“Whilst at a seminar on ‘selling your practice’, I met Luke Moore, a representative of Dental Elite” says Dr John Campbell who has recently sold two of his practices. 

“The valuation was organised promptly, we had a fantastic response and we received the full asking price.

“Despite the fact that a deferred consideration was involved pursuant upon contract extensions, Luke’s confident and professional approach eased the process; to date the deferred considerations have been met with no issues.”

Naturally, when it came to selling his second practice, Dr Campbell felt that there was really only “one choice of broker.”

“Full asking price was once again achieved and this time without a deferred consideration, despite only one year remaining of the contract!” John adds. “I think that this is testament to Dental Elite’s accurate understanding of the dental market.

“I would whole heartedly endorse Luke and Dental Elite for their thoroughly professional and supportive approach to selling a dental practice. Selling can be a very stressful event but Dental Elite certainly eased the process! I would without hesitation, recommend Luke and his company to any colleague, and indeed have already done so.”

For more information and to find out how Dental Elite can value
and assist your practice sale visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01788 545 900

The Nobel Biocare Global Symposium is a must-attend event for all professionals looking to take their implant dentistry to the next level.

The exciting four-day programme will be delivered by more than 150 industry experts from around the world, presenting a dynamic combination of podium lectures, interactive forums, masterclasses and hands-on workshops. Headline speakers will include:

• Oded Bahat
• Edmond Bedrossian
• Markus Blatz
• Wolfgang Boltz
• Steve Bongard
• Chee Chang
• Renato Cocconi

A vast selection of topics will be explored from immediate loading protocols to soft tissue management, materials and techniques for bone regeneration, screw-retained restorations and much, much more.

Key Nobel Biocare innovations designed to enhance your practice and help you grow your business will be discussed as well, including NobelClinician™, the All-on-4® treatment concept and the NobelActive® Wide Platform implant.

In addition to the outstanding educational programme, the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium will also offer fantastic social and networking opportunities, giving professionals from all corners of the globe the chance to meet and learn from those at the very forefront of the field.

To find out more or to register, visit the website today.

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

Orthodontic treatment remains as popular as ever with patients.

To ensure you can provide quality comprehensive orthodontic treatment, Wrights is offering top-of-the-range products at unbeatable prices.

An exclusive distributor of G&H Orthodontics, Wrights has everything you need from Bracket Systems to Buccal Tubes, Molar Bands, Pliers, Bonding Supplies, Cheek Retractors and more.

The leading supplier also offers a range of high quality own-brand orthodontic products that are competitively priced.

Plus, Wrights offers free next day delivery on any order, regardless of the value or size.

For a full list of products and exclusive deals available, either visit the easy-to-use website and examine the detailed catalogue or contact Wrights to speak to a friendly sales adviser.

Get your orthodontic supplies for less with Wrights.

For more information contact Wrights on 0800 66 88 99 or visit the easy to navigate website www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

We all know what fight or flight means. We all know the situations where you feel the rush of tension before you panic and go one way or the other.

The third response, freeze, is often overlooked. But freeze is exactly what I did, day in, day out, for years.

I froze. Standing, at the counter in my local big name coffee shop, for what felt like an hour. In reality it was only a second. What had caused this rush of fright?

The barista repeated. “Do you have a busy day?”.

That was it.

This wasn’t in my mentally rehearsed plan. I was ordering a cappuccino, the same as I did every Thursday in the morning, part of my weekly coping strategy. Going out of the house, doing SOMETHING, was better than sitting at home, waiting for the afternoon shift to start. I had become accustomed to going to the coffee shop, ordering the same thing every week, and gradually became more and more comfortable with my surroundings. And then this happened. I couldn’t go back. Well, at least not for a long time. I was comfortable, and she had ruined it by asking a straightforward question that any reasonable person would have answered without hesitation.

Social anxiety is a problem I’ve had since I was 8. I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but I was never really comfortable around people. Having someone who was obviously uncomfortable around other children drew the bullies out like flies to a turd. So I was a very obvious target of bullying. I froze, all the time. I couldn’t do anything. It got worse and worse, every time I was asked anything by an authority figure, I ground to a mental halt, unable to answer and unable to move. Rabbit in the headlights.

I was pushed into social events by my parents, who were clearly at their wits end and thought that forcing me to go to interact with other people would help. It didn’t. It made things worse.

As a teenager I got great solace in music. The louder the better. By putting earphones in, I could block out the cacophony of the outside world, and if anybody tried to talk to me, the brief time it took to take the earphones out gave me a fraction of a second to steady my nerves.

And then I discovered alcohol. I went to university, unable to feel comfortable when surrounded by anybody, and I found that at first beer took the edge off, then it became whisky. At the same time, I started smoking cannabis. Cannabis was wonderful. My anxiety was gone, I could be much more “myself” and it even allowed me to sit in a room and have no nerves at all.

But illicit drugs and alcohol soon took their toll and were starting to take over my life, as I descended down the path of alcoholism, and being so anxious of normal life that I couldn’t function without the instant and total relief brought on by cannabis.

I decided to stop everything. I stopped drinking, I stopped smoking cannabis. I was left (briefly) with the one drug that provided any form of relief, nicotine, although I stopped that fairly soon after.

Meeting new people was always very tough after that. It went back to how it was when I had been at school. I completely froze. When you freeze and struggle with conversation, people make all kinds of assumptions, with the stories sometimes making their way back to me through friends. If only they had known the truth, I don’t think people would have been so judgemental. The worst experiences were when people talked ABOUT me, to a third party, when I was right in front of them, on one occasion telling the third party that I was “the weirdest person I’ve ever met”, and the other, that I had “zero personality”. That was a trigger for a complete meltdown, and when it happened I struggled to leave my flat for a couple of weeks afterwards on each occasion.

And so on to the world of work. Eye contact became increasingly difficult. I somehow managed to develop a different persona for dealing with patients, and could blag my way through. I was able to talk to patients with comparative ease, but I always kept it very informal. Staff, however, were almost impossible to deal with. The more people tried to assert themselves as an “authority figure”, the worse it became. I once again got labelled as “weird”, got left out of social events, and then told that I made no effort to socialise. I do wonder if they knew how much effort it was to smile and say “Hi” to somebody in the morning, whether the same judgement would be made.

I recently decided to get treatment for this as I was incapable of living a normal life. It’s a lonely existence, plodding through life without any real social interaction. Social media has equally helped and hindered me at the same time, in that while providing an outlet for at least some socialising, it has also acted as a crutch, and got in the way of normal social interaction.

I had 8 sessions with a psychotherapist to try to overcome the social anxiety, and while progress is slow, the realisation that nobody looks or cares about me or what I say, was actually a huge relief. My GMP prescribed some antidepressants that unfortunately made my anxiety worse. However, after nearly a year of pushing myself into more and more uncomfortable situations, I’m much better. I can finally look somebody in the eye, and I don’t freeze when the conversation goes “off script”. I don’t take any medicines and I am no longer receiving any psychotherapy.

My only regret is that I hadn’t been able to access the treatment earlier. 

Image credit -PracticalCures under CC licence - not modified.

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

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

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

Understanding the managers role

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

Managing a complex team activity

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

- setting SMART objectives

- planning and delegating work

- allocating resources efficiently to produce reports and meet deadlines

- monitoring, evaluating and improving individual and team processes

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

Leading innovation and change

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

0203 764 4333

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

www.facebook.com/barnetsouthgate

twitter @barnetsouthgate

For more information on content and assessment, please contact me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jon Drysdale of Chartered Financial Planners, PFM Dental, assesses today’s Budget. Headlines may focus on the fragility of the economy and the need to further cut public spending The Chancellor offered positive news on personal finances which could benefit dentists.

·         Higher rate tax threshold to rise from £42,385 to £45,000 in April 2017. The majority of dentists are higher rate tax payers and will therefore feel the benefit. 

·         Many dentists employ their spouse and will take advantage of the tax-free personal allowance to rising to £11,500 also in April 2017. 

·         Annual Isa limit to rise from £15,000 to £20,000. This is a welcome increase to the alternative savings vehicle for those dentists no longer funding personal pensions (due to lifetime and annual allowance limits). 

·         Dentists trading as a limited company will welcome the changes to corporation tax, cut from 20% to 17% by April 2020. This may somewhat offset previously announced increases to dividend tax effective from April. 

·         Reforms to business rates will mean 6,000 small businesses pay no rates and 250,000 have their rates cuts from April 2017. 

·         Dentists buying a practice with a freehold property are likely to be affected by changes to commercial stamp duty – 0% rate on purchases up to £150,000, 2% on next £100,000 and 5% top rate above £250,000. The freehold of a dental practice is often valued at less than £250,000 so this could be an advantage to many buyers. However, buying a larger freehold practice, especially one in the south east, could make you worse off.

The much anticipated changes to personal pensions and tax relief didn't transpire - but we already expected that didn't we?

A more detailed appraisal of the 2016 budget will shortly be available at pfmdental.co.uk

Walk down any high street and you’ll likely witness a cornucopia of contrasts and contradictions. Overweight people, painfully thin people. Healthy looking pensioners, teenagers who couldn’t run for a bus. Naturally wrinkly old people, unnaturally smooth-skinned middle-aged people. Adults with bright shining teeth, children with a mouth full of decay.

It’s deeply ironic that in an age when many of us could live to a 100 and all but the most serious diseases can be treated, some people are clearly missing out. As a mother of two and former practice manager it particularly disturbs me to see children with bad teeth. The numbers are staggering. According to the Health & Social Care Information Centre recent report NHS Outcomes Framework for England, tooth extractions due to decay in children admitted as inpatients to hospital, aged 10 years and under were at the rate of 462.2 per 100,000 population in 2014/15. That’s about one in every 216 children.

That’s an average for England, in Yorkshire and The Humber the figure was about one in every 112. The report also showed that: ‘Nationally, there is a strong correlation between area deprivation and the rate of tooth extraction. As deprivation increases so does the rate of tooth extraction. The rate of tooth extraction in the most deprived decile is almost 5 times that in the least deprived decile (808.7 compared to 167.5 per 100,000 population).’

What does Google say?

To attempt to answer the question posed in the title of this blog I decided to post it into Google. The result was many references to information on children’s oral health and an article in the Daily Mail with the headline: ‘The lazy middle-class parents who don’t teach children to brush their teeth: By a teacher who’s seen the horrific consequences’.

The article claimed that parents were too busy to show the children how to brush their teeth and when the teacher opened a pack of tiny toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste in her class of four-year-olds ‘the children were saucer-eyed with curiosity.’

An article on parents.com claims: ‘Many parents are surprised to learn that kids need help brushing their teeth until at least age 6. Young children simply don't have the manual dexterity to do the job well.’

In October 2014, in guidance aimed at local authorities, NICE said: “Schools and nurseries should run tooth brushing schemes to help standardise the oral health of younger children.”

In an article about this guidance in The Telegraph, Joyce Robins from Patient Concern was quoted as saying: “Nice has often been accused of pushing nanny state measures but this is more like a ‘supernanny state’.

“What will they suggest next, that parents can drop their children off at school naked and unwashed, and leave the state to step in and do the rest?”

Oh dear.

There is an answer

So if parents are too lazy, too ignorant, too impoverished, living in area of deprivation or are combination of some of these factors, what is to be done? The answer comes from the USA. Tegwyn H Brickhouse D.D.S., Ph.D. Department chair, research director and associate professor in Pediatric Dentistry at the Virginia Commonwealth University was the lead author of a paper presented to the IADR/AADR/CADR conference in March 2013. In it she wrote about a study into a scheme to decrease the number of low-income children in the Roanoke Valley with long term dental disease. The Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke Valley (CHIP) provides in-home preventive oral health services designated as the Begin with a Grin Program. The paper states: ‘In the context of a home visit, Community Health Nurses (CHNs) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) apply fluoride dental varnish (FV) to the teeth of CHIP-enrolled children from tooth eruption to 36 months. They educate the caregiver in preventing tooth decay and the importance of a dental home.’

The study found that: ‘Two applications of FV to the child’s teeth significantly reduced the likelihood of having any decay.’ The conclusions were: ‘Home visiting programs such as CHIP’s Begin with a Grin serves as a model to improve the oral health of high-risk children. The CHIP program provides an innovative solution for providing oral health care to the nation’s medically underserved populations.’

NHS Choices states: ‘From the age of three, children should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice a year. Younger children may also be offered this treatment if your dentist thinks they need it.’

That presupposes a parent takes their child to a dentist. The CHIP Begin with a Grin programme avoids that requirement. However, dental practices would need to be informed when children are born in their area.

Is this something the GDC and NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) should be liaising about? Another question seeking an answer…

Image credit -Tiffany Terry under CC licence - not modified.

In April 2015, a group of key opinion leaders met with a team from Johnson & Johnson at a National Advisory Panel event in Dublin to advise on the topic of ‘Improving the periodontal health of Irish population – prevention and treatment’.

At the meeting, the key opinion leaders agreed on the following periodontal health consensus statement:

• ‘Effective plaque and calculus removal is key to oral health;

• Dental healthcare professionals have a responsibility to educate patients on their disease status and to direct patients appropriately;

• Patients should receive tailored oral hygiene instruction and demonstration;

• Patients have a responsibility to act upon the advice given by dental healthcare professionals;

• For effective management optimal patient home care and professional debridement are both essential;

• Long-term periodontal maintenance with continuity of care is critical for successful treatment outcome;

•Clinically proven mouthwashes, gels and pastes should be considered for recommendation to those individuals who are not achieving optimal levels of plaque control in their home care routine.’

The key opinion leaders were:

Prestige Dental is delighted to announce that ACTIVA BioActive-Restorative from Pulpdent has received a 98% clinical performance rating from The Dental Advisor One-year Clinical Performance Report.

In summary, the ease of placement, finishing, polishing and final aesthetics of ACTIVA BioActive-Restorative was rated as ‘excellent’.

Speaking about the report, Fred Berk, Vice President of the Pulpdent Corporation, commented: ‘ACTIVA  BioACTIVE products are the most exciting development of a lifetime. They combine the bioactive ionic resin, the rubberised-resin molecule and reactive ionomer glass to mimic the physical and chemical properties of natural teeth. 

They are the first bioactive dental products with the best attributes of composites and glass ionomers but without any of the disadvantages of those materials. They are strong, durable and highly aesthetic, and they release and recharge calcium, phosphate and more fluoride than glass ionomers. They are ‘smart’ materials that respond to the pH cycles in the mouth and provide long-term prevention benefits. My team and I couldn’t be prouder to have these attributes recognised by The Dental Adviser.’
 

Pulpdent ACTIVA BioACTIVE products are available in the UK through Prestige Dental. For further information, please call 01274 721 567 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Harry Singh considers the repercussions of having the Conservative party in power for dentists investing in buy-to-let property....

