When it comes to pensions and annuities, the Government is constantly changing the rules and moving the goalposts. It’s no wonder many dentists are struggling to know which decisions to make in regards to their own retirement.

Luckily money4dentists is here to help. As specialist Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) to dentists, the money4dentists team have over half a Century’s experience in the profession and are there to help ensure you make the optimum decisions when it comes to your finances.    

From the economic climate to the amount in your pension and from your geographic location to your health and lifestyle; the amount you receive from an annuity depends upon a long list of variables.

So if you are considering retiring soon, or want to be sure to plan for a secure, worry-free future, it pays to seek out the advice of an IFA that has experience and understanding of your profession. Turn to the experts at money4dentists and take a step towards a safe financial future.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754 DENTIST.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.money4dentists.com

“I was keen to take the Inman Aligner training course after attending an inspirational lecture by Dr. Tif Qureshi on ‘Align, Bleach and Bond’ at the FGDP,” says Dr. Rima Patel, who works at dental practices in Crystal Palace and Carshalton.

“Associates in both practices I work in had previously attended and begun offering the appliance to their patients – so there were always enquiries about it. I wanted to develop my skills, in order to also be able to offer patients what they wanted, rather than having to refer them to a colleague.

“I had expected there to be more people attending the course on the day – and the lecture to be more crowded. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that it was a small group, and that the lectures were of the highest quality. Everything was explained thoroughly and the hands-on element complemented the presentations.

“I would recommend the Inman Aligner training course to others, as I feel the IAS Academy has a structured learning pathway you can follow and the guidance and information provided was of a high quality and very detailed in nature.”

To discover what you could learn, contact the friendly IAS Academy team today.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, including the Inman Aligner,

In a poll taken during the BDIA Showcase, 100% of dentists interviewed said they would recommend Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes to their patients.[i]

As a further testament to the quality and effectiveness of the products, over 85% said they would use them themselves.

The Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes feature a super soft rubber design with the flexibility to clean even the smallest interdental spaces with ease. Completely metal-free, patients who have struggled with interdental brushes in the past are likely to find these simple and effective to use.

Ideal for those with orthodontic appliances, dental implants, metal fillings or crowns, and available in three different sizes, the Clean Between Interdental Brushes are suitable for every situation.

From September, Dentist Surgery Packs of Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes will be available via dental wholesalers, consisting of dispenser boxes with 100 cello-wrapped sample packs of each colour of brush. Make sure you get yours and discover for yourself how much they can help your patients!

To discover why so many dentists recommend the Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes, contact the team today.

To find out more, please visit www.wisdomtoothbrushes.com or call 01440 714800

Recently launched in the UK and Ireland, Humble Brush is an exciting new product that aids dental health while protecting the environment and supporting less fortunate communities around the globe.

Dr Noel Abdayem, one of the founders of Humble Brush, as well as James Hamill from Quintess Denta – exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland – and Dr Darren Weiss, President of the Humble Smile Foundation (www.humblesmile.org), introduced the inspiring product at a press launch in August this year.

Humble Brush features an ergonomically designed, biodegradable, panda-friendly bamboo handle that offers natural antiseptic properties. This is complemented by soft, degradable nylon bristles and packaging  made from 100% recycled materials.

You have the power to not only provide your patients with a truly effective and environmentally friendly adjunct, but also gain assurance that with every Humble Brush sold, the equivalent value will be donated to people in need.

Furthermore, you can test this remarkable product with a free toothbrush sample available for each practice. To help make a difference, contact the team at Humble Brush today.

Humble Brush is now available in the UK and Ireland. For more information visit www.humblebrush.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0286 862 8880. To order contact our exclusive distributor Quintess Denta at www.quintesshumblebrush.co.uk

Follow us on social media:

@HumbleBrush and www.facebook.com/humblebrushuk

Dr. Rima Patel, who works at dental practices in both Crystal Palace and Carshalton, recently took part in the Inman Aligner training course, provided by the IAS Academy.

“I attended the Inman Aligner training course in December 2014,” says Dr. Patel. “I initially booked a place following an inspirational lecture given by Dr. Tif Qureshi on ‘Align, Bleach and Bond’, held at the FGDP. He was also offering a small discount to attendees of that lecture, so it presented a great opportunity.

“Several of my colleagues had already been using the Inman Aligner – so patients were always enquiring about it. As a result, I wanted to be able to offer my own patients what they wanted, rather than having to refer them to a colleague.

“I had thought that the course would be crowded, that a lot of people would be attending the lecture – but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a small group. The lecture was of the highest quality and everything was explained thoroughly; the hands-on element complemented the presentations very well.

“It was also great that there was a small trade fair running over lunch, which gave us the opportunity to meet and talk to different people from different companies.

“I would recommend the Inman Aligner training course to others, because I feel as though the IAS Academy provides a structured educational pathway for you to follow – and the guidance and information it offers is of a high quality and detailed in nature.”  

The IAS Academy provides a number of training opportunities, including the Inman Aligner course, that are designed to give GDPs the confidence and expertise to offer their patients more in the way of alternative anterior alignment orthodontics. A truly unique and dedicated learning pathway, the IAS Academy focuses on education as much as it does on effective appliances, ensuring excellent levels of competence and success.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, including the Inman Aligner,

please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477

Prestige Dental’s product specialist, Jennifer Ball, was delighted to be in attendance at the grand opening of Andrea Ubhi Cosmetic Dentistry’s new practice in York earlier this year.
 

As well as rubbing shoulders with the likes of model and former Miss England, Georgia Horsley, who officially opened the practice, Jennifer was able to meet the award-winning “Team of the Year North 2015” (Dental Awards) and bring everyone up to speed on the extensive range of quality dental products Prestige Dental can supply.
 

Commenting on the event, Jennifer said: ‘It was a great evening – warm and inviting. The practice seamlessly combines the lovely original features of the building with state-of-the-art dental equipment. It has a huge wow factor!
 

‘You could see they have worked hard to create a relaxing environment; a recipe for success for both happy staff and happy patients.’
 

The new premises are run by a team of 18, housing four ultra-modern surgeries, two waiting rooms and the latest technology, including CT scanning equipment and a Seiler microscope.
 

In particular, Jennifer was taken by the glass ‘pods’, where the treatment co-ordinator can sit down with patients to discuss their needs and wants, as well as consultation rooms that allow for patient/dentist interaction without the pressure of a clinical setting.

If you would like to know about the range of quality products available from Prestige Dental, please call 01274 721567 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The term “Catch 22”, first used in Joseph Heller’s novel, described the constraints placed on soldiers during World War II. Since then it has become a familiar way to describe the predicament of being trapped by contradictory rules or circumstances.

When leaving education, many young people now find themselves in a “Catch 22” situation simply because they don’t have any knowledge of the working world, yet employers frequently prefer to hire candidates with some form of previous work experience.

There are around 1.85 million people unemployed in the UK[1] and an analysis by the House of Commons Library for Labour states that people aged between 16 and 24 now fare comparatively worse than others at any point since 1992, with this age group nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population.[2] Without enough jobs to go around, there are fewer opportunities for youngsters to work part time or have weekend jobs during education as previous generations did. Consequently, many are finding themselves out in the big wide world with very little or no work experience.

To address the situation the government is investing in apprenticeship schemes to encourage more 16-24 year olds into work. The new employer-led Trailblazers Apprenticeship programmes are ideal for young people, enabling them to earn as they learn, gaining valuable experience as they train in a worthwhile profession. From the employer’s point of view, the advantages of taking on an apprentice are multi-faceted. Not only are business owners and managers able to grow talent in-house, moulding and encouraging individuals to work to the methods and standards they need to increase productivity, but it also allows them to remain competitive and retain a committed workforce. What’s more, taking on an apprentice is rewarding, both on a personal level and for the team as they are able to pass on their knowledge and experience, feeling valued and pleased to play an active part in training a new recruit. Indeed, studies reveal that 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeship schemes lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.[3]

Apprenticeship programmes are now led and developed by employers to ensure that trainees attain the necessary skills and standards to meet the needs of UK industry and to build a competent workforce for the future. Along with other top employers and governing bodies, Mustafa Mohammed – owner of Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs and Chair for the new Trailblazers Apprenticeship Programmes in Dentistry – has been instrumental in spearheading new apprenticeship programmes in both Dental Nursing and Dental Practice Management. Together they have created new training pathways and assessment methods to provide young people with the practical skills and experience they require for long and successful careers. Similarly, employers are able to gain the calibre of staff that they need to continue the high standards expected in dentistry.

With the top quality training and support the dentistry sector has to offer, it is possible to rescue some young people from the “Catch 22” situation. If you are thinking of recruiting a new member of your team, why not consider taking on an apprentice?

For more details contact the team today.

For additional information from the National Apprenticeship Service, please visit www.apprenticeship.org.uk.

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

With the new school year just around the corner, there’s a good chance some of your younger patients may well be exhibiting stress-related symptoms, including grinding and clenching that will cause wear beyond that which we would expect for their age.

Given the potential to affect their oral health for a lifetime – especially once the permanent dentition starts to erupt – this is an issue that needs to be tackled as quickly as possible.

Signs and symptoms associated with bruxism in children might include changes to their facial symmetry, inability of the lips to form an adequate seal, pain in the area of the masseter or temporalis muscles upon palpation, headaches and earaches, dentine sensitivity, and temporomandibular disorders, as well as anterior and posterior cross bites and tooth wear.

If a child presents with warning signs that may be attributed to bruxism, it will be helpful to ensure he/she is brushing effectively yet gently with a relatively soft toothbrush and a toothpaste that is low in abrasivity, as well as suggesting they do something relaxing before bed such as reading or having a bath.

In addition, a soft mouthguard to be worn at night may be customised to prevent further damage to the dentition, which will need to be changed regularly for younger patients as the child and their teeth develop.

The London Tooth Wear Centre^® offers an evidence-based and comprehensive approach to managing tooth wear. To request advice, make a referral or for further information on the work of the London Tooth Wear Centre^®, please visit www.toothwear.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7486 7180.

We all have the dream of owning our own practice, however the thought of making that transition is often frightening.
 

My first thought was, what can I afford? The only loan I’d ever got was for my home, and that was in the days banks were handing out money to anyone and everyone. This is where Dental Elite (DE) Finance, and in particular Becki, were invaluable. Long before I found the right practice, Becki had taken all the relevant information from me and let me know what I could realistically expect to get from the banks given my circumstances. This really narrowed down my search criteria, allowing me to stop wasting time on those practices that were out of my reach.

This was to be my first acquisition, for a reasonably sized practice in South Yorkshire with a healthy NHS contract. Before committing, DE Finance ran through all the figures again, ensuring the purchase was financially viable, before we moved forward.

In between dealing with the sellers and our respective solicitors, as well as having to turn up to work each day, I didn’t have time for much else. In DE Finance I felt like I had a PA, with Becki contacting all the major banks (and some I’d never heard of) on my behalf, leaving me to get on with other things. I left Becki to fight my corner as to why they should lend someone who has never run a business, let alone a dental practice, such a large sum of money. This I thought was going to be the most stressful part of the purchase, but it turned out to be the easiest.

Becki had influential contacts in all the right places, and offers from the banks quickly came rolling in. More importantly, because Becki was involved, the banks knew they would be competing against each other, and subsequently provided offers at fantastic rates. I certainly didn’t have time to approach all these banks myself, nor would I have received the rates I did.

Things didn’t end here however. Becki followed the process right through to completion and beyond. She was always there when I needed to contact her, even out of work hours. When the bank was labouring with the sale at times, she would intervene on my behalf and get her contact to push things along. It was great just being able to pick up the phone when I wasn’t sure about something, to receive some expert guidance, or even just some much needed reassurance.

Would I recommend Becki? Absolutely, without hesitation. I know who the first person I ring will be when I’m ready to make my next acquisition, even if it’s not a dental practice. And what did this fantastic service cost me? Nothing, not a penny!

Thank you Becki for making this whole process so easy for me.

- Imran Ahmed

Following the success of the 2015 Bursary Awards, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) would like to announce that application for the 2016 Postgraduate Bursary Award is now open.

Dental professionals interested in entering the Postgraduate Award should submit their project, focusing on either improving access for disadvantaged people or building awareness of oral cancer and the need for early diagnosis.

The proposed project must be implemented during 2015-16 and the winning applicant will receive £5,000, made up of £2,500 for the dentist and a further £2,500 to be used in support of the delivery of the project.

The winners of the 2015 ADG Postgraduate Bursary Award were Orna Ni Choileain and Niall McGoldrick for their project ­­­­­­­­Let’s Talk About Mouth Cancer.

On winning the Bursary, Orna said: “When I found out we won the Bursary, I had the perfect mixture of shock and excitement. It feels like a great achievement to have our work setting up the 'Let's Talk About Mouth Cancer’ charity recognised by other professionals on a national level. It's a sign of confidence for us and the wider team that all the work we have been doing over the last year has been worthwhile.”

For more information about the ADG visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk

The Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign – which was launched by the British Dental Health Foundation and supported by the Association of Dental Groups – may have finished for another year, but there is no doubt that the fight against mouth cancer must go on. Much has been learnt about the disease over recent years, especially in regards to triggers and causes, but over the last year in particular, new research has come to light.

One study, for instance, suggests that there could be a complex network of chemical, viral and (epi)genetic factors that link to the occurrence of oral carcinogenesis.[i] While the factors that trigger this process and the metastasis of oral cancer have not been clarified in this study, the mere suggestion that immune reactions following viral infections may cross-react with tumour suppressor action proteins to create oral cancer could be ground breaking.

Another element that is currently being researched at some length could be crucial to diagnosis, is the mutation of the TP53 gene. Normally, the protein produced by this gene – known as p53 – works to prevent cells from increasing in size. But as studies of the gene show, changes can cause oral squamous cell carcinoma to develop[ii] – which accounts for more than 90% of oral cancers.[iii] Testing for changes to p53 could serve as a prognostic marker, thereby increasing the chances of early detection.

In terms of effective diagnosis, it has also been suggested in research conducted earlier this year, that salivary genomic and proteomic biomarkers could potentially be a successful – and less invasive – approach to testing for oral cancer.[iv] This could prove very beneficial to diagnosis if this were to develop. In the meantime, it is crucial that you continue to screen for oral cancer and invite your patients for regular check-ups.

What still needs to be done, however, is to convince the government that oral cancer is as important as other healthcare issues. That’s not to say that ministers don’t care about oral cancer – for Sir Paul Beresford MP seemed sincerely passionate about the matter at the Mouth Cancer Action Month launch – but it occasionally appears as if other concerns, such as smoking and obesity, take precedence.

It goes without saying that you are all aware of mouth cancer and the health risks that late diagnosis poses. But by keeping up to date with the latest research, maintaining constant vigilance with screenings and treatment pathways and by urging government officials to take greater action, you can keep on top of oral cancer. To find out more, please contact the ADG or British Dental Health Foundation.

To donate or for more information visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk or www.dentalhealth.org

The third NHS Confidence Monitor survey is now live for all dental professionals to share their views. Its aim is to provide a better understanding of the profession’s confidence levels in NHS dentistry.

The preceding NHS Confidence Monitor, conducted in May and June of 2015, solicited over 300 responses from dentists across the UK. To reflect the profession’s growing interest in the NHS Confidence Monitor, this latest survey has been opened up to enable all members of the dental team to share their thoughts, providing a deeper and wider understanding of the whole profession’s perception of NHS dentistry.

As previously, the survey will monitor the profession’s confidence in:

•               The future of NHS dentistry as a whole

•               Future career prospects

•               Remuneration levels

•               Getting the balance of treatment versus prevention within the NHS right

•               The ability of the team to work effectively within the NHS

•               Whether patients will be happy with level of care provided.

In addition to widened access, the survey has increased in scope to explore a number of new topics. Those taking part are invited to respond to questions concerning their proposed age of retirement to gauge the possibility of a staffing crisis in the future, and whether they would feel happy encouraging a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry.

‘Finding out about team members’ retirement plans should offer an interesting insight into whether there might be a Provider crisis when it comes to asking dentists to sign up to a reformed NHS contract. In addition, asking whether one might encourage a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry really brings the overall mood of the profession into focus,’ remarked Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, a specialist in business advice and structures in healthcare and co-founder of Lockharts Solicitors.

Also commenting on the survey, Judith Husband, who sits on the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, said: ‘I think it is very important to understand the landscape of what is going on. That is why I believe the ongoing, enhanced NHS Confidence Monitor survey is so important and I would urge team members to have their say.

