In developing countries, oral health services are limited to regional or central hospitals in urban areas. Even where dental assistance can be found, little priority is given to preventative or restorative treatments; many African, Asian and Latin American countries solely offer pain relief or emergency services.
 

In Africa, there is a ratio of one dentist per 150,000 people – in developed countries it’s one per 2,000[1]. Sadly though, preventive dentistry is even more crucial to these remote areas of our world, because there are far fewer dentists to treat oral diseases. Dental pain is of course unpleasant for everyone but in the UK the inconvenience of booking and then attending an appointment is the main concern. However, for someone without access to dentistry, their suffering constitutes chronic pain, occupational and social limitations and can even be life threatening.
 

Most concerning is children’s oral health. Tooth decay is a widespread childhood disease, from which 60-90% of schoolchildren are suffering around the world[2]. A study across two decades from 1990 to 2010 in London, with close to 3 million subjects found that 20% of children had dental decay in their deciduous teeth[3]. In The Gambia, 86% of 5 year-olds have decay in four or five teeth and half of those clean their teeth with chewing sticks: the other half simply don’t clean their teeth at all. In Cambodia 93% of 6 year-olds average 9 teeth with cavities and 60% of mothers reported their children had suffered dental pain in the last six months.
 

Dental decay is a lifestyle-related disease that is increasing in the far reaches of the world where traditional diets are being replaced with cheaper, imported food products containing high levels of sucrose and carbohydrates. Also, junk food manufacturers vigorously campaign their products towards vulnerable groups, such as children. In the UK we have vastly improved levels of sugar consumption when compared to a country like Mexico, but it is still double the WHO recommendation of 18kg per person, per year.
 

Along with the spread of unhealthy eating habits, developing countries are contending with other exacerbating factors like lack of access to:

·      Fluoride – An average UK worker need only work for an hour to accrue enough fluoride toothpaste for a year, the average Kenyan would have to work for an entire week.

·      Dental clinicians – There are about a million practising dentists unevenly distributed around the world. They may be found in urban areas but there is a critical shortage in poor, remote areas.

·      Government healthcare funding – In some countries, government policies and the sheer number of people suffering with caries makes treatment virtually impossible. In India, the health budget is meagre for oral health and there is no fluoride policy. Moreover, preventive products like toothbrushes and toothpaste are classed as cosmetics and subject to hefty tax levies.

It’s frustrating to think that there are simple and cost-effective solutions for lifestyle change, which are not available to so many. A scheme that was introduced in Jamaica between 1987 and 1995 proved how simple a solution could be. The National Salt Foundation Program encouraged the country’s only salt provider to produce and sell only fluoridated salt. This led to an 87% decrease in schoolchildren’s dental caries, at a cost of just 6 cents per person, annually[4].
 

Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, is a mantra that Darren Weiss, dentist and founder of the Humble Smile Foundation holds close to his heart.
 

“The focus on prevention became a practice philosophy for me,” said Weiss. “I was actively lecturing dentists about the value of prevention, but I was troubled with one thought – if I truly wanted to apply my preventive expertise, why wasn’t I based where it is of the greatest value?”
 

In light of this, Weiss collaborated with local dental professionals to design an oral health outreach programme, called Planet Smile. The focus was to promote preventive dentistry in parts of the world where the need is greatest. When he visited the Humble Brush stand at the 2015 International Dental Show and learned of their sustainable, biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, he found a like-minded organisation with an inspirational, environmental and social vision. By working together, The Humble Smile Foundation was born. Now, for every Humble Brush sold, a physical toothbrush or equivalent oral care is given to someone in need overseas.
 

The Humble Brush Foundation recently joined forces with Assyrians Without Borders, a group to which they have donated toothbrushes assisting the charity’s aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey. With more programmes in the pipeline for Iraq and Syria, the work of the Humble Smile Foundation and Humble Brush continues to reach out to global communities suffering unimaginable hardship.
 

Contact Humble Brush today, to discover how you can effect change in the far-flung reaches of the world, without even leaving your surgery.

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

Modern dental drills operate at approximately 400,000 rpm; with diamond-tipped burrs, they are used for precision work, in close proximity to patient’s teeth and the soft tissues of the oral cavity. As such, it is vital that a professional is confident in the equipment they are using, since a malfunction has the potential to cause significant injury and disfigurement.
 

In light of this, therefore, would you consider buying your dental drill from eBay? Hopefully not – but that does not mean others won’t. Last year alone, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) were required to seize 384 dental handpieces that had been bought from internet auctioning sites.[i]
 

Upon inspection, these products were found to be of dubious quality, often bearing falsified CE classifications and prone to malfunction – even breaking apart during use. Imported mostly from China and Pakistan, these handpieces posed a distinct risk to the patients upon whom they were being used, as well as the professionals who were using them. Furthermore, the penalty for knowingly buying and using counterfeit products is immediate erasure from the GDC register.
 

Luckily, there were few instances where these counterfeit products caused injury – but that does not mean the risk was any less real and it highlights the need for professionals to be very discerning when it comes to choosing their dental equipment.
 

The same can be said of maintaining this equipment. Dental handpieces are used on a regular basis and ensuring they are in good condition is vital. Should an older piece malfunction, the results can be disastrous. With consistent maintenance, however, malfunctions can be avoided. Nevertheless, as with ensuring the quality of a new piece, the quality of a repair service must be assessed before investment.
 

Third parties often manufacture the components of dental handpieces and this increases the risk of subpar parts being fitted in repair. The risks of this are obvious. Without the assurance of quality, these counterfeit parts can fail, causing catastrophic malfunctions in the handpiece. Unfortunately, the majority of these parts will undoubtedly cheaper, pushing down the price of repair work. While this might seem attractive in the short term, the potential risks are unequivocal in the long term.
 

Thus, it is crucial that dental professionals find a handpiece repair service upon which they can rely to use nothing but the highest quality parts and replacements. Ultimately, this will provide peace of mind and quality assurance. Companies that offer this level of service will undoubtedly work closely with legitimate manufacturers to ensure that the repairs they are conducting are of the highest standard, using quality assured parts.
 

Quintess Denta is such a company. Using only superior parts, the expert team at Quintess Denta ensure greater durability and performance for your dental handpieces. They work hard to provide a prompt service for your convenience, fully understanding the ramifications of being without a specific handpiece. What’s more, Quintess Denta provides an ongoing support service that allows you to be confident in the quality and reliability of your dental handpieces.
 

For more information visit www.quintessdenta.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 028 6862 8966

The effect of bad posture on an individual’s health and career is becoming a more discussed problem within the profession. Manufacturers have recognised the need to aid with health and safety within the dental surgery, and hold ergonomics as a high priority. Microscopes, dental chair design and surgery workflow are among the innovations to aid the practitioner in minimising poor posture. However, one of the most practical and accessible pieces of equipment that has revolutionised a dentist’s comfort are dental loupes.

Practice with loupes begins early at undergraduate level (in the USA, the majority of students learn with loupes[1]).  The earlier a dentist adapts to wearing loupes, the sooner bad posture habits can be dispersed. Learning to love loupes is very much like learning to ride a bike! It takes practice and dedication, but the benefits are worth it. Experts in the field recommend you start with low magnification and then modify your current working habits accordingly, before going to the next level.

Loupes allow a ‘neutral body posture’ to be held, which is a key principle in dental ergonomics[2]. The neck and back are the areas of the body that take the majority of the stresses of incorrect posture, but with loupes that are customised to the individual’s needs, these stresses can be reduced, if not eliminated.  Being able to see the oral cavity clearly and maintaining a healthy working posture is nearly impossible without some type of magnification[3].

Research by Brown et al. in 2010 looked into reasons for early retirement due to ill health. Of nearly 190 dentists questioned, the most common cause of ill health retirement was musculoskeletal disorders[4]. It has also been found that incorrect working posture is the major cause of musculoskeletal problems within dentistry[5]. An astonishing 60-80% of dentists report experiencing chronic back and neck pain at some point during their career[6].

Nuview distribute loupes that are manufactured by Carl Zeiss. The EyeMag Pro are the loupes to choose if you require high magnification for intricate dental procedures. They offer a wide selection of working distances meaning they can be individualised, therefore maximising comfort, and delivering outstanding image quality enabling differentiation between the most complex of structures. If loupes are required for more day-to-day work then the EyeMag Smart may be the the solution.  The range of tilt and angle settings means these loupes can be adjusted easily and quickly and further still with the new ‘sports frame’ they have a modern, attractive design.

There are fewer reasons to suffer on a daily basis whilst performing dentistry, and in the longer term, a better chance of reducing the need to retire prematurely. In the not-too-distant future, it will be considered the norm to wear loupes, not the exception. If you are ready to invest in improving your health at work and to maximise your career, then take that leap in to loupes today.

For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit www.nuview.co or ‘like’ Nuview on Facebook

GSK Consumer Healthcare, manufacturers of Sensodyne®, hosted a special symposium at the recent FDI conference in Bangkok, Thailand to share results from recent research into the impact of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) on patients. The research, which involved over 800 DH sufferers, highlighted how the condition impacts patients and reinforced the benefits of daily treatment.

The research used the Dentine Hypersensitivity Evaluation Questionnaire (DHEQ), a validated tool, developed through a collaboration between GSK and the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry, in order to demonstrate the impact of DH.^1,2 Through a new pooled analysis of DHEQ data from seven clinical trials, Sensodyne® has revealed some surprising findings about how people who experience the condition will compensate, cope and alter their social activities when living with dentine hypersensitivity. The data also confirmed the clinical benefits of the continuous use of a daily sensitivity treatment.^3,4

Data presented at the symposium revealed that:^3,4

·         9 out of 10 sufferers had been experiencing the condition for longer than one year

·         70.4% of DH sufferers considered that their sensitivity takes a lot of pleasure out of eating and drinking

·         59.4% of DH sufferers try to avoid the sensations by biting food into small pieces

Importantly the research also revealed that after only 8 weeks of twice-daily treatment with desensitising toothpaste, there was a significant improvement in the impact of DH on their daily lives.^3,4

Dr Charlie Parkinson, Director of Medical Affairs, GSK Consumer Healthcare commented, “GSK are delighted to share this clinically relevant perspective of DH alongside evidence of the benefit of treatment on daily lives. We hope the findings of this research can improve management of DH and reduce the impact of the condition on people’s daily lives.”

References

1.      Boiko OV et al. J Clin Periodontol. 2010; 37(11): 973-980

2.      Baker SR et al. J Clin Periodontol. 2014; 41(1):52-9

3.      GSK Data on File RH02026

4.      Sufi F and Baker S. The subjective experience of dentine hypersensitivity – a pooled analysis. Presented at the 93^rd General Session & Exhibition of the IADR. 2015.

Sensodyne is a registered trade mark owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.

1. Landing pages are the key to converting the leads that click on your facebook or banner ad. So whether you are asking for contact details in exchange for a white paper, offering a demo piece of dental equipment, a targeted landing page is going to help you convert those visitors.
2. Using one specific landing page for your campaign also gives you a clear idea if the marketing campaign is working or not. If you are still getting a high bounce rate on your targeted landing page, the page may need tweaking or reworking slightly. If traffic goes to your homepage, it is impossible to see why the leads aren’t taking the next step. The landing page can always be tweaked and then you can see if your results improve.
3. Having one page also lets you narrow your focus and remove the clutter you would expect on a homepage. The page should enable the visitor to find the information a lot quicker. This keeps the visitor focused on the product or service you want them to look at. 
4. Landing pages need to be seen as part of your sales team. Can the page sell your service or product to the level you would expect? You obviously wouldn’t expect your salesperson to convert every single lead they receive but you would expect a certain proportion. You need to look at your landing page in the same way. The page needs to be converting the clicks.

• As destinations for your banner ads.
• To create anticipation for a new product or service you are offering the dental community.
• To promote a special offer that you don’t normally offer. The landing page can expire after one week or a month, it is upto you. 
• To segment your audience. You may want a landing page that is aimed just at endodontists for example. 

Welcome back to the start of what promises to be an interesting year

There appears to be a consistent theme however running through the early events, which seem to me to be somehow all related. Perhaps not in a complimentary way.

That Letter

Firstly we have the Daily Telegraph Letter, discussed widely on here, as well as a supporting article in the newspaper itself.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12079233/Third-World-dentistry-crisis-in-England.html

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

This is of course the third year that such a letter has been published by, this time, some 400 signatories including this writer.  Critically, a small nugget of self-opinionated idealism say some.  By contrast its supporters suggest it is merely a further reasoned cry for a sensible strategy to use the limited Government money for the groups in need. For example, those such as children who finish up in theatre under a GA, or other high needs groups, often postcode affected. 

Just where is the Clarity of the Deal for the rest of us for example?

However, is there a Conspiracy of Silence? Perhaps a mood of disdain? For as we speak some 3 weeks later, the BDA have not mentioned its publication. At all. Anywhere.  You may search their News Releases at https://www.bda.org/news-centre/.

Would you care to wonder WHY the BDA feel so reluctant to even acknowledge the letter let along jump on the brief media bandwagon?  Complacency or Conspiracy? You choose.

The PSA-GDC relationship

It is certainly a case of no love lost. Before Christmas, you will recall,  the GDC were aligned in the crosshairs of the PSA and their hyper critical report.

https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/footer-pages/news-and-media/latest-news/news-article?id=91bb5b9e-2ce2-6f4b-9ceb-ff0000b2236b

Comment made again on GDP UK and elsewhere has been withering.  It is clear that there is a mood that the Chair of the GDC must go, not just because of these events, but also BEFORE any process to identify a new Chief Executive takes place.

It is therefore very interesting that the GDC have seen it unnecessary to mention in their public media releases anything about this report, let alone any sort of “It’s all good here” spun response.

Complacency or Conspiracy? You choose.

Peter Ward, CEO at the BDA has placed a damning Leader “Whistling in the Dark” in a recent BDJ about the GDC at http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v220/n1/full/sj.bdj.2016.1.html

I have stated it before. Others have stated it.  And so we all say, again:

The Chairman must go, and the Council, in particular the Dental Registrant Members of the GDC, should seriously consider their position.

The BDA

Shortly before Christmas , before the letter in the D Tel, the BDA seniors figures and the LDCs met with the new CDO of NHS England, Dr Sarah Hurley and you may read the reports here courtesy of Yorkshire’s East Riding LDC

http://www.eryldc.co.uk/download/i/mark_dl/u/4012071383/4625508579/LDC%20Officials%20Day%20Notes%20Friday%204th%20December%202015.pdf

Is it me? It is similarly interesting to think that since then  the BDA have kept a very tightly sealed pair of public lips on matters pertaining to the disgraced UDA system of Contracting and its Prototype successor

Not a mention, not a dicky bird.

Complacency or Conspiracy? You choose.

There is it might be argued a fine line between complacency and conspiracy as to why each of these bodies [The BDA and the GDC] have chosen to ignore these two unrelated and yet significant events.

In the case of the GDC, I think we can speculate that the present Council are in their final days, especially after the unprecedented mauling by the House of Lords in the debate this week.  I will put that down to complacency therefore.  Please view the debate here http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2a3f3b86-7d34-448d-ab91-52e134879e49

The GDPC - CDO[NHSE] Relationship

Which leaves me to ponder the conspiratorial nature of the relationship between the GDPC of the BDA [representing all you dentists at the negotiating table for the New 2020 Contracts] and NHS England’s Chief Dental Officer. 

It seems like the old days, for those of you old enough to recall that great old wise owl, Labour leader and Prime Minister Harold Wilson.  Beer and sandwiches at No 10.  In this case, filter coffee and homemade biscuits with a fine group of colleagues.

Transparency is dead.  

Complacency is the food of conspiracy

The outcome is the same.  It appears any chance of truly driving change with the wider interests of the public and profession at heart, in a transparent manner, at the highest level of our Profession, is to be denied.

Instead agreements will be cobbled together in secrecy and behind closed doors by the privileged few.  You will told when you need to know

As was stated recently: we are a  Profession that suffers Group Mural Dyslexia ! Failure to see the writing on the wall.
 

A little more energy is required if we are to see the Profession make progress against the political headwinds this year.

Perhaps a little less complacency and a little more Conspiring to rebel?  We can but hope!

There is a genuine concern amongst the dental community, including within the GDPUK forum, that the Practice Committees are not acting fairly or with common sense when conducting disciplinary proceedings. In December 2015 of the 46 cases heard, 4 dentists were erased, 17 were suspended, 4 were reprimanded and 15 were issued with conditions.

I am sure you all remember the Professional Conduct Committee’s damning comments of the GDC’s conduct during the Fitness to Practice investigation of Dr Singh on 11^th May 2015. If not, you can read about it here. Because of the appalling conduct of the GDC in that case, the hearing was abandoned as a result of an application by Dr Singh’s legal representative. The purpose of the legal application made was to stop the unfair process, and to allow a fairer more transparent hearing to follow. However, the case is still yet to be re-listed for hearing.  

Although a positive result for Dr Singh in the short term, it did not bring an end to the matter for him. The question now is has he just delayed the inevitable?

So what steps can you take if you disagree with the decision of the Fitness to Practice committee?

Appeals

Any appeal against a decision of the Practice Committee must be made within 28 days of the original decision to the High Court. The grounds on which you can appeal the decision are:

1.       That the decision was wrong;

2.       That there was a procedural or other irregularity.

You can also appeal decisions of the Interim Orders Committee on one of the above grounds; again any appeal must be within 28 days.

The High Court is completely independent of the GDC; it is therefore not afraid to overturn the Practice Committee’s decisions.

The High Court has made it clear in a number of judgments that the purpose of Fitness to Practice hearings is not to punish the practitioner for past misgivings but to protect the public. In the decision of the High Court in the case of Cohen v. General Medical Council (2008), the judge stated it was not inherent that every case of misconduct must automatically mean the practitioner’s fitness to practice is impaired. However, it appears from recent decisions that perhaps the Practice Committees are losing sight of this principle.

In the recent case of Professional Standards Authority (PSA) v (1) General Medical Council (2) Uppal [2015], the GMC decided not to impose a sanction on Dr Uppal even though she had accepted the allegation of dishonesty. The PSA appealed the decision on the basis it was too lenient. They argued that dishonesty must automatically amount to impairment. The court disagreed and accepted the GMC’s findings that this was an isolated incident and therefore there was no impairment of Dr Uppal’s fitness to practice.

