks to online booking service Zesty.

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 0203 287 5416 for more details of our Free Trial

The Lifetime Allowance is the total amount of pension savings you can build up tax efficiently over your lifetime. On 6 April 2014 the Lifetime Allowance will be reduced from £1.5 million to £1.25 million. Many dentists could well exceed this due to the generous nature of the NHS Pension Scheme, especially those later in their career. A pension pot of £1.25 million translates roughly into an annual NHS pension income of between £54,300 and £65,500 depending on which section of the NHS pension scheme you are in.

Should I opt out of the NHS Pension Scheme in order to register for fixed protection?

“Designing for Life: Today and in the future” was the main theme of this year’s Nobel Biocare Global Symposium, which took place on 20^th – 23^rd June at the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel.

In an inspirational and compelling event, over 100 globally respected researchers, scientists, clinicians and academics shared their expertise with a packed conference hall filled with thousands of dental professionals from around the world.

The main programme of the Global Symposium centred on the “patient journey”. All successful dental implant treatment depends on a thorough multi-dimensional clinical analysis. Essential analysis is then enhanced further by making use of adjunctive methods such as digital planning tools, bone regenerative materials, different timing sequences for functional loading, CAD/CAM technology and an awareness of the possible role played by local and systemic health considerations.

As a result, many subtle and frequently overlapping considerations apply to the patient’s proposed treatment journey, and a wide range of different factors need to be taken into account. Through a series of engaging and highly informative lectures the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium addressed many of these factors, while also giving special focus to the most recent additions to the modern treatment paradigm.

Among the highlights of the Global Symposium, on day 1 Nobel Biocare launched its Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation (FOR) – a group set up to help develop the knowledge and leadership required to optimise patients’ long-term care.

On day 2 Nobel Biocare held a morning press conference to make several important new announcements. These included a new fully integrated digital workflow, plans to establish a regenerative product portfolio and an upcoming NobelProcera Abutment that takes advantage of a new angulated screw channel concept.

The main programme on day 3 of the event explored the patient journey for those missing multiple posterior teeth as well as those with failing dentitions. The day also included a number of dedicated sessions for dental technicians which provided a host of practical hints and tips on how to achieve the best results with the new NobelProcera® 2G Scanner.

After yet another successful and highly engaging event, the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium once again confirmed itself as one of the world’s leading dental conferences. Not only did delegates enjoy a diverse range of scientifically robust lectures, but also left feeling both enriched and inspired by the wealth of cutting-edge science and learning on offer.

For more information contact Nobel Biocare on 0208 756 3300 or visit www.nobelbiocare.com

DENTSPLY are pleased to announce the winner of its Quarterly Prize Draw for the April-June period is Mrs Ronnie Porte of Victoria House Dental Practice in Loughborough. By taking part in the DENTSPLY Telesales Customer Service Survey, Mrs Porte has won £500 worth of DENTSPLY Rewards which she can redeem against 1000’s of DENTSPLY world-leading products.
 
The DENTSPLY Telesales Customer Service Survey is not only an opportunity for customers to win a magnificent prize, it is also an opportunity for them to give their feedback on their experience of using DENTSPLY’s service.

DENTSPLY is always seeking to strengthen and improve the service which it provides to its customers, and with valuable feedback from its customers it continues to introduce a range of promotions that save you time and money each month.

To find out more and to meet the team, visit www.dentsply.co.uk/telesales

Contact us at www.dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn rewards against purchases at www.dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and products demonstrations and earn CPD at www.dentsplyacademy.co.uk

As dentistry evolves we find that new types of treatment begin to join the modern dentists repertoire. One of the latest developments is the emergence of dentists who are offering facial aesthetics treatments to their patients.

To reflect the ever-changing dental landscape The Dental Directory is always seeking to be able to provide dentists with all of the products that they need to deliver fantastic results to their patients. As a result of this The Dental Directory now stock a phenomenal range of facial aesthetics products, covering everything from dermal fillers to skin peels and from cosmeceuticals to aesthetic lasers.

Dr. Ash Rayarel of Ash Dental Practice in Eccles, Manchester says:

“We use The Dental Directory for all of our facial aesthetics products. I find that they are reasonably priced and sometimes they run offers which means that I am able to make extra savings! Two of my favourite products that I buy from The Dental Directory are Juvederm and Azzalure, the latter I like because it comes in small vials, so I do not need to treat patients in groups as I have had to with others. It means that I can be more flexible and mix according to patient’s requirements.”

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

0800 585 586, or visit www.dental-directory.co.uk.

At dbg we’ve been providing engineering services to dental practices for over 20 years. Our extensive network of engineers covers almost all of England, Scotland and Wales, and every engineer we employ is highly skilled and experienced, and where possible, is trained and accredited by the equipment manufacturer.

Anne from The Square Advanced Dental Care Clinic, Hale Barns says:

“I have a good working relationship with my contract manager at dbg. The engineers they send out are polite, respectful, extremely professional, and also very smart. The work they do is always clean and tidy, and if there’s a problem, you can be sure the dbg team will go to the ends of the earth to sort it out.”

For a truly comprehensive service, each of dbg’s engineers is trained across the dental equipment disciplines, meaning they can inspect not only your X-Ray unit, but can also service your autoclave, your compressor, repair your suction pump and other practice equipment as well. They can even offer you valuable advice on your equipment before you make a purchase.

To learn more about how our range of engineering services can benefit your practice, contact dbg today.

For more information call dbg on 01606 861 950,

Or visit www.thedbg.co.uk

The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Getting ready for your CQC or your RQIA inspection can be a demanding, time-consuming task. The experts at Apolline have all the training, skills and experience necessary to make the experience as stress-free as possible, while helping you and your team ensure your practice is fully compliant.

The Apolline Practice Compliance Audit involves a visit from one of Apolline’s experienced Practice Advisors, who will assess your practice for compliance and provide you with a gap analysis and a prioritised action plan to get you compliant.  Your Practice Advisor can also work with your whole team to make sure all team members are confident that they know what to say and do when the CQC or the RQIA inspector comes calling.

Apolline now also offers a half-day CQC Inspection Preparation training session that involves the whole team. One of Apolline’s expert Practice Advisors will ask your team the types of questions you are likely to be asked by an inspector and will also spot check a number of key areas e.g. decontamination processes, policies and protocols and safeguarding and child protection training and knowledge.

If you’re not sure whether your practice would benefit from the extra support, you can now visit the new Apolline website to complete the Compliance Self Assessment – a short questionnaire designed to identify how confident you are in your practice compliance.

The new website also outlines all the management, training and compliance services provided by Apolline. For more information, or for a no obligation quote, contact the experts at Apolline today.

Apolline - a company run by dentists for dentists and their practice teams.

For additional information or help and advice on any compliance issues, please call Apolline on 0114 209 6250 or visit the brand new website www.apolline.uk.com

Mrs Helen Love is the Senior Nurse and Practice Manager for Balerno Dental Care, a state-of-the-art dental practice based in Scotland.

“The practice has been using R4 Practice Management Software for about a year,” says Mrs Love. “I have been here for five weeks, so it is still very new to me.

“I use R4 for a lot of day to day tasks including appointments, scheduling, set up of clinics, patient accounts and registration of new patients.

“Having used other Practice Management Software, I’ve found R4 to be a lot quicker and more flexible. You can access information from a few different sources on your control panel, allowing you to choose your preferred method of carrying out a particular task.

