A "Daily Clarion" call for Clarity

What ever happened to January being a dead month when we hunker down to pay all our Christmas credit card bills?  The CQC close a Salisbury practice facility [albeit for a month only]. [1]  The GDC’s CEO has written a feisty fob off letter to the BDA [2], revelling in the end of year report she produced .[3]

But the real January action comes from two directions.

What? Which? Again?

The Consumer organisation, Which? Have published a report on the lack of clarity of dental fees. The link [4]  below will allow you to read this.  Indeed follow the page and you will find many leading colleagues at Oasis and BUPA all shouting loudly in favour of clarity of fees [5].  Indeed across the profession, and for sure on GDPUK, there is agreement that charging a fair fee is not the problem, it’s about letting the patient know in advance and giving the patient a proper chance to consider the fee and their decision.

“Clean Up Dental Costs” is the clarion cry from Which?. They already have quite active assistance with understanding dental costs at [6] and [7]. 

A Mixed Game

Of course the problem seems in part to lie in that murky area of practice, where some treatment is NHS funded and some is not. Mixed practice, in which the sliding scale of gaming can be applied.

“If the patient pushes, I can do it under the Nash, but if they don’t object I will whack in a proper fee because they don’t REALLY need it …”

Which? state in their campaign “Mission Statement that

We're calling on NHS England and regulators to make sure all dentists comply with existing rules and make information on prices clearly available. Dentists need to explain the treatment options properly and make sure patients know whether or not their treatment is available on the NHS.

Here is my challenge:

How can dentists be expected to explain how much or what treatment is available under the NHS consistently across the country when NHS Choices states that “all treatment that is deemed necessary“ is wholly available and yet it is the soon to be ex-Chief Dental Officer himself  who has repeated that this decision of need is down to the individual dentist, in front of his or her patient.

Which? demand consistency, while the CDO [He of NHS England] espouses inconsistency.

Patently this cannot go on. Perversely, the Chairman of the GDC, being an OFT man ‘n’all that might be just the ally the profession needs.

As if by magic, albeit with ironic timing, the Department of Health’s long awaited Prototype Contract Document has emerged [8]

Nothing changes – the dentist decides “need”

Crucially, the suggestion is that nothing changes so far as the clarity that Which? and many others want.

The DH State

26. It is particularly important to be clear that nothing in the changes planned is intended to reduce or change the scope of NHS care available to patients. The changes are intended to ensure clinicians are supported to deliver the full range of care appropriate to a patient’s need. As with medical care, the NHS role is to meet clinical needs.

27. There is also no intention to end a patient’s ability to choose, if they wish, to have private treatment alongside their NHS care. As now patients will continue to be able to choose to have NHS care, private care or a mix of the two.

So contrary to what the Which? want,  the DH propose to roll out yet another way of delivering dental care in which the opportunity for mixed practice will remain, but the rules are decided by the treating dentist with his individual patient.

So, not one consistent rule for all to work to but 22,000 odd individual rules and utter confusion for the patient.  And more fodder for angry consumer organisations and patients “who know their rights”,

Is this really the best the DH can come up with?

The GDC are clear in their expectation – and this is COMPULSORY FOR ALL through their Standards for the Dental Team, [9],

PLEASE LOOK AT THAT WORD “PREFER”

1.7.4 If you work in a mixed practice, you must not pressurise patients into having private treatment if it is available to them under the NHS (or equivalent health service) and they would prefer to have it under the NHS (or equivalent health service).

2.3.7 Whenever you provide a treatment plan you must include: • the proposed treatment; • a realistic indication of the cost; • whether the treatment is being provided under the NHS (or equivalent health service) or privately (if mixed, the treatment plan should clearly indicate which elements are being provided under which arrangement).

Clear as Mud?

So the leading UK Consumer organisation are calling for the boundaries and costs of NHS and private dental care to be clear. Dentists and their LDC representatives are calling for the same thing.  The GDC has made it compulsory for there to be clarity, and breach of this clarity demand will result in you visiting London for an FtP day out.

But the DH produce a Prototype Contract that suggest maintaining the present confusion.

Aside from it all beggaring belief, it is also now time for our Regulator to earn their spurs and take on the DH.

Calling Mr Moyes, calling Mr Moyes

It is time for the GDC to lay down to the DH in one hopes clear terms that lack of clarity for dentists and patients as to what is on offer under the NHS simply is not acceptable.  It is no use asking the GDPC to achieve this for the DH simply bounce them.

This needs a man of words, in a position of influence, perhaps ideally with Consumer based experience,  to deliver a Clarion Call for Clarity on what the NHS expect dentists to do, not for the dentists, but for the patients, whose very protection the GDC under your Chairmanship is charged with.

Come on down, Mr Moyes – time to play Dental Regulation for real.

Your time has come.

LINKS – THE NEWS

1 http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/11739251.NHS_suspends_dental_practice_following_inspection/

2 https://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/1812-gdc-remains-defiant-over-jr

3 http://www.gdc-uk.org/Aboutus/Documents/FTP%20Improvements-Dec2014-MA-FINAL.pdf

LINKS – WHICH? CAMPAIGN

4 http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/dental-treatment-costs/

5  http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/dental-treatment-costs/2015-01-19-Dentists-respond-to-Clean-Up-Dental-Costs/

6 http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/bathroom-and-personal-care/guides/get-the-best-from-your-dentist/private-and-nhs-dental-charges/

7 http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/bathroom-and-personal-care/guides/get-the-best-from-your-dentist/dental-treatment-checklist/

LINKS – DH DOCUMENTS RE PROTOTYPES

8 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/395384/Reform_Document.pdf

9 http://www.gdc-uk.org/Newsandpublications/Publications/Publications/Standards%20for%20the%20Dental%20Team.pdf

Will there ever come a time in the dental profession when solidarity will create meaningful change?

Recently some bus drivers in London realized that some drivers were getting paid more than others, so they called a 24 hour strike last week, with less than a days notice.  Around 2.3 billion bus journeys are made in the capital in a year and on that day millions of people were affected as they were forced to use alternative transport. Clearly the knock on effect means that the underground and road traffic becomes clogged up. Cab drivers drove the capital to a halt when they realized that a US competitor was taking their lunch.

What is always clear when the press covers these stories is that the system itself is identified as the fault, not the actual providers of the service. Striking workers comes as no surprise for most of us. whereas health professionals standing up for their rights seems to be rare. It is unlikely the bus drivers that were getting above average pay would be so keen to raise the alarm. Akin to those contract holders with UDA values well above national averages.

In truth, the announcement of “evolution not revolution” by Earl Howe with the imminent roll out of the prototype contract scheduled over the next 3 years will mean it’s a long wait for those unhappy NHS contract holders. Indeed has anything really changed in the last 9 years ? Limited exposure from an ever-hostile press rarely highlights the disparate and confusion of what is literally affecting the vast majority of hard working and ethical health professionals every working day.

The cynic in me would say this is classic posturing from the commissioner of the service. After all “If the profession hasn’t responded firmly in the past, it is unlikely to do so in the future”.

When the doctors went on strike in 2012 , the press did not make out it was money focused doctors at fault rather a change in their pension structure at the core of the story.

If history teaches us anything about the department of Health then we know that it's going to a lot longer than planned to see real tangible change in the dental contract, which is intended to remain in place for 20-30 years.

The pricing transparency issue unveiled by a Which consumer review makes it even easier to point the finger at the “ money focused” dentist. What is left for the profession? How can we take real action to illustrate what causes the problem and that hard working NHS dentists cannot continue like this for years to come? (?)

Consider the facts for a moment

-       No increase in NHS dentistry budget planned for the next 5 years

-       Marked decrease in patient access across every existing pilot site ( speak to any pilot site and ask them how long their patients are waiting for an appointment)

-       Hygienists and less so therapists will take an increasingly larger role in prevention and health assessments 5 years from now.

So the question of solidarity, can it actually happen in dentistry? I sadly suspect not. Perhaps because every NHS contract holder has too much to loose if they were held to account. Perhaps successive governments only take real notice about dentistry when the press shows the long lines outside a new NHS dental practice opening up. Perhaps its fear of persecution in the press, or genuine concern for our patients well being and we are not prepared to leave our patient in the lurch? So maybe its time for dentistry to take stock and unite to take its part in controlling its destiny?

If not, the finger of blame will continue to point at the dentists who appear to be the bad guys.

We launched http://www.toothpick.com in 2013 with a clear objective. Make dentistry more consumer friendly for patients and provide an efficient way of building a patient list.

Having travelled and experienced different dental remuneration models around the globe I became acutely aware how different patients perceive dentistry. I suspect the combination here of the press portrayal and the rising patient expectation under a limited system has created a terrible reputation for the profession.

Its hard here as the NHS patient journey is far too short to form a positive opinion and a hostile press that is ready to dentist bash it becomes a downward spiral unless urgent action is taken from within to reverse this effect.

If it’s another rehash of the broken and failing system rather than a workable new contract formed then perhaps the new prototype signals the beginning of the end. Or could this be the trigger to start real action to identify the cause of the problem and have real inclusive dialogue for a solution that gives that gives a fair deal for the patients and the providers.

I feel only with this approach can we restore the professions reputation and trust with the public and the press, which takes years to build and seconds to destroy.

Sandeep Senghera

Image credit - Sludge Gulper   under CC licence - not modified.

Dr Sandeep Senghera BDS, CEO and Founder Toothpick   Sandeep combines his 12 years of experience and knowledge as a Dentist since 2002 with a passion for internet technology to create www.toothpick.com to help patients book a dentist online at over 3500 NHS and Private dentists in the UK. Drawing from a family heritage in business and start ups, his entrepreneurial nature and desire to improve patient experiences in Dentistry drives his business.

Geneva, 19 January 2015 – As World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2015 approaches, FDI World Dental Federation is advising people to consider the impact of frequent sugar consumption on their ‘Smile for Life’.

Dental caries is the most common non-communicable disease in the world. Research has demonstrated that sugars are the main cause of tooth decay (holes in your teeth).

When you eat or drink something sugary, the bacteria in the plaque (the sticky film that keeps forming on your teeth) feeds on the sugar and releases acid that attacks teeth for about one hour. Frequent consumption of sugar allows prolonged acid ‘attacks’, weakening the protective outer layer of the teeth.

Speaking about this process, Dr Jaime Edelson, Chair of the FDI World Oral Health Day Task team, commented: ‘Sugar reacts with bacteria in the mouth, which together form an acid that damages the enamel. When this keeps happening, a hole is formed in the tooth, which then requires filling and may over time lead to an extraction. By paying close attention to how often we are consuming sugary foods and drinks, the number of acid attacks on our teeth can be reduced.’

WOHD is an opportunity for FDI to draw attention to proven oral care behaviours that people can adopt to protect their teeth –for life. These include brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down consumption of sugary¹ foods and drinks between meals and chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks when on-the-go and brushing is not feasible.

FDI President Dr Tin Chun Wong commented: ‘World Oral Health Day 2015, “Smile for life!” and has a double meaning - lifelong smile and celebrating life. Smiling implies self-confidence and having fun, as people only smile if they are happy and have a healthy life. Please take the time to consider your oral health and bring a smile to everyone around you.’