If you think you have been treated unfairly at a hearing, or that the punishment laid down by the Practice Committee far outweighs the “crime” that has been committed, then it is well worth seeking to appeal.

However, it is essential that you act promptly, as although the High Court does have the power to extend the 28 day time limit, this will only be done in exceptional circumstances.

Judicial Review

A practitioner could also consider seeking a judicial review of the Practice Committee’s decision or an order from the Interim Orders Committee. A judicial review is where a Judge reviews the decision or action of a Public Body.  Any application for judicial review must be made within three months of the decision. The grounds on which a judicial review can be made are:

1.       Illegality;

2.       Irrationality;

3.       Procedural unfairness;

4.       Legitimate expectation.

There is some overlap in the above with the grounds on which a decision can be appealed. However, the court will not consider an application for judicial review until all other avenues have been exhausted.   

Bear in mind that irrationality means that the decision of the GDC was so unreasonable that no reasonable public body would have come to it; an extremely difficult test to overcome. Legitimate expectation is where the public body, by its own acts or statements, is required to act in a certain way.

You cannot appeal an Investigating Committee’s decision to refer a complaint to the Practice Committees. However, you can seek a judicial review of that decision if one of the above applies. This may be a better course of action if you can satisfy the relevant test, as it could prevent the matter progressing to the Practice Committees entirely.

So in conclusion there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Whilst it is clearly a stressful and daunting experience having a complaint raised against you, the decisions of the GDC can be challenged in the courts.

Indemnity and insurance companies should fund an appeal subject to meeting the terms of the policy and some may provide funding for an application for judicial review. Remember you do not need to use the ‘panel’ solicitor appointed for you; you have freedom of choice as to your representative.

With one of the shortest intra-oral setting times on the market,[1] Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material from 3M ESPE will save you valuable time in the surgery.

This is due to the clever chemical reaction developed by 3M ESPE, which causes the material to quickly heat up to body temperature[2] after working time,[3] leading to accelerated setting.[4]

Imprint 4 still allows sufficient working time before setting, in order to ensure a stress-free procedure. The super hydrophilicity[5] also provides excellent flow for fine detail reproduction, which is essential for good impressions.

For detailed impressions that save you working time and remain stress free, try Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material from 3M ESPE today.

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

Many great products and ideas are copied or counterfeited, but your patients need to be protected from fake products in order to avoid poorly made and uncomfortable appliances.

IAS Academy, providers of genuine anterior alignment orthodontic devices, are helping to put a stop to this – all Inman Aligners will now be supplied with a “Genuine Inman Aligner Authentication Card”.

Each time you fit an Inman Aligner you will be able to give your patient an authentication card so that they can enjoy increased reassurance. Patients can then enter their unique identifier code at the Inman Aligner website to ensure that they have received a genuine appliance.

All devices are fabricated at a certified Inman Aligner laboratory, with laser etched tubing on the tongue side of the appliance featuring the name Inman Aligner. They are also supplied in a presentation box with patient instructions and a custom appliance case to ensure the best possible results.

Make sure your patients are receiving ‘the real thing’ and only accept the best.

For more information on IAS Academy, providers of genuine anterior alignment orthodontic devices please visit  www.iasortho.com or phone 0845 366 5477

By making just one small change to the way you work, you could vastly improve your efficiency and output. Discover what the Sirona XIOS Scan from Clark Dental could do for you.

Enabling you to effortlessly integrate your conventional radiographic diagnostics with powerful digital technology, the XIOS Scan consists of two main components: the scanner and the imaging plates.

These imaging plates are suitable for any patient, and because they have been specifically designed, you can be certain of exceptional image quality every time.

After exposure, the plates are inserted into the XIOS Scan itself, where thanks to an outstanding scan quality of up to 22 line pairs/mm, you are presented with extraordinarily sharp digital radiographs, sent directly to your computer. The automatic plate detection will also ensure that the first scan you take will be the only one you need.

With this cutting-edge solution, you will be able to easily digitise traditional radiographs without having to working with environmentally harmful chemicals ever again.

If you want to take advantage of all the benefits of digital radiographic technology, without having to disrupt your tried-and-tested diagnostic workflow, consider the Sirona XIOS Scan, available from Clark Dental, today.

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  

The new A-dec Performer provides you with exceptional choice, maximum comfort and legendary reliability for less.

This dental chair offers you a multitude of innovative clinical options from easy-to-use delivery systems to programmable touchpads and a smooth but powerful cantilever system, as well as your choice of halogen or LED light. 

With a left or right-handed delivery system, the ambidextrous A-dec Performer delivers the same unparalleled level of flexibility and functionality that all A-dec units are known for. 

With seamless, easy-to-clean upholstery available in a variety of vibrant colours, the A-dec Performer is the perfect addition to any modern dental practice.

To find out how you could take advantage of so many functional benefits on a smaller budget, contact the friendly team at A-dec today. 

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

www.a-dec.co.uk

I have to admit, I have never enjoyed our annual infection control lecture. Past experience has left concerned about the quality of the CPD on offer, worried that I will be subjected to another afternoon of scare-mongering and opportunistic commercialism. Far worse, though, is the yo-yo-like introduction and withdrawal of guidelines that happens year on year – usually without any scientific evidence to support the decisions.
 

Like any conscientious practitioner, I take these responsibilities very seriously and, ultimately, I think the changes that have been made have been positive.
 

But all I want is a little consistency. I’m sure we can all remember when we were required to keep our sterilised equipment in bags, to be re-sterilised after 30 days of non-use. That quickly changed to 60 days and now it’s gone up to one year. Why?
 

Who knows?
 

The science that dictates these guidelines is not made widely available to professionals – we are simply required to dogmatically follow them. What’s more worrying, however, is the fact that private practitioners are not consistently informed of these regularly changing guidelines. NHS practices and hospitals receive regular updates from the Department of Health – but we are too often left in the dark. Gone are the days when the BNF was sent to all practices: we now have to purchase it or subscribe online.
 

In fact, and I say this with a certain amount of trepidation, I regularly find out about new guidelines by reading through some of the GDC fitness to practise hearings. I often see cases where practitioners are being penalised for something of which I’m not even aware. In this, I think, there has been a fundamental failing in the profession – which is having serious ramifications for practitioners right across the country. 

 

I also couldn’t help tallying up just how much compliance could end up costing. With all the changes, with all the considerations, I was left wondering what strategies I would have to employ to make it feasible – and it all came back down to the question of consistency again. Should practices spend significant sums of money to replace their old sinks with ones that are compliant this year but potentially not the next? Should they have to budget for the government’s indecisiveness?

It’s a difficult situation and, ultimately, the patient will suffer. If practitioners are always having to buy new equipment, new cabinetry or new PPE the cost of treatment will inevitably go up to accommodate the additional costs. It’s not a case of ignoring these topics – the protection of our patients is, and always will be, our foremost consideration – but in order to best do that, we need a consistent direction and a better system for sharing the knowledge we need.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

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

Andrea Johnson is an orthodontic technician working at the Royal Derby Teaching Hospital and is Vice Chair of the Orthodontic Technicians Association (OTA). She is excited to be speaking at the brand new Orthodontic Technician’s Seminar Stream at The Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) 2016 where she will deliver a presentation entitled “The Unbreakable Herbst Appliance”. Here she speaks with enthusiasm about her seminar:

“I saw the new unbreakable Herbst appliance in Italy a few months ago and I’m really excited because it's a brilliant design and I want to tell everyone all about it.

“During the seminar I will be describing the innovative new design of the appliance. The original Herbst appliance is very effective for a variety of different problems, primarily where the mandible needs to be postured forward. However, the way the components sit in the acrylic of the appliance make it very prone to breakages and so it can be unreliable. The new design of appliance that I will discuss is almost unbreakable; it has exactly the same function but it operates in a different way and is not as flimsy and fragile.

“I will cover the benefits of the new design and the reasons why technicians would want to use the appliance. The design stage will be incorporated and technicians will take away knowledge about how it can be used and also where components can be sourced. This way, technicians can order in the parts and try it out in their own lab.

“I imagine that a lot of technicians will be interested in the new design because it is not just applicable to one specific discipline. Undoubtedly, the Herbst appliance would be used more by orthodontic technicians dealing with specified cases but prosthodontic and denture technicians may also use it occasionally.

“I will join many other presenters throughout the DTS educational programme who are excited about being able to talk to technicians from across the disciplines. Having that cross-over of knowledge is valuable because the conversations, points and questions that arise offer a range of different perspectives that we ourselves may not have considered.

“I think that the co-location of The Dentistry Show and DTS does very well because it’s an exclusive arrangement. Dentists often visit the DTS area to source laboratory services and products, or to seek advice on various techniques and materials. It’s a mutually enjoyable exchange; technicians can also visit stands at The Dentistry Show to see what clinicians are using, which helps us to offer a better service for them in return.

“A lot of the other shows cater more for the clinical side of dentistry. To have a venue with a lab-dedicated area featuring a range of lab-based products and services, as well as lectures designed specifically to interest them, is extremely beneficial. I’ve seen other shows try this approach, of course, but DTS seems to be the best.”

To attend Andrea’s seminar and to take advantage of the wealth of educational and networking opportunities, book your ticket for DTS 2016 today.

DTS 2016 will be held on Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April 2016 at the NEC Birmingham, co-located with The Dentistry Show.

For more information visit www.the-dts.co.uk, call 020 7348 5263 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dental technicians, dentists and manufacturers all have an integral part to play in the overall patient experience. Working together as a team and utilising the very latest designs and technology can bring about solutions to previously difficult or untreatable cases.

Sharing experiences and striving towards the common goal of providing first-class dental care for patients, enables the best clinical results and can make a real difference to the outcome patients receive. From initial product design and manufacture, to the technical modifications made in the dental lab, and to the fitting and restoring phase in the dentist’s chair – teamwork is integral to success. This was one of the main themes highlighted at a recent event organised by The Parade Specialist Dental Centre, held at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and supported by leading implant product supplier Nobel Biocare.

The day was aimed at dentists currently placing and restoring implants, those undertaking their MSc courses and practitioners who were interested in implantology. During the inspirational and educational day, delegates had the chance to listen and learn from some of the most highly respected professionals in the field, including Dr Bertil Friberg, Dr Adrian Binney, Dr Michael Page and Dr Matthew Thomas.

Dr Friberg, an Associate Professor and Co-Chairman of the renowned Brånemark Clinic in Gothenburg, is one of the most experienced implant surgeons in the world, as well as an excellent teacher. He shared his experiences of working at the Brånemark Clinic, outlined the rich history of dental implantology and gave his insights on how the field will evolve and change in the coming years.

Dr Thomas provided an interesting lecture which included overcoming the problem of limited space with the use of the NobelActive® 3.0. This smaller and stronger implant is specifically designed for narrow spaces where practitioners may be unable to place a conventional implant, such as in the case of missing lateral incisors.

Dr Page continued with the theme of attaining new and exciting possibilities looking at options for patients using the latest technology, and covering CAD/CAM designed restorations for the edentulous. He showed how the latest technology is providing greater results for the most difficult of cases in a fascinating lecture.

Dr Binney followed this up with an equally thought-provoking presentation on the NobelProcera® Angulated Screw Channel (ASC) abutment, which is designed to offer a higher degree of restorative flexibility without using cement retained restorations and comprising aesthetics. Dr Binney showed how the ASC is perfect for placing screw retained restorations in the posterior region, as it allows for easier access and truly aesthetic anterior restorations without compromising the optimum position for implant placement .

Commenting on the event, Dr Binney said: “The day was a huge success and we were delighted to have the support of Nobel Biocare to enable us to offer delegates an educational and inspiring day.”

The day was concluded with a brilliant insight into the dental technicians’ role in a superb lecture from John Craddock, Director at Synergy Dental Laboratory in Cardiff. With John and his team present, the event provided a well-rounded account of the dental workflow, emphasising the importance of the relationship between laboratory and clinician and ensuring delegates understood the entire journey from beginning to end.

Teamwork remains essential to success and manufacturers, technicians and practitioners each have a role to play in providing patients with high quality dental care. The idea highlighted throughout the day was that of increased strength as a comprehensive team, compared to working as individuals, encouraging all to communicate effectively in order to solve challenges faced. With the correct products, right skills and successful collaboration, solutions can be found for even the most challenging of cases.

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

Dr Nikhil Shah of Brentwood Orthodontic and Implant Centre recently undertook a practice relocation project working with Clark Dental. He says:

‘We came to work with Stuart Clark, Matt Rowlingson and the team from Clark Dental because they helped me with my initial practice fit out ten years earlier, and I have worked alongside them ever since. The team are always professional and provide consistently excellent service, so we knew they would be the best company to work with. They get things done and resolve any problems that arise with experience and confidence. I can have an idea and they make that vision a reality.

“As far as managing the project, Matt from Clark Dental took care of all the dental aspects. They oversaw the dental fit and installation, including coordinating with builders and other contractors, and they were fantastic at ensuring this all came together for us.

“For anyone undertaking a relocation or renovation project, I would highly recommend working with the team from Clark Dental, this project would not have turned out as well as it did without them.”

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

For a complete electronic probing and charting system that allows a single operator to complete a comprehensive periodontal exam in under ten minutes, turn to the Florida Probe from Clark Dental.

The Florida Probe handpiece exerts a constant force regardless of the strength or pressure of the operator, which guarantees accuracy and reproducibility between users.

Alternatively, the new VoiceWorks microphone and headset system can be used to capture the same data into the same software.

Using either system means there is no need to have another member of staff present to record the results. 

The Florida Probe aids patient communication by providing a detailed periodontal chart that can be used to create a “treatment map” for scaling and root planing, subgingival antimicrobials or laser treatment. When combined with the patient diagnosis sheet, this becomes an invaluable clinical and legal record of informed consent to protect your practice.

To explore the benefits of utilising the Florida Probe, contact Clark Dental’s team of experts who will be pleased to demonstrate and offer advice about the Florida Probe System and the new Voice Works system.

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

Dr Finlay Sutton will be among the outstanding speaker line-up presenting the Aesthetic Dentist Conference at The Dentistry Show 2016. Keen to demonstrate that removable prosthodontics remains a viable treatment option, even with advances in dental implantology, he will be discussing “The 7 Secrets to Successful Removable Prosthodontics”.

“I will deliver a very practical and clinically-focused presentation, exploring my seven secrets for the creation of beautiful dentures with optimal function,” he says. “Using a selection of case studies, photos and videos, I will show how I have worked with my on-site dental technician, Rowan Garstang, to produce removable dental prostheses with exceptional function and aesthetics.

“For those attending my lecture, you can expect to pick up some practical tips to help you make superb impressions and maximise retention for both partial and complete dentures. You’ll also see how to determine optimal tooth positioning when designing the prosthesis, ensuring that it is always age appropriate.

“I love coming to The Dentistry Show and have been to the last three events. There really is something at the show for everyone involved in dentistry and dental technology. It is a brilliant place to learn new dental techniques, see new products and materials and keep up-to-date with the latest technological advances in dentistry, so that we can improve what we provide for our patients. In addition, it is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues.”

Finlay will be speaking alongside an outstanding line-up of nationally and internationally renowned lecturers within the Aesthetic Dentist Conference. Led by Elaine Halley, Chair of the educational programme, confirmed speakers will be Professor Trevor Burke, Didier Dietschi, Florin Cofar, Roberto Spreafico, Louis MacKenzie and Ian Kerr, discussing a wide range of relevant topics from CAD/CAM technologies and the digital workflow to management of complex cases and direct composites.

Even more CPD and learning opportunities will be on offer throughout the trade floor, where many of the more than 400 dental manufacturers and suppliers will provide on-stand education and product demonstrations. Additional hands-on workshops and lecture theatres such as the Facial Aesthetic Theatre, EndoLounge, PerioLounge and STO Lounge, will also cater to specific disciplines and be tailored to all members of the team.

Make sure you don’t miss out!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 will be held on Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April at the 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.

Running a successful dental practice, like any small business takes time, effort, perseverance and a little luck. It can be a mammoth step-change going from practising as an associate dentist to owning and operating your own dental practice, and without the essential support and guidance of experts, clinicians will be relying on more than just a little luck.

For instance, there can be many reasons why a particular strategy or business approach doesn't garner the results you desire, but without the experienced know-how of business specialists, dentists may find they lack the commercial insight needed for their practice to be a success.

Naturally, such insights are gathered over a long period of experience – lots of trial and error – and are based on seeing first hand what works and what doesn't. Having worked with dental practices for many years, at 7connections we have established the following 7 pain points that at some time every practice will have to overcome in order to succeed.

1. Lack of Balance

In a recent survey that asked what factors are most important to the UK population, 53.7% said work-life balance was the top concern.[i] And yet according to data from the office of national statistics, almost one in two adults report low satisfaction with their work life balance.[ii]

As a practice owner, you can spend 28-35 hours a week performing clinical activity, and then still have to run your business; this can be at least another 10 hours! Achieving a balance therefore requires reducing the time spent working, which means either getting a better team or utilising better systems.

2. Lack of Profitability

When you work hard, you naturally want to see your business making money. However, most practices will suffer at some point from a lack of profitability. In short, if your practice costs more to operate than the amount of revenue generated, then it will soon face real problems. But if you employ the correct model and well-established systems this can easily be avoided.

3. Lack of Growth

Business growth is essential, you should aim for growth to be at least in line with inflation, and more if you want to eventually sell for a profit. Therefore if you experience a drop in turnover or a lack of progress across your business, it’s time to consider a change.

4. Lack of New Patients

A dental practice will always need new patients. To achieve a steady flow, all you need is 20 leads per full time dental surgery per month. Ideally these patients will spend between £1,500 and £1,700 in their first year with you. This will help deliver the sustainable growth required. But bear in mind that every aspect of your practice affects how new patients invest in your services. From your marketing to your systems, to the way your reception looks, it is essential the patient journey reflect the demographic you want to attract.

5. Lack of Team Trust

For any successful business, you need a motivated team who all perform and behave according to your exacting brand standards. However, developing and maintaining a dedicated workforce can be one of the biggest challenges you’ll face. Remember any system you create is only as good as the people you have implementing it.

