The Genix 2016 Annual Conference was a huge success with enthusiastic dental colleagues from up and down the country enjoying their time together as part of the Genix Healthcare family.

With around 250 attendees from the UK, US and Asia, delegates had the chance to hear from key speakers and later take part in team building activities. Visitors later changed into their finest for the evening ceremony to recognise and celebrate the hard work and commitment of outstanding members who have truly gone above and beyond their call of duty.

Esteemed guests attending the day included Baroness Nosheen Shaheen Mobarik CBE; Andrea Jenkins MP for Moreley and Outwood; Jack Lopresti MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke; and Professor George E Holmes, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Bolton.

The action-packed event took place at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Saturday the 14^th of May and opened with a warm welcome from Managing Director, Mustafa Mohammed. Mustafa praised his team for their dedication and continuing contribution to the success of Genix Healthcare, before handing over to Professor Stephen Dunne – Clinical Director at Genix Healthcare and Professor of Primary Dental Care and Advanced General Dental Practice? at King's College London.

Professor Dunne did an excellent job of introducing the outstanding speakers who shared their infinite knowledge and expertise with the audience. Key speakers included Krishan Joshi – CEO of Dental Focus, who spoke on the advantages of social media and how to go about achieving the most out of this vast platform of opportunity, in a presentation entitled: “Winning on social media, dos and don’ts”. Next up was Dr Subir Banerji – Private Practice (London), Programme Director MSc Aesthetic Dentistry at King's College London Dental Institute and Board Member Academy of Dental Excellence. Dr Banerji gave an inspiring talk to Genix Healthcare members on presenting yourself confidently in a speech called: “It’s not what you wear – it’s the way you wear it”.

Amit Patel BDS, MSc, MClinDent, FDS, RCSEd, MRD, RCSEng, Specialist in Periodontics and Implant Dentist, followed with a fascinating presentation on “Periodontitis – a clinically effective treatment approach”, which outlined the latest advances and understanding of periodontal treatment.

Following a quick coffee break, attendees had the opportunity to listen to Hassnain Hamid, Clinical Lead at Genix Healthcare, discussing “NHS claims – avoiding the pitfalls”. Then, Dr Banerji gave his second talk of the day on his personal experience of 25 years in private dental practice. Sandy Brown, Sales & Marketing Director of Denplan, concluded the talks with a brilliant discussion on “Supporting private growth via Denplan’s patient-centred plans”.

Delegates then enjoyed a buffet lunch and during the afternoon were split into teams to engage in a fun-packed array of team building activities. Leading dental suppliers and manufacturers who sponsored the event, including Wright Cottrell, Cougar, PerioChip, BlueFin, Ivoclar Vivadent, Cannon and John Winters & Co, were also on hand throughout the day to show delegates the latest innovations in dentistry.

The fabulous awards ceremony was held in the evening with reception drinks, a three-course meal, entertainment and, of course, the long awaited awards with dancing into the night.

The candidates for this year’s awards met exceptionally high standards and the judges had a difficult job deciding. However, with an experienced judging panel, led by Professor Dunne and joined by esteemed professionals from both within the Genix Healthcare group and outside, the following winners were announced:

Practice Manager of the Year, North ­­– Kay Thomson, Edinburgh

Practice Manager of the Year, South – Danielle Stead, Market Weighton / Hull

Dental Nurse of the Year, North – Danni Kerry, Garforth

Dental Nurse of the Year, South – Lauren Curtis, Havant

Dentist of the Year, North – Rana Alsalem, Huddersfield

Dentist of the Year, South – Bart Goralczyk, Kiveton

Apprentice of the Year, North – Olivia Pawlett, Marske

Apprentice of the Year, South – Bipina Thapa, Coinsborough

Receptionist of the Year – Pauline Gowthorpe, Market Weighton

Practice of the Year – Edinburgh

Team of the Year – Whitley Bay

Sparkle – Dental Lab Technician of the Year – Edgars Martins

Sparkle – Team Member of the Year – Tracey Lawson

Head Office Team Member of the Year – Nick Turner, IT

Pictured above: Team of the Year – Whitley Bay

All that is left to say is many congratulations to all our winners! With some truly inspiring stories and demonstrations of outstanding commitment to the profession and to our patients, these awards proved why we are so proud of all those involved with Genix Healthcare!

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 Apprenticeship for Dental Practice Managers has recently commenced at Barnet and Southgate College, London. Employers have the opportunity to train staff members on this fantastic new course, which aims to develop candidates’ ability to lead and support the workforce, manage a practice competently and drive the business forward.

The first 6 months of the apprenticeship programme is dedicated to the Level 4 ILM certificate in Management and Leadership covering three skill domains – leadership, management and communication. Dentabyte is delighted to be involved in delivering this nationally recognised qualification – a tremendous asset for any dental practice manager and a chance to progress into a number of career pathways. Here the renowned healthcare lecturer, Seema Sharma, explains how this section of the course will be structured:

“I am conducting the ILM Certificate part of the apprenticeship programme with full workshop sessions. These workshops encompass the three skills development domains but are cleverly wrapped into a project format and conveniently designed into three core units.

Understanding the managers role

The first unit will teach apprentices the specific responsibilities of middle managers to enable a dental organisation to achieve its goals. They will learn how communication and interpersonal skills affect managerial performance and how to assess personal development opportunities to improve their own managerial performance.

Managing a complex team activity

The second unit will show learners how to plan a complex team activity, communicate information effectively and how to lead a team. Candidates will need to organise efficient operational practice systems including elements such as:

- setting SMART objectives

- planning and delegating work

- allocating resources efficiently to produce reports and meet deadlines

- monitoring, evaluating and improving individual and team processes

- developing advanced IT skills to meet requirements in their management role

Leading innovation and change

This unit will teach apprentices how to improve through innovation. It will cover interpreting and presenting data, negotiation skills and overcoming barriers to change in order to improve compliance, patient care and business growth.

“Trainee managers will complete an assignment for each of the three areas. This could include completing a work-based assignment, a reflective review, a practical task and report or a group discussion and write up. It is hoped that during the ILM Certificate programme each trainee will learn one topic in depth whilst completing their own project and also gain an overview of how they can approach the other topics from their peers.”

The Level 4 ILM certificate in Management and Leadership is Phase 1 of the apprenticeship programme. Candidates are then required to compose a portfolio of evidence of practical skills gained, before end point assessments take place. All aspects of the course have been structured and designed by leading employers working within the dental sector to ensure that delegates meet the standards required to become valuable, leading members of the dental team.

“I will closely supervise the first assignment and then candidates will be required to complete further projects (eight in total) for their portfolio, with the support of their mentors,” continues Seema. “Along with the workshops, delegates will be expected to conduct independent study with access to email and telephone support from myself as well as online resources from the Dentabyte Learning Zone and the ILM Learning Zone.”

Barnet and Southgate College is running the Apprenticeship for Dental Practice Managers periodically throughout the year and the next start date is 16^th March 2016, with more dates to follow.

For more information on the Apprenticeship in Dental Practice Management, please contact Barnet and Southgate College:

www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

0203 764 4333

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twitter @barnetsouthgate

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