The British Dental Association (BDA) and the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) are delighted to announce that they have agreed a new ‘Strategic Partnership’ allowing both organisations to work more closely over the coming months and years. 

BDA Chief Executive, Peter Ward, commented, “This exciting new Strategic Partnership will benefit the whole Dental Community and will provide a higher level of engagement, from manufacturers and trade companies, right through to the Dentists and their teams.”

The aim of this Partnership will be to;

• Bring both Associations closer together in the eyes of the whole dental sector,
• Deliver better value to the sector through a change of culture and a closer working relationship between the BDA and BDIA,
• Provide value for members and the wider industry wherever it is possible to do so.

The Partnership recognises the strong identities and individual nature of each Association, whilst effectively looking to deliver a comprehensive business solution for the profession and the industry through activities such as both the BDA’s British Dental Conference and Exhibition in the spring and BDIA Dental Showcase in the autumn of each year. 

Tony Reed, BDIA Executive Director, added, “By working in partnership we believe than we can create better value for the members of both Associations. Our two major dental events can together provide all that practices need to maintain an up to date understanding of developments in materials, equipment and techniques and a solution to their educational requirements in terms of clinical and business needs”. 

By working in partnership both Associations believe that better value for their members can be achieved.

Come and meet the Dental Elite team at the BDA Conference and Exhibition 2015 on stand B36 or join us after the show at our Exit Seminar. We will hold five short presentations exploring retirement, selling a dental practice and exit planning on Thursday 7^th May.

The event will carry 2 hours of verifiable CPD and will be held at the Midland Hotel directly opposite the GMEX. The speakers will include:

• Sim Goldblum – The Dentistry Business www.thedentistrybusiness.com
• Rizwan Akhtar – RA Accountants www.raaccountants.com/ra-dentists
• Luke Moore – Dental Elite, ‘Dental Practice Sales Agents & Valuations’ dentalelite.co.uk//selling-your-practice
• Alex Hall – Partner – Meade King Solicitors, Specialist Dental Solicitor ww.meadeking.co.uk/alexanderhallcv.html
• Ray Prince – Rutherford Wilkinson, Financial Planner www.rwpfg.co.uk/who-we-are/staff/ray-prince

The drinks reception with canapés will begin at 6pm, followed by the seminar, so come and meet us there.

For more information and to find out how working with Dental Elite can you plan your exit 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

You may well have seen the adverts for a new medical drama on Sky 1 HD called Critical. This is a 13-part series set in a major trauma centre and each show covers one story, in one place, in one hour. It's a gripping medical and emotional rollercoaster but it's also incredibly realistic – if you've seen it, you're probably already hooked.

You might be wondering why this is news on a dental website. If you look a little closer, you'll notice that during all surgical procedures the characters are wearing face visors. Of course, this is essential costume attire for an authentic medical programme that portrays life or death medical treatment. What you may not know is that these are Pegasus Face Visors, created by the UK dental manufacturer, Astek Innovations.

Critical's producer, Christopher Hall explained why these face visors were chosen for the characters to wear: 'The design concept of Critical was driven by two factors, we wanted at all times to depict a real medical environment but also one at the very cutting edge of medical practice. Pegasus Face Visors achieved just that; they protected both patient and doctor while looking very sexy and ultra modern. For film-making purposes there was the added bonus that the whole face of the actor was revealed to the camera rather than hidden behind an opaque mask. This meant that the audience had no visual barriers between them and the character, useful also in the real world of medicine and dentistry where a sympathetic and open relationship between practitioner and patient is so important.'

The cast of Critical would also have benefited from the anti-glare properties of the visors as the camera lighting would not have caused any reflective dazzle on the material. Not only that, the material also resists fog, keeping them perfectly clear throughout filming. Astek Innovations designed Pegasus Face Visors using high quality materials to avoid glare and fogging in order that vision is always clear for the wearer and to help maintain a trusting relationship with the patient. They are suitable for all dental staff including dentists, dental hygienists and therapists, and dental nurses.

To discover more about the fully autoclavable Pegasus Face Visors, that are available in a wide range of colours to complement your dental practice scheme, contact Astek Innovations today on 0161 942 3900 or their website - www.astekinnovations.co.uk or email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Rogers was the photographer and the picture is copyright of Sky and Hat Trick Productions

On Monday 30^th March the Church Street Dental Practice in Caernarfon re-opened  under the expert guidance and leadership of Simon Gallier, a dentist with 32 years of experience.

Two recognisable members of staff are working alongside Simon; Sian Roberts and Jenny Ellis. The team worked  hard to get the practice back up to speed to welcome as many patients as possible.

Speaking about the reopening, Simon said, ‘We are excited to welcome our patients – new and old – to the practice. We’ve been busy behind the scenes getting the practice up and running again, and we look forward to delivering exceptional dental care to the local community.

‘Why not visit the practice to see some new and some familiar faces for yourself, working in a newly super-efficient and, as always, caring environment. We’d be delighted to see you.’

Church Street Dental Practice offers a unique model for running a dental practice. Maintained by Future Health Partnership as a community interest company, Simon, Sian, Jenny and their colleagues each own a share of the business, much like John Lewis partners do.

If you would like to book an appointment for a visit or to talk to someone about your dental care, please call (01286) 672601 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Spinalis UK is launching the unique concept of dental stools and lab chairs designed to allow free movements in all directions. Spinalis stools and chairs are designed to counter the ill-effects of sitting. The seat is mounted on a spiral providing flexibility without bouncing allowing your spine to stay in the correct position without 'breaking' in the lower back and relieving disc pressure. 

Spinalis stools and chairs are the perfect health solution wherever it is necessary to lean over a patient or a work surface while maintaining maximum mobility. The seat and the backrest rotate and move independently, allowing for comfort in unusual positions.

Spinalis flexible seat mimics sitting on a gym ball, improves core stability and postural mechanisms.

We supply three models of Spinalis dental and lab stools and seven models of Spinalis chairs in a wide range of colours and materials.

Spinalis chairs and stools are high quality EU products a recognized medical device across the EU. All backed up with our three year warranty.

http://spinalischairs.co.uk/

Visit us at this year's Dentistry Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham at D91 stand.

As the Chairman of the Lawyers section of the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL), Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, Senior Partner from Lockharts Solicitors, will be in attendance and exhibiting as a member of NASDAL at this year’s The Dentistry Show. The Show is held at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2015.

Lockharts will be supporting NASDAL in attracting various Dental professionals, practice managers and owners at the event, to share their knowledge and skills about a range of issues relating to the accounts, legal, and tax and business affairs for dentists.

Formed in April 1988, NASDAL’s objective is to ensure that it provides a means of establishing a high quality of service to members of the dental profession at all times. The Chairman of NASDAL, Nick Ledingham, along with various other respected members of NASDAL will also be attending.

Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, Lockharts Senior Partner, said “Lockharts Solicitors are delighted to be part of such a fantastic event for Dentists, and to also be supporting NASDAL as a member and exhibiting at this year’s event. It is a great opportunity to for each NASDAL member to bring their specialist knowledge and business to the table and showcase how their individual business are able to support Dentists and more importantly, also collectively under the NASDAL umbrella, to further benefit Dentists and to improve further in all areas of the overall business. NASDAL is the one-stop shop for Dentists for everything legal and accounting.”

Visit Stand G32 at The Dentistry Show to find out more, or visit www.nasdal.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

Disclaimer: The content of this article is only intended as information and should not be considered to be legal advice. Lockharts cannot be held liable for any loss caused by any act or omission as a result of the information in this article.

This year DPAS Dental Plans wants to learn more about the challenges faced by practice teams visiting The Dentistry Show, so are asking delegates to name the ‘3 key cogs’ that keep their practice machine running.

Visitors who share their ‘3 key cogs’ with the DPAS team on Stand B32 will be invited to play our new ‘Find the missing piece’ game, with the chance to win prizes ranging from high street vouchers to an iPad mini.

DPAS provides a flexible, comprehensive dental plan administration service tailored to meet the specific needs of your practice and patients. Our understanding of the challenges faced by practices has enabled us to develop bespoke practice support that includes a range of tools, from marketing and patient recruitment consultancy right through to team training and annual fee reviews.

Whether you’re considering your options ahead of NHS contract changes or want to attract more patients by re-launching your dental plans, the DPAS team will be on hand to offer advice and support throughout the show, so you can find the plan that fits.

Visit Stand B32 at The Dentistry Show to find out more, or visit www.dpas.co.uk

Offering your patients finance at low and zero rates of interest is a proven way to increase treatment plan take-up – as if by magic.

To prove the point, Dental Finance is employing the talents of professional expo magician and member of the Magic Circle, Sebastian Hunt, on its stand F30 at the Dentistry Show on 17 and 18 April at the NEC.

By performing a series of magic tricks under the scrutiny of visitors to the Dental Finance stand, Sebastian will demonstrate how offering patient finance is a case of playing your cards right and always producing aces.

Brian Carter, Dental Finance director, says: "Some dentists believe the new process for setting up finance is a trick they'll never learn. With our free assistance we can help them pull that rabbit out of the hat!"

Magician, Sebastian Hunt (pictured above), will be appearing and disappearing from the Dental Finance stand throughout the two days of the show. For further information about the magic of patient finance, go to: www.dentalfinance.co.uk

The BDIA’s ‘Dental Industry Manifesto’ sets out five key priorities for action in the dental sector for the next Government. BDIA Executive Director, Tony Reed, explains, “The industry believes that positive and focussed investment and support from Government is vital to ensure the highest quality oral health outcomes for patients and an efficient and sustainable future for the provision of dentistry in the UK”.

The Manifesto urges the next Government to focus on five areas: ‘Investing in the nation’s oral health’, ‘Protecting patients’, ‘Building a better future’, ‘Championing innovation’ and creating ‘A favourable business environment’. By acting in these areas a future Government can significantly reduce the burden on the NHS by improving the nation’s oral health, protect patients, whilst supporting dental professionals and the industry, foster innovation, encourage investment, improve the business environment and develop exports.

The Manifesto also builds on the industry’s initiative against counterfeit and non-compliant dental devices and instruments seeking full Government funding for the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

It has been circulated to key opinion formers in the political parties and Government departments, as well as Ministers, MPs, senior civil servants and NHS England.

Established in 1923, the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) represents and supports manufacturers and suppliers of dental products, services and technologies. BDIA members gain access to a range of services designed to benefit them and promote the well-being of the industry as a whole and the profession gains the reassurance of dealing with like-minded individuals who are committed to providing a high quality standard of service.

For more information please contact Edmund Proffitt on 01494 781183 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

As the Chairman of the Lawyers section of the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL), Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, Senior Partner from Lockharts Solicitors, will be in attendance and exhibiting as a member of NASDAL at this year’s The Dentistry Show. The Show is held at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April, 2015.

Lockharts will be supporting NASDAL in attracting various Dental professionals, practice managers and owners at the event, to share their knowledge and skills about a range of issues relating to the accounts, legal, and tax and business affairs for dentists.

Formed in April 1988, NASDAL’s objective is to ensure that it provides a means of establishing a high quality of service to members of the dental profession at all times. The Chairman of NASDAL, Nick Ledingham, along with various other respected members of NASDAL will also be attending.

Andrew Lockhart-Mirams (pictured below), Lockharts Senior Partner, said “Lockharts Solicitors are delighted to be part of such a fantastic event for Dentists, and to also be supporting NASDAL as a member and exhibiting at this year’s event. It is a great opportunity to for each NASDAL member to bring their specialist knowledge and business to the table and showcase how their individual business are able to support Dentists and more importantly, also collectively under the NASDAL umbrella, to further benefit Dentists and to improve further in all areas of the overall business. NASDAL is the one-stop shop for Dentists for everything legal and accounting.”

So, come and visit us on stand G32 this April 2015.

For further information, check out our website: www.nasdal.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

Disclaimer: The content of this article is only intended as information and should not be considered to be legal advice. Lockharts cannot be held liable for any loss caused by any act or omission as a result of the information in this article. 