6. Lack of Systems

We talk a lot about systems, and for any business to be a success it needs well thought out systems that underline everything you do. Every part of your business should have a system that exists in a manual that your team can refer to and implement. To begin with this requires a lot of hard work, but will ensure that later down the line, your business is ready for the future growth and expansion you desire.

7. Lack of Productivity

A key component of success for any dental practice comes down to the individual profitability of every fee-earner in the business. It’s vital to analyse the productivity and profitability of each clinician, and to ensure they are always kept busy – and in order to do that you need leads and conversions.

The Solution

If these pain points are sounding familiar there are solutions that will help to address them all. In order to fix these points and build your business you will need to optimise every part of your practice – both through the right use of human resources, and through implementing efficient systems and protocols.

The best place to start this is in reviewing your Patient Journey and evaluating how you attract and retain new patients. The much discussed seven-step principle known as ‘lifecycle marketing’, can help you to optimise this process, as it effectively encapsulates the process of attracting new patients and retaining them by building and developing long-term relationships.

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 the new website www.7connections.com.

Statistics suggest that by 2050 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women in the UK will be obese – currently, the figures stand at around 15.5 million adults.[1]

The health issues that can be demonstrably linked with obesity are well documented: conditions such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, strokes, liver disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), joint pain and depression are more likely to affect people with a high Body Mass Index (BMI).[2]

What is significantly less documented is the difficulties healthcare providers can have treating obese patients. This is particularly important for dental practitioners, since obesity is also linked to an increased risk of periodontal disease and poor oral hygiene.

One of the most prevalent issues currently is the capability of dental chairs to support patients over a certain weight. There have been reports of dentists turning away patients on account of the inability of their dental unit to safely and efficiently carry a heavier load.[3]

Indeed, research undertaken on modern dental chairs has recently shown that most units are only capable of bearing loads of up to 23st (146kg). Typically, those who fall within the obese BMI bracket weigh from 22st upwards (143kg) rendering the majority of dental chairs unsuitable.[4]

This, of course, presents significant problems to both patients and practitioners. If dentists cannot serve all of their patients, they will lose business to those who are better equipped – and if they choose to turn patients away on the grounds of weight, they may find themselves facing legal action through the Disability Discrimination Act (2005). For patients, it restricts the provision of oral healthcare.[5]     

To this end, it is worth considering a dental chair from A-dec. With units that can carry heavier loads than competitive products (up to 29st (181kg)), a long-standing focus on comfort, ergonomics and reliability, A-dec is the obvious choice for any dental professional passionate about providing the best care for everyone.

Regardless of size, age or any other differentiating factor, every patient who walks through your door deserves to be treated fairly, equally and excellently. Do not let your equipment be an excuse to discriminate against anyone – invest in high-quality products that will allow you give each individual patient the best treatment possible.

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

www.a-dec.co.uk

For over 40 years, Clark Dental has brought you the most cutting-edge dental equipment from around the globe. The most recent additions to their high-quality range are from market-leader, Sirona, and includes:

The XIOS Scan: this innovative product allows you to easily digitise conventional radiographs to an exceptional standard. After exposure, specifically designed imaging plates are inserted into the XIOS Scan where, thanks to an outstanding scan quality of up to 22 line pairs/mm, incredibly sharp digital images are produced and sent directly to your computer. With the XIOS Scan, you will no longer need to develop radiographs with environmentally harmful chemicals – nor disrupt your tried-and-tested diagnostic workflow.  

The ORTHOPHOS SL range: a multifunctional range of radiographic systems, ORTHOPHOS SL can offer you incomparably sharp 2D images, thanks to the powerful DCS sensor and unique Sharp Layer Technology. Then, either upgrade your system with an optional Ceph arm or choose full 3D utility. Alternatively, take advantage of the fully dedicated 3D system which is available in two flexible levels of volume range, from 8 x 8cm or 11 x 10cm, that will help you easily create perfect 3D images without having to unnecessarily increase the radiation dose for your patient.

For all the latest in exceptional dental technologies, contact Clark Dental today. 

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  

Introducing the new Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing – an exciting opportunity for modern dental practices to develop a highly skilled team – brought to you by Healthcare Learning and Barnet and Southgate College in London.

A leading supplier of dental education, Healthcare Learning will deliver high quality content and on-going support for all apprentices. Widely recognised learning platforms such as the Dental Nurse Education Zone (DNEZ) will also be made available to apprentices, offering them even more resources to complete their studies and maintain their skills in the long-term.

Barnet and Southgate College has extensive experience in successfully providing a wide range of high quality apprenticeship programmes across various different industries, and will be delivering first-rate classroom-based workshops for dental nurse apprentices as well as providing full quality assurance for the overall programme.

Benefits of getting involved

The first clear benefit for practices getting involved with the programme is that their apprentices will learn on the job, developing the hands-on skills and experience they need to excel in the role of a dental nurse. What’s more, the majority of the course is delivered through online webinars from Healthcare Learning, so apprentices will need to take little time away from the practice.

The programme reflects all the clinical responsibilities of modern dental nurses, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, behaviours and practical workplace experience they need to perform the role effectively. For the practice, this affords complete confidence in the capabilities of the apprentice upon completion of the course to fulfil the duties of a dental nurse effectively. Plus, team members working alongside apprentices have an opportunity to help mould them into highly accomplished professionals, who understand and align with the principles and values of the existing team and business.

For practices that meet the criteria, there is also extensive funding to subsidise the costs of training each apprenticeship. The government has pledged to boost apprenticeships by creating 3 million programmes by 2020 and the Dental Nursing programme is a key beneficiary of this initiative. Therefore, the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will deliver £2 for every £1 the practice invests, up to the £6,000 core funding cap. For practices that qualify for all the additional government incentives, while they will initially invest £3,000 per apprentice, they are set to receive £3,600 in rebates once the course is completed and so will actually benefit by £600 per apprentice.

A bright future

The Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing provides students with a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, which is equivalent to two A-levels. Not only does this enable apprentices to register with the GDC and embark on a long and successful professional career in dentistry, but it also offers enormous potential for them to undertake further training in order to advance and move onto senior roles. All this continues to benefit the practice – highly motivated staff with the chance to progress can help expand the services available and drive the business forwards.

Intake for the apprenticeship programme begins every few months with the next start dates in early 2016. An eligibility criteria form is available to provide a quick assessment of candidates’ suitability for the course. Generally, candidates need a grade C or above in GCSE English and Maths.

The Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing provides a fantastic opportunity to develop a highly skilled and experienced workforce for the future success of every dental practice. Find out more today.

For more information or applications contact Healthcare Learning

 Tel: 020 7400 8989

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

You don’t have to do this - a letter to a wavering dentist.

Is this really what you want to do? You don’t have to.

Many students have made their decisions to study dentistry at university in their mid-teens, an age when they are neither mature nor in possession of great insight.

Parents, family and teachers see dentistry as a well-remunerated, successful profession with a secure future. Well positioned on any socially acceptable list that makes it traditionally attractive to the children of immigrants. My mother, a migrant from Ireland was determined that both her children would have professions, her background, in nursing, favoured the medical. I became a dentist, my brother a doctor.

How many of us have the nerve to say that it’s not what they want? Many dentists are ill suited to a profession that makes extensive physical, mental and emotional demands on its members. I am not convinced that the undergraduate course prepares students for the rigours of general practice.

After 5 undergraduate years and now carrying a large student debt it takes a brave new graduate to dare admit to parents and family that they have studied the wrong subject. If you have a degree in humanities or pure sciences you are fortunate to be able to continue with your subject. Only with a “vocational” degree is the graduate able, and expected, to follow a career pathway.

Socially, turning away is akin to failing to show up at your own wedding. An individual might be secretly admired for admitting that they don’t feel the commitment needed for a happy marriage but it’s a brave dentist who says that they have done the wrong thing.

Turn things on their head, if you know in your heart of hearts that you are going to be unfulfilled and unhappy being a dentist isn’t it better to say so sooner rather than later? How many more miserable years can you tolerate? How much stress and heartache can you endure once you have admitted to yourself that you’re in the wrong place?

Far too many dentists have plodded on through degree, foundation training, associateship, partnership, marriage and children all carrying with them increasing financial pressures.

They thinking that this is the way that it has to be, that it will get better, easier, less of trial to get out of bed in the morning - next year. They live from holiday to holiday and get absolutely no fulfilment or satisfaction from the clinical work that they do or the people for whom they are supposed to care.

Often they succumb to the stressors. One of my contemporaries only accepted that he had a problem when he needed a quarter bottle of vodka to start work in the morning and was facing his third drink driving conviction.

I have attended funerals of successful and apparently happy dentists who have taken their own lives because they could only see one way out.

These problems are not unique to dentists and many people “live lives of quiet desperation” so I would encourage them to change also, if they can.

What else is possible?

The answer is anything that you want to be. There are ex-dentists who are successful architects, writers, lawyers, musicians and businessmen. I know of one former specialist orthodontist who now builds dry-stone walls (and will also teach you how to build them). The discipline of your training means that you are suited to re-train in many disciplines.

Let’s not forget those people who are stuck in a rut. NHS dentistry has never embraced excellence, though lots of good work is done in spite of the system. You will never perform at the highest level on the conveyor belt of UDAs or whatever imposed system of production is in vogue this year.

If you are having second thoughts then I suggest that you examine your reasons. If you feel that you aren’t right for a job that demands a high standard of manual dexterity in order to practice at its best then you should explore your options.

Darwin says that empathy is instinctive not learned, so if you are not a person-person will you be happy going against the grain and attempting to gain the trust of your patients day in day out for the next 30 years?

If you are doing it just for the money, you will probably be disappointed at the amount of further training, dedication to a career pathway and sheer hard work that it will take. You might get a better return on the invested time in some other field.

On the other hand if you stay and you choose to dedicate yourself to a unique discipline, then every day will give a new challenge. You have the opportunity to grow as the leader of a team in a niche where you help your patients not only to achieve and maintain an important element of their general health but also to have an enhanced sense of confidence, comfort and function.

If you want to be happier then say so, and do something. This isn’t a rehearsal, there is no second chance, no re-run, no “it’ll be all right on the night”. If you want to be better nobody can do it for you. If you need help ask those who have already done it, study excellence and embrace it.

Polonius said to his son:

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Prince William recently addressed the Chinese population, citing that without action, rhinos and elephants could be extinct by the time Princess Charlotte reaches her 25^th birthday. Unfortunately, the giant panda is also among the top ten most endangered species in the world.

Although there is some good news – the Chinese government reports the population of endangered wild pandas has risen over 17% in just over a decade[i], they’re still extremely vulnerable. Greenpeace recently reported that Loggers in China’s southwest are destroying giant panda sanctuaries, chopping down more than 3,200 acres of natural forest in the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries[ii].

The elements of the initial endangerment of pandas are still very real today. Wild pandas have retreated into fragmented and constricted areas of central China, squeezed in by agriculture, mountains and arid lands where bamboo stocks dwindle in the winter months. With the added threat climate change poses to mountain ecosystems, it’s ever more vital to cultivate panda-friendly bamboo forests enabling them to move on if climate adversely affects the growth of bamboo in one particular region¹.

In the quest to protect the world’s wild pandas and make useful products in environmentally friendly materials, Phyllostachys edulis or Moso Bamboo, plays a key role. Known to grow up to 28 metres high at a rate of 1 metre per day[iii], it is the fastest growing, sustainable plant on earth. Its antibacterial qualities negate the need for pesticides during its growth and although it’s as strong as some metals, it’s also 100% biodegradable.

Moso leaves sprout at about 5 metres up and pandas don’t eat them because they can’t reach that high. But their diet is still mainly bamboo, which has little nutritional value, so an average panda requires 26 to 84 pounds per day. If Moso bamboo alone is used in the manufacture of building and consumer products, the further 42 species of bamboo pandas eat can be preserved and partly cultivated by themselves as they roam and disperse seeds naturally[iv].

The Humble Brush is a conservation and environmentally friendly toothbrush that utilises Moso bamboo’s admirable attributes – the handles are modelled out of this 100% biodegradable material. The Humble Brush helps reduce our plastic footprints by offering an alternative that is kind to our land and ecosystems. What’s more, for every Humble Brush sold, equivalent oral care is provided to people in need.

Help our environments, people and endangered species by choosing the Humble Brush toothbrush today.

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 and Twitter

@HumbleBrush

Many practice sales agents will use percentage of turnover to value a practice – which can lead to an unrealistic expectation on which many vendors, particularly those approaching retirement, will base their futures.

There is a significant problem with this; a valuation through percentage of turnover is an increasingly unreliable way of valuing a dental practice. It only works on the assumption that the practice that is being sold is just like other practices in the area which, unless it happens to be a predominately NHS practice, is unlikely. Yet the majority of practice sales agents work with this method – and will charge from anywhere between 2-4% for doing so, equating to thousands of pounds in fees.
 

The fundamental issue with percentage of turnover is that it disregards many important factors that may affect the actual value of a practice – factors that you can be sure a buyer (and the buyer’s bank) will be quick to scrutinise, like the type of dentistry being delivered, the quality and state of equipment, the sustainability of the practice and the potential for expansion. In fact, by disregarding these factors, valuation through percentage of turnover begins to look a great deal like guesswork – particularly expensive guesswork – which completely ignores one essential aspect that will ultimately mean more to any buyer than any other: profitability! By failing to take a practice’s overall profitability into account, as well as the assets and the liabilities on the balance sheet, any valuation is bound to be unreliable, unrealistic and, ultimately, unachievable.
 

Why, then, do many practice sales agents continue to use this method? Firstly, it is quicker – a valuation based on turnover can be calculated relatively easily as long as the practice’s accounts are well-maintained. Secondly, the agent’s main objective is to acquire the initial commission to sell the practice, collect the fee and move on. They are not required to become invested in the priorities that the vendor might have – like ensuring the welfare of patients and staff or finding a buyer who can continue to uphold the standards and ideals that the practice has come to represent. Their remit is to find a buyer who is willing to pay and complete the transaction; they have no real reason to search with you for the ‘right’ buyer.  
 

Therefore, finding the right practice sales agent – one who will provide you with a service which is truly represented by the fees charged – is one of the most important elements of selling a dental practice. It can ultimately save a great deal of time, anxiety and cost if you find an agent who is willing to go the extra mile in the first place. Ideally, you need someone who is sensitive to the specific features of your practice and the individual needs you exhibit as a vendor. You need someone who has taken the time to understand your motivations for selling, who understands the overarching philosophy of the practice and duly considers a buyer on these terms and, most importantly, who has the expertise and experience to thoroughly analyse the practice’s accounts in order to establish a realistic and achievable sales price.

 

For more information about joining the Portman Dental team, please visit www.portmanhealthcare.co.uk or call Gary Chapman on 0207 281 9489 or 07966698130

Gary Chapman is the Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Portman Dental. A qualified dental technician with over 30 years’ experience in the dental industry, including running his own dental laboratory and a Harley Street facial aesthetics clinic, as well as working as the Director of Acquisitions at James Hull Associates, Gary has a unique understanding of the profession. He now uses his extensive expertise to help the Portman Dental Group grow and, to date, he has identified all but two of the practices acquired by Portman Healthcare.

Your dental handpiece may be one of the most important pieces of equipment in your surgery. Indispensible in general dentistry, specialist treatments and much more, the handpiece is truly one product that the majority of dental practitioners could not live without.
 

For this reason alone, it is essential that you invest in nothing but the very highest quality pieces. Sub-standard or counterfeit products can result in accident or injury and legal dispute.
 

The production quality of your handpiece is a pertinent consideration. Knowing where your next product has been made and whether it conforms to CE regulations is vital to ensuring the enduring quality of a handpiece. There has recently been a spate of counterfeit products entering the UK market which presents a particular threat to the overall safety of dental equipment. Far cheaper but less reliable than genuine handpieces, these products can malfunction and injure both patients and practitioners. It is, therefore, vitally important to ensure you know where the product you are considering has been built and by which trusted manufacturer.
 

Once you have purchased the handpiece that best meets your clinical needs, it is important that you ensure to maintain it adequately. Not only is this prudent for financial reasons, it will also reduce the risk of malfunction. With an operational speed of up to 400,000 rpm, the damage a faulty handpiece can inflict on the soft tissues of the oral cavity can be extensive and irreversible.
 

But choosing a company to fulfil your maintenance needs can be as difficult as choosing a handpiece in the first place – and there are a number of considerations for which you must account before making any decisions.
 

·      Firstly, you must be sure that the parts and replacements a repair company is using in your handpieces are of the highest quality from reputable manufacturers.

·      You must also be assured that your handpieces will be returned promptly and reliably: being without your equipment will cause unnecessary delays.

·      Cost-effectiveness is a major factor and finding a balance between price and quality is essential.
 

By offering exceptional quality and expertise, you can be sure the repair work Quintess Denta undertake will always be of the highest standard – but what sets it apart from the competition is its unwavering focus on customer support and service. What’s more, the team at Quintess Denta are dedicated to providing relevant, money-saving tips that will enable dentists to substantially cut their maintenance costs.

For more information visit www.quintessdenta.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 028 6862 8966

With near-invisible options available, plus faster treatment times, it is no surprise that more adults than ever before are embarking on orthodontic treatment.
 

With the means to afford it, they know that improving their teeth will benefit them professionally as well as personally, particularly if they add an adjunctive treatment like whitening. Orthodontics are now much more stable than they were in the past; correcting work they had done as a child is also highly appealing.
 

It is far easier to practice a successful oral care routine and keep the mouth clean if teeth are aligned properly and gaps closed up. Correct a patient’s bite and you can reduce toothwear too. A course of orthodontics may also prevent problems with the gingiva getting worse.
 

However, it might be the case that not only do you not currently offer orthodontic treatment, but that you have no plans to do so either. The cutting-edge OPG machines and 3D scanners on the market are exciting, yet out of the reach for many, particularly if you are only seeing a couple of potential cases a month. The technology is moving fast and staff need to be trained and retrained.
 

Referrals are not something to be feared - you will not ‘lose’ your patient. Instead, referring out can enhance and expand your treatment provision. It can also be a conduit to building and consolidating loyalty. By referring people out to a trusted partner, you are saying that, although you do not have the resources to provide the required orthodontics yourself, you want to give your patient a successful route through the (expensive) minefield. Especially if their previous experience of this kind of treatment was not a positive one, you will be supporting patients to improve their smile and oral health with the help of a clinician that you trust.
 