“I called customer support recently because of a fault where the computer shut down and froze and we use it 24/7. Carestream Dental came back to me quite quickly and sorted it out. Having the remote access is very handy, especially because I’m new to the system and I don’t know the shortcuts yet. It’s important to be able to get back on track as soon as possible.”

For more information on R4 from Carestream Dental please call
0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

Ivoclar Vivadent’s ICDE 2^nd anniversary celebrations were back bigger and better for 2013, as over 200 dental professionals congregated at their state-of-the-art Leicester based UK and Ireland Headquarters, for an action-packed couple of days.

Attracting a pleasant mix of clinicians and technicians alike, delegates benefited from seeing the return of the superb clinician/technician duo James Russell and Rob Lynock. Taking to the stage on both days, James and Rob’s infectious chemistry saw them present another series of attention-grabbing case studies on how, through close teamwork, the excellent combination of the clinicians and technicians skills can ensure patients are provided with highly aesthetic, natural restorations. A variety of techniques to make conventional approaches more predictable and aesthetic were also shown.

With hands-on demonstrations from leading experts such as Rob Storrar, Jurgen Seger and Rob Endicott, alongside business-focused presentations from Laura Horton and Ashley Latter, to name just a few, delegates were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing from the comprehensive programme of practical lectures and inspiring seminars.

June’s much-anticipated event more than lived up to its high expectations with its supply of first-class speakers, and Ivoclar Vivadent ensured birthday celebrations carried on well into the Friday night with a lively party of eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment from the ‘Abba’s Angels’ tribute band.

For more information about future events please call the Ivoclar Vivadent Education team on 0116 284 7886 or visit www.dental-education.co.uk.

Facebook: Ivoclar Vivadent UK
Twitter: @IvoclarUK
YouTube: IvoclarVivadentUK

ProDentalCPD is one of the UK’s leading providers of high quality verifiable CPD from more than 2,000 authors – many of whom are distinguished experts in their fields. As a leading organisation in healthcare learning, ProDentalCPD features over 400 hours of peer-reviewed verifiable CPD (including all Core CPD) in text, video and audio formats.

Education is clearly important to Fay Griffiths, a hygienist who teaches the Diploma and NVQ for dental nurses in Wales and Hereford and works as an examiner for the Diploma. Fay has been doing her CPD with ProDentalCPD since May and the expanse of modules available has meant that she has made real headway towards achieving the remainder of her CPD hours. 

“ProDentalCPD has everything from diabetes, epilepsy, all the medical emergencies, infection control – even compulsory subjects like complaints handling,” says Fay. “And ProDentalCPD’s infection control course is the best I have ever seen in my life. I teach infection control and even I have learnt so much!”

ProDentalCPD strives to bring the highest quality CPD to its members with articles written by some of the most established names in dentistry. Fay agrees explaining, “I like verifiable CPD that is concrete and fool proof and with wonderful professionals like Shaun Howe RDH on ProDentalCPD’s editorial board, I just feel so comforted.”

The concept of e-learning has been designed specifically to fit around every dental team member’s working day. With ever-increasing time pressures and responsibility placed on dental professionals, having the opportunity to achieve the requisite hours of study can be difficult. “It’s good to go to courses to meet people,” says Fay. “But some people cannot go, many of these courses are just so expensive. ProDentalCPD is professional and convenient, and this is fantastic for dental nurses in places like rural Wales where courses may be difficult to reach.”

“I use ProDentalCPD all of the time,” continues Fay, “even in-between patients if there’s a quick half and hour. I can also retake the end of module assessments if needed.” This fits in with dental professionals’ clinical practice. “I have used ProDentalCPD everyday since last month, confirms Fay. “I have nearly done 40 hours already!”

With many DCPs embarking on a new CPD cycle this year, scheduling CPD around work and home life could be effortless with ProDentalCPD in the next cycle. By signing up to ProDentalCPD, members get a personal development plan (PDP) planner that allows them to map out their CPD for making the most out of training and reflective practice. Not only this, but members also have their own personalised homepage with Core CPD reminders and module recommendations suited to their CPD requirements.

Looking forward to the next CPD cycle, Fay is excited and reassured about her training and development. “I can’t wait until I start my new cycle,” concludes Fay. “I am going to do my online CPD three times a week. I am doing everything with ProDentalCPD.”

To learn more about high-quality e-learning solutions, contact ProDentalCPD on 0114 282 3509, or visit www.prodentalcpd.com

The thought of moving the premises of a practice can prove very exciting for a dentist. If put under pressure by the landlord or the limitations of the building that the practice currently operates from, a dentist may begin to take a look outside of their box and search for greener pastures. This can even turn out to be quite a practical solution. If the practice is set to move from premises that were once residential, reverting it back that way can be relatively easy and will increase the value of the property. However, it is an all too often occurrence that the over eagerness to move can result in this process being carried out much too hastily and this can have catastrophic repercussions.

When a dentist finds a plot of land or building that they like which appears to be redundant, they may find themselves getting very eager to dive head first into the project. A building that hasn’t been inhabited for some time may seem to harbour a lot of potential. The thought of renovating such a property into a stylish new dental practice can be quite enticing to a dentist and this enthusiasm can kick-start the project prematurely. The dentist will seek an agent to find out what the land or building will cost to buy, with the likely response from the agent being something along the lines of, “Go ahead, I’m sure you can get it”. This will usually trigger involvement from other services such as banks or a surveyor who will be bought in to draw up the area. The unfortunate thing is that all of this “progress” is usually made without making sure that the project is attainable. Firstly it will need to be checked if the project is viable in terms of construction and cost. Secondly it is necessary to establish whether or not the project will ever receive planning permission. Having jumped the gun without having first examined whether the project can even go ahead, a list of bills will already have begun to accumulate for the professional help that has been enlisted.

Finding out whether or not planning permission is likely does not always require plans to be drawn up or any other expensive services. All that needs to be arranged is a pre-consultation with the local authority. This is essential, as without planning permission the project will never happen. It is also wise to attain a price guide from a company who specialise in dental design, as they will be aware of the construction costs incurred when developing a new practice. Their experience will mean that they are qualified to provide advice as to what possibilities of the site are and roughly how much it will cost per m². Completing these basic early enquiries are essential as they can save a lot of money from being wasted should the project not get the green light. Considering how easy and inexpensive they are to accomplish it is a wonder than any project is embarked upon without this basic research taking place first.

This is the benefit of involving a specialised Architectural Design Service early on in the project. A company like such as Roger Gullidge Design will be able to assess the feasibility of a project both in both a construction and financial sense. This can involve anything from checking whether the property has D1 use on it and whether or not it is likely to receive it. This can also entail examining whether or not the building or patch of land will lend itself to a dental practice. For example, if your current practice has four surgeries will the new building be able to accommodate this? If it can’t facilitate the right number of surgeries, can it be extended? And subsequently, what will be the cost of this? Conducting a feasibility check is an economical decision as it will save time and money if it comes to light that the project was never in budget from the beginning. Carrying out a feasibility check may seem obvious, but many dentists put wheels in motion too quickly when the prospect of building a new dental practice presents itself.

