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SEP
02
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A new term. A new year. Perhaps new hope?

So ..    A new term eh?

 

 

 

HOPE FOR THE STUDENTS?

 

 

For those with Year 7 students, good luck as they troop off in their blazers, with sleeves past their wrists… it will be the only day the trousers are both clean AND have knees. And don’t even mention the shoes …

 

To our new dental students, who now benefit from the October start and therefore have another month of lie-ins [sorry, preparation]  we all wish you very good luck in your studies.  

 

Of course we would like to be able to tell you what sort of career you can look forward to.   

 

This fast moving world of dentistry is surprisingly slow to change. Predicting the changes appears to be pretty hard.  Predicting that there WILL be change is easy.

 

In 5 years time of course the “New Contract” [You know -  that Traffic Light disaster as we will all be referring to it !!]  will have been in place for 3 years and if the current situation is anything to go by some 60-100 of you will not get on to your first years post graduation training and be left wondering to which country you should export your new skills? May we, the older grunts, suggest you plan now!!

 

 

 

HOPE FOR THE STAFF ?

 

 

It is also, of course, a new term for the “Staff”. The new members of the GDC are to be encouraged and welcomed as they ponder their Statutory responsibility and Strategic role.  For £80K a year pro rata, it’s a fair little earner, truth be known.

 

I wonder what they will do in the next 5 years. Will they wait until 2018 before Standards 2 is issued with yet more “musts” or will they feel inclined to start on it now?  It seems like almost overnight, the profession has been denied its self regulatory status and no longer welcomes a broad church of multi skilled colleagues all plying their trade in the way they see fit.  

 

What we have now from the GDC is prescriptive, and inherently threatening. Can anyone see this changing other than for yet more regulatory prescription?

The bar has been raised, and if I were a new student, I would wonder if I could ever clamber over it.

 

 

A New Year, yes. Dare we hope for something better?    Hmmm.

 

 

Is the new GDC a legacy of which we can be proud for our new students in 5 years time?  Well, only if the new GDC stop seeing themselves as the sole arbiter of practice.  

 

This, sadly, is unlikely. I see the new GDC as yet another threat to the independence of the profession of dentistry, and perversely, not quite to the benefit of the patient they perhaps imagine. Dentists always adapt their behaviour to the climate.  What will the unexpected disadvantages be to all this presciptive instruction on how to behave?   But hey, for eighty grand a head, I wonder if they care.

 

The new General Dental Council to this mere mortal GDP is looking more like the Gravy-train for Dental  Committees.

 

 

Must go, have an important meeting to discuss the new concept, "Some hope"

 

 

Love you x

 

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SEP
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Digital Dentistry

Digital Dentistry - DentistGoneBadd drags you into the 21st century

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AUG
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The Dental Directory announce new Head of Sales

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The Dental Directory is pleased to announce that Brent Sercombe has recently joined the company as its new Head of Sales.

Brent has a comprehensive career history of success in sales operations, encompassing  Cable & Wireless and Virgin Media Business. With previous experience in corporate change, start-ups and as an entrepreneur, Brent has a real passion for managing and delivering sales success in challenging business market conditions.

Though his past experiences are not based in the dental industry, Brent sees this as a huge advantage:

“Often people from within the industry are bought in, so to bring me in has been a big move for The Dental Directory and an exciting move for me! I feel the combination of the established, traditional, loyal and trusted business brand of The Dental Directory together with my experiences of sales improvement programs is a winning combination. There is little doubt that the industry is experiencing massive change and I am relishing the challenge of leading the sales effort for the company in this period of economic uncertainty. In my short time on board, it is clear that the organisation is very customer centric and thrives on reacting quickly and efficiently to customer demand. It was one of the core reasons for my decision to join. The other… there are great people working here !

The Dental Directory is one of the UK’s largest dental dealers, complementing its range of more than 27,000 different products with an incredible commitment to customer service which includes free next day delivery. With Brent Sercombe as its new Head of Sales, The Dental Directory is confident that it can build on its reputation and continue to provide the same outstanding service and variety of products to all of its customers.

 

 

The Independently Verified Best Priced Dealer!

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

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AUG
27
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Discover IAS at the BDTA Dental Showcase

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If you are looking to develop your skills and expand your treatment range, then Intelligent Alignment Systems could be just the solution you’re looking for.

The system comprises of three main components – the Inman Aligner, Clear Smile and Six Month Braces – providing a one-stop-shop for appropriate GDP orthodontics, taught and supported by the Internationally leading short-term-ortho educators.

The Inman Aligner team has joined forces with the world’s best educator for short-term fixed orthodontics, Dr. Rick De Paul, and offer ethical training with treatments planned digitally and supported through linked forums. They are also offering ‘ClearSmile’, which is a new clear aligner system that facilitates control of a case with arch planning, with training to ensure you get the best out of the system.

Exhibiting at the BDTA Dental Showcase, the team behind the Inman Aligner will be available to show you exactly what these appliances could do for you and your patients. Regardless of whether you have previous orthodontic experience, comprehensive training is available with our exclusive hands-on course, as well as online training too.

So if you want to find out more about how the Intelligent Alignment Systems could enhance your skill-set, don’t forget to visit stand Q10 at the BDTA Dental Showcase 2013!
 

For more information on Intelligent Alignment Systems, visit http://www.inmanalignertraining.com or phone 0845 366 5477

 

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“The Dentist as Artist-Technician” – Jason Smithson to lecture at the BACD Annual Conference 2013

 

 

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On Friday 8th November, Jason Smithson will take to the podium at the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference. He will present on “The Dentist as Artist-Technician” – a highly anticipated lecture that will showcase just what can be achieved with the latest composite resin materials.

As with all of Jason’s lectures, delegates can expect a highly engaging presentation packed full of hints and tips that they can take away with them and apply the very next working day. He says:

“My talk will be suitable for anyone interested in cosmetic dentistry. Whether you are a student, or general practitioner – whether you are an Accredited BACD member or still working your way up to full BACD membership – there will be something for you in my lecture. Anyone who has seen any of my lectures in the past will know that hints and tips really are ‘my thing’, and I guarantee there will be something you can take away from each and every slide I put up!”

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

 

 

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Ensure your compliance the easy way SafeSeen Touch to be launched at BDTA Dental Show 2013

 

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Launching at this year’s BDTA Dental Showcase, the innovative SafeSeen Touch is a complete compliance suite.

The device enables you to ensure and demonstrate your practice compliance in all areas of CQC, HR and patient consent. All information you and your patients will need is stored on the device, and programmes can then be accessed and viewed in high quality graphics.

For convenience, your patients can also create a secure e-signature on the tablet for any treatment consent required in the future.

Designed to maximise your practice workflow while meeting all the regulations, the SafeSeen Touch is a compact, portable and easy-to-use tablet for use anywhere in the practice.

Created independently from any software manufacturer, the SafeSeen Touch is also compatible with any existing practice management software for ultimate flexibility.

To improve communication with your patients and ensure every aspect of your practice compliance, discover what the SafeSeen Touch could do for you, at the BDTA Dental Showcase 2013.

 

For more information, please contact Chloe Booth on 07825 201657 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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WhiteWash Professional Whitening Strips – “a very useful introduction to dental tooth whitening” Dr Ian Lane

 

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Developed by a team of UK dentists, WhiteWash Professional Whitening Strips are mouldable strips that contain the optimum amount of whitening gel to safely and effectively whiten teeth. Each box contains a 14-day course of strips for both the upper and lower arch that provide an excellent whitening product and fantastic value to the patient.

As a practice builder WhiteWash Professional Whitening Strips are ideal, and can be used in conjunction with regular tray whitening, or as a “top up” to more advanced in-surgery whitening techniques.

Dr Ian Lane, Managing Partner of Queensway Dental Clinic, says:
 
"I have used WhiteWash for several patients now and I believe it to be a very useful introduction to dental tooth whitening. It appears to be a safe and effective alternative to the more costly tray based tooth whitening systems. I would not hesitate to recommend this product to patients and colleagues, as the much lower RRP makes it a much more viable option for many more patients wishing to have brighter looking teeth."

 

For more information call 0844 68 69 150, email

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

 

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Encouraging Effective Collaboration The Dentistry Show & DTS 2014 -Professor Stephen Lambert Humble MBE

 

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Encouraging Effective Collaboration

The Dentistry Show & DTS 2014

With the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) running alongside The Dentistry Show 2014, there will be more opportunities for dental professionals than ever before.

As Dean of Postgraduate Dentistry at Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex (HEKSS), Professor Stephen Lambert Humble MBE delivered his ‘The future is bright, the future is CDT’ lecture, to a capacity audience, as part of the Aesthetic Technician Conference at The Dentistry Show earlier this year.

“We held a number of clinical sessions, including information updates for CDTs, and also had a stand. From our point of view it was a very successful event, both for information gathering, and giving advice to dental technicians about the career paths open to them and the decisions involved.

“We will of course be appearing at the combined event in 2014. For me we teach very clearly a collaborative practice message. We don’t believe that CDTs or any other member of the team should be working just in isolation.

“We firmly believe dentistry is a team activity and so by running The Dentistry Show and DTS side-by-side there will be further opportunity for HEKSS to get this message across.”

The 2014 event will be held on 28th February and 1st March, at the Birmingham NEC, so make sure you save the dates in your diary!

 

For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk/dts,

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

 

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Wednesday 28th August Channel 4 'How not to grow old'

 

 

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United Smile Centres to feature on Channel 4’s ‘How not to get old’

United Smile Centres will feature on this Wednesday’s episode of ‘How not to get old’. The programme will be aired on Channel 4 at 8:00pm, and is billed as the ultimate consumer guide on how to keep looking younger for longer.

In this week’s episode the team at United Smile Centres will help a lady named Sahrae regain her smile with a beautiful set of permanent fixed teeth. Sahrae says:

“I can honestly say that having my smile back has changed my life for the better. I feel so much more confident and feel younger!”

At United Smile Centres we are dedicated to helping patients to regain their smiles. Using the latest dental implant techniques, we can provide beautiful fixed teeth, all in the space of a single day. Our experienced implant surgeons are recognised experts in their field and absolutely committed to changing patients’ lives, one smile at a time.

To see the life-changing impact of the ‘Fixed Teeth in a Day’ treatment for yourself, make sure you tune in to this Wednesday’s episode of ‘How not to get old’.

For more information call United Smile Centres on 0800 8 49 49 59, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.unitedsmilecentres.co.uk

 

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Dental Myths

Dental Myths - the truth is out there

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How I did it Dr Raluca Mihoc of Poole Dental Practice explains how a little determination can go a long way!

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Background

I completed my MSc degree and PhD at University College London in 2007. I then went back to Romania to work for a couple of years before returning to the UK in 2010 with the intention of setting up my own practice. It was then that I joined forces with my business partner Dr George Michalos, and together we set about trying to find the ideal location to set up our ideal dental practice.

When it came to the choice of location, I knew I wanted to live and work in Poole as I had lived there for 6 months a few years before while my husband was training to be a neurosurgeon. From experience then I knew I liked the location and I felt comfortable in the environment. George was also keen to work in the area so we set about looking at many different practices that were for sale before settling on our final location on the high street.

Though the practice is on the first floor, we were both very keen to move in as the price and location were great and we both saw the fantastic potential that the building had to offer. This was because in its original state the practice only had a single surgery, but it had lots of space. Our aim then was to take advantage of the space available to fit more surgeries while at the same time modernising the whole building, and adding some much needed light to the dark and out-dated design.

Neither George nor myself had a specific ‘vision’ as such for the final practice – we just knew about the space we had available and how we wanted the rooms to be set out. This was because our aim initially was to fit out two complete surgeries, with a third set up and ready for the equipment to be brought in once we had enough patients.

Getting started

Before we started with the project, very early one we decided how we wanted the rooms set out, and the walls we would need to put in to set the practice out how we wanted it. 

The main thing I remember about the original practice was just how old it was. Everything was just so dark, and the surgery that was there was spacious but very out-dated, with carpets on the floor, and very little natural light. The first thing we did then was bring in builders to set about laying out the building as we planned it. This process took about two months in total, clearing everything out, adding in the extra walls, putting in all the necessary plumbing and wiring and so forth.

While this was going on we spoke to a number of different companies to see which company could best help us modernise our practice and give us all the help and support we would needed. We spoke to a great many companies, asking them essentially ‘what can you give us?’ and ‘what can you do to help us?’

In the end we decided to work with Clark Dental, as they came highly recommended to us, and were able to meet all our needs in terms of setting up the two surgeries, plus preparing the third room for an additional surgery at a later date.

The whole process was very smooth. The team came in with plans and together we agreed on how we wanted everything laid out, and they then installed the two surgeries to our exact specifications, along with a sterilisation room and all the fittings necessary to prepare the third surgery.

We chose our equipment based on recommendation mainly, though my business partner George did visit the BDTA exhibition to get some ideas on the sorts of things that might work well in our practice, such as our superb A-Dec dental units.

One of the most useful pieces of equipment we have invested in has been the Nomad portable x-ray system. Because we were starting with two surgeries with a third to be installed in the future, we opted for the Nomad as it allows us to move it easily between surgeries, rather than having a large, bulky unit that’s fixed in one place. I must say it’s definitely been worth the investment, as it means we don’t waste patients’ time, and it also means that we don’t need another x-ray when we do finally come to use the third surgery. Overall I’ve been very impressed with the unit, and it’s been an excellent purchase.

Setbacks

As with any project of this kind I think there’s always going to be some sort of difficulty along the way, whether it be in terms of finance, planning, regulation or whatever else may spring up. In our particular case we had a major problem with the roof, which brought about significant delays to the project. The main problem that as a first floor premises, we weren’t sure if the roof was going to collapse in on us, so we needed to have full investigations carried out, both for our own peace of mind, and also in order to make sure we met the building regulations. Though this did set us back a little bit in our plan, the builders were absolutely great, and we managed to resolve the problem with as little difficulty as we could have expected.

The project complete

To fully appreciate the change that’s come over Poole Dental Practice you really need to understand just how old and dark the original building was. The practice was at least twenty or thirty years old when we bought it and in that time very little work had been done to it. Now the project is complete however it’s like working in a completely new environment! The old patients who come here are really impressed with the changes that have taken place. Before the project the space was there in the building, but it was a very dark and unfriendly place, with old paintings and a couch in the waiting room. Now it’s bright and airy. In fact it’s absolutely beautiful. The patients really are amazed by what we have achieved, and both George and I find it is a much nicer place for us to work. Everything now is so up-to-date, coming in to work is a pleasure.

Lessons learnt

Over the course of the project, we’ve learnt quite a lot. For a start you have to have a very clear mind about what you want to achieve. Unless you do this it can be very easy for your budget to start to escalate and things will soon get out of control. Before you start you should also make sure you have good references for all the contractors you use such as builders and equipment suppliers. For me this is really important, as it means you know you can rely on the people you are using to help you with your project. References really are very important!

Organisation and planning are also very important. You also need to be flexible enough to understand that sometimes, things will come up along the way that you just can’t prepare for. Our problem with the roof is one such example of this. If you find yourself in a situation like this you’ve just got to keep on going and not let these little problems hold you back.

With hard work and determination, you can achieve everything you desire for your dental practice. From my own experience with Poole Dental Practice I can definitely say all the hard work was worth it. I am now very much looking forward to opening our third surgery in the coming year!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Why patients want same day, high quality treatment solutions - Dr Manhem

 

 

 

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As the new NHS contract is being piloted in the UK, it seems to be an apt time to consider how your practice can optimise its services to positively respond to change. At this point in time, dental professionals may look towards securing more private patients for high quality treatment. The reason for this is to align practices with key changes in national health service dentistry. Under the new NHS system, the preference towards preventative treatment and offering a minimalistic service will mean that more complex treatment will be done privately – this can expand the scope for GDPs to concentrate on more high-end, complex treatment.

Where there is a growing need for private dentistry that is dynamic, dental marketing can develop your clinical services to attract and secure new patients. Dental marketing can refine your services so that they are tailored to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment, since more NHS dentists are likely to move to the private sector and corporates have developed structures to win contract tenders.

Marketing involves a strategy that is carefully planned to get your services ahead in terms of building a brand that patients will trust and value. Although the concept of dental advertising is not something widely done in the UK, case studies from America and Canada show how practices have reaped the rewards. Our Chrysalis Dental Centres in Canada for example, generated an average of 35 contacts per day over a 6-month period through advertising campaigns. This same success story is part of United Smile Centres’ profile in the UK, where our expertise in same day dental implant solutions has been significantly promoted by effective advertising campaigns.   

If we look at United Smile Centres as an effective marketing model, there are some key approaches to advertising that you can apply to your services for a good return on investment. At the centre of all effective marketing campaigns is a good product. Working out how your treatment will be chosen over your competitor’s is fundamental to the success of your marketing campaign. United Smile Centres fulfil the criteria of having a good product by only offering ‘Fixed Teeth in a Day’, a full arch rehabilitation treatment that uses an innovative technique to remove the problem of failing teeth or dentures, replacing them with new teeth in one day.

Same day treatments grant an alternative to conventional implant surgery that can take over a year to complete, and can be both expensive and painful. For although the same day solution is not cheap, it has a high ‘value’ in relation to the impact it will have on patients’ lives. This solution builds up incomparable value for patients who are naturally time conscious. Cutting down on treatment time means that patients do not have to keep taking time off work. Same day treatments also reduce the number of surgeries needed, increase patient comfort, and optimise post-surgery aesthetics – but most of all, patients like it.

With all of this in mind, it is important to recognise your target market when planning to market a treatment. Once your target market is recognised, you can decide which ‘market segment’ you are aiming at based on factors such as age, geographical location and income – all of these considerations will help you to eliminate barriers to treatment and increase case acceptance. Essentially, your treatment needs to be marketed in a way that pushes advantages that are relevant to fears.

A carefully constructed website that caters towards inquiring patients and reflects what you do, is one form of marketing that can help overcome prospective patients’ fears. Your website is key to forming that much needed ‘proof’ of an excellent service and your online profile needs to represent you well. People are cynical, especially in the UK and the nation is cynical about adverts and dentists.  Including patient testimonials from completed cases adds legitimacy and builds the trust needed for new patients to invest. Using multimedia such as videos and photographs of happy patients will help patients to envisage the treatment. Providing useful information about the procedure could also alleviate fears and enable patients to envisage the procedure.

Having a website is not an advantage, it is a necessity. Web based marketing means your audience will instantly grow. This is an information age where endless supplies of material can be accessed online by a society that is accustomed to immediate results – 24/7. This is a blessing and a curse. Studies[1] have shown that 32% of customers will start to leave slow sites between one and five seconds. If we use this as a rough indication of your average patient’s attention span, the need to hook viewers straight in with content that is fresh, informative and engaging is key to getting them to stay on the page.

Of course advertising and a good website are but two parts of a much wider marketing strategy that you will need to consider, however the heart of your campaign will always rest on the quality of your product. In this modern time-precious world, patients have less time than ever before and so seek immediate solutions to their problems. If your marketing strategy is value driven and overcomes barriers to treatment, you can expect a return on your investment. Remember a tooth isn’t worth that much, but a smile has value.

 

For more information call United Smile Centres on 0800 8 49 49 59, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.unitedsmilecentres.co.uk



[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2012/mar/19/attention-span-internet-consume

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DENTSPLY’s Ceram.X® and Illuminéshortlisted at the MyFaceMyBody Awards 2013

 

DENTSPLY is proud to announce that two of its groundbreaking products have been shortlisted for Best Cosmetic Dentistry Product at this year’s MyFaceMyBody Awards – the first consumer awards set up to recognise the innovation and popularity of brands across the dental, beauty and aesthetic industry.

Nominated for its simplicity and predictability is Illuminéä tooth whitening gel, DENTSPLY’s innovative tray based bleaching system. Illuminé offers a simple approach to whitening, and has been designed for patients to have the first treatment administered by the dental clinician, while the rest of the two-week course can be performed by the patient from the comfort of their own home.

Also nominated is Ceram.X®, which has the latest nanoceramic technology. Ceram.X is a universal composite with a unique, simplified shading system, meaning that natural aesthetics are easy to achieve for every patient.

The nomination of these two popular products is testament to DENTSPLY’s ongoing commitment to create innovative, predictable, high quality dental products to meet every need and indication.

 

http://www.myfacemybody.com/awards/vote/

Contact us at www.dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn Rewards against purchases at www.dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and product demonstrations and earn CPD at www.dentsplyacademy.co.uk

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Evidence of a debt of honour ...

Welcome back worker bees.  Holiday? Wossat? 
 
15 patients including two heart sinks on Day 1 will soon get you out of that ridiculous “happy holi” mode. Those who have been in the exam-result-nail-biting mode have now started to re-grow the cuticles. 
 
But think on for our younger graduates in dentistry.  They nibble one set away for finals, another set for the FD1 process and then it seem again. More later
 
I centred on mixing last time.  Maybe it’s the cake that matters, not just the means of making it.
 
What is the size of the dental market?
 
It seems to me that the Government know how much they spend [presently £3.31B all in [1]  ] but that there is no definitive amount of the ever expanding private market.
 