Adult orthodontic patients have high expectations of aesthetically pleasing and stable results.  They are aware of the choice out there and will use the internet to look at practitioner reviews and compare pricing. They will know what they want to achieve, including a reassurance that they are in safe hands. Choose your referral partner wisely – you want to feel confident about a successful outcome every time. For example, The London Smile Clinic has world-class specialists, plus has the latest technology already in place to guarantee fantastic results for even the most complex problems.
 

Investing time and money in developing new services can be daunting and, for many practices, an impossible notion. Referrals can be an easy solution to the rise in demand for adult orthodontics. The right referring clinic will work with you to allay your patients’ fears and promote the benefits of the latest ethical and minimally invasive techniques. It is therefore crucial to find the best referring partner for you, to make life easier for your patients as well as guaranteeing excellent results.  

For more information, please contact The London Smile Clinic on 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londonsmile.co.uk.

A Tesco store recently made the headlines when an employee posted on Facebook about how the company had gone above and beyond contractual obligation to provide her with the facilities to breastfeed her new baby in comfort and privacy.
 

The feature truly highlighted how important it is to offer support to new mothers at this important stage of parenthood and Tesco has been rightly praised for its efforts. Unfortunately, however, there are just as many cases that show the opposite – from mothers who have been asked to leave restaurants or other public spaces or who have been shamed into thinking that breastfeeding in public is taboo.
 

Of course, breastfeeding is protected by law – from as far back as the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 which stipulates that breastfeeding mothers should not be harassed or discriminated against in any situation. This has been reinforced more recently in the Equality Act, 2010 which clarifies that a business must not treat any woman who is breastfeeding unfavourably. Indeed, employers must be aware of these stipulations, since they are required, by law, to provide adequate facilities for breastfeeding mothers.
 

Dental professionals must be particularly considerate of this. In many dental surgeries, space is a rare commodity, so ensuring that there is enough room for a breastfeeding mother – either employee or patient – to rest may be more difficult. The allocated space must be comfortable, private and be large enough to allow the individual to lie down.
 

Other than the requirements to regularly risk-assess the working environment, however, there is no legal requirement to conduct a specific separate risk assessment for a breastfeeding individual – but a prudent employer may wish to do so, to best provide an environment which is safe and comfortable.
 

Employers are not required to provide specific areas in which breastfeeding or expressing can take place, nor do they need to provide paid breaks for this purpose. But they must be aware that sometimes the staff room or the waiting room will be inadequate and the toilet facilities are simply inappropriate to breastfeed. Importantly, they must remember that under the Equality Act they cannot provide a service on different terms; meaning you cannot ask a breastfeeding mother to sit somewhere different than your usual waiting room unless there is a safety concern – so it is better overall to make provisions for a comfortable area which meets the specific legislative requirements to avoid any complications or potential dispute.
 

Not only will this be in keeping with current laws, it will be an effective way to show your support for new mothers – and this can be a particularly powerful tool. Whether it’s online or in person, new mothers will certainly discuss different service environments – your dental practice included – and if you are providing a comfortable, caring environment for them and their babies, they will most likely tell their friends about it. As a way of attracting new patients, new mothers may be a positive place to start.
 

In this regard, providing appropriate areas for breastfeeding mothers is simply the start – there is a myriad of other opportunities for you to take to strengthen the relationship between your business and new parents. Providing information can be another powerful way of doing so. For example, did you know that is has been show that breastfeeding a child will significantly reduce the risk of dental caries, malocclusion and fluorosis – it is also suggested that breastfeeding will promote optimal jaw and tooth development.[1]
 

There is also a helpline available in the UK to check the suitability of certain drugs for breastfeeding mothers; Drugs in Breastmilk helpline is contactable through 0844 412 4665 and is an effective way of staying up-to-date on behalf of your patients.
 

Similarly, it is worth making it clear that mothers are exempt from patient charges under the NHS whilst they are pregnant and throughout the first year of their child’s life.
 

Taking these steps is a great way of providing an excellent service to everyone – offering effective information as well as a comfortable, appropriate environment for breastfeeding patients and employees will certainly attract positive comments, just as Tesco enjoyed recently.
 

Goodman Grant Solicitors are the lawyers for dentists in the UK. With nationwide offices and an expert team, they understand the specific issues that dental professionals are beset with on a daily basis. If you need assistance with any of the legal aspects of running a dental business – from how to best cater to breastfeeding mothers to incorporation or employment contracts and tribunals – they can help. As both NASDAL and ASPD members, they know precisely what dental professionals need to run an effective business and will assist in a positive, friendly manner.
 

Do not risk alienating breastfeeding mothers – make sure you take the right steps to ensure you accommodate their needs just as you would any other.

Nicola Lomas Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists

For more information call Nicola Lomas on 0151 707 0090 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.goodmangrant.co.uk
NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

So: you have taken on a case, diagnosed the patient’s problem, discussed their options and gained their informed consent to proceed. The treatment has gone well and the patient leaves your clinic, a little numb admittedly, but in good spirits. You are satisfied you have done everything you can for them.

But there is just one thing missing: aftercare. Or proper aftercare, at least. An unfortunate majority of dental professionals seem to believe that aftercare consists simply of handing a patient an advice leaflet as they head out the door and booking them in for a follow-up appointment.
 

But there has to be more than this. 
 

When I first set up my practice, we made the effort to contact every patient after treatment, just to assess their recovery and assuage any concerns they might have had after returning home. For the most part, the patients appreciated this – they were happy we rang because it showed we cared about their progress. Some, however, were immediately suspicious and thought perhaps we were ringing to tell them about a problem with their treatment. The majority of people were simply surprised we had phoned at all, because no one had ever done it before.
 

This possibly stems from the fact that we have become so invested in the time-honoured maxim that ‘no news is good news.’ Surely, we think, our patients will contact us if there is something wrong.
 

But the fact is, they probably won’t. Whether it’s because they are embarrassed or they think we’re too busy to talk to them, most patients will suffer in silence.
 

This is, of course, a fundamental failing in our role as healthcare providers. We need to care for our patients until they are well again, not just until they walk out our door. Admittedly, trying to call each and every patient can be a time-consuming task, especially for larger practices. It can also be utterly superfluous, if only a handful of patients actually need additional attention.
 

What is needed, therefore, is an overhaul of current aftercare procedure. We need a way of targeting those patients who need our help and reassurance. With modern technology what it is, this surely cannot be difficult to achieve. I imagine apps that can track patients’ post-treatment pain in real time, helping us recognise trends and deliver precise assistance to those who need it most; I can see text services and instant messaging being integrated into dentistry to provide personalised aftercare for all patients.
 

This would surely improve our profession, not just in standards of care, but in reputation – just imagine the positive response your patients will offer when they know that you genuinely care about their progress and wellbeing?       
 

And if that isn’t incentive enough to improve our aftercare, I don’t know what is.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

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

For an employee to feel truly valued, they need to know that they are being paid adequately for the job they do and that their employer is committed to their welfare and wants them to stay. As a dental practice owner, you will probably employ part-time staff – are you sure that you are paying them enough, even if they are not working as many hours as others are?

This is essential after the prime minister unveiled changes to the rules around the National Living Wage (NLW) in September 2015. The measures significantly toughened the regulations that were already in place, emphasising a message of ‘zero tolerance’ for employers who fail to comply.

Under the new laws, the NLW for workers over the age of 25 will be £7.20 an hour from April 2016 and by 2020, it will be at least £9. To ensure that employers comply with this, the government also announced a new unit at HMRC created specifically to deal with firms that are not paying the NLW.

Until the measures were announced, if an employer was caught out, they had to repay the amount they had underpaid plus a non-payment penalty. In September, the prime minister confirmed that this penalty would be doubled to a whopping 200% of the underpayment. Moreover, any business owner found guilty may also be disqualified from being a company director for 15 years.

These penalties are harsh and a small-to-medium-sized business, which many dental practices are, would simply not survive them. Whilst some employers are making a genuine mistake, it is still the responsibility of the business owner to make sure the new rules are properly enforced and all criteria met.

Don’t get caught out! Part of running a successful dental practice is looking after every member of staff and making it a great place to work. Get expert advice to keep you up-to-date with the law, so that everyone can focus on delivering the very best in patient care.

Specialist medical and dental accountants Lansdell & Rose can help you understand and apply employment law. The team also has a wealth of knowledge on a range of topics from pensions to tax to help your business grow. Visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk or call 020 7376 9333.

Patients have more choice than ever. They want excellent dental care and impeccable customer service from the minute they step inside the surgery. For a practice to survive, it must be well-run, with a clear vision that an inspired team works together to achieve.

A great practice therefore needs great leadership. There are different ways you can lead people and even if you don’t think these skills come naturally to you, there are simple ways to develop them.
 

Decide what style of leadership is best in your circumstances. It is just as important that a small-to-medium sized practice is as properly run as a larger one, because losing a patient or employee will have a more noticeable impact on revenue. You won’t achieve anything without a plan and having shared vision, which is decided on and supported by everyone, is the first step to becoming a good leader. Recognise that your plans may change as your circumstances do, but be consistent in your long-term goals, so your integrity is not questioned.
 

A good leader will reward the contributions and achievements of the team that supports them; if you can’t do this financially, then share details of good work so people feel valued and appreciated. Real investment in the people that work with you – both professionally and personally - will create a happy, enthusiastic team and reduce staff turnover too.
 

Recruitment decisions that will enrich your practice and complement the team that you already have in post are crucial to your success. The support of your team will help you to make good decisions, including which tasks to delegate. Because you can’t do everything, especially with a full clinical schedule, empower those around you by giving them to the chance to learn and grow. Offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities for those who have voiced their desire to take on more responsibility and evolve their job description.
 

Think about enriching your team and growing your own talent with the new Trailblazers apprenticeship schemes. These programmes are supported by the government but lead by employers, including Mustafa Mohammed, Managing Director of Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs, who is dedicated to improving standards and increasing the skills base of the nation. Currently, there are apprentice schemes available for dental practice managers and dental nurses and training individuals in this way has been found to be rewarding and cost-effective.[i] Taking on an apprentice is a fantastic way to tap into aptitude and potential and to create a committed, accomplished and loyal workforce.
 

Although there are different ways to lead, the ability to motivate, inspire and transform are qualities that every good leader needs. Most importantly, having a vision, the integrity to stick with your long-term plan and a team that will help you to fulfill it, is what will set your practice apart from the rest.
 

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

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

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

In May 2015, the World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, the most urgent drug resistant trend.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines antibiotic resistance as “resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it.¹” They go on further to say it is a “natural phenomenon” and that the misuse and overuse of the medication accelerates this worldwide problem. The effect of this “ticking time bomb” is felt across the health of the global population and worldwide healthcare budgets.

The meeting in May created five strategic objectives to tackle the issue including increasing awareness and understanding, reducing the incidence of infection and developing the economic case for sustainable investment². A survey carried out by the WHO a month earlier found that of 133 participating countries, only 34 had a comprehensive national plan to fight resistance to antibiotics. It discussed how management of the situation was paramount but due to inadequate laboratory capacity, infrastructure and data management practice, trends and outbreaks were poorly detected and monitored. Importantly, many countries had no stringent guidelines on the prescription of antibiotics, which could result in overuse and misuse by prescribers.

Excess Expenditure

There is not only the effect this issue has on the health of the global population, but also the impact it has on a country’s economy. Drug-resistant infections could kill an extra 10 million people across the world every year by 2050 if they are not treated successfully. By this date they could also cost the world around $100 trillion in lost output². Health expenditure in most countries is rising steeply already and resistance to antibiotics is going to contribute significantly in the near future. Excess costs associated with the resistance are due to longer hospitalisation, delayed therapy, higher morbidity rates, the necessity for surgery and the need to use more expensive antibiotics³.

Jim O’Neill, an economist leading a review into antimicrobial resistance for the UK government, estimated that $37 billion is needed over the next 10 years to spur the pharmaceutical industry into developing innovations in this troublesome segment. He went on further to say that this was a “modest sum” compared to the cost of not doing anything. During the 1990’s, pharmaceutical companies withdrew from investing in this kind of research due to a high uncertainty around what the final market potential would be, and still the pipeline does not look particularly robust. Also, antibiotics work so fast and so well that they provide relatively weak returns for high investment. Companies prefer to channel their funds towards the treatment of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, as drug treatment for this type of disease will be taken for longer periods of time; usually for the rest of the patient’s life.

Prevention Strategies

This naturally occurring threat is not going to be eradicated without preventative measures being implemented globally. In one research paper on the subject, Sipahi suggests that the following strategies should be followed:

-       Optimal use of existing antimicrobial agents

-       Where possible, use alternative therapies

-       Increase immunity

-       Educate healthcare professionals

-       Regulations and policies

-       Stringent infection control protocols³.

There are scientists working to develop new drugs able to combat bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. One of the more recent discoveries reported in The Guardian earlier this year has been hailed as a “game changer” and is called teixobactin. It can kill a wide range of bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Teixobactin works by blocking the capacity of resistant bacteria to build cell walls, therefore making it almost impossible for bacteria to develop resistance⁴. It is, of course, still early days.

Alternatives to Antibiotics

The alternative is to use drugs and therapies that do not contain antibiotics, yet are as effective in the results that they deliver. PerioChip® is a non-antibiotic solution and can therefore be used in the longer term. It is designed for use in conjunction with traditional treatment to suppress bacterial flora in periodontal pockets of 5mm or more. It contains 2.5 mg of Chlorhexidine Digluconate and is recommended for first line treatment of periodontal pocketing. Results from clinical studies show a pocket reduction of more than 2mm in almost three quarters of patients when placed every three months⁵.

Antibiotic resistance is a looming problem that all governments and healthcare professionals around the world need to take responsibility for. With alternatives to antibiotics available that can be used in dental treatment plans, dental practitioners need to carefully consider what they prescribe and ensure they are doing what they can.

To order PerioChip® or for further information Freephone 0800 013 2333 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summary of product link;

http://www.old.health.gov.il/units/pharmacy/trufot/alonim/PerioChip_dr_1337488974840.pdf

Abbreviated Prescribing Information

PerioChip® 2.5mg Dental Insert (Chlorhexidine digluconate)

For full prescribing information, including side effects, precautions and contraindications, see Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

Presentation: Dental insert: bullet shaped orange brown containing Chlorhexidine digluconate 2.5mg.

Indications: PerioChip® is an adjunctive antimicrobial treatment for moderate to severe chronic periodontal disease in adults with pocketing, combined with Root Surface Debridement (RSD). Not indicated in children and adolescents.

Dosage and Administration: One PerioChip® is inserted into a periodontal pocket with a probing pocket depth of ?5mm. Retreatment with PerioChip® following mechanical plaque removal at 3 month intervals may provide additional benefit if pocket depth remains ?5mm. For details see SmPC. Removal is unnecessary as PerioChip® biodegrades.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to Chlorhexidine digluconate or excipients.

Precautions: Allergic reactions have occurred but are rare.

Interactions: Avoid nystatin: antagonistic of Chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is incompatible with anionic agents present in some toothpastes and with dietary sucrose, but there is no significant impact on the efficacy of PerioChip®.

Undesirable effects: During the first few days after insertion, transient pain or discomfort of gums or teeth; redness and/or swelling of the gums.

Overdose: Not reported

Pregnancy/ Lactation: Controlled studies in pregnant women have not been conducted, so weigh expected benefits against possible foetal risks: caution in nursing mothers (see SmPC).

NHS list price: £207.20

Legal category: P, Product Licence Number: PL 14017/0035

MA holder: Full prescribing information is available on request from Dexcel Pharma Ltd, 7 Sopwith Way, Drayton Fields Industrial Estate, Daventry, Northants, NN11 8PB.

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Adverse events should also be reported to:

Dexcel Pharma Ltd on 01748 828784

1. Fact Sheet No194, WHO

2. http://amr-review.org

3. Sipahi OR. Economics of antibiotic resistance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2008 Aug;6(4):523-39. doi: 10.1586/14787210.6.4.523.

4. The Guardian, 7^th January 2015

5. Soslkolne W.A et al. Probing depth changes following 2 years of periodontal maintenance therapy including adjunctive controlled-release of chlorhexidine. JOP 2003;74:420-427

Gone are the days when a website that simply listed your products or services was adequate. Now, with rapidly developing technology, digital advertising and social media you can create an online interactive presence to connect with your existing patients, while also attracting new people to your practice. But what is the best way to boost traffic to your website and convert leads into customers?
 

Until recently, patient use of the internet involved the major search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. However, now Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have become search engines in their own right[1]. Competition for website surfers looking for information has therefore increased and consumers now have choices they did not have a few years ago. As the online arena becomes more flooded with commerce, buyers have the desire and ability to become familiar with a brand before they purchase. This is changing online buying behaviour and people are opting for two, three or four lead magnets before buying.
 

Traffic platforms are also changing and becoming overcrowded. Take Facebook as an example – previously you could send Facebook traffic to a squeeze page with just a headline and an opt in box, but now it is becoming increasingly strict with what kind of landing pages it allows traffic to be directed to.
 

This crowding of traffic has also caused people to become highly adept at ignoring advertising in all its forms – TV commercials are skipped and emails from unknown senders are left unopened. So although there are various options available to buy advertising, this alone is no longer an effective option for driving traffic to your website. Instead you have to earn traffic by creating valuable content that attracts visitors. Through the development of informative content, you can encourage leads to your site. Reports or webinars, for example, on the latest treatments and oral healthcare advice will engage patients and create interest. More importantly, this information will also allow you to develop a trusted relationship with individuals.
 

Building your content library one piece at a time is an ideal way to start, as this will ensure you have new and interesting topics for patients and potential patients to read and engage with regularly. These could include blog posts, videos, case studies, reports and webinars, and before you know it, you will have a substantial source of work that will help raise the profile of your practice and generate new leads.
 

Having a well-thought-out marketing system in place, such as AIM – Automated Intelligent Marketing – will then allow you to target the information to the correct patients successfully. Developed by 7connections, AIM utilises the lifecycle marketing concept to effectively target communication and create smarter lead management, resulting in enhanced lead conversion rates, increased sales and greater profits.
 

There are many ways to enhance traffic to your website, however just investing time and money on advertising without a clear and structured plan will result in a number of missed opportunities. Developing quality content and then marketing it through an effective proven system will ensure leads are created and converted and patients retained.