‘No one wants to stop positive progress – but, from the Government’s perspective, this should be in the context of open and honest debate and a willingness to listen to what we, as a profession, have to say. This is a great opportunity to help facilitate that dialogue.’

To take part in the latest NHS Confidence Monitor and share your thoughts, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PracticePlanNHSConfidencemonitor3 before the closing date of 31st January 2016. The survey should take approximately three minutes of your time.

Once the results of the latest survey have been independently verified, they will be presented to an ‘Insights Panel’ made up of key opinion leaders and experts from the dental profession who will explore and debate their significance and their implications for the future of NHS Dentistry. The panel’s findings will then be shared with dental professionals throughout the UK.

For detailed results from the last two surveys, as well as to gain access to the discussions from our previous Insights Panel meetings and interviews with our panel members, visit www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk.

Ryszard Jurowski is Managing Director at Systems for Dentists, a contributing author and life-long system development guru with a clear and transparent interest in shaping the future of systems management efficiencies and capability for the benefit of the UK dentistry industry.

And if progressing the vision for the development of your Practice, future proofing practice management through systems capability, increasing productivity, eradicating wastage, improving workflows and optimising financial and manpower resources in 2016 is on your agenda, then read on, as you’ll be excited by the latest thinking for streamlining your Practice as a means of improving your bottom line in the coming year.

Of course, you will have a capable Practice Manager in post. Faithful, trustworthy – and without doubt, a can’t do without right hand help and more than worthy of their weight in gold as they oversee your brilliant Practice team, navigate and keep on an even keel the smooth ebb and flow of Practice operations, deal with the hum drum of patient appointment demands whilst balancing all operational aspects of your business - not to mention staff resourcing and payroll needs.

All the while of course, you maintain the strategic helicopter view of your Practice, keep growth and commercial development on track against the underpinning vision and business model you set on course when you founded and invested in your Practice. And of course, all this, whilst still balancing the demands of a busy surgery treatment timetable and nurturing the complex demands of the plethora of patients in your care.

As a successful professional in the dentistry field, moving at a dynamic pace on a daily basis, balancing the needs of work and life can often mean that there is little to no time for thinking of ways to further develop and contemplate how to increase your bottom line and drive up even greater efficiencies for your Practice.

But that’s really where taking essential time out this New Year to consider the benefits of investing in proven and well developed practice management software based on solid development foundations can make a real and sustainable long term difference to the bottom line and future success of your business.

And where software development teams in the industry are taking a real lead and getting things right are where technical expertise and profound industry knowledge backed by years of dental market understanding - often a minimum of at least 2-3 decades, are being used to deliver in a technological lead. And it’s by and large where a common sense approach meets powerful technological solutions to drive up practice management efficiencies are adding real value added and delivering time and money savings on the bottom line to the industry.

And the companies who are getting it right are delivering efficiencies at the touch of a button not only via the robust and tested software interfaces they provide to users (and even the most efficient of Practice Managers are inclined to agree)  but also through the useful functionality of their systems features. Consider for instance the powerful applications practice management systems on the market are offering to streamline Dental Practices; real time online appointments, SMS reminders, patient imaging, periodontal charting, clinical notes recording, on line backups, postcode lookups, to name but a few….

And that’s not all, you’ll find with careful research that to generate time and money savings and eliminate the paper mountains created by the mandatory paper chase still inherent in many practices, the creation and capture of digital signatures will be a radical and welcome solution accessible in the marketplace from those software developers who are leading the way in creating the paperless office.

To summarise, taking time out  in 2016, maybe even over part of one sacred forthcoming weekend day to reflect on how you can further streamline your Practice in the new year by identifying and investing in improved practice management systems capability could in fact be time very well spent out of your valuable “me” or family time on the home front.

As a word of advice, factor in systems developed by a generation or family business with a longstanding background of Dentists if you can find it, as for sure, they will understand what practitioners truly need and have thought carefully within their product development processes of the systems requirements that will be needed to pivot your Practice forward. Not only that, but they will have developed solutions to improve your patient experience, ensure staff have at their fingertips the automated support they need to eradicate unnecessary manual processes and data recording, and provide automated interventions, in fact they’ll have thought about everything to assist them work at optimum levels and in doing so enrich your staff and patient’s experience.

Systems for Dentists, established for nearly thirty years in the market and provide proven practice management systems solutions.

Contact Nathan Ross on 0845 643 2828 for further assistance and a warm and professional welcome.

Cost-benefit analysis ahead of 2016

Louisa Buckingham of Patient Plan Direct explains why practices should consider performing cost-benefit analysis ahead of 2016.

The dental industry continues to become an ever more competitive industry with a generation of tech savvy and business-minded dentists. More than ever, dental practices are looking to differentiate themselves, create competitive edge, provide a unique patient experience and embrace digital dentistry all whilst endeavouring to generate healthy profits and deliver the best in patient care.

A cost-benefit analysis is the exercise of evaluating a planned or existing action by determining what net value it will have for your practice. A cost-benefit analysis finds, quantifies, and adds all the positive factors; the benefits. Then it identifies, quantifies, and subtracts all the negatives; the costs. Should the benefits derived from the action outweigh the costs of implementing that action, then the action should be taken and vice versa.

As practices increasingly seek to cut costs and improve productivity and care, cost-benefit analysis has become a valuable tool for evaluating a wide range of business decisions and opportunities for dental practices; the prospect of a move away from the NHS, which consumables supplier to work with, which plan provider to work with in administering and developing the practice’s private dental plans.  

When undertaking this review you should ask yourself questions such as; what value does this opportunity/action represent? What other alternatives do I have and how do they compare? When did I last review this area of my business?

Take for example, dental plan administration. It’s alarming how many dental practices aren’t aware of the fees they pay to their plan provider and nor do many assess what value these fees represent.

Many plan providers profess to offer a range of additional ‘non-plan’ related services, hospitality and support alongside core plan administration. This ‘optional’ access to additional elements of service aside from plan development is rolled in to the fee structures charged by some plan providers. Many practices don’t actually utilise these additional elements, effectively paying for something they don’t fully leverage and therefore not seeing value.

When performing a cost-benefit analysis in relation to working with a plan provider you should make a list of what the provider delivers; the benefits. For example; How many times a year do you see your representative? Do you fully utilise additional services such as regulatory advice, ‘key client’ forums, or clinical events? This should then be compared to the costs of the service and also weighed up against other provider propositions in the market.

Patient Plan Direct is a dental payment plan provider working with practices across the UK, recognised for its cost effective (£1 per patient per month) approach to support and administration, as well as its innovative web-based management platform. Patient Plan Direct support practice with; New payment plan launches, NHS to Private conversions and Plan provider transfers

Tel: 08448486888

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

Web: www.patientplandirect.co.uk

A recent video from Denplan, the UK’s leading dental payment plan provider, has highlighted the staggering sugar content of festive drinks found in many of the popular high street coffee chains – including a specialist hot chocolate that contains up to 24 teaspoons of sugar. If these drinks are accompanied by cakes or other sweet treats, the amount of sugar consumed can double.

“While most people will probably be aware that their festive drink contains some levels of sugar, they might not be aware of the sheer quantity,” says Henry Clover, Deputy Chief Dental Officer at Denplan. “Many of the festive coffees, lattes and hot chocolates that we looked at across a range of high street coffee chains contained, on average, around 12 to 18 teaspoons of sugar in their largest portion sizes. One caramel fudge hot chocolate from a popular coffee chain even contained a shocking 24 teaspoons of sugar – that’s the equivalent to around two and a half cans of cola.

“As a one-off treat, a sugary festive drink won’t do you any harm, but if you get into the habit of frequently consuming high levels of sugar, this may cause tooth decay. Every time we eat or drink something sugary, bacteria in our mouths produce acids that can cause tooth decay. A high sugar diet is also linked to other health problems such as obesity and diabetes.”

The vast amounts of sugar found in high street coffee chain beverages is especially concerning in light of guidelines from the World Health Organisation published earlier this year*. The WHO suggests that adults should consume no more than 12 teaspoons of ‘free’ sugars a day, but should really be aiming for six. ‘Free’ sugars refer to sugar that is added to foods and drinks, as well as things like honey and fruit juices.

In addition, research conducted earlier this year by YouGov on behalf Denplan** also suggests that consumers would welcome knowing more about the levels of sugar found in their food and drinks, and would even like to see an overall reduction in sugar content. The survey revealed that only a third of UK adults (35%) think that retailers and food companies do enough to inform them of how much sugar is in food and drinks. Of those who disagreed that retailers and food companies do enough, 73% said retailers and food companies should reduce the overall sugar content in food and drinks.

So what are the healthier options for a festive beverage this Christmas?

“It’s certainly not all doom and gloom for the Yuletide season – it’s all about being informed and enjoying things in moderation,” says Henry. “Opting for a peppermint tea or an Americano coffee or plain latte with sugar-free syrup can warm you up without the added sugar.

“If you do decide to sample a speciality coffee during the festive period, make sure you’re aware of the sugar content before you order, and try to drink this as part of a balanced meal.”

*Source: World Health Organization, March 2015 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/sugar-guideline/en/

**Denplan/YouGov Survey February 2015. The survey was carried out online. Total sample size was 5,315 adults.

About Denplan

Denplan is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 1.7 million registered patients. Established in 1986 by two dentists who pioneered the concept of dental payment plans, Denplan has been at the heart of dental care for nearly 30 years and today the company is owned by Simplyhealth. Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling

patients to budget for their private dental care by spreading the cost through a fixed monthly fee. We support regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. For further information visit www.denplan.co.uk. For oral health tips and advice visit www.myteeth.co.uk. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223
 

·         Denplan Care: all routine and restorative care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover

·         Denplan Essentials: routine care only + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover

·         Plans for Children: routine and other agreed care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover

·         Membership Plan: registered with the dentist + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover

·         Denplan Emergency: worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover only

·         Company Dental Plans: company funded, voluntary and flexible benefit schemes
 

Denplan also provides a range of professional services for its member dentists and their practice teams, including the Denplan Quality Programme, Denplan Excel Accreditation Programme and Denplan Training, plus regulatory advice, business and marketing consultancy services and networking opportunities.

For more information about Denplan:

Sara Elliott

Denplan Press Office

Tel: 01962 828 194

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

About Simplyhealth

We have been helping people with their health for over 140 years. Our roots are in the hospital funds set up during the Victorian era to help working people save for their medical care, and we still follow mutual values today. With no shareholders, our profits go back into supporting our customers and healthcare charitable causes, donating over £1 million each year. Last year, we donated £1.4 million.

In 2011, we acquired Denplan Limited, the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist. Simplyhealth has 1,391 employees based across our offices in Andover, Manchester, Leeds and Denplan in Winchester. We serve our 3.5 million customers through cash plans, dental plans, Denplan and pet health plans. Simplyhealth has Independent Living Centres which provide daily living and mobility products, including powerchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs, in Andover, Bristol, Burnham, Droitwich, Kenilworth, Leeds, Northfield, Norwich, Sutton Coldfield, Telford, Willenhall and Wolverhampton.

Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

For further information:

http://newsroom.simplyhealth.co.uk/

“Currently, I use Impregum Penta for all my indirect restorations and implant work: it is a superior impression material,” says Dr Adyl Asani, principal dentist at TwentyOne Dental in Hove.

“I have used a variety of other impression materials over the course of my career, though none of these have provided me with the stability, accuracy and level of detail that Impregum has.

“Its ideal flow properties also reproduce the most minor details in my preparations and I avoid drags and airblows. This means I can ensure that the first impression is the last.

“I have no hesitation in recommending Impregum Penta impression material to other practitioners who are looking to provide their patients with the best possible indirect restorations.”

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit www.3Mespe.co.uk

When undertaking a building project to create a new surgery or practice, the excitement can quickly dissolve into dismay, as the true extent of elements needing consideration come to the fore. Regulations, branding, accessibility, finances; they are just a few of the factors that need to be decided upon. Your true expertise lies within the clinical arena, treating patients, and so it is worthwhile approaching the professionals in the field of design and building of dental surgeries and practices.

Rules, Regulations and Requirements

The minefield of regulations to adhere to can be overwhelming and trip you at the first hurdle. There are requirements to ensure you adhere to stringent clinical welfare needs, such as with cross infection control to keep your patients and staff safe. HTM01-05 is updated periodically so it is best to consult with experts to ensure you follow the latest mandates and are therefore compliant. 

Then there are the non-clinical rules that must be obeyed; especially pertinent if you are considering building a new dental practice. Planning permission can become a necessity depending on your level of development, and this can be time consuming and needs to be applied for via a particular route. There are other building related regulations too. Many dental practices are located in beautiful historic houses, and so the listed building status needs to be assessed to see if relevant.

Design and Branding

Another essential consideration is the design and branding of your practice. As a dentist, you will have a keen eye for detail but are perhaps more used to working at a microscopic level. From the building layout to the dental units used in surgeries it is crucial that every aspect of the practice conforms to a clear notion of what you have to offer, however this can require a lot of time to plan and implement successfully. Working with a reputable design company that utilises the latest technology and has experience in implementing dental surgeries will help you to achieve a practice that has a consistent aesthetic and unifying brand message.

Experts in this field can work with you to understand what your practice’s vision is and how you want your services to be conveyed to existing customers. They can also advise on how to create branding that will attract new patients. Your practice says a lot about you and so you need to get this right to encourage patients to attend.

Motivated Workforce

It’s not just your patients that may need encouragement; you will need to spend as much time ensuring your staff and colleagues have a comfortable environment to work in. It is remarkable, how when people operate in a new, clean and pristine setting it motivates them to work even harder. They feel the need to exude the same level of competency as their environment conveys. It is not only the aesthetics that can be motivating but also the facilities available to members of the team. The staff room can therefore be as important a consideration in the building of a new practice as a surgery, and should be carefully thought through.

Further still, there is the health and safety of your workforce. “Ergonomically friendly” is a term used frequently when discussing a new surgery set-up. A new build project is the ideal chance to maximise the latest technology and design concepts to ensure your team work in the most healthy and comfortable way.

Customer-Centric

The final consideration to discuss is probably the most important to you: the patient. If you are an existing practice that is refurbishing a surgery or even the whole building, you need to ensure there is minimum patient disruption. Good communications with patients and keeping them informed of the progress of the project will help put their minds at ease and further engage their interest in the practice. If you are unable to proceed with their treatment due to the building work, then alternative arrangements need to be made.

The new surgery and practice should ensure accessibility for all patients and create a comfortable, peaceful environment, especially for those that are more nervous of a dental visit. The décor and design can assist with this, such as the colours used, and the layout of surgeries to the waiting room.

With you all the way

There is so much to contemplate when embarking on a new practice, new surgery, rebuild or redesign that it’s impossible to know where to begin. By turning to the experts at Clark Dental you will have a bespoke design and build solution tailored to your specific needs. They help take care of every aspect; from that initial discussion right through to completion, when you open your new door ready for the first patient to walk through.

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

Rushing around buying gifts, planning and shopping for Christmas menus, absorbing additional expenditure, entertaining friends and family, decorating the house and making sure everyone has a great time are all stresses of the festive season. Indeed according to a recent survey, 14% of Brits feel more under pressure than ever to have the perfect Christmas.[1]
 

Another ‘pressure point’ is the works’ Christmas party. This event is the highlight in the annual calendar for many where they are able to enjoy mingling with colleagues in a relaxed environment. However, it can be a time of anxiety for some individuals because although they can reveal more of their personality at the Christmas bash, out of their usual professional role, they worry more about their appearance. According to a survey commissioned by The Clothes Show Live, 63% of women start thinking and researching their Christmas outfit three months in advance.^[2]
 

For a lot of people, meeting and interacting with others, attending Christmas parties and getting up close and personal are what nightmares are made of. Many have social anxieties and suffer from low self esteem, but with 25% of the population experiencing bad breath at some point in their lives, chatting up their latest crush or sharing a kiss under the mistletoe is out of the question for some individuals.
 

Oral malodour is a very personal problem and remains a social stigma that can influence an individual’s confidence and well-being considerably.  Unfortunately, with everything else to manage and consider, many people are more likely than ever to forget about their oral health over the festive season. Dashing around the shops, visiting friends and relatives and completing all the additional tasks associated with Christmas may keep them active, but they can become dehydrated and the saliva that helps to wash away bacteria becomes depleted. Additionally, over Christmas and New Year we are all subjected to an array of tempting food and drink that we may normally avoid, but grazing on sugary, fatty, rich foods as well as an increase in alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on the health of the oral cavity as well as the breath.