The OFT report and our trusty Marketeers, Lang & Buisson seem to think the private market is 42% not including cosmetic stuff, or £1.42B.  Well we all smell a rat when it suits the Government and its quangocrats to conveniently play down the private market!  Well how weird is that? Let’s INCLUDE cosmetic aspects anyway and just be honest.  It’s all business coming through the front door that counts.   Unless Tesco are going to not count their cosmetics turnover…  Well we all smell a rat when it suits the Government and its quangocrats to conveniently play down the private market!
 
Let revisit the numbers.
 
It appears that if the market in 2010 was £7.2B, and 3.31 is taken out for NHS element, the private market now runs at £3.89B.  Three years later, can we assume that it is somewhere approaching £4.5B and perhaps continuing to grow?
 
The problem is, we do not KNOW. All this muttering about EVIDENCE and the one thing we seem to lack in the strategic matter of the UK dental market is DATA
 
If we believe such surveys as do exist,  such as that from L & B, the scale of the private market is heading up to about twice the value of the NHS just as we transition the new contract.  How interesting is that, I silently wonder  – more and more dentists less and less reliant upon the DH’s paltry pay out ust as they come up with the next version of dental Shangri La.
 
Why is this market data  critical to know?
 
The future employment prospects of some of  our younger colleagues will depend upon the success of the private market.
 
The saga of the Private Vocational Training Business, and its scandalous squashing by CoPDenD’s refusal to grant FD1 equivalence, just highlights how opposed the Government is to the private market.  
 
The solution to our graduate worries lies in the market of dentistry meeting their needs, NOT waiting for the Government to get its fiscally strangled act together.
 
Who should gather this data?  Is it me?  The BDA do not seem overly proactive in this role. Maybe GDP UK has a new project to examine.
 
Why? Well we simply cannot go on having 60 odd graduates of UK dental schools unemployed at the first hurdle of qualification every year.
 
The NHS England Joke Squads are making a mountain of  unscalable heights in issuing ‘performer numbers’ which are inserting unnecessary and outrageous delays in the ability of younger colleagues to even go to work, even having leapt the ever rising University, GDC and CoPDenD hurdles.
 
We old goats have a debt of honour to our younger colleagues to create the market and the means that will employ them.
 
Food for thought? If we knew the numbers we could have the cake and eat it .
 
Stick that in your mixed practice and give it a stir.   :) 
 
 
 
 
1 http://www.nhshistory.net/parlymoney.pdf
 
2  'Dentistry UK Market Report 2011', Laing and Buisson, page 4. The estimate that the 
dentistry market is valued at an estimated £5.73 billion a year is for 2009-10 and does not 
include cosmetic dentistry. The value of the dentistry market including cosmetic dentistry was 
estimated as £7.2 billion in 2010 according to 'The UK Dentistry Market Development' Market 
and Business Development (2010).
 
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Is cold pour acrylic the contemporary alternative? Find out more at DTS 2014 - interview with Roy Davies

 

Having re-located to the NEC in Birmingham from 2014, the next Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

As the Dental Laboratories Association’s (DLA) flagship event for the UK laboratory community, the 2014 DTS will be held on 28th February and 1st March, and will feature lectures from world-class speakers covering a variety of current topics and offerings hours of CPD. The brand new Practical Theatre will present demonstrations of the latest dental technology and materials by renowned technicians from around the world, also enabling delegates to get hands-on themselves in exclusive workshops.

Master craftsman Roy Davies, will be giving a presentation as part of the two-day conference programme dedicated to dental technicians. As well as working as a senior technician at Oakview Restorations, Roy is a Lead Technical Consultant and Trainer for Myerson UK & Europe and also delivers courses on behalf of Skillbond UK and Merz Dental.

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His lecture entitled The Contemporary Alternative to Flask, Pack and Finish of Complete, Partial and Implant Supported Dentures, will focus on whether cold pour acrylic could become a viable alternative to more commonly used methods such as the flask, pack and finish method. To express just how advantageous cold pour acrylic is, Roy will run through practical examples from start to finish, demonstrating how to use the product in complete, partial and implant supported dentures, and how the technique applies to a modern laboratory. 

Roy will then delve into the benefits and limitations of using cold pour acrylic. As the cost of running a dental laboratory continues to rise each year, one of the major advantages of using this new technique is the reduction in the amount of waste created.

“Using this product also reduces the gypsum footprint a laboratory creates. Gypsum waste is just so expensive to take away, reducing laboratory expenses enables money to be spent on improving other areas. Reducing gypsum waste also makes the environment cleaner and improves working conditions.

“I use cold pour acrylic effectively for true-to-life characterisations of denture prosthetics and I find it works very well. I will present several case studies to demonstrate this at DTS 2014, so attending technicians will be able to see how the product could be used in their own laboratories, when creating prosthetics. I’m hoping that professionals from across the industry will begin to view the product as a serious contender.”

DTS will also benefit from the move to the NEC and being co-located with The Dentistry Show. Roy says, “this format will provide a chance for interested dentists to take a look and see what’s available on our side as well. Having the two events side-by-side gives everyone a chance to network and really make the most out of the event.”

So with internationally respected speakers, hands-on workshops and an informative and motivational lecture programme on offer, make sure you don’t miss DTS 2014.

 

For more information visit www.the-dts.co.uk,
call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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4 A * Reasons Email Marketing is still Alive!

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As I have mentioned in my previous digital dentistry blogs, online marketing is a growing industry, with companies investing in a number of different digital formats: Search, Video, Rich Media, Social Media, Mobile and Display. One of the areas that digital marketers still spend their advertising budget in is Email Marketing. Email Marketing sounds like it is old fashioned but if done correctly it is still well and truly alive!

Email marketing is directly marketing a commercial message to a group of people using email. Email marketing in dentistry terms is used in a number of ways. Companies will email current or previous customers to encourage brand loyalty and hopefully win or repeat business. Companies will also send emails in the hope of acquiring new customers. The third way is companies will add advertisements to email messages sent by other companies to their customers. Recent research has suggested that conservative estimates of US companies alone spent US $1.51 billion on email marketing in 2011 and will grow to $2.468 billion by 2016. Amazingly still a growing market.

We now need to look at how email marketing can be used in terms of the dental profession whether you have a new product that you would like dentists to look at, or you would like to attract more patients to your practice. Below are 4 A* reasons (in celebration of exam results) we can still use email marketing to benefit your business and hopefully it will give you some inspiration to revisit your email marketing campaign!

1.    Addiction

After I hit the snooze button for the third time at about 7:30am, I reach for my phone half awake and peruse my emails. We all love to check our emails and unlike other mediums, virtually everyone uses email. Many of us will check email first thing and see what emails we could have been sent in the 7 and a half hours since we last checked! Recent studies have suggested that reading emails consumes 28% of the average workers week and we each send or receive over 112 emails a day! Those stats suggest we keep a close eye on our email inbox. We all have accounts on social media and many of us also check them with regularity but one thing we all have in common is that we all check the email inbox constantly. This means that if you are looking to promote a new product or service, you need to be in your customers email inbox. Email should therefore not be ignored.  

2.    Automated

Auto-responders can easily be set up, which allows you to write and schedule a series of emails that will be sent at regular intervals to any potential customers. They immediately provide information to your prospective customers and then will follow up over a set period. This means that over an example 6 month period you have sent a number of emails and engaged with your customers. Mail Chimp and other email marketing companies offer an auto responder service, which is easy to setup and simple to put in practice. Patients could be sent regular special offers for example over a set period.

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3.    Accountability and Value

 

An exact return on investment (ROI) can be tracked because you will know how many people have received the email, how many people have opened and what the click rate to your message is. This gives you wonderful accountability and value for money. You will also get results instantly. For example with GDPUK when companies advertise in our daily emails or on the website we provide full stats for our customers once a week and even more if they request it. This means that the customer can see what kind of return they are receiving from their digital campaign, with the opportunity to change the banner or message as the campaign progresses.

4.    Aggressive

After we build up a decent list of contacts, prospects and customers, sometimes we can then be cautious with the list. In my previous employment we very rarely sent out email campaigns because we were afraid of appearing too spammy or aggressive but I believe that was a mistake. Please don’t take this advice and send out hundreds of emails a month but if you have something to say or announce, make sure your email list knows about it. (your competitors will be doing the same) There is nothing wrong with sharing information and showing you are doing a good job or can offer excellent value, you want to stay in front of your customer’s eyes as well as plant your brand in the customers mind! Email marketing needs to be constant, well thought out and engaging.

So how can we use email marketing in dentistry?

At GDPUK we keep our members engaged on the site by sending daily digest emails, 3 times a day. This sounds like a lot but these emails all contain different content and contain the latest dental news and the most recent forum posts of the day. This gives our members a chance to check their email inboxes and then click on subjects that interest them. The emails are certainly popular because in an average month they get opened and read 130,000 times. These emails also contain banner ads, which often get excellent click through rates for our customers because our members want to read the emails and the advertisers are reaching a target audience of engaged dentists.

In a dental practice you could send special offers to your patients or an interesting newsletter every few weeks. It means you are proactively communicating with your existing and potential patients instead of hoping they will call or walk in. This will hopefully increase business and develop further patient loyalty. If you send a good offer for “teeth whitening” for example, you could also invite your patients to forward the email offer to their friends or colleagues who might have interest in the offer. So once organised, a few minutes of work every couple of weeks will hopefully fill an empty one or two appointment spaces in the practice! 

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Ivoclar Vivadent acquires Wieland Dental

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Ivoclar Vivadent’s passion to continue to introduce new products to the UK market is evident as they announce the acquisition of Wieland Dental. Successfully demonstrating Ivoclar Vivadent’s continual growth, the takeover will further strengthen their position in the field of all-ceramic product systems.

Wieland Dental, domiciled in Germany, is one of the leading suppliers in the dental technology market. With an array of products ranging from CAD/CAM materials to dental alloys, and veneering ceramics to electroplating, the company offers individual laboratory concepts and systems solutions. Wieland UK and Ireland will be concentrating on the introduction of the CAD/CAM and digital portfolio and expertise directly into the UK and Ireland markets.

The acquisition coincides perfectly with Ivoclar Vivadent’s recent UK and Ireland company restructure, and will see Leo James head up the division as Wieland Sales Manager, whilst Greg Robertson and Vicken Hatsakordzian take the role of Wieland Product Specialist for the North and South respectively.

Darryl Muff, UK and Ireland Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted to have Wieland Dental join the Ivoclar Vivadent Group. Working alongside a leading European manufacturer and their market leading brands enables us to push forward with innovative and exciting strategies and better serve the needs of all dental professionals.”

For more information on the Ivoclar Vivadent and Wieland Dental product portfolio visit stand H13 at BDTA Dental Showcase 2013, or if you are unable to attend visit www.ivoclarvivadent.co.uk or call 0116 284 7880.

Twitter: @IvoclarUK
Facebook: Ivoclar Vivadent UK

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Staff Selection

Dental Staff recruitment - how to keep out of court

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Take a second look at Heart Your Smile

There have been many questions about the dental charity Heart Your Smile (HYS). I have been asked why is an organisation needed to get more people to visit the dentist?

The vision from the outset at HYS was that improving engagement between the profession and the public would lead to increased trust and improvement of uptake of oral health messages and care at local level.  Many organisations in this space concentrate on the messages themselves, but we felt the messages were well established, so to elicit behaviour change we decided to concentrate on breaking down barriers to the uptake of oral health messages.


Heart Your Smile (HYS) has 4 key goals.

These are to:

1.            Change the public's perception of Dentistry

2.            Increase attendance and uptake of care

3.            Emphasise the dental team's position as trusted members of the local community

4.            Restore positive morale in the profession



We went through a rigorous process with the charity commission.  Our charitable objects are:
1.    to promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of [oral diseases] in [the UK] through the provision of financial assistance, support, education and practical advice.
2.    to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to oral health
 

All funds we raise go towards promoting our charitable objects.  To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to oral health is a very costly undertaking.


Our initial campaign was to seek out the professionals who already had the energy and interest to support their local communities through:
*            oral health promotion
*            general health and healthy living support and advice
*            support in the community in schools, homes, local organisations etc, by giving their time and gaining their trust


We decided these behaviours could be packaged as the “9 habits” and are a positive way of raising the public's confidence in seeking timely dental care, by reducing anxiety, one of the biggest barriers.



Meanwhile, as these professionals were getting in touch, we needed time, funds and supporters to develop an online presence through which any team member in the profession could make a positive contribution in their community and share their work to create a ripple effect. We established a flat organisation and anyone was and still is welcome to join in and take on a workstream.

We also used this time to create mentoring resources and oral health promotion resources and the trustees wanted to get robust support from public health advisors for the resources we were producing before we announced them, so the whole process of getting to where we are now took 12 months.

The mentoring platform has been developed in conjunction with Fiona Ellwood, who has the level 7 postgraduate certificate in Mentoring from FGDP (UK). Our first group of 24 Mentors and Mentees start working together on 18th September.

Heart your Smile is committed to promote civic responsibility and good citizenship amongst members of the dental profession in a sustained campaign to achieve our objectives. We started off with trade stands and engagement online, we have launched innovation 360 to crowd source innovation and spread the message through local action, as well as pilot new methods of engagement and to roll out the best ideas. The first round of applications has closed and we are working with 14 teams to roll out their ideas.

We would love all dental teams as well as members from GDPUK to get involved and perhaps lead a workstream of their choice or apply to be mentors or mentees. The future of the dental profession is in our hands.

 

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Compliance and Safety Combined: Efficient Infection Control - Richard Musgrave

 

While most winters bring with them a host of cold and flu-causing viruses, it is safe to say that this has been a pretty bad one. In the last few months we have seen outbreaks of several different infections and viruses beyond the usual colds and flues in the UK, including those of Measles, Whopping Cough, the Norovirus and even the Sars-like Coronavirus.

While the exact sources of such infections and illnesses are often difficult to identify, they can be spread very easily throughout our homes, workplaces and even healthcare environments. Regardless of whether the pathogens causing the infections are transmitted through either direct physical contact or droplet contact, they can be quickly passed from one place to another, contaminating an entire location in days.

In the dentistry we are no strangers to infection control and prevention, and we follow strict protocols to ensure our practices are as free of contamination as possible, keeping our fellow professionals and patients safe. Particular focus is placed on surface decontamination, with a potential for numerous different pathogens to enter the dental environment via any one of the staff or patients on the premises.

The Dental Unit Water Lines (DUWLs) are of course another high-risk area for contamination, providing ideal conditions for a wealth of bacteria, viruses and fungi to thrive in. The relatively large internal surface area of the water lines offers plenty of space for pathogens to adhere to, and the constant and low-pressure water-flow delivers all the nutrients bacteria need to survive. With the central heating on to combat the cold temperatures this winter has presented, our dental practices even provide a warm environment for existing bacteria, encouraging growth at an exceedingly accelerated pace.

Once the bacteria have formed a protective biofilm within the DUWL system, they become incredibly stubborn and can be remarkably more difficult to remove. The danger comes when planktonic or ‘swarmer’ cells are released from the biofilm and are subsequently aerosolised into the open when the dental unit instruments are in use, putting both patients and staff at risk of infection. While the majority of microbes found in this biofilm are often benign, opportunistic and respiratory pathogens such as Legionella spp (causative agent of the pneumonia, legionnaires’ disease), Mycobacteria spp and Pseudomonads, all present a very real and dangerous threat, especially for the elderly, the very young and the immunocompromised.[i]

 

As our understanding of how infections spread has developed and our technologies have advanced, our frontline of defence for such an assault remains as chemical intervention, and specifically designed products have become a major aspect of infection control in dentistry. In order to fully utilise their benefits however, it is crucial that the quality of the water within the practice is monitored closely. Monitoring all output water accurately is not only a mandatory aspect of compliance, but figures also indicate the frequency and concentration of chemicals needed for successful decontamination.

HTM 01-05 guidelines dictate a bacterial level of below 200 colony-forming units / millilitre (cfu/ml) in all dental output water in the UK. The EU Directive is even stricter, recommending lower bacterial levels than 100 cfu/ml, which is the same as the requirement for drinking water. You must be able to demonstrate that you are adhering to these regulations; hence why actively measuring, managing and stringently recording the microbial count in DUWL output is so crucial.

Internationally recognised for high quality and effective infection control products, schülke has worked hard to promote the importance of efficient decontamination for over a century. The schülke DUWL system provides a solution for the complete removal of biofilm, and it can then be used at low concentrations to maintain the DUWLs and prevent biofilm from reforming. schülke also offer free dip slides to test the microbial level of your DUWL to ensure your practice remains compliant with regulations, protecting both your colleagues and patients as much as possible.

As infection control is the domain of all members of your team, leading providers such as schülke also offer specialized training to make sure everyone has the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. As well as maintaining the DUWLs, it is the responsibility of your whole team to clean and disinfect all areas of the practice, including instruments, equipment and workbench surfaces. Training from the experts offers both insight and a better understanding of what you can do to further reduce the risk of infection in the practice, providing an even better service to your patients.

Without complete dedication to infection control, contagion is guaranteed. There are hundreds if not thousands of microbes infiltrating our dental practices every single day, and it is part of your job to eradiate the risks wherever humanly possible.

 

For more information, please call 0114 254 3500. Or visit www.schulke.co.uk

For information on schülke’s new Plus Rewards Scheme please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0114 254 3533



[i] Coleman DC, O'Donnell MJ, Boyle M, Russell R Microbial biofilm control within the dental clinic: reducing multiple risks. Journal of Infection Prevention. 2010;11:192–198.

 

 

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Achieving your full potential… through fun! - Claire Deegan dbg

 

 

 

Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to be involved with helping to develop dental teams to meet their full potential. Whenever I meet the most successful teams I am always amazed at the motivation, energy and remarkably high morale that these dedicated teams demonstrate. I wonder what is their big secret?  Could it be high salaries, financial bonuses, job status, a secret magic elixir, a funky pill?

The simple answer is that all of the most successful practices that I’ve worked with over the years understand the five key internal motivators of their teams. These are:

  • Achievement
  • Recognition of achievement
  • Growth and advancement
  • Responsibility
  • Enjoyment of the job

They achieve this by learning together and through learning together they discover how to play together.

Learning through play

It is a strange thing about our modern society that we consider play to be the opposite of work; we are either playing, or we are working. Very often playing is considered to be unprofessional, unhelpful and unproductive – but how true is this? 

Let’s take a step back for a moment and look at some of the challenges facing dental teams today:

  • CQC
  • CPD Cycles
  • HTM 01-05
  • Compliance

These are but a few of the many different challenges that are facing the profession, and the list can often seem endless. But I wonder, what would happen if we make these challenges fun, playful and exciting? Would the whole dental team be more inclined to get involved?

Whole brain learning

The very best CPD training is designed with ‘whole brain learning’ in mind. This may incorporate imagination, pictures, randomness – all things associated with the right side of the brain – together with logic, reasoning and analysis that is associated with the left side. This type of ‘whole brain’ learning is particularly effective and as it’s been proven to show that information is taken in faster and is retained for longer. It has also been proven that this type of learning means that knowledge is also recalled more easily.

What this shows us more than anything is that learning doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, sometimes, it can even be fun! Not only will this help improve learning, but it will also encourage better teamwork and cooperation between team members, helping the whole practice team grow and develop to reach its full potential.

At dbg we enjoy creating innovative and engaging learning environments where all viewpoints and mistakes are acknowledged and valued as a way to learn; demonstrating how to conduct reflective practice as a team. Don’t forget as GDC registered professionals it is our duty to reflect and improve on our systems, policies and practices, and the CQC wants us to demonstrate this in its Outcomes. As such there is absolutely nothing wrong with learning in an interesting and engaging way – if anything it makes us better at our jobs.

 

For more information call dbg on 01606 861 950,

Or visit www.thedbg.co.uk

 

About the author:

Claire Deegan is a Practice Support Manager at dbg, delivering training and supporting practices to become compliant. She has 20 years’ experience in dentistry and has a passion for team development and motivational speaking.

 

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The Benevolent Fund is there to help

 

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While society at large tends to bracket dentists as relatively high earners ina secure profession, and so not likely to be in need of help, in reality dentists are equally vulnerable to financial difficulty as the next person.

 

With this in mind, in 1882 four dentists founded the BDA Benevolent Fund
to support colleagues and their families who, through illness, old age or misfortune, could no longer support themselves.  At that time state aid did not exist and the only alternatives to the Fund were destitution or the debtors’ prison, but even today the Fund still plays an essential role, offering financial aid to dentists and their dependents who find themselves in financial hardship.  

 

Fully aware that a crisis can arise for today’s working professionals, the
Fund takes pride in its record of absolute confidentiality. Every applicant receives a visit to identify their specific needs. Many Fund beneficiaries
are already receiving means-tested state benefits, and the Fund is able to
provide a regular grant which helps towards essential living expenses.

And where longer term help is not necessary, often a one-off grant is all
that is needed to transform the situation, for example to clear a nagging debt, replace a worn out, essential household appliance, or perhaps fund alterations to enable a disabled person to remain in their own home. Sometimes an interest-free loan is the best solution to a financial emergency. The Fund is able to offer a flexible response according to the nature of the applicant’s circumstances. 