There is an example of a dentist who wanted to move his practice for a whole abundance of reasons and found what he thought was the perfect building. It was within his budget and it seemed to fit the requirements of his practice. He hired a builder to take a look at the property and assess how much it would cost to develop and when the builder came back to him it was within his price guide. He then instructed the builder to have the building surveyed and have space plans drawn up. Then a specialist dental design company were introduced to the project and they put together some detailed surgery plans. Despite all of this professional involvement nobody had contacted the local authority to see if the building would be granted D1 use or if it was in a conservation area. After a meeting with the highway department it transpired that they wouldn’t allow access from the parking area of the practice to the main road as it would produce extra traffic to an area already suffering from congestion. The project could not go ahead and a lot of time and money was wasted as a result. Had the meeting with the authorities been set up earlier this situation would have never arisen.

The lesson here is that investing in an Architectural Design Service early on will limit the chances of money and time being squandered on a project that will never get off the ground. By conducting a feasibility check the boundaries of the project can be specified and whether or not it can go ahead will be determined. The prospect of building a new dental practice can indeed be an exciting venture, but don’t run before you can walk. Enlist the services of experienced professionals who can conduct a feasibility check and make sure that no time or money goes to waste.

Roger Gullidge Design is a specialist design and project management consultancy specialising in the dental sector. Call 01278 784442 for more details or visit: www.rogergullidgedesign.com

In any business, there are times when taking expert legal advice is essential to avoid expensive complications and disagreements. In dentistry that necessity can be especially pressing, and the peculiarities of the system makes it vital that specialist lawyers are used.

While all industries can involve complicated contracts and property ownership issues, many of them are unique to dentistry. Legal experts who specialise in other areas of industry will not have encountered them before, and will not benefit from the specific experience and knowledge required to deal with, for example, the sale of a dental practice.

While larger corporate groups continue to expand, the dental sector still essentially consists of lots of small businesses, usually managed by the founder or founders. Dental practices can be owned and managed in a number of different ways: partnerships, expense-sharing agreements, or incorporated practices, for example.

Any sale of such a business, or an acquisition made by one, must be handled appropriately for the way the practice is structured. A legal expert who had extensive experience in, for example, the manufacturing sector would not be aware of the strategy required  to transfer an NHS  contract.

Employment status is often unclear in the dental sector, too. Many practitioners consider associate dentists to be self-employed. Though in some, if associates are considered to have employed status it raises significant issues, such as the entitlement to maternity pay, paid holidays and redundancy payments if their services are no longer required. A Properly advised buyer will require protection from claims arising from such issues.

The situation is further compromised if any General Dental Services contracts are held by associates, rather than by the practice principal. It is often the case that, for historical reasons, a practice may have more than one contract and this is sometimes held in the name of the associate. If this is the case, he or she might be entitled to financial consideration if the principal decides to sell the practice. The situation could be further complicated by any question over whether the associate is self-employed or an employee of the practice.

An increasing number of incorporated practices are coming on the market. Often when we carry out due diligence on such practices on behalf of buyers we discover that the incorporation is flawed as the seller’s advisors  have not understood the very specific issues that need to be addressed when incorporating a dental practice and much  work is then needed to remedy the position before the practice can be transferred.

All of these issues simply reinforce the need for a suitably experienced legal adviser.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This July members of the dental press gathered at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel for the announcement of a new specialist firm of dental lawyers. GoodmanGrant is the result of a merger between Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal and John Grant former Head of the Dental Team at Cohen Cramer. Both have an extensive career assisting dental professionals with their legal affairs and the team at GoodmanGrant has a combined experience of more than 75 years.

The firm brings together the current Chairman of the NASDAL lawyers group and the immediate past Chairman of ASPD. Along with dedicated expert solicitors in all practice areas, Goodman Grant is able to provide its clients with extensive legal advice on all aspects of the dental industry.

With offices in London, Liverpool and Leeds, Goodman Grant is able to offer its unique brand of accessible and comprehensive advice to clients in all parts of England and Wales.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Esthetic Alliance Program (EAP) from Nobel Biocare is a unique initiative designed to help GDPs realise the many restorative opportunities associated with dental implants.. The programme, based on a tried and tested formula that has been designed and delivered in the United States is now being rolled out successfully around the world,

EAP brings a small group of dentists together in a positive and focussed learning environment with the aim of improving understanding among clinicians in order to maximise the business potential that dental implant treatments have to offer, while at the same time building and strengthening the referral network for all those involved.

Dr Ian Lane is one of two managing partners at Queensway Dental Clinic, Billingham, Teesside, and has recently hosted four sessions covering the first module of the Nobel Biocare EAP.

“The EAP is primarily about taking dentists with little or no experience with dental implants and giving them the skills and confidence to assess, treatment plan and discuss implant cases with patients,” says Ian. “The idea is to promote good safe practice for practitioners with limited experience in the field. It’s not a surgical programme, but it allows dentists to take greater care of patients that may have already had implant treatment, or to be able to make referrals so that they can then place the crown, bridge or denture onto the implant when the case comes back.”

As part of the structured course material, Nobel Biocare provides all the relevant information packs, folders; handouts and worksheets to lay the groundwork for further group discussion. Delegates are also encouraged to bring their own cases along for group discussion and treatment planning in order to assess the best course of action.

“The course consists of four modules in total,” continues Ian, “each consisting of four sessions lasting for three hours each. We’ve just completed the first module, and the reception we had was really very good. Six dentists came in total, which means our sessions can be very focussed and personalised to the dentists who attend. They were all people I’ve had conversations with in the past that I’ve discussed implant cases with. The EAP sessions allowed me to formalise that relationship, and gave them the opportunity to see some of just what can be achieved with the latest dental implant technology. This includes treatment planning using 3D scanners, and of course 3D CAD/CAM provided by our Queensway Laboratory, that allows us to order custom-made restorations directly from Nobel Biocare.

“If I were to summarise the EAP I would describe it as an excellent introduction to implant dentistry, supported by Nobel Biocare and delivered in a great location that is convenient for everyone who attends. Delegates will receive 12 hours of CPD from the four three-hour sessions that comprise each module, and the course is completely free to attend.

“From my own perspective the EAP is just great because it allows me to build relationships with local dentists while also showcasing some of the wonderful things we are now able to achieve. Our plan is now to host the second module in September, and then run a course every six months or so. It’s been really successful so far and I think the delegates who came were able to take aware some really useful lessons to help grow their businesses. I am now really looking forward to hosting the next module later in the year!”

For more information contact Nobel Biocare on 0208 756 3300 or visit www.nobelbiocare.com

Mortgages

Since the global financial crisis, the goal of home ownership has been pushed even further out of reach for many potential buyers, dentists being no exception to the rule. Despite interest rates being a little lower for those who have already taken out a home loan, for first time buyers it is difficult to amount the large deposit that many lenders demand. In the current climate there is no denying that having access to the best financial advice is an asset that few can afford to be without.

For those who live in Britain, owning your own house is an aspiration which most harbour. Which is kind of bizarre considering the stressful, nerve-wracking process that ensues, even for those with a good understanding of finance. Trying to get your head around the terms and conditions of a complicated mortgage arrangement can be difficult, but it must be carried out scrupulously considering the size of the investment that is to be made. At any one time there are more than 7000 mortgages available, all with subtle yet consequential differences, so seeking the services of an experienced Independent Financial Adviser should be seriously considered.

