The Chancellor's Autumn Statement delivered two significant blows to dentists looking to incorporate their business. Jon Drysdale explains

Entrepreneur’s Relief (ER) will be denied on any gain arising from the transfer of goodwill to a related company. Dentists may be familiar with the 10 per cent Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate where ER was available but under the new regime the applicable rate of CGT will be 28 per cent for higher rate tax payers. The ability to create a director’s loan account to shelter future profits against income tax is still there but is far more expensive. This change alone will make incorporation not viable in many cases.

Corporation Tax relief will no longer be given on the amortisation of goodwill transferred from a connected party. This was potentially available where goodwill was created (or acquired) by the individual dentist or partnership after April 2002 and then transferred to a related company that they controlled.

Gift Relief (s.165) and Incorporation Relief (s.162) remain available and may be appropriate in certain circumstances.

Jon Drysdale, an independent financial adviser from PFM Dental, commented: “The draft legislation proposals are effective from 3^rd December 2014 even though the 2015 Finance Bill may not be enacted until next summer.

"If you are in the process of incorporating your dental practice you should consult your accountant urgently to consider your options in light of these changes."

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

The Chancellor, George Osborne, delivered the last Autumn Statement of this parliament today. Jon Drysdale of PFM Dental highlights items of interest to dentists.

Tax and duty

The personal tax-free allowance is to be increased and the higher rate tax threshold increased from £41,861 to £42,385 – the first increase in line with inflation for five years.

Reform of stamp duty means an estimated 98 per cent of home buyers will pay less, while those purchasing very high value properties will pay significantly more.

Small businesses

The Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) has been extended by one year. This government-backed lending is available to small businesses, including dentists, through the major high street banks.

A full structural review of business rates was announced with Small Business Rate Relief to double again and rates capped.

Savings

The £15,000 ISA limit is to be increased to £15,240 from next April. ISA tax-free savings can be passed to spouses on death from next April.

Pensions

There was confirmation that the 55 per cent pensions death tax charge on unused pensions is to be abolished.

Jon Drysdale, an independent financial adviser from PFM Dental, commented: “The vast majority of dentists are likely to benefit from the increase to the higher rate tax threshold and the reform of stamp duty. Existing and future practice owners will welcome the continuing support for small businesses through the extension to the Funding for Lending Scheme and the capping of business rates."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kate was also impressed with the handling and aesthetics:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inspiring change

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

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

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

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

Educational opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recognition

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

Even more

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

Make sure you don’t miss out

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

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

Bobby’s Walk is one man’s five-month, 2,600-mile trek across India, which aims to raise £1,500,000 for Save the Children and other deserving charities.

India Association Chairman, 79-year-old Balwant (Bobby) Grewal will undertake this epic journey, which will take him from Kanyakumari on the southernmost tip of India all along the east coast to Delhi via Chennai and Calcutta, accompanied by only a single support vehicle.

In 2005 Bobby completed a 2,556 mile walk from Amristar in North India down the west coast to Kanyakumari. Now he hopes to complete the ‘Full Circle’ raising money and awareness along the way.

The Sterling Dental Foundation invites UK and Indian dentists and hygienists to walk alongside Bobby for this very worthwhile cause. Join the charity in supporting underprivileged children by raising Oral Health awareness in the various states in India. You can join at various legs of the walk, adding smiles, lighting up beautiful faces and having lots of fun along the way!

The Sterling Dental Foundation, the charitable arm of the Sterling Dental Group, provides practices and clinicians across the profession with support, advice and networking opportunities. The Sterling Dental Group is fully supportive of Mr Modhi, the Prime Minister of India’s initiative to raise awareness levels of Oral Hygiene and Dental Education amongst people, especially children living in rural areas.

To find out more, to sponsor Bobby and to book tickets for the Sterling Charity Ball logon to www.sterlingdentalgroup.co.uk

The Sterling Dental Foundation is linked to the Sterling Dental College.

For details of the hands-on courses, seminars and CPD events that the college provides visit the website, www.sterlingdentalcollege.co.uk

Sterling Dental Foundation, registered charity: VB/5042656/RTN

Patient Plan Direct is hosting a series of ‘must attend’ webinars exploring two ways dental practices could be better off in 2015; increasing income and profitability with patients’ care and interests at heart.

The first webinar explores the how’s and why’s of a ‘Principal only’ NHS conversion, potentially enabling a practice to ‘retain and gain’ – retaining NHS income whilst developing private income streams. This is a strategy becoming more popular with practices because of the various advantages it presents as well as the uncertainty surrounding the impact of a NHS reform. The webinar covers the various key considerations to determine whether such an approach is the right move at your practice.

Patient Plan Direct’s second webinar considers the advantages of a plan provider transfer and the opportunity that working with Patient Plan Direct can represent. More practices than ever in 2014 have made the move to Patient Plan Direct from another plan provider. Simon Reynolds, commercial director of Patient Plan Direct, discusses why practices are taking on this move, including significant increases in profitability and a unique approach to business and marketing support.

Each free 30 minute webinar runs on various dates over the course of the next few weeks at both lunch time and in the evening, ensuring there is a time that fits your schedule.

To find out more and book your place on either webinar visit http://patientplandirect.com/media/ call 08448486888 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Prestige Dental is delighted to announce the launch of its new website at www.prestigedental.co.uk.

Offering an easy way to find out more and to purchase Prestige’s range of products it is well worth a visit – time and again!

Products from brand-leading companies have been carefully selected and undergone rigorous investigation to ensure they conform to the highest standards.

Lucy Gabbitas and Paul Martin, the two directors of Prestige Dental, commented: ‘We’re delighted to present this up-to-the-minute internet offering, combining innovative new products with tried and tested old favourites. Alongside CE marking and safety and quality of products, it is our policy to ensure that all customers’ requirements are fulfilled in terms fitness for purpose, timeliness of delivery and subsequent customer service – an ethos that we have incorporated into the website.’

Whether you’re looking for materials and equipment for the surgery or laboratory, www.prestigedental.co.uk has it all.

New from The Dental Directory: Doctor’s^® BrushPicks^® are toothpicks for a healthy smile.

Using Doctor’s^® BrushPicks^® everyday will produce a notable improvement in your patient’s oral health in only two weeks.

Each BrushPick offers seven discrete ways to clean teeth better:

1. Improved Plyalene^® for longer lasting bristles
2. Extends between teeth gently and easily
3. Brushes away debris
4. Stimulates the gums
5. Will not harm dental and bridge work
6. Manoeuvres and is easy to hold
7. Safely scrapes away plaque.

BrushPicks^® promote periodontal health, help in the fight against gingivitis and are available in four convenient varieties. Available now in The Dental Directory’s BigBite flyer – your patients will quickly see the benefits.

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

‘This practice has been working with The Dental Directory for many years,’ says Andrew Webber, Practice Manager at Pinhoe Dental Centre in Exeter. ‘We have found them to be helpful in reducing costs, maintaining or improving quality and continuing an ongoing dialogue to look at products and pricing structures.

‘We use The Dental Directory as our main supplier for a number of products, including UnoDent. ‘It is vital to the directors that we have access to cost-efficient lines, where quality is the overriding priority and The Dental Directory offers this.

One of the main advantages has been a professional attitude and our dedicated representative. It is a partnership, rather than a depersonalised buyer-supplier relationship.

‘We have a tremendous working relationship with our representative. They are able to suggest ideas and take our own thoughts into consideration. Customer service is great, with simple accounting to save time and effort. 

‘We would recommend The Dental Directory. We want a simple supply chain with quality products and The Dental Directory provides this for us every time.’

The Dental Directory can enhance your services. Call today to find out more…

Contact The Dental Directory on 0800 585 586
or visit www.dental-directory.co.uk

Even we health professionals enjoy a little extra food and drink over the festive period, but we would be remiss not to warn our patients of the potential for tooth damage.

Tooth erosion caused by alcohol, snacking between meals and increased consumption of sugary foods has the potential to escalate over Christmas.

According to the charity Addaction, Britons consume more than 600 million units of alcohol during December and 14% drink more than they intend to over Christmas. Meanwhile, Mars has historically reported that 65% of boxed chocolates are sold in the run up to Christmas.

If advice is to be focused on limiting the damage of a lifestyle harmful to the dentition, the following can be recommended:

• Drink erosive drinks through a straw to direct liquid to the back of the mouth and avoiding swishing drinks around the mouth

• Avoid carbonated and fruit juice mixers (which may be difficult as there is little else available and wine also has a low pH at around 3.5)

• Drink water between alcoholic beverages helps buffer their acidic potential

• Chewing sugar-free, xylitol- or sorbitol-sweetened gum to help neutralise acid in the mouth

• Never brush teeth immediately after acidic exposure, but waiting at least an hour. If this is not possible, rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse and then applying a paste containing high fluoride or calcium phosphate to the teeth without rinsing before bed is worthwhile

• Use a fluoride mouthrinse throughout the day

• Use of a toothpaste low in abrasivity and a soft toothbrush.

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

The journey of a practice sale or purchase starts with the crucial step of due diligence. It is here that your solicitor will ensure that the practice has everything in order, guaranteeing transparency of all available information.

A potential buyer has an increasingly larger task when investigating the practice he or she is about to purchase; likewise sellers are burdened with documenting every element of their practice to facilitate a sale.

It is the due diligence process that provides the buyer with the information required to make the right decision, making the process a necessity.

Due diligence, often perceived as being rather complex, is the obtaining and reviewing of the legal and financial information by the buyer, to ensure that they fully understand the practice and are aware of any issues that may affect the price or their decision to buy.

The initial process requires the seller to answer a form of detailed due diligence questions and provide supporting information and documentation. Once we are in receipt of this material we are able to advise on the structure, performance and operating of the business.

At Goodman Grant we have identified this as an area of the transaction, which can be daunting for both the buyer and the seller. When our clients are buying a practice we support them by going through the replies and supporting documentation in detail, providing a comprehensive report and identifying areas where we believe further enquiries should be made to find out more information about the business. As this exercise unfolds we can identify areas where you may need protecting. Additionally, this will allow you to understand the performance of the practice, whether it be the private income or the UDA performance under an NHS contract, as well as the everyday functioning of the practice. This also allows you to start to plan with a clear view for when you take over at the practice.