FDI supports the World Health Organization’s guidelines on reducing sugar consumption, based on evidence of its association with dental caries and obesity.

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

About FDI

FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for more than 1 million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy, and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities. FDI is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the World Health Professionals Alliance (WHPA).

For more information, visit: www.fdiworldental.org

About World Oral Health Day

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

For more information, visit: www.worldoralhealthday.org

Its becoming very apparent that there is a distinct lack of transparency where some practitioners are concerned with regard to what is and isn’t available on the NHS. This has been going on from the beginning of the new contract, and has caused much heated discussion over the years.

When you consider that not even the CDO was prepared to give an actual list of NHS treatments, instead relying on the ‘All that is Clinical Necessary’ definition that is deliberately intended to obfuscate, then it isn’t really surprising there are almost as many different interpretations as there seem to be contract holders.

We can argue amongst ourselves as to when something should be, or can be provided on the NHS, but the end consumer, the Patient, is stuck in the middle of this unsatisfactory situation, and that should be our prime concern.

The GDC are now starting the come down on those practitioners who they feel have been misleading, or even dishonest in their definition of what is available, and since the balance of probability legal test is used, the weight of evidence does not have to be as high as a criminal issue to find a practitioner guilty, and then suffer the consequences.

However, until recently, the difference of opinions as to what is legitimate and what is ‘gaming’ has largely been discussed only within the dental profession itself. This is NOT intended to be a blog about what gaming is; it’s sufficient to say though that we have to acknowledge it exists within the profession.

This week, Which? have now waded into the argument, with a campaign to ‘Clean Up Dental Costs’

It would appear that they have found this distinct lack of transparency in the pricing of dental care, and in particular the differences between private and NHS care. Not only that, they appear to have also found that about a quarter of those surveyed were unsure of the differences between NHS and Private.

More worryingly, 40% of respondents were unaware that all treatment that was clinical necessary was available on the NHS. This lack of awareness plays right into the hands of those practitioners who have been guilty of perhaps ‘massaging’ the NHS contract to their benefit and not that of the patient. One question it asks is who is responsible for the overall education of the general public as to what is available to them; it is accepted that expert opinion and advice is needed when the general public seek the aid of a professional, so they can perhaps not be held completely responsible for not knowing the ins and outs of dental treatment. On the other hand though, is ‘All that is Clinically Necessary’ too difficult a concept for the Government via NHS England to convey to the populus in some way? The lack of this clarity has lead to varying degrees of confusion, alternative interpretations of the contract (not tested in law to my knowledge) and downright dishonestly and misleading behaviour at the expense of the patients.

Whenever gaming rears it head in discussions on this and any other forum it polarizes opinion hugely, and usually ends up in a slanging match of NHS vs Private. As I’ve said this is not the aim of this blog, but merely to get people to think about the consequences of what we in the profession have begun to create for ourselves and our patients.

It’s one of the huge elephants in the room in our profession at the moment.

There is no doubt that gaming is rife amongst some practitioners. Not all of them, but I would wager that there will be a fair number of mixed practices that are operating at the very edge of what is actually the correct definition of ‘Clinically Necessary’ throughout the country. The fact this aspect of the contract has not been tested in law is probably somewhat fortuitous for all concerned.

Of these practices, I think there will probably be some of them actually deliberately seeking to maximize their financial advantages over those of the patient. This is in direct breach of the GDC standards relating to putting a professional’s needs over that of the patient. It wont be an excuse to use ignorance of the rules of the contract to defend this either, or the continued financial survival of a practice. The continued ignorance of the patients in knowing what is and isn’t available themselves, and the plausibility of the explanations given (‘its isn’t available on the NHS’ is a difficult phrase to argue against for a majority of patients) mean it is simple for some practitioners to pull the wool over the eyes of the public.

If we want to take a stance against the way the GDC is acting at the moment, but there is sufficient evidence that some practitioners are being more ‘flexible’ with the interpretation of clinically necessary, then we can hardly take the moral high ground against them, as individuals are misleading the public the GDC are tasked to protect. How can we protest at that? When we have a Chairman of the GDC who has a background in the Office of Fair Trading it is not beyond the bounds of thought that his wish to broaden his remit has the tacit approval of the powers that be, and will include any future tests of NHS vs Private provision. Incidentally, Which? are not calling on the profession to clean up their act; they’re calling on our regulator and NHS England to do it for us.

In addition, if the Big Lie is to be exposed in all its glory, we as a profession can’t then be seen to be obscuring the failure of the contract by blurring the treatments that patients are receiving on the NHS and Privately. By misleading patients as to what is and isn’t available, to the benefit of the practitioner, is never going to expose the lack of funding inherent in the system.

Lack of transparency of fees has always seemed to be a problem with our profession. The artificially low NHS prices when compared with private means a significant number of the population have no understanding of the real costs of dentistry, and I think we really as a profession don’t go far enough to explain this to the public. Couple that with the confusion now as to what is and what isn’t available on the NHS then it is no wonder Which? have waded into the fray on the side of the consumer.

I personally don’t think it will be long before some form of disclosure along the lines of that seen by Independent Financial Advisors will be compulsory. With the GDC being final arbiters of our professional conduct, any lack of transparency in financial issues are already taken as being as serious as those of clinical errors. We will therefore reap what we sow where it come to financial misdemeanours.

We are in an ever increasingly consumer driven society, and we have to get our house in order if we are to retain the professional status we think we deserve. If we don’t, then we only have ourselves to blame for what is then enforced on the profession in the future. We can resist consumerism and try to hang on to the last bastions of professionalism, but if some of our profession are less open with their dealings with those consumers, then we will all pay the price.

The consequences of gaming are coming home to roost whether we like it or not.

1. Royal College of Surgeons report January 2015
2. Daily Telegraph letter 2014
3. Daily Telegraph letter 2015
4. Mintel market insight reports

Image acknowledgement

Running to Paradise Garden
by Nicolas Alejandro
https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.alejandro.ph  Shown under Creative Commons licence

Patient Plan Direct is proud to be hosting a free evening seminar for Dentists and Practice Managers with drinks and canapés, held at the impressive and prestigious Drummonds Bank in central London on 19^th February 2015.

The seminar, kindly sponsored by Natwest, provides the opportunity to listen in to expert advice on some of 2015’s hottest topics in the world of dentistry, developing the skills of practice management and staying ahead of the game, whilst providing the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals.

The seminar has limited places, so book early to avoid disappointment. Regardless of the type of practice you work in or the stage of your career, there is something for everyone at this must attend seminar.

For more details and to book your place visit this page.

Topics to be covered include; Patients views on Dentists using Email and Social Media Marketing, Converting a telephone enquiry with 3 simple questions, How your accountant should tailor services to you and your needs, Why 80% of incorporations which have been carried out to date are flawed, and so much more.

All speakers are experts in their respective fields with years of experience specifically within the dental industry; Tracy Stuart (NBS Training), Bernard Danquah (Patient Plan Direct), Rob Walsh & Dee Gerrish (Clear Vision Dental Accountants), and John Grant (Goodman Grant Dental Solicitors). 

We all use euphemisms for many different reasons. We may choose to simplify our language when talking to adults, so that we don’t come across as arrogant and full of technological jargon, or when talking to children to not appear too scientific and intimidating. We therefore use euphemistic language that our patients are more likely to understand as a way of overcoming communication barriers.

Euphemisms are also used within the industry to put a positive shine or spin on something. You may be familiar with the term ‘technique sensitive’. When we first began using composites for instance, we were told by the manufacturers that these materials were very good, but ‘technique sensitive’. What this implied was that if not used exactly as instructed, the material was likely to fail and it would be the dentist’s fault.

‘Technique sensitive’ can therefore be seen as an excuse that shifts the blame to the practitioner rather than the product. It is a euphemism that glosses over the fact that the materials didn't always do the job they were meant to do.

These examples begin to highlight the use of euphemisms from two distinct perspectives. Firstly as a way of communicating and being kind to our patients, limiting anxiety and stress; and secondly highlighting how poor or insufficient our materials and treatments can be.

The major use of euphemisms in dentistry covers both of these viewpoints and significantly relates to discussions of pain. 9 times out of 10 this is in reference to injections.

We rarely say to our patients ‘I’m now going to give you an injection”, instead we’re more likely to say, “I’m just going to numb you up”, or “you’re going to feel a little pinch”, and this is really a way of avoiding the truth. What we need to say is “this will hurt”; but we don't want to induce fear.

Ideally we should be using injections that don’t sting, or rather anaesthetics without the needle. Some kinder ways of providing anaesthetics to patients do exist, but these still tend to be needle techniques, and there are also some needle-free options, but these are by no means perfected. Ultimately it seems that we are in the dark ages with our local anaesthetics and still thrusting surgical steel through human tissue.

Naturally for our patients dentistry can be particularly unpleasant, and our job should be to negate this as much as possible. So we avoid the words ‘pain’, ‘injection’ and ‘discomfort’, and we gloss over them with our euphemisms. The problem is that we shouldn‘t have to do this. We shouldn’t need to gloss over such aspects; we should be striving to improve them.

The point of a euphemism is to make people less fearful or anxious, or to replace the offensive terms making things seem innocuous, but really what it does is mark our failure to do better. We are all too happy to hide behind these euphemisms, but at the end of the day all this does is gloss over the fact that we are doing something unpleasant, and our research should be geared towards not having to come out with a euphemism, and being able to tell the truth when we say, “this wont hurt a bit”.

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

Illegal whitening continues to remain a serious problem for the dental profession and uneducated public.

Many home whitening kits or those offered by beauty salons do not contain enough whitening product to be effective, or if they do, the mouthguard provided is typically a bad fit, therefore some of the bleaching gel is likely to leak out onto the gums and mouth causing blistering and sensitivity[i].

Not only can teeth whitening carried out by non-dental professionals carry oral health risks for patients, it is also highly illegal. The General Dental Council (GDC) is continually bringing forward new cases for prosecution, including company directors, beauticians and other non-registered people unlawfully practicing dentistry in the form of tooth whitening[ii]. The charges related to illegal tooth whitening are increasing; in a recent case the offender was fined fifteen thousand pounds for breaking the law.

But is enough being done? A company scandal has highlighted loopholes in the law that make it possible for companies to sell teeth whitening training courses and products to non-dentists. The defendant was found guilty and ordered to pay the plaintiff back for the licence to provide teeth whitening under the pretence of not having to be a dentist to carry out the treatment. However, in a statement, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, was quoted as saying: “It is embarrassing that it has taken an individual to do what the GDC is failing to do and protect the public. The regulatory body should be far more robust in their investigation process and protect the public from illegal tooth whiteners[iii].”

Regardless of the laws and regulations, certain companies continue to misinterpret the system and maintain that since the products used for tooth whitening are covered by the European Council Directive on Cosmetic Products 2011/84 EU, their agents are carrying out a cosmetic procedure and not practicing dentistry[iv].

The EU regulations clearly state that products containing or releasing between 0.1%-6% HP should not be made directly available to the consumer, other than through treatment by a registered dentist, or a dental hygienist, dental therapist or clinical dental technician working to a dentist’s prescription⁴. It is also illegal to for anyone who is not a dentist to give “treatment, advice or attendance” that would usually be given by a dentist⁴.