As well as advising patients to stay properly hydrated, dental professionals can help patients to remain healthy and confident with good oral health instructions, including the use of a daily deodorising mouth rinse and recommending a chewing a sugar free gum after eating. CB12 has developed a mouth rinse that can be used in the morning to prevent unpleasant breath for up to 12 hours, which is great news for patients during the festive season.

Practice Plan presents a round-up of news items published in the general media on dentistry in 2015, offering insight into the public’s perception of both NHS and private dentistry.

Build on your existing skills by gaining all the business knowledge and practical experience you need to be the best dental practice manager you can be.

Plus, earn a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification with the ILM Certificate in Leadership and Management.

With only 3- 4 classroom-based days, held at Barnet and Southgate College in London, you can even hone your skills while taking next to no time away from your practice.

The exciting two-year programme covers:

Human Resources / Patient Care / Clinical / Marketing / Risk Management / Quality Assurance / Finance and The Dental Industry

The next starting dates are:

18^th March 2016

13^th May 2016

1^st July 2016

Take the next step in your career and find out more about the

Trailblazer Management Apprenticeship today.

For more information or applications contact Barnet and Southgate College on 0208 266 4333 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wrights, an experienced and independent distributor, was proud to introduce Planmeca and its quality products to its range at the BDIA Dental Showcase 2015.

With a competitive edge in scientific knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of clinical workflows, the products from Planmeca have the potential to put your practice one step ahead of the rest.

Aesthetically pleasing, sophistically designed and outstandingly durable, Planmeca offers quality products including:

·         First class imaging software for all your imaging needs

·         Advanced CAD/CAM solutions

·         A wide range of 3D, 2D, panoramic and intraoral imaging devices

·         Innovative dental units

If you are looking for cutting-edge equipment at excellent prices with an efficient and reliable next day delivery service, the friendly and approachable staff at Wrights can help you, whatever your needs.

Interested? Contact Wrights now and find out what you are missing!

For more information contact Wrights on 0800668899 or visit the easy to navigate website www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

According to charity Addaction, 54% of men and 41% of women are expected to drink over the recommended guidelines at Christmas, and so it is important to raise our patients’ awareness of the increased potential for tooth damage at this time of year.

As we dental professionals know all too well, alcohol is acidic and therefore highly erosive, especially when consumed frequently, in large quantities over an extended period of time. It may also be that the high alcohol intake occasionally causes vomiting, which can exacerbate the damage to the dentition.

To help prevent tooth wear, advise patients to:

1. Drink still water or low fat milk between meals

2. Limit fruit juice to once per day

3. Avoid carbonated drinks

4. Swallow any acidic drinks immediately to reduce contact time with the teeth

5. Use a wide-bore straw to drink acidic drinks to limit the contact time with the teeth

6. Dilute and keep any acidic drinks chilled, as this reduces the damaging low pH potential

7. Rinse the mouth after acidic foods and drinks with water for 15-30 seconds to dilute any remaining acids

8. Snack on cheese or drink some milk following consumption of an acidic beverage

9. Wait at least an hour to brush teeth after consuming any acidic drinks

10. Use a toothpaste that is fluoridated to 1400ppm and low in abrasivity

12. Use a fluoridated mouthwash every day at a different time to tooth brushing, as well as before or after acidic drinks to help limit the erosive potential

12. Chew sugar-free gum, especially that containing xylitol, after drink to help neutralise the acidic environment in the mouth.

If you are concerned that any of your patients are showing signs tooth wear, simply visit www.toothwear.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7486 7180.

The third NHS Confidence Monitor survey is now live for all dental professionals to share their views. Its aim is to provide a better understanding of the profession’s confidence levels in NHS dentistry.

The preceding NHS Confidence Monitor, conducted in May and June of 2015, solicited over 300 responses from dentists across the UK. To reflect the profession’s growing interest in the NHS Confidence Monitor, this latest survey has been opened up to enable all members of the dental team to share their thoughts, providing a deeper and wider understanding of the whole profession’s perception of NHS dentistry.

As previously, the survey will monitor the profession’s confidence in:

•               The future of NHS dentistry as a whole

•               Future career prospects

•               Remuneration levels

•               Getting the balance of treatment versus prevention within the NHS right

•               The ability of the team to work effectively within the NHS

•               Whether patients will be happy with level of care provided.

In addition to widened access, the survey has increased in scope to explore a number of new topics. Those taking part are invited to respond to questions concerning their proposed age of retirement to gauge the possibility of a staffing crisis in the future, and whether they would feel happy encouraging a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry.

‘Finding out about team members’ retirement plans should offer an interesting insight into whether there might be a Provider crisis when it comes to asking dentists to sign up to a reformed NHS contract. In addition, asking whether one might encourage a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry really brings the overall mood of the profession into focus,’ remarked Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, a specialist in business advice and structures in healthcare and co-founder of Lockharts Solicitors.

Also commenting on the survey, Judith Husband, who sits on the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, said: ‘I think it is very important to understand the landscape of what is going on. That is why I believe the ongoing, enhanced NHS Confidence Monitor survey is so important and I would urge team members to have their say.

‘No one wants to stop positive progress – but, from the Government’s perspective, this should be in the context of open and honest debate and a willingness to listen to what we, as a profession, have to say. This is a great opportunity to help facilitate that dialogue.’

To take part in the latest NHS Confidence Monitor and share your thoughts, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PracticePlanNHSConfidencemonitor3 before the closing date of 31st January 2016. The survey should take approximately three minutes of your time.

Once the results of the latest survey have been independently verified, they will be presented to an ‘Insights Panel’ made up of key opinion leaders and experts from the dental profession who will explore and debate their significance and their implications for the future of NHS Dentistry. The panel’s findings will then be shared with dental professionals throughout the UK.

For detailed results from the last two surveys, as well as to gain access to the discussions from our previous Insights Panel meetings and interviews with our panel members, visit www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk.

While innovation and technological advancements will continue to play a key role in the development of dentistry, nurturing the future generation of dental professionals is equally as crucial.
 

As the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) understands the positive impact ingenuity and proactivity can have on a practice and on the profession, it is pleased to be welcoming back the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Bursary Awards in 2016. The ceremony will be held on the 18^th March at The Library at the Royal College of Surgeons.                                

With applications open until December 31^st 2015, there is still time for budding undergraduate students – including dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians – to enter their chosen category.

Covering the competencies of ethics, professionalism, scope of practice and communication, the ‘Skill mix in dentistry’ category focuses on ideas relating to teamwork and the use of skills in the dental setting. Alternatively, applicants can choose to enter the ‘Professionalism’ group. All they need to do is describe a time and situation in which professionalism and ethicality have been demonstrated for a chance to win.

With gold, silver and bronze bursary prizes available for both categories – offering £1,000, £750 and £250 respectively – all applications will be judged and awarded by an expert panel.

As Amardeep Singh Dhadwal, the Undergraduate (Professionalism) Gold Award Winner of 2015 comments, “I would definitely recommend other students to enter the competition next year; it is a great opportunity to discuss and consider what dentistry means to you and what you aspire to as a dental professional.”

Indeed, not only is the ADG Undergraduate Bursary Award 2016 an excellent opportunity for personal development in young professionals and a chance to earn the respect of their colleagues, but it is also beneficial to the future care of patients.

The ADG also recognises the talent and commitment of both postgraduate students and dentists with a dental degree undertaking postgraduate training. Offering a bursary of £5,000 to the winner, applications must detail a project to be executed within the UK – either to improve access for disadvantaged people or to build awareness on oral cancers and the need for early diagnosis – and must be implemented during 2016/17.

Although £2,500 of the award must be used to support the delivery of the project, the other half is very much a reward – and will be a well-deserved one at that. As Orna Ni Choileain, who was last year’s joint winner with Niall McGoldrick, highlights however, the bursary is much more than a cash prize. “When I found out we won the bursary, I had the perfect mixture of shock and excitement. It feels like a great achievement to have our work setting up the ‘Let’s Talk About Mouth Cancer’ charity recognised by other professionals on a national level.”

If you are thinking of applying or know somebody that is suitable for the award, contact the ADG today for more information. Who knows, it could be you?

For more information about the ADG visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk

On 25 November 2015, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne revealed the 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement. In the Summer Budget, Osborne declared it was time to become a country of higher wages, lower taxes and lower welfare. It would seem that the Review looks to reinforce this. However, how will this affect the dental profession, if at all?

Savings and Pensions

There are some aspects of the Autumn Statement that won’t affect dentists, but taxation on savings and pensions might. It is prudent to note that the band of savings income that is subject to the 0% starting rate will remain at £5,000 for 2016/2017 – a relevant point for those looking to achieve savings on tax through proactive mitigation.

In regards to individual savings accounts (ISAs), the limit will remain at £15,240. The Statement also announced that the list of qualifying investments for the new Finance ISA is to be extended in Autumn 2016 to include debt securities offered via crowdfunding platforms. As for the ISA savings of a deceased person, they will continue to benefit from ISA tax advantages during the administration of their estate.

The Review has also outlined plans to introduce legislation that will enable the pension tax rules on bridging pensions to be aligned with Department for Work and Pensions legislation. As for the pensions tax relief consultation that was launched in the Summer Budget 2015, the proposals will be published in the 2016 Budget.

Inheritance Tax

Another aspect of the Autumn Statement that might affect dentists is changes to inheritance tax (IHT). The Autumn Statement has revealed that inheritance tax rules are to be backdated to 2011 to prevent pension scheme members from being charged for inheritance tax if they don't drawdown their monetary funds before their death.

Buy-To-Let Scheme

For those looking to invest in additional properties, including buy to let properties and second homes, from 1 April 2016 they will have to pay an extra 3% in stamp duty. The money raised will be used to help those struggling to buy their first home. While this may be costly to some, it is certainly good news for the younger generation of dentists who are not yet on the property ladder. With announcements that a new Help to Buy equity loan scheme will lend 40% of the price of a home to those living in London, it is especially good news for those working and living in the capital.

Rent-A-Room Relief

Additionally, there has been an increase in rent-a-room relief, which is the amount of rental income that can be received tax-free by individuals renting a room or rooms in their main residence. From April 2016, the tax-free amount will be increased to £7,500 per annum.

Get Advice

All in all, the Autumn Statement was met with mixed reactions and certainly provides food for thought. For dentists specifically, there is much to be considered, but there is nothing that is especially concerning. If you are unsure what the Review might mean for you and your practice, it is always beneficial to seek out the advice of trusted financial professionals.

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

Denplan, the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, has welcomed George Osborne’s call for clearer dental pricing and treatment plans in HM Treasury’s “A Better Deal” report, which was published this week. 

The report stated that pricing for dentistry can be opaque and confusing and that the government wants to ensure that dentist treatment plans and price lists are clear and easily accessible, empowering patients in England to make the best choices.

Roger Matthews, Chief Dental Officer at Denplan said: “Clear communication between dentists and patients is fundamental in every dental practice, especially in regards to treatment plans and pricing. We strongly agree with the Chancellor’s statement in the report that all dental patients should have access to the information they need to make the right decisions about their dental care.

“Denplan encourages all member dental practices to build in enough discussion time with their patients to allow them to explain treatment options and any associated costs. Denplan is also a co-originator and signatory of the BDA Private Dental Plans Code of Practice. The code emphasises the need to provide patients with adequate information about the choices available, work with clear and fair contracts, ensure they understand the payment procedures for each option and, where appropriate, any on-going costs or exclusions, and have in place a system for dealing with complaints and feedback.”

Denplan has a range of support services available to its member dentists and this includes providing regular guidance and materials for practices to use. Roger Matthews continued:

“Denplan member practices are able to access a price list template to ensure they are following the General Dental Council’s standards which requires practices to display their price lists. Through a network of field-based consultants across the UK (supported by an office-based team), Denplan also works continually with member practices to provide business support, which includes helping practices to set their fees fairly.”

In a 2014 Denplan patient survey of over 8,800 patients, 90% said that Denplan allows them to budget for their dental care and treatment^*. Roger Matthews added: “We find that patients appreciate the clarity that comes with a dental payment plan as they prefer to know exactly what their dental care is going to cost each month without any unexpected bills.”

“Osborne’s report today should serve as a sharp reminder to all types of practices (NHS or private) on the requirement to provide patients with the most comprehensive information on treatment options and pricing. If greater transparency in this area helps patients make more informed choices about their dental care and oral health it can only be a positive step forward for dentistry.”

www.denplan.co.uk

*Your Denplan Survey Oct-Dec 2014. Total respondents: 8,802.

Turbo charge your Turnover
 

Website optimisation can be a cost effective and easily integrated marketing strategy for a dental practice to pursue. Practice owners need to spend time dedicated to the clinical aspects of a dental surgery, and this is where their expertise lie. However, this can result in the business side of the practice being neglected having detrimental effects on the revenue flow, so owners need to identify tactics that have maximum impact with minimal disruption on the care of their patients.

The internet has transformed the way in which businesses can communicate to both their current and potential patients. It is another channel that can be utilised to target specific groups with a tailored message that will resonate with their needs. Most UK dental practices have a website, even if it is not fully optimised, and there are a number of routes that a new patient can take to find it. The majority probably start from a well-known search engine and if a website has been designed effectively, it should have a high enough organic ranking to be featured in the first few search results.

However, many websites have to work proactively to acquire a prime position. One method is to pay for advertising. The advertisement needs to be carefully considered to ensure its effectiveness: concise, informative and intriguing. However, this does not guarantee a new patient, with the average conversion rate currently presenting at only 2.5%.  An important tip to increase sales conversion is to ensure that the landing page from the advertisement supports the message. If the landing page does not give the information that the patient requires at first glance, then the viewer is unlikely to spend any more time on that website. Also, it’s important that the potential new patient can easily make contact with the practice through simple forms of visual contact details. Even if the potential new patient does not convert following initial contact, this data can then be used to communicate with the ‘hot lead’ in the future.

With over a hundred years’ of experience across the team, Dental Elite can offer your practice a ‘Health Check’ and practical advice on how to achieve your objectives. Dental Elite will work with you to ensure the practice is optimising its revenue stream with view to maximising the valuation for when you come to sell. The Dental Elite directors have experience in marketing and Search Engine Optimisation and so these activities are at the core of the service offered.

Web site optimisation can be a powerful marketing tool to drive new patients to your practice, maximise their investment once there and increase the practice’s revenue stream. With just a few simple tactics applied online, the practice’s potential reach to new patients is enhanced with minimal disruption to clinical care.

For more information visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01788 545 900

Dedicated to providing first class customer service, Wrights, the independent distributor, continues to build upon the ever-growing reputation of what it can achieve and provide. Lisa Montague, Practice Manager of Hook Lane Dental Care in Welling, explains why Wrights has won her and her practice over.
 

Ever since our Wrights representative, Shilesh Jetha, first introduced himself to me two years ago, ordering within my practice has not been the same. Happy, friendly and communicative, we hit it off straight away.
 

He showed me price comparisons and potential offers compared to competitors. Since then Shilesh has price matched, or beaten, everything that he possibly can and he continues to ensure I get the very best deals available.
 

Since transferring a lot of our ordering to Wrights, I have sampled more and more products, which for the most part, have been exactly what we were looking for. Although we use Wrights mostly for the branded products, we have certainly seen an increase in our use of own brand products, now using the gloves for instance.
 

In the event of us not liking a specific product, Shilesh has always been very understanding, taking the feedback away and producing an alternative for us to try. What’s more, he always seems to get us a better deal, which is integral in an industry driven by price.
 

Although I do a weekly order, I probably speak to Shilesh most days! He is extremely helpful and accommodating, ensuring that products arrive next day delivery whenever possible.
 

Even though we are getting top brands for amazing prices, for me the customer service is what makes Wrights stand out from the rest. If I ring Shilesh with a problem or an issue, he deals with it straight away. As a very good problem solver, I always feel assured that I am getting an incredible service.
 

Ultimately, he is a perfect example of the kind of representative that Wrights need and do employ. Changing my perception and attitude to ordering, Shilesh has essentially acted as the catalyst for our move to Wrights. The products are great and the pricing is unmatched, but Wrights earn its reputation on the customer service alone.

As a result, I would definitely recommend Wrights, and have done so already to several practices.

For more information contact Wrights on 0800 66 88 99 or visit the easy to navigate website www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

The John Zamet Memorial Prize has been established to recognise and commemorate the significant contribution made to clinical periodontology by the late Dr John Zamet.
 