Equipment leasing and finance specialists Snowbird Finance Ltd will be offering their £50 note incentive to new and existing customers at Dentistry show on 17^th & 18^th April 2015. Pick up a £50 note flyer and pocket a crisp, real £50 note when you redeem it on your next equipment finance agreement with Snowbird. You can also nominate your equipment supplier and have £50 sent to them too!

About Snowbird Finance

Snowbird Finance Ltd provide bespoke financial solutions to individuals and businesses in the Optical, Dental, Medical and Veterinary professions. We provide practice finance, equipment leasing, hire purchase agreements business and personal loans and vehicle finance for healthcare professionals to grow their practices or achieve personal goals. Whether you are upgrading practice equipment, refurbishing your premises, or simply need a loan for a holiday or tax bill, we find the best and most tax-efficient solution for your individual requirements.

Snowbird Finance Ltd was established in 2007 by Managing Director Simon Freeman, who has enjoyed a career spanning over 25 years in equipment leasing and finance relating to the healthcare professions. Simon’s fantastic knowledge and expertise has enabled him to grow the business rapidly, becoming a member of NACFB and positioning Snowbird as one of the key finance providers within the healthcare sector.

Snowbird recently announced that Bill Carr has joined the team to further develop our practice finance offering. Bill has over 24 years’ experience helping clients with financing for practice purchases and repurchasing agreements and is highly regarded in the dental sector.

Talk to Simon Freeman and the friendly team at Snowbird Finance at the Dentistry Show on stand C22.

The Dentistry Show will provide a perfect opportunity to update visitors on what’s new at Belmont. Chances are many practitioners haven’t purchased a new chair for a while and will be amazed at how technology has evolved. 

In the last decade much emphasis has been placed on designing equipment to meet stringent cross infection standards.  Belmont’s streamlined equipment, with easily cleanable upholstery that’s resistant to both bacteria and staining, will benefit both patient and practitioner.  The former will receive treatment in comfort, whilst the latter will benefit from improved ease of access as well as keeping the CQC inspectors happy!

For those who wish their surgery were a little bigger, why not take a look at the Cleo (below), which has a folding leg rest?  Not only does this have a much smaller footprint, making your surgery look bigger and easier to work in, it also has many benefits for the patient.  Access is easy; it’s just like getting into a ‘normal chair’, which will be a relief to all especially elderly, disabled or younger patients.  Once seated, the natural position they’re in makes dialogue much more relaxing too.

In today’s cost-conscious times dentists are understandable demanding value for money from their treatment centre.  Belmont’s representatives will take you through the various options available and find the right one for you.  If your practice is used by more than one associate, for example, then it might be prudent to consider an ambidextrous option such as the Voyager which can change from right to left handed use in a matter of minutes.

As is always the case, there will also be some tempting offers for those who like what they see and what to benefit from the cost savings available throughout the duration of the show.

If you aren’t able to get to Birmingham then you might like to take a look at Belmont’s new website which is a hive of information and includes a practice gallery, showing some recent case studies.  Seeing how others have used Belmont equipment to realize their dreams can often provide inspiration for your own plans.  

www.belmontdental.co.uk

@BelmontDentalUK

By Rebecca Allen of Initial Medical

As part of the dental team, needlestick safety is something you should be acutely aware of in your day-to-day role. A survey conducted in association with the British Association of Dental Nurses* in 2014, found that 51.2% of respondents had received a needlestick injury at some point throughout their career, with 60% of those saying they’d received more than one. When you then consider the risk of infection following a needlestick injury is estimated to be 1 in 3 for HBV, 1 in 30 for HCV and 1 in 300 for HIV**, it is vital that safety procedures are put in place in all dental surgeries.

Following the introduction of The Health & Safety (Sharps Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, all healthcare facilities must ensure that:

(a) The use of medical sharps at work is avoided so far as is reasonably practicable;

(b) When medical sharps are used at work, safer sharps are used so far as is reasonably practicable;

(c) Needles that are medical sharps are not capped after use at work unless— (i) that act is required to control a risk identified by an assessment undertaken pursuant to regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (a); and (ii) the risk of injury to employees is effectively controlled by the use of a suitable appliance, tool or other equipment;

(d) In relation to the safe disposal of medical sharps that are not designed for re-use— (i) written instructions for employees, and (ii) clearly marked and secure containers, are located close to areas where medical sharps are used at work.

Health and safety law has always placed general responsibilities on the employer to provide their staff with a healthy working environment. However, this legislation now puts further emphasis on prevention. In reality it would be difficult, if not impossible to remove all sharps from a dental practice, so the next best thing is to assess the risk correctly, use devices which limit the risk of injury and dispose of all sharps in a safe manner.

Key tips that all dental clinical staff should follow to help reduce needlestick injuries are:

·         Cease recapping of needles

·         Ensure the correct type and size of sharps disposal unit is in place

·         Make sure your sharps disposal units are assembled and closed correctly

·         Place all sharps disposal units in a safe, secure location

·         Dispose of your sharps at point of use

·         Report all sharps injuries immediately

·         In the case of a needlestick injury follow your health and safety protocol immediately

It’s important to remember that when it comes to hazardous and infectious waste, such as syringes and other sharps at a dental practice, the cradle-to-grave rule applies. The producer of waste will always be held responsible for the safe and legal disposal of it, even after it has been passed onto the waste carrier collecting it. This is why it’s important to work with comprehensively trained sharps waste disposal experts who will safely and securely dispose of it and advise on the correct products that comply with both the UK and EU legislation.  Health and safety law is criminal law and healthcare organisations can be subject to enforcement action if they fail to comply with the legal requirements. There is also always a threat of civil law action if an employee is injured due to insufficient practices and technologies being in place.  

Everyone has a role to play in the prevention of sharps injuries, from trainee staff who are learning the ropes, to practice owners who will hold legal overall responsibility for the wellbeing of their staff.

*For healthcare workers worldwide

**1216 British Association of Dental Nurses responded to the survey in August 2014, from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.  99% of respondents were from the UK and 1% from the Republic of Ireland.

About Initial Medical Waste Experts

Initial Medical is an expert in healthcare waste management, providing a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, such as offensive waste produced by businesses and organisations within the UK. The safe management of healthcare waste is vital to ensure your activities are not a risk to human health.  Initial Medical’s healthcare waste services ensure that all of your waste is stringently handled in compliance with legislation and in accordance with Safe Management of Healthcare Waste best practice guidelines, providing you with the peace of mind that you are adhering to current legislation.

For further information please visit www.initialmedical.co.uk or Tel 0800 731 0802.

Rebecca Allen, Category Manager, Initial Medical

Rebecca has worked in the Healthcare sector for the past 13 years and was a Research Chemist with Bayer Cropscience prior to joining Rentokil Initial in 2003.  She keeps up to date on all developments within the clinical waste management industry and is an active member of the CIWM, SMDSA and BDIA.  

Designed specifically for the dental market and for an improved patient experience

Clinical waste management and infection control expert Initial Medical, is now supplying peppermint scented gloves to the dental sector.

Prolonged glove use and repeated hand washing can cause the skin to become dry and chapped, making those working in the dental industry more susceptible to dermatitis. ‘Unigloves Green LANO-E™’ gloves, available from Initial Medical, contain a microfilm of Lanolin and Vitamin E to sooth and soften the skin, on the hands of the wearer.

Designed specifically for the dental market, ‘Unigloves Green LANO-E™’ gloves provide the very highest protection, while having the added benefit of being peppermint scented to increase patient experience – helping to reassure them they are being examined in a clean, safe environment. With a fully textured surface for increased grip, the gloves are 100% latex, low allergy and rated medical grade AQL 1.5.

Initial Medical is also marketing two water line cleaners for dental practitioners.  Sterisil Citrisil and Citrisil Blue tablets continuously disinfect and maintain dental water lines. Using distilled or purified tap water, these tablets effervesce to provide a safe, pH balanced treatment.

The Sterisil Straw and Antimicrobial Bottle is the perfect solution for transitioning from daily tablets to a single yearly change out. The Sterisil Straw works 365 days to continuously disinfect dental unit water lines and provide safe and clean water.

www.initialmedical.co.uk

About Initial Medical

Initial Medical is an expert in healthcare waste management, providing a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for hazardous and non-hazardous waste and offensive waste produced by businesses and organisations within the UK. The safe management of healthcare waste is vital to ensure your activities are not a risk to human health.  Initial Medical’s healthcare waste services ensure that all of your waste is stringently handled in compliance with legislation and in accordance with Safe Management of Healthcare Waste best practice guidelines, providing you with the peace of mind that you are adhering to current legislation.

For further information or to order please visit www.initialmedical.co.uk or Tel: 0800 731 0802.

Media enquiries:

For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 023 8022 5478 or 07799423013.

A-dec looks forward to welcoming you to stand B20, where at this year’s Dentistry Show we will be bringing our showrooms to you.

We will be showcasing the full spectrum of fully integrated dental chairs, our award winning LED dental light and cabinetry solutions from the current range. All of our dental chairs can be tailored to your individual specification to give you everything you need - after all, you could spend over 26,565 hours with your dental chair throughout your career so it needs to work for you and your dental team.

Our A-dec Territory Managers will be on stand for the duration of the show to offer you design, treatment room and equipment advice so bring your plans along or ask the team for an on stand demo. For more information visit us on stand B20 or call us on 0800 233 285.

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

Dentists’ Provident, the income protection specialist, has introduced a new flexible plan option, which allows its members to easily increase their cover to mirror important changes in their lives and careers.

Dentists’ Provident prides itself on the flexibility of its plans, which gives its members the ability to tailor their income protection to suit their lifestyle.

A new year can signify plans for many big events, such as getting married, having children, moving house or even accepting that new role with a substantial increase in pay. Each of these exciting new changes can have a significant impact on your monthly outgoings.

This change allows its members, who have had this option for six years, to easily increase their cover by up to 30%, in response to any such life changing events. Many insurers place restrictions on when and under what circumstances these increases in cover can take place. With Dentists’ Provident its members can choose to increase their cover at a time that best suits them. Normally, its members would have to go through an assessment of their health, in order to increase their cover, but with this option they don’t have to.

Farrukh Mirza, Dentists’ Provident’s CEO, said “We continually review our products and look at ways to be innovative in how we support our members throughout their lives and careers.”

To find out more about this, and the other plan options, please go to www.dentistsprovident.co.uk

Want to break free from convention this Christmas? Come and spoil your dental team in the Winter Boogie Wonderland. Our resident DJ will take centre stage so you can end your party on the dance floor. During the evening you will also have access onto the balcony so that you can experience the -2degree temperatures if you wish! Alternatively, if you prefer to stay warm, you can just watch it snow around Midnight!

Package includes:

• Traditional three course dinner
• DJ and Disco
• Christmas crackers and novelties
• Themed room
• Security

All for £25.00 per person.

Available on Saturday 13th and 20th December 2014. Arrivals from 7pm, dinner at 8pm. Last orders at 1am. 

Further information available here.

We would also like to offer a complementary arrival drink for all parties booked using the discount code GDPUKXMAS

Please contact Jenni on 0161 749 2249 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sadly, today we hear about cases of cancer more and more frequently but amidst all of this there is one type of cancer that still does not have the level of awareness that it needs: mouth cancer. Figures from Cancer Research UK show that oral cancer is the fifteenth most common type of cancer to be diagnosed in the UK and accounts for 2% of all new cancer diagnoses, it just goes to show that oral cancer is something that we should be paying attention to. Confirmation on the causes of oral cancer is still unavailable but evidence is emerging to suggest that oral sex may have a part to play in its development.

Like any other cancer those who smoke, drink regularly or have a genetic history of cancer are statistically more likely to develop oral cancer but the effects of oral sex may be just as important. It has been shown that oral cancer and oral sex are linked through viral infections, namely the human papilloma virus (HPV). Most of us know what HPV is, or have at least heard of it. Teenage girls are regularly vaccinated against it in schools to help prevent the development of cervical cancer. So how does a virus that is associated with cervical cancer come to be linked with mouth cancer?

Scientists have found that the mechanisms behind HPV and mouth cancer work in the same way as HPV and cervical cancer as both the mouth and the cervix provide the same conditions in which the virus can live. It is believed that around 25% of oral cancers and 35% of throat cancers are due to the HPV virus which is transmitted almost entirely through oral sexual contact. Most sexually active people will have been exposed to this virus but only about 2-3% will actually develop any symptoms.

Currently there is little evidence to determine whether men or women are more likely to develop oral cancer from contracting the HPV virus but it is known that oropharyngeal cancer is twice as common in men as it is in women and is most common in heterosexual men aged between 40 and 50. This relationship between the higher diagnoses of HVP in men suggests that sexual activity performed by a man on a woman increases the likelihood of contracting HVP over a woman performing sexual favours for a man. It is therefore likely that the HPV vaccination would also be effective in helping with the prevention of oral cancer and would benefit boys as well as girls.

A study conducted in America in 2009-2010 found that approximately 10% of men and 3.6% of women had an oral HPV infection and many of us (around 90%) will have been infected by the virus by the time we are 25 but, the good news is, our bodies will naturally be clear of it within a couple of years.

Even though HPV vaccinations are available and are seemingly having an effect on the rates of HPV infection, it is still recommended to see your dentist on a regular basis. Early diagnosis is the best way to beat any type of cancer and your dentist is best placed to spot the early warning signs of oral cancer.

If you seem to be getting unexplained lumps or ulcers more frequently than normal or there are odd red or white patches then a visit to your dentist may just save your life. Symptoms can easily be mistaken for other minor oral ailments and quite often go unnoticed. Your dentist is the health professional best placed to give you the advice and treatment needed to deal with the onset of mouth cancer. If caught early enough the prognosis for oral cancer is very good as the survival rate is one of the highest of all cancers.

So now you know that your dentist isn’t only there to tell you off for not flossing, they could be the one to save your life!

Written by Dr Daniel Winston BDS MSc, principal dentist at Mossley Dental Care

Thousands of dentists who qualified before 2008 have just a few months to decide which NHS pension scheme will be best for them in the long term. The Choice 2 exercise being undertaken by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) offers scheme members the opportunity to move their 1995 Section benefits to the 2008 Section of the current pension scheme. This is the second time many dentists will have had the chance to move their pension benefits and is being offered because of changes to the NHS pension scheme in 2015. The deadline to decide is 16 March 2015 and the decision cannot be changed once made.

Independent financial adviser, Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental, says: “Making the right choice can be difficult, especially for dentists who are unsure when they will retire. There are also many other factors to consider such as whether you might retire and then return to work, the benefits potentially payable to your dependants, whether you currently contribute to an Added Years contract and so on."

While NHS Pensions provides information and a 'decision tree' on the NHSBSA website, NHS Pensions is not authorised to provide financial advice to scheme members.

PFM Dental offers independent financial advice exclusively to dentists. For more information visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

Fast Growing Healthcare Finance Company Strengthens Resources with New Business Development Manager

Snowbird Finance Ltd - (snowbirdfinance.co.uk) announced today that Bill Carr is joining the business to further develop their practice finance offering to new and existing clients.  Bill Carr comes with a wealth of experience within the healthcare sector, having spent 24 years working closely with Dentists, Doctors, Pharmacists and Veterinarians.

Bill started his career at the renowned NatWest St James’ Dental Unit where he was one of the founding members of The Association of Service Providers for Dentists and Trustee of The Eastman Foundation for Oral Research and Training. Bill has helped numerous clients in Dentistry with financing for squats, practice purchases and repurchasing agreements.

Bill joins Snowbird on December 8^th 2014 as Business Development Manager to continue Snowbird’s growth and continued excellence in providing bespoke funding packages and practice finance to healthcare professionals around the UK looking to acquire practices. Bill comments “I am excited to start my new role at Snowbird and look forward to working with the team to further develop the specialised finance they provide. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that has an unrivalled reputation for top quality expertise, service and integrity.”

Simon Freeman, Managing Director, added “Bill brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of practice finance and will be a key addition to the Snowbird team. We view his appointment as a sign of our commitment to being one of the leading providers of specialised finance to the healthcare sector. We are very fortunate that we were able to find someone of Bill’s calibre to help us to build on the equipment finance and business and personal loan services we already offer and thus develop more opportunities for our clients to acquire practices.”

About Snowbird Finance Ltd

Snowbird Finance specialise in bespoke financial solutions for practices and professionals in the dental, optical, veterinary and medical sectors. Snowbird's understanding and experience in the industry is unique and we take the time to get to know all our clients so we can provide tailored solutions to meet their individual needs and requirements.  More information on the company’s services provided, team members’ experience and latest news and events can be found on our website www.snowbirdfinance.co.uk

About Bill Carr

Bill is a lecturer at UCL Eastman Dental Institute and also carries out lectures for the London Deanery, DFI Groups, BDA and the Whips Cross Hospital. He has lectured on practice purchasing with law and accountancy firms and specialist surveyors on GP Surgeries & Dentists.

Bill holds Chartered Institute of Bankers Scotland & IFS School of Finance qualifications in Healthcare Credit and is a Chartered Banker under the Business and Commercial Accreditation Program.

Contact

Simon Freeman, Managing Director

Snowbird Finance Ltd

Tel: 01932 874674

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

For PR and marketing enquiries, contact Sophie-Louise Cook This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01932 450542.

Members of the two leading professional services groups for dentists, the Association of Specialist Providers to Dentists (ASPD) and the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants & Lawyers (NASDAL), will deliver a Preparing for Retirement seminar in Watford on Friday 21^st November.

Practice valuer, Martyn Bradshaw of PFM Dental, and dental solicitor, John Grant of Goodman Grant, will discuss the challenges dentists face when selling their practice. Experienced dental accountants will consider the tax implications of selling a practice for sole traders, partnerships and for limited companies. In addition, financial advisers will cover the NHS pension retirement options and HMRC lifetime allowance issues.

Seminar coordinator, Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental, commented: "We have been running these seminars for five years and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from the hundreds of dentists who have attended. Most dentists only sell their practice and retire once so getting it right is vital.”

To book your place on this event call 0845 241 4480 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit www.pfmdental.co.uk for details of retirement events in other UK locations.

A successful dental practice needs good dentists, but more importantly, a good dental team. Happy, motivated employees are the foundations of the perfect practice. Recruit well in the first place; keep your contracts updated regularly to reflect the needs of the practice and use disciplinary procedures when necessary. Too many businesses issue standard contracts and never update them. Contracts should be reviewed regularly to reflect the changing needs of the practice, through added incentives, adjustment of working hours or changes to job descriptions.

Dental W1 Practice Management Consultants based in Marylebone provide expert legal advice to assist with all your employment needs, from help with staff recruitment to drafting tailor-made contracts to conducting disciplinary interviews. We also provide training to your practice managers on a host of relevant topics. Practices made perfect.

Dental W1 Practice Management Consultants can be found on stand R12G at the Dental Showcase.

Dental W1 Practice Management Consultants

3 Marylebone Street, London W1

www.dentalw1.com

07770 435375

W&H look forward to welcoming you on Stand J03 at BDIA Dental Showcase for the latest news and special offers on handpieces, surgical and decontamination products.   W&H are launching a number of new and innovative products, including new models within the Synea Vision range of top quality  handpieces:  Penta LED turbines  which offer unique daylight quality 100% shadow-free illumination of the treatment site and the Short edition contra-angle handpieces which are lighter and shorter for perfect balance especially for those with smaller hands.  Also on display will be the new Alegra handpiece range offering vibration free, quiet operation and improved spray function and the new improved range of air motors which do not require a coupling for 360^o flexibility.  W&H will also be introducing a new prophy handpiece with press-button chucking system for swift replacement of prophy cups and brushes.

Come and view the latest decontamination equipment range, with options available to suit individual budgets and requirements.  Decontamination equipment including the ThermoKlenz washer disinfector dryer and Lisa sterilizer are available for an affordable monthly fee under the W&H Rental Scheme.  The Implantmed surgical system is unbeatable for precision, ease of use and reliability, and the whole surgical range will be on offer at amazingly low prices. Also on display will be the full range of oral hygiene products and the award winning Facelight caries detection unit.

Visit W&H on Stand J03 for unbeatable show promotions and to meet the Specialist Team.  For more information call 01727 874990.  We look forward to seeing you at the Show you can now follow us on Twitter at ‘@WH_UKLtd’.

W&H.  People Have Priority. 

www.wh.com

Dentaid is a charity dedicated to eradicating dental pain around the world. We can only do this with the support of UK dental professionals who want to share their passion for dentistry with those in most need.

Are you a passionate dental team? Dentaid can help your dental practice truly express its passion for dentistry and make a positive impact on oral health around the world.

Through Dentaid’s sponsorship scheme your practice can provide vital dental equipment to projects serving the world’s poorest communities.

Just £1500 will provide a fully stocked DentaidBox; a complete portable dental surgery.

£500 will sponsor the portable dental chair in a rucksack.

£400 will deliver a full set of hand instruments, steriliser and consumables.

Partner with Dentaid to improve the world’s oral health.

For more information visit Dentaid on stand M02 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you want an opportunity to win £25,000 visit Frank Taylor & Associates on Stand G06 where you can have a go at cracking the safe and one lucky person can win £25,000.

Emmanuel  the security guard will escort you down the red carpet where you simply have to enter a six digit code of your choice – if it is the correct code the £25,000 will be yours!

The team at Frank Taylor & Associates are able to advise both sellers and buyers on dental practices as well as all of the associated services you need to run a successful and profitable dental practice.

As part of DPAS’ flexible, comprehensive and effective support for dental practices, the dental plan provider will be launching an entirely revamped Web Portal at this year’s Dental Showcase, along with an online patient registration facility.

Featuring a whole host of new functionality, the Web Portal allows DPAS clients to access and amend all relevant details relating to their plan and plan patients, with real-time reporting and intuitive software making plan performance tracking simple and efficient.

Because one size doesn’t fit all, patients will now have the option to sign up to dental plans online. Whether they’re in the practice or from the comfort of their own homes, DPAS’ Web Portal will continuously be helping DPAS clients to attract more patients in this increasingly competitive environment.

As part of DPAS’ continuing commitment to reducing its impact on the environment and in keeping with its ISO14001 accreditation, this online solution reduces paperwork for everyone, while also helping practices to promote their own green credentials.

To find out how the DPAS Web Portal can benefit your practice, visit Stand F11 at Dental Showcase.

With more and more patients having access to smart phones and emails, iSmile can cater for a completely paper free solution using our newly released product.  Patient Links gives your practice it's very own patient portal, so that you can give your patients the ability to fill in medical history forms on their desktops, tablets and mobile devices prior to their appointment.  iSmile can automatically email medical history forms to your patients, which are filled out securely online and then transmitted back to iSmile and stored within the patient's file, significantly reducing workload at reception.  You can also give your patients the facility to fill out medical history forms at your practice, on your choice of tablet or mobile device as Patient Links is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Online Patient Questionnaires with Patient Links - Part of any growing practice is getting feedback from patients and disseminating the data into easy-to-understand reports.  Patient Links allows you to create a patient questionnaire in iSmile which is automatically emailed to patients after their appointment.  Data collected back by iSmile can be displayed in a range of reports to allow you to analyse trends over a series of time periods and easily see how your business is changing, and identify where improvements can be made.

Visit us on Stand K05a at BDIA Dental Showcase for a no-obligation demonstration of iSmile and Patient Links.

Telephone: 0845 468 1287
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Medisafe and Euronda give you the New E9 Med Steam Generator Edition.

The new autoclave offers you the possibility of choosing between 5 types of cycles, all of class B and between 3 types of sterilization tests. The Rapid Cycle selection allows you to obtain sterilized wrapped hollow and porous loads in only 25 minutes. The new integrated steam generator also allows a higher and pure quality of the steam and conforms to the EN13060.

Visit stand R18 to also receive Medisafe’s new decontamination brochure with exciting products in accordance with HTM 01-05.

Medisafe is one of the world’s leading providers of equipment that reprocesses complex and critical surgical instruments. Medisafe have been operating on a global scale since 1985. Medisafe now install over 1000 machines every year worldwide.

http://www.medisafeinternational.com/

http://www.euronda.com/

By the use of modern polymer plastics OPTICLAR loupes combine durability with lightweight comfort. Our VISIONMAG Pro-Line I.O loupes have a twin lens system providing excellent edge to edge clarity with no aberration. The wide fields of view and deep working distances enable intricate work to be carried out with ease. The individually adjustable optics ensures accurate interpupiliary settings. The coated optics minimise reflections and maximise light transmission to provide crisp bright images. The unique height adjuster provides perfect pupiliary alignment. The extreme angles of declination ensure that these loupes are ideal for dentistry. The sealed optics are water resistant minimising the risk of moisture and condensation related damage. A supplementary frame is also available to enable the use of individual prescription lenses.

These loupes can be supplied with an optional, fully integrated light system that guarantees brilliant homogenous illumination free from chromatic aberration. The lithium Ion battery pack can deliver up to 12 hours continuous use and can be fully recharged in less than 2 hours. The pack can sit unobtrusively in the pocket or clipped to a waist band or belt. The connection cable has a coiled section that provides an early warning if the cable becomes snagged on furniture or other objects. A separate on/ off switch prevents premature wear on the rotary rheostat and enables the unit to be turned on/ off at the previously selected setting.

These fantastically priced loupes provide unbeatable value for money by delivering clarity without compromise.   

You can find the Loupes at the Albert Waeschle Stand - B06

Albert Waeschle has been supplying the Surgical and Medical profession for over fifty years. Our first class technical knowledge has enabled us to develop products in conjunction with leading specialists to ensure superb product performance. We have a dedicated field sales team focusing on our customers’ needs and requirements with the ultimate aim of proposing the best solution. Our end to end service includes fast, reliable supply of product, local technical support, training and full on-site equipment servicing and repair. We also provide flexible payment options to ease the burden of the initial cost. Our objective is to build a lasting relationship through demonstrating our market leading knowledge and advice.

http://www.aw-online.com/

Get Dental Plans are independent dental insurance advisers offering your patients a wide range of insurance policies from leading UK insurers. 

Being part of the well-established, Get Private group of companies, Get Dental Plans is a trusted name, offering independent, impartial advice from a range of individual and company plans designed to suit dental needs.

Individual polices are available to individuals and families offering comprehensive cover for everyday maintenance costs such as check-ups and hygienist fees. Cover is also available for treatment such as fillings, dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays as well as periodontal treatment.  Additional cover such as accident cover, emergency visit cover, dental hospital cover and mouth cancer cover is also available.

Company policies are available for two employees upwards, once again offering comprehensive cover for maintenance costs such as check-ups and hygienist fees. Additional treatment cover such as children's orthodontic cover and implant cover is also available. Plans in the main offer immediate cover and do not take into account pre-existing conditions.

By recommending your patients to Get Dental Plans, you will be safe in the knowledge that they will receive impartial advice on a range of dental insurance plans on a non-commital basis.  There is no administration for you, simply recommend your patients to speak to us and let your practice grow!

The plans are very comprehensive and competitive with no pre-joining checks.  People are claiming straight away, they are writing to tell us they can’t believe how easy it is and the dentists are saying the same:

I am writing to express my satisfaction with Get Dental Plans . My dental insurance policy was easy to understand and my first claim was paid without any problem or delay. My policy compliments my health insurance policy that I have currently, as the health policy does not cover me for dental cover. Stephen Slade

Get Dental is an extremely useful scheme for affording private dental care.  It involves only an introduction from my practice and then no administration at all.  It gives patients immediate access to dental cover so they don't delay treatment.   It serves us well by removing a major barrier to accepting care and by improving our cash flow and case acceptance. It really is a win win opportunity. Maish Weinstein – Dentist

At the BDIA Showcase we will be launching our ‘One Year’s Free Dental Insurance’ voucher.  Please come over to stand R12M for more information on how we can help your business grow.

Paul Lewis

Get Dental Plans

Tel: 07770551712

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook  or Twitter https://twitter.com/GetDentalUK or Pinterest http://uk.pinterest.com/GetDental/

Renishaw is a British based, global company operating in market sectors as contrasting as medical sciences, industrial and electronic manufacturing, consumer electronics and academic research. We develop innovative products that significantly advance our customers’ operational performance - from improving manufacturing efficiencies and raising product quality, to maximising research capabilities and improving the efficacy of medical procedures.

Our products are used for applications as diverse as CAD/CAM dentistry, stereotactic neurosurgery, medical diagnostics, additive manufacturing (3D printing), Raman spectroscopy, machine tool automation, co-ordinate measurement and a vast range of other measurement activities. In all of these areas we aim to be a long-term partner, offering superior products that meet our customer needs both today and into the future, backed up by responsive, expert technical and commercial support.

Renishaw is one of the world’s leading providers of in-lab dental CAD/CAM systems. We offer a comprehensive CAD/CAM suite direct to dental laboratories. This includes the DS10(contact) and DS30 (optical) dental scanners which enable labs to access a range of centrally manufactured crown and bridge restorations and abutments in materials such as zirconia, 3D printed cobalt chrome, PMMA and wax.

As well as industry-established zirconia milling, Renishaw uses 3D printing (additive manufacturing) machines to ‘print' cobalt chrome frameworks. Our 3D printing system is a sophisticated, computer controlled process digitally driven direct from 3D CAD data. We create tooth-supported and implant-supported frameworks through this process. Each 3D printed framework is manufactured in the UK.

To make these products easily available, we offer our software package Renishaw Dental Studio, powered by ExoCAD, with intuitive and extensive modules for your design needs.LaserAbutments™ - One-piece implant supported restorations. These single piece items can be used to create either screw-retained crowns orstacked abutment/crown restorations. Supplied with a pre-polished emergence profile and available for a range of implant systems.

LaserAbutments™ - One-piece implant supported restorations. These single piece items can be used to create either screw-retained crowns orstacked abutment/crown restorations. Supplied with a pre-polished emergence profile and available for a range of implant systems.

LinkAbutments™ - Two-piece link abutments are another way to create implant-supported restorations. Using a titanium base, the profile is scanned and a custom abutment design is bonded on top. In the case of screw-retained crowns, porcelain can be applied directly to the supragingival surface.

LaserPFM™ - These crown and bridge frameworks are an ideal alternative to cast, non-precious or semi-precious units. They give labs a cost effective framework at a fixed price and consistent quality.

Zr100 and Realistic™ Zirconia – Strong, biocompatible and aesthetically pleasing full contour crown and bridge frameworks.

PM100 temporary PMMA and WX100 castable wax – Designed to reduce the lab’s workload and improve the efficiency of the more menial of lab tasks.

DS10 – Our contact scanner – when accuracy is crucial.

DS30 – Our efficient optical scanner – for use where speed is paramount to give higher throughput whilst maintaining accurate results. Flexible and easy to use when teamed with Dental Studio™.

Dental Studio™ - Advanced CAD software that is easy to use and includes the unique combination of contact scanning for accuracy (DS10) and optical scanning for speed (DS30). It includes a variety of modules developed by technicians. Designed to ensure labs have the best possible tools to create their designs and with photorealistic images of the designs with

Trusmile™ image rendering software.

Scanning service – Renishaw offers a scanning service for LaserAbutments. Details of implant types supported, Freepost™ labels and order forms can all be found at www.renishaw.com/dental.

Whether you are buying equipment or frameworks from us or making use of our scanning service, our support team is here to help you every step of the way.

• Face-to-face training (with CPD hours)

• Web based support

• Telephone support

To learn more about Renishaw or our dental products please call us: 01453 524528 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can follow us on Twitter @RenishawDental

RENISHAW, the probe symbol used in the RENISHAW logo, are registered trademarks of Renishaw plc

OraCoat^® XyliMelts^® oral adhering discs; new dry mouth treatment advancement

XyliMelts oral adhering discs relieve dry mouth day and night

For patients who suffer from dry mouth, there is a new remedy. OraHealth, the world leader in the breakthrough technology of  OraCoat oral adhering discs to coat and soothe the mouth has introduced  OraCoat XyliMelts for Dry Mouth, all-natural, great tasting, oral adhering discs that slowly release an effective amount of xylitol (500mg) and oral lubricant to relieve dry mouth (xerostomia) day and night and reduce plaque and tooth decay.  XyliMelts discs can be safely used while sleeping when dry mouth is worst.

Xylitol, the key ingredient in XyliMelts, is a natural food substance that is comparable to sucrose in sweetness but contains fewer calories and fights cavities. XylMelts adhering discs also contain cellulose gum, a humectant, which coats the mouth to retain moisture. The xylitol and mild mint flavor help to stimulate saliva.

For dry mouth suffers, the feeling of serious dry mouth is bad enough, but there are two consequences that are even worse: disruption of sleep, reducing quality of life all day long, and rampant tooth decay.  XyliMelts is the only dry mouth remedy that effectively addresses either of these consequences.

The patented oral adhering disc technology allows XyliMelts to discretely stick to gums or teeth making them ideal for use while sleeping to avoid sleep disturbance.  A recent clinical study, published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, demonstrated that use of XyliMelts time-release adhering discs while sleeping significantly improved perceived oral wetness upon awakening in the morning, and improved perceived discomfort for xerostomia.

A second consequence of dry mouth is rampant caries.  XyliMelts time-release an effective level of xylitol into saliva while sleeping, when saliva flow is lowest and the xylitol will stay in the mouth longest before being swallowed.  XyliMelts used while sleeping is the most effective delivery per gram of xylitol for caries control.

According to Kiet A. Ly, MD, MPH, University of Washington Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, "sufficient evidence exists to support the use of xylitol to reduce caries."

Many medications cause dry mouth, as does increasing age, mouth breathing while sleeping, use of CPAP machines for sleep apnea, certain autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's Syndrome, and radiation therapy.

Additional benefits of XyliMelts for dry mouth suffers include:

• Stimulates saliva

• Coats, moisturizes, and lubricates

• Provides lasting relief (all night when used while sleeping)

• Reduces plaque and tooth decay

• Freshens breath

• Discreet – no one can tell you have something your mouth

• Works for night-time dry mouth caused by breathing through the mouth

• Can be used with CPAP machines, oral appliance therapy, and dentures

To use XyliMelts for Dry Mouth, place the disc at the gum line on the outside of a molar, upper or lower, with the white side touching a cheek and the tan adhesive side against the gums and/or teeth.  Use the tongue to push the disc to a comfortable spot.  Once there, do not push the disc with fingers or touch it with the tongue for 10 seconds, as this will disrupt adhesion which grows stronger over time.

XyliMelts discs come in two flavors, regular (mild mint) and mint free, and are currently available online.  Patient samples and wholesale pricing are available for dental professionals at www.oracoat.eu. For more information call (London) +44 (0) 203 772 5432 or visit www.oracoat.eu.  At the Dental Showcase, visit stand S09 for a free sample.

Braemar Finance is holding a FREE PRIZE DRAW* at the BDIA Showcase.  To enter your details simply visit stand C12 and leave your contact details.

We provide finance solutions from our range of hire purchase, leasing and loan products, suitable for all your finance needs.

Equipment or IT solutions finance can be pre approved prior to Showcase, allowing you the flexibility to select your supplier(s) of choice. Once approved you simply place your order and indicate Braemar as your method of payment.

Our patient finance options provide your practice with an enhanced service, assisting your cash flow, as payment is made at the onset of the patients treatment.

For all your finance needs contact us on 0845 485 3890 or visit www.braemarfinance.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply visit http://www.braemarfinance.co.uk/competition-terms-and-conditions

By Alex Hall, Meade King Solicitors

It has always been awkward for holders of PDS agreements to sell. Unlike GDS contracts which allow holders to enter partnership, have the contracts varied and for such partnerships then to be dissolved PDS agreements area meant to be ‘personal’, held by only one dentist or entity (e.g. an LLP or Limited Company) and so the right to take on and shed partners is absent.

PCT and now NHS England consent has therefore always been necessary for a transfer to a buyer. With the increased understanding (and enforcement) of European procurement rules, NHS England (as seen in its current policies) is unwilling to give such consent, for fear of legal challenges.

This is currently the situation no matter whether the PDS agreement is for orthodontic services, domiciliary services or sedation. It is of course the case that a PDS agreement for mandatory services can be converted to a GDS contract (on 3 months’ notice under Regulation 21 of the PDS Regulations), although there is a risk for high-UDA-rate contracts that the contract value may be challenged (the GDS Statement of Financial Entitlements maintains the right of NHS England to ‘agree’ the contract value of a new GDS Contract). Furthermore, due to the nature of a PDS Plus agreement (only a percentage of the contract value may be converted to GDS), such conversion is inappropriate making consent necessary for PDS Plus agreements too. 

Consequently, it is of great interest (especially to Orthodontics who wish to sell) that in recent months it has become clear that NHS England’s position towards incorporation may offer a solution.

It was always the case that many PCTs refused consent to incorporate, and the fear of breach of procurement rules often provided them with the excuse. However that slowly changed, especially with the growing knowledge of the 2009 European Court of Justice ‘Pressetext’ ruling, and in June 2013 NHS England released its first policy on incorporation.

That policy has meant that PDS agreement holders have been able to apply for consent to incorporate and obtain a new PDS agreement in the name of their company. Once that is arranged, the company can then be sold to a buyer. This therefore appears to be a solution to a sale proceeding.

However, there are some downsides and some issues to seriously consider:

• NHS England, applying the incorporation policy criteria, may still refuse consent in certain circumstances;
• Incorporation (even when followed by a sale) is a serious trading change and there are costs attached to it;
• Having only shares in a company to sell can limit the market of willing buyers (there are still some buyers who are nervous of buying shares rather than assets);
• NHS England insists, in its policy, on a ‘novation agreement’ signed by the contractor who must agree to guarantee the company’s performance of the new company PDS agreement. That obligation is open-ended, and would feasibly continue beyond the sale of the company unless NHS England consent to be released from the guarantee (or agree a replacement guarantor) is obtained.

Having said all of this, such issues and potential problems perhaps pale into insignificance (though they should be dealt with appropriately) if there is no alternative, leaving the contractor with the choice of selling on these terms or not selling at all.

However, a further issue on the Horizon looms. In June 2014 NHS England published a revised incorporation policy (‘revised April 2014’), which encourages Area Teams to consider including a change of control clause in the novation agreement as a condition of consent. Such clauses, necessitating NHS England consent to a sale of the company who in the future, are attractive for NHS England as they give Area Teams a degree of control over who the company is sold to.

Worst-case scenario, this could defeat the sale objective, as NHS England could refuse. However the chances of successfully arguing that NHS England should consent to a transfer of the shares to a buyer (or indeed that a refusal is unreasonably), should still be higher than the current prospect of convincing an Area Team to agree to a straight transfer in breach of procurement rules. Indeed, paragraph  35 of the revised policy helpfully states;

“consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned and shall not apply in relation to the departure by reason of death, retirement or ill-health of a director or shareholder”.

Those most at risk of refusal will be those:

·         Who are openly incorporation simply to sell shortly after, highlighting the importance of care and confidentiality throughout the process; and

·         those whose buyers are unpalatable to NHS England. Buyers in such circumstances should expect some difficult questions from vendors and their about their previous NHS performance, ongoing patient complaints and GDS and performances list proceedings.

It is interesting to note that NHS England appears to expect the opposition to its new policy in these respects as paragraph 39 of the revised policy states “Area Teams should be aware that they may face challenge on the inclusion of the change of control” and the policy includes several references to disputes being referred to the NHS Litigation Authority, first-tier tribunal or the civil courts.

Consequently, cumbersome though it is, and despite the fact that it is still fraught with risk and issues, incorporation appears to be an option that should be considered for sellers who hold a PDS Plus agreement or PDS agreement for advanced, further or additional (i.e. non-mandatory) services.

Alex Hall will be participating in the daily ‘Ask the Lawyers’ panel on the Dental Elite Stand (Stand No – E10) on Friday at the Dental Showcase 2014 from 2pm.

Dental Elite are offering all delegates free access to a Dental Lawyer to answer any questions any delegates have in respect of the Dentolegal World every day from 2pm at the Dental Showcase 2014.

A SPECIALIST team of dental lawyers from LCF Law will give visitors something to smile about at this year’s BDIA Dental Exhibition Showcase, when they unveil their brand new exhibition stand that incorporates a photo booth in a VW camper van.

The team is based at LCF Law’s Leeds office and offers a wide range of dental related legal services covering associate agreements, dental employment law, practice incorporations, compliance with the Care Quality Commission and the sale and acquisition of dental practices throughout the UK.

It will be the first time the company has attended the exhibition, which is one of the key events in the dental industry’s annual calendar and takes place at London’s ExCeL between 9^th and 11^th October.  The company’s exhibition stand is themed to resemble a beach scene complete with a VW camper van where visitors can pose for ‘selfies’.

Members of LCF Law’s team attending the exhibition will include Partner Tom Coates, Associate Sarah Buxton and Legal Assistant Matthew Jones.  Sarah will also be speaking at the event on Friday 10^th October on behalf of the Association of Dental Administrators and Managers (ADAM) about the legal challenges Practice Managers can face. 

Tom says: “The dental market is a fast growing industry that faces a continual sea of new legislation so it requires its own very unique and specialist advice.  We have a fantastic track-record working across all areas of the industry, on behalf of dental practices and businesses throughout the UK, and we’re delighted to be attending this exhibition for the first time.”

LCF Law will be on stand S13 and further information in the run-up to the event is available via Twitter at @LCFDentallawyers.  This year’s BDIA Dental Showcase will be attended by more than 350 exhibitors and will offer a wide range of networking events, seminars, mini-lectures and opportunities to trial new products and equipment. 

LCF Law is a leading commercial law firm that works with both businesses and private individuals.  The long-established firm employs an 85 strong team across offices in Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley.  For further information visit www.lcf.co.uk

A-dec looks forward to welcoming you to stand M03, where at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase we will be bringing our showrooms to you.

This year we will be showcasing the full spectrum of fully integrated dental chairs with cabinetry solutions from the current range. Whatever your budget, there is an A-dec chair for you; from our newest entry level package, the Performer LR+ right up to our luxurious A-dec 500 chair. All of our dental chairs can be tailored to your specification to give you everything you need.

Also on stand M03 this year we will be presenting our A-dec difference display which shows a selection of the high quality A-dec parts that go into every chair. In addition we will be bringing back the popular consultation area, where we will be offering design and equipment advice and even drawing up your surgery plans live on the stand.

Our A-dec Territory Managers will be on stand for the duration of the show. Visit them on stand M03 or call 0800 233 285 for more information.

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

The BDIA Dental Showcase is only a few weeks away; so if you are thinking about purchasing new equipment, installing or upgrading IT systems, refitting your premises or need a loan for any reason, Snowbird can provide the flexible finance packages to suit your specific requirements.

We are offering a fixed rate of 3.85% per annum* on unsecured funding for new agreements at the exhibition, so make sure you visit us on Stand M01. We can also advise on how you can maximise your tax efficiency by taking advantage of the Annual Investment Allowance.

Snowbird are specialists in Dental Finance with over 25 years’ experience and we can use our unique access to the UK’s leading lenders to provide you with a bespoke funding solution, tailored to your specific needs. Our application process is quick and easy and funds can be transferred within 24 hours of approval.

Arrange your finance with us and we’ll give you £50. Also, we’ll donate £50 to Bridge2Aid, the BDA Benevolent Fund, Burmadent, or any charity of your choice.

Contact us now to discuss your borrowing requirements and for pre-approval.

t: 01932 874674

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

www.snowbirdfinance.co.uk

twitter: @snowbirdfinance

*Fixed rate over 5,6 and 7 year terms at 3.85% per annum. Business use only. Finance approval subject to status. Snowbird Finance Ltd (registered number 6346206) is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

PROMO: Order a Performer LR+ Black Edition by 31 October and receive a free doctor's stool and Satalec Newtron scaler

For further information on this offer please get in touch with A-dec via phone, email or their website.

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

www.a-dec.co.uk

Everyone's favourite W&H Assistina monsters, the Bugdrilla family, have decided to see the world. And you can win an iPad Air by helping them to visit exciting places and have new experiences!

To take part in the #BugdrillaOnTour adventure, register your contact details on www.wh.com or by writing to Marketing Department, W&H (UK) Ltd, 6 Stroud Wood Business Centre, Park Street, St Albans, AL2 2NJ, and we will forward a Bugdrilla monster to you when s/he returns from their latest trip. Then just take one or more photos of a Bugdrilla in interesting situations, and upload them to Twitter or to www.wh.com with a caption. If you are entering via Twitter, please use the tag #BugdrillaOnTour, and ensure that you are following @WH_UKLtd so we can contact you if you are the winner. Once a Bugdrilla has had a few days with you, please return him/her to us, so they can continue with the next phase of their journey.

A few W&H team members have started off a Bugdrilla's journey, so do check out #BugdrillaOnTour on Twitter to see some of the fun things they have already done!

All registered participants will receive a Bugdrilla keyring to keep, and one lucky winner will receive an iPad Air 32GB WiFi model worth £479. The winner will be the registered participant who submits the most original, interesting, funny, artistic or appropriate photo, as agreed by the W&H panel of judges. All entries must be received by 11am on Monday 1st December 2014.

So register today, and an Assistina Monster will shortly be joining you for #BugdrillaOnTour...!

Follow this link to register http://www.wh.com/en_uk/dental-newsroom/promotions/raffle/

Participants must be dental professionals or affiliated with the dental industry, residing in the United Kingdom or Ireland.  By participating in the competition you are agreeing to the competition terms and conditions as published on www.wh.com.

W&H.  People Have Priority.

The BDIA is delighted to announce the launch of its Counterfeit and substandard Instruments and Devices Initiative (CsIDI), an industry wide activity to:

-  Promote awareness of the dangers of poor quality, counterfeit and illegal dental instruments and devices,

-  Provide a quick and simple method of reporting these to the relevant bodies,

-  Promote purchasing only from reputable manufacturers and suppliers such as BDIA member companies.

The growth of internet sales channels and globalisation of dental manufacturing has provided an opportunity for unscrupulous operators to sell poor quality, substandard or even counterfeit or illegal products. Therefore, it is vitally important that dental professionals make the decision to purchase from sources that ensure quality and efficacy.

Tony Reed, BDIA Executive Director, comments, “By purchasing only from reputable suppliers the end user can be assured of a high quality product that meets all the necessary requirements and that will not endanger the user or the patient, nor risk punitive actions from the courts or regulatory bodies”.

By working closely with the British Dental Association (BDA), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), the Tooth Whitening Information Group (TWIG), and across the dental profession, the BDIA aims to facilitate the reporting of those selling unacceptable and illegal products and promote responsible purchasing throughout the dental supply chain.

Mick Armstrong, Chair of the BDA Principal Executive Committee, fully supports the initiative, commenting, “The BDA encourages all dentists to source equipment from legitimate, reputable manufacturers and suppliers who can demonstrate that the necessary legal requirements are being met. That will ensure both the quality of equipment purchased, and that dentists, their colleagues and patients are protected”.

The BDIA is launching CsIDI with full the backing of the MHRA and Tracy Murray, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Compliance & Enforcement at MHRA, comments, “Working closely with the BDIA to raise awareness of counterfeit and substandard devices and to report incidents is a major step in addressing this growing problem across the dental sector.”

The overall message of the initiative is very simple; substandard and counterfeit instruments and devices are potentially dangerous to patients and users and the BDIA recommends that all purchases, however small, are made from a reputable supplier and that all suspect instruments, devices and whitening products are reported to the appropriate authorities at the earliest opportunity. All reporting can be done via a simple, dedicated web page on the BDIA website – www.bdia.org.uk

This June, A-dec launched their first Scottish showroom in Livingston, West Lothian. It was officially opened by A-dec Vice President of International Sales, Wayne Aho. This new venue, just off Junction 3 of M8 and 15 minutes drive from Edinburgh Airport gives dental professionals in and around Scotland the chance to experience the right equipment package for them, in a convenient location.

This new addition joins the three industry leading A-dec showrooms located across the UK in Surrey, Warwickshire and Manchester. Each of the experience centres contain a comprehensive range of chair packages enabling the dental team to find a solution that works for them. Appointments to view are entirely at their convenience and individual or team member visits can be offered in the private, modern and relaxing showroom environments.

Why choose A-dec?

The A-dec Livingston showroom also offers a unique training venue for those looking to host dental courses in a dental environment. Whether it’s a practical hands-on course or traditional lecture it is the perfect venue to host dental courses. It includes lecture style seating which comfortably seats 35 delegates, six fully loaded A-dec dental chairs for hands on practical sessions, free WiFi and AV facilities. There is even a fully functioning chair including air, water and vacuum where live dentistry can take place under the camera for the delegates to watch from their seats.

A-dec are thrilled to have opened a new showroom in Scotland. Wayne Aho, Vice President of International Sales at A-dec Inc officially opened the venue to A-dec authorised dealers, trade partners and the dental press telling the audience, “The UK & Ireland is an important market globally for A-dec and we are delighted to offer a showroom and education centre in Scotland. This is not just an A-dec showroom. It is a showroom for our authorised dealers, trade partners and customers to utilise.”

Contact us on 0800 233 285 for email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

PFM Dental and Patient Plan Direct, proud sponsors of GDPUK, have come together to create a new blog area on GDPUK: Professional Services for Dentists

The area will provide expert opinion and advice in key areas relating to professional services within dentistry including:  Practice valuations, Business management and operations, Financial, Accountancy and Legal. Guest bloggers are experts in their field with one thing in common – they all work exclusively with dentists. The blog represents an excellent all-you-need-to-know source to keep you ahead of the field in non-clinical matters.

PFM Dental are one of the leading specialists providers to dentists within the UK providing: a dental sales agency, practice valuations, independent financial advice and chartered accountancy services.

Patient Plan Direct is the fastest growing, most cost effective and flexible plan provider in the market - Experts in plan launches and plan transfers.

From 1st July the biggest ever change to Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) takes effect with the introduction of NISAs (New ISAs).

As announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his March budget, NISAs are a single, simpler tax-free savings vehicle with no  confusing rules relating to the separation of cash and investment elements. Here are the main features of the NISA:

• £15,000 annual limit
• No limit on use of cash or investment elements up to £15,000 maximum
• Back and forth transfers allowed between cash and investment elements

Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental says: "Net returns on most cash savings accounts remain below the rate of inflation (1.4% May 2014). Although most commentators believe interest rates will rise in late 2014, or early 2015 the pace and scale of the increase isn’t likely to be swift or significant. This will probably leave savers frustrated and borrowers relieved."

Jon Drysdale is an independent financial adviser with PFM Dental. Visit pfmdental.co.uk for further information on saving and investments.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up. You may get back less than your original investment.

For more information contact pfmdental on 0845 241 4480 or visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed UK house price annual inflation has reached 9.9 per cent. The latest figures, released on 17^th June, also reveal that the rate of the increase to UK house prices is escalating month on month.

These are worrying times for all first-time buyers but particularly for dentists who qualify this year. They now need to find on average £196,000 to buy their first home, have the probability of an interest rate rise soon, are subject to a recent tightening of mortgage lending criteria, will already be burdened with student debt and, what's more, are not looked upon favourably by most high street mortgage lenders.

Natalie Williams, a specialist mortgage adviser with PFM Dental says: “Many dentists are leaving university with significant levels of student debt and at the same time are facing an increasingly challenging housing and mortgage market. All the indicators point to securing a house purchase as soon as possible. Most high street mortgage lenders won’t lend to self-employed dentists within three years of their leaving university so it is essential they get specialist mortgage advice in order to secure the necessary loans.”

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with payments on a loan secured against it.

For more information contact pfmdental on 0845 241 4480 or visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

Below is a review of the new Sheila Scott book "Putting Health at the Heart of your Practice". Review by Dr John Bates BDS

The original title was “it’s not about the dentistry” and I think this is just another way of describing an old saying “they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”

You need to be able to do the dentistry, but your patients will judge you on how that is delivered. This also, as Kevin Lewis writes in the foreword, will help you avoid the increasing perils of litigation and referral to the GDC, CQC etc.

In many ways I think this book demonstrates the similarity between what Sheila is helping your practice do, and what the health centred practice is doing for their patients. In both cases what appears to be a straight forward process is littered with difficulties and possible miss communications. What appears easily said, is not so easily put into practice, as years of habits and culture have to be altered, adjusted and improved.

What this small but dynamite book will do is help you put your practice on the correct path, if like mine; you want that path to lead to better health for your patients. It is a fantastic distillation of Sheila’s advice, and has helped me re learn and find new gems I had forgotten or missed over the years she has helped us (just don’t tell Sheila I’ve forgotten anything!)

Find out what your patients want (it may not be what you think), why it’s a Dental Health Check, what is important in how patients are referred to the hygienist,  what is the crucial role of the hygienist (not scaling or polishing), why a membership plan and what they all have to do with health.

I have no hesitation in recommending this is read by any member of the dental team, whatever point in their career they are at, because putting health at the heart of your practice is a team effort.

by John Bates BDS 

Book can be ordered from Sheila's website

Further information on the book can be found here

The latest indication on likely interest rate movements from George Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, should reassure both dentists looking to buy a practice and those seeking to sell. The Governor has indicated that rates are unlikely to rise much before 2017 and even then not above 2 per cent – lower than before the 2008 banking crisis.

Dentists borrowing money to purchase a practice usually have their interest rate linked to the Bank of England base rate, which is currently an historically low 0.5 per cent. So what difference would a 1.5 per cent rate rise make to the average borrower? A dentist borrowing £300,000 over a 20-year period might typically expect to pay finance costs of approximately £21,100pa, based on a lending rate of 3 per cent above the Bank of England base rate of 0.5 per cent. A 1.5 per cent rise in the base rate would increase their finance costs to approximately £23,000pa. Is this enough to put off prospective buyers? Probably not.

Practice owners should likewise be reassured that demand won’t be affected by a lack of finance-ready buyers should they decide to sell.

Martyn Bradshaw, an independent financial adviser and director of PFM Dental, says: "Most likely the knock-on effect of interest rate rises on the practice sales market will be minimal."

For more information contact pfmdental on 0845 241 4480 or visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

As the deadline of 30 June for submitting the NHS Pensions annual reconciliation report (ARR) approaches, many practice owners will be scratching their heads over how to complete it.

The ARR is the practice owner’s opportunity to confirm the pensionable pay allocation for the practice and is vitally important to ensure they and their associates maintain accurate NHS Pension Scheme records.

Here is a recap on how the ARR is calculated:

1. The Pensionable Pay ‘ceiling’ for the practice is the gross amount of the NHS contract multiplied by 43.9%.
2. For associates their pensionable pay figure is what they actually get paid rather than any calculation involving the UDA value.
3. For practice owners the pensionable pay figure is the total ‘ceiling’ amount less the following:
4. Total of all associates' pensionable pay
5. Actual pay for any dentists working at the practice who are already in receipt of their NHS pension
6. Actual pay for any associates who operate through a limited company.

The remaining amount may be claimed by the practice owner as their own pensionable pay. However, the Dental Services team at the NHS Business Services Authority is quite clear that practice owners don’t have to claim all of the remaining amount as their own pensionable pay.

Why wouldn’t practice owners claim the maximum pensionable pay? Well, an increase in pensionable pay could mean practice owners breach the new HMRC lifetime and annual limits for pensions. Furthermore, practice owners must have sufficient earned income (net profits/salary/dividends) to justify the level of pension contributions that they can claim tax relief on.

There is still general confusion over this among dentists, their advisers and accountants. Consequently, make sure you seek advice from a specialist if you are unsure about your options.

PFM Townends is team of specialist dental accountants. For further information please visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

Do you know how to do a skill scan? Can you write a business plan using a Gantt chart? Are you skilled in the Communication Chain?

As practice management becomes ever more demanding, so you need a wider portfolio of skills, knowledge and experience. The Glenys Bridges Training & Development BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Management course gives you all those and more – as well as a certificated qualification. For less than the cost of an implant or denture you can considerably improve your performance and greatly assist the development of your practice and team members.

The course starts on Friday 23 May in Birmingham and comprises eight one-day workshops each month until January plus independent learning. There's full tutorial support and successful completion of 15 assignments gains you the BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Management.

The fully-inclusive course fee is just £1995 and there are interest-free ways to spread the cost.

Call Glenys Bridges now on 07973361390 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Don't delay!

www.glenys-bridges.co.uk

NHS Business Services Authority announced this week: Following the successful pilot of TRS for officer members in 2013, we are planning to pilot TRS and Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) for members with practitioner status, or who have had practitioner status in the past.

Jon Drysdale of dental financial planning specialists, PFM Dental, commented: “While we welcome the release of more information, it is questionable how much use these statements will be for self-employed dental practitioners. TRS statements generally relate to a package of employment benefits – most commonly enjoyed by salaried officers. Although a TRS offers basic information on pension benefits, it is unlikely to extend to the more useful and technical aspects of the pension scheme such as the annual allowance calculations.”

Assuming a successful pilot, the general ‘roll-out’ will be in 2015. Jon Drysdale commented: "We welcome the move to improve online access to financial records and hope that the Business Services Authority recognises aspects unique to dental practitioners."

For information on pension benefits for NHS practitioners visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

Following the introduction of The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 in May last year there still seems to be some confusion regarding the interpretation of the Regulations and the role of risk assessments in relation to the use of safer sharps and recapping.

Edmund Proffitt, Policy and Public Affairs Director at the BDIA comments, “From May last year all dental practices have to ensure that they comply with the ‘Sharps’ regulations. This means that dental practices must avoid the unnecessary use of sharps and where this is not possible a safer sharp must be used where reasonably practicable”.

He adds, “We believe from the discussions we have had with our members, dental practitioners and the HSE that for the majority of dental activities there will be safer devices available and that risk assessment would deem them reasonably practicable to use.

Therefore, it will be in very limited cases that 'traditional' devices can still be used, and this should be justified by the risk assessment process. Ultimately, it is for a dentist to justify to the courts why they did not use a safety device, and it would be very difficult for a court to agree with the dentist if there was a safety device on the market and others were using them”.  

In terms of the ‘recapping’ of needles, the Regulations clearly state that needles must not be recapped after use unless the employer’s risk assessment has identified that recapping is itself required to prevent a risk (e.g. to reduce the risk of contamination of sterile preparations). In these very limited cases appropriate devices to control the risk of injury to employees must be provided. 

As a result of the constant development of devices and technologies by BDIA members and others it is suggested that if a dentist has decided that it is not reasonably practicable to use a safer sharp in a specific circumstance the decision is regularly reviewed to see if a different or new product is suitable.

For more information please contact Edmund Proffitt on 01494 781183 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

BDIA Showcase takes place between 9th & 11th October 2014 at Excel in London. Further information can be found here www.dentalshowcase.com

The BDIA is looking forward to welcoming laboratory owners, dental technicians and CDTs to its Tech Show at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 16 - 17 May.

Tech Show will bring together a combination of expert speakers, live demonstrations and presentations, along with a range of the key manufacturers and suppliers in the sector who will be displaying their very latest products and equipment.

Edmund Proffitt, BDIA Policy and Public Affairs Director commented, “Tech Show probably offers the widest scope of any technician-facing event in the UK for many years. It will feature around 20 lecturers and 35 presentations and live demonstrations over two days, including international speakers such as Dr Christian Coachman, Dr John Besford and Ruth Bourke”.

Tech Show has been specifically organised with input from partner organisation the Dental Technologists Association (DTA) to appeal to the widest range of interests, with each day being themed around a specific area; Friday, 16 May will feature advances in prosthetics, whilst Saturday, 17 May will focus on advances in restorative dentistry.

Covering everything from denture making, crown and bridge build-up, implant planning, use of composites and working as part of a dynamic team alongside clinical colleagues, to the advent of CAD/CAM, digital printing and how to successfully integrate digital techniques into an existing laboratory set up, Tech Show will provide a diverse platform to suit all technicians and CDTs, regardless of levels of experience or expertise.

Entrance to Tech Show is free, with free parking for all our visitors and for those coming to Coventry by train there will be a free hourly shuttle bus from Coventry station to Ricoh Arena. Delegates wanting to come to the show can register online at www.dentaltechshow.com

BDIA Tech Show will take place in the Jaguar Hall, Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 16 & 17 May 2014 and will start with a key note presentation each morning from 9.30 to 11.00am. The show runs from 11.00am to 5.00pm on Friday 16 May and from 11.00am to 4.30pm on Saturday 17 May. More details are available at www.dentaltechshow.com

The British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) is a non-profit making organisation which means that any surplus funds generated from its activities are ploughed back into dentistry either directly or by supporting and working with other professional dental bodies.

For more information please contact Edmund Proffitt on 01494 781183 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

As part of the Government’s strategy to improve the quality of Apprenticeships, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills has launched the Trailblazers programme – a series of employer-led projects designed to simplify the existing system and give people the skills employers need to grow and compete.

MP Matthew Hancock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning says:

“National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.  

“We want to see Apprenticeships become the new norm for all ambitious young people, and employers who are dedicated to growing their own talent and increasing the skills base of the nation.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved this trailblazer for their commitment to Apprenticeships and Traineeships”

Delivery of the Trailblazers programme will follow a staged approach. The Government aims to continue to grow the programme in 2013/14 and 2014/15, with employers creating a range of new Apprenticeship standards and assessment approaches in different sectors and occupations.

The two academic years 2015/16 and 2016/17 will be the key period of transition to full implementation of the reforms. The stated aim is that from 2017/18, all new Apprenticeship starts will be on the new standards.[1]

The Trailblazers group in dentistry is a working group that includes the Association of Dental Groups, Dental Laboratories Association, Dental Technologists Association, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It also includes dental employers: 211 Dental, Den Dental, Genix Healthcare, Integrated Dental Holdings (IDH), Oasis Healthcare, Rodericks Dental and Smile Care Group. Furthermore, it includes the dental laboratories: Attenborough Dental Laboratories Ltd, Barry Appleby, CosTech Elite, First Impressions Denture Centre, JW Dental Ceramics, Kestrel Dental, Knight Dental Design, S4S Dental Laboratory and Sparkle Dental Labs.

Chair for the Trailblazers programme in dentistry is Mustafa Mohammed Managing Director of Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs. He says:

“I am really very excited to be involved with the Trailblazers initiative, and encourage other likeminded individuals to join us in leading the development of standards for Apprenticeships in our sector.

“I am extremely passionate about developing Apprenticeships for both dental nurses and technicians, as I believe this would really help to encourage careers within the dental industry within the UK, while also working to raise standards.  

“In terms of the nurse Apprenticeship the idea would be for us to put our heads together as representatives of the sector and look at how we feel improvements could be made to existing schemes that are in place.

 “The dental technician Apprenticeship will really help the dental sector in this country, as it will mean more jobs for dental technicians, stopping the recent decline. Once trained the new technicians will be able to follow a structured career path, and perhaps focus their skills on a particular department, thus shaping their own future within the profession.”

David Worskett, Chairman of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), says:

“I believe we really need to make much more use of the Apprenticeship route for training in dentistry, as with other sectors of the economy. The ADG is absolutely delighted to support the initiative in the dental sector as we think it can be good for dental professionals and for patients.”

Professor Stephen Dunne, Head of the Dental Practice & Policy Department at King’s College London, says: 

“I am delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative. Apprenticeships could play a major role in the training and career development of dental nurses and dental technicians.”

Richard Daniels, Chief Executive of the Dental Laboratories Association says:

“The Dental Laboratories Association is delighted to be a part of the Trailblazers initiative for setting up an apprenticeship in Dental Technology.  As an organisation, we have committed significant resources into this project with Skills for Health, so to see the Trailblazers group bring together associations and dental laboratories from across the UK is a fantastic step in the right direction.  Whilst Dental Technology has some excellent providers of education, there is still room for a work based apprenticeship to allow those who prefer the vocational route into a career as a professional dental technician.”

Barry Appleby, President of the Dental Technologists Association, says:

“I'm delighted that the Dental Technologists Association will be part of the Trailblazer apprenticeship initiative and we look forward to working towards the creation of training pathways that will aid the development of dental technologists with the skills and abilities necessary to meet the needs of Dental Laboratories of the 21st century.”

To find out more about the Trailblazers programme, and how your company could get involved, contact Mustafa Mohammed via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Like it or love it, the healthcare business in the UK now centres around contracts, agreements and settlements. Whether it's the NHS Standard Contract, dental contracts or Personal Dental Service Agreements, everything requires careful negotiation to get the best deal for your business.

Such negotiations invariably require detailed preparation, an in-depth knowledge of the procedures and a good understanding of what is likely (and unlikely) to be accepted. In other words it's a task for an expert, which is why more and more businesses are using the professional negotiation services of Amanda Atkin of Atkinspire Limited.

Steeped in healthcare management experience, including several roles within the NHS, Amanda Atkin has negotiated contracts from both sides of the table so she knows what commissioning teams want and how to manage them.

She says: "Whether you are tendering for a new contract or negotiating to reduce the clawback on an existing one, preparing a strong case is vital and that's where I come in. I know the sorts of questions that will be asked and the evidence needed. I also stay abreast of the constantly changing policies and guidance."

Although all her contract negotiation work is strictly confidential, Amanda can allude to some recent successes. In one case she had clawback cancelled, in another a contract was agreed at a much higher price than was offered originally.

If you don't want to be a hostage to negotiation, contact Amanda Atkin now on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07772 876 967. There is more information about the range of healthcare management consultancy services offered by Atkinspire here: www.atkinspire.co.uk

On the 14 February 2014, BDIA Dental Showcase unveiled the new identity and strapline for this year’s exhibition at the impressive Tate Modern.

An example of adaptive reuse, the Tate Modern is housed in the former Bankside Power Station, and retains the national collection of British and international modern and contemporary art. It was the ideal venue at which to launch this year’s Dental Showcase, following the Association’s recent rebrand to the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA); the Tate Modern is the most visited modern art gallery in the world and offers the general public the opportunity to view some of the most iconic and innovative pieces of modern art ever created. Similarly, BDIA Dental Showcase is the biggest event in the UK dental calendar, regularly attracting around 10,000 members of the dental profession keen to experience the latest dental products, services and innovations, hence the exhibition’s new strapline ‘Putting innovation into practice’.

Members of the dental press congregated for drinks and a catch up at the renowned location before embarking on a private tour of the expansive permanent collection. They then sat down to lunch in the gallery’s restaurant, which offers stunning views overlooking the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tony Reed, Executive Director of the BDIA, formally introduced the BDIA Dental Showcase 2014 theme and thanked the dental press for their continued support.

Tony Reed commented, “We were delighted to launch this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase at such a spectacular venue. Art galleries provide a valuable function in that they reassure visitors that what they are seeing is the real thing rather than a forgery. The growth of internet trading and globalisation may have increased opportunities in many markets but it has also opened the door to fakes and cheap copies of just about everything including dental equipment and materials. Recent scandals in other markets have emphasised the importance of a reliable supply chain and I believe that BDIA Dental Showcase provides the perfect opportunity to see the real thing and to establish relationships with trustworthy suppliers. Showcase provides a vital link between the industry and the profession and I am particularly grateful for the support that Showcase receives from the dental press each year.”

BDIA Dental Showcase takes place from 9-11 October 2014 at ExCeL London. For further information visit www.dentalshowcase.com.

A retirement seminar, exclusively for practice owners, is to be held at the Pentahotel in central Birmingham on Friday 21^st March 2014.

Practice Sales experts, PFM Dental, will be joined by specialist dental businesses including Goodman Grant Solicitors, lawyers to dentists, and Clear Vision Dental Accountants.

New to the programme for 2014 is a presentation on ensuring your practice is compliant prior to sale. Sean Bradley BDS MFGDP (UK), a former chair of the National Association of Dental Advisers (NADA), will share his knowledge of the CQC and other compliance requirements.

With fewer than two months until sweeping pension changes, Jon Drysdale BA (Hons) Dip PFS, of PFM Dental (Financial Advice), will cover NHS Pension Scheme issues as well as the HMRC’s new annual and lifetime allowances for pension schemes.

Early booking is advised as delegate places are limited. Go to www.pfmdental.co.uk or call Mandy Wraige on 0845 241 4480 to book your place. The event runs from 9.00am to 3.00pm, includes lunch and offers verifiable CPD of five hours.

A new company called Medicare Management Academy UK has been established to cater for the training requirements of managers in all sectors of UK healthcare.

Medicare Management Academy UK will expand on the work of its sister company, Dentac Limited, which focuses on training in the dental industry.

Glenys Bridges, who has considerable experience of training within the healthcare sector, will be running training events for Medicare Management Academy UK, beginning initially with specially developed BTEC management courses.

Glenys says: "Medicare Management Academy will enable managers from all healthcare sectors to develop their management skills and techniques and so gain similar benefits to our participants from within dentistry. Such skills are particularly critical for managers and Registered Managers in healthcare business that must meet Care Quality Commission requirements."

The first Medicare Management Academy courses for which recruitment has begun are:

BTEC Level 3 Management Award – first one-day workshop 4 March in London

BTEC Level 4 Management Diploma – first one-day workshop on 15 April in London

Successful completion of the Level 3 Management Award course is an entry requirement for the Level 4 Management Diploma – the latter widely considered as an essential qualification for those in healthcare management roles.

Enquiries should be addressed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telephone 01376 573573

Website www.medicaremanagement.co.uk (under development)

The postal address for administration is

215-217 High St, Kelvedon, Colchester? CO5 9JT

“A new year brings a new appointment for plan provider Patient Plan Direct”

Patient Plan Direct offers an, efficient, flexible and extremely cost effective means of administering patient capitation and/or maintenance dental plans. The approach has been extremely well received by the dental community since the company’s inception over four years ago. The latest development in the company’s expansion is the appointment of Simon Reynolds as commercial director.

Simon Pictured below

Conrad Broadbent, Managing Director of Patient Plan Direct commented: ‘we have gathered some real momentum in the past eighteen months as more and more practices choose to administer their plan with us, including the BDA’s 2013 practice of the year. I’m confident Simon’s experience in marketing, partner relationships and product development will help us continue to deliver an excellent value proposition to the dental market’.

Simon added: ‘The dental plan market has been dominated by a couple of providers for a long time. Patient Plan Direct represents an alternative that at the very least any practice should take the time to explore. Around 80% of practices that opt to administer their plan with Patient Plan Direct have transferred their plan administration to us from another provider and reaped the benefits. Our service brings a refreshing, flexible, great value and unique approach to administering dental plans. There has never been a better time to explore Patient Plan Direct. Our technology, our flexibility, our support and our team continues to evolve and strengthen. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to help more practices across the UK realise there is a way to make significant cost savings and get more from the dental plan they offer to their patients.’

To find out more about Patient Plan Direct visit: www.patientplandirect.co.uk

NHS pension delays could be costly by John Fearn - PFM Dental

Delays in sending out PSS1 forms to dentists are causing headaches and more problems may be on the way. The form shows annual NHS pension figures, which are needed to complete tax returns by 31 January 2014, but many dentists are still overdue this information.

Some dentists had less than a fortnight in December to decide whether to pay an HMRC annual allowance charge through the NHS Pensions Scheme Pays option or by adjustment to their 2011/12 tax return.

One of our clients only received his PSS1 form, confirming he had exceeded the annual pension allowance for the 2011/12 pension year, on the 19th December. With a deadline for action of 31^st December and Christmas and Bank Holidays to contend with, this gave him insufficient time to liaise with his professional advisers and make an informed decision.

With the Scheme Pays deadline missed, NHS Pensions listened to our appeal and has allowed him to apply for the Scheme Pays method of settling the HMRC charge. This prevented the need for the dentist to produce £20,000 at short notice.

Another potentially missed deadline is looming. So far, only a handful of dentists have received their 2012/13 PSS1 annual NHS pension figures form. Technically, these figures are required for the correct input on the tax return, due by 31^st January 2014. Most of these tax returns have already been submitted and the NHS pension figures are now well overdue. Dentists breaching HMRC’s annual allowance in respect of 2012/13 pension year will need to instruct their accountant to make a retrospective adjustment before 31^st January 2015.

If this seems confusing, dentists are advised to ask a suitably qualified dental accountant and financial adviser to examine their individual pension circumstances. The Scheme Pays option is not for everyone so careful analysis is required.

Jon Fearn is a qualified independent financial adviser and NHS Pension specialist for PFM Dental.

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MIMI^®- Flapless Implantation with Single-Tooth Champions Implant (R)Evolution^® in the Esthetic Zone  

Author: Dr. Stephanie Ott, Dental Care Solutions, Frankfurt/Main

*Please note: The tooth numbers mentioned refer to the FDI Notation System (Dental Chart/Two-Digit World Dental Federation Notation)

As a dentist in private practice, I have placed and restored different implant systems since 2001. For some time, I have incorporated MIMI^®-Flapless, the Minimally Invasive Implantation Method, as an additional treatment in my dental office. I am delighted to say that this implantation procedure that is performed without surgical flaps and opened mucosa proves to be less traumatic for patients than the conventional methods of implantation that require reflected flaps and direct visualization of the bone. Most patients feel almost no pain, swelling or post- operative soreness after the surgery. In most cases, patients can resume their activities that day or the next. In this article I would like to describe a case of an implantation of Teeth 11 (#8) and 21 (#9) and the following 8 weeks.

Fig. 1-3: X-rays after the patients’ accident that caused a fracture of the zygomatic bone and the nasal septum: view of the roots of Teeth 11 and 21. Both teeth were lost. The clinical situation 4 months post extraction. 

Implantation

After administering local anesthesia with UDS-forte, we inserted a Champions^® conical triangular yellow drill transgingivally until it was in contact with the periosteum to determine the gingival height and thickness (laser markings: every 2 mm). We measured 2 mm-gingival thickness. We drilled transgingivally and slightly palatinally at a slow rotation speed of a maximum of 250 rpm (no water used) (Fig.4 and 5). After measuring the initial gingival thickness and before placing a 10 mm-Champions Implant (R)Evolution^®, we prepared the bone with the following 3 conical triangular drills in the D2/D3 bone: first the yellow drill, followed by the black drill and finally the white drill. These drill types allow the spongy bone to be laterally condensed. Between each drill sequence a bone cavity check is performed. (Bone Cavity Check “BCC” is a manual check of the bone cavity to confirm all walls of the prepped bone are intact.”)

Fig. 4-6: Use of the conical triangular yellow drill to prepare the implantation site using the MIMI^®-Flapless technique and Bone Cavity Check (BCC) with the flexible thin BCC probe.

After the drilling, a 3.0 mm-diameter condenser (Fig.9) was used to extend, expand and condense the spongy bone area to confirm the implant size picked was correct. If primary stability cannot be reached, a larger diameter can be placed. In this case, primary stability of 30/40 Ncm was achieved, which was indicated when the Torque Wrench middle line moved from 20 to 40 Ncm and when the arm of the Torque Wrench bent at 40 Ncm (Fig. 10). We unpacked the blister package and removed the sterile Champions (R)Evolution^® implant from the vial. As a rule, you can insert the implant manually with the integrated white plastic Insertion Aid that is attached when the package is opened. There is no need to touch the sterile implant or reset the Insertion Aid. Once the resistance becomes so great that you cannot insert any further, you can remove the Insertion Aid and place the gold hex headed metal driver on the implant head. You have 2 choices to continue the insertions: either use a surgical unit with handpiece at very low RPM (5-10 rpm) or use the Torque Wrench on the gold driver. This treatment is non-traumatic and takes only a few minutes. In this case, the Torque Wrench was used to drive the implants on both 11 (#8) and 21 (#9) to the desired depth. The total time for both placements was less than 1 hour. Finally, X-rays were taken. The patient was very satisfied. She compared this to a friend who had conventional implantation in another office that took two hours to complete.

Fig.7 to 10: After drilling with the yellow, black, and white conical triangular drills in the soft D3/D4 bone, condensers were used with the Torque Wrench. The Torque Wrench was adjusted to 20 Ncm. When the scale sleeve bent around the axis of the Torque Wrench at 40 Ncm and the middle line moved from 20 to 40 Ncm, primary stability at 40 Ncm was reached.

Fig. 11-13: Manual insertion of Champions Implant (R)Evolution^® Shuttles by means of the Insertion Aids. The Shuttle (also playing the role of transgingival healing) should not stick out of the tissue more than 1 mm to avoid strong lateral shear forces of occlusion particularly during the first 2-6 weeks post surgery.

Fig. 14-16: The second implant, including the bacteria-proof Shuttle, was placed. The 3.5 mm-high Shuttle is fastened with 10 Ncm from the factory. The implant and Shuttle were placed so only 1 mm of the Shuttle was supragingival. As a rule, if the mucosa is less than 3 mm thick before drilling, subcrestal drilling and positioning of the implant will be preferable to prevent the Shuttle from sticking out more than 1 mm above the gingival height, thus preventing lateral shear forces and movement on the Shuttle head.

Fig. 17-19: After taking X-rays, a WIN! Gingiva-Clix was set on the Shuttle of each Champions Implant (R)Evolution^®. Then, a temporary prosthetic restoration (Maryland bridge) was fitted and cemented with Fynal (Dentsply).

Impression & Laboratory & Prosthetic Restoration

During the seven weeks post surgery (Transition between Primary Osseointegration Stability and Secondary Osseointegration Stability), the patient felt no pain and experienced no complications. Seven weeks post surgery, the temporary restoration and Gingiva-Clix were removed. A closed transgingival Impregum impression of the implants was made through the Shuttles. The Gingiva-Clix were replaced on the Shuttle and the temporary restoration recemented. The supragingival treatment lasted 15 minutes without the need of anesthesia or X-rays. Our German laboratory, DENTworry in Alzenau, Germany, manufactured two individual zirconium-coated crowns. It is important to provide the laboratory with both Implant Analogs and Shuttles to preserve the exact location of the implant and the soft tissue contour. The lab should use gingival mask material to simulate soft tissues.

After a week, the Shuttles, including the screws, were removed for the first time. The angled titanium Abutments were placed using a resin key and screwed in to a torque of 30 Ncm. The final crowns (zircon) were fitted and cemented.

Fig. 20 to 22: After unscrewing the retaining screw from the Shuttle/Implant, the Shuttle Extractor (R)Evolution was used to remove the Shuttle. With the adapter, the Shuttle Extractor was manually screwed clockwise in through the Shuttle and into  the implant. This lifts the Shuttle off of the implant. Favorable peri-implant soft-tissue results are observed from the Shuttle and Gingiva-Clix. Before the removal of the Shuttle and placement of the Abutments, the inner diameter of the implant has remained sterile during 6-8 week healing. This prevents the problems of peri-implantitis around the healing implant. The titanium Abutments are screwed in and torqued to 30 Ncm, and the screw shafts are covered with cotton pellets and Cavit.  

The implant/Abutment can be connected with the same screw as the one removed from the Shuttle that was connected to the implant. In this case, the crowns were fitted and cemented in only 15 minutes without anesthesia. Highly esthetic results were obtained.

Fig. 23: X-rays. Fig. 24 and 25: After fitting the Abutments and the crowns, excellent esthetic results in the buccal and palatinal areas were obtained.

Conclusion

Apart from the advantages of the non-traumatic, efficient and time-saving treatment, the innovative and high-quality Champions Implant (R)Evolution^® and prosthodontic restorations are more affordable for patients than conventional implantation (total price: 135 €, including Gingiva-Clix, angled Abutment, Laboratory Analog, Shuttle, and impression, laboratory and dental accessories). This implant system has now been fully integrated into the treatment services offered in my dental office. I don’t want to be without it!! The innovative Champions Implant (R)Evolution^® is a real "Revolution".

In fact, the MIMI^®-Flapless method is very promising for patients. Over the past 10 years, international scientific studies at universities have shown that the MIMI^®-Flapless method is very beneficial. One of the many advantages of the system is no need of re-entry in the gingival tissue during the impression or when the final restorations are placed. Many patients are enthusiastic about MIMI^®-Flapless implantation techniques and the Champions^® implants.

Please watch the video of this case here:

https://vimeo.com/75207980

Author:  Dr Stephanie Ott     DENTAL CARE SOLUTIONS

Leipziger Strasse 4    60487 Frankfurt am Main                            

Tel.: 069 - 97 78 33 66     

Internet: www.dr-ott.net       

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Dental practice valuers, PFM Dental, and dental lawyers, Goodman Grant, (each a member of a leading dental business organisation) have joined forces to deliver a series of seminar covering everything dentists need to know about retiring. The first takes place in Leeds on Friday 24^th January 2014.

Key topics for these seminars include: valuing goodwill, selling to a corporate, legal issues with the transfer of NHS contracts and securing NHS Pension benefits while avoiding HMRC tax charges. The seminar format allows plenty of time for Q&A and runs from 9.00am to 3.30pm, with lunch included. Delegate fees are only £50, making the events exceptional value considering the specialist nature of the content.

Between them the firms have more than 50 years experience of advising dentists on business and legal matters. Such issues have grown in complexity in recent years with the new NHS contract, increased interest from corporate buyers and CQC requirements as well as changes to employment law and NHS Pensions. All these issues and how they relate to the sale of a dental practice – a key factor when planning to retire – are covered on the day.

Martyn Bradshaw (pictured below), a director of PFM Dental and guest CPD speaker at the BDTA Dental Showcase 2013 commented: “These events stand out from the plethora of general retirement seminars because the participating firms are genuine dental specialists with either NASDAL or ASPD accreditation.”

NASDAL (National Association of Dental Accountants and Lawyers) and ASPD (the Association of Specialist Providers to Dentists) were each formed to share knowledge among leading business specialists within dentistry. Before being accepted, prospective member companies undergo a vetting process to ensure they have the required level of specialist knowledge and experience.

PFM Dental is one of the UK’s leading dental sales agencies and valuers. It sells and values dental practices throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Goodman Grant is one of the country's foremost law firms providing specialist legal services to the dental profession nationally.

Click here for further information and to book your place (numbers are limited).