Educating patients on how to achieve safe and effective tooth whitening by dental professionals remains essential. Offering top quality whitening products in your practice can also help to reduce illegal tooth whitening and keep patients protected. Sparkle Dental Labs now offers Professional Tooth Whitening Kits that are safe, reliable and affordable. The custom-made whitening trays are made directly by Sparkle Dental Labs so there is no need for you to keep excess stock, and with UK manufacturing every product is traceable and of an outstanding quality.

Only time will tell if the GDC will start taking firmer action on those continuing to commit criminal offences, however in the meantime educating the public remains crucial. Working with a top quality dental lab to offer effective treatment in your practice can also reduce illegal tooth whitening and keep patients safe.

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

www.sparkledentallabs.com

Meeting the various laws that regulate employment processes and human resources can be a challenge for any employer. Implementation of the proper legal protocols and pathways is however essential to ensure not only the satisfaction and safety of employees, but to also protect the business from unforeseen problems regarding staff.

Sarah Buxton is an Associate Lawyer at LCF Law, specialising in employment and HR issues within the dental industry. She advises on everything from associate contracts to managing self-employed staff, handbooks and settling employment disputes. She will be presenting as part of the Dental Business Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015, which she has visited now for several years.

“I have attended The Dentistry Show every year for about the last 5 years,” Sarah says. “It is a great event for dental practitioners and professionals who work in the dental industry to get together and learn about the recent developments in the market. The Dentistry Show also always sources the best speakers in their respective fields to ensure that the attendees receive the best advice.”

Sarah will be delivering a session entitled “Getting to Grips with Dental Employment & HR Law”, providing information and clarification on a number of issues facing modern practice owners and managers.

“I will discuss the difference between self-employed workers and employees, and why it is important to have the correct contracts in place for the different types of employment status. I’ll demonstrate what should be included in the contracts to enable delegates to run their businesses smoothly and to protect the goodwill of the practice.

“In addition, I’ll look at how to deal with common problems that arise in the workplace such as sickness absence, lateness and flexible working requests. With the recent changes in Shared Parental Leave, this will also be a topic affecting employers, which I hope to cover.”

With clinical excellence and patient care clearly remaining a priority for practice principals and managers, it can be difficult to find time for all the paperwork now necessitated in dentistry. An already complicated area of business, HR regulations can therefore often require some specialist support.

Sarah adds:

“HR and Employment Law is constantly changing and it is difficult for practice owners/managers to keep on top of all the changes whilst running their practice. There are so many laws and regulations in this area that employment contracts and HR is often a full time job in itself. There is a lot of red tape in the dental industry – employment, health and safety, CQC, GDC regulations – it can all be very overwhelming for busy practitioners, so it is important to have all the relevant information accessible.

“I hope delegates attending my session at The Dentistry Show will gain a better awareness and understanding of the need for effective HR and Employment Systems, in order to have a well-run practice which is profitable and a happy place to work for all.”

To make sure you have all the information you need to run an efficient and lawful business, make sure you don’t miss Sarah’s session at The Dentistry Show 2015. She will be speaking alongside several other leading names in business including Sheila Scott, Tracy Stuart and Nigel Reece, each sharing their own personal expertise and experiences to help you enhance the way your practice is run.

For this, plus hours of vCPD, hands-on clinical workshops, live surgery demonstrations, access to the very products and copious networking and socialising opportunities, book your place for The Dentistry Show 2015 today.

The Dentistry Show 2015 and DTS will be held on 17^th and 18^th April at the NEC in Birmingham. For further details please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Geneva, 17 December 2014 - As World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2015 approaches, FDI World Dental Federation wants people to make a healthy New Year’s resolution and reduce their use of tobacco – or give it up completely - as part of the 2015 World Oral Health Day ‘Smile for life’ campaign.

There are many types of tobacco available worldwide, including manufactured cigarettes, roll-your own cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco, and all are addictive and detrimental to health. The use of tobacco can significantly increase the risk of many serious oral health problems, including:

•         Oral cancer

•         Gum disease

•         Premature tooth loss

•         Tooth discolouration

•         Bad breath

•         Reduced ability to taste and smell

Oral cancer is amongst the most prevalent cancers worldwide and incidence rates are higher in men than women[1]. The use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol, are the key risk factors in oral cancer and together are estimated to account for 90% of oral cancers worldwide. This percentage could be significantly lowered through a reduction in the use of tobacco and alcohol intake[2].

Speaking about the severe risks of tobacco use, Dr Patrick Hescot, FDI President-Elect, said: “To help tackle the increased risk of oral cancer, tooth loss and antisocial effects such as bad breath, it's time to reduce or, ideally, give up tobacco use. Tobacco use in all forms is dangerous for health and oral health; what better reason could you have for giving up tobacco as a New Year’s resolution?”

The FDI would also like to encourage health professionals to participate in tobacco prevention activities. Dentists and their teams can help communicate important messages to patients about the threats posed by tobacco use and help them to identify the key risk factors and the early signs of oral cancer, as well as gum disease and other oral health problems, in their early stages. Patients may not always recognise early symptoms, so the FDI and its partners encourage people of all ages to schedule regular check-ups with their dentists.

Dr Tin Chun Wong, FDI President, said: “Prevention is key and most common oral diseases, including those linked to tobacco use, are largely preventable. Alongside personal effort, oral healthcare providers can play a role in promoting healthy lifestyles by incorporating tobacco cessation programmes into their practices. This January, it’s time to give up smoking and have something new to smile about.”

About FDI

FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for more than 1 million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy, and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities. FDI is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the World Health Professionals Alliance (WHPA).

For more information, visit: www.fdiworldental.org

About World Oral Health Day

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

For more information, visit: www.worldoralhealthday.org

World Oral Health Day 2015 partners

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

As the world’s number one daily mouth rinse, LISTERINE® Mouthwash has been used by more than one billion people in more than 85 countries. Professional dental organizations around the world have awarded LISTERINE® Mouthwash with their seals of acceptance.

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

Unilever 

Unilever is a leading global manufacturer of oral care products, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash, represented by brands including Signal, Pepsodent, Mentadent, Aim, P/S, Zhong Hua and Close Up. Unilever believes that good oral health is a vital element for people to look good, feel good and get more out of life and uses its oral care brands to encourage children and their parents to brush in the morning and at night using fluoride toothpaste. Through its science, products, partnerships and international network, Unilever is privileged with the power to make a sustainable and measurable improvement to oral health around the world.

Henry Schein

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.  A Fortune 500®[3] Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100®[4] Index (NASDAQ Ticker: HSIC), Henry Schein employs more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 28 countries.  Through Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate social responsibility program, Henry Schein helps expand access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP)

WOHP partners with dental professionals worldwide, helping them improve their patients’ oral health through one extra simple and enjoyable step in their daily routine: chewing sugar-free gum after eating and drinking on-the-go. WOHP supports independent clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum, including saliva stimulation, plaque acid neutralization and tooth strengthening. For more information, visit: www.wrigleyoralcare.com

You are invited to the Botox Training Club at www.botoxtrainingclub.co.uk, following its recent launch.

Created by aesthetician and dentist Dr Harry Singh, the Botox Training Club offers dentists the opportunity to attend accredited clinical workshops. In addition, one free team member is allowed to attend per delegate as an observer, to help further your pursuit of facial aesthetics success.

Worth 6.5 hours of verifiable CPD, delegates can expect to learn how to treat the three areas most commonly requested by patients – the forehead (frontalis), frown lines (glabellar) and eyes (lateral canthal lines).

Offering support before, during and after the workshop, you can be sure that everything will be in place to allow you to concentrate on treating facial aesthetic patients.

For further information on the Botox Training Club and to download the video ‘Getting Started In Facial Aesthetics’ free of charge, please visit www.botoxtrainingclub.co.uk. Alternatively, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07711 731173.

Personal Liberalism:

Political Liberalism: 

Economic Liberalism:

Social Liberalism: 

With 2014 coming to an end it’s a great time to assess where you are in terms of your business goals. Analysing your productivity, profitability and cost efficiency is vital if you want to succeed in the year to come.

Productivity

One of the first areas to look at is your productivity. This time of year provides the perfect opportunity to conduct staff appraisals, which will allow you to assess where any weak links may lie but to also understand the aspirations of each individual. You may have a member of staff who would like to expand their skills to reach a higher level of job satisfaction. By talking to individuals you will be able to work together to find the perfect balance of skill mix that works well for your team but also for your practice moving forward. This may involve an initial outlay through paying for courses but in the long term you will reap the rewards that come from having a well-trained team who appreciate your investment in them and will repay you through loyalty.

Profitability

Understanding your finances is the key to pushing your business forward in the year to come. Without a detailed understanding of your profits and losses, you cannot start contemplating whether to spend on staff training or promotions. You need to know where your business is financially before you begin the appraisal process, this will give you a benchmark for pay rises and bonuses as well as other costs that may need consideration.

Cost efficiency

Productivity is not solely dependent on people, the surroundings also come into play. For example, if your workspace doesn’t have the right flow it can have a negative impact on your staff and patients. The set up of the practice is vital, if it isn’t quite right it can make working practices clumsy and awkward and will affect the efficiency of your work. Aesthetics should also be considered, too. Does your surgery impress throughout? Spending money on new furniture and cabinetry may feel excessive but balancing the initial outlay with the benefits of an efficient workflow and a beautiful practice that patients and staff will appreciate, can be a clever move for a long-term investment.

Tavom UK has supplied dental cabinets and medical furniture to the medical and dental industry for more than 35 years and has extensive experience in dental surgery design. The company understands the dental profession and provides beautiful and functional workspaces using high quality products.

The time is right to take stock of your positioning, in terms of finances and business aims, in order to ensure you’re on the right track towards reaching your goals. Investing in key areas of your business now can help you push forward and achieve success in the year ahead.

To see how Tavom UK can transform your dental practice, please call 0870 752 1121 or visit the Tavom UK website www.tavomuk.com

Dental professionals with links to Rotary International are being urged to encourage their club to support the dental charity Bridge2Aid in its mission to ease dental pain and suffering in East Africa.

Speakers from Bridge2Aid would welcome the opportunity to talk about the charity’s work of providing emergency dental training for health workers in remote communities. Dental pain in rural Tanzania doesn’t just hurt – it’s destructive and is a threat to lives and livelihoods.

Bridge2Aid is very excited to be working on a Rotary Global Grant with one of its advisors, Dr Iain Corran, a member of Bakewell Rotary Club in Derbyshire.

B2A’s operations director, Shaenna Loughnane, said: “We hope to encourage Rotary Clubs to support us with a commitment to fundraising around £500 in the 2015-2016 Rotary financial year. Our grant is being sponsored by Bakewell Rotary Club and is being supported in Tanzania by Bahari Rotary Club.

“We already have a number of Rotary Clubs on board, which is fantastic. The grant will fund the extension of our Emergency Dental Programmes to Lindi, in the south east of Tanzania, one of the poorest areas of the country. In July 2016, we will train six Health Professionals and provide sustainable access to vital emergency dental treatment for more than 60,000 people.”