Dr Zamet was an Honorary Consultant and Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute, a Past President and Honorary Member of the British Society of Periodontology and the founder Chairman and a Trustee of the Alpha Omega London Chapter and Charitable Trust.

Applications are open to all UK-based postgraduate dental students studying for a Masters degree or PhD who are undertaking or who have recently completed original research associated with clinical periodontology.

The prize will be awarded every other year with a value of £2,000.

Applicants should submit a covering letter and an abstract not exceeding 1000 words which should, at least, cover the following areas:

1. Background to project?
2. Aims
?3. Methods?
4. Relevance to clinical periodontology
?5. Start and completion dates (estimated completion date will suffice if ongoing)

Three paper copies of the application should be submitted by 31st December 2015 to:

Professor Andrew Eder?Chairman, The Alpha Omega London Charitable Trust 2nd floor, 57a Wimpole Street, London W1G 8YP

And also sent electronically via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.?. The applicant must also submit a letter of support from their research supervisor confirming their supervision of the project. The submission will be considered by a panel of at least two Specialists in Periodontology of Professorial/Consultant status whose decision is final.

The successful applicant would normally be invited to present the results and/or clinical implications of the research at a meeting of the Alpha Omega London Chapter.

For a restorative that is suitable for everyday dentistry, try Filtek Z500 Universal Restorative from 3M ESPE.

Filtek Z500 has a multitude of benefits including good radiopacity[i] and light stability,[ii] high flexural strength,[iii] and low shrinkage.[iv] All of these factors add up to simple handling and durability, which is essential in the dental setting.

Not only that, Filtek Z500 Universal Restorative is available in eight universal and one opaque shade, so you can create beautiful restorations. The combination of this, along with the excellent polish retention,[v] makes Filtek Z500 your go-to product for aesthetic restorations.  

For a truly universal restorative, try Filtek Z500 from 3M ESPE today.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit www.3Mespe.co.uk

Dr. James Tinning of Pinfold Dental Practice, Cheshire took the London Inman Aligner hands-on training course.

“Following a seminar I attended presented by Tif Qureshi, I quickly realised that being able to offer patients the Inman Aligner system would be a great skill to add to my armamentarium.

“The course was excellent and very impressive – not only an informative and interesting day, but also a really enjoyable one as well. Instructors Tif Qureshi and James Russell were very professional and they were happy to spend time discussing potential cases.

“The appliance itself is very simple to use in practice and I have been able to use both the online support forum and help from NimroDENTAL laboratory to develop my knowledge of the Inman Aligner and treating more complex cases.

“I was impressed by the IAS academy hands-on training course and I would definitely recommend it to other colleagues.”

Committed to providing the highest quality of training and support, IAS Academy runs courses for the Inman Aligner, ClearSmile Aligners and ClearSmile Braces. To find out more, contact the team today.

For more information, go to www.iasortho.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0845 366 5477.

A review of the top five lenders on comparison website Moneysupermarket.com revealed they will not lend to newly self-employed dentists regardless of income. Chartered Financial Planners PFM Dental undertook the review and found that self-employed dentists without at least two years of accounts were barred from obtaining a mortgage.

Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental commented: "We based our review on a first-time buyer wishing to borrow £180,000 for a house purchase of £200,000. The majority of dental associates would easily afford the repayments and they have virtually guaranteed job security. The good news is that specialist dental advisers are aware of lenders happy to accept mortgage applications from newly qualified associates."

Around 1,000 dentists have now completed Foundation Training in the current academic year and the majority will start associate positions during August and September. The move to self-employment usually results in an immediate uplift in income, causing many dentists to think seriously about their first property purchase.

Jon Drysdale is an independent financial adviser for Chartered Financial Planners PFM Dental. He specialises in pension and wealth management advice exclusively for dentists.

For more information visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

The current refugee crisis in Syria has been brought to global prominence with the heart-breaking image of three year-old Aylan Kurdi, lifeless in the surf after a desperate, failed attempt with his family to flee his birthplace and strive for a better life in Europe.

The Washington Post summed up Aylan’s plight:

“…As refugees from the Islamic State and other turbulent parts of the world besiege Eurostar trains, crowd the French port of Calais, and die on the shores of Libya or in trucks in Austria, it’s clear that Aylan is just one of countless many[i].”

The tragedy of losing this little boy is the stark result of political upheaval, war and suffering in our neighbouring countries. These are ordinary people, like us, who have left behind families, jobs and homes they loved, due to dreadful circumstances way beyond their control. However, in trying to flee their nations, they risk losing their lives. In Syria, the crisis has reached monumental proportions – the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre states that half of the country’s 22 million population is either displaced within its borders or has fled overseas[ii].

European heads of government face the immediate and seemingly insurmountable task of accommodating thousands of desperate people arriving daily on flimsy dinghies at Greek shores. However, because communication lines are broken, it’s easy to forget that there are millions more displaced in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. Here, communities are torn apart by war, persecution and unimaginable misery and having fled their homes, still remain in their home countries.

The International Rescue Committee depicted the experience of displacement by documenting refugees’ possessions in photos as they arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos. One 17 year-old Afghan boy simply had a change of clothes (shorts, a t-shirt and lightweight trainers), a small amount of Turkish Lira, SIM cards, a comb, bandages and, shamefully, face whitening cream and hair gel. He thought that by whitening his skin and spiking up his hair, the authorities wouldn’t know he’s a refugee and therefore, he wouldn’t be arrested[iii].

Can any of us really appreciate what it is like to be driven from home in a matter of hours, to then have your last remaining valuables stolen at checkpoints before another fifty-mile trek to relative safety? This is a typical experience relayed to Cardinal Vincent Nichols (Archbishop of Westminster) when he met displaced Christians living in makeshift camps in Erbil, Iraq, seeking refuge from ISIS violence. He is at pains to emphasise that it is crucial for these people in order to preserve their dignity by giving them a home, however makeshift and temporary it may be[iv].

Thankfully, this fate is extremely unlikely to beset those of us living in Europe, which is why we are in a position to help. Whilst David Cameron, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin thrash out the political complexities within war-torn countries, the average person reflects, shelving the minutiae of day-to-day life to consider how their actions can make a difference.

Cardinal Nichols touched upon a very human element intrinsic to each and every one of the millions of displaced and resettling people around the world – the preservation of dignity is not only humane, it’s imperative. So, it follows that all of the items supplied to those in need have enormous value, however big and however small. In stable countries, everyday items including toiletries and oral health adjuncts are just taken for granted. But, what would it be like if we had no means to access those products for ourselves, if we no longer had the freedom to cater for the daily routines to which we’re accustomed?

The Humble Smile Foundation and Humble Brush teams are dedicated to providing eco friendly, sustainable, efficient toothbrushes wherever peoples’ needs are the greatest. There can be no argument that the displaced, in many cases only possessing the clothes on their backs, have needs that reach far beyond the imagination. In support of the work the charity Assyrians Without Borders undertakes, aiming to assess the mental health, understand the trauma and address health conditions for refugees both in Northern Iraq, Syria and Turkey, the Humble Smile Foundation has donated over 100,000 toothbrushes. Of course, oral care is just one example of the unending building blocks involved in establishing some semblance of normality.

The non-profit Humble Smile Foundation gives a toothbrush or equivalent oral care to an underprivileged child for every sale of a Humble Brush, made from biodegradable natural bamboo. It’s well documented that taking care of our teeth and gums assists in our general wellbeing. Whether the recipients of these brushes are living in basic refugee camps or in remote parts of our world with no access to dental assistance, nurturing their teeth is a good place to start with bettering their lives.

Humble Brush is now available in the UK and Ireland. For more information please visit www.humblebrush.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0286 862 8880.

To order please contact the exclusive distributor Quintess Denta www.quintesshumblebrush.co.uk

Follow us on social media:

@HumbleBrush and www.facebook.com/humblebrushuk

The Christmas countdown is upon us, and the boxes on the calendar will be ticked off leading up to the season of fun and festivities. Whilst this is exciting for many, it can be a daunting time for some.

This holiday season, some will struggle to put food on the table and pay their bills, let alone buy presents and indulge in festive treats. Indeed, the number of Britons expected to borrow money for basic living this Christmas could be high as 21%.[i]

The country is also experiencing an increase in the use of food banks, with 2014-2015 statistics showing a 19% rise since last year,[ii] and it is thought that 2,744 are sleeping rough on any one night. [iii] Poverty, perhaps, is closer to home than we thought.

Needing help

Despite advancements in technology and the implementation of ergonomic friendly products within surgeries, work-related illness and injury remains the biggest cause of financial struggle. Figures from 2013/2014 show that 1.2 million working people were affected by this and as a result 28.2 million working days were lost.[iv]

Accidents, bereavement, stress, addiction, marital problems and mental health are other possible factors that unsettle financial stability, impacting everyone from dentists to their dependants, friends and colleagues.

A helping hand

In times of hardship help can come in many forms; a shoulder to lean on can sometimes be enough. But for many, financial aid is required for food and clothing, bills and mortgage payments, nursing home fees and even funeral costs.

Although the Summer Budget 2015 recently made cuts, benefits are still available up to a possible £23,000 in London and £20,000 in the rest of the UK.[v] Yet, research has shown that some people are too embarrassed to seek help and as much as £19 billion in state benefits can go unclaimed each year.[vi]

At some point or another most of us need help, which is why the BDA Benevolent Fund works to provide support to any registered UK dentist in financial need. With help from other professionals, regular donations and gift aid, the Fund provides one-off or regular grants to those who need it most. The difference that this can make at any time, let alone Christmas, is immeasurable.

A donation can help someone in need and make their Christmas worth celebrating.

Thank you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

With SonicFill, Kerr provided clinicians with THE fast and easy composite filling system for posterior restorations.

And now there’s SonicFill 2, which enables clinicians to perform posterior restorations with an easy-to-use, one-step procedure that provides everything you need for reliable bulk filling: the adaptation of a flowable during placement, a high depth-of-cure, low polymerisation shrinkage stress, and the strength and aesthetics you would expect from a posterior restorative.

SonicFill 2’s composite incorporates a highly-filled proprietary resin with special modifiers that react to sonic energy. As sonic energy is applied through the handpiece, the modifier causes the viscosity to drop (up to 84%), increasing the flowability of the composite, enabling quick placement and precise adaptation to the cavity walls. When the sonic energy is stopped, the composite returns to a more viscous, non-slumping state that is perfect for carving and contouring.

The result is:

• No voids, gaps or seams

• Excellent marginal integrity

• Outstanding adaptation to cavity surfaces

• High depth of cure

• Excellent strength, polishability and wear resistance

• Low sensitivity to ambient light.

SonicFill’s technology is unlike any other composite material on the market. To experience why for yourself, please call 01733 892292, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.kerrdental.co.uk.

Kerr’s team knows that direct procedures require multiple technological solutions. That’s why we have created a robust family of universal composites with a variety of different handling characteristics and property values.

Take, for example, Herculite™ XRV Ultra Flow, a medium viscosity light cure nanohybrid resin restorative that combines the long-standing expertise of the Herculite brand with an innovative flowable composite.

Formulated with Kerr’s rheological expertise, Herculite XRV Ultra Flow, thanks to its Smart Placement Technology, is able to flow easily when used as a base/liner and maintain its shape when used in small restorations.

Other features include:

• Outstanding flexural strength

• Low shrinkage

• Easy polishability

• Excellent gloss retention.

The Herculite XRV Ultra range offers the best of both worlds – strength and aesthetics – to give you long-lasting, beautiful restorations.

For further information, please call 01733 892292, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.kerrdental.co.uk.

Dr Darshak Amin from Dentistree @ Horley has been referring implant patients to Ten Dental for approximately seven years: “The team at Ten Dental are always prompt, professional and provide correspondence every step of the way.

“Patients continue to be impressed with the service they receive at Ten Dental and feel reassured that their own dentist is involved in the treatment.

“Martin Wanendeya and Nik Sisodia at Ten Dental have a vast amount of experience in their speciality fields, especially implants, which means that I know my patients will be treated professionally, in a caring environment and to a world-class standard. In short, it gives me the piece of mind that my patients will receive the best care possible.”

Contact the knowledgeable team today to find out more about the comprehensive and personable implant referral service Ten Dental can offer your patients.

For more information about Ten Dental and The Implant Restoration Course visit Facebook/Implant Restoration Course-IRC, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit www.implant-restoration.com or call 020 7622 7610

How confident a person feels during a particular situation or activity depends upon numerous elements and beliefs. And, everyone is different with varying levels of awareness, as well as divergent and personal areas of importance. Confidence is something that cannot be precisely measured, however, most people are likely to respond favourably to success and accomplishment. Equally, when an individual is involved in the achievements of another it can also boost confidence, particularly if that person is in a familiar situation or has similar values or goals to their own.
 

Dental professionals will be aware of the importance of building confidence in members of the dental team, nurturing skills and talents and assisting each other. This is an area of familiarity, of mutual benefit, where challenges can be shared and overcome collectively. When this is accomplished well, it extends to the patients visiting the practice, increasing their confidence in the qualities and proficiency of the people that work there.
 

For many individuals, personal achievement influences their levels of confidence. Some feel self-assured by their level of fitness or sporting prowess, financial position, social status or occupational accomplishment, for others it is their academic ability, knowledge or skills. Conversely, a person’s confidence can be significantly influenced by their appearance or how they believe others perceive them.
 

Decades of studies have demonstrated that people, in particular women, are bombarded with images of unrealistic beauty that have resulted in unhappiness, anxiety, low self-esteem and low body confidence.[i] The compounding affect of negative body satisfaction has been shown to be a contributory factor in poor mental wellbeing[ii], eating disorders, obesity[iii] and risky behaviour in relation to drugs, smoking and sex.[iv]
 

Although only 32% of adults[v] agree with the statement: ‘your value depends on how you look’, many individuals become devoted consumers of products, programmes and procedures to improve their appearance and indeed their confidence. Fundamentally, many people overlook the value of more cost effective strategies and the impact and importance of good overall health.
 

For example it is believed that physical activity can improve self-esteem and self acceptance, indeed when a person enjoys the exercise they engage in, they are more likely to continue, and garner positive psychological effects.[vi]
 

As we know, the health of the mouth is crucial to overall health and visits to the dental practice can also help people to gain confidence. Patients are able to improve their smile, access safe cosmetic and tooth whitening procedures as well as essential oral health instruction and advice. Certainly, for some patients, conditions requiring orthodontic or cosmetic intervention can impact on issues of self-esteem and confidence. The British Orthodontic Society, in their Guidelines for Referrals for Orthodontic Treatment[vii] note improvement in dental and facial aesthetics often results “in improved self-esteem and other psycho-social aspects of the individual.”
 

In addition, no matter how healthy or satisfied some people may feel, they still could have feelings of uncertainty or concern about their breath. Interestingly it was recently revealed that nearly 40 per cent of people worry about their mouth once a day[viii]. Believed to affect around 25% of the entire population oral malodour be an exasperating and sometimes debilitating condition. In a seven-year Swiss study, halitosis was found to bring about inhibition, insecurity, withdrawal and reduced social contact to chronic sufferers.[ix]
 

Maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular dental checks and treatment when necessary will have a significant effect but practitioners can also annul any worries by encouraging patients to use an effective daily oral deodorant such as CB12 mouth rinse.  By recommending CB12, practitioners can offer a reliable way of keeping the breath fresh, as it has been proven to work better than 18 other leading mouthwash brands. CB12 is able to target and neutralise all three odour-causing Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSCs)[x] that cause oral malodour and continue to ensure first class breath for 12 hours. Not only can patients feel confident about their breath but practitioners can also feel empowered by recommending a clinically proven solution to the problem.
 

When dental professionals feel appreciated for their skills, advice and contributions they are likely to feel more self-assured about their abilities and enhance their team’s performance. If it is possible to successfully resolve a condition such as unpleasant breath, the rewards are far reaching both physically and psychologically. In turn, this confidence and empowerment has a reciprocal effect that extends positively to colleagues and patients.

For more information about CB12 and how it could benefit your patients, please visit www.cb12.com

As with any business, it is essential to have a well-thought-out marketing plan that will allow you to attract, capture and retain patients. Customer value optimisation (CVO) is one system that can be applied to dental practices to aid success. Consisting of seven steps, it can significantly simplify the process and help your practice to grow and prosper.

Step 1: Determine product/ market fit

Dentistry is a well-established sector that will continually be required by patients of all ages. However, it is important to choose the correct product or service for the market. If, for example, you are looking to offer a new orthodontic product or service in your practice, it is worth researching whether the market for the product will be sustainable.