So, it’s old news that in May the Conservatives came to power and set the UK a-flutter for all sorts of reasons in all sorts of areas. For those of us who are in the property game there was something of an initial sigh of relief – just in that regard – since the Labour party had said it would introduce rent controls, leading to fears that the property industry would become more heavily regulated and overtaxed.

But what has the reality been? Has there been the expected increase in confidence in the UK property market? Given the last few months of political shenanigans, what might we expect over the next few years?

Broken promises

The truth is that George Osbourne is now looking to restrict mortgage interest tax relief for buy-to-let property purchasers to the basic rate of income tax, even if, as many dentists do, they pay the higher tax rates of 40% or 45%. The current system, whereby buy-to-let landlords can offset their mortgage interest payments against their income, is set to be phased out from 2017.

In advance of the Conservative party conference in October, Damian Green, a Conservative MP, laid it out for us in The Telegraph. He wrote: ‘We need to reclaim the mantle of the party of home ownership, and to do that we not only to build more houses but ensure that they are available for people to buy. Too many new houses and flats are immediately snapped up by buy-to-let landlords, and never become available for first-time buyers. I am delighted that we have taken the first steps towards removing the tax advantages for buy-to-let, but I suspect there is much further to go (and therefore more political courage required).’

Well let’s face it – all of that certainly doesn’t tally with what I and others perceived we would be dealing with; namely, a political party that appeared more in favour of landlords and property investors than Labour in the run up to the election.

If you feel you may be affected by the proposed changes I would encourage you to visit http://saynotogeorge.co.uk/. There is a wealth of information on there explaining the potential repercussions in depth, and if you decide you are against what is being planned you may choose to sign the on-line petition. 

Dealing with reality

According to the experts, however, it’s not all gloom and doom. As reported in The Guardian, Andrew Montlake, a director at mortgage broker Coreco, said: ‘These changes will undoubtedly make some prospective landlords think twice about entering buy-to-let, but the response we have had from landlords suggest that while it will cut down on their profits, it is not enough to fundamentally change their views and start selling off all their properties.

‘It will just be a case of taking these changes into account when making a business decision on each property to see if the basic maths of a new purchase still works.’

We also know that earlier forecasts of interest rate hikes mid-2016 are unlikely to come to pass now, with conservative (with a lower case ‘c’!) predictions suggesting the first quarter of 2017 to be more likely. This is good news for anyone looking to source a mortgage over the coming months.

However, here’s the caveat – always be prepared for the worst. When making your buy-to-let decisions hope for the best but factor in the worst. Make sure your calculations allow for George’s tax changes to come to pass and interest rates to increase at any time, and you’ll be able to face the future with equanimity come what may.

Harry would like to share his professional property secrets with his dental colleagues free of charge. For further information, please visit www.dentalpropertyclub.co.uk.

                                                                                                   -ends-

Harry would like to share his professional property secrets with his dental colleagues free of charge. For further information, please visit www.dentalpropertyclub.co.uk.

The content of this article is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon when making legal or financial decisions. It is recommended you seek the help of a financial and/or legal expert to assess your needs fully before making any decisions and/or making changes.

Bio - Dr Harry Singh, BChD (Leeds), MFGDP (UK)

After qualifying from Leeds Dental School in 1996, Dr Harry Singh followed the traditional VT, Associate and Principal routes in dentistry, owning three dental practices along the way. Amongst these was ‘Aesthetics’, an award-winning private practice in Hertfordshire.

Like most dentists, Harry was making good money; however, it left him working long hours and missing out on family time, hobbies, holidays, going to the gym, healthy eating, etc. Even when Harry was away from the practice, he found himself thinking about patient emergencies or complaints, as well as staff issues.

Feeling alone on a professional level and unhappy with his lifestyle, Harry sought to make a change so, as well as practising dentistry, he started to invest in property and stumbled upon some professional property secrets that helped to develop his business interests. 

Over a 2-year period Harry bought 27 properties and sold 6. The profits from these deals allowed him to buy into dental practices and set up 2 squat practices.

The passive income that these properties brought in covered all of his financial commitments, enabling him to reduce his clinical dentistry hours and to spend more time with his family and on himself.

Eventually he found that he was making more money from property and practising dentistry two days a week, rather than full-time. Two years ago he retired from dentistry to concentrate on the property side of his work.

He now has a property portfolio valued at around £7 million, yielding a passive income of £8000 per month.

With the new tax year looming, it is important to re-examine how the latest Budget – the first Conservative Budget for 19 years – will affect the dental profession. Having had time to evaluate the pending changes, it seems that dividend taxation could have the largest impact, especially those drawing dividends from their own limited company.

As dividends from UK shares are currently paid for with a 10% tax credit, previous years have presented incorporations with opportunities for reducing tax. From 2016, however, all dividend income will be treated as untaxed income and the current system will be replaced with a tax-free dividend allowance of £5,000 with higher taxes on income above that. What this ultimately means, is that practices will see a 7.5% increase in tax on any dividend income above the £5,000 tax-free allowance.

Although this is an aspect that will undeniably affect incorporated practices and their overall income, for those considering the decision to incorporate in the future, it could be pertinent to seek out professional financial advice to determine if it is the right decision to make.

In regards to dividend income received on Stocks and Shares ISAs and private pensions, however, thanks to the 1997 Budget, there will be no tax consequences introduced. This is good news for private pension protection, especially as tax relief claims will shortly be changing from £40,000 to £10,000 for dentists with incomes over £150,000 per annum.

The changes to employment allowance, income tax and inheritance tax are much more promising. Indeed, as from April, the employment allowance will be increased from £2,000 to £3,000 for all private practices. With the additional increase of the income tax higher rate threshold from £42,385 to £43,000, the Budget does present potential benefits to practices and dentists alike.

This is especially true where inheritance tax (IHT) applies. With the transferable main residence allowance set to gradually increase from £100,000 in April 2017 to £175,000 per person by 2020/21, this may prove to be a comforting thought for dentists and their families who have concerns about the effects of the Budget.

All in all, the Budget has revealed some interesting changes. While George Osborne and his fellow Conservatives expect to see public finances run at a surplus from as early as 2019, it would be prudent for all practices and dentists to stay cautious of what the future holds. Ultimately, until the changes take full effect it is uncertain what financial downfalls and benefits may occur, which means for now, preparation and calculation are very much advised.  If you are unsure of how the Budget affects you, contact money4dentists today.

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

The most responsible elements of a dental professional’s remit is making effectual clinical decisions and planning appropriate dental care. Most often patients seek treatment to address comfort function and aesthetics but this can be compromised by fear, cost, time and access.

Practitioners are able to base clinical decisions on their professional knowledge, scientific evidence and experience. However, in order to preserve the trust and to serve patients well, dental professionals must take time to understand their expectations and limitations before any treatment begins.

Patients favour a personally active approach to dental treatment. A collaborative decision, with patient and dentist equally sharing responsibility for decision-making, is increasingly popular.[1]  As well as examination, diagnosis, determining aetiology and formulating appropriate treatment options, individual preferences and requirements should be tailored into the treatment plan. Additionally, well-informed, engaged patients are placed in a stronger position when deciding between treatment options and are more likely to take ownership of the final treatment decision and outcome.

Patient expectations should be considered carefully and practitioners need to recognise that the focus of the general population has shifted from ensuring teeth are healthy and pain free to an ever-stronger desire that they should also be aesthetically pleasing.[2] As a result, the demand for higher standards of treatment and cosmetic procedures are on the increase, but when both the practitioner and patient bring value and information to the treatment plan they can build an agreement together, which is more likely to result in patient satisfaction.

There will, of course, always be occasions when things happen that are beyond our control but by covering every eventuality, both patients and professionals can be aware of any factors or risks that could compromise the treatment outcome. When shared decision-making takes place, patient acceptance of any less desirable consequences increases and the likelihood of complaints and claims arising from clinical decision-making are also reduced.

Planning well is an attribute that all professionals aspire to achieve. It is particularly important in the dental practice because a detailed treatment plan is beneficial not only for the patient and practitioner but the dental team and laboratory. With forward thinking, realistic scheduling and organisation, the skills, services, materials and time can be communicated and allocated efficiently to ensure the most effective results.

At times, cases present that are beyond the technological parameters or skill set of the practice. This could be due to the complexity of the treatment or due to the patient needs and enhanced imaging, sedation or specialist clinical skills may be required. Whatever the circumstances, dental professionals need to recognise any limitations and make a decision to refer.

Calling upon the additional assistance will ensure the success and accuracy of treatment. Furthermore, it extends the professionalism of the referring dentist and practice. However, these professionals must be able to trust the people and services they chose to work with and have confidence in their expertise.

London Smile Clinic is able to provide a referral service that can be integrated into any treatment plan. Referring dentists can rest assured that they will remain informed throughout the treatment and feel confident that their patients will receive first class treatment to achieve the most successful results possible.

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

John Grant of Goodman Grant Solicitors explains the difficulties that NHS orthodontists may encounter when the time comes to sell their practice…

It is often the case that the majority of NHS orthodontists will have a Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement rather than a General Dental Services (GDS) contract, which, unfortunately, can make it difficult for a contractor to sell.

This is because PDS contracts are time-limited; at present, the longest contracts are being renewed for three years. While LATs are likely to grant this, there is nothing obliging them to do so. Indeed, if an LAT were to decline a renewal request, there would be nothing an orthodontist could do.

The second issue is that, unlike GDS contracts, PDS contracts cannot be transferred  using the partnership route . Since 2006, NHS practices have been bought and sold by introducing a partner to the contract with the seller subsequently retiring – resulting in a  smoothish transition from one principal to the next. As this is simply unavailable for PDS contracts, on the face of it they are unsalable.

In 2006, there was a change in the law that allowed dentists to incorporate their businesses. After years of uncertainty in 2013, NHS England introduced its incorporation policy – effectively making incorporating possible – if by no means guaranteed. For orthodontists, this created the opportunity for the sale of their contracts: by transferring the practice’s assets, including the NHS contract, to the limited company. Then, by selling the shares in the company  the value of the practice could be realised.

Nowadays, however, the LATs’ attitudes towards incorporations have changed. More and more often, they are requesting tangible benefits – and the focus tends to be on the patients. Typically, their requests manifests as a request for extended opening hours; a recent case saw an incorporation application denied because the practice refused to commit to more than an extra hour a week, showing how stringent the LAT can be in this regard.

Of course, assuming the LAT does agree to the incorporation in principle, the problems for the contractor will not suddenly cease. At this stage, the LAT will produce a Deed of Novation – which operates to transfer the NHS contract to the limited company. Included in this document are two sections of which practitioners must be particularly aware.

The first is that the LAT will require a guarantee from the contractor that the contractor will personally guarantee the performance by the limited company of the NHS contract. This does not represent a problem whilst the contractor holds the shares in the limited company – it places them in no worse position than they were prior to incorporation. Complications arise, however, after the sale of shares, due to the way in which the deed is drafted unless amended the personal guarantee will continue even after the contractor has sold their shares.

Secondly, a Deed of Novation will include what is known as a change of control clause, which subjects any transfer of shares  of 10% or more in the Company (which obviously will be the case on a sale)  to the approval of the LAT. This essentially puts the decision as to whether the principal can sell in the LAT’s hands – and if they were to refuse it would be extremely difficult to challenge that decision.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists - a NASDAL member

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

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

A NASDAL and ASPD MEMBER

2D digital imaging has given the dentist greater opportunity to visualise the tooth than ever before, but with the revolution in 3D imaging and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), the practitioner can now visualise the full picture.

Due to its wide range of applications and its contribution to easier, quicker and more effective results, it has become embedded in the practice’s daily routine. It allows the tooth to be viewed in any direction or orientation, and negates the need for speculation, which is what has often happened with 2D views. Dentists can interpret this valuable new information to make better treatment plans and give more accurate diagnoses.

One of the more specialised areas of dentistry that 3D imaging is of particular use in is implantology. CBCT allows for bone evaluation in terms of thickness and density, identification of anatomical landmarks and provides multiple options for views. Most notably it also allows for ‘virtual’ implant placement. When the implant has been placed, historically, 2D images would have only shown a portion of the placed implant, but with 3D imaging, the whole picture can be seen meaning the greater likelihood of long term success.

Endodontics is another speciality finding this development in technology essential. Root morphology can be more accurately assessed and the ability to see different views of the canal, be it in cross section, long axis or oblique, allows the endodontist greater virtual visualisation of the form and structure of the root canal. More accurate measurements can be achieved resulting in more effective treatment success. It is also effective in the identification of post endodontic treatment infections, which often could not be identified with 2D radiographs.

Making it a Reality

Manufactured by the world class Sirona and supplied by the experienced Clark Dental, the ORTHOPHOS SL 3D is at the cutting-edge of technology. Clark Dental can help you make the leap to 3D imaging, and all the advantages that it brings with it, a reality.  The ORTHOPHOS SL 3D offers exceptionally sharp 2D panoramic images with its ‘Direct Conversion Sensor’ (DCS) and ‘Sharp Layer’ (SL) Technology, but also full 3D flexibility with its selectable fields of view. 

With just a single rotation, thousands of images can be taken and the SL technology can bring the entire jaw into sharp resolution.  Further still, the interactive element of SL allows you to manipulate the image and select a particular area that you want to focus on.  The ground-breaking DCS provides unrivalled character sharpness with unmatched clarity, ultimately resulting in greater success in all fields of application.  

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

Are you offering your patients finance options?

In this day and age, most people will expect credit – particularly for large-scale purchases. As elective dental treatments grow in popularity in the UK, this expectation will certainly extend to your service.

But these days, gaining and maintaining  consumer credit authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a lengthy, time-consuming process – one that many busy dental practitioners will not have time to complete.

Which is precisely why Chrysalis Finance is the perfect option.

Its unique service allows you to become Appointed Representatives – essentially allowing you to offer consumer credit through Chrysalis Finance’s existing authorisation: it’s quick and easy and allows you to offer your patients more options.

Simply sign up for a nominal monthly fee and let the expert team at Chrysalis Finance deal with all the regulatory management and FCA reporting. All you need to do is continue providing your patients exceptional, affordable dentistry!

As the UK’s ONLY licence-free provider of dental finance, Chrysalis Finance is changing the way practices offer credit. To find out more, contact the friendly team today.

For more information about Chrysalis Finance call us on 0333 32 32 230 or visit www.chrysalisfinance.com

Dedicated to bringing you the best, RPA Dental recently launched a new uniform range from leading medical clothing designer, Pastelli.

Pastelli uniforms are handmade in Italy from the highest quality of Egyptian cotton assuring you comfort and safety at work.

The collection – which boasts over 150 models in 32 different colours – is available in a variety of sizes and has been specially designed to inspire confidence and endure the day-to-day life of a dental professional.