Over the decades, the age of Fund applicants has changed, with only a sixth now being of pension age.  In 2012 well over half of applicants were between 40 and 60 years old, and nearly a quarter being under 39.  This shows that financial distress affects many dentists at different ages, with increasing numbers of applications being made as the result of stress related health problems or addiction, and the Fund continues to maintain close links with the Dentists’ Health Support Trust, particularly when whole families are involved.

Dentists are not immune to financial hardship and the task of the Fund is to encourage those in need of help to apply. Yet despite the established history of the Fund, one problem it faces is the lack of awareness of its existence within the profession, and some dentists’ natural reluctance to apply for help in cases of real need.  It’s never easy for dedicated members of a caring profession to admit they need help themselves, even when the underlying cause is a random accident and completely beyond anyone’s control.

The BDA Benevolent Fund is managed by a UK-wide representative Board
of Trustees from across dentistry, who volunteer their time and specialist expertise to serve their colleagues in difficulty. The Fund is also dependent on dental professionals for its resources and potential to offer assistance.  Indeed they themselves may one day, through misfortune, seek to benefit from its help.

While testimonials to its good offices abound, confidentiality requires that they must always remain anonymous.

 

“I want to thank you so much for your kind words and your help. The way the profession has responded has been overwhelming and has given me and my family great comfort and strength.”

– Beneficiary of the Fund in 2012

 

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

 

Registered charity no. 208146

 

 

 

 

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Discover the Latest in Digital Impressioning from Carestream Dental - Awareness Evenings Held Soon!

 

 

 

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In September, Carestream Dental will be holding a series of ‘Awareness Evenings’ looking at their various digital impressioning solutions.

While developing your understanding of how each system works, you will also cover how the technology integrates with practice management software, dental laboratory CAD/CAM software, a chairside milling system and a remote milling system.

Furthermore, you will discover how gypsum study model storage could become a thing of the past.

The evening sessions will be run by Carestream Dental’s UK CAD/CAM Product Specialist, David Claridge and the company’s Senior Imaging Product and Application Specialist, Rob Charteris.

With ‘Awareness Evenings’ held throughout the UK in September, there will soon be one near you. To find out where and when and to register for your place, please call 0800 169 9692 today.

Places going fast!

 

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

 

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A race to help save lives

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To help raise funds for the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme, DPAS Practice Consultant Louise Bone, is running in the Glasgow 10K Race this October.

Sponsored by practice-branded dental plan provider, DPAS, the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme is the Mouth Cancer Foundation’s new life-saving initiative which accredits dental practices that routinely screen for oral cancer using their ‘2 Minutes to Save a Life’ screening protocol and meet other specific criteria.

The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme also aims to improve outcomes for head and neck cancer sufferers in accordance with the BDA’s occasional paper for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer and NICE guidelines. In addition, it embraces recent CQC, Information Governance and Clinical Governance requirements, as well as responding to the GDC’s recommendation for continuous professional development for the management of oral cancer.

Explaining her reasons for taking part in the race, Louise said, “As a previous Specialist Dental Nurse in the Regional Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at St John's Hospital, I worked very closely with patients who had head and neck cancer, so I have seen first hand the devastating impact that mouth cancer can have. This was one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had, in fact I’m still in contact with some of my previous patients, so I am delighted to do anything I can to help this worthwhile charity bring greater awareness of the need for early detection of mouth cancer.”

Louise has never run a 10K race before, but is hoping to complete the course in less than 60 minutes. She is training hard and taking some time away from her main hobby of horse riding in order to take up this challenge.

To sponsor Louise and help save lives, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LouiseBoneDPAS2MinutestoSaveaLife

The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme is open to any dentist registered with the GDC or any dental practice whose clinicians are registered with the GDC For more information please contact the Mouth Cancer Foundation via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +44 (0) 1924 950 950 for more information.

 

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Where are your dental products made?

 

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With many practices now outsourcing their lab work to overseas laboratories, the British dental technician trade has taken a sharp decline in recent years. 10 years ago there were more than 12,000 qualified dental technicians operating in the UK, this figure now stands at approximately 5,000 and is decreasing by a further 200 qualified technicians every year. Sparkle Dental Laboratories Ltd a new dental laboratory  is looking to change this.

By providing a unique high quality service they are hoping to reinvigorate this once prosperous profession. All of their products are of the highest quality and are handcrafted at their laboratory in Leeds using only the best UK sourced materials. With the use of the latest technological advances such as a milling facility, as well as a great working environment and training programme, Sparkle Dental Labs are bringing dental laboratory work into the 21st Century.

Sparkle Dental Labs are helping to increase the number of dental technicians working in the UK by offering training and a unique apprenticeship programme to those looking to get involved in the dental profession. They are working with the National Apprenticeship Service to create the first apprenticeship for technicians. The apprenticeship will offer practical ‘on the job’ training at their laboratory in Leeds. The apprenticeship will result in a qualification leading to registration with the GDC as a dental technician.

One of the company’s aims is to increase public awareness of the risks associated with laboratory work that has been carried out overseas. As a direct result of this, more patients are now keen to ensure their cosmetic, restorative and implant solutions are made in UK where the workmanship is guaranteed and the materials used are of a higher standard and the working conditions of the dental technicians are very good.

This is exactly what Sparkle Dental Labs provides as it is one of a small number of dental laboratories in the UK to receive the MHRA, DAMAS and ISO quality assurance marks. The latter is a quality assurance mark that proves the consistent level of quality that their clients receive. Their ISO report stated that they “implemented an excellent Quality Management System which in many ways far surpasses the requirements of the ISO 9001 2008 Standard.”

The company’s ambition is to continue the development of its facilities, with half a million pounds having already been invested and a further million pounds is set to be invested over the next 12-18 months. Their state of the art laboratory and office in Leeds offers many additional staff benefits such as showers, male and female locker rooms, a canteen and a staff room as well as all the amenities needed to create high calibre dental products. All of the facilities on the premises are suitable for disabled workers; there are even height adjustable benches, which have been installed for any staff members who use wheelchairs.

Most patients don’t know it, but they are entitled to a statement, which confirms where the lab work took place, sadly not all laboratories are able to provide statements that confirm that the work took place in the UK. At Sparkle Dental Labs a statement is sent detailing where and when the product was made, the name of the technician who made it and the materials that were used. This way both patient and clinician can take comfort in knowing that the product is of the highest standard and where it was made. Using Sparkle Dental Labs will assist a dental practice in following the BDA Good Practice Scheme.

The service that they provide is enhanced by the quick turn around offered. As one of the only dental laboratories to offer a free courier service to and from the practice, they are able to ensure that all deliveries are on time and for urgent cases a guaranteed 3 day turnaround is available, this is much quicker than the 5-10 days that most other laboratories offer.

Sparkle Dental Labs fully appreciate that using a new dental lab can be a daunting process. Choosing to use Sparkle Dental Labs will not only help to boost a waning profession, it will also guarantee you and your patients high calibre dental products that have been manufactured in the UK using the best respected materials.

 

For additional more information please call 0800 138 6255, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.sparkledentallabs.com

 

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Encouraging Effective Collaboration The Dentistry Show & DTS 2014

 

With the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) running alongside The Dentistry Show 2014, there will be more opportunities for dental professionals than ever before.

As Dean of Postgraduate Dentistry at Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex (HEKSS), Professor Stephen Lambert Humble MBE delivered his ‘The future is bright, the future is CDT’ lecture, to a capacity audience, as part of the Aesthetic Technician Conference at The Dentistry Show earlier this year.

“We held a number of clinical sessions, including information updates for CDTs, and also had a stand. From our point of view it was a very successful event, both for information gathering, and giving advice to dental technicians about the career paths open to them and the decisions involved.

“We will of course be appearing at the combined event in 2014. For me we teach very clearly a collaborative practice message. We don’t believe that CDTs or any other member of the team should be working just in isolation.

“We firmly believe dentistry is a team activity and so by running The Dentistry Show and DTS side-by-side there will be further opportunity for HEKSS to get this message across.”

The 2014 event will be held on 28th February and 1st March, at the Birmingham NEC, so make sure you save the dates in your diary!

 

For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk/dts,

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

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Chris Orr to open the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference

 

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The BACD’s 10th Anniversary Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. The event will feature a line-up of international and home-grown speakers covering a range of subjects from short-term orthodontics to posterior composites and facial aesthetics.

To open the event, past President and founding member Chris Orr will present a lecture on Perspectives in Cosmetic Dentistry. He says:

‘When we started the BACD, cosmetic dentistry was very different to how it is today. The overall “look” we are trying to achieve nowadays – the aesthetic goals – have not really changed, but the means by which we achieve those goals have changed dramatically. In my talk I will review the techniques and materials of the last 10 years, and discuss how today’s techniques for minimising intervention have changed the way dentists approach the task of smile design. I will then discuss the BACD’s role in shaping cosmetic dentistry in the UK today, and will look ahead to speculate on the developments the next ten years may hold.’

 

For further information 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

 

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EndoCare – 10,000 teeth saved over 10 years

 

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At EndoCare we are committed to providing an excellent high quality Endodontic referrals service in a relaxing environment designed to put patients fully at their ease.

Our bright and airy facilities located across London are all designed with patients in mind, and your patients can expect to be treated in the same impeccable manner that you would expect to be treated yourself. Not only that, but our dedicated team of Endodontists are all experts in their field, and are supported by the latest state-of-the-art equipment to provide treatment to the very highest standard.

For more information on how we can become an important extra member of your team, contact EndoCare today. We guarantee that we will give the best service to your patient and communicate with you promptly at each stage of your patient's time with us. This will include what treatment is required, what treatment has taken place, and what is required in the future. We will also recommend the type of restoration most suitable as well as the timing, and we will follow-up the patient as necessary.

 

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

 

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Ethics Explained

Ethics Explained by DentistGoneBadd

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What is the next major trend in Dental Marketing?

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Over the next few years, video will become an integral part of dental marketing. Video attracts and holds customer attention and can contribute to a huge range of marketing ideas whether you are looking to attract new customers or engage current ones.

When we venture online, we are now seeing adverts that are similar to TV ads with the same quality and spend but they are appearing on the computer screen. Some evidence found here suggests that in June 2013, 183 million Americans watched more than 44 billion online content videos and more than 20 billion video advertisements. That is a lot of hours spent watching video! Video content has become increasingly important; in the last year alone over 38 million people watched video on their mobile phones. DG, one of the largest digital ad agencies in the world, point out that in-stream video advertising represents a huge opportunity for advertisers. It is believed that over 200 billion videos are viewed online every month worldwide. DG’s, recent survey results show that click through rate of video ads is on average nearly 2000% more than standard banners. This data suggests that video could be an extremely effective way to drive people to your website, increase traffic levels and ultimately convert sales!

Video ads often get included under the rich media umbrella. The term rich media was coined to describe a broad range of digital interactive media. Rich media can be downloaded but nowadays it is more likely to be embedded within a web page. Rich media is advertising that contains perceptual or interactive elements more elaborate than the usual banner ad. Today, the term is often used for banner ads with popup menus or videos that let the visitor select a particular page to link to on the advertiser's site.

Below is a video about the rise of rich media and its increasing importance in online advertising.

How can video benefit your dental business?

Below are 6 benefits of embracing rich media and online video. These can all be applied to the dental industry.  

1.   Show off your expertise

A video or interactive banner ad can be a fantastic way of showing the world what you know, this then builds credibility with potential customers. This means there has to be a focus on quality content and a well thought out video or advertising campaign.

2.   Make your customers the stars of the video

Colgate and Aquafresh often do this on TV adverts using dentists to endorse their toothpaste but a genuinely satisfied customer is even better, so where possible put customers in the spotlight and let them do the talking about how your product or service has been fantastic or a life saver. This then produces interactive testimonials that show customer satisfaction.

3.   Video becomes part of your overall advertising campaign

The majority of dental companies will have campaigns over multiple mediums. For example, a handpiece manufacturer is promoting their new ultra modern hand piece. They are likely to launch the new handpiece at a trade show, advertise the product in dental magazines and dental websites plus have their rep take it around dental practices, either to existing customers or even potential new customers. As part of this campaign the dental company could also produce a short video that will show how the handpiece works, what the benefits are and maybe some dentists talking about how excellent and easy it is to use. Video could be an exciting addition to a company’s advertising campaign.

4.   Impact on Social Media

The video can be shared across social media, so as well as having it available on a website as an online ad, you can also share the video with your followers on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest or Twitter. Pinterest for example is no longer just images it is now moving past the static images it was originally known for. Sharing of videos within the dental community get people talking and sharing. Video adverts account for 31% of all videos views, if your ad is interesting or different, it will get shared on social media.

5.   Measures Time

With TV we never know how long people are watching TV ads or how long they listen on the radio but with rich media we are able to measure how long the consumer is looking at the advert or content. It is estimated that consumers are 25% more likely to click on a rich media banner than a normal static banner.

6.   Create an engaging story

Create an engaging story, once the consumer is engaged and clicks on the rich media ad or video they want to learn more and like to see the outcome of the story. Increase interest and intrigue in your brand, consumers will start to remember the ad and reports suggest that branded searches will increase threefold. Below is a good example to a link of a dental company promoting a new product and I personally think they have used video brilliantly. What do you think?

 

So how could video work for the dental profession?

So we have seen the benefits but how could we use video? Video could be introduced in a number of areas of the digital dental world. You could put video on your practice website (many people already have this), introduce your product or brand on your company website through a quick video or instead of playing safe with a printed advert or online banner, why not invest in something a bit more innovative or imaginative and try the online video ad like the example we have viewed above. I am sure there are already many possibilities you have envisaged of how video could be used in dentistry, please share them below, we would love to hear your ideas.

GDPUK can now make rich media a reality, if you would like to discuss running a rich media campaign or publishing video ads on our website, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be to discuss marketing opportunities with you. Alternatively please come and visit us at the Dental Showcase @ NEC on stand L06a from the 17th - 19th of October 2013. 

 

 

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Kenwood or Magimix, Sir?

Hi de Hi  Campers!  Over in the forum this week we have a fine to-do.

What a malarkie.   

The age old practice of Cross Subsidy in practice whereby the profitable end of private practice allows the social conscience to be salved by the maintenance of an NHS Contract seems to be quite under fire at this time. 

Who knows what goes on in the interest of the extra buck?  For sure, if the Government abuses its luxury of compliant dentists, the New Contract is doomed.

Should we aim to maintain the freedom to "mix" at all costs?  It is starting to acquire a dishonest  feel  and is open to hidden abuse.  Maybe we fear "being found out"

So whose Big Lie is it I wonder?

Maybe not at ALL costs ...

Bye for now, there's lovely.

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Introducing GoodmanGrant: Lawyers for Dentists

 

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Introducing GoodmanGrant: Lawyers for Dentists

This July members of the dental press gathered at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel for the announcement of a new specialist firm of dental lawyers. GoodmanGrant is the result of a merger between Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal and John Grant former Head of the Dental Team at Cohen Cramer. Both have an extensive career assisting dental professionals with their legal affairs and the team at GoodmanGrant has a combined experience of more than 75 years.

The firm brings together the current Chairman of the NASDAL lawyers group and the immediate past Chairman of ASPD. Along with dedicated expert solicitors in all practice areas, Goodman Grant is able to provide its clients with extensive legal advice on all aspects of the dental industry.

With offices in London, Liverpool and Leeds, Goodman Grant is able to offer its unique brand of accessible and comprehensive advice to clients in all parts of England and Wales.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

 

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


 

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Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’ – ‘a dramatic difference’! Philip Greene of The Malt House Specialist Dental Centre says:

 

 

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“I’d had a website for a number of years, and I thought it was “ok” – it was designed by an internet marketing expert after all – but I never really got any contacts from it. I then saw Krishan Joshi of Dental Focus ® give a talk on online dental marketing at The Dentistry Show, so decided to contact him and asked him to help me create a new website. As soon as the Dental Focus ® site went live I started to get online queries almost straight away. It really did make a dramatic difference.

‘In this day and age you really do have to be on top of all these things. Thankfully I found Dental Focus ® and have found them to be a professional team of people who always listen closely to what I have to say and work with me to achieve the best results. In fact we’re currently in the process of optimising my website for mobile devices

In these competitive times, it really does pay to work with an excellent team of web designers and online marketers you can rely on to provide excellent results!’

 

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

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Keep your practice busy with Zesty!

 

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Zesty is a new online booking service that allows practices to increase their NHS and Private patient appointments. Zesty is easy to set up, use and maintain in addition to being highly cost effective. Over one million people search for dental appointments every month online in London alone, Zesty will help direct these highly qualified patient enquiries to your practice and website.

By joining Zesty you will be able to monetize last minute cancellations and any free appointments can be filled with new patients the same day! Zesty will verify that all appointments booked through the service are authentic and will also send patients a SMS reminder before their appointment to ensure that your practice stays busy.

Dr. Harvey Grahame, Clinical Director at Smilepod Ltd says:

“Having used online booking systems for almost three years, Smilepod are excited to be working with Zesty to make booking appointments online even easier for our new and existing patients.”

 

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 07775 967713 for more details

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What is the most important piece of equipment in your practice?

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It may come as a bit of a surprise but one of the most important pieces of equipment in your practice isn’t in the surgery. It’s the telephone, and while most of use it every day, very few of us know how to use it to its full potential.

That’s where Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts come in, they offer a cost effective service that will allow your practice to increase sales and improve client retention by making effective use of the phone.

Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts provide telephone skills training on your premises, which is both time and cost effective. It also means that your team can get straight back on the phone and use the skills that they have learned.

At Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts they believe that individuals retain information if the training experience is a pleasurable one. This is why they seek to make all training fun, motivational and informative. This way your staff can apply what they have learned the next time the phone rings!

 

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The Dental Directory – An outstanding service

 

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The Dental Directory is one of the UK’s largest full service dental dealers and has an impressive array of more than 27,000 different products that encompass everything from sundries to larger pieces of surgery equipment. The Dental Directory always provides its customers with the very best service and is known for always going the extra mile.

Dr. David Figaji, Principal Dentist at Nayland Dental and Cosmetic Clinic says:

“I worked with The Dental Directory on a few occasions. When we refurbished Nayland Dental and Cosmetic Clinic we got The Dental Directory involved from the outset. They helped to draw up layout plans for the surgeries, we had them visit the practice so they could see the space we had and then work to accommodate that. They completely fitted the surgeries and decontamination room, they provided the chairs, x-ray equipment and cabinetry amongst other things. Their service is outstanding.”

 

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

 

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Keeping your Cavitron Ultrasonic Scaler in top condition

 

 

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The team at DENTSPLY’s UK Service Centre know that for a dentist or hygienist, having dental equipment fail at a time when it is most needed is a nightmare. However, with regular maintenance clinicians need not worry about this.

One of the most frequent problems that DENTSPLY’s UK Service Centre are contacted about is Cavitron® Ultrasonic Scaling Units becoming blocked and not allowing water to pass through. This can make the unit temporarily unusable, but by following a few simple procedures this problem can be avoided.

The Cavitron should be purged for five minutes at the beginning of each day, this ensures it doesn’t begin to clog up with contaminants. Disinfecting the unit at the end of each week with a chemical solution is also recommended. By following these procedures and monitoring the cleanliness and condition of water filters the life of the Cavitron unit could be extended.

For advice on making sure your Cavitron Ultrasonic Scaler is kept in peak condition contact DENTSPLY’s UK Service Centre.

 

A copy of DENTSPLY’s Maintenance Guide can be obtained from the DENTSPLY website or by emailing a request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Technical helpline number 01932 837 332

Contact us at dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn Rewards against purchases at dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and product demonstrations and earn CPD at dentsplyacademy.co.uk

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Learn about “The Psychology of Progressive Smile Design” at the BACD Annual Conference

 

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On Thursday 7th November 2013 Dr’s Tif Qureshi and Anoop Maini will present a lecture entitled “The Psychology of Progressive Smile Design” as part of the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference.

Tif Qureshi says:

“The lecture will very much be looking at the psychology of patients’ decision making, learning where we have come from, and looking at how we have changed and are now focussing more on a staged, step-by-step approach.

“In the talk I will be talking about removable appliances, and Anoop will then focus on fixed appliances and treatments. We will both showcase a number of cases that could have very easily gone down a traditional route for smile design, but instead we achieved what we believed to be better results in a conservative, minimally invasive way.”

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

 

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Whistleblowing

Your Guide to Dental Whistle-Blowing

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Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’ case study: Queens Park Dental Team

 

There can be no doubting the importance of the internet, and the significant role it now plays in all our lives. With more and more patients now using the internet to search for dental practices, rather than traditional methods such as phonebooks or local directories, it is essential that your practice has a web presence that fully reflects your vision and the services you are able to provide.

Chris Neve is Business Manager at Queens Park Dental Team, Bournemouth, and has been responsible for overseeing the development of the practice website for over a decade. While the practice was one of the ‘early adopters’ of dental online marketing in 2004, with the surge in internet use across the country, Queens Park Dental Team now attracts more new patients through its website than any other method.