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 the new website www.7connections.com.

Good news for the dental profession: patients in the UK trust their dentists more than their GPs.[1] Trust is an important element of a strong patient–practitioner relationship; it can help patients relax during treatment, making it easier for dentists to complete essential work. It also increases compliance with treatment, improves patient satisfaction and will mean patients are more likely to follow advice.

Thus, a good patient–practitioner relationship can act as a strong foundation for better oral health and, since good oral health has been linked with good general health, trust between a patient and their dentist can improve a patient’s overall wellbeing.

As a dentist, you can build a trusting relationship with your patient in a number of ways. Explaining treatments thoroughly, using visual aids and photos or digital images to show patients what is wrong and how you intend to treat them, letting patients feel in control, assuaging any phobias – these techniques can all promote trust. But these days, one of the most important factors is reassuring patients that they are receiving good value for money from your service.

While we can all be thankful that the UK economy is recovering, that does not mean patients are willing to spend money on subpar dental treatment. Indeed, many people view dentistry as having a big price tag. Reports suggest that the UK does have the most expensive dentists in Europe[2] – so the profession needs to show patients that they are getting proper value for money.

One way of helping with this is to offer payment through dental plans. The most recent statistics available suggest that 12% of the UK’s population already invests in dental insurance, but this figure is likely to increase in the near future.[3]

Dental plans can truly benefit patients by offering them the treatment they want and need for less. By being involved with such plans, dentists can maintain their bond with patients – strengthen it even – while taking advantage of the benefits themselves.  

Munroe Sutton has more than 30 years’ experience of designing, organising and managing dental plans that improve the affordability of quality dental treatment. Designed by dentists for dentists, the Healthy Discounts Plan offers exceptional deals to patients while providing dentists with fair compensation for their services. Associated practices benefit from free marketing, increased promotion and higher patient uptake – at no charge to themselves – while patients get the treatment they want for less.    

Building a strong patient–practitioner relationship is crucial to any healthcare provider, especially dentists. With your patients’ trust, you can ensure good standards of oral and general health. By being part of Munroe Sutton’s prodigious network you can offer more value-for-money to your patients, making them more likely to keep using your service – with no charge to yourself.

Contact the friendly team today to discuss your options.

For more information please call 0808 234 3558 or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

How can we help you?

First week back in the office has flown by and like everyone else involved in the world of sales, we have all been working hard on following up leads, arranging meetings and even closing some deals! (always be closing)

There has been a recurring theme this week in my small dental related bubble and that is clients or prospects asking how we can help them in 2016?

We see GDPUK as an integral part of a dental companies opportunity to market themselves to dentists in the UK. We believe we have a large, active and engaged audience on the site, which we are very proud of. This is important because dental professionals in the UK are using social media more than ever and GDPUK is at the centre of that. For example many of the signatures for the letter published in the Daily Telegraph came from GDPUK. NHS unfit for purpose.

So we have put together a short list of the ways in which we can help our clients engage with potential customers.

1. Banner Ads - We offer a range of banner ads on the site and our daily digest emails. Further info can be found in our media pack here

2. Product Spotlights - New for 2016, the product spotlight will appear on the frontpage of the site, with a promotion of your new service / product or special offer.

3. Product / Service Launches - We can help launch a new product into the market, with blogs, news articles and banner ads.

4. Special Offers - Entice new or old customers with a special offer / or sample offer

5. Case Studies - We can publish case studies for you of products that are working for patients in dental practices. A case study can be a great way of demonstrating how your product works and how it will help the dentist improve his or her skills.

6. Forum Reviews / Tests - Put your product to the test, use members of the GDPUK forum to test your product and receive honest reviews that can be shared on the forum and published as a blog post.

7. Surveys - Run a survey, which can be hosted by our site or your site. Use it to do product research etc

8. Social Media Competitions - Combining promotion on GDPUK and other social media channels, we can run a competition that helps collect data and potential new users of your product.

9. Promotion of Courses / Events - There are a large number of events, meetings, courses that are scheduled in the UK dental calendar on an annual basis, we can help with promotion and even the sale of the tickets.

We hope everyone out there has also had an insightful start to the year and like ourselves are always thinking about how they can improve what they offer to their customers. If you would like to try any other marketing ideas on our site, we are always interested in new methods and always looking to learn. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks for reading. 

Our latest media pack can be found by clicking on this link

Look at some of our amazing numbers that GDPUK produces - GDPUK in Numbers

Denplan’s Excel programme, an advanced quality assurance programme, developed for dentists to help support clinical governance, professional regulation and excellence in patient care and communication has been formally assessed and accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS accreditation of the Excel programme is ground-breaking because it is the first dental service world-wide to achieve such recognition.

UKAS are the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to assess organisations that provide certification, testing and inspection services against internationally agreed standards. UKAS accredit over 3,000 organisations worldwide throughout industry, business and commerce for this purpose.  Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates an organisation’s competence, impartiality, capability and helps underpin the credibility of performance, goods and services. The accreditation of Denplan’s Excel programme will ensure that patients continue to receive high standards and quality of care in dentistry, which is supportive of current NHS and overall government healthcare objectives.

Henry Clover, Deputy Chief Dental Officer at Denplan, responsible for leading Denplan through the accreditation process commented:  “We are thrilled that fifteen years after the launch of the Excel programme, heralding the arrival of a unique quality assurance programme in UK dentistry, it has now been granted UKAS accreditation.  This is the culmination of an enormous amount of work to demonstrate that all aspects of the Excel programme conform to the ISO 17065 standard for bodies certifying products, processes and services.

“UKAS accreditation of the Denplan Excel programme is recognition that Denplan has the necessary competence, combined with robust procedures and operations in place to assess the wide range of clinical, governance, legal and regulatory tasks that dental practices have to perform. This will continue to ensure that high standards in patient care and communication are met by Denplan’s Excel dentists. 

“We believe that this accolade will also place all Excel dentists in a favourable position, as the GDC (General Dental Council) moves towards introducing a revalidation scheme (now known as ‘continuing assurance’) and regulators like the CQC also recognising the potential value of clinical service accreditation and peer review schemes as information sources to support its inspections*.”

Paul Stennett, Chief Executive of UKAS commented: “Congratulations to everyone at Denplan on becoming the world’s first dental service to achieve UKAS accreditation.  Confidence in the quality of a number of diverse health and social care services is already underpinned by UKAS accreditation, from imaging services and medical laboratories, to physiological services and care home inspections.  Accreditation of the Denplan Excel programme represents a natural extension of that confidence into the dental care sector, providing assurance to commissioners, providers and patients alike.”

Accreditation will be monitored through annual surveillance visits, with a full re-assessment every four years. Denplan Excel dentists will now be allowed to use the UKAS symbol alongside the Excel logo and Denplan will be supplying practices with a new Excel plaque free of charge.

Excel dentists also gain free access to Denplan’s market-leading patient communication and assessment tool, DEPPA. This is an evidence-based assessment which allows dentists to produce a colour coded report to present to patients which can help aid understanding and communication regarding their oral health and future risk of dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth wear and oral cancer. Further information about Denplan Excel and DEPPA can be found at www.denplan.co.uk/excel. 

*Source: http://www.ukas.com/news/cqc-recognition-of-ukas-healthcare-accreditation-schemes/

About Denplan

Denplan Limited is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist owned by Simplyhealth; with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 1.7 million Denplan registered patients. Established in 1986 by two dentists who pioneered the concept of dental payment plans, Denplan has been at the heart of dental care for nearly 30 years. Today, Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling patients to spread the cost of their private dental care through a fixed monthly fee. Denplan supports regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223

www.denplan.co.uk

• Denplan Care: all routine and restorative care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Denplan Essentials: routine care only + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Plans for Children: routine and other agreed care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Membership Plan: registered with the dentist + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Denplan Emergency: worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover only
• Corporate Dental Plans: company funded, voluntary and flexible benefit schemes

Denplan also provides a range of professional services for its member dentists and their practice teams, including the Denplan Quality Programme, Denplan Excel Certification Programme and Denplan Training.  Plus regulatory advice, business and marketing consultancy services and networking opportunities.

For more information about Denplan:

Rebecca Hutton

Denplan Press Office

Tel: 01962 829 179

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

About Simplyhealth

We have been helping people with their health for over 140 years. Our roots are in the hospital funds set up during the Victorian era to help working people save for their medical care, and we still follow mutual values today. With no shareholders, our profits go back into supporting our customers and healthcare charitable causes, donating over £1 million each year. Last year, we donated £1.4 million.

In 2011, we acquired Denplan Limited, the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist. Simplyhealth has 1,391 employees based across our offices in Andover, Manchester, Leeds and Denplan in Winchester. We serve our 3.5 million customers through cash plans, dental plans, Denplan and pet health plans. Simplyhealth has Independent Living Centres which provide daily living and mobility products, including powerchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs, in Andover, Bristol, Burnham, Droitwich, Kenilworth, Leeds, Northfield, Norwich, Sutton Coldfield, Telford, Willenhall and Wolverhampton.

Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

For further information:

http://newsroom.simplyhealth.co.uk/

Caroline Newton, Public Relations and Social Media Manager 0344 579 2274

Laura Miller, Media Relations Officer 0344 579 2266

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

Follow us on Twitter @SimplyhealthUK and at Facebook.com/SimplyhealthUK

About UKAS

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the National Accreditation Body (NAB) for the UK.  Its role is to assess evaluating organisations to international standards.  UKAS operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).  UKAS accreditation involves assessment of certification, inspection, testing and calibration services.  For further information about UKAS visit: www.ukas.com.

All media enquiries should be directed to Phil Russell in the UKAS press office: E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. T: 020 7689 5155

Allan Stockwin, Chairman of Safe4 and ex-Chairman of the Dental Buying Group (DBG), announces a return to the dental market.

When I sold the DBG and The Dental Supply House in 2010, I decided to retain control of Safe4, one of the most ethical ranges of products available in the UK.

The company has always maintained its primary principle of delivering safe products that protect both the end user and the environment. It's been a big educational exercise but we have managed to spread the word in many markets and deal directly with the majority of customers who care about their patients and the environment.

Our next endeavor is to return to the dental profession, which up until now has always purchased through dental wholesale companies. Understandably, many of these companies have few loyalties to brands and little understanding of the products they sell and the substances contained within them. They simply stock and sell the solutions in most demand, or those that generate the largest profit. Some even sell Safe4 and many dentists used it when The Dental Supply House was still operating.

By offering our products directly to you, we strive to really get to know you and therefore deliver a more personalised service tailored to the type of business you run and the demands you face. In addition to providing full data sheets, we can explain them to you as well, answering any questions you may have there and then.

We believe we have managed, through our educational programme, to dramatically reduce the number of hazardous products sold in the UK and abroad. However, we still have a long way to go and it would be nice to think we can be as successful in the dental market as we have been in many other markets.

We have been very mindful to remain abreast of the very latest advancements and changes to the regulations surrounding cleaning and disinfectant products and protocols in the healthcare and veterinary sectors. As such, we have been, and continue to be, not only well placed to offer clarification and advice on these topics, but also very happy to do so as part of the service we provide. We are here to help you ensure the highest standards of safety within your practice and we are proud to offer you such highly effective, easy-to-use and safe disinfection products.

Worldwide Endorsement

When you look at the list of internationally leading names using Safe4 products, it can't be a coincidence that they have chosen the best to protect their staff and clients. In the animal care sector, for example, we are proud to work with key global organisations, zoos and sanctuaries such as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, London Zoo, Twycross Zoo, Chester Zoo, PDSA and Universal Studios, as well as SeaLife in 10 different countries around the world.

Effective

Safe4 products have been clinically proven to be effective against a wide range of harmful pathogens including viruses, bacterium and fungi. These include candida albians, E.coli, hepatitis C, HIV, listeria, MRSA, salmonella, staphyloccus aureus, swine flu and trchophyton,[i] preventing the spread of infection throughout your dental practice.

Safe 

Alcohol-free, non-toxic and non-irritant, our products contain no harsh chemicals that are harmful to the natural world or humans, delivering the ultimate protection for your patients, your staff and the environment.

In fact, our solutions are so safe that you needn’t worry about rinsing or drying them once they have been used on surfaces – they pose absolutely no risk to anyone or anything that may come into contact with the product while it’s still wet. Perfect for rapid yet effective decontamination processes between patient appointments, while also eliminating any health concerns in the case of product accident or spillage, you can have complete confidence in the safety of both your staff and your patients.

Non-corrosive and non-staining, our products are also safe for use on a wide variety of surface materials, as they won’t damage your worktops or equipment.

The Products

We are excited to launch three core products especially for dental professionals:

• 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

Designed specifically for the dental environment to help you maintain outstanding hygiene levels in a cost-effective and efficient way, discover the clinical proven product range from Safe4 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.

Quote Reference: Safe4-2

Details of the forthcoming GDC hearing are available at:

https://www.gdc-uk.org/Membersofpublic/Hearings/Charges%202015/TAHIR%2018-22%20Jan%202016%20Smithfield%204%20(FINAL).pdf

Further details of the BDIA’s CSIDI activity can be found at:

http://www.bdia.org.uk/device-reporting.html

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

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

As a market-leading manufacturer and distributor of quality single-use gloves across Europe, Unigloves has more than 13 years’ experience in the UK dental industry.

The company has just launched its latest range of gloves – Vitality – including:

• Vitality Nitrile – white, powder-free with Lano-E coating
• Vitality Latex – white, powder-free with Lano-E coating
• Vitality Latex scented – green, powder-free with Lano-E coating and scented with a pleasant citrus and peppermint flavour for your patient’s comfort

The lanolin and vitamin E (Lano-E) coating is designed to reduce skin irritation and dehydration. This is supported by the multiple wash cycle which makes the gloves cleaner and safer by reducing residual water-soluble proteins and other harmful chemicals, thereby minimising allergy risks.

The double-chlorinated beaded cuffs facilitate easy donning and removal of gloves whilst the micro-roughened texture ensures optimal grip. This unique combination of features makes the Vitality range of gloves ideal for use within the dental industry.   

For further information about Unigloves products, please visit www.unigloves.co.uk or call  01634 726516 

Vacuum forming is a dental technique that many a dental team has found invaluable once brought into the practice, and Prestige Dental makes that journey as simple and as pleasant as you could possibly want with its lunch and learn gatherings.

Led by Jennifer Ball, a product specialist for Prestige, this is an event not to be missed! As an ex-dental nurse with plenty of experience, Jennifer knows exactly what it’s like to work in a busy team whose members strive to excel in everything they do. 

While lunch is enjoyed, Jennifer introduces the team to the day’s topic, during which she shows them how to cast up a study model. Then, while that is setting she shows a previously fabricated study model and explains how to use the vacuum forming machine to make a whitening tray. By then, the original study model is set and it’s time for everyone to gain some hands-on experience. Normally one or two members of the team cast up models while others try making a whitening tray.

Speaking about these fun meetings, Jennifer commented: ‘Obviously some introductory information is essential but the real learning happens during the hands-on sessions. I believe that is the best possible way to understand how vacuum forming works, and the feedback I’ve received confirms that.

‘It offers the opportunity for me to teach everyone attending how to overcome issues that could arise – for example, a broken model and a patient waiting, an air bubble in the study model, or how to shape the study model so that it creates a tighter whitening tray.

‘Also very important is that I communicate the legal aspect of this type of work. For example, every dentist, nurse or hygienist can make a whitening tray as long as it is within their scope of practice, but if you want to make retainers you need to register the practice with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for a small cost.

‘I know it’s a lot of to take in, so I also provide documents that support the information I’ve shared.’

If you would like to know more about this event or would like to book a lunch and learn at your practice, please call Jennifer on 07341 127608 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Alternatively, you can ring Prestige Dental’s head office on 01274 721567.

The benefits afforded by apprenticeship schemes are clear. The Apprenticeship for Dental Practice Managers is the latest to be rolled out in dentistry and we at Dentabyte were excited to recently commence our first course with Barnet and Southgate College, London. Next year, we look forward to offering courses with the University of Bolton too.

For delegates on this scheme, there is a unique opportunity to learn the craft of dental practice management on a practical level. Mentored by highly experienced professionals during classroom-based workshops and tutor support throughout two years, they also gain invaluable experience from working in a modern practice environment. What’s more, a Level 4 ILM certificate in Management and Leadership is gained within the first 6 months, standing apprentices in excellent stead for more advanced management qualifications in the future.

From the employer’s perspective, they can develop their existing team or introduce fresh staff members, confident in the knowledge that they will learn all the skills they need to perform the role competently and efficiently. By developing the talent of tomorrow, employers are also investing in the future of their business and ensuring a highly skilled workforce to continue driving the profession forward.

Course content

The apprenticeship programme is designed specifically to equip delegates with the knowledge, skills, behaviours and practical workplace experience they need to manage a modern dental practice effectively. A wide range of topics is covered including human resources, patient care, clinical excellence, marketing, risk management, quality assurance, finance and trends within the dental industry. Key skills such as those needed for strong leadership, management and communication are emphasised in all relevant areas and frequent reflection, reviews and assessments will ensure delegates are progressing successfully. As such, apprentices will develop a meaningful understanding of how to run and manage a dental business effectively, ethically and passionately.

Funding

The government has pledged to heavily subsidise apprenticeship programmes in order to facilitate delivery. For every £1 the employer invests, the government will therefore contribute £2. The cap on this core funding is set at £6,000  – available if the employer invests £3,000 – but additional incentives are on offer as well. For example, practices with fewer than 50 members of staff who enrol an apprentice aged over 18 in our programme will pay £2,700 and this will be matched by £5,400. They are entitled to a small business rebate of£900, which is paid three months into an apprenticeship course. Upon successful completion, a further £900 is also available. Therefore, including core funding of £5,400, incentive government funding of £1,800 and the employers’ own investment of £2,700, practices have a total investment of £9,900 for each apprentice aged over 18. The net employer outlay for a successful candidate is, however, just £900.

How does it work?

Usually, apprentices are required to have attained a grade C or above in English and Maths at GSCE level, with most holding an A-Level or equivalent qualification, although previous relevant experience may also be considered.

To establish an apprenticeship programme, employers need to ensure they have the correct structure in place for delivery of the work portfolio and funding. The employer will need to organise monthly learning reviews with the apprentice.