With so much to consider, here is an introduction to three of the more popular mortgage deals:

Repayment mortgage

This is probably the most common type of mortgage, it is easy to understand and is frequently taken out by first time buyers. Monthly repayments will reduce the total of the capital that is owed to the bank, whilst paying off the interest amounted over the previous month at the same time. This mortgage scheme has been constructed in away that, providing monthly repayments are met, the homeowner will be able to pay off the whole loan over the prescribed term (usually in the region of 25 years).

This option is generally viewed as one of the safer options, for example, there is no need for worries over investment returns. Though, the downside of this is that there is no opportunity for the buyer to take advantage of additional investment opportunities and it will be difficult to repay that loan early.

Interest only mortgage

This type of mortgage usually attracts those who are a little more venturesome. With this model, as the name suggests, only the interest is repaid and decreasing the capital sum is put off until the end of the mortgage term. The capital is repaid using a variety of separate savings vehicles, such as with-profits endowments, ISAs and pensions. If these savings vehicles are successful and generate extra profit, then these funds can be used to pay off capital and interest at an earlier date than that of a traditional repayment mortgage. The other advantage of this type of mortgage is that more often than not moving house will not have any effect on the savings vehicles or the repayment plan.

Of course, the risk of this type of mortgage is that the buyer is depending on the savings vehicles performing well, if this doesn’t happen a dangerous shortfall could occur.

Mix and Match mortgages

A mix and match mortgage is not designed for first time buyers, instead, this model has the interests of someone moving house in mind. As they will already have an endowment plan in place, a further policy may not be suitable for them, especially if their circumstances have changed. In this kind of instance, some mortgage lenders will be prepared to set up part of a mortgage as interest only and the other part as a traditional repayment mortgage. By doing this the money gained from the previous endowment policy.

Mix and match mortgages are popular because they are a good combination of the above mortgage plans. Keeping the security of a repayment mortgage, whilst having the investment opportunities that an interest only mortgage makes available.

The above descriptions are dramatically simplified, even the more simple mortgage plans are still quite complex, so special advice should always be sought. Dentist’s looking to buy for the first time should consider the services of an expert, like money4dentists, a specialist Independent Financial Adviser that has been assisting the dental industry for more than half a century. Using a service like this will make understanding and choosing the right mortgage much simpler. A specialist financial adviser will be able to describe the ins and outs of any mortgage plan in layman’s terms.

Using a specialist who has a good understanding of the career structure of dental professionals as well as financial and legal expertise, will mean that all advice given will be tailored to fit your individual requirements. By enlisting the services of an experienced IFA who has a background in dentistry you can be sure that when the time comes to buy, you will be making the right choices.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.money4dentists.com

With millions of people tuning in to TV programmes like Embarrassing Bodies, 10 Years Younger and Extreme Makeover, the public has never been more aware of the possibilities for changing their looks.

These reality shows have provided exposure to the cosmetic dentistry industry, and, together with increasingly cost effective treatments, have shown that procedures are now available to almost anyone, rather than restricted only to the rich and famous.

Now more than ever, the British public are keen to have straight, white teeth like their favourite celebrities and there is no question that demand for cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. Orthodontic treatment in particular has benefited from countless pages of publicity thanks to famous brace wearers such as Tom Cruise or Kate Middleton.

In the past, people have generally assumed that only the teeth of the young can be moved into a more attractive, even position, but the fact is that orthodontics can work at any age. Patients are now becoming increasingly aware that good teeth can not only boost their self-confidence but also improve their general health.

In fact, the once unfashionable view of wearing braces is now acceptable even for adults. This is helped enormously by the sheer range of modern treatments available, which are far less obtrusive than the traditional ‘train tracks’ and are often more effective, more quickly.

With this increased interest in cosmetic dentistry and the ability to search the Internet for the various options available, patients are more knowledgeable now than ever before and they expect to have all of these choices available to them. This awareness and level of expectation puts general dental practitioners under considerable pressure to provide their patients with the desired specialised treatments.

For all dentists, their patients’ wellbeing is paramount and they strive towards top quality treatment that is suited to each individual patient’s need. However, some particular treatments, such as orthodontics and implant work, can require particular expertise, and often expensive, specialised equipment.

In order to provide this service, which is tailored to the unique requirements of their patient, there is the option for dentists to refer some or all of the work to a more suitably trained and equipped practice. This not only provides the ideal outcome for patients, it also expands the range of services the dentist can offer.

These referral practices are able to break down quite difficult or complex cases, provide second opinions or further advice, and often offer alternative or simpler treatments the referring dentist may not have even been aware of.

Dentists new to this course of action should not consider this step an admission of defeat; rather it should be viewed as a positive move. Patients will see the referral as a demonstration, by their practitioner, that their best interests are being served, and show more trust and appreciation.

This enhanced loyalty to the practice is likely to encourage some referral patients to agree to subsequent work by their own dentist. Treatments such as teeth whitening would not have been especially appealing to patients with severely crooked teeth. However, having been referred to a specialist orthodontist, they may be more than happy to draw attention to their newly straightened teeth.

Referring a patient to another practice, however, is not to be taken lightly: it is important to choose the right clinic to care for your patient and this means contacting the practice, asking to see the premises and establishing whether or not you will all work well together. The referral practice you choose needs to behave as if it were an extension of your own practice, and work as part of your team.

Leading referral practices understand the importance of your decision to refer and will be happy to provide more information or dispel any concerns you may have. They will seek to understand all your requirements for your patient and any future work you may be performing. You will also be kept informed throughout the treatment, and your approval and consent sought at every stage. In fact, the very best referral practices even provide models that you can send to your own ceramist.

For orthodontic procedures, the referral practice should work with you to your restorative plan and you would be required to sign off the treatment before the braces are removed. In the case of implants, you would expect the referral practice to be adaptable, either providing the whole restorative implant treatment or making sure communication is open with the you to provide the restoration.

One practice that meets all of these expectations and more is the award-winning London Smile Clinic. They offer an extensive range of treatments that are delivered with the utmost care and skill, and to exceptionally high standards. They have developed safe and painless techniques that preserve natural tooth structures, creating natural transformations in the minimum of time.

The Clinic’s team, which includes specialist orthodontist Dr Preet Bhogal and esteemed implantologist Dr Zaki Kanaan, enjoy a reputation for their professionalism and ability, matched only by their enthusiasm and warm welcome.

The referral process is undoubtedly a win-win scenario for all involved. The patient receives the best possible treatment from highly qualified and experienced professionals, while the referring dentist has a delighted patient who takes a greater interest in their smile and greater care to preserve it.

For more information, please contact 020 7255 2559 or
visit www.londonsmile.co.uk/refer

With over 500 outstanding dental practice websites to their name, the award-winning team at Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’ have all the skills and expertise to make your practice an online success.

Dr Jagmail Basrai is Principal dentist at Chafford 100 Dental Care, Essex. He worked with Krishan Joshi and the team at Dental Focus ® to build a website to really make his practice stand out. He says:

‘If you want to be successful online, you always want to be one step ahead of the competition – one step ahead of the curve. That’s why you need to work with a web design team who are experts at what they do, and completely understand what it is you’re trying to achieve. The team at Dental Focus ® basically put me on the map in terms of the internet, and I highly recommend them!’

 For more information call 020 7183 8388, or visit www.dentalfocus.com

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2014, 28^th February & 1^st March, Birmingham NEC

With The Dentistry Show and the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) running alongside each other in 2014, the event will offer an array of unique benefits for the whole profession. World-class speakers will present lectures, workshops and live surgery demonstrations, catering to the needs of each member of the dental team.