Pastelli uniforms are also seven times stronger than a pair of jeans, thus offering you the highest quality and a guarantee on your product!

As Pastelli uniforms have been designed with professionalism in mind, RPA Dental is offering you the opportunity to take your practice’s appearance to the next level.

Essentially, a uniform can be as influential as your choice of equipment and the design of your practice; it has the potential to improve your status and reputation.

Make a lasting impression on your patients with Pastelli – contact RPA Dental for more information.

To see how RPA Dental can transform your dental practice, please call   

08000 933 975 or visit the website www.dental-equipment.co.uk

Renowned supplier of dental cabinetry, RPA Dental offers a dental practice design service tailored to helping you to achieve an efficient and stylish dental environment.

With years’ of experience specifically within the dental industry, RPA Dental has all the skills and expertise to ensure your practice not only looks great to your patients, but that it also functions with maximum efficiency. Regardless of the size or shape of space available, the team will be sure to put it to maximum use.

With an extensive selection of Tavom cabinet ranges, colours and surfaces, you can also be sure to create a practice unique to you, while also promoting your professional values and high quality patient service.

Combine the sophistication of Italian design with the expert support services of UK-based engineers, and take the stress out of creating your next practice with RPA Dental.

To see how RPA Dental can transform your dental practice, please call

08000 933 975 or visit the website www.dental-equipment.co.uk

Last week, a group of Dental Industry Leaders from the UK went on a fact finding trip with Bridge2Aid in Tanzania.

The group visited Kasamwa in Geita District where a Bridge2Aid team was training and treating. They met with the Site Clinical Lead, an experienced dentist with several trips under his belt who is leading the clinical team on this programme. Bridge2Aid’s sustainable model of training first attracted him and has kept him firmly committed ever since. The training team had already registered 99 patients for the morning, with more arriving as word spread.  Among the first to arrive that day was an 86 year old man who had started walking before dawn for 4 hours to reach the clinic, having been in pain for 2 years.

The visitors spent several hours touring the clinic and talking to volunteers, Health Workers (the trainees), and the local government dentist.  They viewed the treatment in progress, all performed today by the Health Workers, all of whom have passed the 9 day course, and coached by the training dentists who started work with them just last week. They saw the sterilisation processes used and taught to the Health Workers, and heard an oral health education talk given to the group of waiting patients by one of the Health Workers, a key component of Bridge2Aid’s programme.

The visitors gave us these reflections on the day:

Patrick Allen – Henry Schein Dental

 “The passion and dedication of the volunteers was incredible and meeting people who have been on 6+ programmes and who clearly will be back again was inspiring. …[this is] a special programme which is clearly creating lasting and sustainable change”

Alison Speak - Director Oasis

“Although I’d been on a B2A training day in the UK , to see, first hand , just what an impact the programme is having was very emotional. Everything I observed today (commitment of volunteers, skills of the  clinical officers in training, organisation and admin skills of the employed local staff) confirmed to me that the approach B2A have taken will effect lasting change.”

 Jason Newington – FMC

“An amazing and humbling day watching the Bridge2aid volunteers at work. To see the life changing effect their work has on the lives of the local people who have suffered for so long with pain, was truly incredible. Bridge2aid are simply making a massive difference to the community and its clear that the years of hard work and persistence by the team and volunteers has paid off”.

 Bob Newsome – Dentisan

“I witnessed great teamwork in play today, between indigenous Tanzanian Clinical Officers and Dental Volunteers from the UK- in less than ideal conditions the rhythm of work and the camaraderie established was a delight and pleasure to see”

Steve Booth – Straumann

“Today was truly an inspiring day in several ways. 

 “The patients, some clearly in pain and discomfort, were themselves immensely patient and grateful for the treatment they had or were about to receive. For a patient to have chronic dental pain and to be able to relieve it must have a dramatic effect on the quality of their lives. 

“The team spirit, respect and closeness of the volunteers was clear to see. The way they supported each other and the Clinical Officers was amazing. How they run such an efficient clinic in such an environment is astonishing and clearly a testament to the quality of the people and the process you have put in place.

 “To see all six clinical officers today taking charge of all of the clinical work shows what can be achieved with the right mindset and people. A truly inspiring day in so many ways.”

Note for editors

For further information please contact Paul Tasman at Bridge2Aid, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07796 951855

This year GSK Consumer Healthcare, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, will be visiting the Dentistry Show and will be showcasing leading oral care brands, Sensodyne® and Pronamel®.

GSK will be revealing the New Sensodyne® Repair & Protect - now with stronger repair*, which offers sensitivity sufferers the benefit of both advanced NovaMin® technology with sodium fluoride in a single formulation. With twice daily brushing Sensodyne® Repair & Protect can create an even harder reparative hydroxyapatite-like layer* over the exposed dentine.^1-4

Pronamel® has an optimised fluoride formulation to help minerals penetrate deep into the tooth surface, actively strengthening and re-hardening acid-weakened enamel.?^-8 Visit stand G40 to find out further information on how Pronamel® can help protect your patients’ enamel from the effects of erosive tooth wear.

This year GSK will be sponsoring not one but two presentations! Visit the Dental Hygiene Theatre at 14:45 on Friday 22^nd April where Ali Lowe will be presenting “The hygienist’s role in prevention”. The second presentation is due to be revealed shortly!

Feel free to ask any of the GSK team about how Sensodyne® and Pronamel® products can help improve your patients’ oral health.

To request sample of GSK products for your patients visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk

Trade Marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies

References: 1. Parkinson et al. J Clin Dent 2011; 22(3): 74-81. 2. GSK Data on File. ML498. 3. GSK Data on File. ML584. 4. GSK Data on File. ML589. 5. Edwards MI et al. Correlation of Enamel Surface Rehardening and Fluoride Uptake – DSIMS imaging. Presented at IADR. September 2006. 6. Fowler C et al. J Clin Dent, 2006; 17(4): 100-105. 7. Hara AT et al. Caries Res 2009; 43: 57-63. 8. Barlow P et al. J Clin Dent. 2009; 20(6): 192-198.

*Vs. previous formulation. Forms a protective layer over the sensitive areas of the teeth. Brush twice a day for lasting sensitivity protection.

The 2016 Talking Points in Dentistry lecture series, presented by the Sensodyne® brand, offers tailored sessions for different team members to maximise relevance for the whole dental team.

“The personal and social impact of dentine hypersensitivity”

Lecture one: for dentist, hygienists and therapists 

Professor Peter Robinson BDS MSc PhD FRACDS FDSRCS FHEA FFPH – is Head of School and Professor of Dental Public Health at the School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol.  Professor Robinson’s research interests include the evaluation of oral health care and the impact of oral conditions on everyday life.

Lecture title - Measuring the effect of dentine hypersensitivity on everyday life

Professor Barry Gibson BSc MMedSci PhD – Professor in Medical Sociology and Head of Academic Unit of Dental Public Health. His research interests include medical sociology and oral health related quality of life. Professor Gibson was involved in the development of an OHQoL measure for assessing the impacts of dentine hypersensitivity.

Lecture title - The changing meaning of dentine hypersensitivity: understanding the social dynamics of the concept

 “Dealing with nervous patients”

Lecture two- for dental nurses and other practice staff

Professor Tim Newton – Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry at King’s College London Dental Institute. Professor Newton has worked in the behavioural sciences in relation to dentistry for over 20 years and his particular interests include the management of dental anxiety.

Lecture title - Psychological approaches to dental anxiety: A proportionate approach

Brid Hendron – Brid has worked in general practice for many years and has a specialist interest in relaxing nervous, anxious and phobic patients. Many practitioners have enlisted her help communicating with patients and she lectures extensively throughout the UK.

Lecture title - “Be not afraid” - practical tips on caring for anxious patients

This year’s venues include:  

5^th May                                                Hastings Europa                      Belfast

12^th May                                              Watford Colosseum                Watford

17^th May                                              GSK House Brentford              London           

19^th May                                              ICC Birmingham                     Birmingham

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! – VISIT http://talkingpoints2016.eventbrite.com

Not able to make it to a venue?

This year a special bitesize video of the speaker’s lectures will also be available shortly after the event at www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you at the 31^st year of Talking Points in Dentistry! 

By 2050, 22% of the global population will be aged over 60.¹ This increase in the elderly population may present a greater stress on your dental practice and the need for specialist oral health products.

This year the GSK Consumer Healthcare team will be at DTS to showcase one of the UK’s leading denture brands, Poligrip®. Visit stand 630 to find out more about the Poligrip® range of cleansers and fixatives and understand how they can help make your patients’ denture experience more comfortable. 

The stand will feature additional materials to help support your patients in adapting to life with their new dentures and the Poligrip® team will be on hand to answer your questions.

GSK sponsored lecture – “Implants are great, but we still need dentures”

Visit the DTS Education Forum for a GSK sponsored lecture session on “Implants are great, but we still need dentures”. The lecturer, Tim Friel, has been a fully qualified Clinical Senior Lecturer for 28 years. He has a clinical interest in all aspects of fixed and removable prosthodontics and dental care of older people with special care requirements – all which will become evident in his presentation.

Visit the DTS Lecture Theatre[SS1]  on Friday 22^nd April at 12:45 for this unmissable opportunity!

-ENDS-

Reference:

1. UNFPA & HelpAge International, 2012

The third NHS Confidence Monitor has revealed that 70% of survey participants would not recommend dentistry as a profession to a family member or friend.

To reflect the profession’s growing interest in the NHS Confidence Monitor, this latest survey was launched to enable all members of the dental team to share their thoughts, providing a deeper and wider understanding of the whole profession’s perception of NHS dentistry. With 590 participants, it is the most comprehensive survey in the series thus far and makes it clear that all dental team members feel similarly to those dentists who answered the questions posed by the previous survey in the summer of 2015.

As before, the survey monitored the profession’s confidence in:

•               The future of NHS dentistry as a whole

•               Future career prospects

•               Remuneration levels

•               Getting the balance of treatment versus prevention within the NHS right

•               The ability of the team to work effectively within the NHS

•               Whether patients will be happy with level of care provided.

In addition, the survey was extended to explore two new issues: whether respondents would feel happy encouraging a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry, and their proposed age of retirement to gauge the possibility of a staffing crisis in the future.

When considered as a whole, the NHS Confidence Monitor indicates that an overwhelming majority of dental professionals are lacking confidence in many aspects of NHS dentistry.

Speaking about the results, Judith Husband, a dentist who participated in the second Insights Panel meeting and who sits on the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, commented: ‘I was unsurprised but nonetheless sad to learn that confidence levels are so low among dental team members across the board. We need to look at these figures within the general landscape of dentistry, so not only how the NHS contract is affecting the profession, but also regulations, the role of the GDC, and the levels of patient complaints. All of that can make practising NHS dentistry a daunting prospect, to say the least.’

Looking at the results in greater detail, it was further revealed that dentists’ desired age of retirement ranges significantly, with an average of 60 years old.

In relation to this outcome, Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, co-founder of Lockharts Solicitors and a member of the Insights Panel, said: ‘We are seeing a greater number of dentists considering their retirement plans earlier than ever before. 60 may not seem a young age to retire, but certainly the number of people who, broadly speaking, have said to me that they are retiring four or five years earlier than they had anticipated is growing. The age has come down, without any doubt at all.’

The results of the latest survey will shortly be presented to an ‘Insights Panel’ made up of key opinion leaders and experts from the dental profession who will explore and debate their significance and implications for the future of NHS dentistry. The panel’s findings will then be shared with dental professionals throughout the UK.

For detailed results from this and the last two surveys, as well as to gain access to the discussions from our previous Insights Panel meetings and interviews with our panel members, visit www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk

This Friday 18th our NHS Dentistry Insights Panel are meeting to discuss the results of our latest NHS Confidence Monitor survey. The panel consists of 6 KOL's and dentists, including Eddie Crouch, Judith Husband and David Houston. If you'd like us to pose your question on NHS dentistry to our esteemed group, please post them here and we will feed back their answers after the event.

You can view the latest results of the confidence monitor here http://www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk

Notes:

The NHS Confidence Monitor is an independently verified survey commissioned by Practice Plan.

The NHS Confidence Monitor was conducted to gain insight into the confidence levels in NHS dentistry. The results will ensure Practice Plan has the most up-to-date information to provide the very best support to dentists looking to make an informed decision about the future of their practice.

The third forum of key opinion leaders will be held in March and includes Judith Husband, Eddie Crouch, Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, Sarah Franks, David Houston and Paul Worskett. Information on their thoughts will be released soon.

Practice Plan is the UK’s number one provider of practice-branded patient membership plans. They have been supporting dentists with NHS conversions for over 20 years, helping them to evaluate their options and, for those who decide to make the change, guide them through a safe and successful transition to private practice. 

Designed by The National Apprenticeship Service, this special week celebrates the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. It highlights how apprenticeships can help businesses across all sectors ‘rise to the top’ with young, enthusiastic talent and invites employers to get involved.

Apprentices follow a comprehensive work-based programme and work towards a recognised qualification that is relevant to your business. You can harness fresh new talent to your team or use the schemes to develop the skills and experience of existing employees.

In dentistry, newly approved, employer led apprenticeships are available for:

·         Dental Nurses

·         Dental Practice Managers

·         Dental Laboratory Assistants and

·         Dental Technicians

With almost 9 in 10 of every employer that takes on an apprentice reporting benefits to their business[1], there has never been a better time show your support.

The National Apprenticeship Service has set up an online tool – Pledge-o-meter for businesses to share their apprenticeship and traineeship pledges – get involved and show your commitment at:

www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-week-2016

Find out more about dental apprenticeships at one of the
TRAILBLAZERS LAUNCH EVENTS
on March 16^th at Barnet and Southgate College -
www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk and
on March 17th at the University of Bolton University - www.bolton.ac.uk/dentalapprentice

For additional information from the National Apprenticeship Service, please visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

If you are incorporated as a limited company or incorporation is something you are considering here’s important information about dividend tax changes in April 2016. Changes also apply if you are an associate trading as a limited company.

The majority of earnings are likely to be paid out of the company via dividends. Currently, UK dividends are paid with a notional 10 per cent tax credit; as of April 2016, the dividend tax credit is being scrapped and replaced with a tax-free dividend allowance of £5,000 per year for each shareholder. Additionally, the income tax attributable to dividends is increasing by 7.5 per cent within each income tax band, including the basic rate band – which was previously tax free.

Hayley Hudson ACA, Manager for PFM Townends LLP, says: “There are a number of beneficial reasons to incorporate as part of a tax planning scheme, however, there are many factors to consider. Incorporation should be analysed on a case-by-case basis to ensure it is indeed the best course of action.