Where our client is selling their practice we aim to offer guidance – we can help you provide the answers to the questions raised by the buyer’s solicitors and deliver the information they are seeking. Having such assistance can speed up the transaction and also take the headache away during what is a busy and sometimes stressful time for both the seller and the practice. We are on hand to ensure you provide the correct information in a timely manner. We have recently introduced the use of a data sharing facility on our website, docSAFE which permits the easy transfer of documents online.

We have a detailed understanding of the whole process, which means we can help our clients with the due diligence and in particular the areas that are often difficult for clients. This usually involves providing the correct documents that the buyer is asking for, from commercial contracts that the practice is engaged in, to information about employees or evidence on the maintenance and quality of the assets which are being sold. Typically, experienced dental lawyers will enquire about all aspects of the practice, reviewing accounts, maintenance arrangements, patient information, compliance licenses and NHS contract performance levels if applicable. An effective and comprehensive due diligence process is therefore essential, to protect both parties and ensure that if there are any issues these are identified before the buyer is legally bound to proceed with the purchase.

From our experience at Goodman Grant we have seen the potential pitfalls of not instructing dentally aware solicitors. This can lead to a purchase or sale being delayed for a number of months, and sometimes even falling through altogether.

We understand the challenges for both buyer and seller during the due diligence process, from the legal obligation on the seller to provide accurate information, and also for the buyer to fully understand the practice they are inheriting. Buying or selling a practice is one of the biggest decisions a dentist can make in their career. With our wealth of knowledge and experience we are well suited to make it a positive experience, whether it is the beginning of your career or the last step towards retirement.

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

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

Author Ben Williams, joined Goodman Grant in May 2013 and works as a Paralegal in the Leeds Office assisting fee earners on Dental Employment Matters and Dental Practice Sale and Purchases’

Look out for The Dental Directory’s InsideOrtho flyer coming this January.

Whether your patient requires major orthodontic treatment to fix serious malocclusion or is interested in more aesthetically focused results, The Dental Directory can provide everything you need to deliver first-class treatment.

As well as great discounts on well-known and recognisable brands, the InsideOrtho flyer has excellent deals on Pink Line, The Dental Directory’s own range of exceptional quality orthodontic products.

From Buccal Tubes to Molar Bands and Self-Litigating Bracket Systems to Archwires, Pink Line covers all your orthodontic needs and offers remarkable value for money.

So for your everyday orthodontic essentials, turn to The Dental Directory, and make sure you pick up your copy of InsideOrtho this January.

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

This tooth coloured, fluorescent and radiopaque bulk composite provides a perfect amalgam replacement and alternative to glassionomer cements, compomers as well as conventional filling therapy. Fill-Up!  combines the advantages of resin-based composites with simplified and efficient handling. Owing to its dual curing properties, fillings with Fill-Up! can be administered in arbitrary filling depth without the need of an additional covering layer.

Welcome to the safe side!

Conventional light curing bulk filling materials are limited in their curing depth, questioning whether the restoration fully cures. But with the dual curing properties of Fill-Up! There is a guarantee of thorough curing down to the bottom of any cavity.

Also, chemical curing minimises shrinkage stress dramatically, preventing micro fractures and postoperative sensitivities. As supported by studies, the bonding partner ParaBond caters for a perfect marginal seal comparable to the one of conventional composite - before and after thermo cycling and chewing abrasion – ensuring a secure long-term restorative solution.

Convenient and fast

Fill-Up! is applied in a single layer and finished with rotary instruments after 5 sec of light polymerisation. The material is easy and quickly polishable to high gloss and therefore is the perfect choice for all Class I and II fillings, cavity lining and core build-ups – for perfect and fast results!

Fill-Up! Deep. Fast. Perfect. 

Click here to book a demonstration or order an Intro Kit.

Follow Coltene on Twitter - @COLTENEUKLTD

Are you interested in capitalising on the growing demand for non-surgical facial aesthetics? Are you looking to develop your existing skills and confidence to broaden your treatment provision in this area?

Then make sure you don’t miss The Dentistry Show 2015. Brand new to the event is the Facial Aesthetics Theatre, in association with CCR, designed to offer you everything you need to know.

Key professionals from the field will share their experience and expertise to give you practical advice and tips and help you achieve optimum results every time. Discover the latest products and techniques, and learn how you could expand your provision to deliver the solutions your patients want.

With a two-day lecture programme designed for each member of the dental team, hours of verifiable CPD, live demonstrations and hands-on sessions, The Dentistry Show 2015 is one event you don’t want to miss.

Register online for your free delegate passes today!

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

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

It’s great to see the bigger picture but you mustn’t miss the wood for the trees. A rolling stone gathers no moss so rushing headlong into procedures may lead to problems growing like Topsy.

OK, enough of the metaphors, even though I love them so! How many more could you have read before becoming seriously irritated? Literary style like anything else needs attention to detail; try not to repeat words, don’t make sentences too long and attempt to keep the reader engaged.

Our practices are full of areas where detail is paramount. These extend from the clinical treatments we provide to the overall patient experience. I don’t just mean the details imposed by our regulators, of course we have to attend to them but in order to be successful we need to go much further. A good place to start is to put ourselves in the position of our patient and see the practice in a different way. Notice the little things; the things that well-known dentist Paddy Lund who practices in Australia terms ‘the essential non-essentials.’ (Not awkward prose but attention to detail; he’s actually British even though it’s tempting to say ‘Australian Dentist Paddy Lund!’) Is Reception accessible or are there barriers in the way? Can the patient comfortably sign forms on a work surface of convenient height? Is there a hook behind the loo door to hang coats or bags? At the very least, is there a mirror to adjust make-up after the appointment?

In the treatment room itself has as much scary equipment as possible been concealed? Has the head-rest been adjusted properly? Have team members removed all traces of alginate before the patient leaves?

Clinical detail is much more complex but also includes simple things. If Bayer or Ivoclar say a certain impression material needs 4 minutes to set they don’t mean 3 minutes and 58 seconds you know! Reading instruction leaflets on materials can be an eye-opener and can constitute the difference between excellence and failure.

You can’t attend to detail if you can’t see it. Use magnification. Always. Photograph as many of your procedures as possible and review them afterwards to identify potential areas of improvement. The BACD offers regular courses in clinical photography if instruction is needed.

Look at the details provided for you on medical and social histories. This information can enable you to tailor individual treatment plans more precisely. Above all listen. Listen to what the patient says; their concerns, symptoms and desires. Don’t pre-judge but really hear the detail that is being presented.

Attention to detail is essential and can avoid a plethora of clinical and medico-legal problems as well as increasing the success of the practice. Detail encompasses everything; patient well-being, diagnosis, clinical treatment and record-keeping. We’re all highly-trained professionals. We’re good but looking after the minutiae can make us even better!

As for me, I’ll continue to work on the writing style. I’ll try to avoid the metaphors as much as I can but I’m not promising anything; after all, we all know a leopard can’t change its spots, don’t we?!

For further information about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, call 0207 612 4166, fax 0207 182 7123, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bacd.com

Geneva, 5 November 2014: FDI World Dental Federation is today launching the World Oral Health Day 2015 (WOHD 2015) ‘Smile for life’ campaign to remind people everywhere about the importance of looking after their teeth and gums.

World Oral Health Day is celebrated throughout the world on 20th March each year with a wide range of awareness-raising activities organized by dentists, dental students, National Dental Associations (NDAs) and corporate partners.

Over 90% of the world’s population will suffer some form of dental disease in their lifetime but many of these can easily be treated or prevented with a good oral care routine. The WOHD 2015 ‘Smile for life’ is supplemented by the call to action ‘It’s time to…’, which campaigners can adapt to their local needs and circumstances.

Dentists at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in New Delhi last September endorsed the ‘Smile for life’ campaign both literally and figuratively when they took turns to ‘Smile for life’ in front of WOHD 2015 campaign poster.

FDI President Dr Tin Chun Wong commented: “The ‘Smile for life’ campaign reminds us that oral disease can be prevented by practising good oral hygiene throughout life, from childhood to mature adulthood.

After tripling the number of countries celebrating World Oral Health Day between and 2013 and 2014, we are now looking to reach an even larger audience in even more countries as well as online.”

FDI’s Executive Director Jean-Luc Eiselé added: “We want to encourage everyone to celebrate this important day. Participants can download materials such as logos, posters and toolkits to plan their activities from the ‘Smile for life’ campaign website – where they can also read inspiring stories from last year’s campaign to help them plan their World Oral Health Day 2015.”

In addition, FDI confirmed that the four key global partners of World Oral Health Day – LISTERINE®, Unilever, Henry Schein and Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program – have renewed their commitment to support the campaign in 2015.

“The continued support from our partners is essential in ensuring that World Oral Health Day keeps on having a global impact, and that our message can reach as wide an audience as possible”, emphasized FDI President Dr. Tin Chun Wong.

About FDI

FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy, and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities. Over the years, it has developed programmes, initiatives, campaigns, policies and congresses, always with a view to occupying a space that no other not-for-profit group can claim.

FDI works at national and international level through its own activities and those of its member dental associations. It is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a member of the World Health Professionals Alliance (WHPA).

For more information, visit: www.fdiworldental.org

About World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day is celebrated every year on 20th March. The theme of World Oral Health Day 2015 is ‘Smile for life’. It reflects the major contribution oral health makes to our lives. Around the world, FDI member dental associations, schools, companies and other groups will celebrate the day with events organized under this single, unifying and simple message.

For more information, visit: www.worldoralhealthday.org

World Oral Health Day 2015 partners

LISTERINE® brand Mouthwash, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies

LISTERINE® Mouthwash is the world’s number one daily mouthwash with antibacterial properties to clean the mouth, freshen breath and fight plaque.   Over 50 clinical studies support the plaque reduction efficacy of LISTERINE® Mouthwash when used routinely as an adjunct to mechanical plaque removal. LISTERINE® Mouthwash has been used by more than one billion people in more than 85 countries.  Professional dental organizations around the world have awarded LISTERINE® Mouthwash with their seals of acceptance.

LISTERINE® is distributed by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., a part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, which is the world’s sixth-largest consumer health company and is a segment of Johnson & Johnson, the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products.

Unilever

Unilever Oral Care is a leading global manufacturer of oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash, represented by brands including Signal, Pepsodent, Close Up, Mentadent, Aim, P/S and Zhong Hua. Unilever recognizes that good oral health and the sense of well-being and confidence it brings, is a vital element to making people look good, feel good and get more out of life and that small every day actions, such as twice daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, add up to make a big difference for the world. Through its science, products, partnerships and international network, Unilever Oral Care is privileged with the power to make a sustainable and measurable improvement to oral health around the world.