David Smith, a member of the GDC and the owner of Phoenix Dental Castings, has been confirmed as the Conference Chairman of the education programme at DTS 2014:

“I have attended both events many times in the past and each has gotten better every year. They now offer a great range of educational opportunities to interest professionals in all areas of dentistry.

“Next year, I would like to bring the focus back to the dental team as a whole. It is a highly symbiotic relationship that we have between dentists and technicians, and I want to encourage efficient relationships that will enhance the outcome of treatment for the patients.

“I invite all dental professionals to attend in 2014, to take advantage of the remarkable and free lectures and workshops on offer and to build relationships for the future. Put the date in your diary!”

For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

As part of the innovative R4 Software from Carestream Dental, the Text Messaging service is the smart and hassle-free way to remind patients of their upcoming appointments.

Shown to reduce the number of ‘no-shows’ by up to 50%, the service sends out text messages automatically, freeing-up valuable time for staff to concentrate on other tasks.

Any replies from patients are then updated on the system, recording cancellations to ensure practitioners’ time is not wasted and money is not lost through redundant appointment slots.

The service also suits the majority of patients more than reminder phone calls, as they can wait and read the texts when they have time, and are far less likely to miss the message altogether.

With the whole team following the Carestream Dental eXceed programme, you can also expect first-class customer service every time. Modernise and enhance the service you offer your patients with the innovative R4 Text Messaging solution.

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

Genix Healthcare is an ever expanding chain of dental practices that are committed to providing the very best private and NHS dental treatment in the UK. Genix Healthcare is constantly striving to raise the standard of the industry by creating career pathways for young, enthusiastic dental professionals.

Each Genix Healthcare practice operates a distinctly modern approach to dentistry, blending state of the art equipment and technology with clinical ability of the very highest quality. It is this standard of care that has meant that Genix Healthcare is quickly becoming recognised as one of the UK’s leading dental corporates.

At Genix Healthcare the emphasis is on making dentistry accessible to all. Its prices are affordable which means that all patients can receive high calibre dental care at affordable prices. For professionals, Genix Healthcare strives to carve career pathways in all areas of the profession which is aided by Managing Director, Mustafa Mohammed’s membership with The Apprenticeship Ambassador’s Network.

To learn more about how Genix Healthcare can help you to access our potential visit the website for more information.

For additional information please call 0845 838 1122, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.genixhealthcare.com 

Whether we do it using a desk-based computer, tablet or smartphone, the internet has become the first port of call for almost anything we are looking to buy or book, whether it be physical goods or services. It used to be the case that we had to physically go somewhere, not anymore, anything we want can be ordered from the comfort of our own homes. The only problem with this? We don’t know how good the product is. So where do we turn? Online reviews.

No matter how big or small our purchase, we find ourselves turning to online reviews, this has made the internet a powerful ally of the consumer. Finding out what people really think of a product or service is now accessible for all to see and read online. The rise of Tripadvisor and other review sites has undoubtedly given the consumer a voice to channel and express their views.

Online reviews are now entering the healthcare and dental industry. An astounding figure of more than one million people search online for dental services every month in London alone. So having a positive web presence is incredibly important.

Many practices now have a website of their own, some are quite basic, but others provide a booking facility. This is a great feature for a practice website as it will allow dentists to welcome as many potential new patients to their practice as possible.

Aside from practice websites, there are also a number of websites appearing that allow prospective patients to search for a dentist in their area. These websites merely act as a directory and provide the patient with contact details.

There are now online facilities that act as a link between the dental practice and the patient. For the practice they act as a marketing tool, making the practice visible to thousands of potential new patients every day. For the patient, it offers a quick and simple way to book a dental appointment.

One of the main advantages of these sites is that they feature reviews and ratings from previous patients. This means that prospective patients can make an informed decision as to which practice they want to book their appointment at based on factors such as cost and services provided. If they wish they will also be able to leave a review of their own after their visit.

One of these sites is Zesty, which provides 24-hour, real-time access to finding and booking an appointment. This will be especially useful when trying to book an appointment for the next day, or even the same day.

As dentistry moves into the digital age, we will find that online booking services will become a more common occurrence. The service that they provides allows patients to make a quick, easy and informed decision about the practice that they book their next appointment with.

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 020 3287 5416 for more details

At Horton Consulting, we’re celebrating our 5^th birthday! It’s been a magnificent five years in which we’ve met and worked with a wide range of lovely people, and this year we want to give something back.

To celebrate our 5^th Anniversary, we’re offering our full consultant programme to a practice owner/s that need our help the most, absolutely FREE of charge^*. On the 13^th August 2013, the lucky winner will benefit from our full suite of services including business development, team training and marketing, as the Horton Consulting team visit your practice for the day to lend a helping hand.

If you’re available on 13^th August and fancy winning this fantastic opportunity, simply tell us in no more than 50 words “why you would like our help?” Enter today by visiting www.horton-consulting.com/win. Good luck!

Twitter: @hortonconsult
Facebook: /hortonconsulting

^*Terms & Conditions Apply. 

On Saturday 9^th November 2013, Rita Zamora will take to the stage at the BACD’s 10^th Annual Conference with her talk “Keys to Social Media Marketing Success”. She says:

“This will be my first time speaking at the BACD Conference and I’m really very excited. There’s a great skill to managing social media effectively, but by attending my lecture I hope delegates will leave with a good understanding of how to make the best use of social media without falling into the traps that some healthcare professionals have fallen into in the past. I will also cover other important areas such as the need for multiple pieces of online real estate and the need to embrace change in a positive way. I hope then that delegates won’t just leave my lecture feeling informed about social media, but also feeling empowered to make good decisions on behalf of their practice that will help their practice thrive in the digital world for many years to come.”

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7^th, Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information call 0207 612 4166, fax 0207 182 7123, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bacd.com

Luke Barnett says:

‘For a technician working in today’s competitive environment, BACD Accreditation is a fantastic opportunity. The process of doing Accreditation itself is very useful as it applies your mind and focuses your mind on a higher level of work. In doing that you raise the quality of your own work and it changes the way you look at things. It’s a journey, and at the end of the journey you will be a better technician as a result.

‘If you are a technician and you have never been to the BACD Conference before, I really do recommend you come along and see for yourself just what the BACD is all about. On Saturday 9^th November I will be holding a Technician Accreditation Workshop, and will be explaining the whole process, and giving tips on selecting the best cases for submission. There will also be plenty of opportunity for networking, and some really fascinating lectures from renowned speakers including Galip Gurel and Chris Orr among others. I look forward to seeing you there!’

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7^th, Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information call 0207 612 4166, fax 0207 182 7123, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bacd.com

Dentisan’s parent company Quadralene, has been recognised for their recent significant increase in international sales, winning the Medilink East Midlands Export Achievement Award.

The increase has been driven largely by Quadralene’s expansion in healthcare markets and their products are now sold in 41 countries worldwide. In 2012, overseas sales increased by 70% and are forecast to rise by a further 50% this year.

Managing Director of Dentisan, Andy Corley, said,  “I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of a terrific team that works hard each day to build our growing reputation as a leader in the field of infection control. Their tireless effort on behalf of our international clients is what makes the difference. This award is proof that their work is recognised not only in the UK market but also on a global stage.” 

