The dental profession is in desperate need of minimally invasive methods of caries management – which is precisely where the CALCIVIS imaging system comes in.

Designed to aid first line detection and communication, the CALCIVIS imaging system is an advanced technology that helps practitioners identify and manage dental caries before a restorative approach is even needed.

The CALCIVIS system does this by effectively imaging active demineralisation on the surface of a tooth during its earliest stages. This information, presented in the form of a “demin map” gives dentists the chance to engage and commit patients to bespoke preventive treatments before irreversible damage is done to the teeth.

In this way, restorative or surgical solutions are made redundant, allowing practitioners to successfully conserve their patient’s natural teeth.

Scheduled for a late 2017 launch, the CALCIVIS imaging system is set to revolutionise the way UK dental practitioners manage dental caries.

To find out more, contact the team today.

For more information visit www.calcivis.com

Defining the Digital Revolution

The Digital Revolution is truly upon us – and nothing defines this more than the True Definition Scanner from 3M Oral Care. Let’s take a closer look:

• with a 99.7 per cent fit rate since launch, the True Definition scanner is one of the profession’s most accurate intraoral scanners[i]
• through the use of video imaging technology,[ii] the True Definition scanner can replicate the entire dental anatomy with optimum accuracy[iii]

Combined, this means better diagnostics, better restorations and better results.

To take part in the Digital Revolution, contact the expert team at 3M Oral Care today.

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

3M and True Definition are trademarks of the 3M Company. – NB to editors: this line must be included at end of editorial when published

Now in its third year, DentalForum UK 2017 proved to be a captivating event. Here, Luke Moore, Co-Founder of Dental Elite offers his insight into some of the points covered by the expert panel over the course of the two-day Forum held by OpenRoom in the Algarve, Portugal. The elite panel included: Julian Perry, Director of Strategy at BUPA Dental Care; Dominick Flanagan, Co-Founder of Centre for Dentistry; Steve Williams, Clinical Services Director at Mydentist; and Anushika Brogan, Managing and Clinical Director of Damira Dental Studios Ltd.

This year, the discussions were primarily focused on the current issues surrounding dental recruitment, and how they are beginning to affect the profession. Importantly, it is just not smaller, independent practices that are struggling to recruit, but the big groups and corporates too – even in the South East, which as we know wasn't really an issue before. Indeed, it’s a similar story for every dental business right now, but an example from the forum that I feel really highlighted the extent of the issue was from Anushika Brogan, Managing and Clinical Director of Damira Dental Studios Ltd, who revealed that a recently advertised role in Oxford attracted one candidate who had 10 other interviews lined up. When you consider that once upon a time practices could advertise in the BDJ and get inundated with CVs, it is clear to see just how monumental this problem has become.

As part of this much larger issue, the panel took a close look at how difficulty in getting a performer number has had a knock on effect on recruitment. Historically, companies have capitalised on sourcing new recruits from other European countries, but because of Capita’s shortcomings in processing performer numbers quickly and efficiently (in some instances it has taken as long as 15 months), it is becoming less realistic to do so. In our current climate, overseas graduates simply can't risk being out of work for that length of time – and where there has been delays in getting a performer number, you can guarantee this information has been passed on to colleagues back home. With 17 per cent of dentists currently registered with the General Dental Council from the EU,[i] a drop in European workers could have a dramatic effect on NHS recruitment.

Adding to this problem is the fact that most deaneries require European dentists to have at least six months vocational training, not to mention that finding a mentor is becoming increasingly more difficult. The role itself requires a lot of time and effort, particularly as there is a lot of administration involved, so there is a feeling of reluctance from many in the profession to take on this responsibility. And why would they, when they could be in the practice meeting targets and making money?

The panel also considered how the next wave of new graduates could affect the current marketplace moving forward. It was the opinion of some that the quality of clinical skills being taught in universities today is lower than in previous years. Graduates are also thought to have a greater fear of being sued than previous generations of dentists, which has ultimately affected their delivery of UDAs (many are thought to perform an average of 4,500 – 5,000 units compared to the expected 7,000). As a result, more and more practices are struggling to meet their UDA target, which has had an impact on profitability and the bottom line. This could spell disaster for underperforming practices in the long run, especially if it begins to affect goodwill values, as the panel predicts.

For practitioners looking to enter the practice property ladder, they may well experience recruitment issues as a result of this. We have already seen some of the big corporates take a step back from buying in certain places (such as Darlington and Middlesbrough) because of the ongoing issues – and this will only get worse if the problems continue.

From my point of view, practice acquisitions must be approached with caution for the foreseeable future, especially in those areas where we are seeing underperformance in UDAs. As for the recruitment market, there is no denying that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to fill certain vacancies in the UK. As you would expect this problem is even worse in rural areas, but even more urban areas such as Oxford and Bedford are beginning to be affected, which is something to watch out for going forward.

DentalForum UK 2017 certainly provided food for thought for my colleagues and I. Let’s hope that we begin to see more positive change – if you have any questions in the meantime, get in touch.

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

Author:- Chris Groombridge Managing Director 543 Dental Centre Ltd a member of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG)

The greater and more flexible use of skills mix is steadily becoming one of the most efficient and effective ways of improving treatment outcomes in the dental practice. Some of the dental practices making the most of this approach are ADG members (Association of Dental Groups) 543 Dental Centre, Alpha Dental Care and MyDentist, who are currently involved in the first wave of the In Practice Prevention (IPP) pilot programme. Oasis will also be taking part when the second wave commences in October.

Part of a regional programme developed by the Local Dental Network for North Yorkshire and the Humber in partnership with Local Dental Committees, Public Health England and Health Education England on behalf of NHSE, IPP’s aim is to help reduce dental decay in children aged between 3 and 16. So how does it work?

The programme requires general dental practitioners (GDPs) to signpost children identified as having decay or requiring a GA extraction to dental care professional led prevention clinics, where evidence based prevention is delivered over a defined number of appointments with prescribed evidence based interventions and messages. All pathways are delivered in parallel with the restorative work undertaken by the signposting GDP and the GA extractions provided by the community dental services, and uses flexible commissioning targeting existing contract value to deliver the programme in primary care.

Once a dentist has identified dental decay in a child aged 3-16, the patient is referred via one of four care pathways. These are divided into:

•     Children aged 3-6 with dental decay

•     Children aged 7-16 with dental decay

•     Children aged 3-6 requiring a general anaesthetic

•     Children aged 7-16 requiring a general anaesthetic  

Through their participation in this pilot, 543 Dental Centre, Alpha Dental Care and MyDentist (along with other dental practices and groups) will have the opportunity to maximise their full skills mix potential, helping to reduce the prevalence of dental decay at the same time. Oral health sessions include providing sugar and diet information in line with the ‘eat well plate’, offering healthy swap alternatives, as well as giving oral care advice and relevant oral hygiene instructions to both child and parent. The programme also involves the issuing of fluoride mouthwash to children over 8 years and the prescribing of high fluoride toothpaste to children over 10 years, with fluoride varnish applied every three months in high-risk cases.

It’s early days yet, but if implemented well there is no doubt that there is huge potential for the IPP to alter the behaviour and cooperation of children and improve the state of children’s oral health in Yorkshire and the Humber. As for dental teams, the initiative presents an unmissable opportunity to capitalise on the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach and effective use of skills mix.

The feedback has already been very positive from participating groups, particularly from nurses who have undergone additional training via Health Education England and Local Dental Network organised courses to deliver this evidence based prevention pathway to patients. “The IPP initiative is a team effort that gives dental nurses like me more responsibility,” says Julie Fountain, head nurse and lead oral health educator for 543 Dental Centre. “This has enabled me to extend my scope of practice and help even more patients.”

For the ADG and its members, this is good news – the Association has, after all, keenly championed the use of skills mix in the dental practice for some time now.

To find out more about the programme visit inpracticeprevention.org.uk

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