Henry Schein

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.  The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.  A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care.  Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 28 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP)

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) partners with dental professionals worldwide, helping them improve their patients’ oral health through one extra simple and enjoyable step in their daily routine: chewing sugarfree gum after eating and drinking on-the-go. For more than 25 years, WOHP has supported independent clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum, including saliva stimulation, plaque acid neutralization and tooth strengthening to help dental professionals and their patients understand the role of sugarfree gum as a convenient tool for everyday oral care. Today, Wrigley operates oral healthcare programs in 47 countries worldwide. WOHP is one example of how we make a difference to people and the planet through performance, and how we incorporate our principles based approach to business into all that we do.

For more information, visit: www.wrigleyoralcare.com

Once more The Dental Directory is helping practices plan the year ahead with the 2015 annual wall planner.

The Dental Directory has everything you require to get set for 2015, from restorative materials and x-rays to everyday sundries. As the UK’s foremost dental dealer, The Dental Directory provides a phenomenal range of innovative and essential products – all at unbeatable prices.

With an outstanding reputation for excellent customer care, The Dental Directory offers free next day delivery on all orders no matter how big or small and has a team of experts on hand to answer any queries or questions.

Make sure 2015 gets off to a winning start with the fantastic wall planner, available to all practices on request. To receive your free planner, contact The Dental Directory today.

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

Committed to expanding the quality treatment provision available for patients around the country, Rodericks Ltd Head Office has moved.

Now located at Grange Park in Northampton, the new premises affords the group with more space as well as enhanced meeting rooms and training facilities for all its team.

Shalin Mehra, Managing Director of Rodericks Ltd, says:

“As a group we are growing. The move to a larger Head Office premises is just one step we have taken in a bid to enable further growth and development of Rodericks Ltd. Not only do we have more space for our Operations, HR and Finance Teams to work more closely together, but we are also able to offer improved training opportunities to our professionals.

“With a shared passion for education and career progression amongst the group, our dedicated training team are now better equipped than ever to help our members further broaden their skills and reach their full potential.”

Built on a vision to deliver highly quality patient care through loyal and motivated professionals, Rodericks Ltd could offer an array of benefits to you and your team. To find out more about joining the group, contact the friendly team at their new offices today.

For more information please visit www.rodericksdental.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01604 602491.

Is intellectual property just an abstract concept for entertainers and corporate giants seemingly living in a different world to the rest of us?

When you consider recent high profile news stories you may be forgiven for thinking so, but the reality is far from it – and it can have serious repercussions for a dental practice. 

Goodwill, the lifeblood of any business, is defined as the attractive force that brings in custom. But the question is: Where is it manifested? As a dental practice your goodwill is founded on your reputation, either via word of mouth or through marketing, branding and advertising. This is what encourages your existing patients to return to you and new patients to try out your service, and is all underpinned by intellectual property.

Any small business, such as a dental practice, can spend a considerable amount of money on creating a strong, positive image, enhancing its goodwill. This can be through designing a new logo, having a sign put up outside the premises, investing in a new website, or having office stationary printed. However, issues can arise if the proper precautions are not taken first. 

Much of the legal work undertaken in the field of intellectual property relates to those who either did not know they had any intellectual property, or did not consider whether their marketing activity would step on the toes of those who do. The questions any business should therefore be asking themselves are:

1. Will you be infringing someone else’s intellectual property rights when you launch your brand, website or business identity?
2. How do you stop others from infringing your intellectual property rights?
3. What will you do if you are accused of infringement?

These questions relate to the main causes of action around intellectual property and there are some simple steps that can be taken to prevent legal action:

1. Carry out thorough searches to avoid accusations of infringement.
2. Protect your ideas from the offset.
3. Deal with any disputes in a timely manner, as this is the best way to avoid litigation.  Whether you are accused of infringement or feel that someone has infringed your IP, always seek specialist guidance and advice first.

So, before you even begin developing your new name and brand, it is essential to make sure that you’re not going to be stopped from using your name. Furthermore you will also need to ensure that someone else isn’t going to take advantage and use the same name, or image, effectively hijacking your goodwill.

If you do fall into the intellectual property trap, contact us immediately at Goodman Grant Solicitors for honest, expert guidance and pragmatic advice.

© 2014 Goodman Grant Solicitors Ltd

Paul Edels of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists

For more information call Paul Edels on 0151 707 0090 or email

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

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

There can be no doubt that the demand for cosmetic procedures has seen unprecedented growth over the last two decades. This is partly facilitated not only by the enhanced focus on celebrity culture and on achieving the ‘Hollywood’ aesthetic look, but also because people just want to feel better about themselves. This has certainly been accelerated due to the rise in the technology and the variety of procedures available.

Practitioners looking to provide such treatments first have to make the decision between surgical or non-surgical solutions and in recent times the pendulum tends to have swung towards the non-surgical procedures, especially for facial aesthetics. The popularity of these procedures compared to that of surgical treatments stems from their relative affordability and their perceived safety and less-invasive nature.

In the UK in 2010 the number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures exceeded the one million mark for the first time[i] and that figure has been rising yearly alongside other forms of cosmetic treatment ever since. In 2011 it was reported that the previous year saw three million injections of botulinum toxin (type A) administered worldwide[ii].

Indeed, both botulinum toxin and dermal fillers are arguably the most popular forms of non-surgical facial aesthetics (NSFA) and strong consumer awareness for these treatments has helped to maintain this demand.

However, as a clinician you may at times find yourself faced with a client who is concerned about their appearance, who wants to do something about it and would like a non-surgical treatment, but is nervous around needles and injections. They may present with a sagging neck or jowl area under the chin and without needles or injections a non-surgical procedure may seem like an unlikely solution. Radio Frequency Treatment would be an ideal resolution in this scenario.

Radio Frequency (RF energy treatment) is a non-surgical, non-invasive aesthetic procedure for improving skin tightness and reducing wrinkles and loose or sagging skin (Touma and Gilchrist 2003). Radio Frequency treatment initiates a process of dermal tissue remodelling by stimulating fibroblasts to proliferate and produce more collagen.

An appropriate analogy is that if you take an empty crisp packet and put it in a cold oven, nothing happens. If you were to put it in an oven at full temperature it will quickly shrivel up. But, if you carefully put it in an oven at an exact specified temperature it will shrink, but retain its exact proportional dimensions and structure. This exemplifies the effect achieved by Radio Frequency. The procedure is the perfect non-invasive solution, ideal for treating sagging around the jaw-lines, chin and the neck, and stimulates and encourages the body’s natural process to restore youth.  

As any professional would understand, there are times when dermal fillers and botulinum toxin will simply not be able to achieve the desired results, and so Radio Frequency and Fractional Radio Frequency Treatments can be advantageous additions to the procedural modalities available. This can be especially true in areas that may be difficult to treat with injectables or where the results might not have been as efficacious. Radio Frequency treatments are not a particularly new procedural option, and it may be one of the less well recognised, certainly among consumers, however in this instance it would represent the optimum choice for a non-surgical procedure.

Results are impressive as they are immediate, much to your client’s satisfaction. They may not have thought it possible to achieve such effects without resorting to more invasive or dramatic surgical procedures or lasers, and will be surprised at how quick and easy the treatments are.

As the demand for cosmetic treatments continues to rise and the pubic appetite for non-surgical procedures increases, any clinician will be wise to at least consider adding Radio Frequency treatments to their range of available procedures. Like botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, the popularity of Radio Frequency will only rise as it begins to be perceived by clients as a more efficacious, safe and cost-effective alternative to surgical cosmetic treatments. 

Whatever the treatment option chosen there is no doubt that non-surgical facial aesthetics can provide a welcome and reliable additional source of revenue for a practitioner. Moreover, it is essential that should you choose to offer such treatments you receive a high level of appropriate instruction beforehand. The training courses offered at the Dr Brian Franks Facial Aesthetics Training Faculty cover a range of treatment solutions from foundation, intermediate and advanced level botulinum toxin and dermal fillers to medical micro-needling (dermaroller) and radio frequency treatments, and ensure that you are fully prepared and confident to provide your clients with the highest quality NSFA available. Enhance your treatment modalities today and expand upon your provision of aesthetic treatments by contacting the Dr Brian Franks Facial Aesthetics Training Faculty or visiting the website.

For more information on training courses, and the next dates available, please visit www.drbrianfranks.com, call 020 8446 6518 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Ray Cox, owner of Medifinance, specialist finance brokers to the healthcare profession. Ray has worked alongside the dental industry for over 40 years and works very closely with a number of manufacturers and dealers, including Clark Dental, helping practitioners finance equipment and apparatus for their practices. 

As a dentist who is part of a modern and innovative dental practice it makes sense that you would want to use the latest, state-of-the-art equipment for treating your patients. However the initial cost involved for the outright acquisition can be prohibitive, and is often accompanied by an immediate and noticeable reduction in cash flow.

One potential solution is to consider leasing your equipment, in a similar way to which airlines lease their planes or you might lease your car.

Airlines choose to lease their planes because it provides improved flexibility, and reduced flight costs. You may lease your car as a more cost effective method than taking out a bank loan. So why not lease your dental equipment for very much the same reasons?

Like a car that has left the forecourt, a piece of dental equipment, once purchased, begins to depreciate in value almost instantly. Why spend all that money at the outset for something that, whilst vital, will certainly depreciate?

Almost all of the equipment in your practice is available via lease. This particularly applies to anything that has a high ‘wear out’ factor. Sterlisation devices and I.T. systems, for example, are items that you should never really consider owning outright because their ‘wear out’ factor is so high.

For example, after 5 years a steriliser will surely be out-dated and is also unlikely to be operating to its optimum efficiency. Not to mention that with the rate of technological innovation any I.T. system will also no doubt be obsolete after this length of time. Therefore to have the option of renting or leasing such products, where you have built-in possibilities for upgrading at the end the contract, whether it’s a 2, 3, 4 or 5 year deal, is a particularly attractive proposition.

Dynamic equipment on the other hand, such as dental units and x-ray devices, will probably last 15 years. However, during that time they would start to cost more in repair bills and maintenance than if they has been leased for 5 years and then updated. It would also arguably be in your best interests, from a competitive perspective at least, to be seen to update your practice equipment regularly, thus instilling confidence in your patients that yours is a practice that remains truly at the forefront of the profession.