To create the Queens Park Dental Team website, Chris worked closely with Krishan Joshi of Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’. With each new mock-up of the website, Chris and the team provided feedback on elements of the design so Krishan could build the final website to their exact tastes and specifications.

‘We were all really pleased with the website,’ says Chris. ‘It was exactly what we were after – a much fresher look, and with all the latest features as it was back in 2004. A few years later in 2008, we then decided to have a major revamp of the site – a complete redesign. Our new website was so good we even won an award for ‘Most Improved Private Website’. We were very happy! This was great publicity for our practice and we even appeared in the local press as a result.’ 

In terms of marketing, in the past, Chris used to use a number of different marketing strategies for Queens Park Dental Team, but given the success of his new website, he’s found that many of the ‘old’ methods of marketing are fast becoming obsolete.

‘Our new website is absolutely great,’ continues Chris. ‘In fact we attract most of our new patients through our website. We used to be in the Yellow Pages. In fact we were the first practice in Bournemouth to have colour in our advert when colour adverts came in. Obviously that was quite a big draw at the time, but we started to do research into where our new patients were coming from and it seemed that Yellow Pages was providing very few results for the money we were paying. We used to be on Yell.com as well, but that didn’t really bring anything either. So we dropped both the Yellow Pages and Yell.com and decided to focus our marketing efforts on our website and our search ranking on Google and Bing. Of course we do carry out other kinds of marketing as well. We do leaflet drops around our local area and other such things, but majority of new patients are by word-of-mouth or through the website. This is very cost effective in comparison to the “old” methods such as Yellow Pages.’

When it comes to dental online marketing, it really pays to trust the experts. With the internet now such an important part of any dental practice’s marketing mix, choosing a web design company that offers proven results time and time again will help ensure your practice makes the most of the fantastic opportunity that online marketing provides.

 

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

 

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Are you making the most of your money? - Richard Lishman

 

 

There has never been a time when it hasn’t been important to keep a close watch on your personal finances. But, the constant changes we are seeing during the current economic downturn mean that it is more important than ever that our fiscal situation is closely assessed. This is especially true when it comes to making investments.

A regular review will ensure that you are setting aside the right amount and that this money is being put to use in the best way possible. Some forms of investment will provide the potential for financial growth, whereas others will offer the chance for an instant income, some will even provide a mixture of the two.

The investment you choose to make will all depend on what it is you are looking to achieve, so it is important to keep in mind that it is all down to personal circumstance. There are two key areas that have to be considered before choosing the form of investment that you wish to make. The first is the length of time that you want to invest for, this is awfully important as it will affect the shape of the policy. The length of the investment will hinge on whether you are looking to make your money grow over time or if you are seeking immediate income from the investment. It is also worth deliberating whether you will be looking to spend your savings before your death or whether you will be looking to leave some to your heirs.

 

The other aspect that must be considered is what the most tax-effective method of investing will be. Depending on your choice, your policy can increase the money you retain from your savings and investments tax. For instance, pension plans are a really tax-efficient option because contributing to them will receive a tax relief depending on how much you earn. There are also other options that offer tax relief however, these are not as stable as a pension plan. Seeking the appropriate advice when looking to make an investment is indispensible. Taking advantage of specialist advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) will help you to pick the most suitable investment option.  

When the financial situation of an individual changes, reassessing your investments should be a priority as they will be affected. For example, a gap in employment may mean that the amount saved in your pension will not be enough to cater for your whole retirement. It is vital that the investor as an investor you are aware of the number of factors that can influence an investment strategy. You may even find that you decided to change your investment policy because you want to be more adventurous or more careful with your financial decisions.

As an investor you will acquire an annual statement, this is to be used in your personal records and to keep a watch on how much your investment has grown. This document will allow you to evaluate the performance of your investment and see if there are any issues relating to your investment fund.

When making an investment a professional fund manager must draw up an Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This statement must be tailored to suit the investor and will lay out a plan of how the investment will be managed and what the aims of the investment are. This document should be reviewed annually, because as the investors financial attitudes change, the investment will, thus the IPS must be altered to reflect this.

An investment balances the level of risk with the level of reward, this of course means that the chance of greater financial gain brings with it uncertainty and an increased chance of a significant loss. This means that as an investor you must prepare yourself and determine the amount of risk that you are willing to make. Some investors are happy to have an unstable portfolio, as long as it still generates money over time. Regardless of this, an IPS must detail an action plan in the event that not everything goes to plan. By doing this you can be safe in the knowledge that even if this don’t work out there is a plan in place to overcome the problem.

Before making any financial decisions it is essential that the advice of an IFA is sought. Not only should the IFA be experienced, they should be able to tailor their knowledge to your individual circumstances. IFAs like money4dentists specialise in assisting those who work in the dental industry to make the right financial choices. Their knowledge extends to tax planning, income protection and mortgages. As a specialist IFA, money4dentists can review your finances and debt and help you toachieve your financial aspirations.

When looking to make an investment there are a number of considerations that must be made, but the first and most important thing to do is seek the services of a knowledgeable and experienced IFA.

For mortgages we act as introducers only.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

 

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

 

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Case study JM By Dr Preet Bhogal, Specialist Orthodontist at the London Smile Clinic

 

Introduction

 

As dental professionals, we are all aware of the difference an improved smile can make to our patients. There’s inevitably an increase in self-assurance, they’re quick to smile more frequently and this positivity impacts on almost every aspect of their lives. A large number of adults in the UK are dissatisfied with their teeth - 45% according to a recent YouGov study[1] - but are put off rectifying any problems for a number of reasons, such as lengthy treatment time and fear of pain. With a combined treatment approach, we are able to offer a bespoke solution that unites the benefits of minimally invasive dentistry and a faster treatment process to achieve excellent results.

 

Adult orthodontics has come a long way in recent years and has much to offer in a huge number of cases. Referring dentists are pleasantly surprised when I explain how orthodontic treatment can transform a tricky case to a very straightforward one where extractions, restorative or implant treatment is either minimal or not required at all.

 

History

 

This case report demonstrates the joint treatment of a 63-year-old female with a combined orthodontic and restorative approach. Her initial complaint was that she did not like her uneven and worn teeth and in particular “a lower tooth that was crowded out.”

 

When she was initially seen and examined, it was decided that a satisfactory restorative solution alone would be difficult to achieve due to her upper incisor positions and reduced overjet. This was also a likely factor in her anterior tooth wear, as she was edge to edge. She was subsequently referred for orthodontic alignment of her crowded dental arches and in particular to provide sufficient clearance for placement of new upper anterior restorations, facilitated by a positive overjet. Her medical history was clear.

 

Clinical Examination

 

The patient presented with a class III incisor relationship on a skeletal I base, with an increased Frankfort-Mandibular planes angle and increased lower face height. The upper lip line was high and she had increased gingival display on smiling. The overjet and overbite were reduced and showed an edge to edge relationship. There was mild lower arch crowding and a spaced upper arch, with a midline diastema. She had a fairly heavily restored dentition and signs of anterior tooth wear attributed to her malocclusion. Her oral hygiene was satisfactory.

 

Treatment Plan

 

Several treatment options were discussed in-depth with the patient. It was felt that a restorative solution alone to restore the worn upper teeth would not be sufficient to achieve a stable long-term, aesthetic solution. The longevity of such restorations simply could not be guaranteed due to the nature of her current occlusion. She was also unhappy with her lower teeth and preferred a more comprehensive approach to improve the look of all of her teeth, in the most conservative approach possible.

 

It was agreed to provide upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances to relieve the lower crowding, reduce the upper spacing (whilst maintaining a discrete diastema) and create a normal overjet, overbite and class I incisor relationship. She was happy to have labial ceramic fixed braces and was aware that interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) was necessary in the lower arch in particular. She was also happy to wear elastics to facilitate retraction of the lower labial segment and control the correction from a class III to a class I incisor relationship. Permanent bonded retainers (PBRs) in addition to removable vacuum formed retainers (VFRs) were planned from the outset and the importance of long-term retention of the final result was stressed. The total orthodontic treatment time from start to finish was five and a half months.

 

This was to be followed by restoration of her worn incisors and replacement of old discoloured fillings.

 

Post-orthodontic treatment plan

 

The treatment plan was revised to account for the reduced need for invasive preparation of the newly aligned teeth. Conservative anterior composite bonding and contouring was carried out using a silicone index method. The patient also had her teeth whitened.

 

Patient feedback

 

Primarily motivated by her family to change her smile, the patient is ‘absolutely delighted with the results’. She described the whole experience as ‘brilliant’ and felt fine during the treatment process, in no small part thanks to a reassuring and professional team. The patient said her new smile has exceeded her expectations and given her more confidence.

 

Summary

 

By utilising a combined orthodontic and restorative approach at the London Smile Clinic with good communication between each clinician an aesthetic, well aligned and well interdigitated class I occlusion was achieved in a conservative manner.

 

The result was a much-improved aesthetic and functional dentition and the total treatment duration was just under six months.

 

The patient was initially very reluctant to the idea of wearing a fixed appliance. This is a very common situation that can be very easily overcome in adult patients. Initially I considered offering her a lingual appliance due to her hesitation but found that she had never seen, let alone held a typodont with a ceramic fixed appliance in-situ and was pleasantly surprised at how discreet and aesthetic it actually was. Backed up by examination of treated cases and good photos, she had no hesitation in proceeding with treatment with ceramic labial appliances over lingual appliances, in this case, as she felt they were “quite attractive in fact!” I have found this time and again that people who initially opt for a more invasive treatment approach, due to the stigma attached to wearing braces as an adult, are happy to proceed with orthodontic therapy following a thorough discussion of the advantages and demonstration of the appliances up close.

 

This case demonstrates the simple and effective method in which a combined approach can be utilised to give a highly aesthetic and conservative result, which the patient was very pleased with. Clear, effective communication between the orthodontist and restorative dentist is essential, with each clinician working to their respective strengths.

 

Almost every adult patient can benefit from some form of orthodontic treatment from mild crowding through to the more complex multidisciplinary cases, often requiring surgery. We are responsible as trustworthy clinicians for providing all the relevant and appropriate treatment options to our patients, in order to provide informed consent and avoiding coercion into one particular treatment that we may prefer. As demonstrated, where there is any doubt refer to a specialist in orthodontics who can substantiate the pros and cons of the orthodontic element with solid evidence-based research.

 

 

Author

Dr Bhogal graduated from Birmingham Dental Hospital in 2000, winning the Walpole-Day Prize in Orthodontics. He then undertook several posts including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Paediatric Dentistry and worked for several years in general dental practice. In 2003 he obtained Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and in 2008 obtained his Masters in Orthodontics, MPhil (Orthodontics) and Membership in Orthodontics (M Orth) at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr Preet Bhogal is listed in the General Dental Council’s Specialist Register and therefore entitled to use the term “Specialist Orthodontist,” recognising that he has followed the highest standard of training possible in orthodontics in the UK.

Dr Bhogal has a keen interest in the field of contemporary adult orthodontics, interdisciplinary treatment and the use of aesthetic hidden braces, including clear aligner systems (e.g. Invisalign) and lingual fixed appliances (e.g. Incognito Braces)

 

Follow Dr Bhogal on Twitter at @PreetBhogalUK.

 

 



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Yet more horror stories in the national press - Michael Sultan Endocare

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I was shocked and more than a little annoyed to discover an article in the Sunday Express recently that claimed, “Now we pull out our own teeth: Boom in DIY dental kits as patients cannot afford NHS fees”. Of course it doesn’t take too much in the way of imagination to guess what follows next. As you would expect, the writer embarks on a meandering and incoherent tirade claiming that, “Unable to afford soaring charges, almost a fifth of people have all but given up going to their dentist”.

 

But wait a minute; I thought this article was supposed to be about the cost of NHS dentistry? We are only one line in and already the writer has confused the issue. The writer then goes on to claim, “Up to a third of adults no longer have an NHS dentist, according to the latest figures”. But of course, the writer doesn’t say where these figures come from – nor does she explain what she means by the words “no longer”. Are we to take it that everyone is supposed to have an NHS dentist in the current system? Do these people really “no longer” have dentists down to cost and cost alone?

 

I could go on here, but I am sure readers get a sense of the type of article the Sunday Express has published here. It is but yet another example of appalling, lazy journalism that continues to fill our national media with stories that mislead patients and paint our profession in a negative light. Not only that, but it’s so confusing is it any wonder patients don’t understand how the NHS dental system works?

 

Of course the whole issue that the article raises is an emotive one, but I think as a profession we need to ask ourselves just why these patients are doing these things in the first place.

 

As you would expect, the author of the article certainly doesn’t seem to know quite why these patients are pulling out their own teeth. One moment it’s the greedy dentists, the next moment it’s the poor patients, and then it’s the broken NHS. Though the author seems to level blame at just about anything or anyone who comes to mind, she singularly fails to address the three key points: accessibility, education and expectations.

 

A major problem we all face in our day-to-day work as dental professionals is fighting against the all too common trend of patients not placing enough value in dentistry, and not concerning themselves with their oral health until it gets too late. Is it any wonder then that patients feel aggrieved when they find themselves in pain and can’t receive treatment on account of the fact they aren’t registered? One also has to wonder why, after all these years, has there been no concerted effort to educate and inform patients on a national scale about how NHS dentistry works!

 

I think what concerns me more than anything about this “DIY dental kits” story is that it’s not an isolated case – these stories seem to crop up almost every week! It worries me the impact these stories are having on our patients. It’s no wonder people are pulling out their own teeth if the papers regularly print horror stories about greedy dentists who do more harm than good.

 

I wonder do these people have nothing better to write?

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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CB12 Awarded ‘Number 1 Product for Innovative Product Launch 2013’ Alliance Boots Awards 2013

 

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On 3rd July this year, Alliance Boots held their annual supplier conference, with all their major suppliers across the healthcare, beauty and baby industries in attendance.

 

Recognised as the Number 1 product for ‘Innovative Product Launch’ was CB12, acknowledged for its product uniqueness and the effectiveness of the marketing support utilised at the launch.

 

With ‘bad breath’ found to be in the top five most embarrassing conditions to discuss[i], CB12 provides an effective solution to eliminate both the physical and physiological effects for suffers. The winning mouth rinse formula neutralises the VSCs (Volatile Sulphur Compounds) responsible for malodorous breath, relieving suffers of symptoms for up to 12 hours.

 

Supplied by Meda Pharmaceuticals, the team are delighted to have faired so well against the industry giants, and would like to thank to all who helped make this possible.

 

 

To see what CB12 could do for your patients, please visit www.cb12.co.uk

 

 

 



[i] Market Research, Red Door Communications, August 2012.

 

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Invest in the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging, with the NOMAD® Pro from Clark Dental

 

 

 

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The NOMAD® Pro represents the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging technology, and is available from Clark Dental in the UK.

Weighing just 2.5kg, the NOMAD Pro produces crisp, clear, high-resolution images time and time again, with no blur from hand movement, and a low radiation dose. Not only is the NOMAD Pro an incredibly safe and efficient unit, but it’s also reassuring – and shareable! Thanks to the great portability of the unit, the NOMAD Pro can eliminate the need for multiple conventional X-ray units, and can also provide X-ray functionality in out-of-office environments such as nursing homes and patient home visits. It also allows the clinician to remain in the treatment room with the patient while the X-ray is being carried out.

Dr Eddie Scher is a Registered Specialist in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. He says:

“The NOMAD Pro is great because it allows me to safely stay with patients whilst taking radiographs, which is particularly useful when my implant patients are sedated.”

For more information on how the NOMAD Pro could benefit your practice, contact Clark Dental today.

 

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

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Invest in the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging, with the NOMAD® Pro from Clark Dental

 

 

 

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The NOMAD® Pro represents the pinnacle of handheld digital imaging technology, and is available from Clark Dental in the UK.

Weighing just 2.5kg, the NOMAD Pro produces crisp, clear, high-resolution images time and time again, with no blur from hand movement, and a low radiation dose. Not only is the NOMAD Pro an incredibly safe and efficient unit, but it’s also reassuring – and shareable! Thanks to the great portability of the unit, the NOMAD Pro can eliminate the need for multiple conventional X-ray units, and can also provide X-ray functionality in out-of-office environments such as nursing homes and patient home visits. It also allows the clinician to remain in the treatment room with the patient while the X-ray is being carried out.

Dr Eddie Scher is a Registered Specialist in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. He says:

“The NOMAD Pro is great because it allows me to safely stay with patients whilst taking radiographs, which is particularly useful when my implant patients are sedated.”

For more information on how the NOMAD Pro could benefit your practice, contact Clark Dental today.

 

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

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Trust the experts- Clark Dental

 

The thought of creating your own dental practice, or taking over an existing one, can be very exciting. The idea of employing your own staff, working the way you want, in a space you can call your own is perhaps the ultimate goal for any dental practitioner.

 

However, doing so can be a difficult and time-consuming task. You may have the ultimate dream surgery in your mind, but first of all, you need to find the right site; one that provides you with enough space for the services you wish to provide, has good access, local parking, reasonable visibility to potential customers, and leaves you with enough budget to fit out or refurbish the interior.

 

Once you have your site, the real work begins. Your new practice may not be set out the way you want it, or have reasonable provision for disabled people. This could mean drawing up and getting plans passed, engaging in building work (and adhering to building regulations), which requires employing and overseeing sub-contractors. Then you will need to source suppliers.

 

The way your practice finally looks will say a lot about you and the way you run your business, so creating the right environment for both patients and staff is essential. In doing so, you will need to ensure you make optimal use of space for all your chosen facilities and comply with all the necessary health and safety regulations, CQC and other regulatory requirements. You may want to make provision for future services when experience and budget allow.

 

All this requires a variety of skills, outside those of dentistry, including planning – knowing where to site services such as plumbing and lighting, and the best utilisation of space; organisation – managing multiple sub-contractors at the right time to ensure a continuous flow of work; and supervision – keeping on top of the project so that work is done the way you want it.

 

If you are refurbishing an existing site, you may have the problem of maintaining a full appointment book alongside the work. If the surgery is brand new, although you will have the luxury of an empty site, you will have no practice income. Either way, the project will need to be completed as soon as possible, and without any extra budgetary surprises.

 

Suddenly this exciting project can seem like a daunting task filled with problems and pitfalls to snare the unwary. Without doubt, creating or refurbishing a practice is a mammoth job, but you can take much of the stress out of the equation by employing a company that specialises in dentistry assignments, which will organise and run the project with you.

 

A company of this nature can be involved to whatever degree you require, from initial planning right through to completion if you wish. The first thing they will do is discuss your needs and establish exactly what you want from your surgery.

 

Having surveyed the premises, taking into account any structural needs, the company will then offer various suggestions and ideas to meet your requirements. They will work out the best use of space that ensures services are properly positioned, fixtures, fittings and equipment are utilised, and ensure the whole thing complies with all the regulations. They will then suggest complementary décor and furnishings.

 

The company will draw up detailed plans, which can be produced as either 2D or even 3D, full-colour drawings. These drawings will form the basis of your project plan. Because they are produced using computer-aided design (known as CAD), they can take you on a tour of your various options, turning the surgery of your dreams into a ‘virtual’ reality before you make your final decision. Any changes you may wish to explore can be easily undertaken, and the outcome quickly reviewed. Once your plan, budget and timescales are agreed, the company will organise all the necessary contractors, suppliers and materials, as and when they are needed.

 

A specialist company with more than 30 years’ experience of surgery design and equipment solutions is a family-run business Clark Dental. They not only offer attractive, unique designs, they can also provide the best equipment and furnishings from leading manufacturers. One of their greatest assets is their personal service, treating their customers ‘like family’; building trust to ensure those customers are confident they are getting the best possible advice.

 

Creating your own dental practice should be an exciting, trouble-free experience, but like any major project, it is fraught with problems that can potentially hinder and frustrate the inexperienced or time-pressed dentist. The design of your practice is important. You want an environment that makes you and your staff happy to come to work, and makes your patients feel comfortable and safe.

 

Whether your project is large or small, choosing a reputable, established company with specialist knowledge and skill in the dental industry, and a proven record of keeping projects on track, will make the experience a more enjoyable one that will turn your dream surgery in to a reality.

 

 

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.

 

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Clark Dental – exceeding expectations - Thomas Norlin recently opened his brand-new practice Esthetique Dental, Shropshire. He says:

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Thomas Norlin recently opened his brand-new practice Esthetique Dental, Shropshire. He says:

 

‘I opted to work with Richard Beal and the team at Clark Dental, as they seemed to really understand exactly what I wanted. Richard picked up on my vision very quickly and turned it into something far better than I could have designed myself. Throughout the design process they were able to provide me with 2D drawings and then 3D designs as well. This was really useful as it helped me to picture what each room would look like once the work was complete, and also enabled me to try out various colour schemes as well as different worktop configurations.

 

‘The next stage of our project was then to start choosing the equipment packages we would need. I’ve always liked A-dec dental units, and Clark Dental are experts at dealing with A-dec equipment, so we decided to go with Clark for that reason as well. They really did do a very good job throughout, from the design stage right the way through to delivery and installation.’

 

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.clarkdentalsurgerydesign.co.uk
,

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Approaching dentistry from the best angle - Adam Shaw

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The years towards the end of a dental professional’s career can be the most fruitful, with greater financial rewards. The height of a lifetime’s knowledge places dental professionals at the top in their career and with this in mind, CPD places heavy emphasis on lifelong learning to keep the brain astute. But what measures can be put into place in order to ensure that the modern practice supports the clinician’s body for longevity in a profession that demands physical agility and health?

 

Planning retirement from dentistry may be the last thing on a young dental professional’s mind, but thinking about the future is not just about pensions. People are living longer and the UK government’s policy is set to increase the number of people aged 50 + in employment by over 1 million.[1] Dental professionals are subject to higher risks of work- related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and repetitive strain injuries, which over time, may lead to long-term disability and in extreme cases, early retirement.

 

Dentistry requires repetitive motions of the fingers and wrists, forceful pinching and prolonged awkward positions. These factors make the clinician susceptible to MSDs, and this risk can be increased if the equipment that they use is poorly designed or improperly used. Problems that can develop may not only cause forced retirement, but also hinder their performance. The best clinician is surely a healthy one; painful working conditions and lost workdays will not be conducive to the best results.

 

With this in mind, preventing MSDs from occurring in the first place should be priority when considering the design of a dental practice. “Ergonomics” may have become something of a buzzword, but applying principles of safety and efficiency to the practice is a lifetime investment. The focus of ergonomics is to make the workplace and the equipment within it fit the practitioner – not the other way around. Not only this, but ergonomic design will maximise the space in the dental operatory so that patients are comfortable and the best possible clinical outcome is achieved.

 

Ultimately, the key objective for clinicians is to find a position that allows them to achieve optimum access, visibility, comfort and control at all times. At the centre of all clinical work is the dental unit, and one that is ergonomically sound will not only increase comfort and ensure safety, but will also account for the spatial and interactive relationship between the dentist, patient and assistant for the ideal situation: true four-handed dentistry.

 

Four-handed dentistry means that the practitioner and assistant act on time and motion principles and use ergonomic equipment, so that all four hands work together to deliver treatment. This approach has been praised in dentistry as the best way to increase productivity and reduce stress. If done effectively, four-handed dentistry can conserve motion so that the risks of repetitive strains and MSDs can be reduced.

 

In response to the demands of the industry, modern dental units have come a long way to combine aesthetics with ergonomics. The new Skema 8 from Castellini for example, has been designed to respond to all the classic two-handed and four-handed treatment procedures. Its special sliding patient chair mechanism, gives the clinician unparalleled access to the patient, as the lowering of the backrest moves with the seat rising – for a constant distance ratio between the dental unit modules and operating zone.

 

Ergonomic dental units should acknowledge that treatments require specific ergonomic needs. Equipment that factors this into design, will allow dentists to work with optimum freedom in any clinical situation. Good ergonomic design will also enhance seating the patient, instrument exchange, oral evacuation and infection control.

 

Dental units that exude the benefits of modern design will not only make the most out of the space in the dental operatory for seamless treatment, but will make your practice look sophisticated. Ergonomic design is visually stimulating and state-of-the-art dental units have impressive finishes and precise lines that emanate professionalism. 

 

With intelligent design the body does not have to compromise to fit to the working environment. A healthy dentist is the most important asset to any dental practice, and looking at treatment from the best possible angle, will always require ergonomic design that maximises good posture and conserves movement.

 

Ergonomic design in the practice is not only good for your posture but also vital for your career, especially since the attitudes towards work and ageing are changing to favour dental professionals who may wish to make the most of advanced skills and knowledge later in their lives. As technology prevails, the advancement of new treatments will continue to require acute precision and physical agility and choosing ergonomic design in practices, will preserve these attributes.   

 

Castellini UK Ltd

 

Please call 08000 933975 for details of your local Castellini dealer: Castellini has service centres through out UK



[1] http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr799.pdf

 

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Getting the Message Across - Nina Cartwright Carestream Dental Product Manager

 

We live in an age of mobile telecommunication. Since the first commercially available mobile phone arrived 25 years ago, we have watched it morph from a house-brick-sized novelty for the few, to a slender necessity for the masses.

More recently, laptops, tablet computers and PDAs have added to our expectation of being connected to the rest of the world at any and every time and place we wish. People of all ages from those in school to those in retirement reap the benefits of such technologies, whether they use them for communication, entertainment or information sources. And while the type and complexity of the device may vary depending on people’s social status, background and living situation, this seems to have had little influence over whether they actually own a device, particularly when looking at phones. In fact, modern statistics for mobile phone use are staggering; in the UK alone there are more than 80 million subscriptions, with the volume of calls now exceeding that of fixed phones[1].

One of the greatest innovations added to the mobile phone has been the text message. Whether you are a sophisticated 4G tech-savvy professional or a simple mobile user, texts, or SMS (short message service) have very much become part of our everyday life. For many people, this simple method of transmission is now the first choice for communication with friends, family and colleagues across a whole range of mobile devices. With more than 150 billion messages sent every year[2], it has become the fastest growing use for the mobile phone[3].

In recent years, text messaging has become a much more widespread tool for businesses to reach their customers. It is not unusual to receive a text informing you that an item of interest to you is currently in store, provide you with the delivery details of a recent purchase, or remind you to pick up a reserved product.

And research has shown it to be an effective form of correspondence between business and customer. A survey by SinglePoint revealed that text message open rates exceed 99%, with 90% of all text messages opened within the first three minutes of being received on the phone[4], while email open rates are generally believed to be around 33%. The convenience of the text is of course paramount to these figures, as recipients can access the information quickly and repeatedly, wherever and whenever they need to. Unlike email, there are no spam filters to divert a text message, so it can’t get lost in amongst the excessive amount of junk mail received daily. In direct contrast to phone calls, text messages are far less intrusive and enable the user to keep their conversation private, making it an effective form of communication for healthcare providers and their patients.

 

While some business may take advantage of the text message to market themselves, many dental practices are now utilising the service as an effective reminder tool for upcoming appointments. For patients it is far more convenient than a phone call or a letter in the mail, and the information is immediately saved in a place they can access it when they have time.

From the dental practice’s point of view, text message reminders have been proven to reduce the amount of time and revenue lost through missed appointments.[5] For dental practices, this could mean a decrease in ‘no shows’ of up to 50 per cent. According to the British Dental Association, approximately 3.5 million appointments are missed each year, equating to nearly two full weeks of work for one dentist. Clearly paper mail and email reminders are not as efficient as they were once believed to be, and this is where the text message has flourished. Not only can a practice save money by reducing ‘no shows’ with mobile reminders, but text messaging is also nearly 80% cheaper than traditional mail, ensuring optimum cost efficiency.

There are a variety of service providers now in the dental market, offering the text message reminder as either an additional or incorporated programme. Providers such as market leaders Carestream Dental offer the service as part of their innovative and fully integrated CS R4 Clinical+ Practice Management Software. Using the data saved securely in the patient records, the software sends patients text message reminders for upcoming appointment automatically, saving staff both time and effort in addition to directly saving the practice money. Any replied requests for cancellations are also then updated in the appointment diary, freeing up space in the appointment schedule for other patients or emergency cases.

So regardless of where your practice is situated, what type of treatments you offer and how many patients you have, text message reminders might be just the solution you need. You can now reduce your ‘no-shows’ and encourage higher and more consistent revenue while saving your staff time and money.

 

For more information, please contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692

or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

 

 

 

 



[1] Ofcom (2012) Stats and Facts, Mobile Operators Association, available at: http://www.mobilemastinfo.com/stats-and-facts/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Why Dentists Should Use Text Messaging, TextHub, available at: http://www.texthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/White-Paper-Why-Every-Dentist-Should-Use-Text-Messaging-TextHub.pdf

[4] SMS Open Rates, SMS Marketing Blog, SinglePoint survey, link http://www.tatango.com/blog/sms-open-rates-exceed-99/

[5] Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (2011) Text messaging in healthcare: to reduce non-attendance, ID: 11/0004, available at: arms.evidence.nhs.uk/resources/qipp/176129/attachment

 

 

 

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Alpha Omega – a foreign dentist’s perspective An interview with Dr Maryana Milerman

 

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Starting a new job is a massive challenge for anyone, but starting a new job in a new country is even more challenging still – especially when the first language is not your own! After qualifying in Tartu, Estonia in 2003, Maryana Milerman moved to London in 2005, where she began working as an Associate. Though when she first moved to London she didn’t know anyone, and struggled to find her feet in the local dental community, a colleague invited her to attend a meeting held by the Alpha Omega London Chapter.

 

“I graduated from dental school in Estonia in 2003 and moved to London a few years later. I now work at City Smile Dental Practice, Hackney,” says Maryana. “During the course of my work I met a dentist who was a member of Alpha Omega, and he invited me to come along to one of their regular meetings. I can’t really say one thing in particular attracted me to attend – it was everything really: to make new friends; find some connections; to learn more about dentistry in the UK; to meet other dentists. It’s strange to think that when I moved to the UK I didn’t know anybody at all! I didn’t even know what the NHS was or how it worked, so I was looking for people to help explain it all really as when I first came over here, nothing seemed to make sense!

 

“It was just so nice to become part of a community of people who all do their best to look out for one another. Everyone I met at Alpha Omega tried to help me and explain different things to me. A few of the members even pointed me to the Eastman to do some postgraduate study, which they said was very good, so I went to study there and improve my understanding of dentistry further still. I even met some Alpha Omega members there who were working as tutors!”

 

As well as lecture evenings, Alpha Omega also organises a number of other events throughout the year. These include the annual Annenberg Lecture day, as well as trips to conferences and social events held overseas.

 

“The social side to Alpha Omega is very important to me,” says Maryana. “I have already been to Israel to take part in the Jerusalem Conference. Whilst we were there we visited The Hebrew University: School of Dental Medicine, Hadassah – Ein Kerem Campus, attended a conference day, and took part in an exhausting social programme. I really enjoyed the trip, my first with Alpha Omega.”

 

All in all, Maryana is delighted to have discovered Alpha Omega, and is looking forward to continuing her membership for many years to come.

 

“Alpha Omega is such a great resource, I recommend it to anyone,” continues Maryana. “It’s a fantastic pool of information for any dentist. With so many highly skilled, knowledgeable dentists a part of the group, it’s very easy to get answers to your questions, and get second opinions on difficult cases. The strength of the community is another important factor for me. It’s nice to have things in common with fellow members, and you know that everyone is always looking out for one another. All in all it’s a really nice organisation to be a part of.”

 

For more information on the Alpha Omega London Chapter, visit www.alphaomegauk.co.uk

 

 

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Is the Dental Industry ready to embrace Digital Marketing?

People far wiser than myself; tell me with a hint of frustration that the Dental Industry has historically always been a few years behind what is happening in other professions & industries. I believe this applies when looking at the dental industry in relation to advertising & marketing to dentists, their customers.

Online Marketing is about attracting your target market to you by making sure you’re on the platforms that your prospects are using to search for their wants and needs. Online marketing has been increasingly taking a prominent role in businesses that realise the older-fashioned; more established methods such as cold calling, direct mail and print advertising were becoming less and less effective.

Traditional advertising power houses have seen their print advertising revenues decline over the past few years, with huge investment & growth taking place in their online versions. One great example of this is the Daily Mail. Even with its traditional, conservative reputation, The Daily Mail has seen huge revenue decline over the last few years in relation to their print advertising. In the meantime the Mail online website has become a huge draw for advertisers because of its 6.6 million unique visitors a day, which makes it the largest newspaper website ahead of The New York Times and The Guardian. Through a combination of comprehensive news, sports and showbiz reporting, the Daily Mail have embraced online publishing and of course the revenue possibilities.

Over the last few years, we know consumers are making the majority of their purchases online but now this also incorporates industries and professions.

So where am I going with all this? Let’s have a look at the profession we all care about; The Dental Profession. Historically, companies would put special offers or promotional material in trade magazines and expect a response and some return on investment but at GDPUK we know and can see this is changing. The printed magazines are no longer being opened and read like they once were, in my humble opinion they are often left in a heap in the corner of the dental practice. Dentists are looking online for their information, plus they love to share their knowledge with each other. One of the places this is done on an increasingly regular basis is the GDPUK Forum.

GDPUK has been established since 1997 and has evolved into the largest online community for dentists and dental professionals in the UK with approx 6000 members signed up to the site. The site is not open to the public, which means that the GDPUK Forum has become a form of social media for the dental community, where dentists discuss what materials or equipment they use, advise each other on surgical procedures, have lively discussions on the future of UK Dentistry and most importantly feel like they are in a secure environment that provides support and expertise.

Like other online publications, GDPUK has seen huge growth over the last the least few years, while 2013 has been exceptional. The below graphic shows the surge in unique visitors and number of visits in a month since Jan 2013, one we are very proud of. The image illustrates that dentists are using the site day in and day out, they have understood that joining an online community like GDPUK offers a place where they can learn, receive the latest dental news and opinion, take part in the discussions, gather information and form long lasting friendships.

 

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GDPUK Server Statistics August 2013.

 

Membership of the site is free and we look to earn revenue from companies who want to embrace a terrific target audience of dentists. GDPUK offers a number of advertising opportunities on the site. These range from publishing articles in our blog section to a full marketing campaign that can be spread over a number of months. Our clients can try a number of marketing ideas and see what results and ROI online marketing brings them. This is the huge advantage online marketing brings, results are totally transparent and with weekly reporting our clients know when campaigns are successful or need tweaking. Over the years we have seen that marketing on our site has increased numbers at trade shows, improved brand awareness and has been instrumental in the promotion of new products or services which have entered the dental market. As I wrote earlier, “Online Marketing is about attracting your target market to you by making sure you’re on the platforms that your prospects are using to search for their wants and needs”. As you can see from the stats above, GDPUK is one of those platforms.

So I am posing a number of questions that I would love to be discussed.

Should you still be throwing money at traditional advertising streams? Should companies be embracing online only? Would you rather focus marketing on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? Are we still at the point where companies like to mix their budgets all around the industry and see benefits in all mediums? At GDPUK towers we are obviously firm & passionate believers in the online platform and can see signs the dental community is moving closer to embracing the social media and marketing world but what do you think? I look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts. 

If you would like more information on GDPUK, how we can work together and make online marketing work for your business, please get in touch with Jonny Jacobs – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I will be glad to chat and show how you can work with our growing community of dentists to grow your business. 

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Recent Comments
Jonny Jacobs

Good Advice in this article as...

http://bdaily.co.uk/opinion/31-07-2013/not-a-marketer-dont-fret-you-can-succeed/... Read More
Friday, 02 August 2013 12:52
Guest

Good Question

That is a very good question, I think it will be a case of the early adopters will benefit, whereas the dental practices and suppl... Read More
Wednesday, 07 August 2013 10:32
Jonny Jacobs

Re Good Question

Thanks Nat, agree with your posting, as I said in the blog, it is all about attracting your target market (which we are all lookin... Read More
Wednesday, 07 August 2013 10:35
56621 Hits
AUG
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New blog for LLOC

 

 

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New blog for LLOC

http://www.londonlingualbraces.com/blog.php

 

A leading orthodontic practice, the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, unveils its new blog this week with the aim of sharing insights into its work as well as reflections on dental health and beauty issues.

 

The first orthodontic clinic in the UK to specialise in the lingual technique (brackets behind the teeth), LLOC hopes the blog will attract new visitors to its website as well as educate patients about health and hygiene while they are in treatment.

 

Asif Chatoo, Principal of the practice, said: “We are often asked for our views on orthodontic issues and a blog seemed a good way to encourage conversations and engagement.”

 

The blog will include posts by in-house hygienist Katharine Wright, practice manager Carla Reed and by Asif himself. Among the topics at the launch of the blog:

·    What makes a million dollar smile?

·    The impact of robots on treatment planning

·    Teeth whitening and the General Dental Council

·    Why fizzy drinks are destructive to teeth

 

There will be monthly updates to the blog and as time progresses, other members of the LLOC will contribute posts.

 

  7871 Hits
7871 Hits
AUG
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Entrepreneurial Thinking for Strategic Success! - Rahul Doshi

 

 

Over the past few years there’s been a big change in the way dental practices are operating. More people are now entering the private market and so are trying to find ways to attract more patients and compete against their local rivals. The problem however is that while all practice principals will have gained excellent clinical skills over the years, very many lack the business skills to help them realise their practice’s full business potential.

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself: what sort of dentistry do you want to do? Once you’ve decided this you then need to attract the right sort of people to your practice. This is marketing, and it comes in many different forms. If you ask me, ‘What sort of marketing activity will attract me 100 new patients?’ I will tell you that you’re looking at marketing the wrong way. What you really need to be doing is carrying out 100 activities that will give you one patient each, so that if a few of these patients drop out you still have 80 or 90 new patients to treat. Instead of looking for a quick fix you need to build a robust system over time that will give you solid long-term growth.

Digital marketing is a particularly hot topic at the moment. The thing is, it’s not just about having a website, but how you use that website and what you do with it. The same applies to social media. It’s not simply a case of having a social media account, but it’s considering what you actually do with that account, and how you use it to interact with patients and build relationships. It’s all about creating a ‘brand’ for your practice – creating a set of unique selling points that establishes your identity and creates something patients can trust and believe in.

Once you have people coming through the door who are wanting the type of dentistry that you offer it’s then about the changes that you can make to make their experience within the practice as good as possible. These sorts of things depend very much on your team, and having the right team of people who reflect your business values. You can’t do anything without a great team in place so it’s important that you build a team that you can rely on to help your practice grow.

If you’d like to learn more about some of the issues I’ve discussed here – and many more besides – on Saturday 9th November I will be presenting a lecture alongside my wife Bhavna at the BACD Annual Conference. In our lecture, ‘Entrepreneurial Thinking for Strategic Success!’ we will cover many different facets to strategic thinking and business management to help you take your practice to the next level. We will use examples from big business, and some of the world’s most successful CEOs and apply their thinking to dentistry. Leadership in particular is an area we will give a lot of attention to, and we will also explore strategies for eliminating local competition and making your practice really stand out from the crowd. We hope delegates will leave our lecture feeling inspired and reinvigorated, armed with plenty of hints and tips they can take away for strategic success!

 

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

 

About the author:

Dr Rahul Doshi qualified from Guys Hospital in 1991.  He is the clinical director and founder of The Perfect Smile Studios and the Advanced Training Institute, where he teaches Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Aesthetic Hands-On Dentistry. He is also on the Board of the BACD.

 

 

 

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  3799 Hits
3799 Hits
JUL
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Discovery Day - Immediate Results

 

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Immediate Results with 7Connections

Discovery Day

In order to gage how your practice is truly performing, sometimes you need to see it from a different perspective. As a result, it can be very effective to enlist the support of a business expert who can offer a totally objective analysis.

The team at 7Connections provide a Discovery Day to do just this. In a single day they will give your practice a full service – evaluating everything from staff and daily protocols, to turnover and potential growth. By comparing the results with the industry standards of excellence, they can not only show how you are measuring up to your competition, but they can also advise you and your team on where and how to improve.

Starting with a look at your financial situation, the experts will comb through and refine your business KIP’s, as well as breaking down the accounts and average daily yields, to ensure the business is being managed effectively and profitably. Other areas to be addressed include:

 

 Marketing and branding effectiveness.

 All clinical and non-clinical systems in place.

 Compliance with the various CQC and HTM 01-05 regulations.

 Staff performance appraisal systems, recruitment protocols and career pathway opportunities.

With the success of your business depending hugely on the patient experience provided, all aspects of the patient journey from first contact with the front desk, to treatment coordination and selling systems will also be assessed.

Once the full review is complete, the 7Connections team will put together a blueprint of your business, as well as an action plan showing where and how you should enhance the practice. This will also include a 90-day plan, a 12-month goal and a 3-year vision to give you and your team a high but realistic long-term target.

With more than 750 practices in the UK and Ireland having already reaped the benefits of the Discovery Day with 7Connections, make sure you don’t fall behind. Beverley Carlyle, business manager at Ballynahinch Dental Practice in Northern Ireland, recently took part in a Discovery Day and is keen to recommend the service to others -

“For all those practices who think they can do better but aren’t sure how much better, or how they might achieve that, I don’t think they can afford not to work with a business coach. As soon as we started implementing the systems 7Connections put in place, we started seeing results.”

 

 For more information about 7connections business coaching

please call 01647 478145

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

  6011 Hits
6011 Hits
JUL
29
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A Right Royal Announcement

A Right Royal Announcement

Please Raise your Standard to Celebrate the Birth ...

 

Well, the holiday season is well and truly upon us.  If you are reading this on the “small screen optimised” version of GDPUK.

I hope you have a good rest  :)

Wow – anyone would think the Royal birth was an event destined to mask any bad political news. How shockingly cynical!!  I am sure we all wish the wee B-Cam [as Dermot O Leary was heard describing the new Prince] a long and happy life and possibly even a reign.

Of course, it was not the only birth to be announced.

After a long gestation period, as is normal of the species of regulation, the GDC were proud to announce the birth of its new Standards Document, effective when you finally realise the holiday season is truly over. In fact despite the GDC trying to shoehorn everyone on-line, they seem to think they should send a hard copy to everyone.  So that’s where £10 of your registration fee will go!

Now if you want to use your time wisely I suggest you get your head round the prescriptive nature of the document.  This is not guidance – this is a dental practice instruction manual.  A Regulatory cook book worth of MasterChef.  What a stew they have created, non detail left unregulated, words steamed perfectly to just have that al dente bite, served in a gourmet extravaganza of unrepeatable Quango wizardry.

Your mission:  Learn the definition of the word MUST  in this document.

The Standards document defines the word helpfully:  ‘Must’ is used where the duty is compulsory

There are over 180 references to the use of the word MUST.

When the general  view was expressed within the profession and from without that the GDC needed to get a grip I am not sure they had this in mind.  The undergraduate course just had 6 months tacked on to it just to teach this!

Perhaps the area that intrigues me is Paragraph 7.1

This states:

Standard 7.1
You must provide good quality care based on current evidence and authoritative guidance
7.1.1 You must find out about current evidence and best practice which affect your work, premises, equipment and business and follow them.
7.1.2 If you deviate from established practice and guidance, you should record the reasons why and be able to justify your decision.

 

Now is it me? Is there really evidence for every aspect of dental care you offer your patient -  I thought the whole problem with dentistry related to a shockingly poor evidence base and that much of technical dentistry relied upon a large dollop of good judgment and wisdom.  And who is to judge who is authoritative? And how do you become an authrority?  Or are these the next areas of the ever expanding GDC workload?  

Good judgement and wisdom in registrants seem to be concepts alien to the new GDC.

With all the mention of the NHS or the as yet unfamilar 'equivalent Health Service', you don't think this document has the sticky fingers of the Department of Health all over it do you?

Oh well, you have been warned.  The GDC have bought in a new armory of sticks.  If you should find yourself being called to order by a malcontent patient, be prepared for a bruising. 180 lashes for you, dear colleagues.

For sure, there is now so much for you to remember that you will be regarded as guilty until proven innocent which if of course highly unlikely after October 1st.  Gawd 'elp you if you are trying to do any dentistry at the same time!

Orwell, mate – roll in your grave.

Bon Vacanes mes amis 

 

 

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From http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Pages/standards.aspx

Our Council approved the new Standards for the Dental Team at its meeting on 20 June 2013.  Standards for the Dental Team will replace the current Standards Guidance and accompanying statements, except for Scope of Practice, on Monday 30 September 2013.

A copy of Standards for the Dental Team will be sent in the post to everyone on our register at the end of August but you are also able to download a copy.

The GDC http://tinyurl.com/p7cgqnr

 

  11634 Hits
11634 Hits
JUL
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Practice Management

Making Dental Practice Management Simple With DGB

  8870 Hits
8870 Hits
JUL
26
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Leading online booking provider launches on NHS choices

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Toothpick, the UK’s leading provider of secure online appointment booking, is proud to announce a new functionality that is set to revolutionise the way patients book their appointment on NHS Choices.

Widely recognised as one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on local health related services and providers, globally including GP’s, NHS dentists and pharmacies, patients can now book an appointment online directly from the NHS Choices website. With over 1 million visits a day, half of which are from a mobile device, making a dental appointment is now as easy as booking a hotel or shopping online. NHS Choices Editor, Paul Nuki (@PaulNuki), commented on Twitter, “Its a great day, ap'ment booking has been added to ?@NHSChoices and all without fuss or money. ?@toothpick we salute u.” [sic]

Toothpick offers both NHS and private practices instant appointment visibility to thousands of potential new patients 24/7, helping to fill unsightly gaps in your appointment book whilst you retain full control of your diary.  Dr Sandeep Senghera BDS, CEO and Founder of Toothpick said: “I’m delighted that NHS England have embraced online booking and are really behind a digital future. Together, our aim is to make life easier for the dentist, receptionist and patient alike.”

Start to fill the gaps in your appointment book today and visit www.toothpick.com/get-listed, call 020 7768 1851 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

Facebook: /ToothpickDental
Twitter: @toothpick

  10299 Hits
10299 Hits
JUL
25
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Help Your Patients Tackle Halitosis Effectively

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CB12 is a revolutionary new product designed specifically to tackle bad breath, or halitosis, at its source. Utilising a combination of zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate, the bespoke mouth rinse eliminates the mal odour and has been proven to relieve the sufferer from symptoms for at least 12 hour.s

While there are several different causes of halitosis, 90% of all cases have been found to originate within the oral cavity[ii]. As oral bacteria break down food particles, usually in the crypts at the back of tongue or in periodontal pockets[iii], volatile sulphur compounds, or VSCs, are released. CB12 has been proven to effectively neutralise these odour-causing gases, giving sufferers back their confidence and self-esteem.

Available in two different flavours, mint menthol and mild mint menthol, CB12 is suitable for all patients over the age of 12 years, and can used either once or twice a day for hours of protection against halitosis. It even contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay and to encourage a high standard of general oral health.

For an effective and affordable solution for halitosis, recommend CB12 to your patients today.

 

For more information on CB12, please visit www.cb12.co.uk

 



[i] Thrane PS, et al, Dental Health 2009; 48(3):8-12.

[ii] Thrane PS et al, J Clin Dent 2007; 18(3): 82-87.2

[iii] Tonzetich J. Production and origin of oral malodour….J Periodontal 1977 48; 13-20

   Yaegaki K, Sanada K Volatile sulfur in mouth……..J Periodont Res 1992 27: 233-238

   Yaegaki K, Coil JM. Genuine halitosis………Compend Contin Educ Dent 2000 21: 880-889 

 

  3743 Hits
3743 Hits
JUL
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Zesty – Making a big impression

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Zesty is not only making a big impression in the Dental industry, but also in the fields of Technology and Healthcare, with Zesty Co Founder, Lloyd Price, having recently been interviewed by The Next Web, one of Europe’s most respected technology journals.

Read Interview at: http://thenextweb.com/uk/2013/07/19/zesty-the-dental-startup-with-denture-capital-and-an-eye-firmly-on-uk-healthcare/

In the interview Mr. Price discusses Zesty and explains how it simplifies the process of booking dental appointments online for both practices and patients alike. All that practices are required to do is upload their available appointments to their Zesty account every few days. These vacancies are then made visible to the millions of people who search for dental appointments every month on Google, search engines and the internet across the UK. Zesty allows the patient to view the full range of available appointments and book whenever they like 24/7, making the service a great way of finding someone to fill late cancelations and keeping your practice busy.

 

We book restaurants, flights and cinema tickets online, so why not dental appointments? This is all changing thanks to online booking service Zesty.

 

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 0203 287 5416 for more details of our Free Trial

 

  6217 Hits
6217 Hits
JUL
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Lifetime Allowance reduction could leave some dentists with a significant tax charge

The Lifetime Allowance is the total amount of pension savings you can build up tax efficiently over your lifetime. On 6 April 2014 the Lifetime Allowance will be reduced from £1.5 million to £1.25 million. Many dentists could well exceed this due to the generous nature of the NHS Pension Scheme, especially those later in their career. A pension pot of £1.25 million translates roughly into an annual NHS pension income of between £54,300 and £65,500 depending on which section of the NHS pension scheme you are in.

Remember that the value of your pension savings for the Lifetime Allowance includes any private pensions or occupational pensions you may have, as well as your NHS pension.
 
You're encouraged to review your existing pension arrangements before the changes come into force in April 2014.
 

What will the impact of the changes be?

If your benefits at retirement exceed the Lifetime Allowance, you will incur a Lifetime Allowance tax charge on the excess amount. This will be 55% if the excess is taken as a lump sum and 25% if taken as an income.
 

How likely am I to exceed the Lifetime Allowance?

If you fall into one of the following groups, you may have already reached, or be close to reaching, a pension pot in excess of £1.25 million:
  • you have accrued significant NHS pension benefits already during your career, this will be driven by both your years service as well as your revalued lifetime earnings
  • you have made significant contributions over your working life to a private pension or have bought additional benefit through your NHS pension, for example through Added Years

 

Is there anything I can do to protect myself from the changes?

In his 2012 Autumn Statement the Chancellor, George Osborne, proposed two new types of protection – fixed protection 2014 and individual protection 2014 – both designed to ease the transition to the new lower limit and help protect existing pension savings. 
 

Fixed protection 2014

  • This will allow people to fix their Lifetime Allowance at £1.5 million
  • The protection may be lost if individuals build up additional pension savings after 5 April 2014
  • Fixed protection may also be lost if an individual starts contributing to a new pension arrangement
  • Individuals need to apply for this protection before 6 April 2014. It is expected that the application form will be available later this year 
  • You will not be eligible to apply for this protection if you have Primary, Enhanced Protection or Fixed Protection 2012.
 

Individual protection 2014

This is under consultation until 2 September 2013, after which final details will be confirmed, but it is expected that:
  • It will give individuals a personalised Lifetime Allowance based on the value of their pension savings on 5 April 2014 up to a maximum of £1.5 million
  • Individuals will need to have pension savings of at least £1.25 million on 5 April 2014 to apply
  • Protection will not be lost if further savings to pensions are made
  • You will have three years to apply for individual protection 2014 from 6 April 2014
  • You will not be eligible to apply for this protection if you have Primary or Enhanced Protection

 

Should I opt out of the NHS Pension Scheme in order to register for fixed protection?

For the vast majority of active members this would be unwise, as the benefits lost by voluntarily opting out of the NHS Pension Scheme before retirement would be far greater than any advantage gained by having a higher lifetime allowance. However, for a small number of members, such as those already very close to retirement, there may be some merit in exploring this option further.
 
Decisions about leaving your pension scheme prematurely should be taken extremely carefully. Whist minimising your tax liabilities is definitely one consideration, it shouldn’t be the only one.
 
This is a complex area and one which isn’t easily navigated. Only by understanding all of your options and your current pension position will you be able to make an informed decision. It’s important to remember that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to fixed protection and that no ‘rule of thumb applies’. You should seek guidance from a financial adviser who has a good understanding of the NHS Pension Scheme.
 

Contact your local Financial Consultant

If you would like to find out more about how these changes may impact you, request a no-obligation appointment with one of our Financial Consultants:
 
Call 0800 092 1990, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or book an appointment online.
 
Visit our website to find our more about Wesleyan's range of  financial services for dental professionals and practices.
 
Wesleyan Medical Sickness is a trading name of Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd is wholly owned by Wesleyan Assurance Society which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Head Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham, B4 6AR.
Telephone calls may be recorded for monitoring and training purpose. DE-SP-59 07/13
 

 

  37781 Hits
37781 Hits
JUL
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Controversies

Current Controversies in Dentistry

  6887 Hits
6887 Hits
JUL
19
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The Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 2013 New York – pushing the boundaries of science and learning

 

 

 

 

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“Designing for Life: Today and in the future” was the main theme of this year’s Nobel Biocare Global Symposium, which took place on 20th – 23rd June at the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel.

In an inspirational and compelling event, over 100 globally respected researchers, scientists, clinicians and academics shared their expertise with a packed conference hall filled with thousands of dental professionals from around the world.

The main programme of the Global Symposium centred on the “patient journey”. All successful dental implant treatment depends on a thorough multi-dimensional clinical analysis. Essential analysis is then enhanced further by making use of adjunctive methods such as digital planning tools, bone regenerative materials, different timing sequences for functional loading, CAD/CAM technology and an awareness of the possible role played by local and systemic health considerations.

As a result, many subtle and frequently overlapping considerations apply to the patient’s proposed treatment journey, and a wide range of different factors need to be taken into account. Through a series of engaging and highly informative lectures the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium addressed many of these factors, while also giving special focus to the most recent additions to the modern treatment paradigm.

Among the highlights of the Global Symposium, on day 1 Nobel Biocare launched its Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation (FOR) – a group set up to help develop the knowledge and leadership required to optimise patients’ long-term care.

On day 2 Nobel Biocare held a morning press conference to make several important new announcements. These included a new fully integrated digital workflow, plans to establish a regenerative product portfolio and an upcoming NobelProcera Abutment that takes advantage of a new angulated screw channel concept.

The main programme on day 3 of the event explored the patient journey for those missing multiple posterior teeth as well as those with failing dentitions. The day also included a number of dedicated sessions for dental technicians which provided a host of practical hints and tips on how to achieve the best results with the new NobelProcera® 2G Scanner.

After yet another successful and highly engaging event, the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium once again confirmed itself as one of the world’s leading dental conferences. Not only did delegates enjoy a diverse range of scientifically robust lectures, but also left feeling both enriched and inspired by the wealth of cutting-edge science and learning on offer.

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

  6513 Hits
6513 Hits
JUL
18
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DENTSPLY announces winner of £500 Quarterly Prize Draw

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DENTSPLY are pleased to announce the winner of its Quarterly Prize Draw for the April-June period is Mrs Ronnie Porte of Victoria House Dental Practice in Loughborough. By taking part in the DENTSPLY Telesales Customer Service Survey, Mrs Porte has won £500 worth of DENTSPLY Rewards which she can redeem against 1000’s of DENTSPLY world-leading products.
 
The DENTSPLY Telesales Customer Service Survey is not only an opportunity for customers to win a magnificent prize, it is also an opportunity for them to give their feedback on their experience of using DENTSPLY’s service.

DENTSPLY is always seeking to strengthen and improve the service which it provides to its customers, and with valuable feedback from its customers it continues to introduce a range of promotions that save you time and money each month.

To find out more and to meet the team, visit www.dentsply.co.uk/telesales

 

Contact us at www.dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn rewards against purchases at www.dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and products demonstrations and earn CPD at www.dentsplyacademy.co.uk

 

 

  5612 Hits
5612 Hits
JUL
18
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The Dental Directory – Reflecting the ever-changing landscape of dentistry

 

 

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As dentistry evolves we find that new types of treatment begin to join the modern dentists repertoire. One of the latest developments is the emergence of dentists who are offering facial aesthetics treatments to their patients.

To reflect the ever-changing dental landscape The Dental Directory is always seeking to be able to provide dentists with all of the products that they need to deliver fantastic results to their patients. As a result of this The Dental Directory now stock a phenomenal range of facial aesthetics products, covering everything from dermal fillers to skin peels and from cosmeceuticals to aesthetic lasers.

Dr. Ash Rayarel of Ash Dental Practice in Eccles, Manchester says:

“We use The Dental Directory for all of our facial aesthetics products. I find that they are reasonably priced and sometimes they run offers which means that I am able to make extra savings! Two of my favourite products that I buy from The Dental Directory are Juvederm and Azzalure, the latter I like because it comes in small vials, so I do not need to treat patients in groups as I have had to with others. It means that I can be more flexible and mix according to patient’s requirements.”

 

 

For more information, contact The Dental Directory on

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

  21620 Hits
21620 Hits
JUL
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Professional engineering services from dbg

 

At dbg we’ve been providing engineering services to dental practices for over 20 years. Our extensive network of engineers covers almost all of England, Scotland and Wales, and every engineer we employ is highly skilled and experienced, and where possible, is trained and accredited by the equipment manufacturer.

Anne from The Square Advanced Dental Care Clinic, Hale Barns says:

“I have a good working relationship with my contract manager at dbg. The engineers they send out are polite, respectful, extremely professional, and also very smart. The work they do is always clean and tidy, and if there’s a problem, you can be sure the dbg team will go to the ends of the earth to sort it out.”

For a truly comprehensive service, each of dbg’s engineers is trained across the dental equipment disciplines, meaning they can inspect not only your X-Ray unit, but can also service your autoclave, your compressor, repair your suction pump and other practice equipment as well. They can even offer you valuable advice on your equipment before you make a purchase.

To learn more about how our range of engineering services can benefit your practice, contact dbg today.

 

For more information call dbg on 01606 861 950,

Or visit www.thedbg.co.uk

  91370 Hits
91370 Hits
JUL
18
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Colleagues come together for Ben Fund AGM

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The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

 

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

 

Registered charity no. 208146

  2230 Hits
2230 Hits
JUL
18
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Compliance Audit from Apolline

 

Getting ready for your CQC or your RQIA inspection can be a demanding, time-consuming task. The experts at Apolline have all the training, skills and experience necessary to make the experience as stress-free as possible, while helping you and your team ensure your practice is fully compliant.

The Apolline Practice Compliance Audit involves a visit from one of Apolline’s experienced Practice Advisors, who will assess your practice for compliance and provide you with a gap analysis and a prioritised action plan to get you compliant.  Your Practice Advisor can also work with your whole team to make sure all team members are confident that they know what to say and do when the CQC or the RQIA inspector comes calling.

Apolline now also offers a half-day CQC Inspection Preparation training session that involves the whole team. One of Apolline’s expert Practice Advisors will ask your team the types of questions you are likely to be asked by an inspector and will also spot check a number of key areas e.g. decontamination processes, policies and protocols and safeguarding and child protection training and knowledge.

If you’re not sure whether your practice would benefit from the extra support, you can now visit the new Apolline website to complete the Compliance Self Assessment – a short questionnaire designed to identify how confident you are in your practice compliance.

The new website also outlines all the management, training and compliance services provided by Apolline. For more information, or for a no obligation quote, contact the experts at Apolline today.

 

Apolline - a company run by dentists for dentists and their practice teams.

For additional information or help and advice on any compliance issues, please call Apolline on 0114 209 6250 or visit the brand new website www.apolline.uk.com

 

 

 

  3466 Hits
3466 Hits
JUL
18
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Carestream Dental and R4 Practice Management Software: “We use it 24/7”

 

Mrs Helen Love is the Senior Nurse and Practice Manager for Balerno Dental Care, a state-of-the-art dental practice based in Scotland.

“The practice has been using R4 Practice Management Software for about a year,” says Mrs Love. “I have been here for five weeks, so it is still very new to me.

“I use R4 for a lot of day to day tasks including appointments, scheduling, set up of clinics, patient accounts and registration of new patients.

“Having used other Practice Management Software, I’ve found R4 to be a lot quicker and more flexible. You can access information from a few different sources on your control panel, allowing you to choose your preferred method of carrying out a particular task.

“I called customer support recently because of a fault where the computer shut down and froze and we use it 24/7. Carestream Dental came back to me quite quickly and sorted it out. Having the remote access is very handy, especially because I’m new to the system and I don’t know the shortcuts yet. It’s important to be able to get back on track as soon as possible.”

 

For more information on R4 from Carestream Dental please call
0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

 

  24857 Hits
24857 Hits
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ICDE 2013 BIGGER & BETTER

 

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Ivoclar Vivadent’s ICDE 2nd anniversary celebrations were back bigger and better for 2013, as over 200 dental professionals congregated at their state-of-the-art Leicester based UK and Ireland Headquarters, for an action-packed couple of days.

Attracting a pleasant mix of clinicians and technicians alike, delegates benefited from seeing the return of the superb clinician/technician duo James Russell and Rob Lynock. Taking to the stage on both days, James and Rob’s infectious chemistry saw them present another series of attention-grabbing case studies on how, through close teamwork, the excellent combination of the clinicians and technicians skills can ensure patients are provided with highly aesthetic, natural restorations. A variety of techniques to make conventional approaches more predictable and aesthetic were also shown.

With hands-on demonstrations from leading experts such as Rob Storrar, Jurgen Seger and Rob Endicott, alongside business-focused presentations from Laura Horton and Ashley Latter, to name just a few, delegates were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing from the comprehensive programme of practical lectures and inspiring seminars.

June’s much-anticipated event more than lived up to its high expectations with its supply of first-class speakers, and Ivoclar Vivadent ensured birthday celebrations carried on well into the Friday night with a lively party of eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment from the ‘Abba’s Angels’ tribute band.

For more information about future events please call the Ivoclar Vivadent Education team on 0116 284 7886 or visit www.dental-education.co.uk.

Facebook: Ivoclar Vivadent UK
Twitter: @IvoclarUK
YouTube: IvoclarVivadentUK

 

  6133 Hits
6133 Hits
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Communication Pt.1

Communicationand Treatment the DentistGoneBadd way

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6743 Hits
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ProDentalCPD – professional and convenient online CPD

 

 

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ProDentalCPD is one of the UK’s leading providers of high quality verifiable CPD from more than 2,000 authors – many of whom are distinguished experts in their fields. As a leading organisation in healthcare learning, ProDentalCPD features over 400 hours of peer-reviewed verifiable CPD (including all Core CPD) in text, video and audio formats.

 

Education is clearly important to Fay Griffiths, a hygienist who teaches the Diploma and NVQ for dental nurses in Wales and Hereford and works as an examiner for the Diploma. Fay has been doing her CPD with ProDentalCPD since May and the expanse of modules available has meant that she has made real headway towards achieving the remainder of her CPD hours. 

 

“ProDentalCPD has everything from diabetes, epilepsy, all the medical emergencies, infection control – even compulsory subjects like complaints handling,” says Fay. “And ProDentalCPD’s infection control course is the best I have ever seen in my life. I teach infection control and even I have learnt so much!”

ProDentalCPD strives to bring the highest quality CPD to its members with articles written by some of the most established names in dentistry. Fay agrees explaining, “I like verifiable CPD that is concrete and fool proof and with wonderful professionals like Shaun Howe RDH on ProDentalCPD’s editorial board, I just feel so comforted.”

The concept of e-learning has been designed specifically to fit around every dental team member’s working day. With ever-increasing time pressures and responsibility placed on dental professionals, having the opportunity to achieve the requisite hours of study can be difficult. “It’s good to go to courses to meet people,” says Fay. “But some people cannot go, many of these courses are just so expensive. ProDentalCPD is professional and convenient, and this is fantastic for dental nurses in places like rural Wales where courses may be difficult to reach.”

“I use ProDentalCPD all of the time,” continues Fay, “even in-between patients if there’s a quick half and hour. I can also retake the end of module assessments if needed.” This fits in with dental professionals’ clinical practice. “I have used ProDentalCPD everyday since last month, confirms Fay. “I have nearly done 40 hours already!”

With many DCPs embarking on a new CPD cycle this year, scheduling CPD around work and home life could be effortless with ProDentalCPD in the next cycle. By signing up to ProDentalCPD, members get a personal development plan (PDP) planner that allows them to map out their CPD for making the most out of training and reflective practice. Not only this, but members also have their own personalised homepage with Core CPD reminders and module recommendations suited to their CPD requirements.

Looking forward to the next CPD cycle, Fay is excited and reassured about her training and development. “I can’t wait until I start my new cycle,” concludes Fay. “I am going to do my online CPD three times a week. I am doing everything with ProDentalCPD.”

 

To learn more about high-quality e-learning solutions, contact ProDentalCPD on 0114 282 3509, or visit www.prodentalcpd.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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12649 Hits
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Building a new dental practice? Don’t jump the gun! - Roger Gullidge

 

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The thought of moving the premises of a practice can prove very exciting for a dentist. If put under pressure by the landlord or the limitations of the building that the practice currently operates from, a dentist may begin to take a look outside of their box and search for greener pastures. This can even turn out to be quite a practical solution. If the practice is set to move from premises that were once residential, reverting it back that way can be relatively easy and will increase the value of the property. However, it is an all too often occurrence that the over eagerness to move can result in this process being carried out much too hastily and this can have catastrophic repercussions.

When a dentist finds a plot of land or building that they like which appears to be redundant, they may find themselves getting very eager to dive head first into the project. A building that hasn’t been inhabited for some time may seem to harbour a lot of potential. The thought of renovating such a property into a stylish new dental practice can be quite enticing to a dentist and this enthusiasm can kick-start the project prematurely. The dentist will seek an agent to find out what the land or building will cost to buy, with the likely response from the agent being something along the lines of, “Go ahead, I’m sure you can get it”. This will usually trigger involvement from other services such as banks or a surveyor who will be bought in to draw up the area. The unfortunate thing is that all of this “progress” is usually made without making sure that the project is attainable. Firstly it will need to be checked if the project is viable in terms of construction and cost. Secondly it is necessary to establish whether or not the project will ever receive planning permission. Having jumped the gun without having first examined whether the project can even go ahead, a list of bills will already have begun to accumulate for the professional help that has been enlisted.

Finding out whether or not planning permission is likely does not always require plans to be drawn up or any other expensive services. All that needs to be arranged is a pre-consultation with the local authority. This is essential, as without planning permission the project will never happen. It is also wise to attain a price guide from a company who specialise in dental design, as they will be aware of the construction costs incurred when developing a new practice. Their experience will mean that they are qualified to provide advice as to what possibilities of the site are and roughly how much it will cost per m2. Completing these basic early enquiries are essential as they can save a lot of money from being wasted should the project not get the green light. Considering how easy and inexpensive they are to accomplish it is a wonder than any project is embarked upon without this basic research taking place first.

This is the benefit of involving a specialised Architectural Design Service early on in the project. A company like such as Roger Gullidge Design will be able to assess the feasibility of a project both in both a construction and financial sense. This can involve anything from checking whether the property has D1 use on it and whether or not it is likely to receive it. This can also entail examining whether or not the building or patch of land will lend itself to a dental practice. For example, if your current practice has four surgeries will the new building be able to accommodate this? If it can’t facilitate the right number of surgeries, can it be extended? And subsequently, what will be the cost of this? Conducting a feasibility check is an economical decision as it will save time and money if it comes to light that the project was never in budget from the beginning. Carrying out a feasibility check may seem obvious, but many dentists put wheels in motion too quickly when the prospect of building a new dental practice presents itself.

There is an example of a dentist who wanted to move his practice for a whole abundance of reasons and found what he thought was the perfect building. It was within his budget and it seemed to fit the requirements of his practice. He hired a builder to take a look at the property and assess how much it would cost to develop and when the builder came back to him it was within his price guide. He then instructed the builder to have the building surveyed and have space plans drawn up. Then a specialist dental design company were introduced to the project and they put together some detailed surgery plans. Despite all of this professional involvement nobody had contacted the local authority to see if the building would be granted D1 use or if it was in a conservation area. After a meeting with the highway department it transpired that they wouldn’t allow access from the parking area of the practice to the main road as it would produce extra traffic to an area already suffering from congestion. The project could not go ahead and a lot of time and money was wasted as a result. Had the meeting with the authorities been set up earlier this situation would have never arisen.

The lesson here is that investing in an Architectural Design Service early on will limit the chances of money and time being squandered on a project that will never get off the ground. By conducting a feasibility check the boundaries of the project can be specified and whether or not it can go ahead will be determined. The prospect of building a new dental practice can indeed be an exciting venture, but don’t run before you can walk. Enlist the services of experienced professionals who can conduct a feasibility check and make sure that no time or money goes to waste.

 

Roger Gullidge Design is a specialist design and project management consultancy specialising in the dental sector. Call 01278 784442 for more details or visit: www.rogergullidgedesign.com

 

 

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Why expert legal advice is vital in dentistry

 

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In any business, there are times when taking expert legal advice is essential to avoid expensive complications and disagreements. In dentistry that necessity can be especially pressing, and the peculiarities of the system makes it vital that specialist lawyers are used.

While all industries can involve complicated contracts and property ownership issues, many of them are unique to dentistry. Legal experts who specialise in other areas of industry will not have encountered them before, and will not benefit from the specific experience and knowledge required to deal with, for example, the sale of a dental practice.

While larger corporate groups continue to expand, the dental sector still essentially consists of lots of small businesses, usually managed by the founder or founders. Dental practices can be owned and managed in a number of different ways: partnerships, expense-sharing agreements, or incorporated practices, for example.

Any sale of such a business, or an acquisition made by one, must be handled appropriately for the way the practice is structured. A legal expert who had extensive experience in, for example, the manufacturing sector would not be aware of the strategy required  to transfer an NHS  contract.

Employment status is often unclear in the dental sector, too. Many practitioners consider associate dentists to be self-employed. Though in some, if associates are considered to have employed status it raises significant issues, such as the entitlement to maternity pay, paid holidays and redundancy payments if their services are no longer required. A Properly advised buyer will require protection from claims arising from such issues.

The situation is further compromised if any General Dental Services contracts are held by associates, rather than by the practice principal. It is often the case that, for historical reasons, a practice may have more than one contract and this is sometimes held in the name of the associate. If this is the case, he or she might be entitled to financial consideration if the principal decides to sell the practice. The situation could be further complicated by any question over whether the associate is self-employed or an employee of the practice.

An increasing number of incorporated practices are coming on the market. Often when we carry out due diligence on such practices on behalf of buyers we discover that the incorporation is flawed as the seller’s advisors  have not understood the very specific issues that need to be addressed when incorporating a dental practice and much  work is then needed to remedy the position before the practice can be transferred.

All of these issues simply reinforce the need for a suitably experienced legal adviser.

 

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

  3019 Hits
3019 Hits
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Introducing GoodmanGrant: Lawyers for Dentists

 

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This July members of the dental press gathered at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel for the announcement of a new specialist firm of dental lawyers. GoodmanGrant is the result of a merger between Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal and John Grant former Head of the Dental Team at Cohen Cramer. Both have an extensive career assisting dental professionals with their legal affairs and the team at GoodmanGrant has a combined experience of more than 75 years.

The firm brings together the current Chairman of the NASDAL lawyers group and the immediate past Chairman of ASPD. Along with dedicated expert solicitors in all practice areas, Goodman Grant is able to provide its clients with extensive legal advice on all aspects of the dental industry.

With offices in London, Liverpool and Leeds, Goodman Grant is able to offer its unique brand of accessible and comprehensive advice to clients in all parts of England and Wales.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

 

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


 

  2675 Hits
2675 Hits
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Building Bridges with the Nobel Biocare Esthetic Alliance Program (EAP) - interview with Dr Ian Lane

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The Esthetic Alliance Program (EAP) from Nobel Biocare is a unique initiative designed to help GDPs realise the many restorative opportunities associated with dental implants.. The programme, based on a tried and tested formula that has been designed and delivered in the United States is now being rolled out successfully around the world,

EAP brings a small group of dentists together in a positive and focussed learning environment with the aim of improving understanding among clinicians in order to maximise the business potential that dental implant treatments have to offer, while at the same time building and strengthening the referral network for all those involved.

Dr Ian Lane is one of two managing partners at Queensway Dental Clinic, Billingham, Teesside, and has recently hosted four sessions covering the first module of the Nobel Biocare EAP.

“The EAP is primarily about taking dentists with little or no experience with dental implants and giving them the skills and confidence to assess, treatment plan and discuss implant cases with patients,” says Ian. “The idea is to promote good safe practice for practitioners with limited experience in the field. It’s not a surgical programme, but it allows dentists to take greater care of patients that may have already had implant treatment, or to be able to make referrals so that they can then place the crown, bridge or denture onto the implant when the case comes back.”

As part of the structured course material, Nobel Biocare provides all the relevant information packs, folders; handouts and worksheets to lay the groundwork for further group discussion. Delegates are also encouraged to bring their own cases along for group discussion and treatment planning in order to assess the best course of action.

“The course consists of four modules in total,” continues Ian, “each consisting of four sessions lasting for three hours each. We’ve just completed the first module, and the reception we had was really very good. Six dentists came in total, which means our sessions can be very focussed and personalised to the dentists who attend. They were all people I’ve had conversations with in the past that I’ve discussed implant cases with. The EAP sessions allowed me to formalise that relationship, and gave them the opportunity to see some of just what can be achieved with the latest dental implant technology. This includes treatment planning using 3D scanners, and of course 3D CAD/CAM provided by our Queensway Laboratory, that allows us to order custom-made restorations directly from Nobel Biocare.

“If I were to summarise the EAP I would describe it as an excellent introduction to implant dentistry, supported by Nobel Biocare and delivered in a great location that is convenient for everyone who attends. Delegates will receive 12 hours of CPD from the four three-hour sessions that comprise each module, and the course is completely free to attend.

“From my own perspective the EAP is just great because it allows me to build relationships with local dentists while also showcasing some of the wonderful things we are now able to achieve. Our plan is now to host the second module in September, and then run a course every six months or so. It’s been really successful so far and I think the delegates who came were able to take aware some really useful lessons to help grow their businesses. I am now really looking forward to hosting the next module later in the year!”

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

 

 

 

  28892 Hits
28892 Hits
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Mortgages - Richard T Lishman

 

Mortgages

Since the global financial crisis, the goal of home ownership has been pushed even further out of reach for many potential buyers, dentists being no exception to the rule. Despite interest rates being a little lower for those who have already taken out a home loan, for first time buyers it is difficult to amount the large deposit that many lenders demand. In the current climate there is no denying that having access to the best financial advice is an asset that few can afford to be without.

For those who live in Britain, owning your own house is an aspiration which most harbour. Which is kind of bizarre considering the stressful, nerve-wracking process that ensues, even for those with a good understanding of finance. Trying to get your head around the terms and conditions of a complicated mortgage arrangement can be difficult, but it must be carried out scrupulously considering the size of the investment that is to be made. At any one time there are more than 7000 mortgages available, all with subtle yet consequential differences, so seeking the services of an experienced Independent Financial Adviser should be seriously considered.

With so much to consider, here is an introduction to three of the more popular mortgage deals:

Repayment mortgage

This is probably the most common type of mortgage, it is easy to understand and is frequently taken out by first time buyers. Monthly repayments will reduce the total of the capital that is owed to the bank, whilst paying off the interest amounted over the previous month at the same time. This mortgage scheme has been constructed in away that, providing monthly repayments are met, the homeowner will be able to pay off the whole loan over the prescribed term (usually in the region of 25 years).

This option is generally viewed as one of the safer options, for example, there is no need for worries over investment returns. Though, the downside of this is that there is no opportunity for the buyer to take advantage of additional investment opportunities and it will be difficult to repay that loan early.

 

Interest only mortgage

This type of mortgage usually attracts those who are a little more venturesome. With this model, as the name suggests, only the interest is repaid and decreasing the capital sum is put off until the end of the mortgage term. The capital is repaid using a variety of separate savings vehicles, such as with-profits endowments, ISAs and pensions. If these savings vehicles are successful and generate extra profit, then these funds can be used to pay off capital and interest at an earlier date than that of a traditional repayment mortgage. The other advantage of this type of mortgage is that more often than not moving house will not have any effect on the savings vehicles or the repayment plan.

Of course, the risk of this type of mortgage is that the buyer is depending on the savings vehicles performing well, if this doesn’t happen a dangerous shortfall could occur.

 

Mix and Match mortgages

A mix and match mortgage is not designed for first time buyers, instead, this model has the interests of someone moving house in mind. As they will already have an endowment plan in place, a further policy may not be suitable for them, especially if their circumstances have changed. In this kind of instance, some mortgage lenders will be prepared to set up part of a mortgage as interest only and the other part as a traditional repayment mortgage. By doing this the money gained from the previous endowment policy.

Mix and match mortgages are popular because they are a good combination of the above mortgage plans. Keeping the security of a repayment mortgage, whilst having the investment opportunities that an interest only mortgage makes available.

The above descriptions are dramatically simplified, even the more simple mortgage plans are still quite complex, so special advice should always be sought. Dentist’s looking to buy for the first time should consider the services of an expert, like money4dentists, a specialist Independent Financial Adviser that has been assisting the dental industry for more than half a century. Using a service like this will make understanding and choosing the right mortgage much simpler. A specialist financial adviser will be able to describe the ins and outs of any mortgage plan in layman’s terms.

Using a specialist who has a good understanding of the career structure of dental professionals as well as financial and legal expertise, will mean that all advice given will be tailored to fit your individual requirements. By enlisting the services of an experienced IFA who has a background in dentistry you can be sure that when the time comes to buy, you will be making the right choices.

 

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

 

  6209 Hits
6209 Hits
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Get Your Patients Smiling: by referring certain aspects of treatment - Tim Bradstock-Smith

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With millions of people tuning in to TV programmes like Embarrassing Bodies, 10 Years Younger and Extreme Makeover, the public has never been more aware of the possibilities for changing their looks.

These reality shows have provided exposure to the cosmetic dentistry industry, and, together with increasingly cost effective treatments, have shown that procedures are now available to almost anyone, rather than restricted only to the rich and famous.

Now more than ever, the British public are keen to have straight, white teeth like their favourite celebrities and there is no question that demand for cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. Orthodontic treatment in particular has benefited from countless pages of publicity thanks to famous brace wearers such as Tom Cruise or Kate Middleton.

In the past, people have generally assumed that only the teeth of the young can be moved into a more attractive, even position, but the fact is that orthodontics can work at any age. Patients are now becoming increasingly aware that good teeth can not only boost their self-confidence but also improve their general health.

In fact, the once unfashionable view of wearing braces is now acceptable even for adults. This is helped enormously by the sheer range of modern treatments available, which are far less obtrusive than the traditional ‘train tracks’ and are often more effective, more quickly.

With this increased interest in cosmetic dentistry and the ability to search the Internet for the various options available, patients are more knowledgeable now than ever before and they expect to have all of these choices available to them. This awareness and level of expectation puts general dental practitioners under considerable pressure to provide their patients with the desired specialised treatments.

For all dentists, their patients’ wellbeing is paramount and they strive towards top quality treatment that is suited to each individual patient’s need. However, some particular treatments, such as orthodontics and implant work, can require particular expertise, and often expensive, specialised equipment.

In order to provide this service, which is tailored to the unique requirements of their patient, there is the option for dentists to refer some or all of the work to a more suitably trained and equipped practice. This not only provides the ideal outcome for patients, it also expands the range of services the dentist can offer.

These referral practices are able to break down quite difficult or complex cases, provide second opinions or further advice, and often offer alternative or simpler treatments the referring dentist may not have even been aware of.

Dentists new to this course of action should not consider this step an admission of defeat; rather it should be viewed as a positive move. Patients will see the referral as a demonstration, by their practitioner, that their best interests are being served, and show more trust and appreciation.

This enhanced loyalty to the practice is likely to encourage some referral patients to agree to subsequent work by their own dentist. Treatments such as teeth whitening would not have been especially appealing to patients with severely crooked teeth. However, having been referred to a specialist orthodontist, they may be more than happy to draw attention to their newly straightened teeth.

Referring a patient to another practice, however, is not to be taken lightly: it is important to choose the right clinic to care for your patient and this means contacting the practice, asking to see the premises and establishing whether or not you will all work well together. The referral practice you choose needs to behave as if it were an extension of your own practice, and work as part of your team.

Leading referral practices understand the importance of your decision to refer and will be happy to provide more information or dispel any concerns you may have. They will seek to understand all your requirements for your patient and any future work you may be performing. You will also be kept informed throughout the treatment, and your approval and consent sought at every stage. In fact, the very best referral practices even provide models that you can send to your own ceramist.

For orthodontic procedures, the referral practice should work with you to your restorative plan and you would be required to sign off the treatment before the braces are removed. In the case of implants, you would expect the referral practice to be adaptable, either providing the whole restorative implant treatment or making sure communication is open with the you to provide the restoration.

One practice that meets all of these expectations and more is the award-winning London Smile Clinic. They offer an extensive range of treatments that are delivered with the utmost care and skill, and to exceptionally high standards. They have developed safe and painless techniques that preserve natural tooth structures, creating natural transformations in the minimum of time.

The Clinic’s team, which includes specialist orthodontist Dr Preet Bhogal and esteemed implantologist Dr Zaki Kanaan, enjoy a reputation for their professionalism and ability, matched only by their enthusiasm and warm welcome.

The referral process is undoubtedly a win-win scenario for all involved. The patient receives the best possible treatment from highly qualified and experienced professionals, while the referring dentist has a delighted patient who takes a greater interest in their smile and greater care to preserve it.

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

 

  3950 Hits
3950 Hits
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Put your practice on the Google map with Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’

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With over 500 outstanding dental practice websites to their name, the award-winning team at Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’ have all the skills and expertise to make your practice an online success.

Dr Jagmail Basrai is Principal dentist at Chafford 100 Dental Care, Essex. He worked with Krishan Joshi and the team at Dental Focus ® to build a website to really make his practice stand out. He says:

‘If you want to be successful online, you always want to be one step ahead of the competition – one step ahead of the curve. That’s why you need to work with a web design team who are experts at what they do, and completely understand what it is you’re trying to achieve. The team at Dental Focus ® basically put me on the map in terms of the internet, and I highly recommend them!’

 

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

  4954 Hits
4954 Hits
JUL
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Bringing the Profession Together

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The Dentistry Show and DTS 2014, 28th February & 1st March, Birmingham NEC

With The Dentistry Show and the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) running alongside each other in 2014, the event will offer an array of unique benefits for the whole profession. World-class speakers will present lectures, workshops and live surgery demonstrations, catering to the needs of each member of the dental team.

David Smith, a member of the GDC and the owner of Phoenix Dental Castings, has been confirmed as the Conference Chairman of the education programme at DTS 2014:

“I have attended both events many times in the past and each has gotten better every year. They now offer a great range of educational opportunities to interest professionals in all areas of dentistry.

“Next year, I would like to bring the focus back to the dental team as a whole. It is a highly symbiotic relationship that we have between dentists and technicians, and I want to encourage efficient relationships that will enhance the outcome of treatment for the patients.

“I invite all dental professionals to attend in 2014, to take advantage of the remarkable and free lectures and workshops on offer and to build relationships for the future. Put the date in your diary!”

 

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

  3252 Hits
3252 Hits
JUL
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Save Time And Money With Text Messaging Solutions From Carestream Dental

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As part of the innovative R4 Software from Carestream Dental, the Text Messaging service is the smart and hassle-free way to remind patients of their upcoming appointments.

Shown to reduce the number of ‘no-shows’ by up to 50%, the service sends out text messages automatically, freeing-up valuable time for staff to concentrate on other tasks.

Any replies from patients are then updated on the system, recording cancellations to ensure practitioners’ time is not wasted and money is not lost through redundant appointment slots.

The service also suits the majority of patients more than reminder phone calls, as they can wait and read the texts when they have time, and are far less likely to miss the message altogether.

With the whole team following the Carestream Dental eXceed programme, you can also expect first-class customer service every time. Modernise and enhance the service you offer your patients with the innovative R4 Text Messaging solution.

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

  4895 Hits
4895 Hits
JUL
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AQP + DA = Ex-BDS

It's summer people, in case you were wondering about that warm feeling in the nether regions.  It’s not your age.

I hope your stocks of Day-Glo lip’n’nose sun-block are holding up in face of the start of the Ashes and with memories of cricketers past. “Come on England” What? Oh sorry, I was forgetting, polite clapping and murmuring only if you will.  Please wear a tie when watching the evening highlights.

Look, want to hear a rumour?  You know that old phrase “Smoke on the horizon”. Well, if you are on a cruise as you read this, this may be the oncoming dento-nautical threat you were worried about.

 

AQP - “Any Qualified Provider” - is coming to a town near you

There, I’ve said it. Seemingly a little heard rumour for the New Contract will be this subtle change to NHS Regulations which means any registrant will be able to become a contracted provider.

The final cog of the dastardly Direct Access master plan is being assembled as we speak. World domination is not far off …

Could it be that the “unexpected consequence” of the pilots is that NHS England work out how to design a contract for Direct Access of the lower cost  Dental Hygienist/Therapist route.

In case you missed it there was a recent gathering of biscuit munchers at that old mutual hugging salon, the Westminster Health Forum, where the big guns of the BDA are barely pea shooters to the heavy artillery of public servants.

Healthcare Wheels

 

 

Our old mate the CDO emerged as The Last Word. I am indebted to my reporter on the scene for the live action as it happened. If you were not there, you can get tax relief on the £95 for the write up of the day… [1]

The CDO “championed the pilots” and said that “although the basis of prevention was a ‘no brainer’ of an approach”, stated that ‘implementing “no brainers” is not as easy as people might think”  [2]

That’s because dentistry needs people with brains, doh!

The CDO is reported as saying: ‘Workforce change doesn’t happen instantly. We need to start training for 20-30 years ahead and it will need a big “cultural change”  "If we only engage the dental profession, it will take years. We have to engage a wider community with all DCPs playing a much greater part as a team providing care."

Ooh – do I detect the bitchiness coming out there?  Not the GDPs critical friend now are we?  Nurse, the smelling salts ... we're losing him...

Hell’s teeth – even Dr Paul Batchelor, that colleague synonymous with all that is enthusiastic about public funded health care, raised concerns about the current  Fitness of Purpose of undergraduate education.  Never mind 20 years from now.  Those of us old enough to remember the dental workforce review of the ‘80’s and the dental school closure will wryly recall that it was the major reason why the DH was forced to go on a recruitment drive in the East.

The “Any Qualified Provider” concept is not about patient care – it’s about being seen to reduce cost. Fair enough but let’s not wrap it up in fluffy patient centred claptrap.

I think that a little change of emphasis is perhaps appropriate.

ANY Qualified Provider ?  ANY… ??
That's better - it smacks a little more of the desperation that is truly revealed.

“Building services around the patient”, my arse. It’s all about money.

And so is a holiday – so enjoy your breaks and don’t worry about the strength of the Pound.  Ciao for Niaow Amigos!

 

 

[1] http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/showpublications.php?pid=556

[2] http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/dentistry-needs-%E2%80%98cultural-change%E2%80%99

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Discover your career pathway with Genix Healthcare

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Genix Healthcare is an ever expanding chain of dental practices that are committed to providing the very best private and NHS dental treatment in the UK. Genix Healthcare is constantly striving to raise the standard of the industry by creating career pathways for young, enthusiastic dental professionals.

Each Genix Healthcare practice operates a distinctly modern approach to dentistry, blending state of the art equipment and technology with clinical ability of the very highest quality. It is this standard of care that has meant that Genix Healthcare is quickly becoming recognised as one of the UK’s leading dental corporates.

At Genix Healthcare the emphasis is on making dentistry accessible to all. Its prices are affordable which means that all patients can receive high calibre dental care at affordable prices. For professionals, Genix Healthcare strives to carve career pathways in all areas of the profession which is aided by Managing Director, Mustafa Mohammed’s membership with The Apprenticeship Ambassador’s Network.

To learn more about how Genix Healthcare can help you to access our potential visit the website for more information.

 

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 

 

 

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How do your patients book their appointments? Lloyd Price

 

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Whether we do it using a desk-based computer, tablet or smartphone, the internet has become the first port of call for almost anything we are looking to buy or book, whether it be physical goods or services. It used to be the case that we had to physically go somewhere, not anymore, anything we want can be ordered from the comfort of our own homes. The only problem with this? We don’t know how good the product is. So where do we turn? Online reviews.

No matter how big or small our purchase, we find ourselves turning to online reviews, this has made the internet a powerful ally of the consumer. Finding out what people really think of a product or service is now accessible for all to see and read online. The rise of Tripadvisor and other review sites has undoubtedly given the consumer a voice to channel and express their views.

Online reviews are now entering the healthcare and dental industry. An astounding figure of more than one million people search online for dental services every month in London alone. So having a positive web presence is incredibly important.

Many practices now have a website of their own, some are quite basic, but others provide a booking facility. This is a great feature for a practice website as it will allow dentists to welcome as many potential new patients to their practice as possible.

Aside from practice websites, there are also a number of websites appearing that allow prospective patients to search for a dentist in their area. These websites merely act as a directory and provide the patient with contact details.

There are now online facilities that act as a link between the dental practice and the patient. For the practice they act as a marketing tool, making the practice visible to thousands of potential new patients every day. For the patient, it offers a quick and simple way to book a dental appointment.

One of the main advantages of these sites is that they feature reviews and ratings from previous patients. This means that prospective patients can make an informed decision as to which practice they want to book their appointment at based on factors such as cost and services provided. If they wish they will also be able to leave a review of their own after their visit.

One of these sites is Zesty, which provides 24-hour, real-time access to finding and booking an appointment. This will be especially useful when trying to book an appointment for the next day, or even the same day.

As dentistry moves into the digital age, we will find that online booking services will become a more common occurrence. The service that they provides allows patients to make a quick, easy and informed decision about the practice that they book their next appointment with.

 

 

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 020 3287 5416 for more details

 

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Our birthday, your present!

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At Horton Consulting, we’re celebrating our 5th birthday! It’s been a magnificent five years in which we’ve met and worked with a wide range of lovely people, and this year we want to give something back.

To celebrate our 5th Anniversary, we’re offering our full consultant programme to a practice owner/s that need our help the most, absolutely FREE of charge*. On the 13th August 2013, the lucky winner will benefit from our full suite of services including business development, team training and marketing, as the Horton Consulting team visit your practice for the day to lend a helping hand.

If you’re available on 13th August and fancy winning this fantastic opportunity, simply tell us in no more than 50 words “why you would like our help?” Enter today by visiting www.horton-consulting.com/win. Good luck!

Twitter: @hortonconsult
Facebook: /hortonconsulting

*Terms & Conditions Apply. 

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Learn the “Keys to Social Media Marketing Success” at the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference

 

 

On Saturday 9th November 2013, Rita Zamora will take to the stage at the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference with her talk “Keys to Social Media Marketing Success”. She says:

“This will be my first time speaking at the BACD Conference and I’m really very excited. There’s a great skill to managing social media effectively, but by attending my lecture I hope delegates will leave with a good understanding of how to make the best use of social media without falling into the traps that some healthcare professionals have fallen into in the past. I will also cover other important areas such as the need for multiple pieces of online real estate and the need to embrace change in a positive way. I hope then that delegates won’t just leave my lecture feeling informed about social media, but also feeling empowered to make good decisions on behalf of their practice that will help their practice thrive in the digital world for many years to come.”

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

 

 

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Luke Barnett to host Technician Accreditation Workshop at the BACD Annual Conference

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Luke Barnett says:

‘For a technician working in today’s competitive environment, BACD Accreditation is a fantastic opportunity. The process of doing Accreditation itself is very useful as it applies your mind and focuses your mind on a higher level of work. In doing that you raise the quality of your own work and it changes the way you look at things. It’s a journey, and at the end of the journey you will be a better technician as a result.

‘If you are a technician and you have never been to the BACD Conference before, I really do recommend you come along and see for yourself just what the BACD is all about. On Saturday 9th November I will be holding a Technician Accreditation Workshop, and will be explaining the whole process, and giving tips on selecting the best cases for submission. There will also be plenty of opportunity for networking, and some really fascinating lectures from renowned speakers including Galip Gurel and Chris Orr among others. I look forward to seeing you there!’

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

 

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Export Achievement Award win

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Dentisan’s parent company Quadralene, has been recognised for their recent significant increase in international sales, winning the Medilink East Midlands Export Achievement Award.

The increase has been driven largely by Quadralene’s expansion in healthcare markets and their products are now sold in 41 countries worldwide. In 2012, overseas sales increased by 70% and are forecast to rise by a further 50% this year.

Managing Director of Dentisan, Andy Corley, said,  “I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of a terrific team that works hard each day to build our growing reputation as a leader in the field of infection control. Their tireless effort on behalf of our international clients is what makes the difference. This award is proof that their work is recognised not only in the UK market but also on a global stage.” 

Medilink is an organisation that celebrates the latest technologies, outstanding business achievement and international success across the UK Life Sciences sector and this is not the first Medilink award-win for the company. Two years ago, Dentisan received an “Outstanding Achievement” award for their collaborative work with University of Nottingham School of Biosciences in developing Bioclear, a biofilm remover for Dental Unit Water Lines. The company now goes forward to Medilink’s National Finals, held at the end of the year.

For more details of Dentisan’s full range of infection control products visit www.dentisan.co.uk

Dentisan Ltd on Facebook
@DentisanLtd on Twitter
 

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Marketing

Marketing by @dentistgonebadd

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Winners of Ceram∙X® Case Contest 2013

 

 

 

The DENTSPLY CeramX Case Contest is a long running competition aimed at dental students wishing to practice composite layering techniques with the innovative Ceram?X nano-ceramic single and dual layer composite.  The students supply clinical poster cases to the DENTSPLY judging panel for the chance to win prizes including an Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle and Apple iPod Nano.

DENTSPLY is pleased to announce the results of the Ceram?X Case Contest 2013 as follows

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Rebecca Morgan with Simon abbey, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

 

Winner – Rebecca Morgan, UCLAN

The case from Rebecca Morgan was a first class example of how modern resin composite materials can be used to restore worn dentitions in an efficient and relatively economic fashion - with dramatic aesthetic and functional improvement.  Judges were impressed by the composite build-ups, use of a silicone template constructed from a pre-operative wax-up, the establishment of canine guidance and the greatly improved form and excellent aesthetic appearance of the teeth. 

 

 

Rebecca’s case also achieved fifth place in the World Final.

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Before                                                                                                      

 

 

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After              

 

Second Place – Julia Bernardo, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry

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Matthew Jerreat, Julia Bernardo from Peninsula College and Kate Caple, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

 

The judges felt that the build-up of the lateral incisors and the reduction of anterior spacing n Julia’s case was carried out with a high level of skill. The final aesthetic outcome was impressive with excellent contouring, colour matching and polishing.

 

Third Place – Brendan Quinn, University College Cork

The judges felt Brendan’s case was complex with an excellent aesthetic outcome.

Honorary Mention – Hassan Adi, Birmingham Dental School

Hassan received an honorary mention as it was a strong case with good quality photography.

DENTSPLY would like to thank all the Dental Schools and students who participated in the Case Contest and extends its congratulations to the winners.

 

Contact us at dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn Rewards against purchases at dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and product demonstrations and earn CPD at dentsplyacademy.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Colleagues come together for Ben Fund AGM

 

The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

 

Registered charity no. 208146

 

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When you make the most of your patients everybody wins - Gary Morgan

 

 

Although dentists are servicing what is in effect a captive market, and so most can expect to maintain at least a minimum, viable level of turnover, a recent survey indicated that nearly a million registered dental practice patients were deferring or declining dental procedures in response to reduced state funding.[i] Surely a clear indication that the current pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending is reaching beyond the High Street and into the healthcare sector. 

Competition is a relatively new phenomenon in dentistry, but the ease of comparing practices’ services, options and prices via the internet has coincided with a rapidly growing interest in cosmetic dentistry, and many patients now see themselves as customers fully entitled to shop around for what they regard as the best value. To be successful rather than simply surviving, all practices need to raise their game to encourage loyalty, increase patients’ median spend, and attract new business ahead of their rivals. 

Delivering the highest quality patient service is vital, and this can only be achieved if every member of the team properly understands their role and is committed to providing the patient with a positive experience, from their first contact with the practice to the completion of their treatment. The only way to achieve excellence is to constantly strive for it; it’s easy to forget, in the heat of a busy day that ‘good’ is not the ‘best’. Excellent, friendly and empathetic communications, face to face or on the telephone, encourage treatment take-up rates and lead quickly to extra business through personal recommendations. Remember, enthusiastic patients are walking testimonials!

However, it is important to be prepared for the repercussions of something going wrong. Any resulting complaints must be handled promptly, with courtesy and sympathy. Just one unhappy patient can have many friends, and some of them may even be patients at your practice.

Communication is a key element in the 7-Star Dental Practice Programme, and relates to the staff as well as the patients. For staff to be fully committed to their patients they need to have an understanding of the Principal’s vision for the future and their own place in it, and how it will progress their own careers. If you keep your team onside, you’re much more likely to score goals! 

Conversations, however brief they have to be, are the route to excellent clinician/patient relationships. Questions and the exchange of information lead to genuine rapport, and it becomes much easier to discuss the financial aspects of treatment plans, or to devise a plan which is affordable for the patient who is keen but has limited means.

Raising the treatment plan acceptance percentage is the quickest way to improve turnover and improve patient education. Stressing the importance of oral health as a proven factor in overall health will resonate with patients and convince them of the importance of the treatment you can offer. Cosmetic patients who are making a significant investment in their smile need to know that you are both striving for the same happy outcome. Education also includes explaining choices, a point well made by the Office of Fair Trading in its latest report on the industry.

Failed appointments are every dentists’ bugbear, but be wary of threatening sanctions; you don’t want to lose the patient (and possibly their friends and/or family as well), whose reason(s) for not attending you cannot know and the ethics, and even legality, of trying to charge for a service you have not been able to deliver are, at best, doubtful. Much better to send polite reminders!

All patients expect their dentist to be properly qualified and highly competent. When two practices offer similar treatments the element of competition is not usually relevant in the area of clinical expertise. The value added which gives one practice the edge over another is in the patient’s appreciation of the entire appointment experience, and it may be worth engaging a reputable company like Milestone Experts to run a course at your practice. Allowing you to be sure that each and every member of your dental team has the skills to make your practice second to none.

 Milestone Experts offers consultancy services and training for every member of the dental practice team.

 

For more information visit www.milestoneexperts.co.uk, call 020 8337 5937 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Follow Gary on Twitter: @everycallcounts

 



[i] http://www.dentist.ie/latest-news/up-to-one-million-patients-are-postponing-dental-treatments-due-to-cutbacks-to-state-schemes-.6210.html

 

About the author

Gary Morgan is the business owner and lead trainer at Milestone Experts.

Gary has over 20 years sales and customer service experience and 12 years experience in training and coaching at all levels. He has compiled a 7-Star Dental Practice Programme, which is designed to increase patient numbers, whilst simultaneously maintaining existing patient numbers.

Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts offer training, consultancy and coaching for individuals and teams, whatever their role within the dental practice.

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Start a Revolution - in writing, if you please ...

 

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Come the revolution, my father used to say, some group of ne’er do wells would be the first to feel the pointy end of his sword.  I am left wondering if this advice is as pertinent as ever. 

 

In a week that the CQC almost imploded we now have three examples of groups for whom professional respect runs low.  Low – pah! If only our respect was THAT high! It’s more the unfairness of it all: we do our job and they simply  don’t do theirs. 

 

In dentistry, all we are asked is to do the job. Whether it be the check up, the filling, the root canal or the moistening of nervous brows – we just get on and do it – in arguably the most efficient health care delivery model around – namely the small practice. 

 

IT'S NOT DIFFICULT  we all think - actually - since there are so many incompetents around, maybe we should start by recognising how good we are doing a very demanding job. Back to revolutionary thoughts ... 

 

Firstly there is the dreadful CQC.  Moving aside the argument of whether they achieve anything toward patient safety, this last week has seen both previous and current senior management trying to bury the Morcambe Bay truth about incompetence, incompetently. They were saved only by the Metropolitan Police ringing the Stephen Lawrence bell. 

 

Next up the gallows are those at hospital level who invented Triage Referrals – all we want is for Mrs Grumbles and her nasty wisdom tooth to be seen to get the bloody thing out safely.  Now the forms have to be the latest version, and every box ticked in a remake of that 1970’s film noire  The Ultimate Quanker Revenge. Only one “tick” need be “a cross” by mistake and voilà! You have helped the hospital meet their waiting targets.  How magnanimous of you all … 

 

Finally and worryingly Madame la G awaits NHS England.  The stories of what is happening with Local Area Teams and the slow moving nature of this organisation give little confidence. When you consider what has happened to LDC Levies, allied to the fact that the new contract will likely be finalised by this already seemingly incompetent body - don’t even mention the seniority payment scandal [also known as THEFT, Minister] - we all have good reason for “CONFIDENCE Zero” – an organisation free from all useful contents! Dentistry risks, once again, being cut out of the healthcare planning loop. 

 

The NHS Changes on 1st April it appears  served simply to shut all the PCT offices, reopen some new ones [at your expense] while many of the old guard simply ported their redundancy payment & employment to the new organisation, around the corner in its new offices with its new water machine and new coffee facility. A change of biscuit was no doubt also essential. These doors were revolving so fast that Superman would have struggled to keep up. 

 

The only consistent cause factor has to be the politicians.  We need to rise up ladies and gentlemen. Our MP’s need to be attacked eruditely and daily by a vociferous professional demand

 

Enough is enough and this has to stop. 

 

The summer is a great time because that’s when they go away. But we must believe that in this revolution, the pen IS mightier than the sword. 

 

It is YOUR politicians who have created these organisations and undue authority to act with ALL power and NO responsibility. Their purpose is solely to deflect responsibility from Westminster. 

 

It has to stop. I don’t know about you lot but for me, the time for professional revolution is fast  approaching.  Where's my pen?

 

  19378 Hits
Recent comment in this post
Paul Isaacs

Wishful thinking

Sad but true, the sword is mightier than the pen.
Thursday, 18 July 2013 23:23
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Perspectives in cosmetic dentistry By Chris Orr

 

Cosmetic dentistry has changed a great deal over the years, and even more so over the last decade. Back when the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) was founded back in 2003, cosmetic dentistry was very different to how it is today. The overall “look” we are trying to achieve nowadays – the aesthetic goals – have not really changed, but the means by which we achieve those goals have changed dramatically. The emphasis is now very much on trying to be as conservative of the natural tooth tissue as possible. This has largely been made possible by advances in forms of orthodontic treatment that patients will accept. In the past if patients had crooked teeth you would suggest they needed braces, but in many cases patients would not be willing to accept a course of treatment that could potentially take years. As such patients would ask for other options, and the only other option we’d have would be to cut away at their teeth.

Of course 10–12 years ago that kind of approach may have been acceptable, but now we have a whole range of short-term orthodontic appliances that have fast become a part and parcel of what we do. Developments such as Invisalign for example mean we can create a nice smile without having to be as destructive of a patient’s teeth as we might have been 10 years ago. This has gone hand-in-hand with a philosophical change in dentistry, so we are no longer saying, “look how well I’ve prepped this”; instead we are saying, “look how little I’ve prepped this”. Ultimately this change in how we approach dentistry is much better for the patient in the long run.

Another significant change we have seen in the industry has been the advancement in material technologies. Take veneers for example. We can now make veneers that are extremely thin, but still very aesthetic. Being so thing means less preparation is needed and some need no preparation at all. Filling materials have also improved dramatically. Recent research for example shows that composite restorations after 10 years are now just as successful as silver amalgam.

Given all these changes in dentistry I really don’t think there is such a thing as a “cosmetic” dental practice any more. Rather I think it is more accurate to say that cosmetic dentistry is just normal dentistry done well. This is because cosmetics, or aesthetics, are now a fundamental part of what we do on a day-to-day basis. Indeed many patients have come to expect their dentistry to be carried out in an aesthetically pleasing way, so we should be doing all we can to meet this demand. Ultimately this ties in very closely with what we are trying to achieve through our work at the BACD. We aim to share in our passion for excellence in dentistry, while providing the very best educational opportunities to our members that we can.

If you want to learn more about the changing nature of cosmetic dentistry, I will be presenting the opening lecture at the BACD’s 10th Annual Conference on Thursday 7th November, at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. If you have not been before, I really do recommend you try and come along. We have an outstanding line up of speakers and I can guarantee you will come away with plenty of useful hints and tips that you can apply to your practice the very next day!

 

About the author:

Chris Orr is past President and Accredited Member of the BACD. He lectures widely and is the Course Director for Advanced Dental Seminars’ year course in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry. 

 

 

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Finding my True Calling An interview with Saul Konviser