Medilink is an organisation that celebrates the latest technologies, outstanding business achievement and international success across the UK Life Sciences sector and this is not the first Medilink award-win for the company. Two years ago, Dentisan received an “Outstanding Achievement” award for their collaborative work with University of Nottingham School of Biosciences in developing Bioclear, a biofilm remover for Dental Unit Water Lines. The company now goes forward to Medilink’s National Finals, held at the end of the year.

For more details of Dentisan’s full range of infection control products visit www.dentisan.co.uk

Dentisan Ltd on Facebook
@DentisanLtd on Twitter
 

The DENTSPLY CeramX Case Contest is a long running competition aimed at dental students wishing to practice composite layering techniques with the innovative Ceram?X nano-ceramic single and dual layer composite.  The students supply clinical poster cases to the DENTSPLY judging panel for the chance to win prizes including an Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle and Apple iPod Nano.

DENTSPLY is pleased to announce the results of the Ceram?X Case Contest 2013 as follows

:

Rebecca Morgan with Simon abbey, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

Winner – Rebecca Morgan, UCLAN

The case from Rebecca Morgan was a first class example of how modern resin composite materials can be used to restore worn dentitions in an efficient and relatively economic fashion - with dramatic aesthetic and functional improvement.  Judges were impressed by the composite build-ups, use of a silicone template constructed from a pre-operative wax-up, the establishment of canine guidance and the greatly improved form and excellent aesthetic appearance of the teeth. 

Rebecca’s case also achieved fifth place in the World Final.

Before                                                                                                      

After              

Second Place – Julia Bernardo, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry

Matthew Jerreat, Julia Bernardo from Peninsula College and Kate Caple, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

The judges felt that the build-up of the lateral incisors and the reduction of anterior spacing n Julia’s case was carried out with a high level of skill. The final aesthetic outcome was impressive with excellent contouring, colour matching and polishing.

Third Place – Brendan Quinn, University College Cork

The judges felt Brendan’s case was complex with an excellent aesthetic outcome.

Honorary Mention – Hassan Adi, Birmingham Dental School

Hassan received an honorary mention as it was a strong case with good quality photography.

DENTSPLY would like to thank all the Dental Schools and students who participated in the Case Contest and extends its congratulations to the winners.

Contact us at dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn Rewards against purchases at dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and product demonstrations and earn CPD at dentsplyacademy.co.uk

The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Although dentists are servicing what is in effect a captive market, and so most can expect to maintain at least a minimum, viable level of turnover, a recent survey indicated that nearly a million registered dental practice patients were deferring or declining dental procedures in response to reduced state funding.[i] Surely a clear indication that the current pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending is reaching beyond the High Street and into the healthcare sector. 

Competition is a relatively new phenomenon in dentistry, but the ease of comparing practices’ services, options and prices via the internet has coincided with a rapidly growing interest in cosmetic dentistry, and many patients now see themselves as customers fully entitled to shop around for what they regard as the best value. To be successful rather than simply surviving, all practices need to raise their game to encourage loyalty, increase patients’ median spend, and attract new business ahead of their rivals. 

Delivering the highest quality patient service is vital, and this can only be achieved if every member of the team properly understands their role and is committed to providing the patient with a positive experience, from their first contact with the practice to the completion of their treatment. The only way to achieve excellence is to constantly strive for it; it’s easy to forget, in the heat of a busy day that ‘good’ is not the ‘best’. Excellent, friendly and empathetic communications, face to face or on the telephone, encourage treatment take-up rates and lead quickly to extra business through personal recommendations. Remember, enthusiastic patients are walking testimonials!

However, it is important to be prepared for the repercussions of something going wrong. Any resulting complaints must be handled promptly, with courtesy and sympathy. Just one unhappy patient can have many friends, and some of them may even be patients at your practice.

Communication is a key element in the 7-Star Dental Practice Programme, and relates to the staff as well as the patients. For staff to be fully committed to their patients they need to have an understanding of the Principal’s vision for the future and their own place in it, and how it will progress their own careers. If you keep your team onside, you’re much more likely to score goals! 

Conversations, however brief they have to be, are the route to excellent clinician/patient relationships. Questions and the exchange of information lead to genuine rapport, and it becomes much easier to discuss the financial aspects of treatment plans, or to devise a plan which is affordable for the patient who is keen but has limited means.

Raising the treatment plan acceptance percentage is the quickest way to improve turnover and improve patient education. Stressing the importance of oral health as a proven factor in overall health will resonate with patients and convince them of the importance of the treatment you can offer. Cosmetic patients who are making a significant investment in their smile need to know that you are both striving for the same happy outcome. Education also includes explaining choices, a point well made by the Office of Fair Trading in its latest report on the industry.

Failed appointments are every dentists’ bugbear, but be wary of threatening sanctions; you don’t want to lose the patient (and possibly their friends and/or family as well), whose reason(s) for not attending you cannot know and the ethics, and even legality, of trying to charge for a service you have not been able to deliver are, at best, doubtful. Much better to send polite reminders!

All patients expect their dentist to be properly qualified and highly competent. When two practices offer similar treatments the element of competition is not usually relevant in the area of clinical expertise. The value added which gives one practice the edge over another is in the patient’s appreciation of the entire appointment experience, and it may be worth engaging a reputable company like Milestone Experts to run a course at your practice. Allowing you to be sure that each and every member of your dental team has the skills to make your practice second to none.

 Milestone Experts offers consultancy services and training for every member of the dental practice team.

For more information visit www.milestoneexperts.co.uk, call 020 8337 5937 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Gary on Twitter: @everycallcounts

Cosmetic dentistry has changed a great deal over the years, and even more so over the last decade. Back when the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) was founded back in 2003, cosmetic dentistry was very different to how it is today. The overall “look” we are trying to achieve nowadays – the aesthetic goals – have not really changed, but the means by which we achieve those goals have changed dramatically. The emphasis is now very much on trying to be as conservative of the natural tooth tissue as possible. This has largely been made possible by advances in forms of orthodontic treatment that patients will accept. In the past if patients had crooked teeth you would suggest they needed braces, but in many cases patients would not be willing to accept a course of treatment that could potentially take years. As such patients would ask for other options, and the only other option we’d have would be to cut away at their teeth.

Of course 10–12 years ago that kind of approach may have been acceptable, but now we have a whole range of short-term orthodontic appliances that have fast become a part and parcel of what we do. Developments such as Invisalign for example mean we can create a nice smile without having to be as destructive of a patient’s teeth as we might have been 10 years ago. This has gone hand-in-hand with a philosophical change in dentistry, so we are no longer saying, “look how well I’ve prepped this”; instead we are saying, “look how little I’ve prepped this”. Ultimately this change in how we approach dentistry is much better for the patient in the long run.

Another significant change we have seen in the industry has been the advancement in material technologies. Take veneers for example. We can now make veneers that are extremely thin, but still very aesthetic. Being so thing means less preparation is needed and some need no preparation at all. Filling materials have also improved dramatically. Recent research for example shows that composite restorations after 10 years are now just as successful as silver amalgam.