A Lead Provider must be chosen in the first instance, such as Barnet and Southgate College, who is allocated the government funds for the course. They become responsible for managing payments to the employer and for the subcontract of programmes to Dentabyte, the educational provider who delivers the classroom based content of the course.

Get involved

Effective management is an integral aspect of the modern dental practice and this apprenticeship scheme offers exciting new opportunities for staff and employers alike. Is it time you got involved in the transformation of dental practice management?

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

www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

020 8266 4000 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.

“Having previously attempted to sell with another agent, I made the decision to advertise through Dental Elite,” says Patricia Webley who recently sold her practice.

“Within a very short time of the advert going live, I had two interested parties – one of whom viewed the practice and offered the full asking price within days.

“All in all the process took eight months to achieve completion and I am very happy with the services provided by Dental Elite.

“As my point of contact throughout the negotiations, Leah Turner ensured that all the necessary administrative requirements proceeded smoothly.

“What’s more, she liaised between both parties to make sure agreement on all issues were swiftly resolved.

“She also recommended a dental-specific solicitor who proved to be very helpful.

“I would be very happy to recommend Leah Turner and Dental Elite to anybody wishing to buy or sell a practice.”

To find out how Dental Elite can help you sell your practice, contact the team today.

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

For dental professionals seeking a fun, dynamic and world-class platform for learning, networking and discovering the very latest innovations, The Dentistry Show 2016 is a must-attend event. More than 7,000 delegates are expected to return, with access to nationally and internationally leading speakers, as well as over 400 top dental manufacturers and suppliers.

Regardless of whether you work as a dentist, dental nurse, hygienist, therapist or practice manager, the show will present a myriad of opportunities for you. Exciting two-day lecture programmes will be tailored specifically to each area of the profession, offering hours of verifiable and general CPD. Globally renowned speakers will include Didier Dietschi and Louis Mackenzie in the Aesthetic Dentist Theatre, with many more yet to be announced.
 

The Dental Nurses Forum in partnership with the British Association of Dental Nursing (BADN) is sure to prove a highlight of the event for dental nurses with the entire programme designed and presented by the BADN. Leading names will explore a dynamic range of topics, sharing their experience and expertise to help you develop your skills and boost your career progression.
 

For additional CPD sessions suitable for all members of the dental team, the CORE CPD Theatre will cover core subjects such as medical emergencies, radiation protection and infection control. The Dental Business Conference, designed in conjunction with Practice Plan for 2016, will then offer practice owners and managers a wealth of information and advice to help enhance their business principles while optimising profitability.
 

And for those who specialise in certain fields, or who are interested in expanding their treatment provision, lecture theatres on the trade floor will cater to your needs. These will include:

• EndoLounge – from basic to the most advanced procedures, explore a variety of case studies, materials and clinical techniques with the experts.
• PerioLounge – the ever-popular theatre will return once again to provide an update in all things periodontal.
• Short-Term-Orthodontics Lounge – discover the wide range of appliances available today, while refreshing and developing your understanding of the key concepts of GDP orthodontics.
• Facial Aesthetics Theatre, in association with CCR Expo – as demand for facial aesthetic treatments continues to grow, this programme will ensure you remain at the cutting-edge in order to maximise your business potential.
• Compliance Clinic – run in association with Apolline, the Clinic will help you better understand the rapidly evolving regulations, with solutions to help tackle the challenges presented.
• Hands-on workshops – hone your practical skills with professionals at the forefront of their respective fields.
   

Aside from all this, the Dental Update Study Day will also be held at The Dentistry Show 2016, for the second year in a row. Available to all subscribers free of charge, with the chance for non-subscribers to join, the eclectic programme will offer the chance for delegates to hear from some of the most highly respected experts on the Dental Update editorial board.
 

Taking to the floor
 

To complement the extensive education on offer, the more than 400-stand trade floor is sure to impress. Leading dental suppliers will feature all the very latest products, technologies, materials and services in the industry, with fantastic deals available. These will include 3M ESPE, 3Shape, Belmont, Colgate, Curaprox UK, Carestream Dental, Denplan, DENTSPLY, GSK, Henry Schein, Heraeus Kulzer, Ivolclar Vivadent, Nobel Biocare, Philips, Shofu, Sirona, Voco and Wrights, to name but a few!
 

The exciting Launchpad UK initiative will also return in 2016, highlighting new innovations designed to streamline practice workflows and improve the patient experience.
 

Particularly in dentistry, who you know is often as important as what you know. Establishing a broad and effective network for support, clinical guidance, patient referrals and supply of equipment or consumables is essential, and the exhibition floor will help you meet both old friends and new. Co-located with The Dental Technology Showcase, the event will also facilitate easy networking within the lab community.
 

What’s more, the prestigious Dental Awards will be held on the Friday night of The Dentistry Show 2016 will once again. Presented by Purple Media Solutions, The Dental Awards are the premium awards of the dental sector, identifying and celebrating outstanding achievements in the past year.
 

Comments from the 2015 event included:
 

"It’s my first time at the show and I’ve found it a brilliant place to see and buy products – you get some exclusive deals here. I’ve spent money and attended a few educational sessions, so it’s been a very successful and enjoyable day for me." ­– Gillian Greig, Principal Dentist, The Private Dental Centre.
 

“It's a fantastic event because there is a high intensity of exhibitors as well as excellent CPD opportunities. There is a broad spectrum of education, geared for every member of the dental team. I have felt welcome and comfortable at all theatres.” – Suzy Threadgold, Dental Hygienist at Houston Dental Practice.
 

Make sure you and your team don’t miss out – save the dates today!

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 will be held on 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.

A principal dentist is, in many ways, akin to a captain at the helm of a ship. It is their direction, experience and commitment that keeps a practice on the right course.

But, as captain, there are many different responsibilities that simply cannot be ignored. Compliance, recruitment, administration, discipline and finance: these are just a small selection of the duties that a principal dentist must manage on a daily basis – on top of their busy schedule of treating patients.    
 

This presents a very real problem for a great many principal dentists. Indeed, one of the most common factors for job dissatisfaction amongst practice owners is actually the stress of running a practice.[1] Even with a practice manager (or first-mate, to continue the maritime analogy) taking some of the strain, there are a multitude of unavoidable day-to-day tasks that are necessary for success.

But most dentists are not businesspeople – and, in all honesty, why should they be? They did not spend years at dental school to become anything but a dentist so it is understandable that some of the extraneous obligations that principals inevitably find themselves dealing with become the reason for professional failings and shortcomings.

And, of course, this can have very serious ramifications for the rest of the dental team. After all, if a ship’s captain has lost their way, what hope is there for the crew? Indeed, it is well documented that a large majority of workplace issues and employment tribunals in dental practices stem from the inability of a principal to treat their staff as business employees.[2]
 

There is a solution to this. Research has shown that dentists who join with a larger dental group exhibit greater work satisfaction than those who forge ahead alone. The two main benefits that were highlighted were an increase in downtime and the elimination of administrative stress.[3]
 

In fact, those dentists who joined dental corporates found themselves with more time to concentrate on the things that attracted them to a career in dentistry in the first place: practising dentistry.
 

Admittedly, dental corporates have acquired a negative reputation in the UK. Some professionals see them as profit-driven conglomerates that are intent on eliminating autonomy and imposing stringent uniformity. But while these unfortunate views persist, they are simply untrue.    
 

A dental corporate strives for one thing above all others: excellence. Whether that is clinical excellence, or the very highest standards in all other aspects of the dental business. Corporate leaders understand that the best way to promote excellence is to allow people to do the jobs they are best suited for. That is why they are enthusiastic about bringing together experts in all parts of the dental profession – from practitioners to nurses, IT gurus, marketing experts, recruitment leaders and compliance professionals.
 

By working together, and supporting each other, it becomes far easier to achieve the best. Whether its in matters of compliance, recruitment or discipline, there will always be a network of understanding, like-minded professionals to depend on.
 

So, joining a dental corporate should not be thought of as surrendering your ship to another captain: it’s far more like joining a fleet – a fleet formed of many individual ships, each with an individual captain, who all share a common direction, who can depend on each other for support and who are administered by a dedicated and experienced Admiralty.
 

Portman Dental is a dental corporate that truly promotes this idea. With around 30 practices across England, from Sheffield to the Isle of Wight, Portman Dental strives to make each individual practice the best it can be. It does this not by introducing radical changes that force its members to work in a certain way, but by providing the right support, direction and staff to allow for excellence to propagate naturally. Management is maintained on a local level, and supported by a central team of experts and only principals who are truly committed to the idea of cooperation and progression are taken on. 
 

Don’t allow workplace pressures and dissatisfaction to affect your practice’s success – or your wellbeing. Join a dental corporate and strike the truest course, for you and your team.

For more information about joining the Portman Dental team, please visit www.portmanhealthcare.co.uk or call on 0207 281 9489

I always try to be as open-minded about the development of our profession – I try to read extensively on many different topics to ensure I know what new ways I can care for the patients who come to me asking for help.

But every so often I come across certain articles and opinions that truly test my resolve. The most recent was a piece that was written to promote the work of holistic dentists and, while I am fully supportive of any dental professional who strives to improve their patients’ general health through their work, I found the particular attitude on display in this piece both cynical and unwarranted.
 

Indeed, it is an attitude I am seeing more and more often in the alternative press – how holistic or homeopathic dentists are the only ones in the profession who truly treat their patients as a whole, not just a set of disembodied teeth.
 

Admittedly, when I’m working and the patient is dozing off in the chair and I’ve got my microscope on and all I can see is the canal, it’s easy to get a little bit lost in the treatment. Of course, I’ve never completely forgotten that there is a person attached to the tooth, but sometimes – and I am sure that many of you are exactly the same – I can become so absorbed in what I am doing that the tooth is all I see.
 

But beyond the treatment, this is by no means the case. Dentists in this country are part of a caring, protecting profession and we are all aware of the links between oral health and general health. We always discuss dietary habits with our patients, explain how stress and anxiety may manifest in dental conditions such as bruxism or TMJ disorders.
 

That holistic dentists would try to monopolise this aspect of the responsibility all dental practitioners have to their patients is simply a cynical marketing tactic – and it is fundamentally inaccurate.
 

What’s worse is the attitudes many alternative practitioners have to the materials and techniques the majority of modern professionals use on a daily basis. In particular, holistic dentistry attacks amalgams, portraying them as irredeemably toxic, or fluoridated water as an institutionalised evil.
 

This attitude is undermining the profession apart from the inside. As dentists, we already have to protect ourselves from the bad reputation external sources burden us with; to have to do the same from our own colleagues is a disaster. True, we should welcome diversity and forward thinking, but this can only happen without the need to scare the public or lambast each other.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999 or visit www.endocare.co.uk

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

To create natural-looking and strong restorations in order to achieve the beautiful smile patients desire, you need products that you can rely on.

Filtek Supreme XTE universal restorative from 3M ESPE incorporates enhanced ease of use and clinical performance.[i] Utilising unique nanofiller technology, it achieves the polishability and polish retention typical of a microfill and provides excellent handling, strength and wear properties needed for universal indications.[ii]

Filtek Supreme XTE universal restorative is available in 36 shades and opacities meaning you will always be able to provide a suitable aesthetic match for your patients.[iii] Contact the team at 3M ESPE today to find out how Filtek Supreme XTE universal restorative can benefit your practice.

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

Naturally, young people compare their appearance with models, actors and celebrities depicted in advertising and the media. Youngsters also have a tendency to ignore other abilities and focus on appearance as evidence of worthiness. However, there is still much to commend about this generation’s attitudes towards fitness and wellbeing as they lay down the foundations for a healthy life.

In general, the younger generation has a healthy disposition and research conducted over the last decade reveals that an increasing proportion of youngsters eat fruit and vegetables, are physically active on a daily basis, rate their health as excellent, practice safe sex, and live free of tobacco and cannabis.[1] There is also a decline in those that drink alcohol weekly and gym use has increased threefold in a generation. The consequences are that young adults are now more inclined to take regular exercise than people did 30 years ago and 48% of 16-24 year olds use a fitness app on a regular basis.[2] Special diets that focus on organic, lactose and dairy-free foods have trebled in popularity over a generation,[3] but conversely, young adults are placing much less emphasis on their oral health.

According to statistics, the number of people that visited an NHS dentist in England has fallen since 2013.[4] Furthermore, the highest prevalence of decay on the crowns of the teeth was found in adults aged 25 to 34.[5] This would indicate that although young adults seem to be better informed and enthusiastic about their general health and fitness some are neglecting to look after their teeth.

The condition of the teeth significantly affects a person’s appearance and cracked, missing, stained or unhygienic teeth look unhealthy and unattractive. Along with this, untreated dental problems, a build up of plaque and periodontal disease are common causes of oral malodour, which can lead to a lack of confidence and social withdrawal. As we know, the health of the mouth impacts significantly to the general wellbeing of the body and effective oral hygiene is required to preserve it. When speaking to young patients, dental professionals need to reinforce the message and encourage them to take their oral health just as seriously as every other aspect of their fitness.

Along with effective tooth brushing and interdental cleaning, it is wise to recommend a mouth rinse to keep breath smelling fresh. With the hectic lifestyle that many young people lead, CB12 mouth rinse can be used as a convenient daily oral deodorant to prevent bad breath. Just one shot begins working instantly and its unique, patented formula adheres to the tissues of the oral cavity to eliminate unpleasant breath for up to 12 hours. Many of your patients may experience dry mouth during a work out or ‘ketone breath’ if they are following a specific diet but CB12 has the solution. As well as the rinse, CB12 Boost is a sugar free chewing gum that can be used to freshen and invigorate the breath after meals and throughout the day. CB12 products have been developed by dentists and contain specific ingredients to reduce plaque, strengthen teeth and prevent cavities so you can empower young patients to look after their oral health with confidence.

Although the younger generation seem to be very savvy about health and fitness the power is in still your hands. By encouraging your patients to take their oral health seriously with a regular daily routine, you can enrich their lives well into the future.

For more information about CB12 and how it could benefit your patients, please visit www.cb12.co.uk

When it comes to dental care, patients want to feel as though they are getting the maximum value for their money – and by working with Munroe Sutton, they can be sure they are.  

By offering a range of great discounts to patients, Munroe Sutton provides easy and affordable access to both the essential care and optional dental treatments that patients desire, for less. In turn, this will boost participating practices’ patient numbers, filling appointment books and helping them grow as a business.

Becoming a part of Munroe Sutton is free for dental practices and gives you access to a vast network designed to promote and market your services to a broad variety of people.

The team at Munroe Sutton are committed to providing patients with the most affordable solution to high quality dental care, while also helping practices maximise chair time and maintain optimal profitability. Find out how they can bring you and your new patients together; contact the team today.

For more information please call 0808 234 3558 or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

Geography can play a significant role in the success of any practice transaction. From regional variations in value, demand and activity to patient demographics, understanding the local trends and market characteristics are all vital when ensuring the optimum transactional outcome. 
 

Christie + Co has specialists in 16 locations across the country, providing convenient, reliable access and insights into the local markets. For instance we understand that the areas that see the most interest are London and the South East, with the Midlands and some areas in the North also experiencing very high demand. This causes significant regional variations in practice valuation and it seems that the closer you get to the extremities of the UK, the more values ‘fall off’.
 

With years of experience valuing businesses across many market sectors and experts located across the UK, Christie + Co understand the significance of local knowledge. So if you’re looking to purchase a practice and want to ensure you make the most appropriate decisions based on in depth local and national insight, contact the experts at Christie + Co today.
 

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

When it comes to pensions and annuities, the Government is constantly changing the rules and moving the goalposts. It’s no wonder many dentists are struggling to know which decisions to make in regards to their own retirement.

Luckily money4dentists is here to help. As specialist Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) to dentists, the money4dentists team have over half a Century’s experience in the profession and are there to help ensure you make the optimum decisions when it comes to your finances.    

From the economic climate to the amount in your pension and from your geographic location to your health and lifestyle; the amount you receive from an annuity depends upon a long list of variables.

So if you are considering retiring soon, or want to be sure to plan for a secure, worry-free future, it pays to seek out the advice of an IFA that has experience and understanding of your profession. Turn to the experts at money4dentists and take a step towards a safe financial future.

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

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.money4dentists.com

“I was keen to take the Inman Aligner training course after attending an inspirational lecture by Dr. Tif Qureshi on ‘Align, Bleach and Bond’ at the FGDP,” says Dr. Rima Patel, who works at dental practices in Crystal Palace and Carshalton.

“Associates in both practices I work in had previously attended and begun offering the appliance to their patients – so there were always enquiries about it. I wanted to develop my skills, in order to also be able to offer patients what they wanted, rather than having to refer them to a colleague.

“I had expected there to be more people attending the course on the day – and the lecture to be more crowded. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that it was a small group, and that the lectures were of the highest quality. Everything was explained thoroughly and the hands-on element complemented the presentations.

“I would recommend the Inman Aligner training course to others, as I feel the IAS Academy has a structured learning pathway you can follow and the guidance and information provided was of a high quality and very detailed in nature.”

To discover what you could learn, contact the friendly IAS Academy team today.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, including the Inman Aligner,

In a poll taken during the BDIA Showcase, 100% of dentists interviewed said they would recommend Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes to their patients.[i]

As a further testament to the quality and effectiveness of the products, over 85% said they would use them themselves.

The Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes feature a super soft rubber design with the flexibility to clean even the smallest interdental spaces with ease. Completely metal-free, patients who have struggled with interdental brushes in the past are likely to find these simple and effective to use.

Ideal for those with orthodontic appliances, dental implants, metal fillings or crowns, and available in three different sizes, the Clean Between Interdental Brushes are suitable for every situation.

From September, Dentist Surgery Packs of Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes will be available via dental wholesalers, consisting of dispenser boxes with 100 cello-wrapped sample packs of each colour of brush. Make sure you get yours and discover for yourself how much they can help your patients!

To discover why so many dentists recommend the Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes, contact the team today.

To find out more, please visit www.wisdomtoothbrushes.com or call 01440 714800

GDC hearings: The imbalance of probabilities

Can we make the Regulators serve the Public and the Profession in foro conscientiae (the court of the conscience), rather than just a notion of what the regulations might say?

I have attended and been asked to make some input into a variety of cases recently involving several different Regulators.

It has become clear that there is a real danger that rules and regulations which may have been drafted for the protection of the Public and the guidance of the Profession are sometimes widely misinterpreted at best and occasionally deliberately corrupted and applied at worst.

How does this occur?

Whilst it might be considered that most regulation has been drafted to improve standards and reduce the risk of poor practice continuing; it is quite obvious that it can be applied in a manner to exert control or ‘manage’ the Profession. Sometimes this may occur deliberately and because it broadly serves the purpose of a government administration, it is allowed to continue at least as long as it serves a purpose. Sometimes it occurs at a much lower level and whilst not serving any particular purpose, it is allowed to continue because there is nobody at that level who is prepared to question it.

I’ve got nothing against shop assistants, however I wouldn’t be wanting them to draft the GDC Charge Sheet which might end a Professional career. There is a high turnover of staff at the GDC which I suggest leads to a poor understanding and there appears to be a low level of dental knowledge.

What this might mean if you are in the dock

One of the cases to which I refer involved a young colleague, and for whom funds were raised at very short notice thanks to the excellent GDPUK membership.

If you read the Charge Sheet, you would be forgiven in believing this dentist was a real danger to the Public. However I’m sure that you will all remember me reminding you to read between the lines whenever you are dealing with a Regulator. That is certainly necessary in this case.

Example appearing on a Charge Sheet

(i)            The use of a double cantilever (the bridge was fixed-fixed)

(ii)           Not adequately assess that a RCT was required (the tooth was root treated and had been a symptom free bridge abutment for 20 years)

(iii)          Fitted an inadequate post which was a) short of the apex, b) not extending to the apical third and c) was inadequate in width. (The post was temporary and deemed too wide).

If the Charge sheet is a nonsense, the solution is simple. The Panel changes it, strikes it out or substitutes different wording. In other words, it moves the goalposts. The Panel, which is independent by hearing both parties then asks its own questions of the witnesses. It is advised by experts and can choose which expert it ‘prefers’. The expert appearing on behalf of a registrant might then be warned by the Prosecution barrister that the GDC may take action against them. The prosecuting barrister is instructed by the GDC and regularly prompted by their expert witness.

In one of the cases to which I refer, four patient witnesses who had made a complaint were called. One of the witnesses was travelling to London and it was found that she intended to speak in favour of the Defendant and it was agreed therefore that this patient would not be heard.  

The Panel seemed to have some ability to read between the lines, but in the end ‘prefers’ the testimony of two patients. One of these patients produces a hand annotated diary of the treatment dates containing some dates that the defendant was actually not in the practice (a screen shot of practice diary was produced as evidence). The patient was receiving treatment from more than one dentist at two different practices simultaneously, but on the ‘balance of probability’ is to be believed. This patient was heard to say that she was seeking ‘redress’ on at least four occasions.

Our young colleague describes how he always uses rubber dam for RCT and yet on his last day in the practice he finds there is no rubber dam available. He admits that on this single solitary occasion, rubber dam was not used. The patient has pleaded that a temporary post crown be placed (the same inadequate temporary post that was short of the apex) and he accedes to the request of RCT and temporary post, since the broken tooth was within the patients smile. He uses rotary RCT instrumentation, floss on hand instruments and high volume aspiration. The patient is the same one who was not given the opportunity to give further evidence in support or denial of the registrant. Our young colleague is guilty therefore of serious clinical failures and therefore misconduct.       

Another patient gives evidence about never having received treatment he has paid for, but the Panel agrees that this evidence is just not credible, which it isn’t.

A fourth patient was having a long and complex treatment plan part of which had been incomplete and following a tooth fracture needed to be modified. The patient didn’t clearly understand the new treatment plan and for that our colleague was criticised.

It’s worth mentioning that there were NO PATIENT RECORDS available because there had been a burglary declared immediately following the practice change of ownership. This was highlighted to the Panel. 

Communication was a big word in this Hearing. Other significant words are ‘insight’ and whether or not the Panel consider that this is ‘embedded’ sufficiently. Our young colleague was supported by Sir Peter Bottomley in person who made a statement and also by the testimonials of 47 patients.

The GDC however do not need to give weight to the above in making their determination, although I noted that the prosecution barrister frequently returned to the GDC to ask for further instructions. I think it worthy of note that the Panel describe our young colleague within the Determination as follows ‘It is clear from all of this evidence that you are viewed as a competent and caring dentist, who will go out of his way to assist his patients.’

Do the GDC therefore need to apply Conditions, because that’s what they did? 

Please read the GDC Determination when it is published.

So what?

If you recognise any of the issues above, you are guilty of misconduct and your standards will be deemed serious failings. Approximately 1 in 7 dentists in the UK currently face some form of investigation which could result in imposition of sanctions either through the GDC, CQC or NHS and this number is growing constantly. This might mean that we have the worst performing Dental Profession in the World bar none or that we have the most disproportionate Regulators.

You may consider yourself lucky and are happy to cross the bridge with your indemnity organisation when your time comes; or you may be sufficiently confident to wade across the raging torrent alone when your indemnity organisation makes an unexpected discretionary decision against you.  

What type of indemnity organisation are you currently paying for?

How can it be legal?

You are required to have professional indemnity and it is considered a serious failure if you have ANY gaps in your cover period. Indemnity providers however do not guarantee to provide legal representation to you and if they exercise their discretion in favour of their balance sheet (or dressed up as other members interests) you will find yourself alone or facing a huge legal bill.

A recent Hearing which I attended over 7 days starts at £32,000 and it’s uphill from there.

Does anything need to be done about this?

You read the PSA report published 21^st Dec, I hope.  https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/docs/default-source/psa-library/investigation-report---general-dental-council.pdf?sfvrsn=6

What exactly have we learned about whistleblowing from the Sir Robert Francis Report (Mid Staffs)?

And you can see how the whistleblower was treated, you can see what the PSA thinks about it and you have seen how the GDC are going to be dealing with your ‘serious failings.’

You tell me, do you need to do something about this?

So where are we now?

From a variety of recent cases we can conclude:

·         The GDC consider failure to use a rubber dam in endodontics to fall seriously below the required standards and therefore to represent IMPAIRMENT and worthy of sanctions.

·         In my view neither the CQC nor the GDC have a currently correct understanding of CONSENT which conforms with the recent Supreme Court judgement of Montgomery – v Lanarkshire Health Board. This needs to be challenged in the High Court.

·         The GDC will always use the ‘balance of probability’ in forming an opinion on which evidence it prefers. 

So where are we going in 2016?

The Profession must for once in its life join together. The issues regarding Consent and use of rubber dam will need to be challenged and this requires more than a well-intentioned individual or some crowd funding. It requires a strongly actioned move being taken by the BDA and the indemnity providers.

Image credit -Michael Coghlan under CC licence - not modified.   

Recently launched in the UK and Ireland, Humble Brush is an exciting new product that aids dental health while protecting the environment and supporting less fortunate communities around the globe.

Dr Noel Abdayem, one of the founders of Humble Brush, as well as James Hamill from Quintess Denta – exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland – and Dr Darren Weiss, President of the Humble Smile Foundation (www.humblesmile.org), introduced the inspiring product at a press launch in August this year.

Humble Brush features an ergonomically designed, biodegradable, panda-friendly bamboo handle that offers natural antiseptic properties. This is complemented by soft, degradable nylon bristles and packaging  made from 100% recycled materials.

You have the power to not only provide your patients with a truly effective and environmentally friendly adjunct, but also gain assurance that with every Humble Brush sold, the equivalent value will be donated to people in need.

Furthermore, you can test this remarkable product with a free toothbrush sample available for each practice. To help make a difference, contact the team at Humble Brush today.

Humble Brush is now available in the UK and Ireland. For more information visit www.humblebrush.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0286 862 8880. To order contact our exclusive distributor Quintess Denta at www.quintesshumblebrush.co.uk

Follow us on social media:

@HumbleBrush and www.facebook.com/humblebrushuk

Dr. Rima Patel, who works at dental practices in both Crystal Palace and Carshalton, recently took part in the Inman Aligner training course, provided by the IAS Academy.

“I attended the Inman Aligner training course in December 2014,” says Dr. Patel. “I initially booked a place following an inspirational lecture given by Dr. Tif Qureshi on ‘Align, Bleach and Bond’, held at the FGDP. He was also offering a small discount to attendees of that lecture, so it presented a great opportunity.

“Several of my colleagues had already been using the Inman Aligner – so patients were always enquiring about it. As a result, I wanted to be able to offer my own patients what they wanted, rather than having to refer them to a colleague.

“I had thought that the course would be crowded, that a lot of people would be attending the lecture – but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a small group. The lecture was of the highest quality and everything was explained thoroughly; the hands-on element complemented the presentations very well.

“It was also great that there was a small trade fair running over lunch, which gave us the opportunity to meet and talk to different people from different companies.

“I would recommend the Inman Aligner training course to others, because I feel as though the IAS Academy provides a structured educational pathway for you to follow – and the guidance and information it offers is of a high quality and detailed in nature.”  

The IAS Academy provides a number of training opportunities, including the Inman Aligner course, that are designed to give GDPs the confidence and expertise to offer their patients more in the way of alternative anterior alignment orthodontics. A truly unique and dedicated learning pathway, the IAS Academy focuses on education as much as it does on effective appliances, ensuring excellent levels of competence and success.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, including the Inman Aligner,

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

Prestige Dental’s product specialist, Jennifer Ball, was delighted to be in attendance at the grand opening of Andrea Ubhi Cosmetic Dentistry’s new practice in York earlier this year.
 

As well as rubbing shoulders with the likes of model and former Miss England, Georgia Horsley, who officially opened the practice, Jennifer was able to meet the award-winning “Team of the Year North 2015” (Dental Awards) and bring everyone up to speed on the extensive range of quality dental products Prestige Dental can supply.
 

Commenting on the event, Jennifer said: ‘It was a great evening – warm and inviting. The practice seamlessly combines the lovely original features of the building with state-of-the-art dental equipment. It has a huge wow factor!
 

‘You could see they have worked hard to create a relaxing environment; a recipe for success for both happy staff and happy patients.’
 

The new premises are run by a team of 18, housing four ultra-modern surgeries, two waiting rooms and the latest technology, including CT scanning equipment and a Seiler microscope.
 

In particular, Jennifer was taken by the glass ‘pods’, where the treatment co-ordinator can sit down with patients to discuss their needs and wants, as well as consultation rooms that allow for patient/dentist interaction without the pressure of a clinical setting.

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

The term “Catch 22”, first used in Joseph Heller’s novel, described the constraints placed on soldiers during World War II. Since then it has become a familiar way to describe the predicament of being trapped by contradictory rules or circumstances.

When leaving education, many young people now find themselves in a “Catch 22” situation simply because they don’t have any knowledge of the working world, yet employers frequently prefer to hire candidates with some form of previous work experience.

There are around 1.85 million people unemployed in the UK[1] and an analysis by the House of Commons Library for Labour states that people aged between 16 and 24 now fare comparatively worse than others at any point since 1992, with this age group nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population.[2] Without enough jobs to go around, there are fewer opportunities for youngsters to work part time or have weekend jobs during education as previous generations did. Consequently, many are finding themselves out in the big wide world with very little or no work experience.

To address the situation the government is investing in apprenticeship schemes to encourage more 16-24 year olds into work. The new employer-led Trailblazers Apprenticeship programmes are ideal for young people, enabling them to earn as they learn, gaining valuable experience as they train in a worthwhile profession. From the employer’s point of view, the advantages of taking on an apprentice are multi-faceted. Not only are business owners and managers able to grow talent in-house, moulding and encouraging individuals to work to the methods and standards they need to increase productivity, but it also allows them to remain competitive and retain a committed workforce. What’s more, taking on an apprentice is rewarding, both on a personal level and for the team as they are able to pass on their knowledge and experience, feeling valued and pleased to play an active part in training a new recruit. Indeed, studies reveal that 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeship schemes lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.[3]

Apprenticeship programmes are now led and developed by employers to ensure that trainees attain the necessary skills and standards to meet the needs of UK industry and to build a competent workforce for the future. Along with other top employers and governing bodies, Mustafa Mohammed – owner of Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs and Chair for the new Trailblazers Apprenticeship Programmes in Dentistry – has been instrumental in spearheading new apprenticeship programmes in both Dental Nursing and Dental Practice Management. Together they have created new training pathways and assessment methods to provide young people with the practical skills and experience they require for long and successful careers. Similarly, employers are able to gain the calibre of staff that they need to continue the high standards expected in dentistry.

With the top quality training and support the dentistry sector has to offer, it is possible to rescue some young people from the “Catch 22” situation. If you are thinking of recruiting a new member of your team, why not consider taking on an apprentice?

For more details contact the team today.

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

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

I could basically repeat this mantra for the whole of this blog and I don’t think many would disagree with it (except of course Bill himself). However, I think my readers are more used to having a bit more to get their teeth into, so I’ll pad this out a little more. It won’t run to the 306 pages of the Professional Standards Authority report (here) into the GDC, but the sentiment is the same…

As well as reading my ramblings, I would strongly urge you read two blogs by a couple of fellow colleagues whom I have the utmost respect for. This blog was not originally going to be about Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, but it is quite an appropriate analogy.

These are our perspectives on what has gone before, what is still happening, and what we need to do. Three views for the price of one.

http://dominicohooley.svbtle.com/a-christmas-tale

http://campbellacademy.co.uk/blog/short-gdc-update/

I am very aware of the warnings by Dental Protection not to be too critical of the GDC in public. However, I think the publication of the recent report allows me to point out some factual issues in that report, and exercise my right to free speech about a public body without too much fear.

The PSA’s whistleblower report makes fascinating, and at times unbelievable reading. What is clear from it is that the GDC at both Executive and Council level is not only a failed organisation, but a completely and utterly incompetent, insensitive, and dare I say it, corrupt (in the ethical and moral sense) edifice that now needs to be put out of OUR misery.

The report is probably the reason that Ms. Gilvarry has decided the time is right to move on. We can only hope that other regulators do not suffer in the same way as we have in the recent past; I would certainly hope any organisation thinking of engaging her in a similar position is made aware of this damning report and the role she quite obviously played. It’s really not something I’d want on my CV.

From the writing of policies by untrained and unknowledgeable staff who then went on to train more untrained and unknowledgeable staff in the process of discipline (via the Investigating Committee), the lack of scrutiny of the IC’s work, the failure to correct the problems outlined in the previous PSA report, having an ineffectual whistleblowing policy, rewriting it and it still being useless, to the utter lack of oversight by the very Council whose duty it is to ensure the Executive do not go off on a tangent, there can be no doubt the GDC has become a derided regulator both by the profession and the PSA.

So how on earth then can the Chair feel he can remain in post too? Not only that, are the other members of the Council so isolated from the real world situation everyone else can clearly see, that they somehow feel they have no responsibility for this disaster of an organisation that they are at the head of?

Having a regulator that uses untrained staff, described by their own director as just ‘bums on seats’ and ‘clones’, to be responsible for an entire section of a professional disciplinary process is nothing short of negligent. It is admitted in the PSA report that they were under pressure from the Executive to ‘Get the Job Done’, which implies the rulebook went out of the window. When people’s careers, livelihoods, wellbeing and indeed their personal lives are being held in the hands of people quite obviously out of their depth and unaware of their duty, then that attitude by the Executive is utterly reprehensible. Not only that, there still has to be the accountability that is sadly lacking. These members of staff are not specifically blamed by the PSA for the problems, as it was recognized the responsibility was entirely that of those in overall charge of the systems (and some of them are no longer in post thankfully), but one would hope that the moral compass of anybody involved would direct them to make the right decision and now leave.

Whilst the influence of these people was seemingly only on the members of the Investigating Committee, one would hope that the integrity of those on that committee was such as to not be influenced by them. However, by a simple process of extrapolation it makes one worry that other committees were under pressure of being influenced in the same way. The evidence for this isn’t in the PSA report because they didn’t specifically look for it, but we all know the GDC have acted unlawfully before in setting the ARF, which isn’t exactly a great track record. Not only that, but the findings suggest that the situation the PSA investigated with the Investigating Committee leaves the GDC open to further legal challenges via Judicial Review over the decisions it made. I would therefore suggest that EVERY SINGLE case that falls within the dates the report encompasses is reviewed and looked at independently, at the GDC’s own cost. If that bankrupts it, good. Perhaps the Government might take notice when it has to bail out the GDC.

It’s a bit like a parent dealing with a delinquent child; it tends to ignore it hoping things will get better, then gives it a stern talking too, but when it finally has to go down to the police station and bail it out for a serious offence the realisation that there is probably something perhaps seriously wrong with its offspring begins to dawn.

It’s one thing Ms. Gilvarry falling on her sword (or was she pushed?), but the supervisory role of the council during this period was non-existent. In addition, the judgment of the chair has also been called into question over decisions that he made. The sort of important decisions we take for granted will be made correctly by someone in his position. The sort of decisions that if we made incorrectly would see us in front of the regulators fearing for our careers….

There is NO way that Dr Moyes has the respect of the profession as a result. He has shown his lack of understanding of the profession on so many occasions, starting with the infamous Pendebury lecture where he likened us to the supermarket sector. That’s all well and good in this increasingly consumerist world, but you don’t get people losing their careers if they give you the wrong shape carrot or your tin of beans is past the sell by date.

So I address the final part of this blog to those people involved in the whole sorry affair.

To the Investigating Committee Secretariat, you must ensure nothing like this is ever allowed to happen again. The overwhelming majority of people in dentistry are good people, and they are not numbers that need processing despite your instructions to ‘get the job done’ by what appears to be a bunch of Dentist Haters. There is no defence to the excuse of ‘we were just following orders’; Nuremberg in 1947 saw to that. Whilst the GDC whistleblowing policy has been shown to be pretty useless, please bear in mind the need to do the right thing if there are things you are not comfortable with. Please remember, you are not the judge and jury.

To the members of the council; you might have thought that being part of the GDC would be altruistic and for the greater benefit of our profession. It should be. You might even have thought it looked good on the CV. At one time it would have conveyed respect and deference. But given the utter failings and lack of detailed, focussed, professional management that has occurred, you might be better admitting you were unwittingly coerced by the members of a ruling Politburo, which might go some way to rescuing both your CV and your own professional reputation. The Council’s oversight has been so lacking, not even Specsavers could help it.

Finally, wake up and smell the coffee Dr. Moyes. You seem to have absolutely no idea what being part of a profession is, and the members of the council have obviously not educated you properly (or been allowed to). The insight that you rightly demand of your registrants has been sadly lacking by your entire organisation, and given the tone of your emails to us particularly by yourself. I’m just waiting the email from you saying what a resounding endorsement of the GDC the PSA report is, since that’s the usual spin that is put on things at Wimpole Street. Your oversight of the Executive has been completely ineffectual. Your part in this whole debacle cannot be brushed under the table; it happened on your watch so you must bear responsibility at least in part. It’s quite ironic that some of your previous posts have been with the Office of Fair Trading and Monitor. Because there has been absolutely nothing fair about this organisation whilst you have been at the head, and your monitoring of what was going on around you appears to have been non-existent. Dentists might be in the minority of whom you regulate; but believe me without us the profession couldn’t exist. Ignore us at your peril.

For that reason your fitness to regulate has been found impaired and you must face the sanctions.

Dr. Moyes, you must resign.

You must all resign.

With the new school year just around the corner, there’s a good chance some of your younger patients may well be exhibiting stress-related symptoms, including grinding and clenching that will cause wear beyond that which we would expect for their age.

Given the potential to affect their oral health for a lifetime – especially once the permanent dentition starts to erupt – this is an issue that needs to be tackled as quickly as possible.

Signs and symptoms associated with bruxism in children might include changes to their facial symmetry, inability of the lips to form an adequate seal, pain in the area of the masseter or temporalis muscles upon palpation, headaches and earaches, dentine sensitivity, and temporomandibular disorders, as well as anterior and posterior cross bites and tooth wear.

If a child presents with warning signs that may be attributed to bruxism, it will be helpful to ensure he/she is brushing effectively yet gently with a relatively soft toothbrush and a toothpaste that is low in abrasivity, as well as suggesting they do something relaxing before bed such as reading or having a bath.

In addition, a soft mouthguard to be worn at night may be customised to prevent further damage to the dentition, which will need to be changed regularly for younger patients as the child and their teeth develop.

The London Tooth Wear Centre^® offers an evidence-based and comprehensive approach to managing tooth wear. To request advice, make a referral or for further information on the work of the London Tooth Wear Centre^®, 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.

‘Hope got me through…..’ Terry Waite CBE

A warming Xmas story to boost practice manager’s morale

I have been to many a Christmas carol concert over the years but this festive season I attended one that I will never forget! The concert was held in aid of Emmaus, a UK charity that helps homeless people off the streets and of which Terry Waite CBE is president. For those young readers who may not know, Terry was an envoy for the Church of England in the late 1980’s. He travelled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages but was kidnapped himself and held captive from 1987 to 1991. Terry spent almost five years, including four Christmases, in solitary confinement without any news of his family, his friends or the outside world. Torture and mock executions were a regular occurrence.

Terry was invited to be a guest reader at the concert and he relayed a story to us of his fourth Christmas in solitary confinement……the room was dark, damp and cold. There was no source of heating and only a single blanket to keep him warm. Terry was forced to sit on the floor in the tailor’s position whilst shackled to a radiator which for a very tall man must have been torture in itself. His only source of light was a single candle; his only company, a bible. One day, after many attempts, Terry managed to encourage his guard to tell him the time and date. He was surprised to find that it was late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Terry decided to celebrate Christmas by holding his own, personal Holy Communion so saved a small piece of bread and drop of water from his meagre rations. His candle was burning low but he wanted to wait as long as possible to be sure that his celebration was as near to Christmas Day as possible. In the dying light of his candle, Terry took the morsel of bread and water, blessed it and savoured it whilst reading a passage from his bible. The moment passed as the light finally died.

When asked how he survived these lonely, unbearable years, Terry’s answer was ‘hope’!

I think in the world of the practice manager there is much hope that can be taken from this message and many synergies too. I work with many practice managers who feel lonely and isolated incarcerated in their cold offices in the rafters of their practices. Communication with busy staff can be scarce increasing the sense of segregation. On the rare occasion that a staff meeting is held, everyone wants a ‘piece of flesh’ or demands answers about something. The practice principal is generally focused on the clinical workload leaving the burden of renewed CQC inspections, financial management and human resource issues to the overloaded practice manager. The pressure to perform is sometimes torturous. On top of the internal workload scrutiny is increasing from the outside world. A week rarely goes by without dentistry featuring in media headlines and public observation of the dental profession being heavily influenced by this bad press. The weight of complaints handling and demands from patients also falls on a practice manager’s shoulders and sometimes ‘giving blood’ is still not enough in some cases!

So, where can a practice manager find ‘hope’ in such difficult circumstances? How can they release the burden, shake off the shackles and find freedom and enlightenment as Terry did? One definition of hope is ‘a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen’. This is all well and good, but in business, hope sometimes needs to be accompanied by a ‘mental shift’ to allow change and escapism to happen.

Here are my ten top tips for seeing your hopes come to fruition:-

1.      Define your purpose – be clear as to what kind of manager you wish to be. Take responsibility for shaping the future.

2.      Embrace change – be proud of what you have achieved to date but embrace change and make improvements.

3.      Keep moving forward – view failures and disappointments as an opportunity to improve, evolve and succeed.

4.      Communicate – plan, organise and review communications with your team and patients to be effective.

5.      Lead authentically - be sensitive, open, firm and fair. Learn to listen. Be you!

6.      Believe in yourself – be prepared, have faith in yourself and be true to your inner beliefs.

7.      Make everyday count – give 100% to everything you do.

8.      Act now – deal with situations as they arise. Don’t leave things to fester.

9.      Keep a positive attitude – do not tolerate negativity or poor attitudes. Stay focused on steering a buoyant ship!

10.  Stay healthy – sleep, eat and exercise well. It has a direct impact on your mental wellbeing as well as your body.

Happy Christmas everyone and here’s to a New Year full of hope!

Image credit Mararie under CC licence - not modified.

We all have the dream of owning our own practice, however the thought of making that transition is often frightening.
 

My first thought was, what can I afford? The only loan I’d ever got was for my home, and that was in the days banks were handing out money to anyone and everyone. This is where Dental Elite (DE) Finance, and in particular Becki, were invaluable. Long before I found the right practice, Becki had taken all the relevant information from me and let me know what I could realistically expect to get from the banks given my circumstances. This really narrowed down my search criteria, allowing me to stop wasting time on those practices that were out of my reach.

This was to be my first acquisition, for a reasonably sized practice in South Yorkshire with a healthy NHS contract. Before committing, DE Finance ran through all the figures again, ensuring the purchase was financially viable, before we moved forward.

In between dealing with the sellers and our respective solicitors, as well as having to turn up to work each day, I didn’t have time for much else. In DE Finance I felt like I had a PA, with Becki contacting all the major banks (and some I’d never heard of) on my behalf, leaving me to get on with other things. I left Becki to fight my corner as to why they should lend someone who has never run a business, let alone a dental practice, such a large sum of money. This I thought was going to be the most stressful part of the purchase, but it turned out to be the easiest.

Becki had influential contacts in all the right places, and offers from the banks quickly came rolling in. More importantly, because Becki was involved, the banks knew they would be competing against each other, and subsequently provided offers at fantastic rates. I certainly didn’t have time to approach all these banks myself, nor would I have received the rates I did.

Things didn’t end here however. Becki followed the process right through to completion and beyond. She was always there when I needed to contact her, even out of work hours. When the bank was labouring with the sale at times, she would intervene on my behalf and get her contact to push things along. It was great just being able to pick up the phone when I wasn’t sure about something, to receive some expert guidance, or even just some much needed reassurance.

Would I recommend Becki? Absolutely, without hesitation. I know who the first person I ring will be when I’m ready to make my next acquisition, even if it’s not a dental practice. And what did this fantastic service cost me? Nothing, not a penny!

Thank you Becki for making this whole process so easy for me.

- Imran Ahmed

Following the success of the 2015 Bursary Awards, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) would like to announce that application for the 2016 Postgraduate Bursary Award is now open.

Dental professionals interested in entering the Postgraduate Award should submit their project, focusing on either improving access for disadvantaged people or building awareness of oral cancer and the need for early diagnosis.

The proposed project must be implemented during 2015-16 and the winning applicant will receive £5,000, made up of £2,500 for the dentist and a further £2,500 to be used in support of the delivery of the project.

The winners of the 2015 ADG Postgraduate Bursary Award were Orna Ni Choileain and Niall McGoldrick for their project ­­­­­­­­Let’s Talk About Mouth Cancer.

On winning the Bursary, Orna said: “When I found out we won the Bursary, I had the perfect mixture of shock and excitement. It feels like a great achievement to have our work setting up the 'Let's Talk About Mouth Cancer’ charity recognised by other professionals on a national level. It's a sign of confidence for us and the wider team that all the work we have been doing over the last year has been worthwhile.”

For more information about the ADG visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk

...to be Jolly, fah-la-la-la-la,la-lah-lah-lahhh

It is the season of Goodwill to all Men [and Women of course]. Too much food, a touch too much liquid spirit, and comfy armchair beckon for many, while Granny sups the sherry.

It is a time of year to reconnect with family, and let loose the strings of attachment with dentistry.

It has been quite a year.  If anyone has recently been affected by the extreme weather and flooding, you will have our deepest sympathy and best wishes.

TWTYTW

We have a new CDO[NHS England]  who seems to have big dreams. While her grip on reality is yet to be proven, her grip on mission creep is patently in doubt too as the New NHS Contract slides back another year.  When does evidence seeking become procrastination I wonder? 

Let’s not forget to toast the former CDO [NHS England] spinning the revolving door of Corporate employment. A nice little earner, some might cynically say; I could not possibly comment.  For sure, the numbers-merchants all seem in agreement.  Corporate Dentistry is a House of Cards just waiting for the crutches to be kicked away.

What about our soon-to-be ex-Chief Executive Officer of that great body in Wimpole Street.  I wonder how many cards of goodwill she really will receive? Goodwill to Dental Colleagues has been the byword on her watch… NOT!

And then of course our congratulations to the newly elected members of the BDAs Principal Executive Committee.  Is it me or is a vote of 1900 on a membership of 18000 a 10% turnout?  Is a 10% turnout the sign of a well engaged campaign and a profession with fire in their belly?  Hmmm, thought as much. 

So there is much to be done and as ever so little time to do it. 

Crystal balls, anyone?

Maybe 2016 will be the year that as a profession of 100,000 like-minded souls we unite into one influential body, instead of Nurses here, Therapists there, Dental Technicians under the table, Dentists arguing and never agreeing, LDCs bangin’ on to no avail, the BDA in constant denial and the FGDP worrying about ‘stuff’.  No wonder the Government can run rings around us all.

To you all, I bid you a Happy Christmas and an Utterly-Butterly Joyful New Year.

In the South, we Sassenachs favour the early celebration. North of the border of course, our Scots colleagues will be awaiting the excesses of Hogmanay.  To our non-Christian colleagues, we know you will join us in celebration in whatever way suits.

But wait:

What is this with Santa’s paw prints all over it? A PSA Report I see? Now this is a Festive card of gargantuan size.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Dental Profession, now you know why the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the GDC has pulled the Ejection Seat firing handle and is departing.

A report on the investigation into the General Dental Council’s handling of a whistleblower’s disclosure about the Investigating Committee 21 December 2015

This is a 270 Page report on the investigation into the General Dental Council’s handling of a whistleblower’s disclosure about the Investigating Committee dated 21 December 2015, but from events through the previous 3 years.

My goodness me. I take it all back.  The PSA do have teeth, they are most certainly sharp and their Regulatory jaws have closed around the neck of the GDC.

Close typed pages of absolute dynamite. Evidence based critical analysis of what the GDC did with your ARF that led to it having to be increased...A pantomime with an unbelievable plot by any other description.

Please do go read it Ladies and Gentlemen.  2016 may indeed be “The Year”

I also urge you to read it in the context of Dr Alyson Lockyer's brave attempt to drive this agenda in 2011 with the PSA in their report entitled An investigation into concerns raised by the former Chair of the General Dental Council Advice to the Department of Health February 2013

Many would say  she was right all along. How sad it has taken this long to prove it

Broadsword calling Billy Boy  …  Broadsword calling Billy Boy

Dr Moyes? Are you reading this…  You know what you should do.  Prove to us that you are the honourable and ethical Gentleman we believe you to be.

As should the whole Council, given the implications of poor oversight.

Pull up the table, You get the mulled wine, I’ll get the nibbles. Just feast on these nuggets of you will.

• 6. Overall conclusions
• What was the outcome of the failings in the Investigating Committee processes and support during 2013?
• 6.1 The outcome was that the independence (and perceptions about the independence) of the GDC’s Investigating Committee were jeopardised by various practices that were designed to improve the quality and consistency of the Investigating Committee’s decision making, but which at the same time sought to restrict the Committee’s autonomy to an extent that infringed upon the appropriate separation of powers within a regulator. This could have had very serious implications for the GDC in terms of the robustness of decision making, potential judicial review actions and the consequent reputational damage. Those practices also had serious implications for the culture that developed in the Investigating Committee Secretariat, which in turn affected the working relationships between some Investigating Committee members and the Secretariat team.

• 6.2  “   Changes had been made to the reasoning of Investigating Committee decision documents after the event and without appropriate authorisation … “

• 6.14 …”The Chief Executive is ultimately accountable for the decisions taken about the level of information disclosed to the GDC’s committees and the Council, staff and GDC associates. The Chief Executive also had several opportunities to identify the seriousness of the problems emerging, even if they were not properly brought to their attention.”

And finally

Sub note 257, with my highlighting of the PSA final words in the Report. Hah!  Pass that English Sparkling Wine, dear - the one that knocks spots off Champagne ...

Here's to 2016 dear colleagues.

• “257 We note that the Chief Executive has responded to our conclusion by stating that they believe that they acted appropriately and quickly in response to each risk as soon as it became apparent, and that they reported fairly and fully to the Audit/Audit and Risk Committee and the Council. The Chief Executive has stated to us that their view is that they have responded to each of the “shocks” that have occurred to the GDC with honesty and transparency and by taking appropriate action. In response to seeing a draft of this report the GDC has said that the Chief Executive’s reliance upon the former Director of Regulation was reasonable, has noted that the Authority’s 2012/13 performance review of the GDC did not identify problems relating to the Investigating Committee, and has referred to the fact that no complaints had been made by the Investigating Committee members, and has drawn the conclusion that the Chief Executive could not have had visibility of the problems emerging in these circumstances.
• We [The PSA] do not agree”

Try this by the way

http://www.englishorganicwine.co.uk/products/pinot-noir-chardonnay-2013-organic

Happy Christmas to one and all, and especially all our colleagues trying to level the GDC Playing Field.

The Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign – which was launched by the British Dental Health Foundation and supported by the Association of Dental Groups – may have finished for another year, but there is no doubt that the fight against mouth cancer must go on. Much has been learnt about the disease over recent years, especially in regards to triggers and causes, but over the last year in particular, new research has come to light.

One study, for instance, suggests that there could be a complex network of chemical, viral and (epi)genetic factors that link to the occurrence of oral carcinogenesis.[i] While the factors that trigger this process and the metastasis of oral cancer have not been clarified in this study, the mere suggestion that immune reactions following viral infections may cross-react with tumour suppressor action proteins to create oral cancer could be ground breaking.

Another element that is currently being researched at some length could be crucial to diagnosis, is the mutation of the TP53 gene. Normally, the protein produced by this gene – known as p53 – works to prevent cells from increasing in size. But as studies of the gene show, changes can cause oral squamous cell carcinoma to develop[ii] – which accounts for more than 90% of oral cancers.[iii] Testing for changes to p53 could serve as a prognostic marker, thereby increasing the chances of early detection.

In terms of effective diagnosis, it has also been suggested in research conducted earlier this year, that salivary genomic and proteomic biomarkers could potentially be a successful – and less invasive – approach to testing for oral cancer.[iv] This could prove very beneficial to diagnosis if this were to develop. In the meantime, it is crucial that you continue to screen for oral cancer and invite your patients for regular check-ups.

What still needs to be done, however, is to convince the government that oral cancer is as important as other healthcare issues. That’s not to say that ministers don’t care about oral cancer – for Sir Paul Beresford MP seemed sincerely passionate about the matter at the Mouth Cancer Action Month launch – but it occasionally appears as if other concerns, such as smoking and obesity, take precedence.

It goes without saying that you are all aware of mouth cancer and the health risks that late diagnosis poses. But by keeping up to date with the latest research, maintaining constant vigilance with screenings and treatment pathways and by urging government officials to take greater action, you can keep on top of oral cancer. To find out more, please contact the ADG or British Dental Health Foundation.

To donate or for more information visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk or www.dentalhealth.org

The third NHS Confidence Monitor survey is now live for all dental professionals to share their views. Its aim is to provide a better understanding of the profession’s confidence levels in NHS dentistry.

The preceding NHS Confidence Monitor, conducted in May and June of 2015, solicited over 300 responses from dentists across the UK. To reflect the profession’s growing interest in the NHS Confidence Monitor, this latest survey has been opened up 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.

As previously, the survey will monitor 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 to widened access, the survey has increased in scope to explore a number of new topics. Those taking part are invited to respond to questions concerning their proposed age of retirement to gauge the possibility of a staffing crisis in the future, and whether they would feel happy encouraging a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry.

‘Finding out about team members’ retirement plans should offer an interesting insight into whether there might be a Provider crisis when it comes to asking dentists to sign up to a reformed NHS contract. In addition, asking whether one might encourage a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry really brings the overall mood of the profession into focus,’ remarked Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, a specialist in business advice and structures in healthcare and co-founder of Lockharts Solicitors.

Also commenting on the survey, Judith Husband, who sits on the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, said: ‘I think it is very important to understand the landscape of what is going on. That is why I believe the ongoing, enhanced NHS Confidence Monitor survey is so important and I would urge team members to have their say.

‘No one wants to stop positive progress – but, from the Government’s perspective, this should be in the context of open and honest debate and a willingness to listen to what we, as a profession, have to say. This is a great opportunity to help facilitate that dialogue.’

To take part in the latest NHS Confidence Monitor and share your thoughts, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PracticePlanNHSConfidencemonitor3 before the closing date of 31st January 2016. The survey should take approximately three minutes of your time.

Once the results of the latest survey have been independently verified, they will 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 their 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 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.