The chances are this is already the way in which you finance your car, which after your house is likely to be your biggest single expenditure. So why not do it for your dental equipment too? It is a sure fire way to avoid depreciation, reduce maintenance costs and ensure that you stay ahead of your competition by regularly renewing your equipment and facilities.

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

For many people buying their first house is a time fraught with worry and stress, the sheer number of choices and options available can confuse and confound even the most savvy potential home owners. But with the right help and guidance the dream of buying your first house needn’t be a nightmare.

I see a lot of dentists looking to buy property and not really knowing how to proceed. The obstacles seem endless. Indeed at any one time there may be more than 7,000 mortgages available, all with subtle yet consequential differences, and all potentially affected by national interest rates.

At the time of writing the Bank of England base rate remains at 0.5%, but the likelihood is that in the next six to nine months it will start to creep up. This will probably only be around a quarter of a per cent per increase.

Opinion is divided as to the precise outcome of an interest rate rise, even one as seemingly minor as 0.25%. While some believe that this will have little significant impact, some think it will cause mass crises and panic across the housing market. However, according to Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, any increase that does happen will be ‘limited and gradual’ and will only go as far as to settle at 2.5% (half of the 5% pre-crisis rate). So maybe we shouldn’t start to panic just yet.

Generally we find that at the moment most of the mortgage deals available are very competitive. Therefore if you are thinking about securing your outgoings this could be an ideal time to consider a Fixed Rate Mortgage. As regardless of what happens to interest rates over the coming months, with a Fixed Rate Mortgage your repayments will remain the same for the length of your agreement.   

Another positive for first time buyers is that you can now receive mortgage agreements with deposits as small as 5% and with a bit of creativity you can even get that 5% funded from elsewhere. In effect you can arrange 100% funding for a mortgage, meaning you don't need to find that initial five or ten per cent deposit, which can be the biggest stumbling block for first time buyers.

One final thing to consider here is the lenders themselves. Most will require associates, or any debtors, if they are self-employed to have three years accounts available before they will even consider offering a mortgage. A lot of dentists, when looking to purchase their first property are young associates, having just completed education and will therefore not have this length of accounts available.

Luckily, there are specific lenders who will now offer standard terms to dentists even if you haven’t got the three years’ accounts, and with the right IFA you can still arrange funding. An educated lender will be aware of how dentists get paid and will therefore know that lending to dentists without this arbitrary 3 years accounting information is still a viable option.

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

Follow @money4dentists on Twitter and Like money4dentists on Facebook

The next step forward in root canal treatment

The modern GDP has the opportunity to provide a wide spectrum of different clinical treatments for a range of patients. From routine care to cosmetic procedures, periodontics, implants and endodontics, all are within grasp for those with the appropriate training, skills and experience. Each discipline has evolved as our understanding and technologies have developed, offering ever more reliable and successful results for patients.

Take endodontics, for example, which first began in the 17^th century when necessity was the mother of invention. At that time, practitioners were mostly experimenting with various, and often very crude, instruments, techniques and materials, aiming to relieve pain and preserve the teeth. Pierre Fauchard – widely recognised as the ‘founder of modern dentistry’ – was the first to describe the dental pulp,[1] and dispelled the legend of the ‘tooth worm’, which was previously believed to be the cause of caries and toothaches.[2] He went on to describe the removal of pulp tissue, before Edwin Maynard introduced the first root canal instrument in 1836, which he created by filing a watch spring.

With the invention of the X-ray in 1895 by Konrad Wilhem,[3] dental radiographs revolutionised the endodontic process. Their true potential was not discovered for many years however, as theories of oral sepsis causing systemic disease became widely believed, and extraction became the preferred treatment over endodontics for devitalised teeth. It wasn’t until the late 1940’s, early 1950’s that sufficient laboratory research had been accumulated to dispel such myths, once again restoring faith and practise of endodontics.

Today, root canal treatment is not uncommon, and while it is advisable to refer more complex cases, GDPs with adequate training are often able to deliver the efficient and pain-free treatment their patients need. It is however essential that any clinicians providing such treatment are aware of the latest research, products and materials available to them to ensure the absolute quality of their work.

To this end, Dr Martin Trope, a world-renowned clinician, lecturer and researcher in the field of endodontics, will be discussing some of the latest developments in the industry at The Dentistry Show 2015.

Dr Trope has gained several qualifications and accolades throughout his nearly 40-year career, including becoming a Specialist in Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to receive the JB Freedland Professorship in the Department of Endodontics at the University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry, which recognises outstanding contributions to the field. Dr Trope has served as a Director for the American Board of Endodontics and editor-in-chief of two different publications, while also contributing to the development of a new material for root canal filling.

This will be the first time Dr Trope has attended The Dentistry Show, and he will be speaking both on Friday 17^th April and Saturday 18^th April from the hugely popular GDP Theatre.

“I have lectured and taught courses in the UK on many occasions and always enjoy interacting with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic participants. Having seen the number of dentists who visit The Dentistry Show and heard about how well attended the lectures were, it was a simple decision to present there,” says Dr Trope.

“I will be delivering a lecture entitled ‘The next leap forward in endodontic instrumentation’. There have been some extraordinary developments in the field of endodontic dentistry in recent years. Until now, all preparations for root canal treatment have been circular, but the natural canal within the root is not this shape. For the first time in the UK, I will be introducing a revolutionary 3 dimensional technique that addresses this problem, cleaning more of the canal system without sacrificing the root dentin.

“The sessions will be suitable for all GDPs, with practical tips offered throughout. I will also discuss some cutting edge treatment options that I hope will be of great interest to delegates – although their pioneering nature means that some may not be immediately available for all to use in practice.”

Offering further insight into the fascinating world of endodontics will be the new EndoLounge, created in conjunction with the British Endodontic Society (BES). Designed to inform and inspire, leading professionals from around the globe will share their own experiences and expertise to help you advance in your career.

Also new to The Dentistry Show 2015, Launchpad UK will provide the perfect platform from which to discover the very latest products, materials and innovations in the UK market. By pre-registering for the Show, you will receive updates and details of what to expect and from who, so that you can plan ahead and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Even more learning and CPD opportunities will be available within the main lecture theatres, each dedicated to a specific area of the profession with a focused and relevant programme. Hands-on workshops and live demonstrations will also provide a chance to practise your skills and witness how some of the best in the business work.

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

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

Where is the “pain point” in dental practice marketing right now?

13 years ago you might have asked, “Where do I start?”

Many practice owners and managers weren’t convinced that they even needed a marketing strategy.

Up until 2001, there was a body of opinion suggesting that, provided you obtained your dental qualification, you stuck your brass plaque on the wall and the practice opened, there would be enough people coming through the door for you to make a reasonable living.

But then, in that year, a pivotal point in the timeline of dental marketing came about when the newly formed Boots Dentalcare invested heavily in advertising teeth whitening treatments in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The ‘would you like a Whiter Christmas?’ campaign was a real game-changer for dentistry, as it went national and suddenly the public were on the receiving end of retail dental marketing for the first time. While it is commonly believed that Boots Dentalcare was a failure (although the real reasons for its sale were due to directional changes within the core business), the campaign proved to be a wake-up call for the dental profession as well as the public.

This was a singularity – it was an event, after which, things were not quite the same again.

Fast-forward to 2014, and where is the ‘pain point’ in dental marketing now?

We are approaching another singularity, another game changing episode.

In the last five years, dentists have accepted the need to build a good website and even more recently, they have realised the potential of social media engagement as part of their activity.

It has been clear for some time that practices need to create marketing systems that allow them to attract interest from strangers and searchers, gain recommendations and promote additional sales to their existing patients. The challenge now comes in knowing where and how to market for optimum results.

There are three main marketing methods for UK dental practices: internet-based, word of mouth and direct marketing, which is essentially advertising.

The market has become so complex with so many different ‘jigsaw pieces’, that a lot of dental practice owners or managers are once again lost and are asking ‘where do I start?’

It may be that you decide to throw money into online activities or at advertising, but how do you know if it is working or not? How do you measure your Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI)?

I am frequently asked three questions by practice principals and business or practice managers:

1. How much cash should I be investing in marketing?
2. How should that investment be divided between the different marketing activities that I could get involved in?
3. Which of these marketing avenues are likely to be the most successful?

One of the options I am probably most excited about at the moment is the area of internet-based marketing, which includes what should your website look like, which social media channels should you be visible on and how should you use them for success.

But there is the hot potato of Google, Pay per Click, Ad words and SEO – all of which are moving largely out of reach for the small independent practitioner.

I have seen this confusion of choices accumulate in recent years and have spent more and more time listening to your concerns. When enough people are asking you the same question – you know that you have identified a problem that needs a solution.

As such, at 7connections we questioned whether there was a more efficient way to get the message across and provide solutions. What if we created a 12-month programme, answering all the questions we have mentioned above in a literal, step-by-step guide?

Our answer is to create The Ultimate Marketing Academy, so that we can tell practices exactly what they should be doing and how they should allocate their resources.

It is a 12-month training programme designed to share marketing tactics that have worked for other businesses both in the UK and abroad, from within dentistry and outside, as well as to introduce some of the latest innovations in marketing. Quarterly Academy meetings will bring all the practices together in a workshop environment where we will “show and tell” the marketing tactics that are working, share the latest information and updates.

Between the meetings, we will follow up on those practices who join us to offer support and make sure the new strategies are implemented effectively.

If you are feeling the pain of marketing and need clear direction on what you should be doing to help grow your business, you are certainly not alone.

There are ways you can make the process easier and more successful, and a clearly defined 12-month plan might be just what you need.

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

To the outsider most dental brands would appear very similar; we all have parallel visions of what a clinical practice should look like and what the aesthetic of it should be.

The problem arises if people just see their practice brand as a tagline or a logo or an image, they won’t nurture it and the staff won’t buy-in to the mission statement and direction. Thus the brand could loose its significance and impact altogether.

Brand NHS

If you ask people about what makes Great Britain great, high up on that list is the NHS. At its launch in 1948 it was the greatest public healthcare system, and a world-changing phenomenon. But unfortunately, in recent times the brand hasn’t been nurtured or allowed to grow.

If you ask dental professionals about brand NHS they would tend to say it’s marred with time constraints, bureaucracy and lower standards. Although the concept of the NHS is fantastic, it has lost its way and the brand has lost its shine.

Brand Harley Street

Another divisive brand is that of Harley Street. Historically this comes with an image of clinical excellence, where the best doctors and dentists in the world are housed, with the smartest consultants embodying the epitome of charm and style. Perhaps for the outsider it still has that charm, but what does it actually mean when there is no requirement to have any added qualifications to practice here, other than the capacity to pay the rent?

As a brand the name Harley Street is heavily protected, but what we think it signifies and what it actually does are two entirely different things.

Brand SmilePod

Recently I attended a meeting of a small corporate that has five practices. Incredibly they had invited every member of staff from each practice to this meeting: every nurse, dentists, hygienist and receptionist. They went through their vision from conception to future developments, with everyone involved, sharing the same goals and objectives.

I thought that this was a brand that was growing and thriving. It wasn’t just a logo or a title, but an organic entity that had a code and set of principals.

They had embraced the brand philosophy across the whole corporate and made sure that everyone was involved, on board and ‘on brand’.

You wonder how many other practices would do this: actively nurturing the brand by sharing the vision, the mission statement and the clarity of purpose and communicating this with the whole organisation.

Brand Endocare

At Endocare our brand is focused on our mission statement. We aim to provide a service to our patients to relieve them of pain, utilising the best equipment to make a potentially stressful procedure more comfortable, whilst offering the best possible patient journey.

The Endocare brand has benefitted from being nurtured and has now grown away from pure endodontics and our mission has evolved to providing great healthcare, alleviating pain and suffering and truly caring for our patients.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

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

Following fresh warnings about the dangers and legal implications of missing oral cancer in patients, it’s never been more important to ensure you have all the skills and knowledge you need to detect this potentially fatal disease early.

In support of Mouth Cancer Awareness, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is pleased to offer an opportunity for you to brush up on your skills.

IDH has developed a CPD module on behalf of the ADG, designed specifically to help you identify oral cancer as early on as possible.

The module is completely free of charge and is available to all healthcare professionals at: http://www.dentalgroups.co.uk/mouth_cancer.php.

To claim your CPD credits there is a small charge of only £20, £5 of which goes directly to the British Dental Health Foundation.

With a rise of more than 30% in the number of new oral cancer cases between 2000 and 2011,[1] and the latest figures showing 6,767 new cases a year,² make sure you are prepared for the future. Find out more about the vital free training available to you by contacting the ADG today.

For more information please visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk

One of the meanings of the word ‘key’ in the English language is ‘essential, fundamental or crucial’ and emphasises the importance of something. Within the dental practice there are key professionals who have the knowledge and skills to create and keep the business running successfully. Without them there is a possibility that it could no longer be a sustainable.

Most people would agree that not insuring their physical assets against danger is irresponsible. Property owners insure buildings against fire, theft, flood and storm damage and business owners will take further cover to replace the consequential loss of profits they may incur while waiting for these assets to be replaced. However, it is not unusual for dentists to overlook their most important assets of all – the people whose skills and knowledge are critical to the existence of the business.

Within a dental practice the expertise and contribution of key people needs to be protected adequately and appropriately to secure the viability of the practice as a whole. Unfortunately many owners and partners overlook this vital cover, which can leave their business in uncertain territory. Many people believe that if their loans are covered they are secure and they can sell the practice if the worst comes to the worst. Problems arise however, when surviving partners cannot afford to pay a deceased estate or when they do not want to or find it difficult to sell their practice.

Lets look at an example: Dr Jones and Dr Smith form a partnership and own a dental practice on a 50/50 basis. They decide to take out a practice loan to extend their building and incorporate some new technology. However, a few years later, Dr Jones is involved in an accident and dies. The practice loan must still be repaid in full but additionally, Dr Jones’ estate includes half of the value of the practice at its current worth and his executors expect to receive his fair share of the business. Assuming the practice is worth £1 million, the estate will legitimately expect £500.000. Dr Smith may not be able to fund this amount of money and consequently, the business is in danger of collapse.

Key-Person Assurance is an insurance policy that can be used to compensate a practice for financial losses that would arise from the death or extended incapacity of an important member of the business. The practice pays the protection and in the event of death or critical illness, a lump sum is paid by the assurance company to eliminate the financial strain on the surviving business partner. In the case of the partnership, described above, the practice would receive the £500.00 enabling the surviving partner, Dr Smith, to pay Dr Jones’ estate and allow him to retain the entire business.

Obviously there are financial implications of the Key-Person Assurance, such as the need to pay the premium. However, it is paid by the business not the individual, which means that tax relief is applicable on the premium and the benefit is also paid out tax-free. So there is really no reason to prevent practice owners from taking out Key-Person assurance. The peace of mind is invaluable and if the worst happens, there are no complications or financial strain on surviving partners, family or estate.

A partnership agreement is also essential when a business is a shared investment. According to the Partnership Act of 1890, if a partnership dissolves the deceased partner’s share may have to be paid to the estate. This could mean struggling to fund thousands of pounds when one of the profit sources of your practice has been lost. Similarly, if one of the partners of a business becomes very ill or disabled the effects can also be destructive. They may need to continue taking a profit from the business when they are unable to practise themselves. Alternatively, they may wish to take early retirement or be bought out. A partnership agreement should document how these circumstances can be resolved for both partners, as well as the business.

For dedicated guidance from Independent Financial Advisers who are familiar with working closely with the dental professionals, consult the experts at money4dentists. They understand that all financial decisions should not be made lightly and are experienced in helping dentists across the UK to overcome the challenges and problems that arise, unique to dentistry.

The key is often used as a symbol of security and throughout history it has also been used to represent the ability to gain access or open up opportunities. Don’t overlook your vital ‘key’ people, who allow you to access indispensible skills and bring value and security to your practice. They need to be protected from unforeseen circumstances to ensure a safe and fruitful future for everyone involved.

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

The modern world dictates that practice principals need to understand the health of their business just as comprehensively as the health of their patients. They need constant indicators of how effectively and efficiently their business is running to ensure growth and profitability. You may be under the impression that your business is strong due to a high volume of patients, but individual figures, like annual turnover, will give a fairly limited and unreliable representation of your business.

In order to assess the real potential of your practice, it is necessary to create, implement and analyse Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are used to evaluate and predict the success of your business, which can be defined by not only profitability but also performance and progress. In choosing the correct KPIs you can measure all areas of your practice in a broader and more accurate way.

Establishing useful KPIs

Once the targets of your business are defined, KPIs enable you create a strategy to reach those goals and then monitor your progress to ensure you stay on the right course. They can help assess the current state of your practice and highlight any areas that need improvement or refinement.

To establish useful KPIs for your practice you can look at the aspects you wish to change, decide how you would like to enhance them and what indicators would demonstrate this progress. The secret to success is in the actions you take as a result of your KPIs – focus on the actions, see the value, enjoy success and build on the momentum from there. By implementing a process rather than making an isolated change, you will get much better results.

What should your KPIs measure?

Your KPIs should measure how effectively your targets are achieved and how efficiently your resources are used to do this.

You can therefore look at your actual and expected sales figures, daily gross income per practitioner or as a whole practice and expenses for activities such as marketing. Overheads such as staff wages, routine product purchases, equipment maintenance need to be kept in mind, but of course cannot be affected by KPIs. Variable costs like dental supplies, laboratory costs and new technologies also need particularly careful management and review with an inventory when production increases. In monitoring what you were aiming to achieve and how close you get to doing so on a regular basis, you can quickly access your financial stability.

KPIs can then be used to measure how well you utilise your practice teams, equipment and funds to attract and engage new patients, collect payment, provide customer service and perform exceptional dentistry, which can all generate referrals and therefore profit. Other non-financial aspects such as chair occupancy, case completion rates, diary utilisation, patient conversation rates, fee collection efficiency and cancellation rates should also be taken into account.

There is no limit to the data that can be analysed, but it is usually advisable to start with less and to increase them as you and your team become accustomed to the new processes in place. It’s important to remember that even basic tracking can yield results and improved outcomes. A balance of the aforementioned areas will provide an accurate idea of your overall practice performance. Such KPIs will help you not only manage your business more effectively on a day-to-day basis, but also predict profits and growth and implement realistic goals for successful future development.

Where do you find the time to monitor all this?

Effective strategies and systems need to be utilised in order for you to implement and monitor your KPIs in a time- and cost-efficient manner. A comprehensive, easy to use computer system is therefore invaluable, and fortunately there are solutions available to you.

An integrated system such as the CS R4 Clinical+ practice management software from Carestream Dental offers complete integration of imaging, case notes and Back Office tasks. The system allows practices to generate patient records and review clinical notes, while keeping track of appointments and chasing accounts. Financial statements, production rates as well as monthly or yearly averages can be reviewed at the touch of a button and it is ideal technology for tracking a range of KPIs while simultaneously operating an efficient dental practice.

For any business looking to expand and grow, realistic targets and effective strategies to achieve these targets are paramount to success. KPIs offer an efficient method for implementing processes to improve a variety of areas, while also enabling you to measure and monitor progress in an accurate and tangible way. From this data, you can create the actions you need to enhance your business.

For more information please contact the experts at Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

The Government’s Trailblazer initiative is set to improve and develop apprenticeships in 29 different industry sectors across Britain. Owner of Sparkle Dental Labs, Mustafa Mohammed, is leading the way to create a programme designed specifically for dental technicians.

Apprenticeships can give young people the opportunity to learn on the job, building essential experience and practical skills to enable them to become experts in their chosen field. Through high quality training and mentoring, businesses can create a motivated, skilled and highly qualified workforce.

Committed to spreading the word and raising awareness for dental technician apprenticeships, Sparkle Dental Labs recently welcomed a selection of esteemed professionals to its remarkable premises in Leeds. The event, held in celebration of the company’s first year of business, also presented a fantastic opportunity to increase support for the apprenticeships.

MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, was in attendance and commented: “Apprenticeships are one of the most important parts of education in Britain…I believe few sectors will however create as much excitement and as much drive as the dental laboratory industry has, and for that I would like to congratulate everyone involved.”

Delroy Beverley, Chairman of The National Apprenticeship Ambassadors Task Force for Yorkshire and Humberside, further highlighted the importance of the apprenticeship scheme and offered high praise for Mustafa Mohammed and the team at Sparkle Dental Labs: “Crucially, Mustafa has recognised the need to do something… Asking for no personal accolade, he has nurtured this idea and is dedicated to providing a blueprint that shows the Government and other businesses alike, that you really can ‘practice what you preach’. Sparkle Dental Labs is a great example of just this”.

Anthony Knowles, Head of Employer and Delivery Services with the National Apprenticeship Service, added: “The facilities at Sparkle Dental Labs are fantastic – something for Yorkshire to be proud of. I think this is matched by Mustafa’s approach to offer more chances of employment for young people… I would encourage as many business owners as possible to get involved with the scheme”.

The pioneering dental technician apprenticeship will offer an array of advantages for the British public with hugely increased employment opportunities and the chance to ‘earn while you learn’. Boosting the national economy and the UK dental lab industry in particular, participating employers will also benefit from enhanced productivity, lower staff turnover and an increased skill set among the company1^,2.

Sparkle Dental Labs continues to lead the way in training and education. With established orthodontic and implant teams, all work is produced to the highest standard and tuition of the next generation of employees is second to none. To find out more about the laboratory, or about how you can get involved with the apprenticeship scheme, contact the dedicated team today.

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

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

www.sparkledentallabs.com

Recently in a study conducted by the Cosmetic Dermatology Journal it was revealed that the number of males using Botulinum Toxin treatments has increased by 258 percent over the last decade.

In general, men do not want to undergo significant, invasive alterations but are more likely to consider Non Surgical Facial Aesthetics (NSFA) to reduce the visible signs of ageing and to make them feel more confident. Often men are interested in reducing the wrinkle lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows to make them appear less angry or stressed and more responsive.

Wrinkle relaxing injections are also used to counter periorbital wrinkles or crows feet, furrowed brows and frown lines. Dermal fillers are able to soften lines and folds and to restore volume to sagging skin. These procedures are non-surgical so patients recover quickly and do not require any time away from work or other commitments.

In order to receive the best possible results, it is vital for both men and women to visit an appropriately trained practitioner with in-depth anatomical knowledge, in a suitable clinical environment. It is vital that the differences between treating males and females, is fully understood. For example, men have much stronger muscle mass on the forehead area than woman and the natural shape of the male eyebrow is not as arched. The usual female brow is situated above the bony orbital margin, whilst the normal male brow is situated below the orbital margin and is perceived as a vital part of masculine presentation. Without this understanding a practitioner might administer cosmetic injections, which could leave their male client looking overly feminised.

Adequate training to undertake NSFA is vital to provide clinicians with the necessary knowledge and confidence to provide first class treatment. Leading facial aesthetics practitioner and trainer Dr Brian Franks is able to offer hands on training courses in Botulinum Toxin, Dermal Fillers, Medical Micro-needling (Dermaroller) and radio frequency. With over 25 years’ dental experience, he has wealth of knowledge as a clinician who has progressed into facial aesthetics and understands the clinical and ethical issues involved.

Cosmetic interventions are a booming business in the UK, worth £2.3 billion in 2010, and this is estimated to rise to £3.6 billion by 2015 with non-surgical procedures accounting for nine out of ten procedures and 75% of the market value[1]. While non-surigcal treatments are highly popular with women, men are now becoming an increasingly important part of the market.

For more information on facial aesthetics treatment, or to find out about training courses, please visit www.drbrianfranks.com, call 020 8446 6518 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr Brian Franks

BDS (U.Lond) LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP (UK) FPFA ACIArb MEWI

Dr Brian Franks is a Facial Aesthetic clinician, and the Clinical Lead for the MSc in Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). He is a member of the Health Education England (HEE) Expert Reference Group and Task and Finish Group, helping to establish training protocols for the facial aesthetic / cosmetic industry, as well as the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) and the TYCT Governance Board. He is also the founder of the Dr Brian Franks Facial Aesthetics Training Course Faculty, as well as an experienced teacher and lecturer on the facial aesthetics and dental circuits. Dr Brian Franks Facial Aesthetics Training Course Faculty offers courses from foundation, intermediate and advanced level botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, to medical micro-needling (dermaroller) and radio frequency training.

Dr Adyl Asani and his team have recently opened a new contemporary dental clinic, TwentyOneDental in Hove. He spoke to us recently about his vision for the future and how he would like to create clinical and customer care excellence for his patients.

“I have lived and worked in the Hove area for the last 17 years and I felt that my patients wanted and deserved a better service. I have learnt that many people spend considerable amounts of money on their dental care, especially with cosmetic dental treatment. My idea was to offer an unmistakably unique experience for dental patients from beginning to end, similar to visiting any high-end establishment. My logic behind the clinic was to create a site that was well designed, where patients are able to access excellent quality dentistry and feel that they are receiving unparalleled customer service.

The building has been fully interior designed (Materialise Interiors/Armstrong Young) and embodies the concept of a modern boutique hotel, with three state-of-the-art treatment suites, separate concierge and patient lounge, a quiet zone (post sedation), a digital X-ray suite and a dedicated decontamination and sterilisation zone ensuring patient safety at all times. The name TwentyOneDental is derived from the notion of 21^st Century dentistry as well as the building number. We have the latest equipment and technology installed to ensure that we can offer premium quality dental services and procedures.  For instance, I think I am the only practitioner in the area who works routinely from a dental operating microscope. This means that I am able to see the most minute details very clearly using high magnification. Use of the microscope means that I can work very accurately and reliably and I can see an outstanding level of detail that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Patient communication is also enhanced, via the microscope’s ability to capture HD stills and video. Thanks to the magnified field, I never need to remove any excess tooth tissue, thus enabling me to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. In addition, endodontic procedures can be carried out with direct vision into the canals ensuring a predictable and favourable outcome.

As well as myself, the clinical care team includes a specialist associate dentist with a masters degree in aesthetic dentistry and two dental assistants. The patient service team comprises of our commercial director Mark Rayner and junior and senior dental concierges who run the reception area and impart top level customer service. We offer general dentistry, all types of cosmetic dentistry including smile makeovers, teeth whitening, dental implants and short-term orthodontics.

Our emphasis is on a modern, luxurious and relaxing atmosphere and extends from the concierge and patient lounge to the treatment suites. Our facilities include iPads to use in the patient lounge, with educational apps installed for children. As well as the usual magazines that you would expect in a waiting area, there is also a television and a completely integrated Sonos music system throughout the clinic, which synchronises with patient’s smartphones. Inside the treatment suites there are televisions on the ceilings to enable patients with a long appointment to watch a movie or catch up on a television programme. This is particularly beneficial for our nervous patients and we find that the distraction of the television and/or the music really helps relaxation.

Our mission is to provide excellence in modern dental care and to combine this with an outstanding contemporary, welcoming and relaxed environment. In addition, our branding is very important to us and encompasses the ethos of the clinic. When we launched in September, we held a prominent champagne afternoon tea event to showcase our fantastic new clinic and services. Each invitee received a goodie bag which included samples from CB12, since we only use and stock the highest quality products to complement our first class service. CB12 mouth rinse embodies the same principles as our clinic and the suitability of this prestigious product was perfect. I use CB12 personally and find it very effective so I am happy to recommend it to my patients.”

Understanding patient expectations is paramount when running a practice. It enables practitioners to advise and treat patients effectively and successfully. Supplementing this with the most advanced products and technology is key. It is also worth remembering that patients will feel confident if sufficient time is allowed for the dental team to deliver their expertise proficiently along with the best level of customer care possible. And as we all know, when patients are happy their recommendations will follow.

For more information on CB12 and the extensive research behind it,

Please visit www.cb12.co.uk

Clark Dental is proud to announce that it will be the Platinum Sponsor of the 2014 IAAFA Charity Ball on the 15^th November in support of Make a Wish.

The International Academy of Advanced Facial Aesthetics (IAAFA) will hold its Black Tie Charity Ball this November – this spectacular annual event is not to be missed!

Guests arrive at 7pm for a fantastic drinks reception, followed by a 3 course meal and charity auction, as well as exclusive entertainment that will round off the perfect evening. 

This year, Clark Dental, in association with FONA, has generously donated the latest Schick 33 equipment worth an as part of the charity auction. This will be one of many fantastic prizes on offer on the day.

Stuart Clark, Managing Director at Clark Dental says, “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to be the Platinum Sponsor of this wonderful event and contributing to this very worthy charity.”

So far IAAFA have raised almost £120,000 to date from its Annual Charity Balls for a range of children’s charities.[i]

For booking information contact: www.iaafa.net This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01344891235

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

Winner of Christie + Co’s Dental Caption competition at the recent BDIA Dental Showcase, Mr Jayendra H. Patel has decided to award his prize money of £100 to Children in Need.

Delegates were challenged to create a unique and amusing caption for the attached photograph, with the prize money donated to a charity of their choice. The winning caption from Mr Patel was:

“Now which tooth would you like extracted? We have a promotion this month, two extractions for the price of one!”

With a leading team of specialist property advisors across the medical, leisure, healthcare and retail sectors, Christie + Co works hard to ensure the very best outcome is achieved for your business. Whether you are looking to prepare for a valuation, sell, secure funds for practice acquisition or enhance your existing assets, Christie + Co provides reliable advice and support to guide you through every step of the process.

If the time has come for you to buy or sell a practice, make sure you utilise Christie + Co’s wealth of experience and expertise. Call the friendly team today.

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

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.

Dr Martin Trope, a world-renowned clinician, lecturer and researcher in the field of endodontics, will be discussing some of the latest developments in the industry from the GDP Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015.

“I have lectured and taught courses in the UK on many occasions and always enjoy interacting with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic participants,” he says. “Having seen the number of dentists who visit The Dentistry Show and heard about how well attended the lectures were, it was a simple decision to present there."

“I will be delivering a lecture entitled ‘The next leap forward in endodontic instrumentation’. There have been some extraordinary developments in the field of endodontic dentistry in recent years. Until now, all preparations for root canal treatment have been circular, but the natural canal within the root is not this shape."

“For the first time in the UK, I will be introducing a revolutionary 3 dimensional technique that addresses this problem, cleaning more of the canal system without sacrificing the root dentin.”

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

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

Dentists who apply for their NHS pension while erroneously listed on open NHS contracts could well experience delays receiving their payments warns independent adviser, Jon Drysdale.

As an example, he cites a West Yorkshire dentist whose NHS pension was delayed because his former employer failed to notify several Local Area Teams (LATs) that he was no longer on the performers list for NHS contracts in various locations. The dentist, who held a regional dentist position with a large dental corporate until earlier this year, submitted his pension application to NHS Pensions in July 2014 with a view to retiring in November. However, the Pensions Team at NHS Dental Services were unable to send his completed application to the NHS Pensions payments department for processing until the relevant contracts had been closed. The dentist in question was not notified of the delay and now faces an initial period of retirement without his pension.

Jon Drysdale, an independent adviser with pension specialists PFM Dental, says "The delay in paying his NHS pension was caused by the failure on the part of the corporate to carry out the necessary procedures when the dentist left their employment. The lack of communication about the delay made matters worse. I strongly urge all dentists applying for their NHS pension to check they are no longer listed on open NHS contracts – this is one of the many important points we make on our one-day retirement seminars.”

Jon Drysdale, a director of PFM Dental, runs a series of retirement planning events to help dentists plan effectively for retirement, including NHS pension options. For more information visit: www.pfmdental.co.uk

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.

This tooth coloured, fluorescent and radiopaque bulk composite provides a perfect amalgam replacement and alternative to glassionomer cements, compomers as well as conventional filling therapy. Fill-Up!  combines the advantages of resin-based composites with simplified and efficient handling. Owing to its dual curing properties, fillings with Fill-Up! can be administered in arbitrary filling depth without the need of an additional covering layer.

Welcome to the safe side!

Conventional light curing bulk filling materials are limited in their curing depth, questioning whether the restoration fully cures. But with the dual curing properties of Fill-Up! There is a guarantee of thorough curing down to the bottom of any cavity.

Also, chemical curing minimises shrinkage stress dramatically, preventing micro fractures and postoperative sensitivities. As supported by studies, the bonding partner ParaBond caters for a perfect marginal seal comparable to the one of conventional composite - before and after thermo cycling and chewing abrasion – ensuring a secure long-term restorative solution.

Convenient and fast

Fill-Up! is applied in a single layer and finished with rotary instruments after 5 sec of light polymerisation. The material is easy and quickly polishable to high gloss and therefore is the perfect choice for all Class I and II fillings, cavity lining and core build-ups – for perfect and fast results!

Fill-Up! Deep. Fast. Perfect. 

Follow Coltene on Twitter - @COLTENEUKLTD

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

With PFM Dental's practice purchase seminar on Thursday 18 September in Warrington fully booked well in advance, it was obvious the associate dentist participants were very interested in owning their own practice.

Organised in association with RBS (healthcare banking), Goodman Grant (dental solicitors), PFM Townends (dental accountants) and plan providers, Patient Plan Direct, a wide range of topics were covered in presentations and Q&A sessions. These included the current market, applying for competitive finance, legal and accountancy considerations and the benefits of a capitation scheme.

Jon Drysdale, an independent financial adviser at PFM Dental says: "We have run this course for four years and the Warrington event saw the highest attendance yet, with nearly 40 associates. Concerns over pay and job security, combined with the desire to build a valuable business asset, means more associates would like to buy a practice.”

The next practice purchase seminar for associate dentists is on 20^th November in Watford (evening). Places can be booked by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling PFM Dental on 0845 241 4480.

For more information about purchasing a dental practice visit www.pfmdental.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

Do you want to extend the range of services you offer, attract new patients and generate additional income from your existing patients? If the answer is ‘yes’, we invite you to visit stand P10 at the BDIA Showcase to find out why Cfast is the solution!

Cfast is a fast, minimally-invasive and discreet orthodontics system that straightens the front six teeth in about six months.

With devices priced at only £199, Cfast makes a great smile affordable for more patients, as well as generating revenue for the practice.

Cfast is kinder to the occlusion than some other systems, and therefore more appropriate for general dental practice, while its unique retention protocol allows for predictable long-term results.

Cfast provides affordable courses, as well as UK specialist back-up and experienced one-to-one guidance and advice from experts in cosmetically-focused orthodontics.

For further details, please visit stand P10 @ the BDIA Showcase, call 0844 209 7035 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Meet the team from Dental Focus ® “Digital Marketing Specialists’ at the 2014 BDIA showcase at stand E01 and attend their fantastic mini lectures to see how you can expand your reach and maximise your online presence.

Members of the highly experienced and industry renowned team will be enlightening attendees with these lectures throughout the exhibition. The talks will cover all aspects of digital campaigns, from website creation and social media to staying abreast of the latest innovations, the sessions will contain all the information you need to embrace the world of internet marketing.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from the masters and boost your online knowledge and skills.

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

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.

Within the dental implant sector Medentika serves customers with care, meeting clinical needs as well as offering great value.

Medentika supplies customised abutments fabricated from different materials, offering a wide range compatible with 16 separate premium implant systems. In addition, Medentika offers high-precision, custom-made bars and bridges.

Medentika also manufactures an implant system of its own, which provides an unusually comprehensive variety of prostheses.

Medentika’s scan and design service enables customers to design (either on the computer or manually wax-up) custom prostheses easily (abutments, bars and bridges) and receive high-precision components for 15 different implant systems. This helps the laboratory and the dentist to provide both aesthetic and functional solutions for patients.

Medentika’s milling system enables any laboratory that uses a mid-size milling machine to manufacture individual abutments in titanium and chromium cobalt using prefabricated, high-precision interfaces.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01274 721 567.

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.

Building on its success of recent years, The Dentistry Show 2015 promises to be another unmissable event for UK dentists. With exciting changes and an array of fantastic new features and social events, there will be even more learning and networking opportunities for everyone connected to the profession.

So What’s New?

Dedicated to continuing the growth and success of previous years, and to ensure as many professionals as possible are able to attend, The Dentistry Show and DTS have changed their dates from 2015 onwards. Out of 756 dentists who hadn’t attended the Show in 2013 or 2014, 69% said they were likely or very likely to visit if it was held in April – so the dates were changed. The 2015 Show will therefore take place on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, enabling professionals who are busy completing UDA quotas in March, to attend without any added stress.

And with more delegates visiting, it will be better for everyone. Not only will more professionals be able to make the most of the free education and CPD available throughout the two-day event, but increased networking opportunities will ensure you have the chance to make even more new contacts across the industry. There will also be a larger number of delegates to support the many leading suppliers and manufacturers around the extensive exhibition, promising an even more dynamic and productive event for all. 

Another particularly exciting new initiative at the 2015 Show will be ‘Launchpad UK’.  With the new dates, The Dentistry Show will now take place just after the IDS in Cologne every other year, making this the perfect platform for the trade show to showcase and launch the very latest products, technology and materials available to the UK market.

For delegates, this means that you can be sure to source all the very latest developments and innovations, with an array of brand new, cutting edge technologies and services at your disposal. In the weeks leading up to The Dentistry Show 2015, all registered delegates will receive updates and highlights on what to expect and who from, so that you can plan and maximise your time at the event. The experts will also be on hand across the extensive trade floor to provide any information or advice you may need and to help you ensure that your practice is at the very forefront of dentistry.

In addition, further proving its commitment to and support of the dental industry, The Dentistry Show is delighted be working with Purple Media Solutions to host the prestigious Dental Awards 2015. The Awards will provide a fantastic chance for delegates to come together to recognise and celebrate the many achievements of both individuals and groups in the industry.

Are The Old Favourites Returning?

The Dentistry Show wouldn’t be what it is without the varied and vibrant learning opportunities it has become known for. Many key features of previous years will return for 2015 including the hugely popular BSP PerioLounge, Short-Term-Orthodontic Lounge and an array of hands-on workshops and live surgery demonstrations. The impressive speaker line-up will once again consist of world-class professionals at the very top of their game, each delivering sessions designed to inform, amaze and inspire.

The dedicated conference streams will also return to ensure there is something for each and every valuable every member of the dental team, with a wide spectrum of clinical, technical and debatable topics covered for GDPs, specialists, dental hygienists, therapists, nurses and practice managers. A lecture programme will also be provided concentrating on business topics with fresh and easy to implement ideas on how to motivate your team, enhance your marketing strategies and maximise your online presence, enabling you to develop and grow your practice. Hours of verifiable and general CPD will be available for all delegates through various conference streams, helping your whole team to meet the requirements in a simple and fun way.

With all this and much more to look forward to, The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 is one event you don’t want to miss. With first-class education, worldwide leading speakers, hands-on experience, a fantastic social and networking programme and the chance to discover the newest products and innovations to hit the market, what more could you need?

If you choose to attend only one UK dental event next year, make it The Dentistry Show.

The Dentistry Show 2015 will once again be held in conjunction with the next DTS on 17^th and 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham.

For further details please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your Dental Website, What’s Important?

The answer to this question “Dental Website, What’s Important?” is incredibly simple really and it’s this: (1) You need to attract as much traffic to your site as possible (2) You need to convert as much of that traffic as possible.

Most businesses view their website as something that they have to tick the box and can say, yes we now have a website. The fact that the only people who know it exists is themselves, friends and family never seems to come into the equation.

Having a dental website built can cost many thousands of pounds and take up a great deal of your time and effort, only for it to lurk in the shadows never being seen by anyone. It’s a little like setting up a new dental practice in the middle of a field and wondering why nobody is coming!

The best and most reliable way to drive traffic to your website is to use Google Adwords. This will take you to the top of page one of Google in most instances or at worst you’ll be over on the right hand side of the first page see below.

When someone looks for your site on a mobile device this is even more important as normally you’ll only ever see the websites that are using Google Adwords advertising or pay per click (PPC).

Google normally allocates the top three slots for paid advertising which means that if you don’t advertise your website with them the best you can ever hope for is position number four and to get to this position you have to be very, very, very good at optimising your dental website.

So let’s assume you’ve decided to pay Google an amount each day to display your dental website and people are landing on the particular page you want them to land on. You now have to convert them from browsers to buyers.

Take a look at the two websites below:

I’m sure you’ll think that the page on the right is much prettier than my page and you’d probably be right, but my page will outrank the other page in Google rankings and also out convert the one on the right by a factor of 1000% here’s why.

On the left of my page is a video which automatically starts running when someone lands on the page, this immediately gets and keeps their attention. On the page on the right is a nice photograph.

On the right hand side of my page is a picture of my book, and a line saying click here to download my book or have one sent in the post for free. However to actually get the book you have to give me your email address and name and this is key.

If you are selling anything that is of a higher value such as an implant on your dental website, invariably people will not just pick up the phone and book an appointment now, simply because whenever we buy things of a higher value we want more information and this is where the email comes into play.

When someone gives you their email address it is placed in what we call an auto responder, this does exactly what the name implies, it automatically responds. So you can have a series of emails spaced out over the next three or four months that will automatically be sent to your subscriber.

This means that when they do eventually decide to have that implant or have their teeth straightened or have a smile makeover, invariably they will choose you because you have been sending them information for that last three months.

That’s how we convert browsers into paying patients on your dental website.

If you would like to know more about our website service, with video and auto responders built in, call me on 01767 626 398 or email me a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website www.dentalmarketingexpert.co.uk

According to key business lobby groups, the UK economy is prospering and economic recovery is now in full-swing. Growth is reaching record highs and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has upgraded its growth forecast for 2014 from 2.8% to 3.1%.

Recently, however, most of the headlines have been focused on the apparent boom in residential property prices. With concern mounting that, in the housing sector at least, property values are raising so high and so quickly that the bubble will soon burst.

The business property sector has also started to see the beginnings of an increase in values, although nothing quite like the dramatic surges that we’ve seen in certain areas of the residential market, such as in London and the South-East.

With this in mind, the dental sector remains unique in its reduced response to external economic influences. It is one area where values, and banks’ approaches to lending, are less affected by changes in the general fiscal situation. But that’s not to say that values are not on the increase.

There are arguably very few markets that are more affected by the rise and fall of discretionary spending behaviours than the dental market. Prior to the recession and during it, the biggest determinant was patients’ attitudes toward spending. As we now emerge from the fog of the financial crisis we all wait with baited breath to see whether patients view investment in oral health as a key priority.

As LaingBuisson, recently reported in its UK Dentistry Market Review, there has been a significant decline in NHS primary care dentistry of around eight-and-a-half per cent.

And in private dentistry, the ‘golden’ period of growth in the 1990s (as LaingBuisson describes it) has been replaced by a deceleration as the market matured and patient demand suffered through the recent subdued economy.

However, none of this has served to undermine the appetite in the dental market from operators undertaking expansion plans and investors who view the sector as a ‘gift that keeps on giving’.

The private dental sector, particularly, is set to ‘bounce back’, from its recent period of contraction. What is more the activity in the transactional and investment environments certainly reflects a re-maturing marketplace, and ultra-competitive corporate activity continues to maintain its rapid pace.

In the meantime, the shape of the sector remains fascinating, with fewer than ten per cent of practices in corporate ownership – although multiple ownership is growing amongst ‘mysterious’ owners whose diverse branding makes it difficult to keep track on their movements. It is highly likely that the next few years will see a growing number of independent practices acquired by these small group operators, and smaller groups swallowed up by larger owner-operators.

Presently, values of dental practices are on the up – further confirmation of which is seen in the way that more banks are more forthcoming in offering finance for acquisition – on those, still relatively rare, occasions that dental practices do come to the market.

As with any property sector there are countless external factors and economic influences that will inevitably affect values and sales, but ultimately dentistry is one market where the consumer is king.

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

BIO:

Simon Hughes joined Christie + Co in 1987 and has responsibility for the further expansion of its brokerage services into the primary care sectors of dentistry and GP surgeries. Over the past three years, Christie + Co has advised, valued or sold almost £1 billion worth of businesses. Simon heads up a dedicated team of specialist advisers and agents based in regional locations throughout the UK.

Christie + Co was proud to sponsor the LaingBuisson UK Dentistry Market Review.

We are delighted to announce that Steve Taylor DipPS (Implantology) will be Chairman of the educational programme at the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) 2015.

Owner of Taylor Dental Technology Centre in Leyland, Steve has more than 25 year’s experience in implantology and understands the many demands placed on the modern dental technician. He will be helping to create the two-day lecture programme for the greatly anticipated 2015 event, bringing together a selection of leading professionals to share their own experiences, ideas and skills.

DTS will provide the perfect platform for all dental technicians, clinical technicians and laboratory owners to discover the latest in dentistry – and it’s completely free!

The brand new ‘Launchpad UK’ initiative in particular will introduce the very latest products, materials and equipment to reach the UK industry, ensuring your lab is at the cutting-edge of innovation.

Make sure your team doesn’t miss out!

DTS and The Dentistry Show 2015 will be held on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk/Content/Dental-Technician-Show,

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

An estimated 30,000* individuals, including many NHS dentists with pension benefits valued at more than £1.25m, are likely to benefit from HMRC’s Individual Protection from today (18 August). Dentists with NHS pension ‘added years’, personal pensions and those with deferred benefits can also take advantage of the newly available protection.

By having Individual Protection you are able to set your Lifetime Pension Allowance (LTA) up to a maximum of £1.5m, potentially saving a tax charge of £137,500. HMRC is offering the protection as a lifeline for those affected by the £250,000 reduction to the LTA in April 2014. The application 'window' stretches to April 2017, although those looking to retire before then are advised to take action now.

Jon Drysdale, an independent financial adviser at PFM Dental says: "Dentists retiring within the next 12 months need to deal with this issue immediately or face potentially large penalties. Getting the necessary figures at short notice from NHS Pensions will be a challenge, so seeking specialist advice early on is paramount."

Unlike Fixed Protection 2014, the new Individual Protection allows the continuation of active pension contributions.

To complete your Individual Protection application you will need to apply to NHS Pensions for a valuation of benefits.

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

*Source: HMRC Tax Information and Impact Notes 'Reducing the pensions tax annual and lifetime allowances'.

Implement practice procedures that make the best possible use of their time. Similarly, safeguarding patient satisfaction and confidence is paramount to the management of a successful team. Advanced dental procedures such as digital impression systems are popular with dental practitioners, as not only do they increase clinical accuracy they decrease overall procedure time.

Creating conventional impressions can be messy, prone to problems with drag and setting and often make patients feel vulnerable. The taste of impression fluid is unpleasant and many patients find it difficult to control the gag reflex. Often dentists must take time away from the procedure to relax patients and address unexpected side effects. The importance of careful technique to create a dental impression first time round is paramount as any errors can have a detrimental effect on the patient’s experience and confidence in their dentist.

The use of digital impression scanners means that patients receive a more comfortable, non-evasive procedure with the advantage of radically improved accuracy. Although the actual scanning procedure can take approximately five minutes longer to complete than conventional impressions, the digital alternative reduces the risk of errors and the potential need for remakes. The treatment instills increased confidence in the patient and the practitioner is able to produce a precise digital impression of a patient’s mouth within minutes.

Impressions can be cleanly made using digital images. Data can be easily integrated and sent wirelessly to CAD/CAM systems, milling units and laboratories. This saves precious time communicating patient’s details and requirements and reduces the potential for human error. As digital intraoral scanning has the potential to produce high quality, anatomically accurate images, the precision of the scans facilitates natural, functional restorations requiring fewer alterations and adjustments.

Due to the accuracy of the scanning techniques, a considerable amount of time can be saved at the fitting stage reducing the overall treatment time.

The CS 3500 intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental provides practitioners with the ability to obtain 2D and 3D detailed images and precise colour matching. The handpiece can be angled up to 45 degrees and is able to scan to a depth range from -2mm to +13mm. It also incorporates an innovative light guidance system designed to optimise image and data capture while enabling the dental professional to concentrate on the patient rather than watching a monitor. The CS 3500 is fully portable; it does not require an external heater, powder, liquids or trolley system and can be plugged into any workstation using a USB cable. These features streamline the scanning process, saving time and providing an improved treatment experience to patients.

The potential for a reduction in treatment time is an extremely valuable asset. When patients receive fast results without errors they cannot help being impressed and confident with the care they receive. Confidence in their dentist grows, and satisfied patients means that dentists can enjoy the benefits of return visits, recommendations and increased referrals. Furthermore when procedures are time effective and accurate, a growth in business strength follows naturally.

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

This October will see Bridge2Aid’s Dental Training Programme celebrate its 10th anniversary at the magnificent Wembley Stadium.

Since the charity’s very first training programme back in 2004, with the support of many, Bridge2Aid has accomplished some incredible achievements changing the lives of thousands in East Africa. 10 years of Dental Training Programmes have seen:

-          315 rural-based Health Workers trained in emergency dental care

-          26,000 people directly treated during the training programmes

-          Over 3.1 million people provided with long-term access to emergency dentistry

The 10 year Birthday BASH! will take place on Saturday, October 4th2014, and will consist of fantastic food, great company and live entertainment throughout the night, as well as a tour of the stadium itself for each guest.

Volunteers, Fundraisers, Supporters, family and friends (old and new!) are most welcome to attend the event, which promises to be one of the dental calendar’s biggest of 2014.

More details and tickets available at: www.bridge2aid.or/birthdaybash

With the months flying by, the next The Dentistry Show and Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) will be here before you know it. Preparations are in full swing to make sure that everyone attending gets the very most from the events, and here’s a preview of what you can expect…

More delegates and new dates

Despite having more than trebled the number of delegates at The Dentistry Show since 2010, attendance figures are once again set to increase.

From 2015 the dates have been changed – The Dentistry Show and DTS 2015 will now be held in April, with the next event held on the 17^th and 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham.

Why the move to April?

Without the added pressure of UDA cycle end, (in March), even more dentists will now have the time to join in and discover the array of innovations the trade have to offer. This is supported by a survey of 765 dentists; none of whom visited The Dentistry Show 2013 or 2014, and 69% said that they were likely or very likely to visit with the Show now its running in April.

This uplift in attendance from dentists, to a total of over 7,500 dental professionals across just two days, will ensure that The Dentistry Show remains the must attend event for UK dentistry.

A new platform to launch

With these new dates, The Dentistry Show is now perfectly timed after IDS in Cologne every other year, making the 2015 event the ideal platform for launching new products and services in the UK. To facilitate this and provide as much exposure as possible for exhibiting companies, the Show will be running the ‘Launchpad UK’ marketing campaign for the very first time.

Key buyers, dealers and wholesalers will be sent a ‘Launchpad UK’ catalogue and all pre-registered delegates will receive regular updates in the weeks before the next Show, ensuring maximum coverage for all your new innovations, all completely free of charge.

Additional promotion

With over 7500 delegates expected to attend in 2015, The Dentistry Show and DTS will offer a vast range of further benefits for companies exhibiting on the extensive trade floor; product profiles in the pre-Show  newspapers, coverage in the 2015 Products & Services Guide and online branding.

We look forward to seeing you there

For those of you who haven’t yet booked your stand for 2015, what are you waiting for? As an event that offers something for everyone, it will provide a great platform to meet new clients, strengthen relationships with existing ones and build your business. With messages being sent to the profession from July 2015, don’t miss out and get the most out of taking part this time around!

The Dentistry Show 2015 will once again be held in conjunction with the next DTS on 17^th and 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham.

For further details, please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.