To introduce B2A to your local Rotary group or to arrange a talk, please contact Andie Wilson on 07970 633230 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The periodontal health of your patients is a priority when performing any treatment modality. Whether providing orthodontic appliances, endodontic procedures or cosmetic elements such as whitening, the health of the soft tissue can determine the longevity of results achieved and ultimately the success of treatment.

This is no more true than when placing dental implants. In order to ensure long-term stability of implants, as well as the patient’s health, their periodontal condition must be assessed carefully and treated where necessary before implant treatment is even considered. Scrupulous oral hygiene must also be emphasised as part of the postoperative patient instructions, reducing their risk of developing peri-implant mucositis or the more advanced peri-implantitis.

Currently, it is thought that peri-implant mucositis affects just under 50% of patients with implants between 9-14 years after placement,[i] although due to its reversible nature, its prevalence is thought to be underestimated.

Tackling the issues surrounding periodontal disease and providing a platform from which to update your knowledge, the PerioLounge will once again return to The Dentistry Show, designed in collaboration with the British Society of Periodontology (BSP). Leading professionals in the field will explore various different areas associated with periodontal health, offering practical advice and guidance to ensure that you deliver the highest possible standard of care to all your patients.

Discussing the effects of periodontal health specifically with regards to dental implants will be Dr Amit Patel, Specialist in Periodontics. Currently practising at Birmingham Dental Specialist, Dr Patel also runs an intensive training course at the Birmingham Dental Hospital on Periodontal and Soft Tissue Aesthetic Considerations in Implant Dentistry.

“Undiagnosed periodontal disease is a very common reason for the increasing amount of litigation in dentistry, and is also a contributing factor in the failure of a range of treatments – particularly implants,” he says. “Not all practitioners providing implants seem to be adequately trained – some do not habitually probe implants during follow up appointments, for example, and this is simply a lack of understanding.

“My session at The Dentistry Show will cover exactly what should be done in order to encourage success of each and every implant case. Treatment planning is key to preventing potential problems, as clinicians can prepare effectively. Following strict protocols during this stage will not only help practitioners avoid any periodontal problems, but also effectively treat those that do occur.

“A full assessment should be completed in order to identify any predispositions the patient may have, and the treatment plan should involve eliminating as many as possible for enhanced treatment provision and reduced risk of implant failure. The same information can be used to maintain implants once placed, encouraging faster healing and long-lasting results. It is worth mentioning also that in the modern profession, implants are of course only recommended when no other, less invasive alternatives are available. After all, teeth can last a lifetime, implants can’t, and to make sure our patients make a good investment we need to get it right first time. I hope to raise awareness of how periodontal disease can affect the longevity and stability of implants, and offer some relatively simple techniques to help delegates treat the disease.”

Dr Patel also encourages teamwork and close collaboration between the dental team in order to further increase the chances of successful treatment.

“Dental implants, like all areas of modern dentistry, involve the whole dental team, so a collaborative approach should be taken every time. Especially with regards to postoperative follow up care, it is important that any professional seeing the patient can recognise symptoms of disease, including the dental hygienist and nurse. As such, my session at The Dentistry Show will be suitable for all members to attend.”

Aside from the BSP PerioLounge, The Dentistry Show 2015 will present a wide selection of other educational and networking opportunities. With a focus on all areas of the profession, the new EndoLounge will host a line-up of leading speakers in the field of endodontics. Delivered in partnership with the British Endodontic Society (BES), the two-day lecture programme will provide indispensible hints and tips to help you broaden your skills.

The Short-Term-Orthodontic Lounge will also return in 2015, as well as an array of live clinical demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Conference Theatres dedicated to each member of the dental team will host further sessions covering all areas of clinical treatment, career progression and business guidance, with free verifiable CPD available throughout.

And adding to the excitement even more, the brand new Launchpad UK will ensure you have access to the very latest products, technologies and materials to hit the UK market. With the event’s new dates of Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th April, it will follow the 2015 IDS, ensuring you are at the very cutting-edge of the industry’s innovations.

So whether you wish to advance your clinical skills, are looking to take the next step in your career or hope to source the best technology and equipment for your practice, The Dentistry Show 2015 has it all. Book your free delegate pass online today!

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

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

As a small business, setting your key performance indicators (KPIs) can be a great way to understand business strengths and weaknesses in order to help drive your practice forward. Once you have this and your data collection has begun, the next step is to analyse and understand it.

However, simply working out a set of averages and using them as a guide point is dangerous territory. Take the current concerns with regards to children’s oral health in the UK. According the long-term statistics, dental health among children has, on average, been improving over the last 30 years,[1] which is great. However, a huge 27% of five-year-olds[2] and 12% of three-year-olds[3] (that’s hundreds and thousands of children) still have tooth decay. This shows that you will only get the insights you need to make informed decisions by correctly interpreting the information you have collected.

Keep your integrity

The integrity of your data is vital. According to Experian Data Quality, 9% of revenue is wasted as a result of poor quality information.[4]’Cleaning’ your information is worthwhile in order to ensure that what you have is always the most up to date facts. When you consider that every day in the UK, 1,600 people sadly die and 18,000 move house,1 it goes to show how easily the information you have on file can quickly become out-dated.

It is also important that you ask the right questions in order to collect the relevant data. If, for example, you want to assess how well your marketing is working then you need to know exactly how that patient found you. Did a friend or family member refer them? Did they find you on the internet? If so, you need to know what they were searching for and why in order to ensure the integrity of the data you record. If they went online looking for ‘a dental practice in London’, then it was your listing in Google perhaps that brought them to your page. If however they had seen your practice advertised elsewhere, and then proceeded to search specifically for you, then it is noteworthy that your initial advertising worked.

Analyse this

Without employing the expensive services of a business data analyst it can be tricky to know where to begin. This is where having the right technology can be of huge benefit. The CS R4+ practice management software from Carestream Dental, for example, has built in features such as R4 Springboard which will not only help to gather the data you need, but also correctly analyse it in real-time for an accurate overall picture.

Having the right tools at your fingertips can make data collection and interpretation easier and less time consuming, allowing you to focus your attention on the things that matter.

For more information on from Carestream Dental,

please call 0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

You’ve got CQC hindsight, but have you seen what’s coming?

The CQC have ‘Fresh Start’ plans for us in 2015        

It’s part of their strategy for 2013-2016, Raising standards, putting people first).

They are more focused than the previous ones and inspectors will be more

experienced in assessing dental practices.

The new standards are divided into eleven Fundamental parts. 

Fit and Proper Person (Directors) and Duty of Candour are 2 new standards.

The CQC have also beefed up their enforcement powers, meaning that they

may not give you a warning before they prosecute.

How do the old ‘Outcomes’ relate to the new Standards?

The simplest way to explain this is for you to complete my CQC survey: https://www.gdpuk.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=57 and then I will send you an explanation of how to relate the old CQC to the new CQC and the new (ish) GDC principles. I will also send you an explanation of what the ‘Key Lines Of Enquiry’ (KLOE) is all about and how it will be applied in April 2015.

What effect have the CQC had so far?

Many of you kindly told me about your CQC thoughts in my survey, (see link above) which is still running.       By sending it back to me, you will now know what or who KLOE is. The CQC inspector will use these KLOE’s to guide the inspection process and make a judgement. The CQC still haven’t decided about publishing these.   

I have summarised what you have told me so far from my surveys and will be discussing them with the CQC. We may yet be able to have a sensible regulator looking at the right things in an intelligent way.

My prediction for 2015 is that FEES, Cosmetic dentistry and dermal fillers will also come under the spotlight.

Brief analysis (from 76 surveys)

I have used this as a pilot survey to determine whether there is a need to gather more information on how well the CQC registration and inspection process is received and what the beneficial effects may have been in driving improvement.

I think relatively few will have experienced re-registration and therefore a low %age answering YES to Q1 may be expected. However it is disappointing to see that 48% still felt that the process has not been made clearer. 

There continues to be much confusion over legal entities and I know (from personal experiences of clients that this is still a problem now, 76% of respondents agree.

81% felt that the inspection was not structured to reflect dental practices; even higher (87%) saying that the nuances were not understood and many said that a dental adviser is required.   

It seems that few felt that they understood what the CQC expectations are regarding safe, well-led and managed practices. I was particularly pleased that our own clients were in general more ‘upbeat’ about the potential benefits of CQC compliance and also felt more empowered and knowledgeable (judging from some open question comments).

The open questions were designed to test whether the process of declaring ‘compliant’ 48 times in the original application had sparked an interest in them to get things done before inspection, just in case. It seems that this was the case in as much as 72% said they had done some things, although I need to look more closely at this figure because some of what was said was fairly minor ‘window dressing’ was one comment.

The most significant results I feel were relating to the perceived benefit of CQC registration and inspection.

The positive improvements noted by patients and staff reached only 14% and the consequential improvements to the business reached 21%. Finally regarding your additional thoughts, there were many suggestions and yet only 6.5% of these were positive. I have concluded that an improved and much larger survey spread amongst a wider audience is required.

OK, so what?

From April 2015, CQC inspection reports will look quite different. Instead of considering just 4 or 5 Outcomes; the inspection will be constructed in a different way to test whether your practice clearly demonstrates that it is safe, caring, responsive, effective and well-led? A CQC inspector has described how the new process enables them to ‘get under the skin’ of the practice and see what is really happening.

Safety is now considered of paramount importance following on from the terrible instances of poor care graphically illustrated in the past few years. Although the CQC had considered that dentistry was relatively much lower risk; there was a severe jolt to this belief recently in Nottingham. The GDC are also convinced that there are also still much greater problems within the Profession. So it is my guess that safety will share top billing with being well-led.

It is hard to imagine that a well-led practice would be unsafe or that there would be many unresolved complaints or that there is a high staff turnover or patients don’t have fees explained properly.

RightPath4 can provide a system of governance mapped to 2015 CQC requirements which is simple to implement and does not cost £thousands or run to thousands of pages. It is easy to bespoke it to your practice and use as an important part of your practice meetings and induction. We have a unique template tool which helps you give confidence to the CQC that your practice is safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led.

In the next blog article, I’m going to discuss how the CQC are going to assess and inspect in 2015.

Here’s wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year,

Keith Hayes BDS

Clinical Director www.rightpath4.co.uk This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2015… anticlimactic or more to come?

It been a funny old year.  As you sup your Christmas tot, you might perhaps take some time to reflect? Pull a chair up, let’s while away a minute. It’s cold outside, so would you be kind and throw a log on the fire?

For a profession that should really be quietly under the public radar, and in the state of a ship sailing steadily and smoothly, the waters have been mighty choppy this year.  The raging CQC currents have by and large subsided, while the torpedo of the ARF, allied to the air strike that is Medico Legal costs arising from the FtP debacle, was a direct hit.

Tears or Tiers?

The winds of NHS “Tiering” are gathering, and forecast is that a storm will develop around the Prototype Contracts which has yet to peak.  The UDA unfairness continues to block out the sun, especially for those of you who by whatever means have run out of UDAs for the last 3 months.

Great Deeds for Christmas?

The GDC have, shall we say, come to our attention this last year in an unprecedented way. The present leadership of the GDC have shown themselves to be arrogant, intransigent, out of touch, and in an irony befitting of their Standards document, utterly without a care in the world about the profession.