Step 2: Choose a traffic source

Attracting interest from potential patients online will greatly optimise your chances of acquiring new clients, selling more products and services and increasing the frequency of sales.

With a number of options to choose from, it is best to focus on one traffic source, then once mastered add a second and third. The goal throughout is to drive prospects into the CVO funnel. This begins with the lead magnet.

Step 3: Offer a lead magnet

The lead magnet prompts a transaction of information by offering an irresistible bribe that gives a specific chunk of value to a prospect patient in exchange for their contact information. With the lead magnet at the very top of the CVO funnel, increasing opt-ins here will pay dividends throughout the rest of the system and allow you to provide more tripwire offers.

Step 4: Offer a tripwire

Tripwire offers are made to potential patients that have displayed interest through the lead magnet. The main aim of a tripwire is to change the relationship from prospect to customer through offers that individuals are unable to resist.

Step 5: Offer a core product

The core offer relates to your flagship product or service, perhaps implants, orthodontic or whitening treatment. In some cases, the core offer will be profitable, but it does not have to be. If you follow through on the CVO process, you could take everything you make from the core offer and reinvest it to acquire more patients.

Step 6: Offer a profit maximiser

The profit maximiser increases the average transaction value per customer. Through an upsell or cross-sell, patients will spend more during one transaction.

Step 7: Create the return path

The final way to grow your practice is to increase the number of transactions per customer. Having gained their contact information through the initial lead magnet, you will have the ability to continue marketing, offering them new lead magnets, tripwires, core offers and profit maximisers.

Effective email marketing is one way to maintain communication with patients and increase transaction frequency. The experts at 7connections have recently developed AIM – Automated Intelligent Marketing – specifically for small dental practices. Based on proven strategies, such as CVO, AIM can help your practice to reap the rewards of a clear and well-thought-out marketing plan.

Successful marketing systems can enhance a business and allow you to make the most of opportunities. Increase patient numbers, enhance the average transaction value per client and raise the number of transactions per patient with a well-thought-out marketing solution.

For more information about 7connections, please call 01647 478145 or email pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Alternatively, please visit the new website www.7connections.com.

In dentistry what you can see greatly affects what you can treat. By embracing the latest magnification and visualisation technology, such as the Carl Zeiss OPMI Pico dental microscope, your practice will see countless benefits and be able to treat so much more.

Available in the UK from Nuview, the OPMI Pico incorporates the latest video and ‘live streaming’ technology, allowing you to record examinations and treatments in HD. The innovative camera options available facilitate excellent patient consultation and documentation and provide a fantastic tool for education and communication for the whole dental team.

The compact, high performing and easy-to-use OPMI Pico offers solid, ergonomic support for the most demanding of applications – whether in restorative dentistry, endodontics, implantology or periodontics. It is also available with a Varioskop objective lens that allows you to adjust the focal length to focus on virtually any image detail without leaving your preferred working position.

To find out more about the Carl Zeiss OPMI Pico contact Nuview today.      

For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266,

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

When it comes to making your practice fit for the challenges of modern dentistry, Tavom UK will make your ideas a reality.

The beautiful, bespoke furniture looks contemporary and is built to last. You will be providing your team with an efficient comfortable place to work in, which will boost morale, reduce stress and impress your patients.

Tavom UK’s design service will allow you to see all the furniture in situ before you complete your purchase. The team will find a solution to make the most of your space and create a clean, streamlined environment.

If you want to allow for future expansion, Tavom UK’s experts will build this flexibility into your design. With excellent customer service from a team who will always go the extra mile, contact Tavom UK today and find out why it always pays to invest in quality.

To see how Tavom can transform your dental practice, call 0870 752 1121 or visit the Tavom UK website www.tavomuk.com

Dr Prash Patel from Beech Lane Dental has been working with Ten Dental and in particular Nik Sisodia for about five years. Commenting on his association with the Ten Dental team, Dr Patel said:

“They are absolutely fantastic. Nik is approachable, extremely professional and great with the patients. His help and advice on placing implants and restoration has been invaluable.

“Nik comes directly to the practice and has an innate ability to know how much to push me so that I continue to improve, and he always has time for my questions. I would feel comfortable and confident referring any of my patients to Ten Dental, as they always put the patient first and their communication is excellent.

“Our patients have all been extremely happy with the results and the service they receive. Nik is highly qualified and very relaxed with the patients, which has a positive effect on their experience.”

For more information about Ten Dental and The Implant Restoration Course visit Facebook/Implant Restoration Course-IRC, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit www.implant-restoration.com or call 020 7622 7610

Carl Zeiss’ expertly-crafted range of loupes, exclusively available in the UK from Nuview, offer high quality optics that allow for clearer visualisation and enhanced clinical results.

Dr Andrew Bolam is an associate dentist at Bancroft Dentistry in Hitchin, he uses the EyeMag Pro F loupes in his practice and says:

“The loupes have been fantastic. Before buying them I tested all the available options and definitely thought that these were the best in the field. For quality of magnification they were far superior to all the other loupes I tried.

 “The benefits are incredible. I didn't initially use them for examinations, primarily for restorative treatment; but now I use them for everything. You can see so much more and the quality of my work is definitely improving.

“I would certainly recommend Nuview and the Carl Zeiss EyeMag Pro F loupes to other practitioners.”

For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266,

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

Adopting preventive measures in your practice is essential to help patients achieve optimum oral health. Fissure sealants can be particularly beneficial, especially in young children who require extra protection against caries.[i]

Clinpro Fissure Sealant from 3M ESPE can provide this vital protection[ii] while offering you a convenient direct delivery syringe for simple application. Not only that, the low viscosity allows it to flow easily into pits and fissures.

Clinpro Fissure sealant also utilises  colour change technology to allow for easy placement.[iii] Clinpro Fissure sealant isPink when applied and changes to an opaque white once exposed to light, leaving a layor of invisible protection.

For a truly preventive and protective solution try Clinpro Fissure Sealant from 3M ESPE today.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit www.3Mespe.co.uk

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, delivered his Autumn Statement and Spending Review today. There were items of interest to dentists as Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental explains.

Business rates

By the end of this parliament, local government will keep business rates revenue. Elected mayors will, subject to certain conditions, be allowed to raise business rates as the uniform rate is abolished.

Apprenticeship levy

A levy of 0.5% of employers’ wage bill is to be introduced in April 2017 but will affect less than 2% of UK employers.

Pensions

People collecting the new state pension from April 2016 will receive £155.65 per week.

Tax relief on pension contributions could be subject to further change and a decision was expected today but now seems to have been delayed until the Budget next March.

Buy to let and second homes

From 1 April 2016 people purchasing buy to let properties and second homes will pay an extra 3% in stamp duty.

Comment

Jon Drysdale, an independent financial adviser from Chartered Financial planners PFM Dental, says: “After much speculation, prediction and guesswork the Chancellor delivered a fairly benign Autumn Statement. There was little to worry high earners and dentists will be relieved that income tax rates remain unchanged. For once, pensions remain off the agenda, probably in anticipation of the consultation (underway) Osborne announced in the last Budget. This is due to report in 2016 - watch this space.”

For more information visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

Luisa Roncoroni shares with readers the benefits of using Demi Ultra LED curing light in practice.

A curing light should be ready to go when you need it, even if you forgot to charge the battery the night before. You need your curing light to work while the patient is in the chair, and with the cordless curing lights that run on batteries that kind of availability can be a challenge.

Shining a light on technology

Demi Ultra solves this issue; it’s available at all times. Instead of using batteries, we created the U-40 ultracapacitor, enabling Demi Ultra to re-energise in fewer than 40 seconds.

The ultracapacitor maintains energy capacity over time and lasts eight times longer than a battery. It will last for the life of the light, and you don’t have to worry about battery performance, buying a new battery or charging it for long periods of time. What’s more, if you do leave it on the charger it won’t shorten the lifespan, as with other curing lights.

Then there’s our C.U.R.E. (curing uniformity and reduced energy) technology that allows Demi Ultra to deliver uniform depth of cure rapidly, combined with industry-leading low temperatures. Many curing lights have LEDs in the handpiece, generating light that travels down a glass light guide. That’s inefficient, and you lose 50% of the output. So we moved the LEDs to the tip to avoid all that waste.

That’s how we can create the same output with half the energy, and that means less heat for the patient.

In addition, we recognise that a glass light guide blends light, so you do lose that effect a little when you put the LEDs in the tip. To counteract this loss we’ve added a Total Internal Reflector (TIR) lens. It’s like a prism and it blends the light at the tip, so it radiates as a more uniform beam, which means you’re getting a uniform cure with less heat.

Another important aspect of the Demi Ultra is that it is fully sealed. We didn’t want to sacrifice ergonomics; we knew we needed to keep the handpiece lightweight but that we still needed to protect its electric components from being damaged by fluids. We ended up with a frame that is made of metal and plastic that fits together to seal the handpiece completely without sacrificing the weight or handling.

Demi Ultra also offer peace of mind in the form of a radiometer built into the charging dock. The radiometer instantly communicates charging output and lets dentists know if they need to clean the tip before curing.

The user interface is another great feature. We wanted to keep it very simple, so we have one mode and three curing durations. You turn it on and it’s ready to go. We also have a silent mode feature, which many people appreciate.

Demi Ultra in practice

In practical terms, with Demi Ultra the dentist and staff have one less thing to worry about. They can focus on completing their restorations without fretting about whether the lamp is charged sufficiently to complete the case. Always ready, the team doesn’t have to worry about whether someone charged the light overnight. They don’t have to buy new batteries or worry about battery/energy degradation in the light. It’s efficient all life long. Thanks to CURE technology, the dentist can rest assured that consistent uniform depth of curing is being delivered while minimising the amount of heat on the tooth. And all of this is without any risk of thermal shutdown.

As for the patient, the result is reduced incidence of pulpal inflammation, which could cause extended post-op sensitivity and is often blamed on other aspects of the restoration. This will therefore reduce the risk of re-treatments.

Guaranteed for success

Demi Ultra, like our Demi Plus, has a 3-year standard warranty from the date of purchase. If a unit goes wrong, customers can report the issue to a Kerr representative or their dealer and we will put in place all the necessary steps to have the issue fixed quickly.

What is unique in the market is that Kerr offers an additional opportunity; at the time the dentist purchase a Demi Ultra, (s)he may elect to take advantage of an extended 2-year warranty and ‘accidental damage from handling’ coverage. This gives the dentist the peace of mind that their investment and budget are protected from the stresses of unexpected expenses.

Making the right choice

The choice of curing light is crucial, as well as its maintenance and the operator’s technique.

What we have experienced is that dentists are not always giving sufficient weight to the ‘curing step’, which converts into a high number of restoration failures.

The dentist also needs to be aware that a poor distribution of energy may result in inadequate depth polymerisation. They should look at the irradiance values carefully, which are sometimes misleading if not ‘correctly sized’ to the tip area.

As for budget lamps, they are not always the right solution for the job. Some don’t even conform to electrical or safety regulations, for example. The truth is that minimising the expense may lead to failure. Instead a dentist should invest in success!

And while dentists do that, we are fully invested in listening to our customers. Since its launch in September 2013, we have been collecting feedback and suggestions on how to improve Demi Ultra. All of these comments are collected and passed on to the development team, which is surely actively working to improve the lamp, so watch this space! 

-ends

Luisa Roncoroni joined Kerr three years ago as the Product Manager for Prevention across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Since then she has also taken on responsibility for the company’s curing lights, including working on the launch of Demi Ultra.

‘With Demi Ultra, heat development towards the end of a complex restoration is considerably reduced compared to everything I have used in the past.’

Dr Alex Kottenhahn, UK

 ‘No more worries with discharged batteries, because Demi Ultra is fully charged in less than 40 seconds! It is ideal for a busy practice.’

Dr Filip Keulemans, Belgium

‘The working intensity at the light tip is as good today as when we first started using Demi Ultra, providing us with confidence of good depth of cure at each use.’

Dr Michael Evans, UK

‘There are no problems with curing times and the quick charge-up is excellent. The design is great; we can get right back to tube the 7s during orthodontic procedures.’

Theresa Morgan, senior dental nurse, UK

To discover more about Demi Ultra, please visit www.demiultra.eu, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01733 892292.

Orthopantograms, or OPGs, have many benefits and a huge number of uses. They are especially useful in the treatment and care of elderly patients, who will be a huge proportion of your caseload if not now, but in the future.
 

OPGs are a powerful tool to have at your disposal. They can give you information on periodontal bone loss, help find the source of pain, assist with the correct placement of implants and much more. Digital OPGs mean fewer repeat scans are needed, so less time and cost required, and also less exposure to radiation. Patients can usually understand a panoramic image more easily and they can be emailed to colleagues effortlessly.

These images are also invaluable when dealing with challenging cases, such as elderly patients. The number of older patients you will be treating in the future is growing – and fast. In 2012, the BDA published a review of its 2003 Oral Healthcare for Older People report[1] which concluded that the ageing population was growing faster than had been originally predicted.

OPG scans are quick and comfortable. The detail means that you will be able to anticipate future complications.  Caries, periodontal disease and recession of the gingiva can have devastating consequences as a patient gets older and can lead to life-threatening complications, such as cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Type-2 diabetes generally affects people over the age of 40, and oral health is a key component of diabetes management, so it’s a two-way relationship. If a patient has type-2 diabetes, they are also more likely to develop gingivitis, caries and xerostomia, too.[2]

Setting up an OPG scan is quick, and OPGs can be used comfortably for elderly people who cannot open their mouths wide. Patients are usually asked to bite down on a spatula for about a minute while the machine moves around the head. A detailed, informative scan that won’t have to repeated and is easily explained will help you move forward with implementing an effective treatment plan with confidence.

If you do not have OPG technology, look carefully for the right referral partner. Work with a practice that not only has the latest OPG equipment in place, but that employs clinicians who can be trusted to work sensitively with older people and other vulnerable groups. The London Smile Clinic takes referrals, for example, and will meet all of these needs with ease and professionalism.

OPGs will help you deal with the enormous challenges ahead as you treat more elderly and vulnerable people. With a saturated market, and expensive technology that is developing fast, you don’t have to invest in new equipment. Referring out can be the perfect solution to provide the highest-quality care for these patient groups now, and in the future.
 

For more information, please contact The London Smile Clinic on 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londonsmile.co.uk.

In June, Bridge2Aid sent two teams of UK dental volunteers to deliver emergency dental training in two new parts of rural Tanzania.
 

June also saw Bridge2Aid complete their 71^st training programme, meaning that they have now trained 369 rural health workers in emergency dental care. This sustainable model means that once the UK volunteers have left the country the health workers are able to continue treating their local communities for years to come.
 

The first area where training was delivered was Morogoro which is one of the poorest and most densely populated parts of Tanzania.  Most of the inhabitants are subsistence farmers who rely heavily on the surrounding forests for timber, medicinal plants and fuel. The other location was Pangani in the north-east of the country, bordered by Kenya and the Indian Ocean.
 

There is a desperate need to tackle oral disease, infection and chronic pain in communities throughout the developing world – to enable people to work, attend school and care for their families.  Bridge2Aid works hard to deliver the necessary skills in these communities so that local people are able to function free from pain, and avoid the risk of preventable infections and diseases.

If you would like to get involved, either by volunteering or donating to help fund this vital training, please visit Bridge2Aid’s website here (www.bridge2aid.org)

On average, there are approximately 6,000 employment tribunals being presented each month in this country. In dentistry, we see a large volume of cases in which practice principals have failed to issue their staff with proper employment contracts. Despite the fact that the provision of such contracts has been a statutory requirement since 1978, there are still many practices that fail to do so – why this should be the case is hard to determine, but it is indicative of an attitude that fails to recognise the importance of the staff. 

Failing to provide employment contracts to any member of your team is not only a breach of statutory requirement, it can also leave practice owners vulnerable should there be dispute with a member of staff. For example, without an employment contract, there is no clear procedure for staff holidays, sick pay, overtime of discipline.

It is also quite likely that if a tribunal comes across a case where an employer has not provided a contract, they are likely to sympathise with the employee’s position. Thus, the lack of a contract can actually jeopardise the chances of successfully defending against such proceedings.

But by including a clause in an employment contract, that defines the procedures that will be followed in all aspects of work within your practice, you will be suitably protected.

To reinforce this, it is also prudent to supply a comprehensive staff handbook. This must be bespoke to your dental practice and will expand upon the terms detailed in the employment contract, focussing on specific circumstances that may be unique to you and your team. Of course, it must be regularly updated to reflect new legislation and practice changes, and it is absolutely vital to include a thorough introduction to the handbook in any staff inductions.

Ultimately there are two reasons to invest yourself in a comprehensive handbook like this. Firstly, you will be able to significantly reduce the chances of becoming embroiled in a dispute and being taken to a tribunal. The second is that your business will come across as professional, serious, fair and competent.

Of course, these precautions are not guaranteed to stop all staff misconduct, but they do provide an efficient safety-net to fall back on if matters turn nasty. What’s more, it will promote staff happiness, because they will feel protected and valued – and, of course, happy staff should equal happy patients.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists - a NASDAL member

For more information call John Grant on 0113 834 3705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

A NASDAL and ASPD MEMBER

How can the intervention of robots possibly make orthodontic treatment more personal and precise – especially when the robots are overseas? Orthodontic specialist Asif Chatoo knows from experience that they do.

The founder of the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, the UK’s first orthodontic practice dedicated to lingual braces, he has treated around 250 patients over two years with the groundbreaking Suresmile software. His clinic is one of only 3 centres in the world dedicated to lingual using Suresmile for lingual braces.

What’s unusual about Suresmile is the use of robots for the bending of wires. Needless to say, Asif sends a prescription to the robot, precise to a fraction of a millimetre because he has planned the treatment according to the software’s 3D design function.

Asif builds up the 3D digital image of the patient’s teeth using a small optical scanner about the size of an electric toothbrush. Assisted by a mirror, it takes thousands of pictures in just a few seconds to create the digital record of the teeth and their roots. These are integrated with X-rays and photographs so that every detail of every tooth is recorded.

He said: “With digital technology, you get so much detail. From the moment treatment starts, I know how the teeth will move and what will happen at each stage.”

Patients appreciate the software too, he says, because he can explain how the brackets and wires will work and the patient can visualise their smile at the end of the treatment. This gives the patient the opportunity to be part of the planning.

It’s not uncommon, says Asif, for patients to ask for small variations as the treatment nears its end. “This isn’t a problem. Being able to design custom made wires gives me the ability to finesse the final tooth movements to achieve exactly what the patient and referring dentist want. In other words, the digital software gives me control, freedom and flexibility.”

The Suresmile system was created by Orametrix which has its head office in Dallas, USA as well as offices in Germany with robots in both locations. It’s one of several lingual systems that Asif uses so he can offer patients a range of options. He has recently started providing bespoke aligners for mild treatments. These plastic aligners are designed by Asif and printed on a 3D printer.

The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic was established by Asif 10 years ago with Didier Fillion as an associate. Asif is the only UK orthodontist to be accredited by both the World and European Societies of Orthodontics He is the current Secretary of the European Society of Lingual Orthodontics and a founder member of the British Lingual Orthodontic Society.

For more information, contact Caroline Holland on 020 8679 9595/07974 731396

Our personalities show individual differences in behaviour, feeling and thinking. We are all unique and some of us are extrovert and some introvert, but a mix of personalities can be very useful in the dental practice.

A blend of both social and analytical skills is required for a successful dental team. For example some dental professionals may feel shy around patients but excel in clinical tasks or organisation. Others may have a warm chair-side manner and are able to put patients at ease instantly, but may struggle with elements such as keeping records or ordering supplies. There are many elements that go into team chemistry and performance, which frequently fluctuate and coexist at varying levels.

The diversity of patients that visit the practice is also an eclectic mix of personalities that may act very differently at the dental surgery. Some enjoy meeting people, having a chat and telling the dental team about many facets of their lives. Others prefer to remain quiet and simply want to get in and out. Some patients are able to cope with all types of treatments without worry while others can become very anxious. Indeed, national surveys reveal that around 36% of patients experience moderate dental anxiety and 12% of adults are classified as having extreme dental anxiety.[1] It is the role of the dental professional to evaluate how patients feel and behave and to conduct their service accordingly.

Of course it is impossible to understand all personalities but it is important to remember that everyone is different. Even the most shy or fearful patients attend dental check ups while battling with a whole host of anxieties. In all cases empathy is needed with a non-judgemental, kind and gentle approach, the dental team need to be able to assess the reactions of their patients and adapt in order to provide the most appropriate care.

Sometimes in order to achieve the best results and to keep the interests of a patient at the forefront, it may be necessary to refer them to a specialist practice. However, the referral practice needs to work well alongside your practice to ensure good communication and successful results. With patient care a priority, when you choose a referral practice you need to feel confident that their team have the ability and skills to treat your patients whilst also fitting in well with the personalities and characteristics of you and your dental team.

London Smile Clinic is a referral practice with a team of specialist dental practitioners that are experienced in liaising successfully with dental professionals on all levels. They understand the variances of personality and provide open communication, trust and confidence to both practitioners and their patients. As a centre of excellence with exceptionally high standards of clinical dentistry, London Smile Clinic can offer a range of specialist orthodontics, implants and periodontal treatments and can consistently extend a professional and considerate approach to all patients.

You may not always be able to work with perfect people but recognising their strengths is a valuable step to building a well-rounded team of people that will not only streamline operations but also help you to achieve the most favourable results for your patients.

For more information, please contact the London Smile Clinic on 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londonsmile.co.uk.

By listening to the right advice, and being organised, purchasing your first property is an achievable goal. At the beginning of your dental career, when you have begun to put down roots in a practice, buying your own property will be the next obvious step. Of course, there will always be issues in the wider economy that may complicate the process, but it is always possible to overcome these.

One-hundred per cent mortgages are almost obsolete nowadays and the chances of them coming back are slim indeed. Low-deposit mortgages are still out there, and there are schemes you may not know about that can help of which you may be unaware. For example, the Government offers Help to Buy equity loans schemes, which are available to first-time buyers on newly built homes in England. You will need to contribute 5% of the property price while the Government provides a further 20% and then a mortgage covers the rest.

However, even with a low-deposit mortgage, your savings may not be enough. Many first-time buyers ask their family for help, but it is always prudent to document the arrangement thoroughly so everyone knows where they stand. The bigger the deposit you have acquired, the more options you will be offered. When you are looking at your savings, or when you are planning out how much you will need to save, you must not overlook all of the additional costs incurred when buying a property, such as mortgage arrangement fees and stamp duty.

In the current financial market, first-time buyers might benefit from a fixed-rate mortgage. With the Bank of England set to increase the base rate in 2016, anyone on a tracker mortgage will see monthly repayments go up. And with interest rates predicted to rise, if you are on a variable rate mortgage, you may find yourself struggling with repayments. One of the advantages of fixed-rate mortgages is peace of mind. You have no idea how your financial priorities may change over the next few years, so if your mortgage repayments are static, so much the better.

Of course, any advice on home-buying needs to be tailored to your individual circumstances. This is where working with an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) can be most beneficial. By seeking out an expert who has experience of working with dental professionals, such as one of the IFAs at money4dentists, you can be assured that the advice you receive will be specific to the challenges you face.

Your first step onto the property ladder is just the start: by getting the right advice at this stage, and maintaining the relationship with your IFA, you can progress to making more personal and professional financial decisions in the future.  

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754DENTIST.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.money4dentists.com

Denplan has launched a new upgraded version of The Denplan PreViser Patient Assessment (DEPPA) tool.  DEPPA provides an instantaneous online report showing a patient’s Oral Health Score, alongside giving an evidence-based assessment of a patient's risk of future diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth wear and oral cancer.

DEPPA first launched its innovative patient assessment tool in May 2013, marking a pivotal moment in clinical risk assessment, supporting effective communication and truly placing patients and their future oral health at the very centre of effective and preventive care.

Denplan has launched an enhanced version of DEPPA, following valued and valuable input from its Excel dentists. Denplan Excel is an advanced quality assurance programme, developed for dentists to help support clinical governance, professional regulation and excellence in patient care and communication.  The upgraded version of DEPPA will contain three substantial benefits:

• Firstly, patient data and reports will be stored securely within the DEPPA system.  This means that whilst it is still best practice to save reports to the practice’s management software/clinical records, they can simply be accessed at any time from the DEPPA home page.
• Secondly, for a patient who has had a previous DEPPA assessment, this can be linked to the current one.  A new third page will appear on these follow up assessments which shows the results of up to two previous assessments, thus increasing patient’s understanding of how their oral health and future risk is changing.
• And thirdly, the practice analysis reporting has been enhanced.  This enables practices to audit their patients in depth, over any period of their choosing and at anytime.

Commenting on the enhancements to DEPPA, Henry Clover, Deputy Chief Dental Officer at Denplan said:  “We’re extremely proud of how popular the DEPPA tool has become since its launch over two and half years ago – over 50,000 patients have now benefitted from the evidence based tool, which is designed to help improve the patient experience and significantly improve their understanding of their oral health. It is also a valuable clinical decision support tool.

“We value the continued input from our member dentists, which enables DEPPA and our Excel programme as a whole to continue to develop.  The upgrades to DEPPA have been trialled already and we are confident they are straightforward to implement and will significantly enhance the usability of the tool for dentists.”

DEPPA has received  extremely positive feedback from both patients and dentists - 100% of dentists asked agreed that the DEPPA report is a ‘valuable patient communication aid’, while 95% agreed that comprehensive patient assessments, such as DEPPA, are becoming an essential aspect of quality dental care.*

Denplan has produced a simple guide to using the upgrade, for existing users of DEPPA, which is available alongside the main DEPPA manual.  DEPPA remains free to all Excel dentists, whilst non-Excel Denplan members can benefit from unlimited use of the online system for just £90 per month (inc VAT).  For more information about DEPPA or to sign up online, visit

http://www.denplan.co.uk/dentists/denplan-excel/deppa

Sonia Rishi explores the world of Future Health Partnership to discover why it offers such a strong alternative to corporate dentistry for practice owners looking for a little extra support. 

As someone who has always had a socially aware ethos and a strong interest in the community, when Future Health Partnership (FHP) creator Simon Gallier told me all about his business model I couldn’t help but be interested. I have a real belief that if you support local businesses you are supporting the resident community both societally and economically, which, in my mind, dovetails really well with healthcare provision.

At Simon’s invitation, when the time was right I visited one of the FHP practices and saw how it could work in reality. I saw that it offers a viable alternative to the corporates, providing community-based healthcare.

In a nutshell, FHP is incorporated as a community interest company (CIC) and serves as a not-for-profit healthcare organisation. FHP is similar to a ‘John Lewis’ style of business, offering a viable, ethical future for healthcare. Each practice becomes part of the group, and will be held for the benefit of all staff – not just the practice owner.

A passion for dental care

I have a real passion for dentistry and providing the best possible care for patients. There aren’t many options out there for dentists looking for an alternative business model beyond the corporates, and what FHP wants to do is to enable practice owners to maintain community-based practices in areas that really need them, as well as benefit from economies of scale. So while FHP is committed to each practice retaining their particular local identity, there is the added advantage of joining together when buying from suppliers. 

However, we’re not just talking affordable dentistry. It’s an important element, and I think the corporates will make dentistry affordable. However, FHP is also about dentists who care and who want to spend more time with their patients to build rapport and trust, understand what patients need and want, and be able to provide the care they were trained for and want to do.  

One element that is certainly attractive for many dentists is that the administrative burden is reduced by the FHP partnership. We want to standardise the regulatory aspect of dental practice, so that our template can be used across the group but be tailored to each business. Every FHP practice has access to our central folders. We provide the tools, training and skills, and personnel are available at FHP to help complete the paperwork, but the practice’s team remains very much involved.

Our dental partners also very much like the ethos that FHP will care for patients, and be sympathetic to the culture of the practice, which means the provision of clinical treatment isn’t affected.

Embracing change

At FHP we recognise that change is difficult, but the truth is once the dental team sees the benefits change suddenly doesn’t seem so hard! Processes are being put in place all the time to make the transition and on-going partnership as easy and beneficial as possible. In addition, we are going to work with external leaders in dentistry to make sure we get the best of everything for our practices, from regulatory compliance to team motivation and career progression.

FHP’s proposition allows dentists to continue with their dentistry and really care for their patients and their team. If this seems like an attractive proposition for your practice, please visit www.futurehealthpartnership.co.uk or call 08000 789 402.

The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (BACD) Annual Conference has closed its doors for another year – but what an exceptional event it’s been. With a line-up of prodigious speakers, a diverse lecture programme and inspiring hands-on sessions, there truly was something for everyone in the fully-filled three-day event.

The BACD is recognised for always providing the most relevant education to its members – and this year’s Annual Conference was, yet again, a true testament to this. Like previous years, the Academy brought together a collection of internationally-renowned speakers to discuss some of the most pertinent topics in the profession today.

Offering some insightful tips on the finer points of aesthetic restorative dentistry,  both Dr Serhat Köken and Dr Walter DeVoto inspired delegates to artistic heights with their sessions on composites, while Dr Ian Buckle, Dr Ken Harris, Dr Heike Krämer and Dr Andy Toy took part in a lively discussion on the effective management of occlusion.

Delegates were also encouraged to get involved with a number of hands-on sessions. Dr Nik Sisodia and Dr Martin Wanendeya shared their expertise on implant restoration while Dr Simon Chard and Dr Bertrand Napier gave delegates the chance to practice their camera skills in a session on clinical photography.

What’s more, Dr Christopher Orr and Dr Donald Sloss gave an insightful presentation on the BACD’s Accreditation process. Designed to elevate practitioners to the pinnacle of clinical excellence, Accreditation was brought one step closer to many practitioners with this detailed session.

As with previous years, the wealth of knowledge and expertise on offer at this year’s Annual Conference was stupendous. Regardless of clinical experience or role, the varied display of industry secrets, techniques and know how provided all delegates with inspirational and exciting information with which they could improve their own dentistry. 

Aside from the many educational opportunities on offer, this year’s conference was the perfect chance to welcome the BACD’s new president. Dr Bertrand Napier, well known as the Editor for the International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, assumed the title and said:

“I want to be a president that encourages members to become more involved with the Academy, both through learning and giving. I want our members to be able to grow and advance their professional practice while doing what they can to helping their fellow members do the same – more than anything, I think this role is about serving others, just as much as leading.”

Most importantly, the BACD Annual Conference gave delegates the chance to meet and network with other like-minded and talented professionals, learn from some of profession’s leading lights and rediscover their passion for beautiful dentistry. 

If, however, you missed this year’s BACD Annual Conference you can still get involved. Membership to the BACD is a great way to stay up-to-date with everything in the world of cosmetic dentistry and the regular regional meetings provide excellent education on a wide range of topics. In addition this, there is always next year’s Annual Conference to look forward to – make sure you put the dates in your diary!

The BACD Thirteenth Annual Conference 2016

‘The Digital Revolution’

10^th- 12^th November 2016: The EICC, Edinburgh

For more information about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry visit www.bacd.com

For those expecting pioneering innovation, enthusiasm, inspiration and vibrant learning opportunities, the Nobel Biocare Team Conference 2015 definitely did not disappoint.

Held against the stunning backdrop of The Brewery in London, the highly anticipated event delivered a unique two-day programme catering to the interests and specialities of all those in attendance. More than 350 professionals were welcomed to the conference this year, ensuring a fully inclusive and well-rounded educational event.

But what made this conference truly stand out?

The Speakers

With over 30 internationally renowned and highly celebrated speakers delivered stimulating sessions throughout the two-day conference. The Scientific Co-Chairs – Professor Ian Brook, Professor Screenivas Koka and Professor Daniel van Steenberghe – led an outstanding line-up of professionals, each recognised as modern-day pioneers in their respective fields. To name but a few these included Edmond Bedrossian, Wolfgang Boltz, Steve Bongard, Richard Brookshaw, Andrew Dawood, Susan Tanner, Richard Elliot, Stefan Holst, Joseph Kan, Glenn McEvoy, Guy McLellan, Alessandro Pozzi and Peter Wöhrle.

The Presentation

As Kishore Pranjivan, Nobel Biocare Regional Director of UK and Ireland, commented in his opening speech, the conference was designed specifically for “customised learning”. Delegates had the opportunity to choose between topics that were of most interest to them, with a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops forming the diverse and exciting programme.

Setting the scene for two days of learning and innovation, the opening lecture took delegates on a journey through the history of dental implants, from Professor Brånemark’s initial invention to today’s cutting-edge solutions that make the previously untreatable cases, treatable. The programme then split into two, with delegates choosing to consider how they can exceed patients’ aesthetic expectations, or to explore how the latest solutions have blazed a trail for change and advancement.

In the afternoon, delegates had a chance to learn from the global podium speakers first-hand within the eight different masterclasses and hands-on workshops available. Sessions explored everything from peri-implantitis to CBCT, 3D modelling and successful relationships between practice and laboratory. In the workshops, delegates had the chance to get hands-on with Zygomatic implants, hone their skills for immediate implant placement or get to grips with the many benefits of the NobelClinician® software. These more intimate sessions were then repeated on Saturday morning, enabling delegates to attend a second masterclass or workshop of their choice, before the plenary session demystified options for treating the compromised maxilla with a fixed prosthesis.

Evolution and Innovation

With a passion for excellence and delivery of high quality implant treatment clear among both speakers and delegates, the atmosphere throughout the conference was one of celebration for past achievements and excitement for the future.

In the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, but rather that which is most adaptable to change”. Nobel Biocare strives to be both, delivering the high quality, innovative solutions the profession needs to meet even the most complex of patient needs.

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

New and improved Maxcem Elite™, a self-etch, self-adhesive resin cement for indirect restorations, is simplicity refined, offering you the best in class adhesion when compared to other leading self-adhesive cements.

It is also easy to clean up, with no hand mixing and no refrigeration required. For convenience, intraoral and root canal tips allow the material to be easily dispensed in hard-to-reach areas.

Maxcem Elite in automixing syringes also offers:

• Easy handling

• Simple procedures

• High bond strength and efficiency

• Universal application.

In addition, the material’s optimised resin matrix and filler systems improve wettability, resulting in greater adhesion and allowing for immediate light curing and better shelf-life stability.

Also worthy of note is that its proprietary redox initiator system eliminates the inherent discolouration of benzoyl peroxide /tertiary amine initiator systems for a more aesthetic restoration.

For further information, please call 01733 892292, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.kerrdental.co.uk.

The Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes are clinically proven[i]^,[ii] to help your patients safely and gently remove plaque and maintain optimum dental health.

Dental flossing can be an unpopular oral health adjunct for many patients and the Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes offer an effective alternative to both floss and wire interdental brushes.

Constructed with latex-free, rubber filaments, they are wire-free and easy to use between tight spaces in natural teeth, under bridges, around dental implants and with fixed orthodontic appliances.

The soft tips gently stimulate and massage the gingiva, minimising trauma and helping to prevent galvanic effect.

From September, a Dentist Surgery Pack of Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes will be available via dental wholesalers for you to use on patients. Consisting of a dispenser box with 100 cello-wrapped bundles of each colour of brush, these will provide the ideal opportunity to introduce the products to patients, showing how their oral health can be maintained with ease.

Whatever the dentition, Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes provide a solution. Find out more today.

To find out more, please visit www.wisdomtoothbrushes.com or

call 01440 714800

As part of this year’s Clinical Innovations Conference (CIC), Healthcare Learning, in association with MyDentist, presented the Clinical Innovations Awards 2015.

Held in the stunning Battlebridge Room in the King’s Place venue, London – overlooking the Regent’s Canal – the evening was a prime opportunity to celebrate some of the year’s finest innovations and achievements.

Many excellent products were nominated for the coveted Product Awards, and the expert panel of judges awarded the following Product Winners:

·        Pikster Tip Brush – from Erskine Dental

·        SpotIt – from Directa

·        Synea Vision – from W & H (UK) Ltd.

Not only were the Awards a chance to showcase some of the most distinguished new products in the industry, it was also a fantastic occasion to celebrate some of its finest people as well. The Dental Nurse Certificate was given in recognition to those nurses who had shown outstanding commitment to the Advanced Dental Nursing apprenticeship. The winners were:

·        Keisha Ellis Dale

·        Artesia Anderson

·        Phoebe Kennedy

The Clinical Innovations Awards evening was a perfect addition to CIC 2015 – and allowed delegates to enjoy good food, live music and the company of like-minded and enthusiastic colleagues.

For more information call 020 7400 8989, visit www.healthcare-learning.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

And follow us on twitter for all the latest @hlc_newsweb @hlc_smileon

Brought to you by the British Dental Health Foundation and supported by the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), the Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign is this month, aiming to raise further awareness and rally more support than ever before.
 

“As long term supporters of the British Dental Health Foundation and Mouth Cancer Action Month, we are as pleased as ever to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause,” says Chair of the ADG, David Worskett. “By working together we can tackle oral cancer and make a real difference to those who suffer, one campaign at a time.”

Diagnosis

With the latest figures showing that 6,767 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year,[i] educating and alerting people on the dangers of oral cancer remains crucial for ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.

As it stands, a referral to a specialist must be completed within a two-week time frame,[ii] and there is a one-month maximum wait from the date a decision to treat is made to the first definitive treatment.[iii] For survival rates to increase, delivery of these treatment pathways by NHS England must continue to be implemented and improved upon.

As Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE explains, “if more of us are aware of the potential dangers of long-lasting mouth ulcers, red and white patches and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, there could well be a reduction in the number of mouth cancer cases we are seeing.”

Do Your Bit

Unfortunately however, a lack of patient knowledge is evident, with statistics showing that only 40% of patients who develop oral cancer visit the dentist with concerns.[iv]. As Dr Nigel Carter OBE explains, “If the dental and wider health profession can inform and urge patients to regularly attend dental check-ups, we can increase the chances of mouth cancer being detected at an early stage.” That is why Mouth Cancer Action Month continues its efforts to inform and educate and why it urges you to incorporate regular screening for oral cancer into routine appointments.

Meanwhile, the British Dental Health Foundation will continue to provide educational materials to dental practices, hospitals, GPs and pharmacies, and remains passionate about improving the awareness of patients and professionals alike. Whether it’s through donning a blue ribbon, taking part in the Blue Lip Selfie Campaign, running an event or donating, you can give back to the cause and to your patients. Remember, all the support received really does make a difference to the charity and to the lives of the individuals who have suffered at the hands of oral cancer.

To donate or for more information about the ADG visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk

Wrights, one of the UK’s oldest and dedicated independent dental supply companies, is delighted to announce the addition of G&H Orthodontics quality products to its wealth of product ranges.

G&H Orthodontics boast an enviable reputation with 99.9% customer satisfaction on products including archwires, elastomerics and brackets.

Wrights will be supporting the orthodontic product launch with a dedicated brochure. There will be excellent offers and promotions across a range of top-selling products such as Focus™ Brackets, Titan™ Bands, VIPER™ Low Profile Buccal Tubes, G4™ Niti Wires, and Enchanted™ Elastics.

All available with guaranteed next day delivery and excellent support from the highly experienced team across the UK.

Request your brochure today to make sure you don't miss out on the exceptional promotions currently exclusive to Wrights.

To contact Wrights for more information, call 0800 668899 or visit www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

Every year, the BDA Benevolent Fund helps dentists and their families in times of dire financial need. The case of Dr Smith, whose name has been changed to protect their identity, is an example of just one of the many times the Fund has offered vital monetary assistance to those who need it most.

Early last year Dr Smith, who was then married and had two young children, suffered a series of setbacks which turned his and his family’s life upside down. First of all he was treated for early stage liver cancer which fortunately was found to be operable. However, he suffered severely from the after-effects of the treatment and had to take considerable time off work, eventually leading to him losing his job. This meant the family had no income and were struggling to keep on top of mounting debts. His wife had recently been made redundant and she was finding it very hard to come to terms with this and to find new employment. Dr Smith had just managed to recover enough to return to work himself when the family suffered a further blow: his wife was struck down with a debilitating stroke. Although she managed to recover after several months, she has not been able to find employment since that time.

Dr Smith returned to work for a short period but found it increasingly difficult to cope both mentally and physically with the aftermath of his own illness and looking after his wife and their two children. The situation adversely affected his daughter who started experiencing periods of depression and performed badly at school. Finally, he came to the conclusion that he would be unable to continue working as a dentist and has not practised since. The couple’s debts eventually led to them having to declare bankruptcy and to sell their family home. During this process his wife left him and their children and has not contributed to their support since.

Gradually with financial help from the Ben Fund, Dr Smith was able to get back some sort of normality. The Fund helped him with a regular monthly grant towards living expenses and contributed to the costs of moving house. He was also given some extra support during the summer holidays for the children and help with fuel bills in the winter. Dr Smith is now starting to feel much more positive about his life. He has begun working part-time as a support teacher in a local school and is considering the possibility of training to become a mentor and counsellor. 

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

“We have been working with Jackie Kendrick, a representative of Wrights, for six months now,” says Dr Ann-Marie Bard, principal of Cleobury Dental Practice in Kidderminster.

“Jackie and the rest of the team are extremely helpful and easily accessible, always providing a first class customer service; that's why we now use them in 99 % of our consumables and materials orders.

“Wrights deliver amazing deals and provide us with the best value for money. What’s more, Jackie has delivered excellent one to one advice in helping us to set up a time saving monthly ordering list; this enables us to reach the targets within our budget and has been invaluable to the practice.

“We could not be happier with the service and we would definitely recommend Wrights to other practices.”

For a professional and friendly service and to work with an experienced team, contact Wrights and find out how you can get next day delivery on top-selling products at exclusive discounted prices. 

            For more information contact Wright on 0800668899 or visit www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

Clark Dental provides a comprehensive range of high quality dental units from the most prestigious manufacturers. Supplying the latest dental chairs from Anthos, Stern Weber and A-Dec, whatever you’re looking for in a dental unit, Clark Dental has the solution.

The extremely reliable manufacturer Anthos is well known for its beautiful dental units that exude quality and style. The range includes a number of chairs that feature the latest technology and dental delivery systems.

Or for the very best of Swiss innovation and precision engineering for dentists that require a perfect blend of sophisticated design and pleasing aesthetics there is the Stern Weber range. With over 50 years of pioneering invention and intelligent design, the Stern Weber range has everything to meet the needs of modern dentistry. 

Meanwhile, the A-Dec range includes the entry-level Performer, updated A-dec 300: Evolved, the contemporary A-Dec 400 and the outstanding A-Dec 500 series, which are extremely flexible for superb ergonomics, come in left and right handed models, and optimise operator access whilst enhancing patient comfort.

Clark Dental has the range of products and wealth of experience to help ensure you make the right choice for your practice, contact the expert 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

Don’t let the past shape the present 

For many years I have been a very keen member of Alpha Omega. This is an organisation that was founded over a century ago in the United States with its primary mission is to fight against discrimination in the dental profession wherever it’s found. It continues to provide outstanding postgraduate courses as well as being a real fraternity. I have often wondered whether the anti-discrimination origins of the group was anachronistic.

So it was with great sadness that I heard recently about a particularly unpleasant episode – the details of which I will not dwell too closely on here. The overall gist, however, was that patients in the UK are inherently racist and any practitioner who does not fit within a certain ethnic bracket should be prepared to encounter negative attitudes.

Is this true? I think not; it may have been 30-40 years ago, but certainly not today. When I first started in dentistry in the West End of London I found many practitioners refused to hire black dental nurses. They maintained that they did this, not because they were racist, but because their patients would simply not cope with such an arrangement.

But this has changed. Time has moved on. The people of the UK are open-minded, tolerant and accepting of difference and diversity. I have personal experience of this: I am from a Jewish family, my father’s first language is Arabic. There used to be a time when patients who, after being referred to my practice and seeing my name on the door, would ask: “And where is he from?”

In those days, I think a lot of people just shrugged off this disparaging attitude and grew thick skin. They became accustomed to it and, in doing so, almost condoned it. I am still guilty that I did not take a stronger stance earlier on as I believe racism will occur only if we let it. Thankfully, when those individuals did later question my efficacy as a practitioner based upon the sound of my name, I took a zero tolerance approach and simply suggested they find treatment elsewhere. I do not think anyone should have to reassure a patient that they are competent, despite their name and ethnicity.

Fortunately, these days are over. I so rarely hear remarks about ethnicity or gender in this profession, that when the aforementioned incident came to light, I was deeply saddened.

Dentistry already receives an often terrible press. Dredging up past bitterness and bad memories of a time that has resolutely been put behind us is unnecessary and disappointing. Just consider the intake by our dental schools! The draconian ‘old boys’ who long ago lambasted difference would be spinning in their graves if they knew, I’m certain – but what does that matter? Our profession is proud to be enriched by such diversity and our patients are open-minded and tolerant, with their feet placed firmly in the present and not in the past.         

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.

CQC compliance requires an ever-growing amount of time, effort and resources in the dental sector. Ensuring effective protocols are in place in preparation for the crucial inspections is essential in order to avoid any nasty surprises or last minute panics.

The keeping of records is a particularly cumbersome yet vital aspect, and the equipment used for decontamination and sterilisation lies at the heart of ensuring compliance.

HTM 01-05 2.4n states: “Equipment used to decontaminate dental instruments should be fit for purpose and validated. This means that the device should be commissioned, maintained and periodically tested by a Competent Person (Decontamination) or service engineer, that records of maintenance should be kept and that correct functioning should be monitored and recorded”.

Therefore all testing reports are required to be kept for documentary evidence of the effectiveness of equipment in the dental practice. However, the meticulous task of record keeping can be time consuming and also has the potential for inaccurate logging of data due to inevitable human error. It is therefore crucial to try to find a way to enhance the efficiency of your record keeping and streamline this process, whilst maintaining the quality of data.

One area that can be especially time consuming is the recording of daily and weekly test cycle data of your autoclave and/or washer disinfector. From the everyday ACT tests completed each morning to measure the time, steam and temperature of the autoclave, to the weekly residual air and air leakage tests, each check requires detailed annotation, documented in a daily logbook for every piece of equipment in the practice.

Although absolutely essential in terms of practice inspections, manually having to record this data and then store it can often be seen as more than a mere inconvenience. Some autoclaves will have a printer installed, which will print off a receipt that should be kept, which makes the process a little easier and more efficient, but it still requires time and effort to collate these print-offs, not to mention the physical space needed to store the data.

However, there are new technological solutions that can make all of this a thing of the past. The latest autoclaves from Eschmann are compatible with computer software that can capture all of the data necessary from your tests and automatically save it onto your PC. This means you have no forms to fill in and store, and you don't have to transfer data using memory cards or USB devices.

With such software you will benefit from quick and easy cycle sign-off at the click of a button and you could even monitor the progress of your cycle from your PC or laptop. The latest software will also show you when your instruments are ready for use, as the software operates in real-time meaning it is always up to the minute, which is precisely what you need in a busy dental practice.

The Eschmann real-time Wireless Cycle Logger with automatic daily/weekly test cycle software is compatible with the company's own autoclaves and washer disinfectors. Providing automatic population of daily and weekly test cycle records, this software is making manual record keeping and storage a thing of the past, while also providing added security through accurately recorded and validated cycles and tests ready for official inspection.

To take away any unnecessary worry in the lead up to your next CQC inspection, make sure you have everything in place now.

For more information please visit www.eschmann.co.uk, or call 01903 753322

Knowing when and how to delegate is crucial when you own a dental practice. It will free up time, motivate your team and help you to become a good leader and a great boss! But delegation can also be one of the hardest skills to learn.
 

A common mindset is, “Well, if I do XYZ myself, I know it will be done properly!” Yet delegation is not about relinquishing control and/or an inability to manage time. When you are a new business owner, it is essential to involve yourself in establishing all systems and processes, in order that you know how everything works. But if you continue trying to do it all, not only do you risk burnout, you will probably hinder growth.

Every member of your team should have a job spec, which lists all the tasks they do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, and is reviewed periodically. When tasks are documented, you can easily see where to eliminate certain duties, or delegate them. Job specs will also help you to compile an Operations Manual, with every system, process and expectation/desired result documented. An Operations Manual will give staff something to refer to if anyone is absent and makes training new starters easier.

Having the right people around you is essential. You need individuals who are confident enough to do their own job well and also have the motivation to take on other tasks. Take time to learn people’s strengths and weaknesses, and things they would love to do given the opportunity. When you delegate, you are saying that you trust someone. As people broaden their experience, this will naturally lead to more responsibilities and possibly future promotion. For example, a motivated receptionist could move into a practice management role if they have been able to develop and grow with your support. Even if that’s not at your practice, it still helps to enhance its reputation as a brilliant place to work!

Be a responsible delegator – it’s not about offloading tasks you find mundane. The golden rule is you should not delegate anything that you are not prepared to do yourself: that is a sure-fire way of losing respect. Communication is fundamental and you should promote a listening culture in your practice, with all opinions are considered equal. When you delegate, be upfront about expectations and timelines and give people all the information they need. The more direction you give, the better the result will be. Be approachable and patient, so your staff are comfortable about asking questions, or clarifying things they are not sure about. Mistakes happen of course, and that is how one learns, but you want to eliminate repeat errors. If people are confused or misdirected, not only will you waste time when something is done incorrectly, but you will also affect an individual’s confidence in the long run. Make sure you give credit where it is due too and share any achievements with the rest of the practice if appropriate.

As your practice grows, you simply will not have the time to do everything to a consistently high standard. If you delegate and share responsibilities, you will not only save time but create a productive and confident team. Delegation is a sign that you trust your staff; that you value their skills and want them to succeed while allowing you to focus on growing the business.

Lansdell & Rose are specialist medical and dental accountants that also share business tips with clients via an up-to-date and informative blog. Visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk or call 020 7376 9333.

When Dr Nikhil Shah of Brentwood Orthodontic and Implant Practice undertook his recent practice renovation and relocation, he chose the new Nomad Pro 2 hand held X-ray device to fulfil his radiography requirements.

“The Nomad Pro 2 handheld X-ray machine is great for our practice. The beauty of it is that we can walk around and there is no clutter on the walls – just one fully mobile machine.

“The advantage to us is that radiographs do not have to be taken in only one X-ray room as before. We can move around across multi-surgeries and so our patients don’t have to, which helps them to feel more at ease. As it’s handheld the practitioner can work around the patient much more freely, ensuring they get the most appropriate radiographs.

“The images quality is great too, and perfect for our practice needs.”

To learn more about the fantastic Nomad Pro 2, and the benefits it will bring to your practice contact the Clark Dental team 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

Wilhelm Roentgen, Professor of Experimental Physics in Germany, was the first to discover the x-ray in 1895. Over the next century, the technology used to perform radiography was transformed and an x-ray machine is now an essential piece of equipment within the modern dental practice. Most recently, the digital era has seen another change in the field of radiography offering a new alterative to conventional methods.

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Film x-rays still have their place in the modern profession. The picture quality is excellent, giving great detail and contrast and sterilisation is simple, which is an important consideration within the clinical setting. However, there are disadvantages to consider too. For example, the image is static once processed with the contrast fixed, and it takes time to be processed and much space to be stored. It is also labour intensive further making it expensive, and it is hazardous posing a health and safety concern.

Digital alternatives strive to tackle the downsides of conventional film imaging techniques. The practitioner and the patient can view the image instantly, allowing improved communications between the two parties and quicker treatment times. Radiation exposure is reduced and even at a lower dosage the image can be digitally enhanced to aid accuracy of diagnostics. The image can also be increased in size to help detect very small cavities that may not have been noticed on a conventional x-ray. And in terms of cost, the initial outlay may be an investment, but it is often a fruitful one as everyday expenses are reduced and the quality of patient service delivered is elevated.

Is there not a ‘happy medium’ that offers the benefits of both systems?

The CS 7200 phosphor plate imaging system from Carestream Dental fits this remit. It is an affordable solution for any practice and covers all daily intraoral indications. You will appreciate the simplicity of the workflow, while the instinctive software allows you to view the high quality images in less than 8 seconds. Further benefits include hygienic sheaths available to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, and automatic removal of images from plates after each scan for optimum convenience.

So if you favour the use of film imaging processes and are unsure about changing to completely digital systems in your practice, there are solutions available to you. Today’s dental market is littered with different innovations to enable you to work in the way you prefer, and selecting only those products of the highest quality will ensure you don’t have to compromise your working methods or the quality of dentistry you provide.

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

For all the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl and Facebook

Principal and Founder of AURA Centre of Dental Excellence and Facial Aesthetics in Kingston upon Thames, Dr Nadine Skipp explores how to ensure the products you use in your practice are up to scratch.

No matter what industry you are in, you need effective ‘tools’ and the skills to use them in order to be successful. In dentistry and facial aesthetics, it’s no different. There is such a wide range of products and equipment available (which I will reference throughout as ‘tools’) – and it can sometimes seem impossible to know which to choose to accompany your provision. However, it is essential that the ‘tools’ you utilise are of the highest standard and achieve the best results.

After all, it just takes one poor choice in product, or one unreliable piece of equipment, to take a patient from their desired outcome to an unsuccessful result. We all know that only a bad workman (or workwoman) blames their tools, however you wouldn't be a good workman if you didn’t first at least ensure that you were using the right tools.

From major recognisable brands to leading manufacturers with cheaper ‘own brand’ alternatives, every company wants you to think that what they offer is the best and superior to all others. But they can’t all be, so we must employ our own professional judgement in deciding which will suit us most and which will offer the most successful and predictable results time after time.

Given that there is so much choice out there, how exactly do you do this?

A fundamental question when choosing should be, “Does it do the job I need it to? And will it do so reliably and consistently?” If you were to ask your product rep I’m sure they would say, “Yes, of course” – unless they have an alternative item to sell. But the only way to find out for sure is to try and test it out first hand.

But, before doing so it may be prudent to take note of the following considerations:

Cost effectiveness

Firstly, this can be something of a subjective term. Not specifically related to that which is the cheapest, rather the items that provide the best value for money. Of course, it can be easy to simply choose the product that appears to give you the highest quantity for the lowest cost, but this can lead you into problems later down the line.

Indeed, for something to be cost effective it will need to be reliable, have a well-thought out delivery system that minimises wastage, deliver consistent results and have a price that is relative to its quality. For instance, you might expect a single use disposable item to be far cheaper in comparison to a piece of equipment you would use over and again throughout your career. But, if the quality of results you achieve with a cheaper product is substandard and means you have to invest in more expensive products to rectify any issues, this negates any potential savings you might have made.

Ease of use

One of the main advantages in offering facial aesthetic treatments such as botulin toxins or dermal fillers is their relative ease of use and application (which in turn make for more cost effective treatments through time savings). However these benefits will be negated through poor product choices. On the other hand, products that have been designed with ergonomics and function in mind will be far more intuitive and natural to use, but this often comes with a higher price tag. In some instances this expense is justified, as those that are not designed with these considerations are likely to deliver results of a lower standard.

Compatibility

Familiarity with new ‘tools’ and understanding their compatibility with your own personal work processes are also essential factors to consider. Some clinicians like to stick with what they used in their training or have a long-standing familiarity with, whilst others will be constantly looking for new and innovative products. It is worth thinking about the time it may take to become accustomed to new products or equipment and whether any workshops or further training are required to utilise them properly.

Recommendations

One of the best sources of reliable information will come from recommendations from colleagues, peers and trainers. Before investing, it is wise to ask fellow clinicians to share their opinions and experience and for any advice or suggestions. It is also well worth visiting trade shows and exhibitions, as new products and equipment are often launched at these events alongside special promotional offers.

Certification

Finally, it is essential that all products and equipment you use have the appropriate certification and comply with all the required regulation and legislation. Look out for CE marks and any symbols or logos that certify quality. There are often horror stories in the news around forged or inferior products that have been imported into the country from foreign manufacturers. This rise in counterfeit products poses a real risk to both patient and practitioner due to the lack of regulation, certification and accountability. The trick here is to not be tempted when an offer looks too good to be true. A product that would normally cost £700 is unlikely to be genuine if sold for £50.

Ultimately you want to use ‘tools’ that will help make the service and treatments you offer faster, easier and better for the patient. So by taking into account practicality, cost, ease of use, compatibility, peer recommendations and manufacturer’s certification you can begin to ensure that the treatments and services you offer will not be let down by the products and equipment you choose to use.

To find out more visit www.auradental.co.uk, call 020 8549 5710, or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr Nadine Skipp is the Principal and Founder of AURA Centre of Dental Excellence and Facial Aesthetics in Kingston Upon Thames. Having trained with leading experts from across the dental profession in the US, UK and internationally, Dr Skipp has fulfilled many educational roles throughout the industry, and was awarded a Fellowship from the International Academy for Dental and Facial Esthetics in 2014. She is also partner of SOURCE1uk - Dental Recruitment, Training Courses, Classifieds and Practice Sales.

As we all know, a new NHS contract has been mooted for the last three or four years. The major problem that the Government currently appears to be struggling with is that, for all its flaws, the current system very precisely provides control over the spend.

So the Government is trying to implement a new contract whilst retaining this same level of control. However, it is very difficult to envisage a system that will allow them to do that and satisfy the dental profession.

For the last few years, everything seems to have been focused on reducing spending on NHS dentistry. This can be seen with both GDS and PDS contracts. As the PDS contracts come up for renewal the LATs are taking a much harder stance and reducing values wherever they can. 

There was a time, a number of years ago, when over 50% of practices had not achieved their UDA target on a regular basis and yet no action had been taken by PCTs to recoup any monies. This was certainly the case for the first five years of the current contract; however, one of the changes we have seen recently is a significantly stronger focus on performance. So that now if a practice does not hit targets, not only will the LAT recoup the money but they will seize every opportunity to reduce the contract value, either by decreasing the number of UDAs or lessening the UDA value. 

Under any new contract, if there is one, underperformance and failure to achieve KPIs is going to lead to a similar situation. Whilst the latest prototype proposed contains remuneration based on capitation, the number of patients that you have registered, the work performed and some for achieving KPIs, the potential risk for missing these targets is a massive 10%. Nevertheless, a lot of the essential details here remain unknown.

In some ways the most concerning part about the change in contract is the notion it might be time limited. This completely fails to recognise the investment that dentists have to put into practices, not only in terms of equipment, but also regarding the time spent building a good dental business. To fit out a dental practice is a very significant cost, and nobody is going to do that if there is a contract that only lasts for five years – over that period one is not going to get back that which one has paid out, never mind actually make any money!

It seems, whether stated or unstated, that it is the Government’s clear intention to reduce spending on NHS dentistry. To achieve this, perhaps all they would have to do is introduce time limited contracts and there would be a very large shift away from NHS ownership towards private.

And this, in my opinion, is what the Government wants. They need to save money and whilst they talk about the NHS in hallowed terms, I’m not so sure that NHS dentistry is quite so hallowed as the rest of it.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists

For more information call John Grant on 0113 834 3705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.goodmangrant.co.uk
 

ASPD MEMBER

According to the World Happiness Report 2015, released earlier this year, the UK is the 21^st happiest country in the world. While, as a country, we fall behind the United States, Australia, the Nordic countries and Switzerland (which is smiling in the number one spot) we contentedly remain in the happiest 20% of the 158 countries that have been included in the study.[1]

A number of different variables are taken into account in order to assess the happiness of a country. These include GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity. Of these, generosity has one of the highest positives affects on people and produces the lowest negative affect overall.  

To evaluate a population’s generosity, participants were asked, “Have you donated to a charity in the past month?” The most recent survey of its kind, the UK Giving Report 2014, found that 57% of adults in this country gave to charitable causes in a typical month – meaning that around 34 million people were extending their financial generosity to people in need to the estimated sum of £10.6 billion.[2] But while this is an encouraging statistic, how does it have an impact on the overall happiness of the country?      

Research has shown that people who are giving money to charity exhibit heightened brain activity – particularly in the ventral striatum and tegmental areas. These areas are closely linked to the experience of positive affect and our physiological reward system and the processing of emotional output from the amygdala.[3] What this means is that giving to a worthwhile cause triggers a chemical reaction in our brains that produces a sense of reward and positive emotion. The same areas of the brain are stimulated when we ourselves are given good news or receive something we want, but studies have shown that giving is the better stimulant, corroborating the common adage that ‘it is better to give than receive.’

It has also been proven that doing good for others can benefit our own mental and physical health[4] as well as being an important, pro-social function that contributes to the overall wellbeing of the country. Of course, while it is nice that being charitable makes us feel better, the impact on the people we are giving to is far more important. Being able to depend on the generosity of our peers is a real indicator of a population’s happiness and will make a real difference for the people who are most in need. Circumstance and chance can too easily force any one of us to the brink of desperation and knowing there is a network of support built on the goodwill of others, who are ready and willing to provide help, is a comforting reality.

Established in 1882, the BDA Benevolent Fund has been providing this type of vital support for decades. By offering essential financial assistance for everyday expenses they can bring much-needed relief to dentists and their families, when all other avenues of income fail.

Depending entirely on your generous donations, the BDA Benevolent Fund needs your continued support to carry on helping dentists and their families when times are tough. Help support your colleagues and donate to the BDA Benevolent Fund today.

Thank you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

The demand for affordable dental care is on the rise, along with the increase in popularity for dental procedures. We safeguard our most cherished possessions such as our homes, cars, pets and even lives with insurance policies, so logically our teeth should be as carefully protected.

The repercussions of poor oral health have the potential to not only damage self-confidence and relationships, but are also linked to diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. To add insult to injury, the healthcare required to treat dental conditions is notoriously costly. As completely free NHS dental procedures are only available to pregnant women, new mothers, children up to the age of 18 and those receiving benefits, virtually everyone – whether private or NHS – pays towards dental care. Current NHS treatment bands range from £18.80 for a standard check up, through to £222.50 for more complicated procedures such as crowns. Bearing in mind that 63% of NHS dental patients choose their practices based on cost[i], it’s prudent for clinicians and patients to investigate dental insurance policies, particularly when several treatments are required.

A British Dental Association report in 2013 showed that over half of mainly NHS dental practices in the UK, didn’t employ dental hygienists at all[ii]. However, the 2009 Dental Health Survey revealed 45% of the population with natural teeth had gingival pockets of 4mm or more revealing that periodontal disease is widespread[iii]. For these patients, hygienist sessions are recommended at least twice a year, typically costing around £50. If a standard amalgam filling at £50.50 (a composite, white filling is usually a private treatment), and any related dental examinations are then added to the mix, fees can escalate.

For a series of private treatments, a £220-£280 annual cover plan, recompensing 75% of the final bill makes financial sense. NHS dental patients may also be able to opt for NHS clinic-only cheaper insurance plans covering 100% of the costs[iv]. With some policies covering families, dental accidents or emergencies overseas, and giving no upper age limit for new customers, there’s a wide range of options available to suit both need and budget.

Munroe Sutton has been organising, designing and managing stand-alone, affordable dental plans for over thirty years. Created by dentists, these policies are committed to fair compensation for professionals and improving accessibility to quality dentistry for the individual. Together with leading insurance providers, a network of high quality dental practices has been established. Completely free to join, it offers your business a highly effective and efficient promotional tool to help increase your patient-base and build profit, all at no extra cost.

For more information please call 0808 234 3558

or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

A key defining factor of life today is that we’re all connected in ways our forefathers were not. The Truman show film released in 1998, depicted the world in an unfamiliar, fantastic way, which is what made the subject matter so intriguing. However, are we really that far away from that fantasy world today? We may not be being watched in our own homes 24/7 but we are just a click, a text, a tweet or a Skype call away from anyone we choose to connect with, anywhere in the world, at any time.

Technology, coupled with a social media explosion has meant that real time information is no longer a figment of our over active imaginations, it’s here and constantly developing. Everyday, live data is served up in many guises via digital applications covering diet and fitness through to bus timetables. Many businesses are recognising the endless benefits of capturing this kind of data. Online news sites can post two headlines for the same feature, monitor the interest generated and within minutes discard the less popular, optimising their online hits. They stay one step ahead in an increasingly competitive environment by not only communicating to readers in real time but by enhancing the product  (editors receive immediate data and respond accordingly).

Dental practices accessing live data can reap similar benefits in terms of workflow and profitability. In 2009, the British Dental Association ran a survey to calculate the amount of hours lost for practices by Failures to Attend (FTA). It recorded an average of 81 hours per dentist over the year, with an astounding rise to an average of 111 hours where those practices had no reminder system in place[i]. This is equivalent to three weeks of back-to-back treatments so can any practice afford to ignore appointment management?

There is now software available offering the continual stream of information and communication between your practice and patient base. This fully automated system takes care of appointment fixing, credit card processing, and crucially, reminding patients to attend. Covering the four focal points of chair occupancy, treatment planning, appointment confirmation and patient recare, this real-time information helps to monitor and manage appointments efficiently. Staff are then free to instantly respond to situations as they occur, keeping schedules at optimum efficiency.

Carestream Dental can provide this real time data via the new fully automated Springboard feature of the CS R4+ practice management software. Because the system immediately undertakes time-consuming administration, Springboard enables a continual, fluid workflow. In return, resources and skills are applied to the areas where they’re required where they’re most needed – attending to patients.

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

For all the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl and Facebook