“At PFM Townends we always proactively discuss all the advantages and disadvantages with our clients.”

For more information visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

In my last blog, I noted a developing Critical Mass for change in how we address infant caries and its consequences. And barely a month later, the steam pressure has been increased once again.

The Chief Dental Officer Dr Sarah Hurley, is starting to make public inroads into her role, and recently delivered the 2016 Pendlebury Lecture. It was in stark contrast to the one delivered in 2014, demonstrating a wide understanding of the playing field that is dental health.

Critical Mass 2

It comes at the end of a week in which the state of children’s teeth once again was publicly pilloried, on the back of the General Anaesthetic numbers.

While it remains a problem in England, just look at Scotland. After many decades when Scotland has been spiritual home of the UKs dental problems, it suddenly produces numbers through its Child Smile initiative that suggests significant inroads are being made to improve the health of children’s teeth and prevent dental caries [and thereby reduce the costs and morbidity of unrestricted dental breakdown]. It is not really rocket science, they have just been investing in infant dental health.

So we in England [and Wales and Northern Ireland to a similar extent, but out with the CDO[NHSE]’s remit] have a problem.

We know the target population for any changes must now be parents and infants in equal measure.  There seems to be ample evidence that parking the dental professionals in discrete buildings, called Dental Surgeries, is simply not working, and it is evidence that Dr Hurley seeks.

We know that the medical stakeholders are now on board, as obesity and diabetes rear their heads with all the long term cost implications. Indeed it is the medical drive for a sugar tax to discourage the dietary shortcomings that is also driving the publicity that emerged in the Daily Telegraph over the weekend of the 26^th February, and was subsequently widely discussed on broadcast and printed media.

Follow the money

So increasingly the priority is being defined. But the thorny issue will arise of funding.

Which Departments will pay?   How will we [the public] pay for the inevitable targeted measures that are due to follow, as day follows night?  A sugar tax undoubtedly could easily raise the funds but the political will in the chaos pre-Referendum is clearly not there.

There is a serious danger in the current fiscal period of restraint that the HM Treasury will insist on a cost neutral option.  Maybe not, but we must for now assume that.

Could it be that the GDP Budget is being eyeballed [at £3.4Bn] as the low hanging fruit of funding that could or perhaps should be used to address the issue of infant dental health?

The Chief Dental Officer is clearly leading dental health to a better place – but who will pay for this Piper’s plans?

The role must soon change it seems to that of Chief Decision Officer.  

Interesting times, but the sooner we address the issue of Dental Health for the young child, the sooner we can restore some pride to our profession.
 

As a GDP you would do well to plan for big changes. Not sure what but for sure very significant.
 

Have great Easter, assuming the snow has eased back!

2016 letter to Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/12077501/Letter-The-NHS-dental-health-system-is-unfit-for-purpose.html

Dentistry response http://www.dentistry.co.uk/2016/01/11/nhs-dentistry-letter-published-in-the-telegraph-unhelpful/

Feb 26 article DTel  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12174796/Thousands-of-children-have-decayed-teeth-out-in-hospital.html

BDAs Press release  https://www.bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/tooth-decay-stats-should-offer-wake-up-call-on-prevention

GDPUK News https://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/2151-gas-for-dental-extractions-in-children-on-increase

GDPUK CDOs response https://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/2152-strong-response-to-child-ga-figures

GDPUK Scan of other media [Dr Tony Kilcoyne]  https://www.gdpuk.com/forum/gdpuk-forum/telegraph-third-world-dentistry-crisis-in-engand-21379?start=130#p239340

Scottish example  http://www.child-smile.org.uk/professionals/childsmile-core/toothbrushing-programme-national-standards.aspx

·         Since 2011, all elements have been delivered in all Health Board areas throughout Scotland.

·         "As a result of our efforts, dental health in Scotland is improving, particularly in deprived communities. In the Primary 7 age group dental health has never been better and on a Scotland level the target of 60 per cent of this age group having no obvious decay has been met. This is a fantastic success story."

Summary of 2016 Pendlebury lecture http://www.fgdp.org.uk/content/news/synopsis-of-the-2016-malcolm-pendlebury-memorial-l.ashx

As an online publisher we like to keep an eye on the stats on the site, how the banner ads are performing and also hope to increase the number of visitors and users of the site.

We publish a number of news and blog pieces a week, which all help to bring a steady stream of the target audience to our website.

The daily email digests, which get sent three times a day also keep our members engaged with what is happening on the forum and ensures the community spirit is maintained.

Since our mailing list was turned into a website and forum in 2008, we have seen the site evolve and grow. In early Jan we went past 20,000 threads created since mid-2008. Screenshot below of the most recent threads created and forum posts received.

The 20247 topics have received 229387 replies, which is around 11 replies to each topic, an amazing amount of input from the members of the site.

Below we can also see the amazing growth of the site in numbers since 2013, by using the month of February as a comparison, the growth in unique visitors and total visits made in each month demonstrates the popularity of the community.

As the site continues to grow year on year we have now also moved the serving of our banner ads to Google Doubleclick for Advertisers which we have found improves the serving of the banners and isn’t as susceptible to click fraud as other software. It has a number of advantages, with the main one being that an advertiser can book a certain space for a month and then advertise more than one thing in that space, with each banner getting an equal share of the impressions. Useful for a dental business that wants to advertise a new product as well as an existing service. You can promote both!

There are many ways we can work together to use differing formats for banners, HTML 5, video ads, and we have space ready for a new size banner, the Super Leaderboard.

Advertising is also available on our email daily digests which is sent three times a day to thousands of dentists, who have voluntarily subscribed to the list and use the digests to look at the latest news and forum posts on the forum.

For further information about GDPUK and what we can offer companies looking to reach dentists, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give Jonny a call on 07786571547.

It is with the greatest pleasure that Wrights can announce the appointment of Charlie Cope as the Equipment National Sales Manager.

With 34 years’ experience as a Sales and Service Engineer, Charlie is a perfect addition to the award-winning Wrights Engineering and Technical Services team.

Charlie started his long career with a four-year apprenticeship with Ferranti – a name known throughout the aerospace and defence industry – before qualifying as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer. He then worked with the leading company for ten years developing radar systems for Harrier Jump Jets and Eurofighters.

Thereafter, Charlie added to his accomplishments, putting in five years as a Field Service Engineer with Leco instruments before making the move in to dental and medical equipment sales. He has worked with Prestige Medical, Viasys Healthcare and A-dec – which he was with for 13 years.

With a great wealth of experience and an extensive skill set, Charlie has established himself as one of the dental profession’s leading Engineers, and looks forward to offering a quality service to Wrights’ customers.

Contact Wrights to find out more on services available from the superior team.

 For more information contact Wrights on 0800 66 88 99 or visit the easy to navigate website www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

Thanks for clicking through to find out more about advertising your course, conference or website on GDPUK.com.

Get noticed by the thousands of Dentists on GDPUK every month.

Below we have put some excellent pricing for advertising on the site from April 16 onwards. We believe the site is an exceptional place to attract dentists who are interested in learning on your course or conference in 2016.

Advertise your course one month at a time, improved pricing offered for 2 or more months booked. Please get in touch for more information.

All advertising includes 2 PR pieces per month published on the site, which we share on social media to our 5,000 + followers.

Advertising Options start from £250+vat for the month

All banners appear in rotation with other banner ads throughout the month you book.

Email banner - appears on our daily digest emails - 468x60px

Usual Price …. £395 + vat  …….Special offer - £250 + vat

Forum banner Spot 2 - appears on forum pages on left hand side of page - approx 30,000 impressions per month - 300x250px

Usual Price - £475 + vat ……. Special offer - £325 + vat

Forum banner Spot 1 - appears on forum pages on left hand side of page, above Spot 2 - approx 30,000 impressions per month - 300x250px

Usual Price - £550 + vat ……. Special offer - £395 + vat

Leaderboard Banner - available from May onwards, appears on all pages of the site at the top, 728x90px

Usual Price - £950 + vat ……. Special offer - £750 + vat

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your space on the site and

get your course advertised in front of your target audience.

TEXT TEETH TO 70660 TO DONATE £5

Plus your standard network rate

www.dentaid.org/get-involved/fundraise

Founded specifically to meet the ever-growing demands of modern dentistry, the IAS Academy has always been a firm advocate in delivering ethical treatment. The Academy is proud to be largely responsible for the change in dentistry over recent years that has seen the profession embrace a more minimally invasive approach. The IAS Academy is now a well-established provider of highly popular anterior alignment training courses and support tailored to meet the needs of modern GDPs and ensure they deliver safe and effective treatment.

As anterior alignment procedures have increased in popularity, the need for appropriate professional education and training has also become essential. Orthodontics is no longer covered in any great detail by the dental schools, with current GDC aims limited to assessment and referral. Through no fault of their own, this means that GDPs often lack the experience or skills to know when they can provide safe orthodontic treatment and when they should refer, as well as the processes that should be followed.

That said, with the correct training and support GDPs are more than capable of delivering anterior orthodontics for simple to moderate cases. In recognition of this, the IAS Academy pioneered the ‘guided learning pathway’, which is designed to lead practitioners through a recommended sequence of training courses in order to ensure they have the competency and confidence to offer safe and effective treatment to their patients.

With different courses providing education on various appliances, this sequence also affords flexibility with multiple entry points for GDPs of various experience levels. The training courses include IAS Inman Aligner and IAS Clear Aligner, which are recommended as initial courses for those with little previous experience who wish to learn how to provide anterior alignment orthodontics using simple removable appliances. Leading on from these is the IAS Fixed course, which teaches simple anterior tooth alignment using fixed appliances allowing full 3D movements. The final step of the IAS Academy pathway is the IAS Advanced year course for practitioners with significant experience in fixed appliances. This teaches dentists how to treat more complex orthodontic cases such as extraction cases and functional appliances.

All courses are structured and overseen by Professor Ross Hobson, who is a renowned Specialist in Orthodontics and Clinical Director of the IAS Academy. All the IAS courses have a strong emphasis on carrying out full orthodontic assessments, formulating a diagnosis and then treatment planning with digital guidance . Professor Hobson is adamant that GDPs should fully understand what is appropriate for them to treat and to refer. He comments:

“In order for GDPs to ensure orthodontic treatment is successful, they need to know how to properly assess, diagnose and plan. When these steps are followed correctly, professionals are able to select appropriate cases and effectively communicate treatment to patients for informed consent, protecting themselves from any potential litigation. If GDP orthodontic training does not cover these stages in detail, the clinician will be left putting their patients and themselves at risk.

“All the IAS Academy courses place a heavy emphasis on ensuring GDPs can assess, diagnose and plan effectively. We believe it is always best to plan for the ideal and then determine if there are any acceptable compromises, depending on other factors affecting treatment. Therefore, this is what our training focuses on.”

Dr Anoop Maini, who is very well known in the UK for raising the profile of cosmetic orthodontic training for general dentists, adds:

"IAS training doesn’t stop there, however. A learning continuum has been developed that encourages clinicians to carry on refining their practical skills and experience through a range of additional courses, study clubs, workshops and online resources. Full case mentoring is also provided and new users are required to submit their first completed cases for review and evaluation via the online support in order to achieve full accreditation."

Complimenting the carefully designed learning continuum, there is on-going support available for all users of IAS appliances. The experts are always available to provide fast and relevant advice or guidance to those posting cases or questions on the dedicated forum. Plus, professionals can learn from their peers’ cases and queries, accelerating their own learning in an efficient way.

As Dr Tif Qureshi – the world’s most experienced clinician of the IAS Inman Aligner – concludes:

“Fundamentally, the IAS Academy advocates an effective diagnostic pathway. It’s not about marketing, it’s about performing treatment correctly and protecting patients. This is why we founded the guided learning pathway in the first place – to ensure GDPs have the skills and support they need to offer safe, ethical and effective anterior alignment. Our treatment protocols combined with our experienced understanding of restorative dentistry and function mean that we can help our Academy members create aesthetically outstanding results that are also stable, and with good planned functional results.

“Our team has 10, 20, 30 years of experience in different aspects of orthodontics and it is this same team who will provide quality mentorship throughout every GDP’s journey – from simple cases at the very beginning to the much more advanced cases a few years on. In this way we can ensure a continuum of learning and support GDPs in their mission to develop orthodontic skills and provide the right treatment for the right patients.”

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses,

please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477

Waitrose hit the headlines recently for their animal welfare policies in dairy farming[i]. Now the supermarket chain is further endorsing their ethical values by proudly announcing the arrival of the Humble Brush to their stores.

Waitrose and Humble Brush are a perfect match. ‘The Waitrose Way’ is defined as showing a total commitment towards respecting the environment and treating people fairly. These values perfectly mirror those of the eco and panda-friendly toothbrush.

Currently with over 10,000 likes on Facebook, Humble Brush has also just been awarded Best Wellness product 2016 at Biofach/Vivaness Exhibition in Germany. At the world’s leading international trade fair for organic food and natural personal care, Humble Brush was selected for this accolade by over 50,000 visitors.

Humble Brush toothbrushes are equal in performance to traditional, plastic versions but with a 100% biodegradable Moso Bamboo handle. The bristles are also bisphenol-A (BPA) toxin-free nylon, which degrades over time and is processed through regular waste channels.

Every year, 5 billion toothbrushes are produced, most of which end up in landfills or in our seas, threatening our eco-systems and marine life. However, the fully biodegradable, sustainable bamboo used for Humble Brushes is the fastest growing, naturally antibacterial plant on earth. It’s also kind to our environment,  requiring no pesticides or fertilisers during its cultivation. What’s more, because pandas do not eat this particular bamboo, they are safe too!

The eco-friendly theme carries right through to the fully compostable packaging.

The Humble Brush’s ‘buy one, give one approach’ is simple – for every brush sold, the equivalent in funding goes to The Humble Smile Foundation. This group of volunteers currently operates in 15 remote communities across the globe delivering oral health awareness and critical dental care where the need is greatest.

One example is the Humble Smile Foundation’s collaboration with the Gabriel Project operating in the slums of Mumbai. Here, the aim is to counterbalance poverty and suffering to some degree for Mumbai’s children in the form of hunger relief, literacy support, health and empowerment. The simple slogan, “Eat to Learn” is promoted – in return for attending classes, children are given daily nutritious meals. The idea is to alleviate the immediate and pressing issue of hunger whilst at the same providing long-term care through education, the key to changing lives.

The Humble Smile Foundation joined forces with the Gabriel Project at the Kalwa slums, training local educators to become Oral Health Ambassadors and encouraging them to continue promoting oral health in schools across the wider district. Many children had never heard of a dentist before and almost without exception, didn’t own their own toothbrush. Tooth decay is rife, as the children have had no access to dental care. However, with many yet to establish their adult teeth, the Humble Smile Foundation afforded them a second chance. All of this is possible from the funding supplied by sales of the Humble Brush.