I hope you have not been in a time warp and that the events of the last few weeks have not passed you by.

The GDC now finds itself on the wrong end of a judgement at the High Court. Do not believe everything you read in their oh-so-friendly e-mails – honesty and transparency are two things woefully lacking in this broken organisation. However, they offer a level of Spin for which a former Prime Minister would be proud.

The time has come, the walrus said…

In answer to your question “What next?” I suggest you ALL whizz over to the petition at the link below to sign your support for the resignation of Mr Moyes and Ms Gilvarry.  It is you, my friends who will keep this agenda alive – please do your bit. Responsibility must be acknowledged and frankly after this last few months, there can be no other honourable way.

There are 36000 Dentists and if you do nothing else to support your profession this year, please sign it.  Unless of course you think the GDC are spot on and a fine example of public body efficiency…

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION

Please visit https://www.change.org/p/gdc-gdc-leadership-resignations-needed-the-courts-and-profession-have-spoken

Better Deeds for All?  

Go’arn, go’arn, go’arn … you know you want to

But the BDA in contrast have risen to the challenge. If you are not a member, and can stretch to the additional cost, my commendation is at least throw them one year’s membership as a thank you for their action on your behalf. 

https://www.bda.org/strongertogether

Because of their resistance to the GDC steamroller, a process has been started at the political level which, in my opinion, will likely see some change driven by ministers over the next year. If you did not see the debate raised by our colleague Sir Paul Beresford, it is worth an hour of vCPD to see Mr Dan Poulter the Minister state unequivocally that in his eyes the GDC were bang out of order! This is the link
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=16685&st=11:00:00

A Christmas Truce?

As The Christmas season passes [and for those not so inclined, may it be an appropriately Festive one] it is time to stop worrying about matters dental and just chill out with your family & friends. If you are like me and prefer your own company, may the mountain that you climb offer perspective and energy. 

Perhaps we might find it in our hearts to wish all those at the GDC peace and goodwill.

So will 2015 quieten down?

We shall see. The agenda will change but it seems like there is much more to grab your attention on the way. To our young graduate colleagues, welcome to the funny farm and good luck coping with the massive changes that are brewing.

Be positive for 2015

Remember, the NHS is not the only outfit in town. Behind all the huff and puff of politics and the GDC qwankers¹, private practice is a driving example of modern, efficient small business, focussed absolutely on patient care through a strong relationship with the dental team, offering a route to lifelong dental health aided by some amazing CAD CAM technology. Indeed the Good Ship SS Private Practice has been quietly sailing around all the politics and as any members of it ‘crew’ will tell you, when you sit down with your patient and start building trust, the rest of the world melts away.

If you have half an inkling to start a process of being less, or indeed NOT dependent on the Government for your business income, why not use the next couple of weeks to plan your first step. With all the changes afoot, allied to a certainty that there will be no more money when they demand extra activity from you, it’s the least you can do for your patients.

Life without the NHS actually makes tolerating the GDC a whole lot easier! And without NCAS and spurious GDC referrals, you will be a lot less likely to have your FtP day . Hurrah!!

So 2014 is a wrap.

To all my reader my thanks. To all of you, a peaceful end to the year and remember … they’re only teeth !  But they don’t ‘alf cause trouble, eh?

1                     http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Quanker
 

2                     Join the BDA at https://www.bda.org/strongertogether
 

3                     http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=16685&st=11:00:00

4                     Sign the petition seeking GDC Resignations at
https://www.change.org/p/gdc-gdc-leadership-resignations-needed-the-courts-and-profession-have-spoken
 

Hello All,

Ever since my selection as a Parliamentary candidate, I have been in touch with Tony (Jacobs) about this blog with my thoughts and experiences of the general election 2015, from the viewpoint of a practising dentist.

We have been looking back at my time with GDPUK and there is a fair bit to share!

I was first admitted to the e-group on 10th September 2000. That was a month before I sat my finals. 

I originally joined to follow how dentistry was practised in the UK. To follow advances in the field, to interact with fellow dentists in what was thother part of the world for me. 

I was mainly an observer back then, not much interaction until 2004 when Prof Raman Bedi visited Bangalore during his 2004 FDI India tour. He announced that he would hold a one time only sitting of the part 1 of the then IQE in India. That was an initiative to help solve the problem of a shortage of NHS dentists at that time in England. 

I sat the exam and waited for the promised clinical dental attachment which never came! Then I posted on GDPUK with queries about how things were for left handed dentists. I got some replies and a conversation began with Paul Thompson (Norwich) over the next few months in 2005 I got my clinical attachment  and arrived in the UK on 5th August 2005, a few weeks after the London bombs! I was having nightmares about the Jean Charles de Menezes shooting and as Paul will tell you, I did not wear a rucksack or even run to catch a bus for a few years!

I was to sit part B of the IQE on 8th August 2005, something I was totally unprepared for! It was then that Paul appealed to GDPUK members in London to help me with a few things. Victoria Holden from Chertsey responded, she opened her surgery on a Sunday and showed me what I wanted to learn! Vicki I will always be grateful for that day, thank you.

As expected, I failed that sitting! I had more trials and tribulations until I finally managed to pass the ORE a few years later. During that time I worked as a dental receptionist and dental nurse with Paul who remained steadfast in his support and then even worked as an SHO in Maxillofacial Surgery in Birmingham 2009-2010. I was again in observer mode with the GDPUK during those years. 

I returned to clinical dentistry in 2010 and have since worked in Middlesbrough, Hull and Stirling and now have experience of UDA and fee per item NHS systems and now of some private dentistry too. 

I have a lot to thank GDPUK for, for kindling my interest in the UK and in UK dentistry. For the networking which laid the foundations of a great professional and personal friendship with Paul Thompson. For people like Victoria Holden and Tony Kilcoyne ( good advice and an encyclopaedia of dental political knowledge ) . For Tony Jacobs who allowed me, a final year non UK dental student to join in 2000 and who has now invited me to record this blog. For all the members who have informed and entertained me over the years, and for a lot more in the future. 

Good Afternoon, yesterday (18/12/2014) was the busiest day in GDPUK.com history after the court case between the BDA & GDC. Read the latest news here.

Thanks all for reading and supporting this blog over 2014.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

If you are impressed by the fact that the ad banners received 150,000 impressions in one day, please get in touch about advertising in 2015. Contact details below! We would love to chat. 

Thanks all :) 

This November, Patient Plan Direct showed their support for Mouth Cancer Action Month by getting involved and making Wednesday 19th November 'Blue Wednesday' with the aim to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage by raising awareness of the risk factors, signs and symptoms, whilst encouraging people to discuss them with their dental professional.

Patient Plan Direct raised over £1,000 in aid of the campaign; donations flooded in from across the UK dental industry, with staff, partners and dental practices all donating to the cause.

The day involved the Patient Plan Direct team dressing up in all shades of blue as well as jumping on the blue lipstick selfie Twitter craze! Commercial Director, Simon Reynolds fulfilled his promise to be painted in blue body paint when donations hit the £1,000 mark; the results of which made for lots of laughs in the office.

Simon commented: ‘This was a great and fun way for us to support a very worthy cause within dentistry. It’s so important to raise awareness of a cancer that kills more people every year than both testicular and cervical cancer combined.’

Dr Nilesh R. Parmar’s ever-popular Ice White Charity Xmas Party came back with a twist in December, when over 300 guests arrived in RED at the Mint Leaf Lounge in Bank, London, to raise over £7,000 for the Children’s Trust!

Now in its third year, this spectacular event was a complete sell-out and guests from the dental profession were treated to live entertainment from BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ Marcel Lawson, whilst sipping champagne, enjoying the fun-filled photo-booth and admiring the impressive dental implant ice sculpture courtesy of sponsors Straumann UK.

Thanks to kind donations from Henry Schein Dental, Shen Products and BDS Laboratories to name just a few, the charity raffle featured must-have prizes including a corporate box at the New Year’s Day Tottenham vs. Chelsea match, an Apple iPad Mini, personal training session with Musclemania World Pro Ulisses Jr. and a sensual Spa Day.

Host Nilesh took to social media to express his gratitude for everyone returning for a third year, whilst guests posted supportive comments:

·         What a fantastic night we had!!! (Sic)

·         Thanks for the awesome party Nilesh R Parmar, I hope to be coming back next year. (Sic)

·         Cheers Nilesh - outstanding effort, execution and delivery from you. That DJ played some wicked tunes. (Sic)

·         Thank you for organising it again Nilesh - your hard work greatly appreciated! I had an amazing time! (Sic)

The Children’s Trust is committed to providing rehabilitation, education, therapy and care at their specialist centre in Surrey for children suffering from brain injury. Tracey Poulton, Fundraising – Special Events Co-ordinator commented: “All proceeds raised will go towards making a difference to not only children suffering from life-changing injuries, but also their family and friends.”

For more information, please visit www.drnileshparmar.com, or call 01702 467133.

Twitter: @NileshRParmar

Facebook: DR NILESH R. PARMAR

http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk The Children's Trust Charity Registration 288018

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! What have I gone and done?
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number One.
I tried so hard to put his interests well before mine,
But he works shifts and wanted me on Sunday at half-nine
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes oh crumbs! Now I’m in the poo!
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Two.
I tried to communicate effectively, I really really did.
But he's a Glaswegian Kiwi and I couldn’t understand what he sid.
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! They’ll hang me from a tree!
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Three.
I thought consent was valid, I really talked it through,
But his Uncle’s anti-fluoride and now they’re going to sue
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! They’ll strike me off for sure
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Four.
His wife checked his appointment, the nurse said he wasn’t in
He was knocking off his secretary, committing carnal sin
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! They’ll boil me alive!
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Five.
Anyone can complain to us, be it grumble, moan or wail
We thought me made it pretty clear, but we don’t have them in Braille!
Does an FtP await me?


Oh cripes, oh crumbs! They’ll torture me with sticks!
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Six.
I referred her to a Specialist, one I’ve used a lot,
But she wanted to see another one, and now I’m in a spot
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! This is DLP’s heaven
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Seven
I thought I could root fill a tooth, but I’m not able to you see
There are many many lawyers who know much much more than me!
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! Is another career too late?
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Eight.
I thought her weight loss was down to a calorie controlled diet
I didn’t know she was under stress and I shouldn’t have kept quiet
Does an FtP await me?

Oh cripes, oh crumbs! Open the bottle of wine!
I’ve only gone and broken GDC Principle Number Nine.
I try to be upstanding, honest, good and true,
But I follow the GDC’s example – now that JUST WILL NOT DO!
Does an FtP await me?

Mike Ingram

Dentist Kirkwood recently paid a visit to Pulpdent’s HQ in Boston. Here, he shares his experience with readers….

Kirkwood Young qualified from the University of Dundee in 1978. Following graduation, he worked as an associate in Doncaster before starting Young’s Dental Practice in Yorkshire in 1981. The size of the practice has increased over the years and now focuses on providing private treatment. Young’s Dental Practice won the title Preventive Practice of the Year in 2009. Kirkwood gained the MFGDP in 1996, was a VDP trainer between 1997 and 2004, and lectures on the topic of minimal intervention dentistry (MID).  

ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE products combine all the benefits of composites and glass ionomers without the disadvantages, delivering strong, aesthetic, bioactive products that mimic the physical and chemical properties of teeth. Bioactive materials are moisture friendly, interact with saliva and tooth structure, release and uptake calcium, phosphate and more fluoride than glass ionomers, and react to changes in the oral environment.

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

Kirk Young is an advocate of minimal intervention dentistry. On this he says: ‘It is something we strive to achieve in our practice, and I am always on the lookout for new products that may help us achieve our clinical aims. Not too long ago, I read in the dental press about a new bioactive restorative product that really piqued my interest.

‘I contacted Prestige Dental about the advertised product, ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE (Pulpdent USA), to find out more. Having benefited greatly in the past from seeing other dental companies’ manufacturing centres, not only was I interested in seeing ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE’s evidence base but also hoped one day to visit Pulpdent in the States.’

As it happened, Kirk was due to visit his daughter in Boston in the autumn of 2014 and, having put the idea of a visit to Pulpdent via Prestige, an invitation was extended to him and his wife Sheena, also a dentist.

On the day

It was a bright and early start for Kirk – just one day after flying over! Picked up by Larry Clark, Pulpdent’s Director of Marketing and Clinical Affairs, it wasn’t long before Kirk was touring the factory and discussing ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE at length with the people who researched and developed it.

Kirk says: ‘Something like that really reinforces what we had read about. It also gave them a chance to ask my wife and me what we thought of it. We now have a thorough knowledge of what it’s been tested for, the evidence behind it and the studies. We learned the uses for it and shared how we use it on a day-to-day basis for various things. I think it would be fair to say we all learned something new that day!’

More than meets the eye

One of the things that struck Kirk was how happy the staff appeared to be. From manufacture to shipping, everywhere he went he felt very welcome and got the impression that everyone was very proud be part of Pulpdent.

‘That’s always really interesting,’ comments Kirk. ‘When the people at the heart of the process seem happy with what they are doing, it really boosts my confidence in what’s on offer.’

Kirk was also impressed by the extent of Pulpdent’s range of products. From a fluoride varnish that is awaiting a licence to disposable mirrors, etching gels and calcium hydroxide, he and his team are now looking to use more of Pulpdent’s products than they had previously. In fact, armed with samples they’re off to a flying start at the practice in Yorkshire.

Says Kirk: ‘We were treated wonderfully by the people at Pulpdent and what I’ve learned is invaluable. Having materials like ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE – used as part of a total preventive, restorative and minimally invasive treatment plan – is a real step forward and, having seen how everything works over there in Boston, I couldn’t be more confident to take that journey with Pulpdent.’

http://www.prestigedental.co.uk/

@prestige_dental

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

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

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

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

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

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

For further information on this course, please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By the time you read this it will be less than a week before the Judicial Review hearing over the GDC’s setting of the ARF, and after the Special Meeting of the LDC’s unanimously held a Vote of No Confidence on the GDC. That vote was excellent timing in my opinion, as it was the last piece in the jigsaw of No Confidence coming right before the Judicial Review.

The thought of having to appear to defend yourself legally when you don’t think you’ve done much wrong (or indeed anything wrong) is an increasingly familiar feeling amongst our profession, judging by the sheer increase in the number of our colleagues having to go through a similar adversarial situation. I truly hope there is now some realization amongst the higher echelons of the GDC of how it feels to have your career under threat.

After all, no matter what the result, its not a great addition to your CV when you have to add you were in charge when an entire profession voted No Confidence in your Leadership, and you headed up the first regulator to be taken to court by those it regulated. I wonder if the (unfortunately fictional) General Quango-crats Council ever impose conditions like the GDC do to make you inform future employers aware of what cases are pending or have been found against you?

The difference of course though is that if we showed the same degree of arrogance and lack of insight then that would be held against us by the regulator. They continue to show no insight that they might be doing something wrong; a vote of No Confidence from the LDC’s is the latest in a long line of similar votes and their response to that was as predictable as usual; once again failing to acknowledge the levity of the issue, that they were surprised, and repeating the mantra of saying they want to work with us to improve patient safety.

Unfortunately the judiciary are not going to be able to take into account these votes of no confidence; their remit is only to see if the correct legal process has been taken by the GDC in setting the ARF, and will not be influenced by our opinion of the regulator. Win or lose though, Pandora’s Box has now well and truly been opened by the BDA’s action.

Next Monday’s decision is critical in many ways, but almost irrelevant in others. Let me explain why I think that. In my opinion, if the BDA lose, then all that really happens immediately is we pay the increased ARF. Nothing else was going to change with a regulator with leadership that will not accept it is wrong. It does mean that the GDC will continue along the path it has chosen with renewed vigour, but that actually won’t make much difference to the registrants who live in constant fear of falling foul of the GDC’s interpretation of the law.

And what if the GDC lose? Does anyone really expect the current leadership to resign or admit they are wrong? One thing that has become apparent over the past few months is the lack of accountability and insight that organizations like this display, so my bet is that the current management will retire to lick its wounds if it is defeated, but not fall on its swords as would be the honourable thing to do.

So that’s why the result is almost irrelevant as whatever the decision, the fight must continue to bring the GDC to order. That is only likely to be done by putting them under ever increasing pressure no matter what happens next week.

So, on the other hand, the decision is critical in that it has to be the beginning of the tipping point against the GDC. This feeling within the profession will NOT and must not go away, because the fear that the GDC is instilling in all practitioners that the slightest infraction will lead to a draconian and disproportionate response is ruining patient care. When we practice so defensively that our first thought is to protect ourselves, then we cannot truly be acting in the best interests of the patient. Why can’t they grasp this concept? Is our profession really so bad that 15% of us deserve to have a fitness to practice case against us at some point? No it is not.  And this injustice is what we should continue to fight.

The GDC is also going to be subject of an Adjournment Debate this week, and whilst MP’s are usually conveniently unaware of dental problems in much the same way as our patients unless something happens to focus their attention, the fact that this issue has now appeared on their horizon is notable. Traditionally the profession doesn’t tend to get the kind of hearing they would like in Westminster due to the influence of the Department of Health. This debate might be different however as it is not about contracts and the NHS for once.

This is why it is now so important that the recent votes of No Confidence and the Judicial Review in particular are broadcast to a wider audience. Never has a regulator been so roundly condemned to such a degree as this before, and the MP’s must now be made aware of the strength of feeling in profession. This is the kind of pressure that brings change. Some might say that change could bring in a worse situation to the one we are not in. Really?? Could it get much worse when you already live in the fear of losing your career over a single patient complaint?

One wonders if the GDC Christmas party will be on hold this year; one of my previous blogs suggested the GDC would be running out of cash round about now, and given the tone of the ARF reminder emails that many of us have received this week, there seems a desperation to get some cash into the coffers fairly swiftly. I don’t think for a minute there is any compassion or helpfulness behind those emails to remind us to pay our ARF; if they had either of those virtues they would have come up with solutions to help registrants pay monthly, or not act so swiftly to erase for non-payment, and not continued blindly on the course they have chosen. No, this is a cashflow issue in my opinion, and possibly quite a desperate one.

Its perfectly possible they’ve run their reserves so low this time that they won’t be able to spend as much on the Christmas party as previous years – which a recent freedom of Information response reveals was about £80,000 of our money between 2007 and 2013 (including summer events). I know they are currently having a laugh at our expense, but should they be having a party funded by us as well?

So I think the GDC’s ship is heading into a perfect storm this week; starting with Questions in Parliament, then the Judicial Review, and finally the starving of its cashflow by our cancellation of direct debits, means now is not the time to sit back and wait for something to happen, but to continue to exert pressure on the beleaguered Executive and Council. This need not only be via organizations like the LDC’s and the BDA, but also by registrants as individuals taking whatever action they can professionally, ethically and legally.

After all, a ship sailing through a Force 10 Hurricane isn’t likely to appreciate a few well-aimed torpedoes is it?

In this weeks "digital dentistry" blog, we would like to look at comments we regularly encounter about gdpuk.com. We have provided answers to those statements in the blog below, that we believe will bust the myths about our site and change your perception of gdpuk.com.

"The same people use the forum"

We agree that a number of people post regularly (true of any successful community) but in 2013 we had 958 different contributors to our forum discussions and in 2014 we expect to have over 1000 different contributors from all over UK Dentistry. We believe that such a huge amount of expertise, information and opinion is unbelievable! This varied interaction makes the forum vibrant, controversial and inspirational, everything you want in a successful community.

"The forum contains arguments and negativity."

Yes the forum does contain arguments and disagreements but a bit of controversy keeps the community moving forward and our members logging onto the site! Overall, our threads receive positive feedback, encouragement or helpful information. The site is professional (helped by members using real names) so information can be shared plus opinion or outrage can be discussed in a secure environment (CQC, GDC etc).  This helps to create a credible, thriving and growing community. The majority of our users find the site an incredible and positive medium.

"Dentists don’t go online."

We heard this comment recently at a dental exhibition from someone who shall remain anonymous. They believed that dentists prefer to read trade magazines and books and don’t use the internet. Dentists are no different to the rest of the UK population and use the internet to book holidays, buy clothes and interact on social media. GDPUK is a major part of thousands of dentist’s daily lives; we have thousands reading the daily digest email or forum on a daily basis. We believe dentists are using online dental websites on an increasing basis, especially because they can use social media to interact with each other on a regular basis. Using dental sites means that friendships can be formed with colleagues across the country.

"Banners on the site aren’t noticed"

We have just under 8000 members, a number we are extremely proud of.  Our members are constantly logging in and out of the site all day long, often between patients or during lunch breaks. This means our banners often receive tens of thousands of impressions on a daily basis. At the start of December 2014, we started running a campaign for a company that helps practices with their CQC visits. As part of their advertising campaign they are running a survey on gdpuk. Link here. In the first 8 days , the survey has received 65 completed responses, which we believe is a fantastic response. The company have used a simple campaign of email and forum banners, which have received 126 clicks and just fewer than 54,000 impressions in 8 days. We believe that this is an amazing example of banners being noticed and with the right message, action being taken by our readers.

Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoyed this short blog. We hope you can look at GDPUK.com as a positive influence in UK Dentistry. If you would like further information on how to work with the site, please get in touch. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tax and duty

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

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

Small businesses

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

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

Savings

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

Pensions

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

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

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

A pantomime in so many parts, so many ways  …

Opening Sing-a-long

T’is the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-lah
GDC have got your lolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-lah

Enter Widow Cockcroft, the ghost of Dentistry past

Ah, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, will you just look at that Christmas tree – and who’s that on the top I see?  Is that little Angel Evlynne? My that spiky tree looks painful… and she’s no angel, children believe me.

What a pantomime this is.  Welcome to our very special Dental Land of Panto [DLP … grown up joke …. Never mind ]

Dr Mick – are you out there – yes children, look – there he is going into that nice big Law Court. Wave him goodbye will, you. Wish him luck Good Luck Dr Mick. A big cheer now … HURAAAAAAH! 