Given all these changes in dentistry I really don’t think there is such a thing as a “cosmetic” dental practice any more. Rather I think it is more accurate to say that cosmetic dentistry is just normal dentistry done well. This is because cosmetics, or aesthetics, are now a fundamental part of what we do on a day-to-day basis. Indeed many patients have come to expect their dentistry to be carried out in an aesthetically pleasing way, so we should be doing all we can to meet this demand. Ultimately this ties in very closely with what we are trying to achieve through our work at the BACD. We aim to share in our passion for excellence in dentistry, while providing the very best educational opportunities to our members that we can.

If you want to learn more about the changing nature of cosmetic dentistry, I will be presenting the opening lecture at the BACD’s 10^th Annual Conference on Thursday 7^th November, at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. If you have not been before, I really do recommend you try and come along. We have an outstanding line up of speakers and I can guarantee you will come away with plenty of useful hints and tips that you can apply to your practice the very next day!

About the author:

Chris Orr is past President and Accredited Member of the BACD. He lectures widely and is the Course Director for Advanced Dental Seminars’ year course in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry. 

While many dental students enter training as soon as they’ve completed their studies at Sixth Form or college, for some, the passion for dentistry isn’t discovered until a little later in life. Saul Konviser is a dental student based in London, and completed both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before his true calling finally became clear.

“Looking back, I can now see how so many things in my life led me to take this decision,” says Saul. “My Dad is still a practicing Orthodontist, even into his 70’s and has been a major influence in my life. I’ve been very fortunate to grow up watching him enjoy almost every day of his working life, never once complaining that he was tired or bored of it. I think that is very rare these days to be able to find a job you can be happy in for so long and I definitely believe that his passion and enthusiasm for dentistry has filtered through to me, even if it did take me a little longer to realise it.

“So after a quite diverse background in education and work, I’m currently in my third year at King’s (the fourth year of the BDS course) and I’m also still do some part-time PR for the Weizmann Institute. It’s been a busy few years for me as I got married just before starting the course and I’ve now got a 7-month old daughter, but life is very enjoyable and very satisfying. I do believe that I followed the correct paths and I now truly value my position on the BDS course.”

Though life is certainly demanding for Saul, as he prepares to start his final year in September, he’s also been fortunate enough to have some help and support along the way.

“It was very early on during my time at King’s that a fellow student introduced me to Alpha Omega,” says Saul. “I admit I hadn’t heard of them before, but he explained a little bit about the organisation and invited me to come along to one of the lecture evenings.

“The first lecture I attended was presented by Dr Basil Mizrahi. I walked in, really not knowing what to expect – I thought it would just be a simple lecture and maybe a couple of promotional stands, but really, the whole experience was just incredible. I was greeted with a very warm welcome by everyone there. The Chairperson also made a conscious effort to introduce me to other members of the society. Not only was there a lovely reception but the quality of the lecture that followed was just exceptional. I’ve subsequently been to many Alpha Omega lectures since and they are all of an incredibly high standard. For me, as a student, the lecture evenings really are a fantastic addition to what we already have at university, and are a great way to supplement what I’ve been learning. There’s also a great social element with a committee regularly organising events for its members. This is another fantastic way to meet other people within the profession and make new friends.

“From a social, professional and charitable point of view, Alpha Omega has just opened up so many doors for me,” continues Saul. “It’s great to have access to so many professionals in this environment who are all genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming people. I really don’t know many other organisations out there that would offer the same kind of environment, experience and support to its members. I’m incredibly grateful for being introduced to Alpha Omega and am sure that I will remain a member for many years to come!”

For more information on the Alpha Omega London Chapter, visit www.alphaomegauk.co.uk

The BDA Benevolent Fund doesn’t just offer financial help in a crisis. We visit potential beneficiaries and find out how they
came to be in their current circumstances. On some occasions impartial advice and emotional support is enough to help
them get back on track.

For others, who are at real risk of falling into poverty, the Fund offers a one-off grant, a monthly grant towards living expenses
or an interest-free loan.  Over half of beneficiaries are on means-tested benefits and some of the poorest in society.

The Fund is very grateful for the all the donations it receives from the profession.  Every pound goes directly to dentists and their families, making a real difference to those who are struggling while trying to cope with accident, chronic illness and other stressful
life-changing events.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Michael Kerwick is the owner of MK Oral Designs Ltd, a dental laboratory in Harley Street.

“We’ve had the Nobel Procera Scanner for about six months,” he says. “Not that long really, but long enough to make a difference.

“Initially I didn’t have a single case to do, but now it is used every day and the cases got bigger as our knowledge and experience increased.

“We have now used Nobel Procera to do quite a number of screw retained complete arch cases, and the technicians just love the quality of fit and finish using Nobel Procera Scanner, and the amount of time saved processing and finishing all frameworks.

“Our business has grown and is still growing with the addition of Nobel Procera alongside my mobile “onedayteeth” service for All-on-4^TM cases.

“Using Nobel Nobel Procera, I know that it will give me a consistent and predictable result that will be right first time, as I have total confidence that Procera will return frameworks I can be proud of.

“I wouldn’t have achieved this level of success with Nobel Procera if it weren’t for the fantastic customer support I’ve received from Nobel Biocare. They’ve been brilliant.”

For more information on Nobel Biocare please call 0208 756 3300, or visit www.nobelbiocare.com

Goodman Legal – Help with all legal considerations when buying a practice

When buying a dental practice there are many legal aspects that must be considered, Goodman Legal can help with many of them. As a law firm with more than 25 years experience providing expert legal assistance to the dental industry, Goodman Legal has an unparalleled understanding of the process of acquiring a dental practice.

Seeking legal assistance from a specialist law firm will help no end when it comes to making the important decisions that will affect the purchase of a dental practice. Goodman Legal and Managing Director Ray Goodman are established within the dental industry for providing a comprehensive service that is essential when buying a practice.

From Due Diligence to Heads of Agreement and Sale and Purchase contracts, Goodman Legal is there to help with a variety of the legal issues that arise when buying a practice. Access to knowledgeable legal advice during the acquisition of a dental practice is indispensible. Goodman Legal can oversee the purchase, making sure that the transaction is safe, smooth and simple.

Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal – Lawyers for Dentists a NASDAL member

For more information call GoodmanGrant Lawyers for dentists on 0151 707 0090 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.goodmanlegal.co.uk

A NASDAL MEMBER 

Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts know the difference that providing customer service of the highest standard can make. They can show you and your dental team how to make the most of every call that your practice receives. This will help you to increase the number of patients joining your practice and increate the number of treatment plan acceptances.

The training that Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts offer can take place at your practice which makes the service both time and cost effective. The training is conducted in a way that is fun and informative, this is something that Gary believes enhances the learning process.

Viv Brown, Practice Manager at Harland & Dear Dental Practice in Epsom, Surrey used Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts, she says:

“Gary Morgan from Milestone Experts managed to get excellent group interaction from the beginning, the session was interesting and very well presented. Gary tailored the session specific and relevant to the needs of our Dentist business – Highly recommended!”

Milestone Experts offers consultancy services and training for every member of the dental practice team.

For more information visit www.milestoneexperts.co.uk, call 020 8337 5937 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Gary on Twitter: @everycallcounts

Combining sophistication, style and speed, the Clinical+ R4 Practice Management Software from Carestream Dental is designed to function as the very heart of your practice.

By automating and simplifying daily tasks, the software allows for a highly efficient and effortless practice routine.

Authorised remote access to records and easy sharing of digital images also encourage a seamless service for referrals or collaborations, greatly improving the patient care delivered.