Do you care about the fair treatment of people and the environment? The Humble Brush, available in Waitrose stores, is the toothbrush for you!

For more information about the Humble Brush visit www.humblebrush.co.uk or to find out more about the Humble Smile Foundation’s work visit www.humblesmile.org

Follow us on Facebook, HumblebrushUK

and Twitter

@HumbleBrush

Trade media has been slow to embrace digital but below you will find 8 compelling reasons why now is the time to embrace digital media. The way we all use and share content has totally changed, with the large majority of people under 40, using only digital mediums when looking for news, information or opinion. Dental publishing is no different.

This change is now picking up speed, with the number of dentists reading and joining GDPUK growing all the time. The start of 2016 saw the site go over 20,000 threads created on the forum, which has produced an impressive library of content and knowledge. As dentists spend the majority of their time online, the companies looking to reach dentists will also do so.

Below are our 8 reasons that you should start embracing digital media.

1. Lead generation / Data

For years advertising in magazines has been based on brand recognition but now with digital you can gather data from who visits your site, or who is interested in your product. The opportunities are endless. We are currently helping with a product trial in conjunction with a leading dental manufacturer who are offering products to our users on a trial basis, in return for feedback on the product. 10 dental practices were successful with their application and have now received the product. By encouraging engagement with our community, the manufacturer is also gathering data and generating potential leads as well as increasing brand awareness.

2. Back Catalogue

Online publishers are constantly publishing content, whether it's blogs, daily news or the 20,000 + threads created by our community. A monthly or weekly magazine, are very rarely stored by anyone for more than a few months and it’s not straightforward to search for a particular article or opinion piece. All our content can be found online.

3. Gain extra exposure

With over 4000 visitors a day to the site, we have a large number of eyeballs looking at our content. Online publishers receive a large number of readers on a daily basis, some of our news articles will receive thousands of views in a week. Instead of a banner being seen once, your ad will get seen numerous times in a month by one user!

4. Visit an exhibition every day of the week!

In the dental industry there are a number of events cropping up on a weekly basis which unfortunately crowd the market for the established shows. Sites like our own often have thousands of visitors a day which is like an exhibition every day of the week, so the value of advertising when compared to exhibiting is exceptional because you are getting thousands of eyeballs on your product or service a day.

5. Measure what works

The ability to be able to measure how many impressions your ad has received or which content is engaging users is an incredible advantage. Digital methods provide real-time results.

6. Experiment with content - Flexibility

Another amazing advantage of digital is the ability to experiment with your ad or content. With our software you can even run more than one ad at a time and advertise two products or services at once. Ads can be tweaked or amended at any time giving tremendous flexibility. Make changes quickly based on real-time metrics and performance. There is no need to wait 12 months to identify what is and what is not working.

7. Community

With a digital community content can be shared instantly. Obviously not everything is going to go viral but when your marketing efforts get shared, it is a great way of increasing engagement and exposure.

8. Control your Sales Funnel

With a well functioning landing page you have extra control in your customer's journey. When an ad appears in a magazine you hope they remember the brand or remember to call you, but with a well designed landing page, you can capture information in a much quicker and less random manner. I have written previously on the importance of a good landing page, read more here.

Thanks for reading, get in This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information about GDPUK.com.

The majority of dentists will not be financial experts. The team at money4dentists are.

Running a dental practice as a successful business includes many complicated aspects, some of which are far beyond the knowledge imparted at dental school. To achieve business prosperity and security these factors need to be efficiently managed. 

This is where money4dentists can help. With excellent knowledge of the dental sector, the team of expert advisers can help with any financial query practice owners might have. As IFAs, they offer objective, unbiased advice – meaning you can be assured that the only thing they have in mind is your best interests. 

Whether it’s income protection, mortgage advice or tax planning, the IFAs at money4dentists will you their in-depth knowledge to offer you relevant and appropriate advice, every time.

Contact the friendly and professional team to find out just how they could help you today.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754DENTIST.

Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.money4dentists.com" www.money4dentists.com

Providing an in-depth educational pathway with multiple courses, the IAS Academy is dedicated to training GDP’s on the full range of orthodontic options, including the ClearSmile Brace.

Having previously completed training in several different appliances, Raoul Patel had been looking to build a foundation in orthodontics. 

“Wanting to build my skillset, I undertook ClearSmile Brace training to add a new, safe, discreet and gentle appliance to effectively treat more of my patients,” says Raoul, who took the conversion course last April in London. 

“The course I attended was excellent. It didn't waste any time going over basics, but focused more on diagnostics and the concept of anterior alignment orthodontics instead. 

“The instruction during the training was very clear and because you need approval before beginning a case, the IAS Academy provides you with a sense of mentorship and support which is ultimately invaluable. 

“If you are a GDP wanting to expand your orthodontic foundation, I would definitely recommend this course.”

To find out how you can develop your orthodontic skill-set using a fixed brace appliance, contact the IAS Academy today. 

 For more information on the ClearSmile Brace and upcoming training courses,
please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477.

At EndoCare, we pride ourselves on our empathetic and patient-focused approach. Our friendly team is dedicated to providing a caring, comfortable and continuing service to your patients – and is enthusiastic about making and maintaining excellent relationships with referring practices.

If you are looking for a high quality and trusted specialist endodontic referral centre, look no further than EndoCare. Our experienced and compassionate team are fully committed to providing outstanding levels of endodontic care, every time.

Across three main locations – Harley Street and Moorgate in London, and Richmond, Surrey – all of our practices feature state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and are staffed by a support team that is ready to assuage any concerns your patients might have.

By working together with referring practices, we at EndoCare can become an integral part of your service team, helping to deliver outstanding endodontic treatment. 

Refer your patients to EndoCare today for effortless, stress-free referrals, and an excellent level of patient care. 

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

Almost half of British adults say they feel stressed every day – that’s according to the Mental Health Foundation. It is generally well known that stress can contribute to health problems such as depression and heart disease. What is less well known – but imperative to address for emotional and physical well-being – is that it can also damage your teeth.
 

This is what happens – one of the more common signs of stress is tooth grinding but there’s a good chance you don’t even know you’re doing it, as it often happens in your sleep. However, its effects cannot be underestimated, often resulting in physical symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, gum problems, difficulty chewing, headaches and neck ache, as well as the possibility of ultimately losing teeth, which can have a devastating emotional effect.
 

If a dentist examined your mouth, they might find teeth that are:

• Sharp or chipped

• Broken

• Shortened

• Loose

• Wearing flat and looking shiny and pitted.

The good news is that making a few simple lifestyle changes can be a big help, such as:

• Doing something relaxing before bed, such as yoga, reading or having a bath

• Learning to brush effectively yet gently with a relatively soft toothbrush and a toothpaste that is low in abrasivity (ask your dentist for advice on this if you’re not sure).
 

In addition, if you’re suffering from sensitivity (which should be diagnosed by a dentist to ensure there is no underlying condition that needs treatment), using a fluoridated mouthrinse every day at a different time to toothbrushing is an effective first line of defence. A desensitising toothpaste used when brushing or applied directly onto a sensitive tooth can also be helpful to calm any sensitivity.
 

Commenting on this growing problem, Professor Andrew Eder, an expert in tooth wear and Clinical Director of the London Tooth Wear Centre^®, said: ^‘If you’re worried that your teeth may be wearing, tell your dentist. They are, after all, there to help and will be able to make a diagnosis, provide guidance or refer you, if appropriate.
 

‘Possible treatment options include the provision of a suitable mouthguard to be worn at night to relieve pressure on the teeth and jaw, prescribing muscle relaxants or recommending care from a physiotherapist or osteopath with specialist knowledge of the muscles involved.
 

‘If there was one piece of advice above all others I’d offer, it would be this – don’t delay in seeking help. If damage resulting from tooth wear is diagnosed and addressed in its early stages, you can avoid extensive and expensive dental treatment that might otherwise be necessary to correct the situation. The bottom line is that you needn’t suffer alone or long-term.’
 

If you have any concerns about your oral health or would simply like some preventive advice, please contact your dentist. If you prefer, the team at the London Tooth Wear Centre^® is happy to help. For further information, please visit www.toothwear.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7486 7180.

When experts were compiling this year’s annual World Happiness Report, they took a number of different variables into account to judge a population’s happiness. GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity were all part of the equation.¹
 

Of all these factors, generosity was consistently recorded to have one of the highest positive affects on the population and to produce the lowest negative overall effect. To evaluate a country’s level of generosity, participants were asked, “Have you donated to charity in the past month?”
 

The UK is, according to these results, the 21^st happiest country in the world.[1] Since the UK Giving Report 2014, 57% of adults in this country are regularly donating to charities – to a sum of around £10.6 billion.[2] So how does giving to those in need correlate to happiness?
 

Research has shown that people who are giving money to charity exhibit heightened brain activity – particularly in the ventral striatum and tegmental parts of our brain. These areas are closely linked to the experience of positivity  and our physiological reward system and the processing of emotional output from the amygdala.[3] What this means is that the act of donation triggers a chemical reaction in our brains that produces a sense of reward and positive emotion. Not only this, but it is well documented that those who regularly give feel healthier both physically and mentally.[4]
 

If giving blindly encourages optimism, imagine how good it would feel knowing that you have helped a fellow colleague, peer or even quite possibly, someone you know. Because the BDA Benevolent Fund has been providing this type of vital support since its establishment in 1882, the team are more than aware of the gratitude felt by all of its beneficiaries.
 

When speaking about the Fund, one recipient, who shall remain anonymous for confidentiality reasons, put this into context: “I treasure every action and gesture from people who have helped me and the children cope with cruelty and hardship. Your help means a great deal to me. I will never forget it.”
 

For others, the work of the Fund and the thanks felt towards dentists who donate is seen as more than a helping hand, it has saved their lives.
 

“To be perfectly honest, before I met the general manager, I was seriously considering suicide. I had a very low opinion of the human race, but your response to me has made me reconsider that there are still some decent human beings after all.”
 

But most of all, the financial support that the BDA Benevolent Fund provides is the answer when all other channels have failed. “Please accept my heartfelt thanks for giving me an emergency grant. I’m truly not sure how I would have managed otherwise.”
 

By offering essential monetary assistance to dentists and their families during difficult or unexpected financial hardships, the Fund helps many dental professionals get their lives back on track. While it may feel good to give, offering a sense of reward and pride in aiding those less fortunate, donating is essentially about one thing – improving the lives of those in need.
 

Before Dr. T needed to take time off work to have life-saving surgery, I bet she’d never considered that one day she’d need financial support from the BDA Benevolent Fund. But after her husband left her and she was struggling to support two young children, the Fund offered assistance in her darkest hour. Now that Dr. T has a monthly grant to cover costs while she is recovering, and a loan to help pay for child-care costs accrued whilst she was in and out of hospital, it is not hard to guess how she feels about the Fund now.
 

For the good work to continue and to change more lives for the better, the Fund needs your donations. Entirely dependant on your generosity, the BDA Benevolent Fund asks for your help to make sure that your colleagues are not left alone in times of personal crisis.

Thank you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Dr Andy Lane is one of the UK’s foremost experts on dental occlusion and he will be delivering a seminal session on this commonly misunderstood field as part of Step Education’s exceptional new learning programme. Here, he details a few of the points he will be discussing… 

“The relationship between all the components of the masticatory system in normal function, dysfunction, and parafunction, including the morphological and functional features of contacting surfaces of opposing teeth and restorations.” (Jablonski 1982).

This is an accurate definition of occlusion, but what we’re really concerned about when we study this field, and in particular, how we apply those principles in practice, is great dentistry. That’s dentistry that is appropriate and timely; looks good and feels comfortable; lasts as long as possible; needs as little maintenance as possible; and causes as little damage to other structures as possible.

“Occlusion” is a funny word, as in dentistry it means the way teeth bite and function together, but it’s also related to the word occluded, another word for closed, or hidden. Let’s face it; occlusion seems to be a subject that remains pretty closed and hidden to a lot of dentists doesn’t it?

Occlusion is really the secret of great dentistry. When we learn to understand occlusion fully we begin to understand that patients have been giving us multiple clues, both spoken and unspoken, that we may have missed over the years.

When designing the courses I have been involved with since 1985 in the UK, Niles Guichet and his Associates in NGA Seminars wanted to make very high-end, high quality, comfortable, long-lasting, aesthetic, functional, valuable dentistry available to all at affordable prices, not just to the super-rich in Hollywood as it had been. Great dentistry for all? It’s a noble goal.

The key to that kind of dentistry, the cornerstone, the guiding principle if you like, is occlusion. Without a thorough knowledge of occlusion much of what we do in dentistry is more unpredictable, open to chance, and potentially a lot more stressful. Occlusal principles provide the road map; they increase the certainty of knowing where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going to end up.

As such, occlusion relates to almost every aspect of work that a dentist can carry out:

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: To provide great dentistry we have to consider the role of occlusion in the aetiology of disease and the effect that occlusion will have on the prognosis of any intervention.

Fillings: Whenever we restore a tooth we have to assess how well that restoration will restore the function of that tooth, including any contacts with opposing and adjacent teeth. Failure to do this might result in heavy contacts that cause pain, fractures or mobility, or spaces that create instability.

Extractions: Whenever a tooth requires extraction we need to assess whether the resulting space will create instability in the occlusion. We must ask ourselves: A) if an extraction will affect function? B) are we removing the only tooth in contact on that side of the mouth? C) if so, what will be the consequences of that action?

We will also need to ask ourselves if the muscles of mastication or temporomandibular joints are healthy enough to allow you to perform a difficult extraction (e.g. a third molar) without causing an exacerbation of joint or muscle problems?

Orthodontics: Any form of orthodontic intervention will have a potentially major impact on the way teeth contact and upon the function of muscles and joints; it’s a form of full mouth reconstruction after all.

Crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, dentures: Whenever we provide advanced restorative solutions for patients, we’re certainly going to be changing the functioning surfaces of teeth most of the time. It is, of course, essential to have an understanding of the existing occlusal scheme and the occlusion that will be required in the new restoration in order to either conform with it or to plan a reorganized occlusion.

Occlusal Disease

It is commonly considered that the primary cause of dental disease is infection, resulting in periodontal disease and caries; certainly this is the focus of undergraduate training in most universities around the world. There is, however, a much wider range of diseases and symptoms that can be caused by, or are related to, occlusion. This is particularly true when parafunction, occlusal disharmony or a combination of both is present and those changes are enough to move the body beyond a position of adaptation and coping into a diseased state.

The range of such diseases will normally reflect the weakest link in the chain for that individual, so a similar cause may result in a wide variety of effects.