He’s going to fight that nasty Baron Moyes and his henchperson the Wicked Witch

Do you know the story of the bad Baron? He was such a weak Baron that he failed to see how he was hurting the people who lived in Dental Panto Land. He taxed them and taxed them to the point where all they could do was…   well, in the end children, they did pay their taxes otherwise they would lose their jobs and starve. It was very unfair especially on the young members of the Dental Panto Community. It was unfair on the old as well, and any one with children – actually, it was unfair on everyone!

It was all the fault of the Wicked Witch really. She was a Lawyer at heart - - do we have any Lawyers here children? A big boo for all lawyers shall we ?

1  …  2  … 3   … BOOOOOOOOOO

Ooh that’s better.  Lawyers use the law that their friends made to take the Dental money too. Isn’t that nasty and spiteful children? BOOOOOOOOOO. We all know a bunch of baddies don’t we children? They are called the Dental Law Partnership. BOOOOOOOOOO!!

Things got so bad that an emergency council of Local Dental Committees was called.  All the brave souls, they all got on their White Chargers [ Well, GNER , Cross Country Trains and the odd Porsche mainly] and rode to a secret meeting place – well actually a nice gaff in Cavendish Square conveniently underneath the offices of that nice Dr Lewis at Dental Protection.

He will look after you children.

The second half children is going to be very exciting. Shall we all giver a big cheer for Dr Mick and the LDC Merry Gentlemen and Ladies ? 

1  …  2  …  3  …  HURAAAAAAH

Shall we all sing another carol?

God rest ye, merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay,
The G D C have done you over
for it’s cut your pay

[All]
Oh tidings of penury and Moyes
Pen’ry and Moyes
Oh, tidings of the ARF, Oh joy

Stage note:  The pantomime continues until … well for ever, really!

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

Package includes:

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

All for £25.00 per person.

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

Further information available here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kate was also impressed with the handling and aesthetics:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pantomime season with a Grimm warning   

I’ve had a busy couple of days and upset some applecarts; perhaps I should apologise if I have bruised any fruit?

On Friday the 21st, I spent an interesting day in Corpus Christi College, in Cambridge with my fellow NADA (National Association of Dental Advisers) colleagues as well as a selection of the great and the good and quite a few of our younger dental colleagues who had come along for the verifiable CPD and to find out what sort of profession they were entering into.

Sarah Rann (assistant medical director East Anglia Area Team NHS England) kicked off proceedings by asking us and then telling us what we should be doing as National Dental Advisers. The only aspect that she missed off her list was influencing the Regulators, (aka upsetting the established applecart by proffering an expert opinion).

We were then treated to a relatively complimentary double act between Barry Cockcroft and John Milne’s views on Contract Reform. There was a large amount of agreement even concluding with synchronised retirement from their respective roles early next year. Barry emphasised that ‘access’ was less of a political hot potato now than it had been and he saw this as one of his successes during his tenure. John talked about the impact of pilots and possible implications.

A little local difficulty about a dental practice not far from Nottingham was briefly mentioned.

A question regarding access to certain less privileged groups was aired and this is where I must apologise. I raised the question of ‘access to what quality of care?’ And I then asked ‘who was responsible for the World Class Commissioning of such ludicrously large and unmanageable contracts?’

Well there was a stunned silence and poor Barry looked like he had been stabbed in the chest. Fortunately John was on hand to ride to his rescue and acknowledge, although not answer the question and then draw stumps on this part of the meeting.  

We were treated to some joined up thinking from David Geddes (National head of primary care commissioning) who discussed intelligently and without too much smoke and mirrors what the future 5 year plan may mean to dentistry, please read this if you haven’t: http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/futurenhs/

Amanda Crosse (consultant in Dental Public Health) went a little off piste with her unguarded comment regarding perhaps planning to have dental NHS commissioning overseen by CCG’s. An interesting idea which seemed to irritate the level headed David and which he was forced into backtracking a little.

David Behan was cut short, the previous part of the agenda having overrun by 50 minutes meant that David only had 10 minutes to get his message across about the new CQC. He did it very well I thought and was only sorry that it was necessary to tell the gathered throng of dental advisers that he was disappointed in their union attitude to pay and perhaps we would like to put something back into the profession. He was having no more of discussing an inflationary fee. Actually I agree and am happy to spend my time for free advising the CQC.

This is where all of you come in…...’Efficacy and the CQC inspection, on the right path now? ‘It’s your opportunity to get the message across and its coming to GDPUK soon.

 Poisoned apples for ‘afters’………..,

The afternoon was devoted to a Brother’s Grimm pantomime about a dodgy dentist with decontamination and NHS gaming tendencies, played brilliantly by Bryan Harvey (DDU), who was frighteningly good at getting into Character.  We were assured that this was not based on any recent situation and I pointed out that it couldn’t have been, since they failed to notify the Press or recall 22,000 terrified patients…., Oops!

The GDC on this NADA inspired day was represented by Mike Ridler (Head of Hearings) who displayed distressing figures on FtP hearings.  Mike expressed his inability to understand the reasons since in his experience there had not been an associated decline in professional standards. Somebody in the audience mentioned that it might have something to do with National advertising?!! Mike did not wish to be drawn further on this.

He obviously didn’t feel inclined to join in with the GDC pantomime either and suggested that if anyone wanted to talk about other ARF type issues they could do this individually later, although it wasn’t his ‘field.’ He then failed to answer the other questions, since they weren’t his field either.   

The meeting closed with another unplanned shedding of apples just as stumps were drawn and flat hats were on; Jason Stokes leapt up on stage and shouted that if the younger members of the audience felt slightly dismayed by opinions voiced by the demobbing great and the good; NOW is the time to make their voices heard. Oyez, oyez!

Keith Hayes

Right Path Ltd

As we approach the final month of 2014, people start to wind down for the year and we all start looking at the year ahead. We focus on setting targets, goals, wishes and budgets for the year ahead.

Before you start looking too far into the future we thought we would let you know, that we have a small number of advertising opportunities on GDPUK in December.

Do you have a course you are looking to promote in early 2015?

A new product you have launched and you would like some extra promotion?

You may have December offers of your own that need a push?

Whatever your reason, we have a few spaces left on the site in December. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we may even surprise you with a festive price!

Did you know?

December has always been one of the busiest months on gdpuk. Dentists constantly use the forum and share expertise throughout the holiday period, which even includes Christmas day for some!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inspiring change

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

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

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

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

Educational opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recognition

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

Even more

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

Make sure you don’t miss out

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

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

No one with anything to do with dentistry could have escaped from the news in Nottinghamshire this week about the cross infection standards at a practice there over the years. This is my neck of the woods, so I can perhaps write with a little more insight than others who are out of the area.

The complete facts have yet to fully come out, but it seems clear there was enough of an issue perceived by the powers that be to recall 22,000 patients, and in doing so scare the living daylights out of a fair number of them.

But given the facts that are available, and not in any way condoning the actions of the dentist involved (whatever they may turn out to be), this brings up a more sinister undercurrent to the whole matter the really should be exposed.

It’s in the public domain that this practice had a UDA contract of 29,000. The last update of the NHS Choices website in 2010 for the practice shows a single performer at the premises where the contract was held.

29,000 UDA’s for a single-handed practitioner? Who in their right mind commissioned that number? That’s like contracting your dental nurse to do a 240 hour week and then washing your hands of the problem when it all goes horribly wrong. She’s either stupid or greedy (if its paid hourly) for accepting, and you’re an idiot for thinking its possible. Even if she gets a mate to help out, its NOT POSSIBLE.

It sounds like this has been going on for some time as well. It’s entirely possible this has been the case since the beginning of the contract.

Ok, the rumours flying around are that there was also a part time associate, but even so, it is still not an achievable number to do with any degree of quality, safety, and ethics.

The person(s) who commissioned this at the PCT, and latterly the LAT, and continued to do so over the years remains anonymous and unanswerable at the moment.

Because they have to take a share of the responsibility for this situation. Its one thing if a dentist decides to act in a certain way; there is the ultimate sanction of our regulator the GDC erasing us, but its another thing when the Unanswerable and Untouchable contract managers in their PCT/LAT towers make decisions solely based on targets being met and box ticking. As I have already said, if the registrant has brought patient safety into jeopardy then there should be the full and appropriate weight of our regulators applied to protect the public.

But how can it be remotely possible that SOMEBODY at the contracting level didn't think there was something odd about such a small practice having such a huge contract? Did they knowingly turn a blind eye in their quest for access? If so they surely are culpable to some degree for what has happened. If they were blissfully unaware that 29,000 Uda’s is a ludicrous target for that practice, then they should be given a job more suited to their skills. May I suggest if that is the case then an audit into how many paperclips the PCT/LAT have used in 5 years would be more the level of their ability.

This is our Mid Staffs. Clinical staff being driven by targets, (which may or may not in this case have a personal motive by the dentist from a financial point of view - we can only speculate) which are quite frankly unachievable with any degree of quality, and patient care therefore suffers.

Unfortunately, the managers commissioning would appear to have gone blind for a period of time and will probably get away with having any culpability attached to them. Their lack of vision and insight is ironic when you consider they are also usually responsible for optical contracts too. (Perhaps they have no teeth when it comes to problems with those contracts!)

However, Mr. Moyes at the GDC wants to broaden their remit to regulate even more.

Might I be so bold as to suggest that ANYONE involved with dental contracting has to be registered in the future with the GDC from a patient safety point of view.

From the Assistant Deputy Assistant Manager’s Deputy to the Assistant Manager (have you noticed how long these names get for people employed in LATLand?) right up to the Directors, they should all be included. The BDA should press for an addition to the Dentists Act whilst the Section 60 order is going through consultation and get these people included on a register. Charge the LAT a flat rate, (How about £890 for Directors and £116 for the others to start off with?). Then, when something like this hits the fan, THEY can be held responsible at least in part for the damage to patient care that results. Sanctions to them can be the same as us, suspension, or erasure. In one fell swoop you would then solve the employment issues that means some people can’t be got rid of in the normal manner. Not registered? Can’t work. End of.

Some will argue it is the dentist and only the dentist who is unilaterally responsible for issues such as we see here. If so, then these people have nothing to fear from registration. However, I think you find most of those who think this at the moment will probably be doing it from the comfort of a nice office somewhere in LATLand or some other associated organisation.

And what of the whistleblower? If someone has been party to the goings on at this practice for a period of time and has only reported it lately, why are they not implicated in the failure prior to the whistleblowing? Is this a negotiated immunity from implication in the problem? If it is, I’ll bet the Rottweilers at the GDC won’t see it that way if their name ever comes out and they are a registrant. If they don’t, then they the GDC are guilty of double standards. Given some of the recent charges levelled at registrants and how spurious they seem to us, I’d have thought any professional remaining in a practice as bad as has been made out for more than 20 minutes on their first day would have to be implicated just by continuing to work; a tacit acceptance of poor standards with the intention of whistleblowing at some point in the future wouldn’t be much of a defence I’d have thought.

And if its only been so bad recently that the whistleblower has only just had grounds to report and is therefore exonerated, then why say it has been going on for 30 years and involves 22,000 patients?

