Dental teams should screen for diabetes and offer dietary advice in the global battle to control the onslaught of the disease.

World Health Day is on Thursday (7 April) and this year’s campaign focuses on the growing epidemic of the disease, looking at the causes, the costs and the need for prevention.

Some 350 million people around the world have diabetes and this figure is set to more than double in the next 20 years.

In a bid to halt the rise in cases of type 2 diabetes, in particular, Amanda Gallie, president–elect of the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT), is suggesting dental practices could – and, therefore, should – expand their health remit to include blood glucose testing, diet and wellbeing advice and motivating patients to better health habits, thereby minimising the risk of diabetes.

She said: ‘Preventive health care lies at the very heart of the role of the dental profession and, in primary care, we are better placed than most health providers to alert patients to the early signs of health-threatening behaviours as we see patients so regularly.

‘Offering in-practice screening for diabetes, in the form of blood glucose testing, not only adds value to the patient’s dental experience but also acts as a key marker regarding risk for pre-diabetics and can be a catalyst to discussions about the importance of good dental hygiene and other preventive measures.

‘When we consider the current financial restraints within the NHS – and the seemingly unstoppable increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes – the role of dentistry has never been so important in an overall health care. The government should consider funding these diabetes tests as an investment in the future health of a nation because, with regular screening, and education about preventive measures we can draw attention to this disease and keep the associated health risks at bay.’

Fiona Sandom, president of the BADT added: ‘Effective health promotion and prevention of oral disease, including supporting general health improvement activities around diet and nutrition, are key parts of what dental therapists do. Day in day out, they deliver oral health care that's evidence based while offering education about the risks of poor diet, and the dangers of smoking and excessive alcohol intake to patients, for example. As many of our members work closely with the public on a daily basis, they are in an excellent position to talk to people about their wellbeing and help them make healthy choices.’

This year, Philip Preshaw, professor of Periodontology and consultant in restorative dentistry at Newcastle University, is the keynote speaker at the BADT’s annual conference – From Cradle to Grey: Developing 21st century strategies for age-related oral care – taking place in Manchester on 23 and 24 September.

He will be addressing the clinical challenges presented by diabetic patients, will look at how the disease increases the risk for periodontitis and will offer an insight into the links between periodontal disease, diabetes and heart disease.

For more information, visit www.badt.org.uk

For more on World Heath Day, visit http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2016/en/

For more information, visit www.badt.org.uk or contact Julie Bissett on 079 39 89 09 72 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When it comes to selling a dental practice, no two sales are the same. From variations in goodwill to due diligence to the type of contract in place, each process is unique. The latter in particular can have a huge impact on the overall transaction, especially NHS practices with an orthodontic contract.

There is no doubt that NHS practices are highly sought after and they typically command higher prices than private practices. However, since the implementation of the dental contract reforms in 2013 – in place of the original 2006 framework – the process of selling a practice with an NHS orthodontic contract has become much harder. It is important to note that if you hold an NHS orthodontic contract, you most likely have a PDS agreement – and it is this not so small detail that will affect the way in which your practice is sold.

From PCT to LAT

The difficulty stems from the fact that unlike GDS contracts, a PDS agreement cannot be shared through partnership. When contracts were under management by PCTs the transfer was sometimes viable, as although there was provision for this within the drafting of the PDS agreement, most turned a blind eye to the absence of the relevant clauses, or simply didn’t know the difference! So what’s the alternative? Essentially, there are two possible pathways; you can either sell the assets or incorporate to sell the shares.

Gain Consent From NHS

The first way an orthodontic practice can be sold is though the sale of assets accompanied by a direct transfer of the contract between the seller and the buyer. However, this can only be achieved with permission from the LATs, which requires long and laborious negotiations. It is important to note that as the NHS is under no obligation to accept a proposal to transfer a contract, this is not a guaranteed route. In fact, this is incredibly rare as most are petrified of being challenged under the EU Procurement Regulations.

Incorporation

The other option is to incorporate the dental practice into a limited company structure, which means transferring the company’s assets as well as the contract to the limited company. By selling the shares to a buyer, the transfer can then be completed. Although incorporation is certainly a viable option for practices with an orthodontic contact, it is not one that comes without difficulty. Once an initial request has been made an LAT will consider each application individually based on its merits and key criteria. Only an approved application will progress to the next stage of being issued with a new PDS contract in the name of the limited company. As it stands NHS England Policy allows LATs to approve these requests but there are still local politics to deal with, and many try and refuse such applications. They can demand a benefit for the application, with the focus typically placed on how the incorporation will benefit the LAT itself rather than the practice. You guessed it – a price per Unit reduction! Thus, it would be prudent to accept that certain compromises may need to be made in order to incorporate, and later sell, a practice.

Lastly, it is important to note that if a PDS contract is permitted to become a limited company and a practice decides to sell, the LAT must give approval and produce what is known as a Deed of Novation. This is an agreement that transfers one party’s rights and obligations under a contract or agreement to a new third party. But what does this entail? The first section of the document that sellers should be aware of, is that the LAT will require a personal guarantee from the contractor that the contract will meet requirements and perform to the expected standard. Similarly, this is also a lifetime financial guarantee against under-performance – a guarantee that cannot necessarily be swapped to a purchaser at a later stage.

However, because of the way the Deed of Novation is designed, the LAT is not obliged to agree with the sale. Due to the change of control clause, any transference of share holdings of 10% or more must be approved by the LAT. While there would need to be a valid reason for the refusal, it’s an aspect of the process that is important to be aware of, as challenging the refusal is very difficult.

All in all, selling a PDS orthodontic contract is not a straightforward process – but it is not impossible. Seeking the advice of a trusted and experienced agency in this situation, such as Dental Elite, is therefore imperative, and will ensure that you follow the procedure to the letter.

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

Finding people with the right skills can be a common barrier for business stability and growth, but with the new Advanced Apprenticeship programmes you can select individuals from the local area and ‘grow your own talent’ in house.

The recently approved Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing has been designed by leading employers within the dental sector to train individuals in the specific skills that they need in order to prosper. The programme is delivered by Healthcare Learning, a leading supplier of dental education, in partnership with Barnet and Southgate College, which has successfully provided first class apprenticeship courses for many years.

Apprentices are trained using a combination of practical work-based learning and theoretical knowledge. The main part of the programme is the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing which is equivalent to two A levels. With on-going support from the provider, candidates are required to complete 15 mandatory units via paperless portfolio. This is delivered through high quality live webinars, interactive eLearning and online assessments from Healthcare Learning. This format means that delegates are able to gain the knowledge and understanding they need to perform their duties competently from any location within the UK.

Apprentices are required to attend just three to four classroom-based workshops over the 18-month course and on-going assessments take place in the workplace.

A clear advantage of apprenticeship programmes is that it allows practices to train capable dental nurses at the practice with very little disruption to business operations. Candidates learn in the work environment, developing the practical skills, experience and understanding they need to excel in their role. In addition, training your team through the new apprenticeship programmes is not expensive. The government has pledged to really drive apprenticeships forward over the next few years and currently candidates pay no fees and funding initiatives have been created to make the schemes both attractive and economical for employers.

The advantages for apprentices are numerous. Candidates have the opportunity to earn a salary and receive on the job training, gain a nationally recognised and industry standard qualification while learning the specific skills they need to succeed in their chosen career, all within their local area. Throughout the apprenticeship programme candidates will benefit from the support and encouragement of their employer and practice colleagues. They will also be assigned a course mentor and have access to comprehensive training support such as the Dental Nurse Education Zone (DNEZ) provided by Healthcare Learning, offering them additional help and resources needed to complete their studies and maintain their skills effectively. Upon completion, apprentices are able to register with the GDC and begin a professional career in dentistry and it also provides a means to progress and take further training in the future.

Apprenticeship programmes offer a fantastic opportunity for you to attract the best entry-level recruits directly from the local community. They also allow practices to build links to local schools and colleges and to the pool of skills needed to drive your business successfully into the future.

The Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing programme is delivered by Healthcare Learning and Barnet and Southgate College in London with start dates in early 2016 and periodically throughout the year.

For more information or applications contact Healthcare Learning

 Tel: 020 7400 8989

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

Contact Barnet and Southgate College at:

www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

020 8266 4000

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Millions of adults in the UK suffer from dental anxiety.[1] Manifesting in a number of different ways – from the fear of needles to the fear of the sound of the dental drill – dental anxiety is probably the main reason people forgo their regular check-ups.

Whatever the underlying reason, the implications of dental anxiety can be serious. If unchecked, it can lead to people avoiding treatment altogether which, as we all know, can have an incredibly detrimental effect not just on an individual’s oral health, but also their overall wellbeing.  

It also prompts some people into trying ‘DIY dentistry’[2] – from using cheap kits purchased from the internet to more drastic (and ultimately dangerous) methods like using superglue to reattach teeth[3] or using bow and arrows to extract them.[4]

That people feel the need to take such measures indicates the challenges faced by the profession and highlights just how important it is for dental practitioners to find better ways to overcome patients’ fears.

And there are many techniques that can be employed to this end. Perhaps the most recognised, and widely enacted, is the way in which the practice staff interact with their patients. This is particularly important at all stages of treatment, from first entering the practice and being welcomed by kind, approachable and attentive reception staff, to the actual treatment with a practitioner who is considerate, calm and receptive. Interpersonal skills are crucial when dealing with anxious or scared patients and getting to know them, striking up a friendly rapport and listening to their concerns will all help to put them at ease.

Physical environment also plays a major role in assuaging patients’ fears. Designing a dental practice to appear welcoming rather than clinical can immediately change the way in which a fearful patient assesses their treatment. By taking inspiration from spas and hotels, rather than hospitals or laboratories, dental practices can become areas of relaxation rather than sterile fear. This method is entirely viable and can be achieved relatively easily, while maintaining essential cross-contamination protocols.

Investing in high quality equipment can also be an incredibly effective approach. For example, dental chairs are increasingly being designed to offer exceptional comfort for patients. This can truly encourage them to relax – and, in conjunction with relaxing music, distracting screens and noise-cancelling technology, can produce significant results. What’s more, modern chairs can be adjusted smoothly, without any jerky movements or mechanical noise, which allows any work to be conducted calmly and comfortably.

Similarly, a flexible delivery system that can be manoeuvred behind a patient’s head will remove from view any instruments that might cause fear, while still allowing the practitioner to access what they need with ease.

A-dec is renowned for designing dental units that offer practical, reliable solutions to everyday issues. The range of chairs and delivery systems, such as the A-dec 500, offer unparalleled ergonomics for both practitioner and patient, and can transform the look and feel of your surgery.

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

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