The weak link could be in muscles, joints, teeth or supporting structures. When the muscles are least able to adapt the result might be a headache, when the teeth and muscles adapt the jaw joints might suffer, and when the joints, muscles and periodontal tissues are able to adapt well, in the presence of parafunction, the teeth will wear away.

Occlusion is important in all aspects of dentistry, and by understanding the fundamental principles of this field, we can ensure better practice in our everyday provision of better dentistry.

To learn more about Step Education visit www.stepeducational.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or call on 0800 130 3573

Andy Lane MPhil, BDS, DGDP(UK)

Andy qualified from the University of Bristol in 1978, was awarded the Diploma in General Dental Practice in 1993, gained a Master of Philosophy degree for research into the aetiology of caries and the properties of light-cured materials at the University of Manchester in 1999 and won the Manchester Postgraduate Dental Society Award for research, also in 1999.

He now works full time in general practice, has been fully private since 1991 and his practice recently became part of the Portman Healthcare group. Andy has been amalgam-free since 1991, and currently spends approx. 50% of his time providing fixed appliance orthodontics and treating chronic pain conditions of the head and neck on referral.

Andy is the head of Stockport Dental Seminars, which has provided training in occlusal principles since 1981, and was co-founder of the British Society for Occlusal Studies in 1986. As secretary of the society for 10 years he organised many postgraduate training courses, bringing many of the world's foremost experts in the field of TMD to the UK for the first time. 

Other positions held include founder of Private VT, Dental Vocational Training Advisor in General Dental Practice (NW Region), UK Chairman of the American Equilibration Society, Founder and Chairman of Dental Relief for Romania Appeal, leader writer for Dentistry Monthly magazine and founder/editor of the Biological Dentistry newsletter.

Andy's main hobby is classic rally driving and he is noted for having won Europe's toughest event, the Land's End to John O'Groats Reliability Trial, 4 times.

The team at A-dec UK were delighted by the turnout to their recent open evening, at the new A-dec Showroom in Nuneaton – and would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

From dealer and supplier partners to clinicians, approximately 50 guests were in attendance, all of whom were eager to view the celebrated range of A-dec equipment solutions, as well as take advantage of some exclusive ‘on the night’ offers. 

Dean Hallows, General Manager of A-dec UK, welcomed and thanked all for coming, and had the pleasure of introducing A-dec’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Mr Wes Snyder, and the Director of Logistics, Mr Devin Layman, who had come over from the A-dec head office in Oregon, USA for the event. They commented on how great the showroom looked and also on how wonderful it was to be able to share the evening with so many valued industry partners and customers.

The evening of canapés and champagne was so enjoyed by all that it ran on well past the advertised closing time.

If you are interested in any of the innovative dental solutions that A-dec has to offer, be sure to contact the friendly team today.

For more information about A-dec Dental UK Ltd, visit

www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 024 7635 0901

Michaela Deseta, a dental hygienist and therapist currently studying to become a dentist, shares her career experiences so far, highlighting the importance of practical work for career progression.

During my degree in Dental Hygiene and Therapy at the University of Portsmouth I found that I particularly enjoyed the therapy side of the course. However, securing a job in this domain is difficult as the vast majority of jobs available are for private hygiene. Therefore, following graduation in 2010 I began an optional Therapy Vocational Training (TVT) year with Rodericks Dental, where I was initially placed at a practice in Newbury and then in Slough.

The TVT year was fantastic and involved four days a week in the practice treating patients under supervision and one day attending practical and theoretical courses at either Oxford or Slough hospitals. These informative days covered a multitude of areas, from ethics to hands-on patient care and were a brilliant way to enhance learning. My TVT year greatly improved my confidence and clinical skills, both with hygiene and therapy.

Following the TVT year, I remained working and spent my time split between various practices including Newbury, High Wycombe, Wallingford and Farnborough. I loved providing therapy to patients and particularly enjoyed treating children who came to see me for prevention, fillings and extractions.

The practical experience gained whilst working in these practices reflected positively in my applications and allowed me to attain a place at Kings College London to study dentistry. I enrolled on the course in 2012 and I am now in my fourth year. My tutors have been impressed with my clinical skills and confidence with treating patients, which has allowed me to advance further. Having treated patients previously through my job, the enhanced knowledge and skills I had developed helped me to win some prestigious academic and clinical prizes.

Alongside my degree I work part-time as a dental hygienist at Rodericks’ Marylebone House Practice. With its evening and weekend opening hours, I am able to easily fit in work around my studies and the dental nursing support provided by the group makes my sessions much less stressful. Earning a decent wage compared to working within another sector has also made a huge difference to me financially throughout my degree.

Rodericks Dental has been an ideal corporate to work for as they have several practices throughout England and Wales. Every time I have moved location during my five years of working for the group, I have been able to get work at a practice nearby which has been brilliant. Furthermore, I like the fact that all the practices have the same high standard of patient care and follow the same protocols and procedures, making it easy to move between practices. Working within several practices and with highly experienced professionals, I gained skills that proved integral for fast progression and have stood me in good stead for the future of my dental career.

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

Dentist Alexandra Henderson is the proud recipient of the annual Prestige Dental Prize, having been deemed the best performing student on the Postgraduate Certificate element of the MSc in Restorative Dental Practice, at UCL Eastman Dental Institute. The deputy programme director Dr Neil Nathwani  of the Postgraduate Certificate element of the course was delighted at Alexandra’s great all year round performance.

Receiving her prize – a Denar Mark 2 articulator provided by sponsor Prestige Dental – Alexandra said: ‘I am so thrilled and thankful for this award. I had already set my sights on a Denar articulator, having used it and seen the benefits in practice, so to be given one as a prize is amazing. I don’t doubt it will make a huge difference at Croydon Dental Care, where I practise.’

A spokesperson from UCL Eastman Dental Institute added: ‘Prestige Dental has always been very supportive of our programmes, providing equipment – including articulators – benefitting not only our students but also their patients for years to come. That Prestige then also supplied a Denar Mark 2 articulator as a prize to reward Alexandra’s hard work and commitment is just wonderful. We offer our hearty congratulations to Alexandra and would like to thank Prestige Dental for their on-going patronage.’

Denar articulators, available exclusively in the UK from Prestige Dental, are engineered for superior performance, tested thoroughly and are based on proven methodology. They bring a new level of interchangeability with the innovative 300 Series, offering a range of features to suit the needs of any practice or laboratory.

The MSc in Restorative Dental Practice at UCL Eastman Dental Institute is a part-time, four-year programme that enhances students’ ability to provide high-quality and comprehensive restorative management for the majority of patients. Students are able to assess, plan and provide quality treatment at an advanced level, forming a sound foundation for the restoration or rehabilitation of a compromised dentition in their own clinical practice. For any further information about the content of the programme please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7905 1234 or visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/education/programmes/restorative-dental-practice-msc

If you would like to know about the range of quality products available from Prestige Dental, please call 01274 721567, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.prestige-dental.co.uk.

In the picture above from left to right:

1) Dr Neil Nathwani: Deputy Programme Director of restorative dental practice certificate course, senior clinical teaching fellow, specialist Prosthodontist

2) Peter Nutkins from Prestige Dental

3) Alexandra Henderson

4) Dr Chris Louca: Head of Education, Eastman Dental Institute, Head of Department of Continuing Professional Development, Programme Director MSc in Restorative Dental Practice

5) Andrew Croysdill: Specialist in Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, Senior Lecturer, Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Eastman CPD,

For safe, easy-to-use and highly effective disinfectant solutions, look no further than Safe4.

Now available direct from the leading manufacturer are key products designed especially for the dental profession:

• Disinfectant Cleaner – available in 900 ml and 5 litre containers, as well as a trigger spray and wipes

• Instrument Cleaner – available in 1 litre and 5 litre containers

• Safe4 Nitrile Gloves – available in sizes small, medium and large

Effective against a wide range of pathogens from E.coli to HIV, MRSA, Salmonella and Swine flu, Safe4 products will give you the confidence you need in your infection control processes.

What’s more, all Safe4 products are alcohol-free, non-toxic, non-irritant, non-corrosive and non-staining. This means you needn’t worry about any damage to your worktops or equipment surfaces, with added peace of mind that the products pose no health risks to patient or staff, even when still wet.

To find out more about the exciting Safe4 product range, call the team today!

For more information, visit www.safe4disinfectant.com,

call 01606 591900 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NSK recently offered GDPUK users a trial of their new autoclave - https://www.gdpuk.com/resources/professional-services/entry/1503-would-you-like-to-trial-a-state-of-the-art-autoclave

Practices are now in the process of being notified if they’ve been selected to trial the NSK iClave mini, which will be delivered to them shortly. Over the next two months we will keep you updated with the progress these practices are making and at the end of the trial we will publish a roundup of the feedback we have received.

We are confident the trial practices will find the NSK iClave mini really useful as it is the perfect handpiece autoclave and is small enough to fit even the smallest decontamination area. Complying with Europe’s Class S sterilisation standard, the iClave mini sterilises even the invisible parts of handpieces, and with a footprint approximately the size of an A4 piece of paper the iClave mini fits into the smallest space possible.

The iClave mini delivers up to 12 ‘dry’ handpieces in less that 12 minutes using direct-heating technology. This is coupled with a sophisticated design of the control panel and excellent visibility, with ease of use and day-to-day maintenance in mind.

The NSK iClave mini:

·         Small enough to fit in the smallest spaces

·         Effective sterilisation for hollow instruments

·         Fast and compact but with large capacity

·         User-friendly and easy to operate

·         Perfect solution for quick handpiece turnaround

The NSK iClave mini is small enough to use anywhere!

If you would like more information about NSK’s care and maintenance range contact Mark Beckwith on 07900 246529 or visit www.nsk-uk.com

www.myNSKdecontamination.co.uk

www.nsk-uk.com

Twitter: @NSK_UK

Facebook: NSK UK Ltd

The news that the BDA is putting together a Research Project Advisory Group supporting research into the mental health and wellbeing of UK dentists might be greeted with suspicion in some quarters. Not in this one, anything that can look seriously at the causes of frustration, despair and burnout in dentistry must be supported.

Several years ago my accountant, who was married to a dentist’s daughter and had a dozen or so dental clients said to me, “I don’t know how you guys do it. If I have a problem I can close the file, go for a walk round the block and come back to it later in the day. Or I can go down the corridor and talk it through with someone. If you have one it’s right in front of you, living, breathing and, possibly, bleeding. You’ve probably got two more sitting waiting outside as well.”

I remember spending ages formulating this statement when I wrote my first report for a client:

“I need to make a couple of points about Dental Practice ownership. Firstly it can be a solitary place; being a medical professional has pressures upon it, having to make immediate decisions with patients that are awake and where you have a finite time to complete procedures produces even more pressure. Being the owner and main producer of a small business is lonely too.

Next; dentists, in common with a lot of “solopreneurs”, are notoriously poor leaders; they have problems separating management from leadership. They have difficulty in keeping themselves in a position where they are able to make decisions about their businesses in a dispassionate way.”

Mike Wise had taught me that it was OK to repeat the same stock phrases in different treatment plans so, as this applied to most of the reports, I have written it again and again. Firstly composed nearly a decade ago, the pressures have not diminished, indeed quite the opposite.

I accept that many of those obligations are by no means unique to dentistry, everyone who makes a living has to do it in a finite time to turn a profit. Even the biggest movie star, musician or sportsman has deadlines to hit. We all have to please someone at sometime. Human nature says you are a special case and begrudge anyone else’s right to be treated as such.

Dentistry is unique. Of course, in some ways, the business model may be similar to others. The need for systems, HR, financial controls, time management and dedication can be found in many other walks of life.

There’s one big exception. Dental clinicians have the use of sharp instruments with the potential to cause pain and inflict lasting damage. This carries a huge responsibility. It’s this last point, a major cause of stress, that the bean counters don’t grasp - and how could they? You have to be there to know that peculiar feeling of dread before exploring a hot pulp, the uncertainty of trying a perfect veneer or the sinking despair of fracturing a root in a phobic patient with limited opening.

Too many dentists don’t share their experiences, their uncertainties and concerns. Across the country attendances at many courses and BDA section meetings are down. One reason for this is the intrusion of “higher powers” to make CPD yet another exercise in box ticking of having turned up and fed the time in the approved core subjects. By extension, non-core subjects are seen to be less important.

Another reason is the courses, lectures and seminars are accessible on-line so that you can be solitary and get information at a time that suits you.

Often dentists view each other as competitors and are suspicious of others’ motives. I was recently given two separate opinions, “there’s no point in going to our local meetings because they are dominated by 1) the willie-waving early adopters who boast and lie about what they are doing and earning or 2) the patched elbow brigade who only moan about the CQC, GDC, BDA and are hanging on for their pensions.” Take your choice.

What is missed is the sharing of experiences, of being part of a community with mutual support. There’s nothing better than finding out that someone has had an even worse day than you.

Without that where does the frustration go? A fast drive home? Difficult on this crowded island. A fast cycle home? Good. Via the gym? Now you’re talking. What is all too frequent is a stop at the off licence and an evening shared between TV, laptop, iPad, smart phone and paperwork. Or goodnights made to children on the phone after your last patient and before you get on with the next bout of compliance.

Some people grow an outer skin so that the day to day doesn’t get to them, but in many this carapace resists any change and when it finally cracks the result can be catastrophic. The consequences of the pressure are physical and mental ill health, and a poorer quality of life than might have expected. So perhaps those expectations should be tempered or better still there should be training in how to handle the pressures. That has to start at undergraduate level.

Resilience is a word that is often bandied about but not properly understood, applied or taught and I’ll continue with it next month.

Image credit - Kevin Dooley under CC licence - not modified.

My previous post about stress was posted here on 28 January. This time, I’m attacking (more accurately, sneaking up on) stress from a different angle. And I’m starting by going back in time. Way, way back to pre-CQC. It seems prehistoric man suffered stress, would you believe? And guess what – we know it from their teeth! In 2010, George Armelagos, an anthropologist from Emory University in the USA, discovered enamel defects in teeth dating back one million years indicating that, ‘During prehistory, the stresses of infectious disease, poor nutrition and psychological trauma were likely extreme.’ This stress reduced life expectancy – remains from Dickson Mounds, Illinois, showed that individuals with teeth marked by early life stress lived 15.4 years less than those without the defects.

So is stress bad then?

Not necessarily; read on. According to the Mental Health Foundation: ‘Some stress can be positive. Research shows that a moderate level of stress makes us perform better. It also makes us more alert and can help us perform better in situations such as job interviews or public speaking. Stressful situations can also be exhilarating and some people actually thrive on the excitement that comes with dangerous sports or other high-risk activities.’ The Foundation does point out that stress is only healthy if it is short-lived.

Stress causes a surge of hormones to better help you deal with ‘fight or flight’ situations. According to NHS Choices: ‘Once the pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels will usually return to normal. However, if you're constantly under stress, these hormones will remain in your body, leading to the symptoms of stress.’

How much stress is normal?

Now we come to the science – specifically the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). This is a self-report questionnaire whereby you answer questions, add up the score and convert these to severity ratings for depression, anxiety and stress. There are two versions – DASS and DASS 21. The former has 42 questions, the latter 21 (so you multiply the scores by two). Ignoring depression and anxiety for the purposes of this article, the severity scores for stress are:

·        Normal 0-14

·        Mild 15-18

·        Moderate 19-25

·        Severe 26-33

·        Extremely severe 34+

DASS is not a diagnostic tool. If you are feeling anxious, depressed or stressed, you should see your GP – even if you get low DASS scores. However, if you wish to get some idea of how stressed you are and so gauge whether it could be considered healthy, go to https://www.cesphn.org.au/images/mental_health/Frequently_Used/Outcome_Tools/Dass21.pdf for DASS 21 (remember to double your scores for the full DASS severity ratings.

No added stress

In my previous post, I urged you to stop putting stress on others – particularly colleagues and staff in your practice. Now we see that some stress is normal and may well be beneficial. So does that contradict what I wrote before? Not at all. Yes, some stress is normal and healthy but so very few of us lead completely stress-free lives that we need added stress at work. Relationships, health, family obligations, household maintenance, cars, money worries all cause stress. Many of us are also good at getting stressed about things that haven’t even happened yet! So who are you to add to the stress of your colleagues or staff and maybe move them from normal to mild, moderate or severe on DASS?

Stress as a management tool?

Excuse me? Think twice (or more) before you decided to ‘push’ members of your team to make a greater effort. It is far more effective to motivate people to work more effectively or efficiently. People work best through their lunch hour when they don’t hold a grudge at you demanding it but because they genuinely want to get the patient records up to date.

As a manager you should be familiar with the theory of psychological type as introduced by Jung and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator – so you know how to get the best out of each member of your staff.

This is a topic covered on my courses – come and find out.

Image credit -Bottled_Void under CC licence - not modified.

Capacity

In our last blog we considered the importance of patient consent. One of the key elements of valid consent is the patient’s capacity to give that consent and the Mental Health Act 2005, which came into force in October 2007, deals with all issues surrounding mental capacity.

First and foremost the Act imposes a duty on all healthcare professionals to have regard to the Mental Capacity Code of Conduct. It is therefore important to read and understand this document when considering whether a patient has capacity to provide consent.

Capacity  
 
A person lacks capacity if:

1. They have an impairment or disturbance (for example a disability, condition or trauma or the effect of drugs or alcohol) that affects the way their mind or brain works; and
2. That impairment or disturbance means that they are unable to make a specific decision at the time it needs to be made.

It is very important to note that capacity is to be assessed at the time the specific decision is required. Therefore, a patient may have capacity to consent to some treatment but not to others, or may have capacity at some times but not others.

Under the Act you must assume the patient has capacity unless you can establish that they do not. And simply because a patient’s decision to refuse treatment is unreasonable does not mean they lack capacity.

Assisting Those Who May Lack Capacity

If you are unsure whether a patient does lack capacity, all practical and appropriate steps should be taken to assist the patient in making the decision before you determine they actually do lack capacity. This will mean changing the way you provide information to the patient; giving the patient all alternatives to treatment; considering whether there is a time in the day they have more understanding to make the decision.

Best Interests of the Patient

Under English Law no one is able to give consent to the examination or treatment of an adult who lacks the capacity to give consent, even parents, relatives and healthcare professionals. The exceptions to this are where there is a Lasting Power of Attorney or a court appointed deputy.

However, the Act protects healthcare professionals from civil and criminal legal liability if treatment is provided in the patient’s best interests. The Act states that you must take the following steps before acting in the patient's best interests:

1. Consider whether the person is likely to regain capacity and if so whether the decision can wait:
2. Involve the person as fully as possible in the decision that is being made on their behalf;
3. As far as possible, consider:

• the person’s past and present wishes and feelings (in particular if they have been written down).
• any beliefs and values (eg religious, cultural or moral) that would be likely to influence the decision in question, and any other relevant factors.
• the other factors that the person would be likely to consider if they were able to do so.

         4. As far as possible, consult other people if it is appropriate to do so and take into account their views as to what would be in the best                         interests of the person lacking capacity, especially:

• anyone previously named by the person lacking capacity as someone to be consulted.
• anyone engaging in caring for or interested in the person’s welfare.
• any attorney appointed under a Lasting Power of Attorney.
• any deputy appointed by the Court of Protection to make decisions for the person.

      5. For decisions about serious medical treatment, where there is no one appropriate other than paid staff, healthcare professionals have to              instruct an Independent Mental Capacity Adviser

      6. If the decision concerns the provision or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, the person making the best interests decision must not be            motivated by a desire to bring about the person’s death.

Assessing whether a patient has capacity will be a balancing act. You will also need to bear in mind your duties to treat patients with dignity. This may therefore lead to difficult situations; remember to take notes of any decisions made as this will later assist if any queries are raised.   

As dental professionals, our actions are governed by our knowledge and expertise. We can even utilise these skills to improve oral health in the far reaches of the world. Spreading the preventative dentistry message and educating others on the importance of oral hygiene doesn’t have to be confined to our shores or need to involve extreme fundraising techniques such as running marathons or shaving off all our hair!

The simple but stylish Humble Brush is one tool that gives us this power for change. Ergonomic, handcrafted handles made from 100% biodegradable Moso Bamboo are combined with Nylon 6 bristles, rendering these toothbrushes just as durable as their plastic counterparts but infinitely kinder to mankind and the environment. When a Humble Brush is sold, it is matched by another toothbrush or the equivalent donated in oral care to those in need. Patients buy one and then the Humble Smile Foundation, in unison with Humble Brush, gives one.

The story of the Humble Brush is gaining momentum and generating a great deal of positive feedback. Last week Humble Brush launched their Humble Helpers campaign throughout primary schools in Ireland. This keenly received programme aims to educate children on a number of key oral health issues whilst they raise funds for their schools or another cause of their choice. As schoolchildren are actively involved with these programmes, they engage with the humanitarian objectives of the Humble Smile Foundation. In return, these children are instilled with knowledge in the value of their own oral healthcare and the hygiene regimens.

Additionally, the Humble Smile Foundation, in collaboration with volunteer group Project TEN – Be The Change, has been educating vulnerable Ethiopian communities on essential preventative dental care. Ethiopia has an estimated population of 96 million[i] but just one dentist per 1.278 million people[ii]. Many Ethiopians don’t even know what dentists or even toothbrushes are. When they find themselves needing oral care, they generally employ excruciatingly primitive and potentially life-threatening treatment methods rather than face a journey of thousands of miles to find a dental practitioner. It is in locations such as this that preventative dentistry methods are all the more crucial. 

There are so many fascinating angles attached to this otherwise innocuous dental adjunct, endorsed by over ten thousand likes on Facebook. These beautifully presented toothbrushes are also environmentally and panda-friendly. The endangered species has learned that Moso leaves grow too high up the plants, so they choose to eat the more accessible species of bamboo instead.

Global consumer trends company, Nielsen, studies over 100 countries to gain knowledge on what people watch and buy. In their online 2015 study, they found a significant rise in the percentage of respondents aged 15-20 who are willing to pay even more for products and services from companies who are committed to positive social and environmental impact. In 2015 the numbers of these consumers had risen to 72% from 55% in just one year[iii]. We are proud to say that The Humble Brush is a perfect example of a product that serves this growing market – but costs no more than a run-of-the-mill plastic toothbrush.

Purely by setting these toothbrushes on reception counters, patients will engage with its purpose and will be attracted to its contemporary look. The ethos of effecting change and providing oral health aid for those in need is layered throughout everything the Humble Smile Foundation tries to achieve. For example, a proportion of the cost of a traditional toothbrush contributes towards huge corporate marketing machines. There is no such process with the Humble Brush, there isn’t a huge marketing budget – the revenue from sales is used directly towards providing oral care for those in need.

Humble Brushes can be supplied in their ‘naked’ glory or can be personalised on minimum orders of 400. Not only does this constitute a novel talking point at reception desks but it also gives dental businesses the opportunity to distribute their brands on something their patients use every day.

By stocking the Humble Brush in your dental practice, you are not only providing a superior product that can be used on all types of dentition but also giving patients the chance to make an ethical choice.

For more information about the Humble Brush visit www.humblebrush.co.uk or to find out more about the Humble Smile Foundation’s work visit www.humblesmile.org

Follow us on Facebook, HumblebrushUK

and Twitter

@HumbleBrush

Looking to buy a dental practice? Don't forget to consider the effect intangible values such as customer base, rapport and employee relations will have on the goodwill premiums that might be incurred.

As the market becomes increasingly more aggressive and competitive with practices in high demand, goodwill premiums are growing in occurrence and increasing in magnitude. This will affect the amount that you will have to pay on top of the valuation price.

With over 100 combined years’ of experience and expertise, the team at Dental Elite are committed to providing financial advice to those looking for a smooth and hassle-free acquisition.

Knowledgeable and attuned to current trends, Dental Elite offers a person-centred single point of contact service to ensure you don't go over budget and get out of your depth.

Don't get caught out with goodwill premiums; contact Dental Elite today.

For more information contact Dental Elite. Visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01788 545 900

Whether you are looking for your first, next or last dentist role, it can be difficult to know which pathway to take.

Experienced and up-to-date with the latest market trends, Dental Elite could help you consider all of your options.

Dental Elite offers a single point of contact service from one of its knowledgeable specialist recruiters and has a vast database to help you find your ideal job.

Corporate or independent, private or NHS, permanent or locum and general or specialist, Dental Elite has a vast range of vacancies available.

If you are looking for something different, Dental Elite could even find you a role within the community, in a prison or on a military base.

To find out more about current vacancies and how Dental Elite could help you, contact the team today.

For more information on Dental Elite visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01788 545 900

So what is Native Advertising?

Native advertising is a type of advertising, primarily found online, that matches the form and function of the platform upon which it appears. Most of the time is is produced as an article or a video, created  by an advertiser with the specific intent to promote a product, while matching the form and style which would otherwise be seen in the work of the platform's editorial staff.

Native advertising is the next stage of content marketing. It is a great way to promote the content that brands are creating and an innovative way to reach their target audience where they congregate but in a way that is not seen as being overly intrusive.

Why does Native Advertising work?

• It works for businesses whether small or large in their market.

• Brands always have content to share and native advertising provides them a way to do this, while also monitoring the results of what works and what doesn’t.

• Native advertising works very well in a mobile format. Whether it's a text link, hosted editorial or promoted video, because native content sits in the main part of the site, it is often seen as the same as any other content viewed via mobile.

• Leads to greater innovations, brands don’t have as many limitations as traditional advertising. Anything that is innovative and different is sure to attract your target audience.

• Native ads work best when placed on social media platforms and news focused websites. Site like these (like gdpuk) are built around content, so exciting native ads will attract attention.

Where can we see examples of Native Advertising?

Below are a few examples of native advertising, I have found by utilising google. I have included examples from buzzfeed because it turns out a lot of their content is actually native advertising! From $4 million of revenue in 2011, they were expected to reach close to $100 million of revenue by the end of 2015, primarily from native advertising articles!

1. Netflix on Wired.com - http://www.wired.com/partners/netflix/

2. Nike on SB Nation - http://www.sbnation.com/sponsored/nike-pep-talks/

3. Cancer Research UK on Buzzfeed - http://www.buzzfeed.com/cancerresearchuk/sunbathing-expectation-versus-reality#.vbGDX25oKe

4. Spotify on Buzzfeed - http://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/osmo/spotify/bands-that-wouldnt-exist-without-led-zeppelin?b=1#.mc7Rp2zNQP

5. Call of Duty on Buzzfeed - http://www.buzzfeed.com/callofduty/jokes-only-call-of-duty-fans-will-get?b=1#.ffoNOKPeoj

As we can see in the examples I have randomly chosen, brands have been thinking of some great ways to interact with consumers without appearing overly intrusive. What do you think? Do you spot native ads?

Can this form of advertising be applied to the dental market? GDPUK has recently launched an option available to all potential clients, to do product reviews which gets you interacting with the dental community and getting your brand sampled or tested by our users.

Native advertising could be implemented into GDPUK in a number of ways such as a news story, a regular blog or even a forum post that gets the users engaged. Please get in touch if you have any ideas or methods you would like to try. We are open to suggestions and want to help you get the best experience you can from GDPUK.

Look forward to hearing from you. Contact details below.

Dental marketing can be a complex puzzle, requiring time, money and effort from your team in order to see success. With all of these resources in short supply, particularly for the smaller practice, you need an automated solution that does all the hard work for you.

With this in mind, 7connections brings you AIM – Automated Intelligent Marketing. 

Capturing the team’s extensive experience and expertise in dental marketing and packaging it into a format designed specifically for smaller practices, AIM is the ideal tool to maximise your marketing activities. 

Once you have determined what you want to do and when, the system will automatically perform tasks as required, taking the stress away from you and your team.

With automated processes to streamline your marketing strategy and enable implementation of effective ideas in a convenient way, discover AIM from 7connections.

For more information about 7connections and AIM, please 

call 01647 478145, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

or visit www.7connections.com.

Prestige Dental is delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Ball as its Product Specialist for the M62 corridor and surrounding areas.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Jennifer, who has an extensive dental nursing background, is in the process of rolling out an exciting programme of learning opportunities in individual practices. 

Whether lunchtime, first thing or after the practice closes is best for you, armed with sandwiches and in the space of just one hour Jennifer can provide invaluable information on products such as ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE, as well as vacuum forming and Medentika’s implant range – obligation free. 

Speaking about her new role, Jennifer commented: ‘I am really looking forward to meeting customers – new and old – and learning what support I  can offer individual dental practices so that dentists and their teams can remain focused on what they do best – delivering excellent patient care.’

To make an appointment for Jennifer to visit your practice or for more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01274 721567.

If you are looking for a truly exceptional panoramic X-ray solution, look no further than the Sirona ORTHOPHOS SL range available from Clark Dental. 

The ORTHOPHOS SL 2D is capable of capturing incomparably sharp 2D panoramic images. This is possible thanks to the powerful DCS sensor, which significantly reduces conversion signal loss, and the unique Sharp Layer Technology. Not only this, but the 2D system can be upgraded to full 3D and can include an optional Ceph arm for greater diagnostic flexibility.   

The ORTHOPHOS SL 3D is available in two main volume sizes: 8x8cm or 11x10cm. Both of these devices have flexibility in volume, starting from 5x5.5cm upwards, for use with endodontic issues and single implant planning. With this expansive scope you will be able to adapt your diagnostic range to the specific needs of every patient and produce excellent 3D images every time.      