In addition, offsite data storage and back up programmes ensure patient data is carefully protected at all times, aiding the practice’s compliance with CQC regulations.

Designed and proven to enhance the day-to-day running of your practice, the CS R4 Clinical+ Software will help you and your team refine your routines and enhance your services. Demonstrating its dedication to quality customer service through the eXceed programme, you can rest assured that Carestream Dental will help your practice reach its full potential.

For more information, please contact Carestream Dental on

0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

The 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium will be held at the Hotel Russell in Bloomsbury, London from October 4^th - 5^th 2013. Following the success of last year’s symposium, this year’s is set to be bigger and better, with the aim of exhibiting the ways that a dental microscope can improve and expand a dentists clinical work.

The event gives delegates the opportunity to watch a series of lectures from renowned speakers including:

• Dr. Domenico Massironi, specialist in implantology and prosthetics.
• Prof. Ivo Krejci, President of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Delegates will also have the chance to attend one of three training courses:

• ‘Hands-on experience: using surgical microscope in endodontics’ with Dr. Gilberto Debelian, the vice-president of the Norwegian Endodontic Society.
• ‘Restorative dentistry using surgical microscope – a whole new world’ with Prof. Ivo Krejci.
• ‘Microscope-assisted regenerative implant surgery’ with Dr. Massimo Mazza, a renowned maxilla-facial surgeon from Italy.

Attending the 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium will show delegates the significance of the dental microscope in modern dentistry and how it can improve their work.

To register, please contact Marjorie Kelly on 020 7950 1234 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For enquiries regarding the course content please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For technical enquiries please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UCL Eastman Dental Institute and

2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium Present

Dr Tomas Lang

Make a date for the 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium in London from 4^th to 5^th October 2013. UCL Eastman Dental Institute is proud to host the prestigious event, which offers two days of the latest innovations and developments in surgical microscopy.

A top international team of speakers will pass on their wealth of experience during inspirational seminars and interactive training sessions. Delegates will get involved and gain hands-on experience on how to incorporate microscopes into their daily work.

Dr Tomas Lang will present case reports on Friday 4^th October to demonstrate the considerable advantages of magnification technology in dentistry. Dr Lang is vice president of DGmikro, CEO of ORMED (Institute for Oral Medicine at the University of Witten/Herdecke), Germany; and has authored numerous publications on endodontology, restorative and preventive dentistry.

Delegates at the International Zeiss Dental Symposium will enjoy a unique experience designed to deliver real benefits to practitioners and their patients.

For more details about UCL Eastman Dental Institute, please visit
www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman or telephone 020 7905 1234

For many years now there have been limited treatment options available to edentulous or soon-to-be edentulous patients. Typically, the only option available to most patients is dentures, though it has long been recognised that removable tissue supported dentures are far from an ideal solution. Not only do patients often struggle with poor fitting dentures and ‘sore-spots’, but dentures can often make eating and even speaking difficult, and many patients find they must drastically alter or reduce their diet as a result.

Thankfully, over the past few years there have been a number of significant advances in dentistry that have led to major progress in the area. One of the most significant developments here being ‘Fixed Teeth in a Day’ – the revolutionary implant procedure that allows for the relative simple replacement of natural teeth with a full arch prosthetic supported by dental implants. 

The advanced protocol delivers same day, full arch rehabilitation utilising four or more implants to support a fixed, immediately functional, aesthetic prostheses. By using the latest techniques, Fixed Teeth in a Day is much less invasive than traditional rehabilitation approaches, as it reduces morbidity, is less disruptive to patients’ lives, and is also less costly.

The principle surgical difference to Fixed Teeth in a Day is the implant placement. Placing implants at an angle to avoid the sinus cavities in the upper jaw and the inferior dental nerve complex in the lower jaw, allows for favourable implant position and reduced cantilevers without  the need for significant bone grafting and complex sinus lift surgery. The availability of zygomatic and pterygoid implant approaches means Fixed Teeth in a Day is suitable for even the most complex atrophic cases.  Cases where patients might have previously been considered otherwise untreatable.

Though it is only natural for some in the profession to question the thinking behind tilted implants, there are numerous studies to support their use. In 2007 for example Koutouzis and Wennstrom found that implant inclination has no effect on peri-implant bone loss. (Clin Oral Implants Res. 2007 Oct; 18(5): 585-90. Epub 2007 Jun 30). Similarly, a 5-year study by Krekmanov et al found a 98% success rate in the maxilla and a 100% in the mandible (International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants 2000), while a 1999 study showed a high success/survival rate for tilted implants placed nearly 20 years ago (Implant Treatment without bone grafting in severely resorbed edentulous maxillae; Mattson et al International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - with a 10 year follow-up study by Rosen and Gynther IJOMS 2007).

Given the clinical benefits of Fixed Teeth in a Day – especially to patients who might otherwise be considered ‘untreatable’ – it is clear that there is massive opportunity for the dental profession to take advantage of this advanced new treatment option. Since Fixed Teeth in a Day came to the UK and has been offered widely by specialist referral clinics.  More and more clinicians have discovered for themselves the clinical, and indeed financial benefits of being able to offer this unique treatment to patients. Not least for the fact that Fixed Teeth in a Day offers a life-changing solution to patients who have resisted much needed treatment due the complexity, time, and cost of the more conventional treatment approaches. 

By referring patients for Fixed Teeth in a Day not only do referrers gain from the ability to offer a broader range of treatment options, but they can also benefit by attracting in new patients whom they might otherwise never see. United smiles Centres will offer the support and training to those that are willing and interested to provide the final prosthesis for their patients. Naturally once the treatment has been completed the referrer also then has the ability to maintain the patient for routine maintenance and oral health checks and so on.

If your practice is already is providing implant-based treatments, United Smile Centres are now offering the option for a select group of implant practices to work together for mutual benefit, adopting United Smile Centres’ same-day implant solution brand and marketing, and unlike corporate entities, still allowing you to retain full control over your practice’s operations. With Fixed Teeth in a Day now such a powerful and convincing brand in the public sphere, an option such as this could well prove incredibly financially beneficial to your practice, and may well attract new long-term patients to your care. You will also find yourself in the position to benefit from economies of scale and a substantial brand marketing budget that will benefit you. 

Whether you wish to offer Fixed Teeth in a Day yourself, or if you would prefer to refer, there can be no doubt the fantastic benefits the treatment offers to both patients and clinicians alike.

For more information call United Smile Centres on 0800 8 49 49 59, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.unitedsmilecentres.co.uk

Dr Ramesh Siva worked closely with Clark Dental during the refurbishment of his practice, Albion Dental in Lewes. During the course of the project Clark Dental completely refitted two surgeries and a new decontamination room. Dr Siva says:

“When embarking on a project such as this, it’s important that the contractors you use are reliable. I decided to opt for Clark Dental, firstly because I had experience with them from my time at Bridge Dental, but also because of their name, and because they are known for the quality and reliability of their work. Quite simply I knew that I could rely on them, and they have an excellent track record of success.”

The team at Clark Dental have over 30 years’ experience providing turnkey surgery designs to dental practices across the UK. Using the latest computer aided technology, the dedicated Clark Dental team can guide and support you through every stage of your project from consultation to completion and ongoing support.

To learn more about how Clark Dental is the smart choice in surgery design, contact the Clark Dental team today.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk