Dental Elite are experienced dental recruiters who work solely with the dental profession to help practices find the most suitable individuals to engage in locum or permanent positions.

With the aim of providing an efficient and effective service to all clients, Dental Elite hopes to become a natural ‘first port of call’ for all your recruitment needs.

Dental Elite offers professional advice on contracts of employment or contracts for services (for self employed staff) and can help with any aspect of recruitment.

For advice and guidance on helping your practice grow from strength to strength, contact the experienced team of consultants at Dental Elite today.

For more information and to find out how Dental Elite can help to recruit the most suitable members of your dental team 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

This year’s Dentistry Show reflected the enhanced public appetite for facial aesthetic treatments in its innovative Facial Aesthetics Theatre.

Here delegates were treated to lectures and sessions on a huge array of topics all relating to the provision of facial aesthetics and delivered by leading practitioners in the field.

Over the two days, the theatre hosted a number of renowned speakers including: Janine Revill, Director of Cosmetic Insure; Dr John Quinn; Andrew Hansford, International Trainer in Dermapen; Dr Michelle Lyners; Roy Cowley, Managing Director of 3D-lipo Ltd; Dr Nadine Skipp; Dr Bob Khanna; and Dr Rikin Parekh.
 

Delegates gained invaluable insights into this expanding and fruitful market throughout the two-day educational programme, as well as practical hints and tips on modern materials and issues such as insurance.
 

Next year, the Facial Aesthetics Theatre will be returning to The Dentistry Show and promises another full schedule of top class speakers. Be sure to take note of the dates today so you don’t miss out!
 

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 – Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April – NEC in Birmingham. For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The CS 8100 OPG unit from Carestream Dental offers a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication. Designed to produce the highest quality images in the shortest amount of time, the CS 8100 delivers crystal clear, optimally exposed images in seconds.

Dr Robert Watson of Dollar Street Dental uses the CS8100 in his practice, he says:

“Our new CS81003D has really transformed the way we diagnose and treat our patients. 

“We are a general practice with a special interest in implants and endodontics. Both procedures are transformed by having the ability to view the proposed treatment in a 3D image. There is no steep learning curve when using the machine and the huge benefits are instantly available for both clinician and patients. Well done Carestream for bringing quality panoral and CT scanning to the general practitioner at a cost that makes sense.”

If you are looking to advance your treatment workflows with cutting-edge imaging technologies, contact Carestream Dental today.

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

Practice valuers and finance experts at Dental Elite are now offering new online CQC Application Support, so you never have to worry about filling in difficult CQC applications again.
 

This service is now available for purchase to anyone – not just for those with transactions being financed or sold by Dental Elite – and what’s better, after a small administration fee, all proceeds will be generously donated to one of the participating dental charities, including Bridge2Aid and the BDA Benevolent Fund. For current clients, this service is completely free but Dental Elite will still make a donation of £150 to the client’s dental charity of choice.
 

With a team that is proud to have over a hundred years of experience in the dental sector, Dental Elite is in an ideal position to help professionals in all aspects of selling their practice. By partnering with a number of different charities, they can make sure this help is extended to the entire dental community.
 

To discover what else Dental Elite can do for you, contact their friendly team today.
 

For more information and to find out how Dental Elite can value
and assist your practice sale 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

Delegates at EuroPerio 8 could see first hand that PerioChip® is passionate about supporting, educating and communicating with the dental community to highlight the importance of keeping gums healthy, and treating periodontitis effectively without the risk associated with using antibiotics.
 

By using PerioChip® you can ensure that harmful bacteria in and around the gingiva are eliminated for up to 10 daysⁱ and, for on-going therapy, PerioChip® suppresses the growth of bacterial flora in the treated site for up to 11 weeks, giving the all-important time needed for gum reattachment and stabilisation of the periodontiumⁱⁱ.
 

EuroPerio 8 was a fantastic venue for PerioChip® to raise awareness amongst the dental community about gum disease the links to systemic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The speakers taking to the stage at the show to share their knowledge included: Professor Eli Machtei, Professor Arie J Van Winkelhoff and Dr Rajan Nansi, and attendees were wowed by their passion and expertise for the subject.
 

If you missed out on attending EuroPerio 8 and want to learn more about PerioChip® email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0800 013 2333 today!
 

The Dental Directory had a busy stand at the Scottish Dental Show. Thousands of practices already use The Dental Directory, for everything from consumables to cabinetry and delegates were able to discover just why people keep coming back: fantastic deals, unbeatable customer service and a huge selection of products.
 

The Dental Directory also stocks specialist ranges for facial aesthetics, oral hygiene and orthodontics. With dedicated, knowledgeable reps who want to make dentists’ lives easier and save them money, The Dental Directory offers innovative solutions to common problems such as stock control and how to reduce the time spent ordering.
 

Quality is second-to-none and free next-day delivery is available on most items. If you missed meeting The Dental Directory at the Scottish Dental Show, contact the team today and see how your practice can benefit.

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

Converting treatment plans into booked appointments is an area where many dental professionals struggle, but this needn't be the case anymore.
 

Some practice management systems have built-in functionality that can help you and your staff see the plans that need following up. The CS 

R4+ practice management software from Carestream Dental can help you do all of this and more with its built-in features that use real time data to benefit your practice in numerous ways.
 

This will allow you and your team to get a list of the patients without appointments enabling you to contact them and discuss further questions they may have and try to book them in.
 

For more information speak to the friendly team at Carestream Dental today.
 

For more information on CS Solutions or any other products or services available from Carestream Dental,

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

Nearly 15 million people in Britain wear removable dentures[i], and with an increasingly aging population, the number of people requiring prostheses is likely to rise. But how much care do your patients take keeping their dentures clean? Do they require more information about how to look after them and why it’s so important for them to do so?

A recent study found that the vast majority of patients assessed (84%) had very poor levels of denture hygiene[ii]. This was attributed to the lack of hygiene instructions given by dental professionals, as after clinician led patient education, denture cleanliness index (DCI) scores increased significantly².

Currently there is no clearly defined or regularly used standard or scoring system for determining denture hygiene in the UK. Therefore, the researchers devised the DCI scoring system prior to the audit, which ranges from 0-4. Additional studies are required to refine, test and evaluate the classification, however it could help dental professionals in the future to determine denture hygiene status of patients and highlight any areas of concern².

Compared to dental care, denture hygiene has received little attention, yet neglecting to look after prostheses can significantly increase an individual’s risk of developing oral infections and systemic diseases[iii]^,[iv].

Dentures offer a reservoir for microorganisms to thrive and it is well documented that patients wearing partial sets are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and dental decay of the teeth directly adjacent to the dentures[v].

Several studies have shown that plaque biofilm accumulates on the internal surface of dentures and certain pathogens may even preferentially colonise on prostheses over oral soft tissues^3,[vi]. Acting as a reservoir for bacteria and fungal microorganisms, these pathogens are involved not only in the appearance of local infections like denture stomatitis, but also systemic diseases such as endocarditis, pneumonia and respiratory track infections³.

Problems can also arise if there are any surface defects or other flaws in the denture which are either inherent and due to the fabrication process or acquired due to general use. These can cause imperfections and roughness, which increases the surface area on which bacteria can adhere and potentially colonise[vii].

Furthermore, if the finish is rough it can make cleaning the prosthesis and mechanical removal of the microorganisms difficult, as well as causing discoloration of the denture base materials. The irregularities on the surface can provide niches in which microorganisms are protected from oral hygiene measures, thus allowing the entrapped microbial cells to attach irreversibly to the prosthesis⁷.

Working with a laboratory, such as Sparkle Dental Labs, that complies with all of the current standards and regulations, uses the very best materials and creates dentures that fit perfectly is essential. The renowned company are able to offer complete traceability on every item and all dentures are fitted to duplicate models to ensure ultimate precision and patient comfort.

In the future the DCI scoring system could be used to help practitioners to identify patients suffering from poor denture hygiene. However, in the mean time dental professionals are encouraged to continue to fit quality dentures and offer patients oral healthcare advice.

For more details about Sparkle Dental Labs, please call 0800 138 6255, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit:

www.sparkledentallabs.com

Many dental professionals find themselves in the position of having created a great treatment plan for a patient, incorporating everything they need and want, only to find that uptake of the plan never quite happens. The problem doesn't lie in the concept itself; it's more about letting that patient leave the practice without booking their appointment for the treatment.

So why is this happening? Many dentists feel uncomfortable with the notion of 'selling', not wanting to appear pushy or overbearing when it comes to getting patients to make a commitment to treatment. In this respect, it's all about changing the way you think about these scenarios. It is not unethical to want your patients to accept the dental work that they need, in fact it is quite the opposite.

Get some help

You've probably heard the term 'treatment coordinator' being used an awful lot in recent times. This is a fairly new role that has been created for dental practices to employ someone who will help the dentist convert treatment plans into paying patients. If you don't feel comfortable discussing finances and costs with patients, you may be able to use the role of the treatment coordinator within your practice. This doesn't necessarily require hiring a new member of staff, rather it could provide an excellent incentive to promote an existing team member and expand their role. If you have someone who is exceptionally good at talking to patients in a calm and friendly manner, you can provide the clinical information about the proposed treatment while they work alongside you to answer patient queries, discuss fees, explain the extra benefits like quality of life, and help convert the treatment plan into a booked appointment.

This can leave you to do the dentistry that you enjoy and are confident with, while providing the chance for another team member to find variety within their role through promotion. This can aid team motivation, especially when they see treatments plan conversion rates increasing and more patients booking in for the dentistry you all really want to provide.

Follow it up

In many cases, the patient will want to go home with their treatment plan and discuss it with a spouse or other family member and/or friends. In this respect, you need to ensure that the information you have provided is full and clear, perhaps with advice for extra research from good online sources if they feel it is required. Your lines of communication need to be very open to ensure patients feel comfortable contacting you and can do so in a simple manner. This will help to build up a trusting relationship with the patients before the treatment begins, as they know they will then be looked after during and after their appointments.

If a patient leaves the practice without booking their treatment, follow-ups are key. It is important not to see this as 'hassling', and more of a friendly prompt instead. Again, communication and tone is vital here, you don't want the patient to feel pestered, you want them to feel cared for. This could be a great job for a friendly member of the team to take on board, spending one morning each week contacting patients who haven't taken up their treatment plans, just to touch base and see if they have any questions that need answering to help them to make a decision. Being helpful at all stages can really boost the relationship they have with the practice and sometimes it's just a little extra reassurance that is needed.

Helping hand

All of this is great as long as you and your team are aware of what treatment plans are still outstanding. In a dental environment it can be difficult to keep on top of open treatment plans when you have patients arriving, phone calls to attend to, and everything else that comes with the day-to-day running of the practice. If the task has been delegated to another team member it is especially important that they have easy access to the most up-to-date information about each patient and their current situation in terms of treatment.

In this respect, some practice management systems have built-in functionality that can help you and your staff see the plans that need following up. The CS R4+ practice management software from Carestream Dental can help you do all of this and more with its built-in features that use real time data to benefit your practice in numerous ways. This will allow you and your team to get a list of the patients without appointments enabling you to contact them and discuss further questions they may have and try to book them in.

Turning treatment plans into booked appointments is not a concept that all dental professionals find easy or natural but employing these tools and techniques can help boost your conversion rates and, importantly, your profits.

For more information on CS Solutions or any other products or services available from Carestream Dental,

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

The pubic perception of dentistry is not a flattering one. Recent new stories in the national press only serve to highlight this. The problem is that we don’t tell people what we do.

We don’t inform and educate the public around the benefits to their general health of taking care of their oral health. All too often they think that all we do is fix holes and extract teeth and apply expensive crowns; but of course we do much more and we should be shouting about it.

A perfect example of this is in the relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. There are clear, established links that reveal how the treatment of one can positively affect the other, but when was the last time you took the time to share this with a diabetic patient?

Recently, I met Dr Leticia Casanova, a Spanish Dentist who trained as a periodontist at New York University and has a PhD in Medicine, studying the connection between diabetes and periodontal disease, so she has a particularly relevant perspective. Dr Casanova recently published an article in the BDJ entitled, Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: A Two-Way Relationship.[i] The article says that if you can control people’s periodontal disease, you can actually see a genuine reduction in their diabetic condition.   

A measure of how well a diabetic is coping is in their glycated haemoglobin levels and this is recorded as a percentage. Every drop of 1% reduces the risk of heart disease and damage considerably. The article explains that being diabetic leads to an increased risk of developing periodontitis and that having periodontitis can also affect the body’s glycaemic index (in people with or without diabetes). So if you control somebody’s periodontitis, through delivering first class periodontal treatment, and then measure their glycated haemoglobin, it is possible to see a drop of up to a half per cent and this will really make a difference to their life.

The article from Dr Casanova effectively shows the interrelationship between the two problems and explains how we can deliver dental treatment that positively affects systemic disease. This leads back to my initial point, that we don't highlight the positives that we do for our patients enough. If general dentists were seen to take a more active lead in the medical conditions of their patients, maybe this would raise the profession in the eyes of the public?

The prevalence of diabetes is phenomenal, and periodontitis is three times more likely to affect those who suffer, and a lot of diabetics become edentulous, effecting how they eat – and this is not to mention the already well established links between gum disease and heart disease. So, if through making changes in our approach we are able get a patient’s diabetes better under control, we would be performing a far greater public service.

We should therefore take every opportunity to play a bigger role in our patients’ general well being. Not just in performing oral cancer scans, which are vital and we should all already be doing, but maybe through routinely measuring blood pressure, iron and sugar levels too, so that people will begin to see us not just as people who fix holes, but as doctors that can help with a medical condition.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

At 7connections, we create collateral and systems to ensure you clear your dental marketing hurdles and win the race.

The bespoke services we offer to enhance your marketing activities and maximise your return on marketing on investment include:

• Artisan Lifecycle Marketing – an innovative, automated email marketing solution that combines exceptional software from InfusionSoft with the expertise of 7connections. Focusing on the seven key phases of lifecycle marketing, the comprehensive package could help you increase new business enquiry conversation rates from an average of 18% to 80%!

• MagicBox™ – delivers a box of pre-designed and branded marketing tools to your practice door including posters, referral cards, TV loops, social media banners and patient smile evaluations. These physical and digital solutions will help drive sales, boost referrals and increase revenue with minimal cost and hassle for you, and the 12-month planner and tracker will ensure you head in the right direction.

• Ultimate Marketing Academy – a one-year programme involving quarterly meetings and 24/7 access to the 7connections library of knowledge. You’ll receive a personalised dental marketing strategy, alongside all the skills and support you need to implement it successfully – there’s also a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the results!*

For more information about 7connections please call 01647 478145,

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

visit www.7connections.com

* The 100% money-back guarantee is available if you implement the knowledge and ideas that you gain and your are not satisfied with the results at the end of the Academic year.

Many modern companies in all industries offer an array of employee benefits. There are various different schemes available, from those that provide tax incentives for employees cycling to work, to others supporting child care costs. The nature of the benefits provided will depend on each team and their individual needs.

Aside from the obvious compensations to employees, these benefit schemes also offer advantages to the employer and business. Happier staff tends to increase their engagement and maximise productivity, ultimately having a positive effect on profitability.

Healthcare benefits will also help improve the health and wellbeing of staff for reduced sickness absences. These are probably one of the most cherished schemes offered, as they entitle employees to private health and dental care, with a considerable proportion of the cost covered.

But how is this relevant to you as a dental care provider?

Most dental practices are run as a business, and an increase in new patients, higher frequency footfall and busier chair occupancy is the ultimate goal from a ‘bottom-line’ perspective. By being part of these healthcare plans and working with those who offer them, patients who use the cover will come to you for their treatment. There are businesses out there that manage healthcare plans in this way, liaising with insurance companies and dental providers to provide the highest quality of dental care for those who take out cover.

Munroe Sutton has more than 3 decades of experience in designing, organising and managing dental plans that improve the affordability and accessibility of quality dental treatment. Their dental plan was created by dentists, for dentists, so is committed to providing fair compensation and supporting the patient relationship. By working with leading financial, insurance and healthcare companies, as well as the smaller local unions and trade associations, Monroe Sutton is able to promote your practice to a huge number of new patients, all at no cost to you.

Further still, Monroe Sutton believes in prompt payment for the services provided to healthcare plan patients, ensuring a reliable cash flow.

Attracting new patients is an integral aspect of your business’ success, and it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive to you. By getting involved with the healthcare and dental plans offered to businesses and individuals, you can not only help more people enhance their oral and general health, but also build your patient base and grow your business.

For more information please call 0808 234 3558

or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

With opportunities to learn from some of the world’s most talented and renowned clinicians, the 12^th Annual Conference from the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) is not to be missed.

With outstanding education on a vast range of topics available, attendees will also get the chance to network with like-minded professionals over a packed three days. Titled “The Aesthetic Equilibrium”, the conference aims to address challenges the modern dental professional faces, balancing all the needs of the patient as well as finding harmony between biology, science, technical aspects, aesthetics and mechanics.

Part of this year’s exiting programme is a full-day, limited availability course, “Practical Crown Lengthening Techniques”, delivered by Hatem Algraffee and Zainab Malaki.

Working out of private practices in London and Kent, Hatem dedicates his time to periodontics. Zainab is a part-time consultant at Guy’s Hospital.

“We are going to cover theory in the morning, and then the afternoon will be a practical hands-on session on animal jaws,” says Hatem. “We will show attendees how to master crown lengthening techniques, what to look for, what to avoid and also give them some cases which they can plan themselves. By the end of the day, delegates will be able to assess cases with confidence so they can apply practical knowledge to their practice.

“Some practitioners try to avoid any kind of gum involvement because they are worried about raising flaps and suturing, and we will go over all of that with them too.

“If people are interested in this topic, this session will be a good place for them to start. Zainab and I are going to provide a list of all the dos and don’ts they will need to get going, what instruments to use, what instruments to buy, the information to give patients and potential pitfalls. Our course is suitable for entry level, as well as being comprehensive and thorough.

“When I was approached about presenting, I was told that every year BACD delegates always want practical sessions and our course fits the bill perfectly. Also, if you are doing certain cosmetic work, you will need to learn how to crown lengthen and adjust teeth accordingly, to some extent.

“It will be intense, challenging yet enjoyable and attendees will really get a lot of out of it. There are only 14 places on our course and we expect them to get filled fast!”

Whether you are a student, newly qualified, a highly experienced clinician or a dental technician, the BACD Annual Conference will have something for you. Other sessions will cover minimal veneer preparation, photography, implant aesthetics and there will be a lively occlusion panel. Book your place today and enjoy three days that will help you to raise standards, refine your technique and challenge yourself in every single aspect of your work.
 

The BACD’s 12^th Annual Conference runs from 12^th - 14^th November 2015 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166.

The BACD is renowned for delivering exceptional learning opportunities to its members and the extended dental profession through a full calendar of exciting events, exhibitions, conferences and meetings. Throughout the year dentists are invited to attend sessions and hear from key opinion leaders and professionals on all manner of topical subjects.

This June sees the BACD host The Composite Showdown at the Royal College of Physicians in London, where dentists will deliver lectures and talks covering all aspects of composite resin dentistry. The academic meeting is designed to further improve the skills of successful composite dentists through short, concentrated and extremely informative sessions.

Featuring some of the UK’s most talented composite resin clinicians, on completion of the day attendees will qualify for 7 hours of CPD.

Dr Guvinder Bhirth will be among the day’s speakers, presenting his session, Know your finish before you start, which will explore technique and insights around attaining correct morphology, achieving symmetrical line angles and adjusting width and height parameters when finishing and polishing anterior resin restorations.

Also leading a session on the day will be Dr Richard Lee. His short talk, Anterior layering and creation of anatomic features, will cover the advantages of layering, it will look at predictable techniques and go through the steps needed for reproducing correct primary, secondary and tertiary anatomy.

Edge Bonding – Effective modes of modifying incisal form for aesthetics and function is the title of a session to be delivered by Dr Tif Qureshi. This talk will look at how simple minimal-to-no-prep composite edge bonding can be used in various situations effectively and reliably.

Dr Monik Vasant will also be presenting a talk entitled, Posterior Layering and proximal anatomy techniques. Dr Vascant is a highly experienced clinician with a special interest in minimally invasive aesthetic dentistry and his talk will guide attendees through his thoughts on composite layering, covering the choice of materials, techniques and hints and tips used to manage contact points and occlusal schemes,

Last but not least, Dr Nadeem Younis will explore the importance of moisture control for direct resin composite restorations in his talk, Rubber Dam(n)! Friend or Foe? He will discuss the hurdles for the use of rubber dam, considering various techniques that will allow delegates to isolate teeth in a quick, efficient and predictable manner.

Whatever your area of interest of level of skill, the BACD Composite Showdown will have something for you. Don’t miss out on this fantastic chance to enhance your clinical expertise, book your place today!

The BACD’s Composite Showdown takes place on 26^th June at the Royal College of Physicians, London. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166 to find out more.

As one of the many new features of The Dentistry Show 2015, the Compliance Clinic attracted capacity crowds throughout the buzzing two-day event.

Hosted by Apolline, a leader in bespoke, hands-on services and solutions supporting dentists and their practice teams, the programme was designed to help delegates meet challenges of regulatory compliance head on.

Sessions were delivered by experts in their fields, with Stephen Henderson discussing dentolegal issues, Dr Jerry Watson exploring the benefits of patient feedback and Philip Newsome considering what it means to be a professional.

Delegate Dr Ann Kearney commented:

“The detail given in the Compliance Clinic is crucial and the speakers all delivered it in a very accessible manner. “People need to hear this to save themselves so much trouble. 10 out of 10 for everything.” 

Pat Langley, Chair of the programme and Chief Executive of Apolline (left) added:

“The Dentistry Show was brilliant for Apolline this year. There is a considerable amount of concern in the profession at the moment related to the increasingly complex regulatory requirements. We were delighted to be able to provide help and support to both our existing members and the new members who signed up with us in their droves at the Show.” 

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 – Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April – NEC in Birmingham. For more information visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If it has become apparent to you that you need a new surgery, the refurbishment of an old one or even a whole new practice, you might be unsure about how to even begin working on this mammoth task.

The breadth of elements to consider can be intimidating from the start. 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, and if you are considering building a new dental practice then there are various planning and building regulations to follow too. Many dental practices are located in beautiful historic houses, so the listed building status may also be relevant.

Making it happen

Experts in this field can work with you to understand what your practice’s vision is and then help you to plan and manage every aspect of the project. They can also advise on how to create branding that will attract new patients to your practice if you need to increase your footfall and numbers in your database.

When it comes to your team, it is remarkable, how when people work in a new and immaculate environment it motivates them to work even harder. It is not only the aesthetics that can be motivating but also the facilities available to them. The staff room is an important consideration and should be carefully thought through to optimise this opportunity.

Further still, there is the health and safety of your workforce. A development project is the ideal opportunity to maximise the latest technology and design concepts to ensure your team work in an ergonomically friendly environment – meaning healthy, motivated employees that are not plagued by musculoskeletal problems, such as repetitive strain injury.

Patient Satisfaction

One of the most challenging tasks as part of the development is managing existing patients. The new surgery and practice should ensure accessibility for all patients and create a comfortable, peaceful environment, especially for those that are more anxious of a visit to the dentist. The décor and design can assist with this, such as colours used and the layout of the surgeries and waiting room. Again, experts with decades of experience can recommend the best route to take. You also need to ensure that there is minimum patient disruption during the build or refurbishment. Good communications and awareness of progress helps keep them informed and their minds at ease.

Step-by-Step

By working with experts at Clark Dental you can be assured that after 40 years of experience they will be with you every step of the way. From initial discussions to ascertain what your vision is, to managing contractors and ensuring adherence to regulations. Clark Dental offers unique design concepts personalised to your specific requirements.

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

Hundreds of new products and technologies are released within the UK dental market every year, each having undergone extensive research and development. The goal of new innovations is to improve the clinical outcome of treatment, enhance the patient experience or streamline the practitioner’s workflow, and the best of those available in fact do all three.

The difficulty comes in attempting to remain abreast of all these advancements, but for delegates at The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015, the task was made easy. The vast exhibition of more than 400 leading trade suppliers and manufacturers brought all the very latest products, materials, technologies and services to you in one place, with the experts on hand to provide demonstrations and offer bespoke advice and guidance. Whether you were looking for advanced imaging systems, cutting-edge practice management software, proven oral health care products to recommend to patients or new CAD/CAM technology for your lab, the trade floor had something to offer you.

What’s more, the exciting new Launchpad UK highlighted the newest offerings in the dental market, following global product launches at IDS Cologne only a few weeks beforehand. More than 100 fascinating new products from over 70 leading companies were featured in the exclusive Launchpad UK guide, including innovations from the likes of 3M ESPE, Acteon, Bego, Clark Dental, DENTSPLY, Henry Schein, Ivolclar Vivadent, Kerr, Nobel Biocare, Philips, Shofu and Straumann.

Aside from the innovations available to discover and try, the exhibition was also the perfect platform from which to network with professionals in various areas of dentistry. With all members of the dental team present from dentists to dental hygienists, practice managers, dental technicians and trade suppliers, this was an ideal place to create new professional relationships and strengthen existing connections.

Gillian Greig, Principal Dentist at The Private Dental Centre commented:

“It’s my first time at the show and I’ve found it a brilliant place to see and buy products - you get some exclusive deals here. I’ve spent money and attended a few educational sessions, so it’s been a very successful day for me.”

Sofina Ahed, Dentist, added:

“I get something different out of this show every year. Last year was all about CPD, but I’m now planning to open my own practice so this year I’m sourcing new products, software and services. It’s been very useful to be able see the equipment and materials, speak to the different companies and get some good quotes.”

The trade exhibitors were also happy with the success of the event with comments including:

“We’ve pulled away from other shows, but this is an amazing show for us – we get loads of leads here. It attracts good quality delegates and allows us to show off our products and educate and engage with dental healthcare professionals.” – Dawn Woodward, National Sales Manager, Curaprox

“This is a much more friendly and approachable show than some of the others, which means delegates are relaxed and more open to buying. We’ve had a steady flow of people to the stand who are genuinely interested in what we have to offer. And we’ve made quite a few sales, so it’s been a very good show for us.” – Abigail Smith, Marketing, Coltene

This year’s trade show was so successful, in fact, that more than 100% of the 2015 event’s exhibition space has already been booked for 2016! With such figures, it is clear to see how The Dentistry Show and DTS are amongst the fastest growing dental events of the industry.

The 2016 event will be held on Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April at the NEC in Birmingham. Be a part of the most exciting show in the profession and save the dates today!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 – Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April – NEC in Birmingham. For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Principal and Founder of AURA Centre of Dental Excellence and Facial Aesthetics in Kingston upon Thames, Dr Nadine Skipp asks, ‘Where to begin?’ when taking up the provision of facial aesthetics.

It’s exciting times for dentistry. We have all seen the growing interest and popularity in non-surgical cosmetic anti-ageing treatments in recent years. But how do we make the most of this in our dental practices?

There is no doubt that the provision of facial aesthetics is perfect for dental practitioners looking to expand their practice and develop their businesses. It stands to reason that dentists are particularly suited to offering this, especially when you consider the years of training and experience in facial anatomy and familiarity with various injection techniques.

Of course, many dentists recognise the enhanced opportunities available through expanding into this growing lucrative market, but do not know how to bring this into their practice. It all begins with training and building up confidence. The first thing would be to explore the entire range of treatments available, considering all the areas and fields that initially appeal to you. From Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers to Dermaroller (microneedling) and Chemical Peels, there are a wealth of options available and the more disciplines you can learn, the more likely you will be able to accommodate all your patients’ potential needs and requirements.

In any dental clinic, unless you’re performing a specific procedure all the time, it will take a while to build up your competence. Following my own initial training, a dental colleague told me that a great way to gain practical experience, increase my confidence and build upon the foundations of my education was to work for a larger provider of facial cosmetic treatments. So that’s exactly what I did. I worked part-time as a sessional non-surgical practitioner at a leading facial aesthetic clinic. It was perfect for building up my skill levels and completing a diversity of facial aesthetic treatments throughout each day.

Of course, it’s not always possible or practical to move into such an environment, especially if you already work in a demanding dental practice, but it is crucial to get as much experience early on as possible. This really helps to cement what you have learnt and build up your confidence.

Regardless of where you apply your newfound talents, the ideal starting point is to undergo the procedures yourself. After all, you can’t expect to be able to adequately explain, understand or empathise with your patients, unless you have experienced the procedures first hand. In fact, I still have my ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures prior to embarking on my very first treatments, and I regularly use these for educating patients and marketing. This has a real wow factor for my patients and builds valuable confidence in my skills.

Also essential is to ensure that every member of staff is well educated in the treatments being offered. To help with this, it is worth encouraging staff members to undergo various treatments, where appropriate, and to use the products themselves. Your practice team can be the ultimate advert for your services and this will help to increase their knowledge and familiarity with the processes. It will also allow them to provide reliable, honest advice and assurance to patients, while also promoting the excellent results on offer.

Encouraging interest in your facial aesthetics offering is all down to your marketing and the way you spread the word about the fantastic treatments you provide. Using e-shots and leaflets that detail the procedures and outcomes patients could expect, as well as offering promotions on certain treatments will help to do this. As will talking about it during routine dental appointments. It is important not to be afraid to mention these or to hesitate when suggesting a facial aesthetic treatment to your patients. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “Have you ever thought about having this done?”

Ultimately, the best way to advertise is by ensuring the provision of high quality services. Patients that are happy at your clinic will always promote you to other people, so it’s crucial to show each patient consistently high standards of care and support to encourage this right from the start. As important as any marketing technique is, a lot of the early interest comes from word of mouth. So, by nurturing existing patient relationships and with the support from your whole practice team, you can be sure to get your facial aesthetics practice off to a great start. 

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.

The concept of digital dentistry is a three-legged stool. In no particular order, those legs are digital equipment, the tools used to make teeth; digital smile design, the way you treatment plan; and digital marketing, the way you get people in through the door.

I frequently speak about what is known as the ‘adoption cycle’. This is a bell-shape curved graph, and working from left to right you have ‘innovators’, ‘early adopters’, ‘late adopters’ and ‘laggards’. At the far left hand-side of the curve, you have the few people who are keen to try something new without any concrete evidence. The ‘early adopters’ are those who will try new things once some evidence of their success is made available, and the ‘late adopters’ will only jump on the bandwagon once solutions are tried, tested and refined. The ‘laggards’ tend to be those who are open to very little change, if any at all.

As a group, dentists are not brilliant at moving through the adoption cycle. The majority of dentists operate at the ‘late adoption’ stage of the curve, with the next largest group ‘early adopters’ and an ever-diminishing number of ‘laggards’. There aren’t, unfortunately, many dentists working in the ‘innovation’ phase either, although this is somewhat understandable – as trained medical professionals, they want to see clinical evidence of new products or technologies working effectively before they employ them in their own businesses. This does, however, make the process of innovation and development quite difficult in dentistry, as suppliers and manufacturers have limited options regarding who will trial their latest products.

Digital equipment

There is a growing range of dental technologies available on the dental market designed to facilitate the reproduction of natural-looking and functional dentition. Equipment has been advanced and refined over time to now produce clinical results of previously unparalleled accuracy and quality, enhancing the standard of dental treatment provided to patients, increasing their satisfaction and therefore helping businesses to grow. Technologies have also been developed to streamline the clinical and management workflows within practices, allowing more efficient daily processes for happier and more relaxed staff.

The umbrella term of ‘digital equipment’ now includes everything from milling machines to CAD/CAM software and 3D printers, but its place on the adoption cycle varies between countries. In the USA, for example, digital equipment is in the ‘early adoption’ phase, but the UK is slightly behind in the ‘innovation’ stage. This is an opportunity for the manufacturers of digital technologies in the UK and Europe to expand their market reach, and we will continue to see the arrival of more new equipment on British shores in the near future for this reason.

Digital Smile Design (DSD)

Here we start to get into the territory of Christian Coachman – a kind of ‘Photoshop on steroids’ for enhanced treatment planning. Once again, much of the developed world is currently moving into the ‘early adopters’ stage with regards to DSD, while the UK remains in the ‘innovation’ step of the curve. Deployment of the DSD concept may be somewhat slow here at the moment, but it offers huge potential for those who invest.

Digital Marketing

This embraces the lifecycle marketing concept that is now working its way through the dental arena. Following seven proven principles, digital marketing involves attracting new patients, encouraging them to return and encouraging referrals for new business from them. When considering Google, pay-per-click, adwords, search engine optimisation and effective website design, most dentists in the UK are probably towards the top of the curve, moving from ‘early’ to ‘late adopters’. Even the most cantankerous principals now widely accept that a practice website is necessary for the growth of a modern business. When you look at elements such as Facebook advertising, however, most practices will slide back down to the ‘innovation’ stage very quickly. This is a similar story when you consider CRM software, such as that available from InfusionSoft, and automated email marketing.

Don’t break a leg

It is essential for dental practices to look at all three legs of the digital stool in order to successfully adopt the concept and technologies and use them to enhance the patient service provided. This is particularly important for independent practices – corporates and large groups of practices will take more time to innovate and implement the changes needed as they have more management levels to work through. Independent, single practices have the opportunity, therefore, to get ahead of the game and distinguish themselves from the competition.

We at 7connections can provide any bespoke advice or information you might need to make sure you remain at the cutting-edge of dentistry, while also helping you optimise your business for maximum long-term success.

For more information about 7connections and the business coaching opportunities available, please call 01647 478145,

email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. or visit www.7connections.com

November this year sees the 12th BACD Conference play host to some of the world’s foremost dentists. Delegates will have the chance to learn from leading national and international experts across a range of specialities, as well as the opportunity to network with peers and like-minded professionals over the course of the three-day event. 

Speaking at the conference will be a number of renowned practitioners who will focus on helping clinicians achieve the optimum balance to help them become the best dentists they can. Among the presenters will be Dr Andy Toy, who will be delivering his lecture, Posterior-guided occlusion.

Andy qualified from Bristol University in 1980 and in 1982 he attended Roy Higson’s first ever occlusion course and visited the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, USA.  He has since made a life-long study of occlusion and its application to practice. In recent years he has been working with the innovative posterior-guided occlusion model. This model references an extensive anthropological evidence base, along with more recent published studies from the Faculty of Health and Sport Science in Loughborough University. Andy is also the co-author with Dr Presswood of ‘Is there such a thing as a healthy occlusion?  Lessons from history’ Primary Dental Care 2008;15(2):65-69. 

Andy says, “The whole field of occlusion is very often misunderstood and there are significant elements of the profession that ignore occlusion altogether, including many academics. This is because the evidence for the models up to this point has been so poor. But clinicians working in day-to-day practice appreciate that understanding occlusion is vitally important. What is more, as dental techniques change and evolve, and we employ less invasive dentistry, understanding occlusion becomes ever more significant. More minimally invasive dentistry is less able to resist some of the forces of occlusion, so we urgently need to understand it better.

“In my lecture I will be challenging the accepted thinking on occlusion, reviewing the evidence on some of the traditional models and presenting evidence for an updated model. Examining the various models of occlusion currently in use and critically exploring their historical evidence base, the lecture will introduce an alternative model of occlusion based on anthropological studies, along with a quick summary of the evidence to support it. Finally, the application of this new model to aspects of clinical care will be discussed, including orthodontics, prosthodontics and TMD treatment.

“The session will be aimed at all practitioners who are involved in altering people’s occlusion, especially those who work in orthodontics, restorative dentistry, or those who treat patients with jaw-joint and TMD problems. If professionals have a better understanding of the evidence surrounding occlusion, they will be able to apply their professional judgement much more successfully. This will not only immediately benefit their patients, but they will also find they have less problems further down the line with less patients returning with deteriorated dentitions or jaw-joint problems.

“Whilst I will be challenging old thinking and offering some new thoughts on the subject, I will welcome any discussions around the new approach. The development of the new methodology is always on-going and we are hoping to build a positive dialogue around this subject.”

Whatever stage of your dental career, the BACD Annual Conference will have something for you. Book your place today and enjoy three days that will help you raise standards, refine your clinical technique and achieve your aesthetic equilibrium.

The BACD’s 12^th Annual Conference runs from 12^th - 14^th November 2015 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166.

Tim Bradstock-Smith from The London Smile Clinic shares his thoughts on the increasingly popular field of implant surgery and how dental referrals can help you and your practice...

Although traditional dentures still have a place, implant surgery is fast becoming an indispensible part of mainstream dentistry. Global forecasts suggest that Europe will continue to drive and dominate the area of dental implants and prosthetics until at least 2018.[1] What’s more, the current economic recovery is likely to see a further push and market expansion.

Successful restoration for an edentulous patient takes both functional and psychosocial adaptation, but their self-confidence is significantly enhanced[2]  by their resulting satisfaction with comfort, function, appearance and health. When compared to conventional complete dentures, data has provided scientific evidence of an improved quality of life after dental implant therapy.[3] Implants are much more convenient for patients and offer improved appearance, looking and feeling like natural teeth. Additionally, patients with positive self-esteem have been shown to experience significantly fewer physical health symptoms[4] and some researchers have gone so far as to suggest that the larger your smile, the longer you may live.[5] Whichever way you look at it, successful smile restoration has both physical and psychological benefits for patients.

The medical advantages of implants are that they help to prevent bone loss and actually stimulate growth to maintain the structure of the face. Also, well-maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years.

Replacing or restoring missing or damaged teeth with virtually undetectable implants can be a complex procedure. However, it can be extremely rewarding for dentists who are able to not only produce a beautiful smile, but also raise patient self-esteem and confidence.

Successful implant surgery requires considerable attention to detail, outstanding accuracy and a comprehensive set of surgical skills acquired through on-going training and experience. Specialist technology and imaging is also needed to plan and execute implant treatment meticulously, ensuring optimal placement.

One clinician or indeed one practice may not have all the technology, space or the surgical skills required to provide the scope of treatment necessary for all implant surgery, particularly if a practice already provides specialist treatment in an alternative field of dentistry. Equally the patient demographics of the area may not make it financially worthwhile to support this provision. In addition, the training and education clinicians require to place implants successfully takes a significant amount of time as well as expense and often, if this knowledge is not used regularly, it is difficult for practitioners to maintain the skills required to achieve high quality work.

Even when a clinician is qualified to undertake implant surgery, there are still cases that require more specialist surgical skills with treatment sites that require advanced preparation or enhancement before implant surgery can take place. Some cases will require socket augmentation procedures, for example, or advanced regenerative procedures such as guided bone regeneration, bone condensation, ridge splitting, particulate grafting, autogenous block grafting, sinus augmentation, connective tissue grafting and further special methods such as inferior dental nerve lateralisation and distraction osteogenesis.

However, successful implant surgery can be still be delivered by suitably experienced clinicians or specialists in a team approach.

A centre of excellence such as London Smile Clinic provides a referral service to practitioners to undertake implant procedures on their behalf. Dr Zaki Kanaan is a highly trained implantologist, who will work closely with you to form a team, ensuring the best possible results for your patients. Whether you wish to refer more complex cases to Zaki or just refer out part of the overall treatment, the team at London Smile Clinic will keep you informed throughout the procedure. The patient will then return to you for continued treatment or on-going maintenance and care. London Smile Clinic prides itself on delivering a 5 star service and first class dentistry, and referring dentists can be confident that their patients will be in safe hands.

Keeping up in an ever-advancing industry can be both expensive and problematic. Equally, patient expectations are now much more forward thinking with an increase in people wishing to undertake corrective or cosmetic procedures.[6] It is not always possible to provide all services individually but by making use of the technology, facilities and skills offered by referral practices, it is possible to extend your areas of expertise and professionalism to enhance your treatment provision. In doing so, patient satisfaction and confidence is improved and as a result, these patients will return to your practice time and time again.

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

There is no doubt that the dental practice landscape has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years, and we are seeing this shift continue as changes to contracts, authorities and organisations affect the way we perceive and run practices. Parallel to the developments in the way dentistry is governed and managed there has been a dramatic increase in competition between surgeries, both locally and nationally. This has caused the emphasis to move more towards viewing a practice as a business, with attention given to its profitability and commerciality.

As such, the business model for a dental practice is wholly unrecognisable from that which we would have been accustomed 3 years ago, let alone to 20. Not only that, but the dentistry on offer is entirely different too. Technology has moved forward at such a pace that complex procedures that would have been either prohibitively expensive or logistically impossible are now a part of the everyday provision. As well as this the demands on a practitioner, from maintaining levels of CPD to managing staff, and the increased amount of paperwork, have snowballed, leaving very little time to consider the well-being and direction of a business.

Dentists are therefore finding themselves pushed and pulled in many directions, with their focus spread increasingly thinly over an array of equally significant issues. In such circumstances it is all too easy for one issue to take a backseat or be neglected altogether and unfortunately, more often than not, it is the marketing of a practice that suffers. This will of course have disastrous repercussions, as the reality is that marketing is just as relevant to dentistry as it is to any other business. Every practice needs to promote itself and the services it provides to ensure a steady stream of new patients. But knowing you need to make a change with your marketing and actually understanding how to do so can be two entirely different problems.

The knee-jerk reaction can be to adopt a scattergun approach, aiming everything at everyone. However, this can be an expensive and potentially pointless exercise. Closely considered and targeted tactics are much more effective in ensuring the right messages are sent to the right people. To create a successful marketing strategy for your practice, it helps to follow a tried and tested formula. The much discussed seven-step principle known as ‘lifecycle marketing’, effectively encapsulates the process of attracting new patients and retaining them by building and developing long-term relationships.

A customer centric strategy, founded on the idea of sending the right message at exactly the right time, lifecycle marketing combines CRM, e-commerce, social media and email marketing into an online system for converting leads into customers and growing sales. It utilises sophisticated email campaigns that treat each recipient individually, taking into account their level of interest in a product or service on offer. For instance, a simple exercise of splitting email recipients into three categories such as interested prospects, current patients and lapsed patients, will allow you to approach your interactions in three distinct ways, tailoring your communication to suit.

Four Main Practice Types

Across the profession, in line with the developments discussed earlier, we now see four distinct practice types emerge, each with its own identifiable set of challenges and opportunities. But whatever your practice type, adopting lifecycle marketing will help you to develop and grow your business and there are specific benefits for each category.

NHS - The primary benefit for an NHS dentist will be in the automation of the patient system and the improved efficiency of the business model – this will lead to fewer missed appointments, less time spent chasing customers and more repeat appointments.

Private - For a private practice it will revolutionise the way the dental team works, enhancing practice turnover and profitability by growing the amount of time spent performing the right treatments and increasing the uptake of elective procedures.

Mixed NHS and Private – A mixed practice will see all the benefits the purely private dentist will see, but most importantly, adopting lifecycle marketing will help to accelerate the acquisition of more private clients.

Dentist Entrepreneur (multiple practices) – The benefits for a dentist running multiple practices is the ability to automatically scale their lead generation, conversion and upsell, whilst also generating a greater consistency of service between practices AND much more efficient use of the team’s time.

No matter your practice type, the aim of your marketing will always be to increase sales and profitability. By adopting the techniques of lifecycle marketing this mission will be made far more achievable thanks to the provision of clear structures and methods for meeting new patients and expanding your clinical reach. By embracing solutions designed, customised and put together for you by the experts, you can save precious time and money without compromising the results. Working with 7connections and software giant Infusionsoft, for example, you can implement effective strategies and fresh ideas with ease.

Dentistry has certainly changed over the last two decades, but that doesn't mean your practice has to be left behind. Make sure you are able to remain competitive by ensuring your marketing is up to scratch. If your practice is feeling its age and in need of greater profitability, client retention, and lead conversions, then you need lifecycle marketing in your business.

For more information about 7connections and the Ultimate Marketing Academy, please call 01647 478145, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.7connections.com

Friday 28^th March was an exciting day for the team behind the IAS Academy, as it brought with it the launch of the very first hands-on training course for the ClearSmile Brace.

A select group of forward-thinking GDPs attended the two-day course, which was led by professionals at the forefront of anterior alignment orthodontics. ClearSmile Brace trainers Professor Ross Hobson, Anoop Maini, Nick Simon and Andrew Wallace were all in attendance of the inaugural course, as were Inman Aligner trainers from IAS Academy Tif Qureshi and James Russell.

About the innovative training course, delegate Geoff Stone from Bannockburn Dental Practice said:

“Having been an Inman Aligner provider for several years, I was looking to advance to a fixed system that involved labs within the UK. With the introduction of the IAS Academy, ClearSmile Brace and UK labs, this was a perfect opportunity for me to develop my orthodontic training with a team I trust.

“I really enjoyed the course – it was comprehensive, the format was excellent and the quality of instruction was first-class. Training provided the relevant skill set and knowledge with which to approach simple cases of adult anterior orthodontics, while also covering the limitations involved. I left confident to commence treating patients, knowing that there is a network of orthodontists and experienced dentists at the IAS Academy available to support me.”

Reiterating the calibre of the instruction and support provided, Dr. Greg Marshall from Bramcote Dental Practice commented:

“The two day course was of a very high standard. It was boosted by the presence of Professor Ross Hobson, a Consultant Orthodontist, who added to the content wherever necessary. The course improved and increased my knowledge of case selection and when referral elsewhere would be appropriate. The safeguard of mentoring prior to any treatment taking place is reassuring.”

Dr. Gareth Hargreaves from Victoria Street Dental Practice added:

“I like the IAS Academy’s approach as it's firmly based upon correct diagnosis, treatment planning and informed consent, and the good support available offers peace of mind in an area of dentistry that's not without its detractors and increasing litigation. I thought the content, format and quality of the training course were all good. I would certainly recommend the ClearSmile Brace and training course from IAS Academy to other GDPs.”

During the reception drinks in the evening of the first day, Tif thanked everyone for their time and efforts in organising the course, also thanking delegates for being a part of such an exciting new endeavour. Anoop went on to mark this as an occasion he was personally very proud of saying:

“This first ClearSmile Brace course is a very important moment for me in my career, and it is a milestone I am delighted to have reached. The process of designing the course and working with Ross Hobson has been enlightening and has completely changed the way I approach orthodontics.

“I have spent several years of my career fighting for GDPs performing orthodontics – some specialists still unfortunately believe that GDPs should not be offering any orthodontic treatments. To have someone like Ross, an orthodontic specialist, embrace our goals and help us achieve them is fantastic – he provided me with the vision, direction and the passion to change my philosophy. We are all looking forward to the future and we aim to build a network of mentors around the world, who can provide any support clinicians might need with cases. We want to raise the bar for modern GDP orthodontic training.”

As a further thank you to delegates, a raffle was organised and the lucky winner was awarded a Venus® Pearl PLT Masters Kit donated from Hereaus Kulzer.

Professor Ross Hobson, Specialist Orthodontist, later addressed delegates, highlighting the importance of adequate skill and experience in order to ensure ideal case selection and delivery of appropriate treatment:

“I love what I do and I am very passionate about dentistry. I feel that anyone can perform orthodontics, but it’s important that the right person does the right thing on the right patient at the right time. This guided learning programmed designed provides a comprehensive process. More importantly, it also enables you to explain to the patient what they need, whether you can deliver the treatment yourself or not. I look forward to working with this pathway for years to come.”

The guided learning pathway offered by IAS Academy has been created to prove an appropriate solution for general dentists looking to carry out orthodontics, from simple removables to comprehensive orthodontics. The ClearSmile Brace is an innovative aesthetic fixed appliance, now available in addition to the popular Inman Aligner and ClearSmile Aligners to resolve anterior alignment issues.

Each ClearSmile Brace course is a continuum and following completion of the initial hands-on training, delegates must submit five cases for evaluation in order to gain full certification. On-going advice and guidance is also available both from GDPs and specialist mentors via the online support, ensuring clinicians have all the tools they need to treat patients safely and effectively from their very first case, with emphasis on quality assurance. At the top of the pathway, IAS Academy also offers a ClearSmile Advanced course which spans over 13 months for those GDPs seeking more advanced, comprehensive orthodontic training to resolve complete malocclusions in children and adults.
 

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.

There are many costs when owning a vehicle such as fuel, repairs and maintenance, insurance, car tax, roadside assistance, depreciation, parking and lease payments. This leaves many dentists questioning the best possible way to purchase a car in order to minimise their tax bill. Lansdell & Rose have outlined and outlined factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle to maximise your tax relief.

The methods of tax treatment differentiate between different types of businesses and there are clear distinctions between how the tax of a vehicle works when trading as a sole trader or partnership, as opposed to a limited company. For most newly qualified doctors and dentists who are sole traders or in partnerships, the purchase of a vehicle can be represented as an asset to the business. Purchasing the vehicle through the business account would mean the company would gain full tax relief for all business use of the vehicle. An adjustment can then be made in the tax return to represent any proportion of private use.

For limited companies, a different approach applies and there are two main options. The first is that the company owns the vehicle and claims full tax relief, excluding fuel, as claiming tax relief on fuel may have further implications. The employee/director pays tax for their personal use for the vehicle. The second option sees the director purchasing the vehicle and claiming mileage at 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter. The company consequently claims tax relief and the director incurs the cost of the vehicle through the mileage claim. It is important to note that traveling to and from work is considered private and not business use of the vehicle.

Deciding the most tax beneficial ownership of a vehicle is largely dependent on the type of vehicle and most notably its fuel emissions. If the vehicle’s fuel emissions are less than 95g/kg then it might be more tax efficient for the company to own the car. However, if the emissions are higher than 95g/kg you could receive better tax relief if you own the vehicle personally.

Lansdell & Rose are specialist medical and dental accountants and tax advisers who answer questions like these for dentists and medical consultants every day. If you have a question please contact us to ensure you maximise your tax relief before making key decisions for you and your business.

T: 020 7376 9333

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

If you are combining your role as a clinician and practice owner you will be well aware of the responsibilities you shoulder. Carrying the business risk of the surgery as well as the obligation of managing the premises, staff and equipment involves many hours of hard work, but it is imperative to keep the demands of the job under control.

Often it is necessary to work extra hours to manage the heavy workload or even just to keep the head above water. There are also outside commitments and responsibilities to manage, but it can be exhausting and even counterproductive to try to juggle too many obligations at once. It can be easy to lose perspective on what is important in our lives and feel dissatisfied; therefore, it is vital to maintain a good work-life balance to enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Top tips to gain a balance

• Take a look at your working hours; try to find a balance that suits your home life with planned holidays and regular days off to relax and enjoy a social life.
• Participate in an outdoor activity everyday; enjoy the fresh air.
• Look after your body: eat a regular balanced diet and incorporate some exercise with particular emphasis on stretches or massages to take care of your back.
• Be realistic about what you can achieve; schedule your appointments generously to prevent stress and unwelcome time pressures.
• Listen to your colleagues; utilise their wisdom and experience. Even the most practiced clinician can learn from others and it is interesting to explore how another practitioner would approach a scenario.
• Set aside specific time periods to complete management or administration tasks rather than trying to just grab time between clinical commitments.
• Take full advantage of systems that make life easier; make the most of helpful technology.

Technology

The correct technology can help enormously to manage time and minimise daily stress. For example, scheduling management functions, calendar alerts and reminder applications can help you to remain organised and in control. An internal email or messaging service can also help to keep the practice running smoothly and avoid lengthy meetings that reduce productivity.

Technology that streamlines the workflow is an asset to you and the entire dental team. A reliable practice management system helps the business to run efficiently by quickly and seamlessly delivering up-to-date relevant information for both administration and clinical staff. Carestream Dental offers cutting-edge CS R4+ practice management software that is easy to use, and enables accuracy and efficiency for diagnostics and treatment planning to simplify your working day.

CS R4+ also evaluates your practice performance expediently by providing live data through the innovative Springboard feature, which allows you to monitor the core areas of your business in ‘real time’. This gives you clear, uncomplicated results at any period during the month and, more importantly, at a time that is most convenient for you.

Keeping it real

Efficient planning and organisation can really help to free up time and enable you to participate in the activities you love the most, but make sure you implement a sustainable strategy. After all, there is little point in creating a plan that is unrealistic or increases pressure. As all dental providers know, looking after your patients is imperative but it is also essential to look after your own wellbeing too.

For more information on from Carestream Dental,

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

As the digital workflow continues to evolve, the vast benefits of real-time data management are becoming ever more apparent.

Leading the way for innovation in the field is Carestream Dental, who’s CS R4+ practice management software now features Springboard.

The cutting-edge technology delivers live data in easy-to-read reports, whenever they are needed. By monitoring key areas within the practice in real-time, the software provides an accurate and up-to-the-minute representation of how the business is performing.

Delegates at the BDA Conference the year were able to witness first-hand how the intuitive software can also integrate seamlessly with additional technologies, for a smooth and highly efficient daily workflow.

Visitors to the stand were particularly interested in the innovative CS 8100 3D imaging system, bringing the power of 3D imaging within the reach of every general practice. Other popular solutions included the CS 3500 intraoral scanner and the new CS 7200 phosphor plate system.

To advance your practice management and imaging processes, discover the innovations available from Carestream Dental today.

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

John Grant Director from Goodman Grant Solicitors discusses the importance of bespoke written associate agreements.

If you were to study the legal test into whether someone is an employee or self-employed, you might quickly conclude that most dental associates are employees. The dental profession has quite frankly always enjoyed what can only be called a special dispensation from the Inland Revenue. In other words, the Revenue have not, as yet, challenged dental associates’ self-employed status. Although there is little sign of this changing at present, that is not to say it never will and it is certainly better to do what one can to protect oneself – not only against the Revenue, but also against claims of unfair dismissal by former associates

If there is no written associate agreement and a practice principle decided to terminate an associate’s contract, that associate could seek legal advice and if it was deemed that they were an employee, they could pursue a claim for unfair dismissal. This could then culminate into a sizeable compensation sum.

In addition, not only are there the risks of compensation claims, there are also tax implications. If the Inland Revenue were to pursue the case, it would be entitled to ask the principle to pay all tax that the associate should have paid as an employee over their entire period of employment. This is regardless of any tax the associate may have already paid.

Consider the criteria of the legal multiple test that is used to determine if someone is an employee or self-employed:

Personal service – does the servant have to perform the service personally or can someone else carry it out

In most associate’s agreements, the right to appoint a locum is provided – however in the vast majority of cases, it is limited and may only apply if the associate were away ill and even then, the appointment of a locum is usually subject to the practice owner’s approval.

Mutuality of Obligation- An obligation to do the work and an obligation to be paid for it.

The overall reality of a dental practice is that the principle or owner does introduce patients. Whilst many associate agreements state there is no obligation, the reality is that such an obligation does exist – otherwise principals would quickly find associates giving notice to leave the practice. When the work is complete, there is the obligation to pay the associate.

Control – how much control does the employer exercise over how the servant carries out their job?

Not only are there controls imposed by CQC, the NHS and the GDC, but in addition many written agreements stipulate that associates must comply with the practice policies and procedures – even to the extent of requiring associates to participate in practice appraisals.

Similarly, most large dental corporates go into great detail within associate contracts to explain exactly how the individual should perform the work, which I would submit is entirely contrary to the notion of associates being self employed. If they are required to attend team meetings and have to attend out of hours emergencies, this too suggests a degree of control that is most commonly found in an employee/employer relationship.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists - a Past Chairman of ASPD

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

It is well documented and often discussed that the professional climate we work in at the moment is an unhappy one, and there is a lot of uncertainty and disharmony with the regulators and governing bodies.

Indeed a recent news report that suggested doctors and dentists should ‘snoop’ on colleagues to ensure they are not prescribing too many antibiotics made me question the amount of negative press the healthcare professions receive.[i] We have all heard about the dangers and concerns around the over-prescription of antibiotics and the inevitable antibiotic resistance crisis, and certainly action is required to counteract the rise in the unnecessary prescription of these medicines.

However, this report appeared to be yet another negative piece designed to make doctors and dentists worry about every move they make. Rather than galvanising the profession into action, the effect that this will have will be to encourage the opposite. Doctors and dentists soon won’t feel able to do anything at all because they’ll all be too frightened to do something wrong.

It’s interesting to note that there is so much negative press in the news towards doctors and dentists, and yet at the same time, a recent report from the NHS, a Summary of the Dental Results from the GP Patient Survey: July to September 2014, showed that the majority of NHS dental patients rate their care as positive.[ii] Indeed we hear more about the failures and mistakes and horror stories form the profession than the good news stories – of which I am sure there are many. To a certain extent this is to be expected, it’s how the national media works, but who is there standing up for us? Shouting about the amazing things UK doctors and dentist do on a daily basis? Yes there can be issues in dentistry around pricing and communication, as highlighted by the Which? report, but anything positive seems to get swept under the carpet.

Of course the GDC’s job is to regulate us, not to promote the profession. So who is out there actively advocating the good things about dentistry? Who is supporting better oral health and the excellent, tireless, often thankless work doctors and dentists do?

The national media is all too quick to vilify and denigrate the healthcare professions, when what we really need is a series of good new stories. Perhaps we should all stop and consider something amazing a colleague has accomplished lately; or an instance where someone has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Share this story with your peers and friends and maybe we can all start to spread a little good news.

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.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, think about joining a professional academy. This shows your patients your ongoing commitment to education, an outstanding quality of service provision and dedication.

The academy that you choose will depend on the education avenues available, so ensure that you select one that suits your learning needs.

A worthwhile academy should offer the latest in education, career support, assistance to find more patients and value for money. The larger academies will hold an annual conference, featuring internationally recognised experts in the field so you can find out about techniques and developments from all around the world, but close to home.

It’s not what you know, but who you know

Another important aspect of attending annual conferences is networking – you can meet with old and current acquaintances and catch-up on their news. But, you also get to the chance to connect with new contacts and opinion leaders that have similar professional interests, too.

It is at some of the better conferences that you can get access to the speakers on a one-to-one basis. This allows you to seek valuable career advice, clinical case counsel, get suggestions on specialist courses to attend and hear their experiences with particular products and materials.

The most talked about conference of the year!

The most influential conference in the aesthetic dentistry calendar is no doubt the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (BACD) Annual Conference in November. As always, the 2015 event it is expected to be one of the most talked about conferences of the year! For the last 12 years, the BACD has staged professional educational conferences that have attracted the most eminent of dental professionals offering their insights into their specialist topics.

This year the conference is titled, ‘The Aesthetic Equilibrium’ and it seeks to achieve harmony between biology, science, technical aspects, aesthetics and mechanics, as well as balancing the patient’s emotional, financial and clinical needs. By using the finest national and international speakers, the BACD hopes the topics will inspire you and offer an insight on how to achieve this balance.

There is something for everyone at the BACD Annual Conference – technicians as well as clinicians will find something to interest them on the programme, which has also been carefully designed to be relevant to all levels of experience.  

As a dental professional, you will never stop learning, or training to be the very best that you can be. As well as honing your skills, keeping up-to-date with the latest research, equipment and materials is essential. When you join an academy, its programme of events can offer you all this and more. Contact the BACD to find out more about Annual Conference, and the other education opportunities it offers its members. 

The BACD’s 12^th Annual Conference runs from 12^th - 14^th November 2015 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166.

Dr Adyl Asani, principal dentist at TwentyOne Dental Clinic in Hove, has been using Impregum Impression Materials from 3M ESPE for over 15 years. “As far as I am concerned, it is the most superior impression material on the market,” he says. “I use it for all my indirect restorations and implant work.

“Currently, I am using Impregum Penta because I feel it reproduces the detail I need in my indirect preparations most accurately. Of course, I have used a variety of other impression materials over the course of my career, though none have provided me with the stability, accuracy and level of detail that Impregum has.

“It has ideal flow properties which means I can ensure the first impression I take is the only one I need. The flowability reproduces even the most minor details and the hydrophilic properties exhibited by Impregum guarantee excellent accuracy every time. In addition, I don’t experience drags or airblows in my impressions.”

Dr Asani uses the Pentamix Automatic Mixing Unit from 3M ESPE to ensure an efficient process. “It allows ease of mixing and handling,” he says. “Messy hand-mixing is now something from a bygone age.

“While the setting time of the Impregum is slightly longer than others, my patients readily accept that if I am to give them extremely accurate and stable restorations, a couple of extra minutes in their mouth is insignificant.

“I would have no hesitation in recommending Impregum to other practitioners if they are looking to provide their patients with the best possible accuracy and marginal fit of their indirect restorations.”

Discover the qualities of Impregum Penta Impression Material and the Pentamix Automatic Mixing Unit from 3M ESPE for yourself today.

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

With over 8,000* dental professionals in attendance, The Dentistry Show 2015 proved an even bigger success than previous years. First-class education was provided by some of the most renowned speakers in the industry, including John Kanca, Walter Devoto, Sanjay Sethi, Martin trope, Sheila Scott, Christina Chatfield, Morag Powell, Julian Webber, Ian Dunn and Sanjeev Bhanderi, to name but a few. With two-day lecture programmes dedicated to each area of dentistry, as well as more than 400 leading exhibitors, there was definitely something for everyone.

A Year of Firsts

Brand new features introduced to the 2015 event all proved hugely popular:

• The EndoLounge, provided in conjunction with the British Endodontic Society, allowed those delegates who wanted more in-depth knowledge on the subject, the time and space for exploration.
• The Facial Aesthetics Theatre was another greatly received new feature, designed in association with CCR. Topics covered everything from maximising indemnity insurance to skin rejuvenation and the world-class presenters had their audience engrossed.
• The Compliance Clinic, hosted by Apolline, offered a popular two-day programme dedicated to helping professionals face the challenges of regulatory compliance head-on.
• Launchpad UK was one of the top highlights for owners and managers of both dental practices and laboratories, with more than 100 innovations unveiled by globally leading manufacturers and suppliers.
• The National Dental Nursing Conference, designed by the British Association of Dental Nursing (BADN), was held at the show for the first time, ensuring a relevant and inspirational educational programme for all nurses in attendance.
• The Dental Update Study Day was held at The Dentistry Show for the first time this year, providing an inspirational day of lectures led by Professor Trevor Burke, Professor Avjitit Banerjee, Professor Crispian Scully and Professor Jonathan Sandler. Thought-provoking topics were discussed including minimal intervention dentistry, the impact of emerging oral diseases and the future of amalgam replacements.

Further Highlights

The Association of Dental Administrators and Managers (ADAM) attended The Dentistry Show for the first time in history, leading a popular discussion session in the Dental Business Theatre on Practice Management Today. Chaired by Sheila Scott and led by a panel of leading lawyers and business experts, the session highlighted the importance of effective patient communication, as well as exploring delegates’ concerning regarding employment law and contractual issues.

As well as many ‘firsts’ that set it apart from other annual meetings, The Dentistry Show 2015 also presented key features enjoyed by delegates in previous years. These included the BSP PerioLounge, Short-Term-Ortho Lounge, ADI Implant Theatre and Core CPD Theatre, each bringing something different to the table and ensuring all delegates’ needs were met.

Of her overall experience, Darshna Haria, Associate Dentist at Clocktower Dental Practice commented:

“I have really enjoyed the speaker sessions, from oral cancer and compliance to the hands-on meetings. I will definitely be attending next year; it’s great to be able to hear all the educational elements and be encouraged to learn and develop.”

Matthew Brooks, Dentist, added:

“The Dentistry Show is a regular event for me. I like to see the latest clinically and combine that with some CPD. It’s a great show for researching new products – I’d recommend it to any dentist.”

Aside from the abundant free learning and networking opportunities, the prestigious Dental Awards were also presented at The Dentistry Show 2015. Held by Purple Media Solutions, a fantastic night was had by all in celebration of individuals’ and teams’ achievement across the country. Congratulations to all the winners!

For those who missed out this year, make sure you put the dates in the diary for 2016 and we look forward to seeing you at The Dentistry Show next year!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 will be held on Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April, NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*Pending BPA audit

Delegates at The Dentistry Show enjoyed the opportunity to meet specialist property experts Christie + Co and shared in the wealth of experience and expertise on offer.

Utilising years of experience across many business sectors, the friendly team at Christie + Co deliver an unrivalled service that puts commitment to its clients first. Visitors to the stand were able to benefit from their specialist knowledge of business property transactions and heard all about Christie + Co’s passion towards accuracy, confidentiality and clarity of communication.

Simon Hughes, Director and Head of Medical at Christie + Co said, “We were delighted to welcome so many interested visitors to our stand. Christie + Co launched its dental brokerage service in 2013 and has since seen significant momentum as awareness of its expertise in this market has increased.” He added, “The dental sales market has recently been buoyed by the recovering UK economy and this positivity looks set to continue in the year ahead.”

If you missed them at The Dentistry Show, contact the team friendly today to see how Christie + Co can help you achieve your goals.

To discuss how Christie + Co might help you achieve your future plans please contact Simon Hughes on 020 7227 0749

Nobel Biocare impresses at The Dentistry Show 2015

Demonstrating how it remains at the forefront of innovation in implant dentistry, Nobel Biocare unveiled exciting new solutions at this year’s Dentistry Show.

Leading the way for successful implant placement and restoration in the posterior zone, Nobel Biocare launched the impressive Complete Posterior Solution to the UK.

Designed specifically to deliver the increased stability required for implants in the posterior region, the solution consists of:

• NobelActiveÒ Wide Platform (WP) implant
• NobelParallelÒ Conical Connection implant system
• Angulated Screw Channel (ASC) abutment and Omnigrip tooling
• PEEK healing and temporary abutment
• NobelProceraÒ Full Contour Zirconia (FCZ) Implant Crown.

Effective as stand alone products, these solutions integrate seamlessly for even better results when used together.

Another highlight for visitors to Nobel Biocare’s stand was the creos^TM xenoprotect collagen membrane, which offers exceptional handling properties and high mechanical strength[1] for successful soft tissue and bone regeneration procedures.

With such innovative products at your disposal, you and your patients can have confidence in the procedures you perform. Find out more about the solutions from Nobel Biocare and contact the team today.

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

This Spring look out for never seen before savings on an array of top quality UnoDent products when sourced from The Dental Directory.

Save up to 45% on UnoDent Gloves – Excellent quality with improved grip in Nitrile and Latex Powder Free, available in different sizes.

Save up to half price on Masks – High filtration efficiency and low breathing resistance, available in tie on or elasticated ear loops.

Save over 30% on UnoDent Latit Flow – A superb light-curing glass filled resin material, with excellent flow characteristics and adaption to cavity walls and preparation margins.

Save up to 33% on the Classic Impression range – From Classic Impression Putty to Classic Impression Wash, the new range of high quality vinyl polysiloxane materials feature all the qualities you would expect from a modern impression material.

The Dental Directory is the place to source all of your UnoDent products and so much more. Pick up a copy of the UnoDent flyer today to explore the full range of offers and promotions available.

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

At The Dentistry Show this year, Clark Dental celebrated 40 years’ providing the very best surgery design and equipment solutions for the UK and Irish Dental markets, with a drinks reception for its partners and clients. Renowned facial aesthetics expert, Dr Bob Khanna marked the auspicious occasion with a fine endorsement of Clark Dental as he introduced the Managing Director, Stuart Clark, who noted the history of the company that his father John had started 40 years ago in Hullbridge Essex. 

Stuart also took the opportunity to thank the partners on the exhibition stand; Medifinance, Taylor Roberts Accountants and the Dr BK Training Institute, along with the dental press and over 150 customers for joining in on the celebration. Attendees and exhibitors alike congratulated Stuart and the team at Clark Dental for this outstanding achievement, offering their best wishes for continued success in the future.

With a commitment and passion for high quality, efficiency, style and reliability, the whole team at Clark Dental genuinely care about their clients’ success, putting a strong focus on delivering exceptional personal service. This truly came across as they welcomed delegates to the stand and shared their experience and expertise.

Clark Dental provides the finest equipment from leading manufactures across dentistry; including A-dec dental units, radiography and digital imaging solutions from Nomad, Schick and Sirona, and unique innovative products such as the Florida Probe periodontal and probing system and T-scan Digital Occlusal Analysis Device. Visitors to the stand were able to see first hand how these ground-breaking solutions can help their practice to stand out from the competition.

Over the course of the two-day exhibition, delegates were also treated to innovative and exciting lectures at the stand, delivered by renowned speakers from across the associated companies. These included, Advances in Periodontal Dentistry; Patient Finance – Benefits to You and Your Patients; Facial Aesthetics – Why and How this should be part of Your Clinical Practice; and In Partnership with the Dental Profession – an introduction. Well–received by all who attended, these lectures gave delegates useful insights into all aspects of dental practice and exemplified the knowledge and commitment on offer.

Clark Dental would like to thank everyone who was able to attend the reception at The Dentistry Show, as well as its partner companies at the event, and looks forward to another 40 years of success in dentistry.

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  

The NHS contract reform is a hot topic in dentistry today, with many professionals differing in opinion as to the success of the pilot process so far. While progress has been made and the prototypes are of course set to be rolled out in the next few months, it remains clear that several areas still need to be addressed in order to encourage success of the reformed contract in the future.

Affecting all members of the dental team, profession and industry, the contract reform was a key topic explored in the GDP Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015. An open debate session was held by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), led by a panel of professionals who represented various different areas of dentistry. The panel consisted of Ben Atkins, BDHF Trustee and Principal of a pilot practice; Rebecca Harris, Professor / Honorary Consultant, Oral Health Services Research, University of Liverpool; Steve Williams, Clinical Services Director of the IDH Group; Dr Tony Kilcoyne, Dentist and Principal of a private practice in Yorkshire; and John Milne, National Dental Advisor for CQC.

Once Ben had welcomed delegates in attendance and noted the absence of representation from the Department of Health (in light of the forth-coming General Election), each of the panel members took to the podium to share their views of the contract reform. Rebecca offered the perspective of a public oral health dentist, raising concerns over whether patient access to NHS dentistry can be increased while meeting the financial restrictions imposed on Government spending.

Steve then spoke on behalf of a dental corporate, commenting that it was the responsibility of the profession to continue driving the pilots, and that they should share their experiences throughout the process so as to help create the best possible system.

Next, Tony very passionately shared his views, making the point that dentists providing NHS dentistry lacked sufficient time to deliver quality services to the quantity of patients they were expected to see. He emphasised the need for clarity both amongst the profession and public regarding which services are available on the NHS, and highlighted the importance of increased communications between the two.

Finally, John questioned the Government’s ambition to change the system, suggesting that those patients with the greatest needs are the least welcome in a practice under the current contract.

Following all this, delegates then had the opportunity to raise their own worries and ask the panel for their thoughts. Key areas brought to the floor included the dangers of reduced teamwork and the need to utilise the skill mix within a practice efficiently. Delegates also voiced concerns about whether expected standards would continue to rise in the future, how to protect patients from neglect under the proposed reformed contract and how Government cuts would affect NHS Dentistry.

All in all, the very interactive session highlighted two main points – there are still a lot of questions and uncertainties that need to be addressed before the NHS dental contract is perfected, and perhaps we as a profession should making more noise about it.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 – Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April – NEC in Birmingham. For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Attention all DBG members!

- Look out for exclusive promotions with The Dental Directory

As a valued DBG member, if you open an account with The Dental Directory before the 31^st May you could receive up to £100 in UnoDent vouchers!

If you haven’t ordered from The Dental Directory in the last 6 months, reactivate your account and you will qualify too!

All you have to do is quote your DBG membership number when you call The Dental Directory and you will receive a £50 UnoDent voucher with your first order of £500 or more (excluding VAT), OR a £100 voucher on any order of £1000 or more!*

Additionally, as a DBG member, The Dental Directory offers discounts of up to 15% off catalogue prices, an extra 1.5% for all electronic orders, plus a wide range of promotional prices across the vast range of products.

Call The Dental Directory today and see how you can benefit from all these fantastic offers!

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

*Offer ends 31^st May 2015, order total value excludes VAT 

Leanne Ridley, Dental Nurse at Ghyllmount Dental in Penrith says:

“With The Dental Directory, online ordering makes it really easy and we are moving over to a big, monthly order schedule very soon. We use The Dental Directory for all our consumables.

“We have done price comparisons recently and The Dental Directory was shown to be very competitive. Our rep, Rebecca keeps in touch, which is great and will go through new deals with us, although we obviously get the flyers through the post and can see offers online. Rebecca is very efficient at dealing with our practice needs.

Our experience with The Dental Directory is that they are easy and positive to work with and I would recommend them.”

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on 0800 585 586 or visit www.dental-directory.co.uk

Chris Barrow will be among leading business experts from across the dental profession speaking at Practice Plan’s Practice Management Conferences in June.

Delivering an unmissable session on how to develop and grow your practice, Chris will introduce delegates to the latest innovations and thought in practice marketing in his session ‘Boosting your profits and how to do it”.

In Reading on 5th June and Manchester on 19th June, Chris will take attendees on a guided tour on how to market and manage your practice and provide a clear understanding of ‘what you should do next’ and how to avoid missing the boat.

If you’re looking for solutions to your practice marketing and want to learn from the experts, make sure you attend the Practice Plan Management Conferences in June.

For more details please contact Sarah Whittall, Practice Plan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about the business services available from 7connections please call 01647 478145,

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

visit www.7connections.com.

A-dec are delighted to announce the appointment of Dean Hallows as General Manager of A-dec UK

Dean (pictured above) has more than 28 years of dental industry experience, both in the UK and internationally. Most recently as A-dec’s International Regional Manager for CIS, MEA and Eastern Europe.

He began his career as an Incorporated Engineer, focused on developing dental products for clinicians and improving business effectiveness for design, manufacture and commercialisation. This stimulated his interest in managing business improvement strategies relative to sales, marketing and customer service, which he took to the next level when he attained an Enterprising MBA.

Dean has held numerous director level positions, mostly within DENTSPLY International Inc. and his past UK responsibilities for customer service, equipment maintenance, sales and marketing will serve him well in his new role as General Manager for A-dec UK. He has been a member of several leading industry committees, assisting with the development of British, EU and International Standards related to Dentistry and is currently a member of the Institute of Directors and Institution of Engineering & Technology. 

A-dec UK
0800 233 285
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.a-dec.co.uk

Kick-starting year-long celebrations of the innovations that have led Nobel Biocare to be “First for 50 Years”, a new complete, cement-free treatment concept was unveiled at IDS Cologne, promising exciting new possibilities for implant treatment.

Developed specifically to address common challenges faced when restoring molar teeth, the complete posterior solution consists of the new 5.5mm NobelActive^® WP implant and NobelParallel^® Conical Connection (CC) system.

Designed for optimised emergence profiles, both implant systems are intended for immediate function and ensure improved stability and longevity of implant treatment.

The new NobelProcera^® Full-Contour Zirconia (FCZ) Implant Crown is the key restorative component of the complete posterior solution. Screw-retained and available with an Angulated Screw-Channel (ASC) abutment, the FCZ avoids the risks associated with cement excess while offering remarkable strength and flexible access.

Richard Laube, Nobel Biocare CEO, commented:

“This year we are marking fifty years since the late Per-Ingvar Brånemark placed the very first titanium dental implants. Nobel Biocare is proud to continue playing an important role in developing original treatment concepts to help restore quality of life for millions of patients. The innovations featured in our new complete posterior solution build on our heritage by further helping dental professionals to treat more patients better.”

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

The key to success for any business is providing the service and products required by its customers. Finding out what people want from the business is essential in order to tailor the service delivered and meet their expectations – and this should not be different in dentistry. As a trained professional, you will of course be best placed to understand the clinical treatments patients need, but it’s still important to find out what outcomes the patient desires.

Sheila Scott, renowned dental business consultant, believes practices need to take this into consideration, changing their approach to improve the patient experience and enable the business to survive and prosper in the dental industry:

“I have often come across situations where dental nurses and dentists in the same practice have contradictory ideas about what their patients want,” Sheila says. “Similarly, many receptionists, who are the first people to greet visiting patients and provide information, may have different ideas again, and additionally do not know what the practice has to offer or what goes on behind the treatment room doors.

“Practice teams need to understand patient needs accurately, and have protocols in place to deliver an excellent service that meets their patients’ expectations. Communication is key here – patients need to understand how the practice looks after them, and how it meets their perceived needs.

“Many patients still think that when they visit a practice, the dentist simply looks in their mouth to check for ‘holes’ and treatment needs. But we all know there are many more aspects to the examination than that, and we now know that what patients really want from a practice is ‘a clean bill of health’.  Patients need to be led gently through the full examination so they can fully appreciate that this is the purpose of the practice too – and so they can appreciate the full value of their visit. This will increase patient satisfaction and engagement due to enhanced understanding, and better engagement with dental health usually means that patients understand the value of any procedures needed for improvements.”

As Sheila goes on to discuss, effective communication requires teamwork.

“It is important for the whole team to work together so that consistent messages are conveyed to every patient. Showing patients how much the practice cares about their needs will further enhance their experience, ultimately boasting the practice’s reputation and increasing referrals.

“Additional benefits of close collaboration and effective communication mean that facilities and skills within the practice can be fully utilised. The hygiene department is the perfect example of this – I think they are the most under-used, under-rated profit centres of practices throughout the UK. We could double, triple or even quadruple the amount of hygiene services offered and it would go a long way to capturing the hearts and minds of patients, improving their experience and encouraging them to return time and time again.”

Sheila is taking on the role as Chair of the Dental Business Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015 and will be giving a lecture entitled ‘The Healthy Practice’ as part of the two-day conference programme.

“The Dentistry Show is one of the key meetings of the year for everyone working in the dental industry. It is busier and busier every time - the formula just works. As the Chair of the Dental Business Conference I am looking forward to welcoming a variety of industry-leading speakers, who will discuss an extensive range of topics to enlighten professionals and encourage the long-term success of their businesses.

“I will consider the approach practices need to take to be able to establish what their patients need, and how to meet those needs. I’ll also look further into the importance of teamwork and a unified approach from the entire team, helping dental practices to add value to their services.”

Sheila will be speaking alongside Tracy Stuart, Nigel Reece, Sarah Buxton and Krishan Joshi within the Dental Business Theatre, with topics covered including employment and HR law, marketing and finances. An array of additional learning opportunities will be on offer for principal dentists and their teams throughout the event, with lecture programmes dedicated to different dental disciplines and designed to enhance both clinical and business skills.

Hours of verifiable CPD, hands-on workshops and live surgery demonstrations will also be available, as well as an extensive trade exhibition hosting all the leading dental manufacturers and suppliers. The exciting new Launchpad UK initiative will provide you access to the very latest products, materials and technologies to reach the UK industry, ensuring your practice stays ahead of the game.

To discover how much more The Dentistry Show 2015 has to offer you and your team, and to book your free passes, go online today.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 will be held on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details or to book your free pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For practice managers, those aspiring to take on the role, or anyone just wanting to increase their understanding of how the practice operates, the Practice Management Today session at The Dentistry Show 2015 is the place for you.

Niki Boersma is the President of the Association of Dental Administrators and Managers (ADAM) and practice manager at The Smile Rooms in Malton. She will be running the session within the Dental Business Theatre with Sarah Buxton of LCF Law and Tracy Stuart of NBS Training. Niki commented:

“The team at ADAM is very much looking forward to The Dentistry Show 2015. It is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues in the profession, to update your knowledge and gain valuable CPD, and hopefully return to the day job refreshed and re-energised for the challenges ahead.”

Commenting on the Practice Management Today panel session, Niki gives a taster of what delegates can expect:

“We will be discussing the role of the modern practice manager and the many challenges they face, including the ever-rising volume of regulation and CQC inspections, as well as the increasingly litigious society in which we live. The presentation will also cover the need to effectively market your practice in order to increase patient numbers.

“Understanding all of these issues is essential for practice managers today, so that strategies can be put into place ensuring the practice succeeds in the competitive dental sector.

“Hopefully those who attend will leave better informed and better prepared to face these many challenges - and with a realisation that they are not alone. There are many other practice managers facing the same challenges and, through ADAM, they can share their views and occasional frustrations, while also seeking guidance and direction from their peers.”

Alongside this informative lecture, The Dentistry Show will offer a range of other exciting learning opportunities available throughout additional theatres, including the new Endolounge, presented in association with the British Endodontic Society, the BSP PerioLounge, Facial Aesthetics Theatre and CORE CPD Conference, ensuring something for every member of the dental team.

Book your free delegate pass online today and benefit from world-class speakers, copious networking opportunities and much more at The Dentistry Show 2015.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 will be held on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details or to book your free pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Niki is Practice Manager at The Smile Rooms in Malton, North Yorkshire and President of The Association of Dental Administrators and Managers (ADAM) which was established in 1993 as a not for profit organisation and aims to represent all members of the dental administration team, including the Practice Manager and those who aspire to be Practice Managers. Niki also runs a Guest House in Thirsk, North Yorkshire with her husband.

It is a requirement of the GDC for all dental professionals in the UK to have adequate indemnity provision in place, or they may face removal from the register.

In order to comply, there are currently three types of cover that are recognised by the GDC, and it is crucial that each dentist makes the appropriate choice. The options are:

 - Dental Defence Organisation membership – held individually or as membership provided by the employer

 - NHS / Crown indemnity – most doctors employed by the NHS are covered for the duties described in their contract

 - Professional indemnity insurance held individually or by the employer.

At first glance, the concept of indemnity cover seems fairly straightforward: you are either covered or you are not. However, for a practice principal working with an associate the issue of indemnity, and more crucially the party responsible for it, can cause some confusion due to the nature of their professional relationship. For instance, a question that regularly arises is: Does an associate dentist count as an employee?

This is relevant because according to employment law, an employer is vicariously responsible for the actions and his or her employee and could be held accountable should any claims be brought against them. However, it is widely understood that this is not the case for dental associates who are often thought of as self-employed. Indeed, it is not uncommon for practice owners to operate under the assumption that they will not be held liable, or responsible, for the actions of an associate dentist working in their practice due to their self-employed status. Nonetheless, there have recently been more than a couple of incidents that show that this is not always the case. As such these situations have highlighted the necessity of ensuring any associates working at your practice are sufficiently covered.

The recent Whetstone case is often used by some legal firms to demonstrate how practice owners are vicariously liable for the actions of their self-employed associates. A somewhat unique situation, this case involved an associate who did not have indemnity and the practice owner has held liable for their actions. As the owner had not checked whether the associate had sufficient cover, he was held responsible, despite the self-employed status of the associate. Despite deliberate trying to demonstrate vicarious liability on his part so as to receive compensation from his insurance, he not only lost the case, but was also awarded all the costs.

This case and many others exemplify the position that many principals find themselves in, whereby if their associate was found to have insufficient cover they would face increased scrutiny around the relationship between the two parties, and potentially could be held liable for any claims against the associate. Following the correct procedures and taking reasonable steps to ensure sufficient cover is in place, will help practice owners avoid situations like the case above.

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

Author: Ian Gordon BDS MFGDP

Senior Partner Alpha Dental Group 

Dental implants have revolutionised the dental industry and they are fast becoming an essential aspect of the modern dentist’s range of skills. Providing a significant improvement in function and aesthetics for partially or completely edentulous patients, implants restore the ability to eat and speak and can dramatically boost self-confidence.

As such, a real difference can be made to patients’ quality of life, enhancing both social and professional areas of their lives. It is unsurprising therefore that patient satisfaction is generally very high with implant procedures, bringing further benefits to the practice in the form of glowing reviews and increased referrals. In addition, clinical studies suggest that although most people would prefer to save their natural dentition (as would most professionals), implant therapy patients become more aware of their oral health following treatment, and ensure regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and check ups thereafter.[1]

The placement and restoration of implants does however require a specialist set of skills and clinical experience, and quality training is necessy in order to ensure the longevity and success of treatment. The clinician’s goal is to serve the patient by providing first-class procedures and care, and alongside sufficient training, this is further facilitated with use of carefully designed, cutting-edge technologies. Digital CAD/CAM systems have been developed to enable high-precision treatment planning and design of restorations, which are now well received throughout the industry. Such technologies also reduce laboratory time and improve the quality and precision of fit of restorations produced first time. This technological accuracy along with streamlined treatment capabilities enables clinicians to take their dentistry to the next level and consistently achieve optimum treatment outcomes.

Careful diagnosis and treatment planning is key to this success. Throughout the planning stages, every detail needs consideration from the design of the implant and restoration to the gingival surface characteristics. Effective planning can shorten surgery time significantly, as not only is the dentist prepared and the patient properly informed, but a satisfactory brief can also be delivered to the team and adequate information can be relayed to technicians during the restoration process. Established implant protocols require meticulous execution by the whole team for the best possible results, so collaboration between all professionals involved needs to be effective.

The patient also has a role to play in the maintenance and continued care of the implants for long-lasing success, which they must be made aware of before procedures have even begun.

Nobel Biocare, a pioneering company in the field of implant-based dental restorations, is dedicated to empowering dentists with the best solutions possible. Through fully integrated technologies that enable seamless workflows, Nobel Biocare helps clinicians not only enhance their clinical practices, but also grow their business.

The globally renowned dental product supplier will provide a morning’s programme at the ADI Team Congress in May 2015, designed to educate and provide a platform for discussion regarding restorative protocols, technological innovations and the latest trends in implant dentistry.

The subject of the interactive sessions will be “Preferred Treatment Concepts for Today’s Patient Needs”, and a range of topics will be covered to help delegates refine and broaden their skills for better treatment provision. Nobel Biocare will present some of the most experienced clinicians and researchers in the field throughout the corporate forum, including:

• Stefan Holst DMD PhD will ask: ‘What impact does implant designs, surface characteristics, surgical and restorative protocols have on the end result?’
   
• Alessandro Pozzi DDS PhD will explore ‘Maximising treatment outcomes in the aesthetic zone with efficient treatment workflow’.
• 
  Jose M Navarro DDS MS will discuss ‘The biology and protocols of immediate implant placement and tooth replacement’.
   
• Edmond Bedrossian DDS FACD FACOMS FAO will speak about ‘Managing failing dentitions and their transitions to edentulism’.
   

Nobel Biocare is at the forefront of implant and restorative dentistry and is dedicated to keeping practitioners abreast of developments as they occur in this constantly advancing market. First-class education is offered as well as products, materials and state of the art technology to enable practitioners to achieve high quality restorations and furthermore, outstanding patient satisfaction.

The ADI Team Congress Corporate Forums will take place on Thursday 14 May 2015 offering professionals a chance to discover the latest research and developments in the dental implant arena, while also gaining new ideas to ensure the highest standards in patient care.

To book a free place for the Corporate Forum, please indicate attendance on the registration form or online registration at http://www.adi.org.uk/profession/index.htm

For more information on the cutting-edge solutions available from Nobel Biocare, please call 0208 756 3300 or visit www.nobelbiocare.com

With the dental profession coming under increasing pressure in terms of regulation and compliance, it can be difficult to ensure that you are always up to date. There are constant regulatory updates to contend with, all alongside catering for your patients, running a busy business and undertaking high quality clinical work, so it's little wonder many feel snowed under with their responsibilities and, in particular, with regulatory requirements.

Especially with the changing CQC inspection procedures set to come into play from 1 April 2015, it’s important to know the facts in order to make sure you and your team are focusing on the important thing. This will help you to avoid confusion and potential problems in the future.

That's why The Dentistry Show 2015 is proud to bring you the Compliance Clinics in association with Apolline, leaders in bespoke, hands-on services and solutions supporting dentists and their practice teams. The sessions are designed to help you better understand the rapidly changing regulatory environment and work out solutions to current challenges. The Compliance Clinics will examine some of the obstacles the dental profession must navigate around in 2015 and beyond, while helping you to discover ways to survive and prosper in what can feel like an increasingly stormy future.

Topics covered will include: 

• Current professional environment – the challenges
• An update on the proposed changes to CQC
• Hints and tips on complying with the CQC’s new fundamental standards regulation
• What it means to be a professional person in 2015
• Challenges posed by the GDC’s ‘Standards for Dental Professionals’ and a risk-based approach to keeping medico-legally ‘safe’ patient records
• The importance of feedback in running a profitable, patient-centred practice and in demonstrating compliance to the CQC.

If that wasn't enough to keep you up-to-date, there are even more sessions to be announced in the run up to the Show.

Providing this practical advice on surviving and prospering in an increasingly challenging professional and regulatory environment will be Pat Langley, Chief Executive of Apolline; Jerry Watson, Director at Apolline and private practitioner; and Dr Philip Newsome.

Philip is an Honorary Associate Professor within Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong, and in 2013 received an Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) for his contribution to the profession. Currently splitting his time between the UK and Hong Kong, where he maintains a thriving practice, he is a highly experienced and respected global lecturer. Within the Compliance Clinics, Philip will present a session entitled “What it means to be a Professional Person in 2015”, looking at what it means to be a professional, how our views of it have changed over the years and what is expected of us as professional people in 2015. Philip adds:

“I will be discussing what practitioners and their staff can do to maintain high professional standards. I will also show how such high levels of professionalism and ethical behaviour translate into a wide variety of benefits such as personal well-being and sustained business success.”

With more speakers to be confirmed nearer the date, make sure you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to advance your knowledge at the Compliance Clinics.

Keep it fresh

Not only will this year's Dentistry Show provide you with vital updates on changes to the CQC and what practices need to do to get through their next CQC inspection, there's plenty more on offer for the whole dental team. The two-day event will be packed full of lectures dedicated to each area of the profession, offering verifiable CPD, inspiration and fresh ideas to help you enhance every aspect of your practice. You’ll also be able to speak to leading names in dentistry about the latest technologies and ideas, while networking with professionals in all corners of the industry.

New features such as the exciting Launchpad UK will also enable you to discover the latest products to reach the UK, materials and innovations in UK dentistry, with top international suppliers showcasing everything they have to offer.

The Dentistry Show provides a great day out for the whole practice offering a cutting-edge education programme brought to you by industry-leading speakers, a packed exhibition hall and plenty of chances to meet up with like-minded colleagues. If you only attend one event in 2015, make sure it’s The Dentistry Show 2015.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 will be held on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details or to book your free pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Now that 2015 is well under way, New Year celebrations seem like a distant memory and everyone is looking to their next holiday, I thought I’d take a minute to look ahead.

I’m going to suggest three main predictions for the coming years, which I think will affect dental practices the most. These changes will not only shape the profession as a whole but also will affect the way practices are operated and how their services are marketed to patients.

Firstly, we will see a significant increase in the number of individual practices sold to corporates and groups. Many practice owners are worn out from the economic struggle of the past few years, from growing competition and the ever-more time-consuming regulations. They have had to work 10 times harder than they would have done 20 years ago, and as a result, I have seen a huge increase in the number of practitioners over the age of 50 considering selling their practice to alleviate the responsibility and stress.

Secondly, I predict further downward pressure on remuneration in dentistry. Salaries will, at best, freeze, as will remuneration packages for dental associates, hygienists and therapists; although it is more likely that they will decrease. This goes hand-in-hand with a continuing transfer of responsibility to dental care professionals – I think associates will become more limited regarding what they can do, as more work is allocated to other members of the dental team.

This is obviously not good news, but you need to be realistic in order to prepare and protect your future career. As a dental associate, I believe your value will depend on the degree of specialisation you develop. The skills you offer in disciplines such as implantology, endodontics or high-end cosmetic dentistry, which cannot be emulated by other team members, will become fundamental for success in the dental profession. The key, therefore, is to be at the top of your game in whichever niche you chose, and it is important to recognise this in order to protect your future.

This could lead to a decrease in the number of general dental associates working in dentistry, and may even call into question whether the role of the dental associate has a future in the modern profession.

Finally, I predict a continued increase in the level of enquiries made to the regulators as a result of patient complaints. With the existing Fitness to Practise system within the GDC widely discredited, steps are already being taken to try to modernise the process for greater effectiveness and efficiency. I think the extent to which the governing bodies regulate the profession will inexorably continue to increase. That will necessitate greater diligence with regards to record keeping and marketing language and increase the importance of providing appropriate and affordable dentistry, as there will be a higher chance of legal problems should any issues arise.

Depending on your perspective, these predictions may not seem particularly positive. You can look at them in one of two ways – one, the profession is doomed; or two, we will create a better, leaner profession which will provide more ethical dental treatment and care to patients.

In an interesting paradox, I am one of many crusaders who support the concept of emotional marketing. It can be a very effective way of attracting new patients and encouraging people to enquire about and go ahead with treatment. With the above points in mind, however, the importance of managing patient expectations and not promising anything you can’t deliver, is very evident. As a healthcare professional, you are often presented with opportunities to improve people’s quality of life, but you also have a responsibility to protect their health and safety and to make sure they understand all the risks and possible outcomes involved.

Consequently, your marketing strategy needs to strike a careful balance between evoking the emotions that will lead people to act and undergo treatments, and giving them realistic expectations of what you can achieve.

Whether you are looking to boost patient numbers so as to improve profits or create a position where you are able to offer staff pay-rises, you need to attract business effectively, and in a way that doesn’t leave you vulnerable.

This is where support such as that offered through the Ultimate Marketing Academy with 7connections can help – we will not only demonstrate how to properly utilise emotional marketing, but also help you to ensure an ethical approach that protects both your business and your patients.

Whatever the next 12-24 months hold for the dental profession, we would expect to see several changes and new trends emerging. It is important that all dental professionals prepare for such changes, so as to protect their careers and secure a successful future in dentistry.

For more information about 7connections and the Ultimate Marketing Academy, please call 01647 478145, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. or visit www.7connections.com

Contributing to the excellent educational programme at this year’s Dentistry Show, Carestream Dental will be hosting two sessions.

Within the popular Dental Business Theatre Jane Guinn, Managing Director of Carestream Dental, will explore the vast benefits of effective data collection to help drive practice growth. Discussing how real-time data affects your patient communication and the efficacy of your recall systems, Jane will also show how crucial proper data management is and demonstrate how the innovative CS R4+ Springboard can help.

Dr Maria Harman, a highly experienced general dental practitioner and principal of Clinic 95 in Oxford, will also be delivering a session in the ADI Implant Theatre entitled ‘Improve your implantology with a digital workflow’. She’ll look at how high quality CBCT technology enables a more predictable, accurate and speedier diagnostic and treatment planning process, for an improved patient experience in a shorter treatment time.

To advance your practice management systems with real-time data, or to make the most of a digital workflow, make sure you don’t miss sessions hosted by Carestream Dental at The Dentistry Show 2015.

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

As the focus in modern dentistry shifts further towards to prevention, effective teamwork is necessitated in order to deliver an excellent patient service. Collaboration between the team ensures that a coherent message is conveyed to patients no matter who they speak to, giving credibility to both the clinical advice given and the practice itself.

The same teamwork also enhances clinical outcomes, as practitioners are able to support one another to improve the results achieved.

Ian Dunn is a Specialist Periodontist with a wide variety of experience in practice as well as teaching. He is the Periodontal Teaching Lead at Liverpool Dental Hospital while also working in practice alongside a wide variety of other specialists in the fields of endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics and dental implants. Ian knows the importance of a full team approach in the management of periodontics and will be speaking at The Dentistry Show 2015.

"I have attended The Dentistry Show as both a delegate and speaker on four occasions and have had the pleasure of listening to some of the biggest names in dentistry speak on a wide range of topics. The different lecture programmes mean that there is something for the whole dental team. I have always found the Show to be very well organised and it has one of the best trade fairs I have been to. 

"In my lecture entitled 'I'm a periodontist, How can I help you?' I will be looking at some of the ways a periodontist can work with other members of the dental team for the benefit of the patient. I will spend a large section of the lecture looking at periodontal diagnosis and common misdiagnosis – something that should be of great interest to hygienist and therapists in light of the new rules around direct access and the need for other members of the dental team to be involved in the diagnostic process. I will finish the lecture looking at some of the advanced treatment options such as surgical management of periodontal disease. 

"I would hope that delegates attending the lecture will better understand the role of the periodontist and how we can help them stabilise their patients’ periodontal health. I would also hope that delegates will leave with improved diagnostic skills and be able to better avoid the common misdiagnoses that I see on a regular basis. Finally they should also be able to discuss the range of options available to patients once they are referred into specialist care."

The Dentistry Show 2015 is a two-day event tailored to the needs of the entire dental team offering a wide range of products, verifiable CPD lectures, hands-on workshops and opportunities for networking. Register for your free delegate pass today and make the most of everything available to you at The Dentistry Show 2015.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015, Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, NEC in Birmingham. To register for your free delegate pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A recent appointment with a particularly happy patient got me thinking about what is it that makes us, as dentists, happy? And when are we happiest?

Is it satisfied patients? Successful treatments? New technology and gadgets? Holidays? Certainly all of these elements contribute to a sense of momentary contentment and satisfaction, but what is it that creates a more long-term feeling of happiness? And what can we do to make our profession happier? 

There are many psychological studies that put choice, autonomy and control as major contributors to feelings of happiness. It would appear that we are happiest when we have control of our own destinies, when the decisions that affect us most are the ones that we have the power over. Thus, as dentists, we may be happy in our day-to-day practices and surgeries because this where we are in charge and make the decisions, but, as soon as this control is taken away we can feel uncomfortable, unsure and less content.

In a wider sense, this is something that many dentists are feeling at the moment and there is a growing sensation of unease and unhappiness across the industry. This can be attributed to an increasing sense of a loss of control over a profession that we are all care deeply for and are so passionate about.

The well-documented problems with the GDC certainly don't help the situation and for many the lack of perceived control in this area in particular is a source of anxiety and distress. Many felt that eventually something had to change and the GDC is now firmly in the dock, facing the wrath of a disgruntled profession as LDCs across the country have expressed their disdain and frustration. The latest wave of disapproval from professionals stems from the significant increase in retention fees for practitioners, but also has deeper roots in the way in which the GDC operates as a whole. But the question remains: how do we change all this and what would actually make us happier?

In its response to the LDCs, the GDC released a statement saying that it was anxious to ‘engage constructively with the dental profession’ and has planned discussions that it hopes professionals will participate in. Certainly entering into a two-way discourse is the first step to achieving some sort of mediated appeasement, but will this make us happier as a profession?

Ultimately, what dentists want is to feel like they have some degree of control over their industry and their future. It is therefore time to examine the roadblocks that are getting in the way and begin changing dentistry for the better. By wrestling back some control, perhaps we can all be a little bit happier?

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.

‘Networking’ is not simply a personal sales pitch. It is based on trust, which means building on and maintaining relationships over a period of time. The benefits in having a broad and vibrant network are huge. Even if you are not a natural extrovert, it is relatively easy and enjoyable to network successfully and connect with people that will have a long-term, positive impact on your career.

Like any good relationship, networking should be mutually beneficial. See it as a tool to exchange information about best practice, new techniques and products as well as gaining introductions to practitioners with similar interests. When you meet regularly with your peers, you put yourself in a position to seek their advice about similar challenges they will have faced. Active networking can put you at the front of people’s minds when job opportunities arise. Sharing your own ideas will help you to build a reputation as an innovative thinker and being able to offer assistance or advice means people will hopefully reciprocate in the future.

Connecting with more experienced professionals will open the door to career guidance that money just cannot buy. You may even find a mentor or, at the other end of the scale, finding someone to mentor is a richly rewarding experience.

So, how does one begin? The simple answer is to get out there! Go to professional events, take courses and attend lectures - participate. Be a familiar face on the circuit and you will become known as someone who is enthusiastic and supportive of the industry.

The best way to use your networking time efficiently is to join an established group, such as a professional academy. Choose one with high-calibre members. For example, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) boasts hugely some hugely influential and well-liked dentists, such as Julian Caplan, Tif Qureshi and Zaki Kanaan who are all regular attendees at the Academy’s events as well as frequent award-winners in their fields. The BACD attracts world-renowned speakers to its Annual Conference every year, giving dentists the opportunity to meet with them in a professional, yet relaxed setting. BACD dentists have also participated in high-profile media projects, and members are encouraged to diversify, for example by writing articles or presenting at its events.

Networking will not only keep you in touch with the industry, but will help you to focus your career path – the earlier you start, the better. Professional academies facilitate networking, but it does involve a degree of commitment too – the more frequently you get out there, the more your confidence will grow. You will not become the best you can be by going it alone.

The BACD’s 12^th Annual Conference runs from 12^th - 14^th November 2015 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel. Go to www.bacd.com, email Suzy Rowlands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 612 4166.

The very first evidence of dental impressions can be found as far back as the early 18^th century. Dentist Phillip Pfaff described a technique of taking impressions using sealing wax softened in hot water, before pouring plaster of Paris into the mould to form a rigid cast.[i]^,[ii] A letter by Isaac john Greenwood in 1861 also suggested that beeswax was used to create models for early dental prostheses.[iii]

While the general concept for taking impressions has remained the same, methods of acquiring data has of course changed. The first true precision impressions using hydrocolloids were taken in 1925, and the fundamental compounds have been used ever since. Various products have been brought to the global dental market over the years, each designed with the latest technologies of the time to improve the experience for both practitioner and patient, while enhancing the clinical result.

The test of time

In the last century alone, few products and technologies have stood the test of time. In fact, many of those that have been around even a decade after inception owe their survival to continual development and refinement in order to cater for the ever-evolving demands on dental professionals.

Modern suppliers and manufacturers have therefore invested much time, money and effort in the research and development stages of any and all products on offer. Clinical trials, studies and assessments are performed to test products before general release into the market, and user feedback is used to refine both existing and future solutions.

No company understands this better than 3M ESPE, who is delighted to be celebrating an impressive 50 years of the Impregum Polyether Impression Material family, from which several widely recognised and highly praised products have been borne. It was the first polyether impression material available.

Where it all began

Since its introduction in 1965, Impregum F was immediately popular with dentists around the world. Properties of the polyether material such as its incredible hydrophilicity, snap-set behaviour and monophase characteristics lent well to wet environments, and dentists were afforded good handling with the desired long working and setting times. Its rigidity when set allowed for superior accuracy and detail capture, as well as dimensional stability and outstanding reliability. Polyether products have since been the material of choice for most implant dentists, and even to this day, the Impregum Impression Materials remain the only true polyethers available on the market.

In the early 1990’s came the 3M ESPE Pentamix Automatic Mixing Unit – another first of its kind. The initial material to be made suitable for the Pentamix Mixing Unit was the high-selling Impregum F, which henceforth became known as Impregum Penta. Similarly, Permadyne Polyether Impression Material followed two years later, which was also suitable for automatic mixing. As many dentists preferred a heavier viscosity material in the impression tray and a lighter less viscous running material around preparations in the mouth, this is exactly what Permadyne provided.

Continual development

In order to improve the smell and taste of Impregum Impression Materials, while also offering a less rigid-set option, 3M ESPE developed Impregum Penta Soft in 2000. Combining all the characteristics of the highly popular polyether family, this product was designed to be easier to extract from the mouth while also being more forgiving with a softer set state. A year later the Impregum Penta DuoSoft was launched, meaning ‘two softs’, which provided a heavy viscosity yet softer material for the tray and a light viscosity material for the prep.

By this point, the clinical practise of dentistry had changed somewhat since Impregum was first developed. As such, a new demand for short working and setting times needed to be met. The entire 3M ESPE polyether family so far had an approximate overall working and setting time of 6 minutes. Customers had expressed a desire for faster setting times in order to enable smooth and streamlined workflows, and so came the Impregum Penta Soft Quick range in 2004, which dropped the working and setting time down to about 4 minutes. For the first time, dentists could employ fast setting modified polyethers for monophase and one-step / two-viscosity techniques based on the revolutionary ‘snap-set’ behaviour. Dental laboratories also reported a very high quality of casts with this material.[iv]

Industry recognition

Giving dentists even more confidence in their 3M ESPE products, Impregum Penta Impression Material and Pentamix Automatic Mixing Unit have gained several accolades over the years.

Impregum Awards:

• The Dental Advisor, Preferred Product winner, 2010 – highly rated and considered one of the best products in the market at that time.
• The Dental Advisor, 2013 Clinical Problem Solver – recognised for its ability to capture margin detail with subgingival preparation.
• The Dental Advisor, 2014 Clinical Problem Solver – praised for its rigid set state and ability to provide an accurate representation of an implant for more precise impressions first time, even when haemostasis is difficult to achieve.

Pentamix Awards:

• The Dental Advisor, Editors’ Choice.
• Reddot design award, 2009 – praised for its compact and versatile design and ease of use.
• The Dental Advisor, Assistant’s Choice, 2009 – awarded for its smaller size and easy use.

50 years later

Proving its worth half a century after its initial creation, Impregum Impression Material remains a highly suitable product for a wide range of indications including inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges and implants. Offering flexibility of working times and viscosities, Impregum enables you to work the way you want to and is often the preferred material for implantologists the world over.

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

It’s no secret that effective dental marketing is the key to business success. In the modern technological world, it is also easy to see how the internet provides an ideal platform from which to promote your services. But where is the best place to start? What exactly should you be doing in order to reach your target audience?

CEO of Dental Focus® Websites, Krishan Joshi, will attempt to answer such questions at The Dentistry Show 2015. He will be speaking from within the popular Dental Business Theatre to discuss the “Top 5 Critical Points to Improve Your Website and Attract Enquiries From Your Ideal Patient”.

“In marketing there seems to be a hundred and one things to do,” Krishan comments. “In any system, there is always a critical point where the least amount of effort actually provides the most significant result. So what are the ‘Top 5 Critical Points’ that the most successful practices know about and consistently apply to give themselves the best chance of success?

“The website is the center of any practice’s marketing strategy and it’s important to understand how to warm up the cold enquiries before they visit the website, and then how to get them to tipping point by moving visitors from research mode into action mode. An emotional website is a good one. It’s also crucial to remember that on a website, there is no competition. You own the entire retail space of the screen, so you literally have to give patients a reason not to choose you.

“This is what I will be talking about, which is truly exciting because it’s the start of 2015, and what better time of the year to take immediate action? I’ll also explore how Google can be used in a similar way to Trip Advisor for practices with five star ratings, and how you can encourage patients to link to your website and then attract five of their best friends to increase referrals and grow your business.”

Aside from the Dental Business Theatre, The Dentistry Show 2015 will offer an array of forward-thinking and truly inspirational lectures, hands-on workshops and live surgery demonstrations. Additional theatres will provide insight into the current ideas and techniques within each specialist discipline, and the innovative Launchpad UK will bring you the very latest products and materials in the UK industry, ensuring there is something for every member of the dental team.

As Krishan concludes, The Dentistry Show really is an event you don’t want to miss.

“The Dentistry Show is an anchored memory of consistent success for Dental Focus. I remember giving my very first lecture at the event about five years ago to an overflowing standing theatre of hundreds of delegates. I have always been a raving fan of The Dentistry Show and love its energy, quality speakers and the people. The value for delegates and the profession is off the charts.”

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015, Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, NEC in Birmingham. To book your FREE pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or

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

American Express to host the show’s VIP Lounge

27^th February 2015 American Express today announced it will be partnering with The Dentistry Show, which will be held at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, 2015.  With a dynamic educational programme as well as a first-chance look at the latest innovations in the UK industry, The Dentistry Show is the UK’s largest source of live Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the fastest growing dental trade exhibition: an event not to be missed.

Under the new partnership, American Express will be supporting the VIP experience granted to attending owners, practice managers and dentists.  In addition to the American Express hosted VIP lounge, the VIP experience includes fast tracked entry, complimentary lunch and front row seats in the Aesthetic Dentist Theatre.  VIP status is granted automatically to attendees who have qualified in the past; new attendees should visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk/VIP to find out more.

Providing numerous learning and networking opportunities for all members of the dental team, The Dentistry Show 2015 will host a two-day programme packed with inspirational lectures, practical advice and hands-on experiences, as well as attendance from over 400 UK and international exhibitors. World-class speakers will present on a wide variety of clinical and business topics, with over 100 CPD sessions available and theatres dedicated to each area of the profession.

Stacey Sterbenz, Director, Small Business Services UK, said: “American Express is delighted to be a part of such a significant event in the dental calendar.  We have many established and long-standing relationships within the dental industry and with the small businesses in this sector.  We are very much looking forward to welcoming show attendees to the American Express VIP Lounge at The Dentistry Show.”

To find out more about the American Express Gold Business Card, visit americanexpress.co.uk/dental or speak to one of the American Express ambassadors in the VIP Lounge at the show.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 - Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April, NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card

Delegates at The Dentistry Show this year will have the opportunity to meet the team from Zesty, one of the leading online appointment booking sites in the UK.

With their innovative platform for patient bookings, the expert team will be on hand to help attendees explore the difference that working with Zesty can make to a practice.

Attracting new patients is a top priority for most dental practices but it can be a struggle to know where to begin. An online booking system that allows patients to schedule their appointments even out of hours can be really helpful. Zesty gives you the tools to be able to do this by enabling you to upload your available appointments and allow patients to book in their own time. Effectively, joining Zesty will mean you can be available to take bookings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If your practice is need of new patients and you are looking for a way to attract more clients, make sure you visit the Zesty stand at The Dentistry Show.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 0203 771 7799 for more information. 

The Dentistry Show 2015

Not only a dental event that the whole team will enjoy but also the perfect opportunity to gain valuable education and experience, The Dentistry Show, taking place on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, is the place for all dental professionals to be.

Having consistently grown since its inception in 2009,[1] The Dentistry Show expects a record high 7,500 delegates this year. Held alongside the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS), this will ensure hugely varied networking opportunities for all, enabling you to meet old friends and new from all corners of the profession. So don’t miss out!

Renowned for its electrifying atmosphere, exceptional speaker line-up and diverse learning opportunities, The Dentistry Show is one of the few completely FREE events on the dental calendar. You will have access to a 400-strong trade exhibition hosting the top dental manufacturers and suppliers from around the world. The outstanding educational programmes will be bursting with insight and fresh ideas, with sessions presented by world-class speakers such as John Kanca, Luca Dalloca, Walter Davoto, Chris Orr, Martin Trope, Sheila Scott, and many, many more.

New to 2015…

• New dates – last year, a huge 69% of 756 dentists who had not attended the Show in 2014 or 2013 said they were likely or very likely to visit if the event moved to April. So to enable even more professionals to attend, we are holding the 2015 event on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, at the central location of the NEC in Birmingham.

• Launchpad UK – following the global launches at IDS, the very latest products, materials and technologies to reach the UK will be unveiled from leading dental suppliers. You’ll be able to get to grips with an array of cutting-edge innovations, with experts available to provide first-chance hands-on opportunities, as well as all the information you could need.

• GDPUK Online Guide to the Dentistry Show 2015 - feature in the FREE online guide, which is being hosted by our media partners GDPUK. Further information can be found here. 

• Dental Awards 2015– having fun with friends has always been an important aspect of The Dentistry Show, and we are delighted to host the prestigious Dental Awards with Purple Media Solutions on the Friday evening. Let your hair down at this glittering black-tie gala dinner and enjoy a four-course meal and great entertainment while celebrating outstanding individuals and teams whose commitment continues to raise the bar in UK dentistry.

• Dental Update Study Day – having sold out fast, the day will offer lucky delegates who booked the chance to listen to and learn from some of the finest experts on the Dental Update editorial board including Professor Trevor Burke, Professor Avijit Banerjee, Professor Crispian Scully and Professor Jonathan Sandler.

• EndoLounge – designed in association with the British Endodontic Society, this Lounge will provide an update on the latest clinical techniques, materials and research in the field of endodontics.

• Facial Aesthetics Theatre – in 2014, 18% of attendees were looking to source research, products and services in the field of facial aesthetics.[2] Delivered in association with CCR, this new programme will explore the latest clinical techniques and products in the area to help you deliver safe and effective treatment for all your patients.

• Association of Dental Administrators and Mangers – attending the event for the first time, the team from the association will be available on the Professional Hub and within the new Practice Management Today panel in the Dental Business Theatre, helping practice managers streamline their daily process. 

• Compliance Clinic – hosted by the experts at Apolline, this theatre will offer a vast array of practical hints and tips to ensure regulation compliance for all practice.

• Village Green with Bridge2Aid – the charity will this year host a ‘Village Fete’ with traditional games such as ‘test your strength’ strongman and ‘hook a duck’, as well as a Willy Wonka ice-cream stand. Find out more about what Bridge2Aid does and how you can get involved while having great fun at stand E60.

Aside from all this, the old favourites are also back this April including:

• The ever popular PerioLounge, delivered in association with the British Society of Periodontology
• The Short-Term-Orthodontics Lounge
• The ADI Implant Theatre
• The GDP Theatre
• The CORE CPD Theatre
• Business Skills Workshops, provided in conjunction with Practice Plan
• Hands-on workshops with leading dental suppliers and educators including 3M ESPE, Implant Centres of Excellence, Software of Excellence, DENTSPLY and Schottlander
• The Aesthetic Dentist Theatre, National Dental Nursing Conference, Hygienists & Therapists Symposium and Dental Business Theatre, tailored specifically to each area of the profession.

Comments from previous shows included:

“This conference has a real buzz and the speakers are all excellent”

“The lectures have inspired me”

“A great exhibition”

“This conference is excellent and we will go back to our practice with renewed enthusiasm”

With all of this plus much more to look forward to, all free of charge, what are you waiting for? Register for yourself and your whole team online at www.thedentistryshow.co.uk/preview.

If you only attend one dental event in 2015, make sure it’s The Dentistry Show 2015!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 - Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April, NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk.

The key to success for any business is providing the service and products required by its customers. Finding out what people want from the business is essential in order to tailor the service delivered and meet their expectations – and this should not be different in dentistry. As a trained professional, you will of course be best placed to understand the clinical treatments patients need, but it’s still important to find out what outcomes the patient desires.

Sheila Scott, renowned dental business consultant, believes practices need to take this into consideration, changing their approach to improve the patient experience and enable the business to survive and prosper in the dental industry:

“I have often come across situations where dental nurses and dentists in the same practice have contradictory ideas about what their patients want,” Sheila says. “Similarly, many receptionists, who are the first people to greet visiting patients and provide information, may have different ideas again, and additionally do not know what the practice has to offer or what goes on behind the treatment room doors.

“Practice teams need to understand patient needs accurately, and have protocols in place to deliver an excellent service that meets their patients’ expectations. Communication is key here – patients need to understand how the practice looks after them, and how it meets their perceived needs.

“Many patients still think that when they visit a practice, the dentist simply looks in their mouth to check for ‘holes’ and treatment needs. But we all know there are many more aspects to the examination than that, and we now know that what patients really want from a practice is ‘a clean bill of health’.  Patients need to be led gently through the full examination so they can fully appreciate that this is the purpose of the practice too – and so they can appreciate the full value of their visit. This will increase patient satisfaction and engagement due to enhanced understanding, and better engagement with dental health usually means that patients understand the value of any procedures needed for improvements.”

As Sheila goes on to discuss, effective communication requires teamwork.

“It is important for the whole team to work together so that consistent messages are conveyed to every patient. Showing patients how much the practice cares about their needs will further enhance their experience, ultimately boasting the practice’s reputation and increasing referrals.

“Additional benefits of close collaboration and effective communication mean that facilities and skills within the practice can be fully utilised. The hygiene department is the perfect example of this – I think they are the most under-used, under-rated profit centres of practices throughout the UK. We could double, triple or even quadruple the amount of hygiene services offered and it would go a long way to capturing the hearts and minds of patients, improving their experience and encouraging them to return time and time again.”

Sheila is taking on the role as Chair of the Dental Business Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015 and will be giving a lecture entitled ‘The Healthy Practice’ as part of the two-day conference programme.

“The Dentistry Show is one of the key meetings of the year for everyone working in the dental industry. It is busier and busier every time - the formula just works. As the Chair of the Dental Business Conference I am looking forward to welcoming a variety of industry-leading speakers, who will discuss an extensive range of topics to enlighten professionals and encourage the long-term success of their businesses.

“I will consider the approach practices need to take to be able to establish what their patients need, and how to meet those needs. I’ll also look further into the importance of teamwork and a unified approach from the entire team, helping dental practices to add value to their services.”

Sheila will be speaking alongside Tracy Stuart, Nigel Reece, Sarah Buxton and Krishan Joshi within the Dental Business Theatre, with topics covered including employment and HR law, marketing and finances. An array of additional learning opportunities will be on offer for principal dentists and their teams throughout the event, with lecture programmes dedicated to different dental disciplines and designed to enhance both clinical and business skills.

Hours of verifiable CPD, hands-on workshops and live surgery demonstrations will also be available, as well as an extensive trade exhibition hosting all the leading dental manufacturers and suppliers. The exciting new Launchpad UK initiative will provide you access to the very latest products, materials and technologies to reach the UK industry, ensuring your practice stays ahead of the game.

To discover how much more The Dentistry Show 2015 has to offer you and your team, and to book your free passes, go online today.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 will be held on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details or to book your free pass please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Hosted by The Dentistry Show, designed with the BADN

The Dentistry Show will this year host the National Dental Nursing Conference, designed in association with the British Association of Dental Nursing (BADN). The intricate two-day programme will host an astounding speaker line-up and will cover a vast array of relevant topics to help you enhance your everyday practice, streamline your routines and elevate the standard of patient service delivered.

Phil Hughes (below) MBA, Chief Executive of the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN), will be among the industry-leading speakers. With a background in business development, Phil took on his role at the NEBDN in 2008 and has since been responsible for the organisation through changes such as the development of new qualifications.

“I have attended The Dentistry Show in the past, and thought it was a very good event – I really enjoyed the experience,” Phil says. He will be delivering a session entitled “Education and training for dental nurses in the future” and hopes to inspire delegates to excel in their careers.

“I’m hoping the lecture will give delegates an insight into the developments we are seeing at the NEBDN. We are currently researching and changing the range of qualifications that we provide to better meet the changing demands of the modern industry and help improve the career pathway for dental nurses.

“There is much discussion about the extended duties of dental nurses and how their responsibilities will grow, and of course the training they require as a result. The NEBDN is very keen to remain at the forefront of education and training, and we will be doing a lot of work to better understand the potential career pathways for dental nurses in order to tailor our qualifications effectively. I hope delegates attending the session will take away a better understanding of what to expect of education and training in the future. There are many opportunities for modern dental nurses, and we need to challenge ourselves a bit more in order to get those voices heard.”

Also taking to the podium will be Mike Sharland, sharing his extensive expertise on intraoral photography. Currently the Technical Lead in Clinical Photography at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Mike has more than 30 year’s experience in teaching the topic. He says:

“Many practices are now routinely taking facial, profile, smile and intraoral photographs of their patients. Introducing clinical photography into your practice should be a whole team experience so dental nurses need to be aware of the latest technologies and techniques. My session will give an overview of the ever-expanding use of dental photography in the practice, as well as the all important equipment choices and techniques to produce consistently good quality images for marketing and patient and staff education. Delegates attending this session should bring their compact cameras with them.”

Demonstrating the diversity of the educational programme designed especially fro dental nurses, Gemma Breeze from Smile Essential will explore the world of social media. Having started her career as a dental nurse in 2002, Gemma’s creativity and flare for marketing led her into the role of Dental Marketing Manager, and she is soon to launch new training courses to help dental professionals fully utilise their social media platforms. She says:

“The Dentistry Show really engages the whole dental team with so many different learning opportunities available. Having been interested in speaking for a while, I am delighted to be presenting a session at this year’s event.

“Many practice principals have recently started to use social media platforms such Facebook, but busy practice life often leaves little time to maintain them properly. Dental nurses are now taking on more roles that involve treatment coordination and marketing, so they are perfectly positioned to manage social media accounts on behalf of the practice.

“During my session, I’ll discuss how delegates can find their practice’s voice for their Facebook accounts in order to best promote their brand. I’ll look at how to do this while remaining professional and complying with the GDC guidelines, and what to do if something goes wrong. I will also offer some insider’s tips on how to stand out – what delegates can post, how to schedule posts and how to monitor competitor sites.”

With exciting learning and networking opportunities available for professionals in all areas of the dental profession, you and your whole team are sure to enjoy the vibrant two-day event. Register for your FREE delegate passes online today.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 - Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, NEC in Birmingham. To register for your free delegate pass, please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Now we know that we need to market our practices, we need to know how much to spend and where to spend it.

As I have suggested on numerous other occasions, 5% of the practice’s gross revenue should be invested in marketing. What I have also realised over the years is that for practices with an annual turnover of £0.5 million, while spending £25,000 on their marketing will provide some results, it’s not enough to set their campaign on fire. Similarly, a young practice turning over £300,000 with a £15,000 marketing spend, will see a relatively small return on investment.

It is necessary therefore to manage your expectations. There is a certain quantity of investment that can have as much of an effect as the quality of the marketing. There is a tipping point where the size of the investment will generate momentum, regardless of what you decide to do with it, below which the return on investment can be difficult to see.

In fact, I recently went so far as to suggest a minimum marketing spend of £50,000 (cue the cries of ‘what?!’). Realistically, I think anything over £25,000, wherever possible, will see more bang for your buck and provide enough momentum to achieve a high return on marketing investment (ROMI).

So the next question is how you deploy your resources. There are three main areas to focus your efforts in the modern marketing world: digital, direct and word of mouth. The latter of these of course requires little financial investment – it’s all about the language used with patients, as well as the self-esteem of team members who are asking for referrals and tackling the fear of rejection. While it appears to be a hideously difficult thing to do, word of mouth marketing can be highly effective.

With this in mind, the majority of your marketing budget will be allocated to the remaining two marketing avenues – digital and direct. The former of these involves Google and Facebook advertising, an effectively designed website, a carefully orchestrated social media programme and lifecycle marketing techniques to create short and long term nurture sequences. Direct marketing concerns more traditional methods such as print media, signage, business cards, smile evaluation questionnaires, waiting lounge TV loops, radio advertising and networking.

I usually suggest that approximately 50% of the overall marketing spend should go to each area. However, there are more specific allocation decisions to make at this point: for example, in digital marketing for the next 12 months, how much will you invest in the website? How much will you invest in your social media channels? In your content creation and curation? Equally, direct marketing can be split into further sub categories as listed above, and the budget can be calculated and allocated quite simply between each area.

It’s the detailed breakdown of spend that makes for an authentic marketing plan. The actual figures will vary depending on your annual marketing budget and the goals identified for your individual practice.

10 year’s ago, practice owners concentrated their marketing energy on newspaper advertising. The fashion at the moment however, is to focus on Google advertising, creative websites and social media channels such as Facebook. There can be a ‘herding’ instinct in dentistry where dentists speak to colleagues, find out what they’re doing, and then follow the crowd. While this can be effective when sharing ideas of what works, this is only one phase of the research process, and it is the easy solution to simply stop there and implement similar strategies.

The key, is to look further into the ROMI. Through treatment coordination and patient journey systems, you should be looking to engage patients in a detailed conversation about how they came to visit the practice. If they discovered the practice through your website, were they searching for ‘a dentist in the area’, or for your practice specifically? If the latter, where did they originally come across the practice name?

These conversations also need to happen every time a new patient visits – while you may have created a preliminary 12-month marketing plan, it is a living document and subject to change throughout the year. By analysing the source of new patients on a monthly basis, tracking your marketing exploits and establishing your ROMI, you are able to refine your strategy through the reallocation of resources. Think of your practice as a sailing boat and you are at the helm – you plot your course straight, but the boat needs to tack and jibe left and right according to the tide, wind and trim in order to follow that course. Similarly, your marketing strategy needs to adjust to both external and internal factors affecting your practice, helping you to achieve your goals.

This is exactly what the Ultimate Marketing Academy from 7connections is designed to help you do. Through quarterly meetings and on-going support, we will help you not only establish what to do, how much to spend and where to spend it, but we’ll also share effective tactics to help you maximise your ROMI and sail through 2015.

For more information about 7connections and the Ultimate Marketing Academy, please call 01647 478145, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. or visit www.7connections.com

Every year the Association of Dental Groups’ (ADG) member companies invest significantly in their training and development for their people, as well as in surgeries and equipment to ensure that dentists are able to offer the highest standards of care to their patients. The ADG’s commitment to wider education and training is epitomised by the Association’s annual Bursary Awards.

The number and standard of Bursary Awards entries in 2014 outstripped previous figures by a significant margin. The winners were announced at a prestigious awards reception held in the Library at the Royal College of Surgeons on the 13^th February.

The awards are divided into three separate categories: Postgraduate, Undergraduate (Professionalism) and Undergraduate (Management). All applicants were judged by lead members of the ADG, and the panel was delighted with the overall standard of this year’s entries.

Postgraduate Award

The Postgraduate Award was open to foundation or postgraduate dentists and was looking for the most innovative voluntary project that sought to improve or promote better oral health. The winning applicant received a prize of £5,000, which consisted of £2,500 as an award for the winner and a further £2,500 to be used to support the delivery of their project.

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

On winning the award 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. This bursary will allow us to continue our efforts to raise awareness of mouth cancer. 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”

“Mouth cancer is the one of fastest growing cancers in the UK, with incidence rates in Scotland being the highest. In fact, I found my first case in general practice within 9 months of graduating. Let's Talk About Mouth Cancer focuses on raising awareness in the general public and among professionals. With assistance from the Oral Surgery Department of the Edinburgh Dental Institute, three mouth cancer screening events were held in 2014. The first was in a marquee on Bristo Square, the second at the Edinburgh Canal Festival and the third on the Meadows during the Edinburgh Festival. Free lectures to local dental professionals on the importance of the prevention and early detection of mouth cancer were also provided.” 

“Let’s Talk About Mouth Cancer has recently registered as a charity (SC045100) in order to build on and continue the good work. There are plans for further screening and educational events in the March 2015, which will be largely funded from the bursary award. It's great to see the Association of Dental Groups helping young dentists all over the UK to build awareness of oral cancers at a local level.”

Undergraduate Awards

Applicants for the two undergraduate awards were required to submit their entry detailing a voluntary project that relates to either professionalism or leadership and management in dentistry, with the winning entry for each awarded a prize of £1,000.

For the professionalism award there were four main competencies to cover, these were: ethics, professionalism with regard to patients, professionalism with regards to self, and professionalism with regards to clinical team and peers. The management and leadership award also included four main competencies: personal and practice organisation, legislative, financial and leadership management.

The undergraduate bursaries were open to all undergraduate dentistry students and applications were required to be supported by a reference from a tutor and college.

The ADG would like to congratulate all the winners, and in particular Rosie Pritchett, Corwin Hine, Mark Franks and Luke Fisher-Brown, the Undergraduate (Management) Gold Award Winners, and Amardeep Singh Dhadwal, the Undergraduate (Professionalism) Gold Award Winner.

On winning the bursary for their project Oral health education for the homeless community of East London Rosie Pritchett said: “It’s great to have won; we’ve been working on this project for the last two and a half years, so it’s really nice to see some recognition for ourselves and for the project. 

“Our focus was on delivering oral health education for homeless people, covering four main topics: diet and oral health, oral cancer, periodontal health and alcohol, and access to NHS dentistry. As undergraduates we found that we were in a really good position to spread simple but essential messages about oral health, and this was very well received.”

Amardeep Singh Dhadwal is a student at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, (Queen Mary, University of London), he says:

“This the first time I’ve entered anything like this and it came as a big surprise to be chosen as the winner. I feel very blessed and I am thankful to everyone who took the time to read my entry. I would definitely recommend other students to enter the competition next year; it is a great opportunity to discuss and consider what professionalism means to you and what you aspire to as a dental professional."

Each undergraduate category also included a Silver winner who received £750 and a Bronze winner who received £250. The ADG would like to congratulate Deborah Evans (Undergraduate Management Silver Award); Kirun Ray (Undergraduate Management Bronze Award); Lewis Olsson (Undergraduate Professionalism Silver Award); and Gemma Wheeler (Undergraduate Professionalism Bronze Award).  

The ADG remains committed to supporting innovation and development across the dental industry and next year will be announcing details of this year’s awards scheme later in the Spring.. 

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

Brand new course dates have been released for the popular and in-depth Implant Restorative Course run by the experts at Ten Dental.

Learn from top-class implant mentors and trainers – Dr Martin Wanendeya and Dr Nik Sisodia. With many years of experience, they can guide you through the complete process offering you the insight and knowledge to confidently and competently restore implants in your practice.

Covering a combination of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on components, the four in-depth modules will take you right through getting started with dental implant restorations to managing more complex cases.

Courses start on Friday the 8^th of May

Module one – 8^th May

Module two – 26^th June

Module three – 6^th November

Module four – TBC

Further courses start on the 20^th of November

Module one – 20^th November

Modules two, three and four – TBC

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and develop the skills needed to offer your patients first-class restorations.

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

“Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships”

-       Sir Don Bradman

Working effectively in a team is essential for the provision of successful dentistry – as Sir Don Bradman said: “Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships”. This quote about cricket is also appropriate to dentistry, where a team approach promotes continuity of care that is comprehensive, convenient, cost effective and efficient[i].

To this end, The Dentistry Show 2015 promises to be a fantastic event for the entire dental team. With a world-class line up of professional speakers covering an extensive range of topics, there is truly something for everyone.

Back for another year is the highly popular Aesthetic Dentist Conference. Kicking off proceedings on Friday 17^th of April will be Conference Chair, Dr Chris Orr and Co-Owner of Wired Orthodontics, Dr Ian Hutchinson.

This will not be Dr Hutchinson’s first visit to The Dentistry Show:

“In recent years I've run a stand at The Dentistry Show with Wired Orthodontics which I co-own with Sue Bessant. We provide one-to-one lab services and training to general dentists working in cosmetic orthodontics and consider it the premier event in our calendar. The Show is always well attended and we know delegates tend to be top professionals who recognise the value in our business, so it's the best place to meet clients new and old.

“I've also given a couple of talks in the past and found it very a rewarding experience. It's surprising how much you learn even behind the rostrum! The team behind The Dentistry Show recognise the need to evolve the event but also keep it's important core elements that make sure we all keep coming back.”

Dr Orr’s and Dr Hutchinson’s joint lecture will focus on the combination of orthodontic and restorative treatments in a session entitled: “The Orthodontic-Restorative Interface: Simplifying Diagnosis & Communication to Make Teamwork Easier”.

Commenting on his lecture, Dr Hutchinson says:

“We’ve all been there with busy surgeries and full days – we are happy enough with the aesthetic outcomes we achieve and we leave it at that. But there's always those aesthetic cases that could be really special. A combination of orthodontic and restorative treatments planned with clear goals from the outset would achieve a fantastic result with a reduced biological cost, but is it really worth the effort?

“Sometimes the planning can be complicated and convoluted. However much you might be tempted to embark on such a collaborative venture, the knowledge of likely pitfalls might put you off before you begin. You think you can handle your side of things, but getting exactly what you want from other team members requires time and energy you can't always spare.”

Chris and Ian's lecture is designed to help you take on these cases – establishing a diagnosis and from this creating a joint ortho-restorative treatment plan in the knowledge that you, your team and your patients will all be smiling at the end!

A myriad of other learning opportunities is available for delegates at The Dentistry Show 2015, with conference programmes dedicated to each field and additional theatres offering insight into each dental discipline. Hours of verifiable CPD, hands-on workshops, live surgery demonstrations and business skills sessions will also be on offer, plus delegates have the chance to attend the prestigious Dental Awards 2015, the premier awards event of the dental calendar.

Make sure you take full advantage of everything The Dentistry Show has to offer by booking your free delegates passes online today!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 - Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April, NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you would like to feature in the GDPUK Official Online Guide to the Dentistry Show - please email us and we will feature you on this page. Get in touch for further details - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We all use euphemisms for many different reasons. We may choose to simplify our language when talking to adults, so that we don’t come across as arrogant and full of technological jargon, or when talking to children to not appear too scientific and intimidating. We therefore use euphemistic language that our patients are more likely to understand as a way of overcoming communication barriers.

Euphemisms are also used within the industry to put a positive shine or spin on something. You may be familiar with the term ‘technique sensitive’. When we first began using composites for instance, we were told by the manufacturers that these materials were very good, but ‘technique sensitive’. What this implied was that if not used exactly as instructed, the material was likely to fail and it would be the dentist’s fault.

‘Technique sensitive’ can therefore be seen as an excuse that shifts the blame to the practitioner rather than the product. It is a euphemism that glosses over the fact that the materials didn't always do the job they were meant to do.

These examples begin to highlight the use of euphemisms from two distinct perspectives. Firstly as a way of communicating and being kind to our patients, limiting anxiety and stress; and secondly highlighting how poor or insufficient our materials and treatments can be.

The major use of euphemisms in dentistry covers both of these viewpoints and significantly relates to discussions of pain. 9 times out of 10 this is in reference to injections.

We rarely say to our patients ‘I’m now going to give you an injection”, instead we’re more likely to say, “I’m just going to numb you up”, or “you’re going to feel a little pinch”, and this is really a way of avoiding the truth. What we need to say is “this will hurt”; but we don't want to induce fear.

Ideally we should be using injections that don’t sting, or rather anaesthetics without the needle. Some kinder ways of providing anaesthetics to patients do exist, but these still tend to be needle techniques, and there are also some needle-free options, but these are by no means perfected. Ultimately it seems that we are in the dark ages with our local anaesthetics and still thrusting surgical steel through human tissue.

Naturally for our patients dentistry can be particularly unpleasant, and our job should be to negate this as much as possible. So we avoid the words ‘pain’, ‘injection’ and ‘discomfort’, and we gloss over them with our euphemisms. The problem is that we shouldn‘t have to do this. We shouldn’t need to gloss over such aspects; we should be striving to improve them.

The point of a euphemism is to make people less fearful or anxious, or to replace the offensive terms making things seem innocuous, but really what it does is mark our failure to do better. We are all too happy to hide behind these euphemisms, but at the end of the day all this does is gloss over the fact that we are doing something unpleasant, and our research should be geared towards not having to come out with a euphemism, and being able to tell the truth when we say, “this wont hurt a bit”.

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

Illegal whitening continues to remain a serious problem for the dental profession and uneducated public.

Many home whitening kits or those offered by beauty salons do not contain enough whitening product to be effective, or if they do, the mouthguard provided is typically a bad fit, therefore some of the bleaching gel is likely to leak out onto the gums and mouth causing blistering and sensitivity[i].

Not only can teeth whitening carried out by non-dental professionals carry oral health risks for patients, it is also highly illegal. The General Dental Council (GDC) is continually bringing forward new cases for prosecution, including company directors, beauticians and other non-registered people unlawfully practicing dentistry in the form of tooth whitening[ii]. The charges related to illegal tooth whitening are increasing; in a recent case the offender was fined fifteen thousand pounds for breaking the law.

But is enough being done? A company scandal has highlighted loopholes in the law that make it possible for companies to sell teeth whitening training courses and products to non-dentists. The defendant was found guilty and ordered to pay the plaintiff back for the licence to provide teeth whitening under the pretence of not having to be a dentist to carry out the treatment. However, in a statement, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, was quoted as saying: “It is embarrassing that it has taken an individual to do what the GDC is failing to do and protect the public. The regulatory body should be far more robust in their investigation process and protect the public from illegal tooth whiteners[iii].”

Regardless of the laws and regulations, certain companies continue to misinterpret the system and maintain that since the products used for tooth whitening are covered by the European Council Directive on Cosmetic Products 2011/84 EU, their agents are carrying out a cosmetic procedure and not practicing dentistry[iv].

The EU regulations clearly state that products containing or releasing between 0.1%-6% HP should not be made directly available to the consumer, other than through treatment by a registered dentist, or a dental hygienist, dental therapist or clinical dental technician working to a dentist’s prescription⁴. It is also illegal to for anyone who is not a dentist to give “treatment, advice or attendance” that would usually be given by a dentist⁴.

Educating patients on how to achieve safe and effective tooth whitening by dental professionals remains essential. Offering top quality whitening products in your practice can also help to reduce illegal tooth whitening and keep patients protected. Sparkle Dental Labs now offers Professional Tooth Whitening Kits that are safe, reliable and affordable. The custom-made whitening trays are made directly by Sparkle Dental Labs so there is no need for you to keep excess stock, and with UK manufacturing every product is traceable and of an outstanding quality.

Only time will tell if the GDC will start taking firmer action on those continuing to commit criminal offences, however in the meantime educating the public remains crucial. Working with a top quality dental lab to offer effective treatment in your practice can also reduce illegal tooth whitening and keep patients safe.

For more details about Sparkle Dental Labs, please call 0800 138 6255, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit:

www.sparkledentallabs.com

Meeting the various laws that regulate employment processes and human resources can be a challenge for any employer. Implementation of the proper legal protocols and pathways is however essential to ensure not only the satisfaction and safety of employees, but to also protect the business from unforeseen problems regarding staff.

Sarah Buxton is an Associate Lawyer at LCF Law, specialising in employment and HR issues within the dental industry. She advises on everything from associate contracts to managing self-employed staff, handbooks and settling employment disputes. She will be presenting as part of the Dental Business Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015, which she has visited now for several years.

“I have attended The Dentistry Show every year for about the last 5 years,” Sarah says. “It is a great event for dental practitioners and professionals who work in the dental industry to get together and learn about the recent developments in the market. The Dentistry Show also always sources the best speakers in their respective fields to ensure that the attendees receive the best advice.”

Sarah will be delivering a session entitled “Getting to Grips with Dental Employment & HR Law”, providing information and clarification on a number of issues facing modern practice owners and managers.

“I will discuss the difference between self-employed workers and employees, and why it is important to have the correct contracts in place for the different types of employment status. I’ll demonstrate what should be included in the contracts to enable delegates to run their businesses smoothly and to protect the goodwill of the practice.

“In addition, I’ll look at how to deal with common problems that arise in the workplace such as sickness absence, lateness and flexible working requests. With the recent changes in Shared Parental Leave, this will also be a topic affecting employers, which I hope to cover.”

With clinical excellence and patient care clearly remaining a priority for practice principals and managers, it can be difficult to find time for all the paperwork now necessitated in dentistry. An already complicated area of business, HR regulations can therefore often require some specialist support.

Sarah adds:

“HR and Employment Law is constantly changing and it is difficult for practice owners/managers to keep on top of all the changes whilst running their practice. There are so many laws and regulations in this area that employment contracts and HR is often a full time job in itself. There is a lot of red tape in the dental industry – employment, health and safety, CQC, GDC regulations – it can all be very overwhelming for busy practitioners, so it is important to have all the relevant information accessible.

“I hope delegates attending my session at The Dentistry Show will gain a better awareness and understanding of the need for effective HR and Employment Systems, in order to have a well-run practice which is profitable and a happy place to work for all.”

To make sure you have all the information you need to run an efficient and lawful business, make sure you don’t miss Sarah’s session at The Dentistry Show 2015. She will be speaking alongside several other leading names in business including Sheila Scott, Tracy Stuart and Nigel Reece, each sharing their own personal expertise and experiences to help you enhance the way your practice is run.

For this, plus hours of vCPD, hands-on clinical workshops, live surgery demonstrations, access to the very products and copious networking and socialising opportunities, book your place for The Dentistry Show 2015 today.

The Dentistry Show 2015 and DTS will be held on 17^th and 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With 2014 coming to an end it’s a great time to assess where you are in terms of your business goals. Analysing your productivity, profitability and cost efficiency is vital if you want to succeed in the year to come.

Productivity

One of the first areas to look at is your productivity. This time of year provides the perfect opportunity to conduct staff appraisals, which will allow you to assess where any weak links may lie but to also understand the aspirations of each individual. You may have a member of staff who would like to expand their skills to reach a higher level of job satisfaction. By talking to individuals you will be able to work together to find the perfect balance of skill mix that works well for your team but also for your practice moving forward. This may involve an initial outlay through paying for courses but in the long term you will reap the rewards that come from having a well-trained team who appreciate your investment in them and will repay you through loyalty.

Profitability

Understanding your finances is the key to pushing your business forward in the year to come. Without a detailed understanding of your profits and losses, you cannot start contemplating whether to spend on staff training or promotions. You need to know where your business is financially before you begin the appraisal process, this will give you a benchmark for pay rises and bonuses as well as other costs that may need consideration.

Cost efficiency

Productivity is not solely dependent on people, the surroundings also come into play. For example, if your workspace doesn’t have the right flow it can have a negative impact on your staff and patients. The set up of the practice is vital, if it isn’t quite right it can make working practices clumsy and awkward and will affect the efficiency of your work. Aesthetics should also be considered, too. Does your surgery impress throughout? Spending money on new furniture and cabinetry may feel excessive but balancing the initial outlay with the benefits of an efficient workflow and a beautiful practice that patients and staff will appreciate, can be a clever move for a long-term investment.

Tavom UK has supplied dental cabinets and medical furniture to the medical and dental industry for more than 35 years and has extensive experience in dental surgery design. The company understands the dental profession and provides beautiful and functional workspaces using high quality products.

The time is right to take stock of your positioning, in terms of finances and business aims, in order to ensure you’re on the right track towards reaching your goals. Investing in key areas of your business now can help you push forward and achieve success in the year ahead.

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

The periodontal health of your patients is a priority when performing any treatment modality. Whether providing orthodontic appliances, endodontic procedures or cosmetic elements such as whitening, the health of the soft tissue can determine the longevity of results achieved and ultimately the success of treatment.

This is no more true than when placing dental implants. In order to ensure long-term stability of implants, as well as the patient’s health, their periodontal condition must be assessed carefully and treated where necessary before implant treatment is even considered. Scrupulous oral hygiene must also be emphasised as part of the postoperative patient instructions, reducing their risk of developing peri-implant mucositis or the more advanced peri-implantitis.

Currently, it is thought that peri-implant mucositis affects just under 50% of patients with implants between 9-14 years after placement,[i] although due to its reversible nature, its prevalence is thought to be underestimated.

Tackling the issues surrounding periodontal disease and providing a platform from which to update your knowledge, the PerioLounge will once again return to The Dentistry Show, designed in collaboration with the British Society of Periodontology (BSP). Leading professionals in the field will explore various different areas associated with periodontal health, offering practical advice and guidance to ensure that you deliver the highest possible standard of care to all your patients.

Discussing the effects of periodontal health specifically with regards to dental implants will be Dr Amit Patel, Specialist in Periodontics. Currently practising at Birmingham Dental Specialist, Dr Patel also runs an intensive training course at the Birmingham Dental Hospital on Periodontal and Soft Tissue Aesthetic Considerations in Implant Dentistry.

“Undiagnosed periodontal disease is a very common reason for the increasing amount of litigation in dentistry, and is also a contributing factor in the failure of a range of treatments – particularly implants,” he says. “Not all practitioners providing implants seem to be adequately trained – some do not habitually probe implants during follow up appointments, for example, and this is simply a lack of understanding.

“My session at The Dentistry Show will cover exactly what should be done in order to encourage success of each and every implant case. Treatment planning is key to preventing potential problems, as clinicians can prepare effectively. Following strict protocols during this stage will not only help practitioners avoid any periodontal problems, but also effectively treat those that do occur.

“A full assessment should be completed in order to identify any predispositions the patient may have, and the treatment plan should involve eliminating as many as possible for enhanced treatment provision and reduced risk of implant failure. The same information can be used to maintain implants once placed, encouraging faster healing and long-lasting results. It is worth mentioning also that in the modern profession, implants are of course only recommended when no other, less invasive alternatives are available. After all, teeth can last a lifetime, implants can’t, and to make sure our patients make a good investment we need to get it right first time. I hope to raise awareness of how periodontal disease can affect the longevity and stability of implants, and offer some relatively simple techniques to help delegates treat the disease.”

Dr Patel also encourages teamwork and close collaboration between the dental team in order to further increase the chances of successful treatment.

“Dental implants, like all areas of modern dentistry, involve the whole dental team, so a collaborative approach should be taken every time. Especially with regards to postoperative follow up care, it is important that any professional seeing the patient can recognise symptoms of disease, including the dental hygienist and nurse. As such, my session at The Dentistry Show will be suitable for all members to attend.”

Aside from the BSP PerioLounge, The Dentistry Show 2015 will present a wide selection of other educational and networking opportunities. With a focus on all areas of the profession, the new EndoLounge will host a line-up of leading speakers in the field of endodontics. Delivered in partnership with the British Endodontic Society (BES), the two-day lecture programme will provide indispensible hints and tips to help you broaden your skills.

The Short-Term-Orthodontic Lounge will also return in 2015, as well as an array of live clinical demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Conference Theatres dedicated to each member of the dental team will host further sessions covering all areas of clinical treatment, career progression and business guidance, with free verifiable CPD available throughout.

And adding to the excitement even more, the brand new Launchpad UK will ensure you have access to the very latest products, technologies and materials to hit the UK market. With the event’s new dates of Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, it will follow the 2015 IDS, ensuring you are at the very cutting-edge of the industry’s innovations.

So whether you wish to advance your clinical skills, are looking to take the next step in your career or hope to source the best technology and equipment for your practice, The Dentistry Show 2015 has it all. Book your free delegate pass online today!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 - Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk,

call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As a small business, setting your key performance indicators (KPIs) can be a great way to understand business strengths and weaknesses in order to help drive your practice forward. Once you have this and your data collection has begun, the next step is to analyse and understand it.

However, simply working out a set of averages and using them as a guide point is dangerous territory. Take the current concerns with regards to children’s oral health in the UK. According the long-term statistics, dental health among children has, on average, been improving over the last 30 years,[1] which is great. However, a huge 27% of five-year-olds[2] and 12% of three-year-olds[3] (that’s hundreds and thousands of children) still have tooth decay. This shows that you will only get the insights you need to make informed decisions by correctly interpreting the information you have collected.

Keep your integrity

The integrity of your data is vital. According to Experian Data Quality, 9% of revenue is wasted as a result of poor quality information.[4]’Cleaning’ your information is worthwhile in order to ensure that what you have is always the most up to date facts. When you consider that every day in the UK, 1,600 people sadly die and 18,000 move house,1 it goes to show how easily the information you have on file can quickly become out-dated.

It is also important that you ask the right questions in order to collect the relevant data. If, for example, you want to assess how well your marketing is working then you need to know exactly how that patient found you. Did a friend or family member refer them? Did they find you on the internet? If so, you need to know what they were searching for and why in order to ensure the integrity of the data you record. If they went online looking for ‘a dental practice in London’, then it was your listing in Google perhaps that brought them to your page. If however they had seen your practice advertised elsewhere, and then proceeded to search specifically for you, then it is noteworthy that your initial advertising worked.

Analyse this

Without employing the expensive services of a business data analyst it can be tricky to know where to begin. This is where having the right technology can be of huge benefit. The CS R4+ practice management software from Carestream Dental, for example, has built in features such as R4 Springboard which will not only help to gather the data you need, but also correctly analyse it in real-time for an accurate overall picture.

Having the right tools at your fingertips can make data collection and interpretation easier and less time consuming, allowing you to focus your attention on the things that matter.

For more information on from Carestream Dental,

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

The Diploma in Advanced dental Implantology has been designed for clinicians looking to work at the very forefront of the field.

The two-year training will be held by the prestigious Faculty of Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons England (RCS) and supported by leading dental product supplier Nobel Biocare.

Having been involved with the course from inception, Professor StJohn Crean says:

“The RCS Faculty of Dental Surgery’s foundation in recognising excellence was the obvious vehicle for this advanced course; it will be an appropriate arbiter to provide judgement on the level of skill achieved. Those who receive the award would be acknowledged within the industry as having significantly advanced knowledge and skills within the ever-expanding arena of clinical care.”

Further demonstrating the calibre of the course, Professor Paulo Malo says:

“The key to success in every field is quality and excellence. It is not enough to be good. To be good is a concept already embedded in our society. The challenge is to be great, to exceed ourselves and constantly look for the right means to achieve that. Instilling the urge for continuous and progressive growth is the way to do this and this course has that stamp.”

For enquiries or applications, please contact the FDS Education department at the RCS on 020 7869 6815/6814/6813 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

Dr Kate Winstone, co-owner of New Ash Green Dental Care in Kent, commented on 3M ESPE Filtek Posterior Bulk Fill:

“The real issue for me and I suspect for many others, is the difficult restoration or the challenging patient, or a combination of the two.

“The product has been brilliant. I have been able to place a large MOD with a cusp missing in an UL6 for a patient who was going on holiday and in pain, in only 15 minutes.

“I later placed a large MOD in an UR7 for a patient who has a brain tumour and cannot keep her mouth open for long enough to do anything in normal composite, take impressions easily, or feel the occlusion when she bites down hard on an amalgam restoration.

“I also used the material in a five-year-old who needed a DO in a lower D and was very difficult to treat because she could not sit still. In all these cases, and more, the material has been fantastic.”

Kate was also impressed with the handling and aesthetics:

“I thought the polished restoration with the Filtek Posterior Bulk Fill was aesthetically excellent and confess to being surprised at how effectively it did polish to a real translucent finish.

“The material was good to handle – viscous enough to stay in position when it was inserted into the cavity and to manipulate to an acceptable state. It did not seem to stick to instruments in the way that other products do.

“The single placement is fantastic; it is quick and you don’t worry about voids or packing between layers, or whether you have light cured properly. None of the patients I used it on have complained of any problems, including sensitivity. I would absolutely recommend Filtek Posterior Bulk Fill to others.”

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

3M, ESPE and Filtek are trademarks of the 3M Company. 

Genix Healthcare Limited has been identified as one of the City & Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2014.

The company received the prestigious accolade at the annual National Apprenticeship Awards held on the 13^th of November.

Now in its 11^th year, to showcase the most influential and inspirational apprenticeship employers, this was the first time a dental company has received the award. Genix Healthcare attributed the success to the fantastic work of their apprentices.

The Genix Healthcare Apprenticeship Programme, run in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service, provides comprehensive training support to over 100 candidates each year to achieve an industry recognised Dental Nurse qualification.

With around 24 practices across England and further plans for expansion, Genix Healthcare is able to offer talented and dedicated apprentices the chance to develop the necessary practical skills to advance within the profession.

Owner and founder of both Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs, and Chair of the Dental Trailblazers sector, Mustafa Mohamed commented, “we are delighted that our company has been recognised as one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2014. Looking forward, I am very excited to be part of the new dental apprenticeships that have the potential to benefit businesses, the British dental industry and UK economy.”

Find out today how your company can benefit from the brand new dental apprenticeships that will soon become available to businesses.

Follow Mustafa on Twitter @Mustafa_T_M or Facebook www.facebook.com/MustafaMohammed0

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

The ACC Liverpool played host to this year’s exciting BACD Annual Conference, and the heart of the Albert Docks offered a perfect backdrop. This year really provided for all attendance, with world-class professionals sharing their extensive knowledge and experience in various disciplines and motivating delegates to raise the standard of their dentistry.

Inspiring change

This was an all-encompassing event for all things related to aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, and delegates took away some truly valuable hints and tips. As was emphasised throughout the conference, modern cosmetic treatments are not just about creating the perfect smile through aggressive and destructive preparations. In fact, ideal aesthetic outcomes can be achieved through minimally invasive techniques simply by taking a new approach and enhancing patient communication and education.

Dr Zaki Kanaan, President of the BACD, highlighted the importance of this change in attitude towards cosmetic dentistry, when he officially opened the conference on Friday morning. He also encouraged delegates to teach patients and colleagues in a positive way, focusing on teamwork and smooth collaboration in order to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

Zaki went on to update delegates on the BACD’s progress and contribution to the on-going debates in the industry, including those regarding the GDC, CQC, NHS contracts, UDAs and tooth whitening protocols, before encouraging all present to donate to Bridge2Aid with a simple text, raising a fantastic £1,360! After thanking all sponsors, exhibitors and BACD members for their dedication and time in making the annual conference the huge success that it is, Zaki then welcomed Miles Hilton-Barber to the podium, who shared his personal story in the hope that he might inspire others to follow their dreams.

Miles went blind in his early twenties, and has since achieved some truly remarkable feats. Combining personal anecdotes, famous quotes and much humour, Miles encouraged delegates to push their limits and really see what they could do.

Educational opportunities

For those who wished to advance their clinical skills, several first-class, hands-on workshops were held on the Thursday, allowing those interested to really focus on their practical skills before the conference gained full momentum.

Presented by Dr Didier Dietschi, Dr Lee Ann Brady, Dr Rahul Doshi, and Dr Ken Harris, these sessions covered metal-free posterior restorations, anterior composites, functional aesthetics and the Kois dento-facial analyser. Each session offered the perfect opportunity for delegates to hone in on their skills and learn new techniques with leaders in each respective field.

After Zaki’s official welcome on Friday morning, the conference then hosted an array of lectures, offering an insight into a multitude of topics from clinical photography to minimally invasive techniques and digital solutions. Particular highlights of the day included Dr Christian Coachman speaking about digital smile design, who suggested that videos of the patient were important in addition to photographs, enhancing compliance enabling the whole team to better understand the full facial aesthetics for improved outcomes. He also highlighted that the ideal smile design is the first stage of treatment planning, and biology and function came next in order to ascertain whether the desired design is achievable.

Dr Didier Dietschi also attracted a full crowd, discussing direct composite application in a variety of different clinical situations. Using case presentations to illustrate his points, Dr Dietschi looked at full smile corrections in young people, minimally invasive rehabilitations and the future of composite in treating aesthetic deficiencies.

Saturday of the conference then held several more sessions, covering a wide array of topics such as preventing tooth wear, vacuum forming, accurate shade taking and the All-on-4^® treatment concept, as well as online marketing, website conversions, and practice growth. Key speakers included Dr Tif Qureshi, Mark Oborn, Tracy Stuart, Kevin Rose, Rob Whittaker, Peter Nutkins, Steve Cartin and Andy Denny, to name a few.

In addition, the BACD AGM was held, where members had the chance to offer their own ideas and opinions regarding the current and future Academy.

Recognition

For practitioners interested in achieving BACD accreditation, a dedicated workshop ran by Dr Christopher Orr and Dr Don Sloss provided the perfect platform from which to better understand the process. Delegates were able to bring along prospective cases for the group to discuss, highlighting where any pitfalls might lie when selecting cases for accreditation. The recent changes to the accreditation process involving new criteria for case 1, type 1, were also discussed in more detail.

Even more

Alongside the inspirational lectures and seven hours of vCPD available each day, the BACD Annual Conference also offered delegates the chance to source innovative products, technologies and materials from the trade exhibition. What’s more the fantastic social programme included a party held by Enlighten on the Thursday night, as well as the sell-out BACD Gala Dinner on Friday. Following the biggest turnout ever, the fun-packed evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all, with exquisite food, entertainment and dancing until the early hours.

Make sure you don’t miss out

Being a member of the BACD offers a wealth of benefits including opportunities to learn from the best international speakers, as well as regular local training and first-class education. It also provides full members direct referrals from its website, boosting your profits by increasing the numbers of patients through your door. Cosmetic dentistry is no longer about aggressive preparations for veneers and crowns – it’s about restoring natural beauty and function in a as minimally invasive way as possible. As Miles Hilton-barber said, you have to “dream big to achieve big”. Realise your dreams and those of your patients by raising the standard of your dentistry – join the BACD today.

For further information on membership of the BACD, call 0207 612 4166 or visit www.bacd.com