Which means Public Health England and the CQC shouldn’t escape criticism either; The CQC report on their website doesn't fail the practice at the level of needing immediate enforcement action, and closing it, but at the level of requiring improvement, which allows an action plan and to remain open. So should the CQC have gone further and sanctioned a close down if there was such a huge risk of viral transmission? Either the inspector is wrong in not closing it down, or the PHE/LAT have blown it out of proportion. Between them all they remind me of Corporal Jones from Dad’s Army running round in circles shouting ‘Don’t Panic’, whilst simultaneously causing the local population to do just that.

To reiterate, I am not in any way defending or condoning the actions the practitioner involved, and do not know him. If there has been a breach in safety and patients have suffered an increase in risk at the hands of one of our profession we should do the right thing and deal with it swiftly and publicly.

However, I suspect once again there has been virtually no real dental input into this situation, and its probably the Untouchables who have set all the balls in motion as a result of the whistleblower’s video.

So, Mr. Moyes, you want to broaden your remit? Might I suggest you clarify the definition of regulation (since your recent answers at the Parliamentary Committee meeting suggests you aren’t very sure about what regulation is) and get your remit broadened?

When you do, you could do worse than look at this case for some names to get you started.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What a great testament to the powers of humanity is the Rosetta comet chaser and viewing project. Not only a great success for the co-operative that is the European Space Agency, but for mankind., and an advertisement for human teamwork. Launched way back in March 2004, this craft has used a few slingshot manoeuvres around planets to gain speed on its 4 billion mile journey to reach Comet 67P at the planned time, travelling at the same speed as the spinning, irregular lump of rock.

The concept must have been dreamt up way back, maybe ten years before its launch, and the thinking and planning must have been so detailed. Then the team working from MUSC in Koln must have had  a seemingly endless ten year wait for this week to arrive.

But consider the team work, design, manufacturing, planning, mathematics and forethought that must have gone into this project over the best part of two decades. The distances involved, the risks of failure were massive, yet this team have got the craft to land on the planet, and even though it has bounced around in the micro-gravity there, it is communicating electronically to the base, where witty tweets are being posted in many languages. https://twitter.com/philae2014

And just think - Twitter wasn't a twinkle in anyone's eye when Rosetta was launched!

Even though now the lander is under the shadow of a cliff, and has lost battery power, it might get some daylight and re-charge itself. 

The comet itself is larger than one might think, around 3 kilometres by 5 kilometres, it rotates around each 12.4 hours, and takes around 6.4 years to orbit the sun

The goals of the mission are to look at the structure of the comet's core, its chemical and mineral composition, measurement of the comet's other phyical properties, an observation as the comet approaches the sun.

Let's congratulate the ESA team, hope for more successful results and images from Philae whilst anchored!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_(spacecraft)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Rosetta_spacecraft
http://dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10394/

Disastrous events have and will still occur in dentistry, despite being, in the UK, the most over-regulated profession. But my question in this "open-letter" blog is not just about the right touch of the regulators, but about who runs and who controls the regulators.

In the good old days, the regulators of the professions were drawn from the professions themselves, people of good standing who were willing to put themselves forward, possibly by election or appointment, and it was the case that many good people did indeed come forward.

During the last twenty years, or less, political theories developed suggesting greater and greater roles for the lay members' control of regulators, and my strong contention is that the pendulum is proven to have gone too far away from professional input and control. In other words the regulators have visibly and clearly lost touch.

Regulators insist that professionals show insight into themselves. As professionals, do we educate ourselves correctly, probe our own weaknesses and failings, educate ourselves away from those weaknesses?

But have the regulators shown any form of insight? I also contend, in a very short time frame, the lay element just do not have insight of the profession. How it ticks, how practitioners think? Do they know? How new professional problems are viewed and solved? Intelligent people, as professionals, are put into the rapidly shifting sands of a hightly regulated and inspected system, how do the professionals respond to all those influences, and how do they cope? Do the lay regulators pick this up? How? GDC regulators, the people making the policies have now become so detached from this they have no idea at all. That detachment has been so vividly apparent this summer and autumn, with the GDC remaining with its' collective head deeper and deeper in the sands of 37 Wimpole Street.

Dentistry is also regulated by the Care Quality Commission [CQC]. The CQC early engagement with dental profession was disastrous. In many ways the initial relationship between the CQC and the English dental profession could have served as a case study in how not to engage, a manual on how to alienate. Even in 2014, when CQC have pronounced that dentistry in England carries a low risk for patients and inspections will be made each 5 years, the early alienation created by CQC remains at the forefront for the profession.

The style of CQC speakers, tasked with communicating to dentists in around 2010, was bullying, harrassing and when they saw the dental audience was visibly angry, they invoked the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and said they will do what they want, the law says they can. No negotiation, no compromise, no concept of listening to the senior dental people they were visibly insulting.

They got it wrong then and things may be improving [with added DENTAL input] but the D'Mello case shows how the CQC were getting it wrong. The report on that Mansfield practice shows an inspection was passed, but the main concern was that the mops were the wrong colours. ^[1] [For those who do not know, a system exists, which all dental practices must follow - mops used for the floors in each room must be the right colours, and cleaners educated and make tick charts of the use of the mops in differing areas.]  ^[2]  However, the lay CQC inspector did not note other more worrying aspects, such as, this dentist was seeing, to meet the demands of that particular NHS general dental contract, around 55 patients per day.

Even assuming a full 8 hour day, and knowing all professionals flag after a long day of executive processes and clinical decision making, that is close to seven patients per hour, an average of less than nine minutes per consultation. And we know some of those visits must have been for treatment, not just examination. And dear reader, think about the time it really does take for a patient to enter a room, take off their coat, say hello, be quizzed about their medical history, examined, explained, full informed consent given, explanation of costs, then final greetings, rinse, stand, coat back on. Could you do this in around 8 minutes? This is without allowing for the natural breaks in the day. Even if this dentist worked 10 hours every day, that only gives 12 minutes per patient, including treatment, day after day, hour after hour.

I omitted one thing here - time for cross infection control, several minutes each patient - and this was the thing D'Mello is now notorious, having been proven to have cut this essential aspect out.

But the lay inspector missed this massive aspect of how this practice was being run, something a dentist might not have picked up, but it is much more likely a dentist would have seen in a long, detailed, inspection visit.

So my words for politicians, civil servants, British Dental Association negotiators, and Department of Health; reforms of dental regulation are needed again, and do not cut the corners this time. We need appropriate intellectual and professional input at all levels of new regulation processes that urgently need re-specifying.

Tony Jacobs.

[1] see appendix 1 p15 

[2] CQC report updated at time of suspension of dentist.

Image credit - John Morgan   under CC licence - not modified.

Many people do many extraordinary things in the name of charity. From the tried and tested classic of soaking in a bath of baked beans, to pouring a bucket of freezing cold water over their head, the lengths people will go to in order to raise money and awareness for worthy and deserving organisations are in every case commendable.

Often the more extreme the feat, the more exposure and recognition the charity receives. Whether it’s a group of celebrities climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or a well-known comedian completing 43 marathons in 51 days, we are all aware of those who have gone the extra mile in support of a good cause. However, these immense charitable challenges are not solely limited to those in the public eye.

On the 16^th November 2004, Bobby Grewal, Chairman of the India Association, embarked on a colossal and formidable task to raise money for a number of well-known charities. His incredible fundraising endeavour saw him trek 2,556 miles from Amritsar in the north-western tip of India to Kanyakumari, in the extreme south.

Described as ‘The Great Charity Walk’, over five months Bobby trekked across 10 states, covering an incredible 30-35 miles each day. Although the walk was both physically and mentally challenging it was completed on 14^th April 2005 and the India Association raised over £100,000, which was donated to Northwick Park Hospital for Cancer and AIDS research.

Now, Bobby has decided to return to India, embarking once more on an immense journey that will see him go ‘Full Circle’. Setting off from Kanyakumari, where he concluded his previous walk, he will make his way up the east coast via Chennai and Calcutta to his final destination in Delhi covering an unbelievable 2,600 miles.

Now in his 79^th year (Bobby will celebrate his 80^th birthday during the challenge), this will be no mean feat. He will have to endure extreme weather conditions and exacting terrain, while completing 20-25 miles every day in order to meet his targets. Along the way, Bobby will attend various publicity and fundraising events to help raise awareness of his task.

Each day begins at 04:30 as he aims to cover 12 miles by 09:00, he will then take a break until the late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day and complete the day’s walk by the early evening. Throughout his walk, he will be accompanied by only a single support vehicle and small team. His crew of four consisting of a PR manager, a driver, a chef and a physiotherapist, who will attempt to ensure he stays fit and healthy throughout the five months.

Completing this gigantic task, Bobby hopes to raise £1,500,000 for Save the Children and the India Association who will distribute the funds to other charities here in the UK and abroad.

A West London based charity, the India Association is committed to helping raise funds for worthy causes. The charity’s committee is made up of 300 volunteers who all share the same aim of ‘providing relief from poverty, sickness and distress to those in need’. Bobby has been Chairman of the India Association since 2001 and has so far helped the charity raise over £300,000 for a number of deserving charities including Help the Heroes, St Mark’s Research Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital. This next challenge looks to be his most impressive to date and has backing from a number of well known faces, politicians and organisations.

The Sterling Dental Foundation is part of the Sterling Dental Group and is proud to be one of those supporting Bobby’s Walk Full Circle.

The Foundation will provide practices and clinicians across the profession with support, advice and networking opportunities. The group is committed to supporting the dental industry through working closely with charities and other professional associations.

The Sterling Dental Group is fully supportive of Mr Modhi, the Prime Minister of India’s initiative to raise awareness levels of Oral Hygiene and Dental Education amongst people, especially children living in rural areas. We welcome dental practitioners to visit the new satellite centers whilst also supporting Save the Children.

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

Show your support for Bobby’s momentous challenge by attending the Sterling Dental Foundation Charity Ball at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London on 13^th December 2014. Book online early to avoid disappointment at www.sterlingdentalgroup.co.uk

Amongst our distinguished guests, our Guest of Honour is Professor Ian Hutchinson, BDS, MBBS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Edin), FFD RCSI, Consultant in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, St Bartholomew's and The Royal London Hospitals and Founder of Saving Faces Charity.  www.savingfaces.co.uk. 

To find out how you can help or to volunteer, visit www.sterlingdentalgroup.co.uk and register your interest online.  

To sponsor Bobby’s Walk Full Circle, please email Cara Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07985593147, or visit

www.indiaassociation.co.uk/bobbys-walk-full-circle

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

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

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

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

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

Each BrushPick offers seven discrete ways to clean teeth better:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Snowbird Finance Ltd

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

About Bill Carr

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

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

Contact

Simon Freeman, Managing Director

Snowbird Finance Ltd

Tel: 01932 874674

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Drink water between alcoholic beverages helps buffer their acidic potential

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

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

• Use a fluoride mouthrinse throughout the day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome to the safe side!

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

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

Convenient and fast

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

Fill-Up! Deep. Fast. Perfect. 

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

Follow Coltene on Twitter - @COLTENEUKLTD

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

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

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

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

Register online for your free delegate passes today!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About FDI

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

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

For more information, visit: www.fdiworldental.org

About World Oral Health Day

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

For more information, visit: www.worldoralhealthday.org

World Oral Health Day 2015 partners

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

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

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

Unilever

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

Henry Schein

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

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

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

Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP)

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

For more information, visit: www.wrigleyoralcare.com