Complete with a number of innovative features that will help you ensure optimal positioning for your patient, the ORTHOPHOS SL range makes it possible for you to streamline your workflow and achieve diagnostic excellence.

The Sirona ORTHOPHOS SL range from Clark Dental will provide your practice with a truly flexible diagnostic system, benefitting both your team and your patients. Discover what it could do for you today.

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

At mid-life, patients often evaluate their satisfaction, their personal goals, health and lifestyle and go on to make changes for the better. You can help them to review their oral health successfully, by recommending CB12 mouth rinse to empower these changes. 

CB12 has a powerful and unique, patented formula that contains fluoride as well as low concentrations of zinc and chlorhexidine. Not only does it effectively control dental plaque, improve periodontal health and prevent cavities but also, it targets breath odour with the power to boost confidence. 

CB12 does not just mask unpleasant breath but it actually adheres to the tissues of the oral cavity and neutralises malodourous gases for up to 12 hours to ensure first class breath. 

Patients can use CB12 mouth rinse as a daily oral deodorant to reliably ensure fresh breath and confidence that will last all day.

To see how CB12 can support your patients with a powerful and confident oral hygiene routine contact the team now.

For more information about CB12 and how it could benefit your patients, please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.cb12.co.uk" www.cb12.co.uk or to order contact DHB oral healthcare on 0845 601 7086 or www.dhb.co.uk

Dr Phil Loughnane, owner of the Chipping Manor Dental Practice in Gloucestershire, has been very impressed with Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative from 3M ESPE.    

“I have been working with this bulk fill for three months now, and I think it is the best posterior composite I have ever used. 

“I have to commend how easy the material is to handle, and how quickly it can be used. I think the overall aesthetic result is particularly excellent.  

“I would unreservedly recommend Filtek Bulk Fill posterior restorative to others and have encouraged all of my associates to make use of it.” 

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.3Mespe.co.uk" www.3Mespe.co.uk

As a Gold Unity Partner of Bridge2Aid, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is pleased to support the Kigurusimba Health Centre in the Pangani district, as part of the Dental Training Programme. 

Over the course of a six-day assessment, five Clinical Officers and the Bridge2Aid training team were able to treat a staggering 475 patients including Ndahane Mathias, a 37-year-old mother and farmer from Mkalamo village. 

Thanks to the provision of this treatment, Ndahane was able to have a tooth removed that had been plaguing her for a brutal three months.

By continuing to support the work of Bridge2Aid, deprived areas can be supplied with much needed equipment and training. Thanks to you, the Kigurusimba Health Centre and the five newly trained clinical officers – responsible for approximately 10,000 people – can deliver effective dental care that the local community needs. 

To find out how to donate, volunteer and support, contact ADG now: all together we can make a difference. 

For more information about the ADG visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.dentalgroups.co.uk" www.dentalgroups.co.uk

Looking for innovative and practical marketing ideas? Need inspiration?

7connections could have the answers you’re looking for. With a variety of different avenues from online marketing, patient relationships and referrals, to branding and social media, 7connectinos can help your practice grow and bloom. 

Throughout the year the 7connections coaches host and attend a number of essential educational events, where delegates can learn how to enhance their practice, reach more patients and streamline their business.

Aaron Ferguson from West-End Dental in Colwyn Bay attended the recent 7connections Marketing Roadshow, he says:

“What’s exciting is the fact that 7connections can add so much more to the software and solutions that are available. I would thoroughly recommend that you give them a call.”

If your practice is in need of fresh ideas and inspiration, make sure your explore the options available from 7connections.

For more information about 7connections, please call 01647 478145 or email pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Alternatively, please visit www.7connections.com.

None of us can predict the future, and as a result, life can stop us in our tracks when we least expect it. Whether as a result of lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity, or plain cruel misfortune, life-changing diseases can strike without any warning at all.
 

Dr. R discovered this for herself early last year after having a severe heart attack. She found that suffering from such a serious and unexpected health condition turned her life upside down.
 

Although the heart attack wasn't life threatening, Dr. R was in poor health and struggled with the after effects of undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft. Between recommended rest, implementing lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of reoccurrence and gradually restoring physical fitness, Dr. R had no choice but to take considerable time off work. Sadly, her husband also lost his job at this time and there wasn’t an income to support her husband and two young children; debt inevitably amassed.                                                                                               

Just as Dr. R had started to recover, her husband had a nervous breakdown.
 

Although after several months he managed to recover, he was unable to find employment. Between the responsibility of looking after her husband and children and dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath of her heart attack, Dr. R found it increasingly difficult to cope. When the situation started affecting her daughter with extended periods of depression and poor performance at school, she was unable to continue working as a dentist.

Eventually, her debts forced Dr. R to declare bankruptcy and sell her home. During this process her husband left her and their children and has not provided any financial support since.
 

Cases like this are more common than you think and by working together to provide financial support, the future for dentists like Dr. R – who is now a support teacher in a local school and feels brighter about her prospects – doesn't have to be bleak. Run by dentists for dentists, the BDA Benevolent Fund provides pecuniary support to current and former dentists and their families through all stages of their career and beyond. It relies on the generosity of dentists, dental organisations and companies to continue its work, so your help is critical.

By making a monetary donation or participating in fundraising events you could help a valuable cause. Thanks to the support of the profession, the BDA Benevolent Fund was able to help Dr. R, and who knows, maybe one day the Fund will help you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

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The Chancellor’s new rules for paying tax on incorporated company dividends will start at the new financial year in 2016. Along with many of the new regulations regarding taxes, these guidelines will muddy the waters of the existing system, which is also bewildering.

Tax on any kind of income will vary depending on the source and whilst PAYE income tax is fairly straightforward, requiring little or no independent calculations, dividend tax payments are an entirely different matter.

The current set up is that any practice owner/manager of a limited or incorporated business drawing dividends from the company’s profit pot as either their entire salary, or as a share of it, pays tax in the following ways:

• Basic rate taxpayers whose overall mix of salary and dividend income is £42,385 or less, typically do not pay any tax on their dividends. This is due to a tax-free threshold on income up to £10,600 and then the basic rate tax category applies to anyone earning up to £31,785. As they fit into the basic rate bracket, their tax due on dividends is 10% but this is then effectively cancelled out by an across the board 10% tax credit for dividends.
• Higher rate taxpayers, when the 10% tax credit is taken into account pay 25% in tax dividends.
• Additional rate taxpayers (total income more than £150,000 per annum), when the 10% credit is applied, pay just under 31% in tax dividends.

However, a blanket £5,000 tax-free dividend allowance will be introduced which will replace the 10% tax credit. Any dividends paid out beyond that first £5,000 will then be taxed for basic rate taxpayers at 7.5%, for higher rate taxpayers at 32.5% and additional-rate taxpayers at 38.1%. Often, these changes will mean that the combination of dividend tax and national insurance contributions paid by practice owners and managers will pay a higher amount of tax on their dividends. For example, for a practice generating £100,000 annual profits and an owner drawing £8,000 as a salary and £73,000 as dividends, the amount of tax and national insurance contributions is going to increase from £28,900 to £32,937.

Financial advice and accountancy services from experts who have been working for the dental sector for many years is exactly what you need to make sure your company profit offers the best return possible, whilst remaining legally compliant.

Contact the friendly team at Lansdell & Rose today, to find out how to maximise the benefits of your hard-earned profit.

Specialist medical and dental accountants Lansdell & Rose have a wealth of knowledge on a range of topics, from pensions to tax and record-keeping, and will help your business to grow. Visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk or call 020 7376 9333.

Dr Amit Patel is a registered specialist in periodontics; graduating in 1997 from the University of Liverpool, he is now the principal of the Birmingham Dental Specialists as well as working as the Associate Specialist in Periodontics and Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham dental school. He is a prolific lecturer both nationally and internationally and is enthusiastic about practising better dentistry. To this end, Amit always ensures to use the best equipment possible to achieve excellent results.
 

“Everything I use is A-dec,” says Amit. “I have an A-dec 500 dental chair, an A-dec LED light and, after trialling one recently, I’m using the A-dec 500 stool as well. Together, these pieces of equipment allow me to practise better dentistry – not just for my patients, but for myself as well.
 

“Many dentists will suffer from back pain and musculoskeletal disorders throughout their careers. The positions we must assume to perform even the simplest of dental treatments can have a real effect on our wellbeing – indeed, the majority of dentists who are forced to retire early, do so because of these debilitating conditions.
 

“But modern, ergonomic equipment, like that supplied by A-dec, can have a huge impact on the ease with which we can practise dentistry and the quality of life we can enjoy as a result. For example, the 500 stool allows me to assume a comfortable posture in which I can remain for long periods of time; even during implant surgery I do not get fatigued. What’s more, because the stool is so lightweight and easily manoeuvred, I can move around my patient without having to stretch.
 

“Similarly, a good light will help eliminate eye strain. Repeatedly focussing in and out of the oral cavity and having to adjust to the different ambient lights can cause unnecessary strain. The A-dec LED light I use is bright enough to negate this: it illuminates everything. I find it particularly useful since I perform a significant amount of surgery and I need a light bright enough to fulfil my needs. Rather than investing in an incredibly expensive theatre light, the A-dec LED is more than satisfactory. It’s also incredibly light and easily manoeuvred, making it applicable for many indications. Some of my patients comment on just how bright is – but they appreciate that the better I can see, the better the result of their treatment will be.
 

“I also work with the University of Birmingham Dental School and use A-dec equipment there as well. As a way of promoting good posture and ergonomic practice, A-dec products are the best.
 

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend A-dec and its products to any dentist.”
 

With an eclectic range of dental equipment that has been specifically made with dental professionals in mind, A-dec will provide you with everything you need to practise better, healthier dentistry.
 

To find out the benefits yourself, contact the friendly team today.

For more information about A-dec Dental UK Ltd, call 02476 350 901 or visit: www.a-dec.co.uk

For dental professionals of all experience levels, interests and career aspirations, The Dentistry Show facilitates the development of clinical and business skills within a dynamic and fun environment. The 2016 event will once again bring you an array of lectures, hands-on workshops and on-stand learning throughout the trade floor, ensuring diverse learning opportunities for the whole team.
 

Among the highlights of the next show will be the Aesthetic Dentist Conference, Chaired by Dr Elaine Halley. Here, she gives a taste of what delegates can expect from the highly anticipated lecture programme:
 

“I’m very excited to present this great line-up of speakers who’ll be exploring a broad variety of subjects. We will show how the digital age is now well within the realms of the GDP who has an interest in aesthetic dentistry. It doesn’t matter how much previous experience delegates have with modern digital technologies, or indeed whether they have access to advanced CAD/CAM equipment in their practice – we will demonstrate how anyone can start to integrate the digital workflow.
 

“Our outstanding speakers will include Florin Cofar visiting from Romania, who will be discussing CAD/CAM and digital smile design and how it can be used in general practice. Roberto Spreafico will take this further by looking at CAD/CAM relating to treatment of the posterior teeth. In my own lecture, I will consider how we can capture effective digital images and utilise them for enhanced treatment planning.
 

“In contrast, Professor Trevor Burke will be speaking about the management of more complex cases, focusing on the treatment planning stages and offering practical hints and tips to help improve this stage of treatment. Ian Kerr, known for his work with resin-bonded composites, will also explore the advanced restorative dentistry that can be aided with CAD/CAM solutions. Renowned speakers Didier Dietschi, Finlay Sutton and Louis MacKenzie will complete the line-up, ensuring the entire topic spectrum is covered.”
 

Alongside the Aesthetic Dentist Conference, The Dentistry Show 2016 will host a myriad of additional features covering all fields of dentistry including the GDP Theatre, EndoLounge, PerioLounge, CORE CPD Theatre and STO Lounge. What’s more, the trade floor is expected to stage more than 400 leading dental manufacturers and suppliers, each displaying cutting-edge innovations and many will provide on-stand learning for those interested in honing their knowledge of products and treatment concepts.
 

“The benefit of The Dentistry Show comes from the amount of thought and effort that goes into putting the programme together, ensuring each conference stream is relevant for those within the appropriate field,” concludes Elaine. “Delegates can trust that the speaker line-ups and topics are always different year on year, enabling them to access a wide spectrum of educational opportunities.
 

“The event is also very well supported by the trade, so delegates can learn about materials and equipment and then speak to the manufacturers directly. This combination of education and access to the trade is fantastic.”

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 ­ Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April ­– NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk call 020 7348 5270 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thankfully, news stories relating to the lack of hygiene in dental practices are rare. Consequently, when a serious lapse of infection control happens in dentistry, the headlines are all the more shocking[i].
 

For dentists, successful decontamination is a multi-layered process, where vigilance is key. The microorganisms found in dental settings are often on surfaces and hidden in self-contained water supply systems. Moreover, many pathogens are growing ever more resilient to disinfectants and drugs so preventive methods are even more crucial. Also, our increasingly ageing population have weaker immune systems and greater susceptibility to water and blood-borne illnesses.
 

The quality of water supplying dental unit water systems (DUWS) e.g. autoclaves, washer disinfectors and Reverse Osmosis filters, has to be of optimum purity. The complex network of connecting plastic tubes integral to DUWS, have consistently proven to be prone to microbial biofilm cultivation. Whilst the majority of opportunistic pathogens are eliminated by chlorine added to our water supplies, the composite nature of some bacteria renders them either completely resistant to, or more robust in their defence against disinfectants.
 

One example is Cryptosporidium – a parasite causing the diarrheal disease, cryptosporidiosis, acquired through drinking contaminated water. It is resistant to most forms of disinfection and therefore constitutes something of a headache to the water industry and health officials. Reverse Osmosis water filters that have been correctly maintained, have shown to effectively eradicate this insidious pathogen.
 

Other gram-negative (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms found in DUWS output water include:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (leading to infections of the blood), the legionella species (leading to serious respiratory diseases).
• Human-derived pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (leading to MRSA)[ii].
• Legionella pneumophila, causing Legionnaires’ disease, which thrives especially well within biofilms.

Reverse Osmosis water filters dilute water from a more concentrated state by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane. They are highly effective in removing protozoa (single celled microscopic organisms) such as Cryptosporidium and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus[iii].
 

CleanCert is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of infection control solutions. For example, its range of exemplary Reverse Osmosis filters are demonstrably effective at reducing the risk of waterborne infections. The team is also dedicated to providing you with more cost-effective ways of maintaining compliance, by developing simple to use ‘annual maintenance kits’ and water analysis ‘dipslide apps’, to ensure you can manage and maintain your own decontamination protocols effectively, quickly and inexpensively. 

Protect yourself, your staff and your patients, call CleanCert today.

For more information, please visit www.cleancert.co.uk, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 08443 511115