The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Getting ready for your CQC or your RQIA inspection can be a demanding, time-consuming task. The experts at Apolline have all the training, skills and experience necessary to make the experience as stress-free as possible, while helping you and your team ensure your practice is fully compliant.

The Apolline Practice Compliance Audit involves a visit from one of Apolline’s experienced Practice Advisors, who will assess your practice for compliance and provide you with a gap analysis and a prioritised action plan to get you compliant.  Your Practice Advisor can also work with your whole team to make sure all team members are confident that they know what to say and do when the CQC or the RQIA inspector comes calling.

Apolline now also offers a half-day CQC Inspection Preparation training session that involves the whole team. One of Apolline’s expert Practice Advisors will ask your team the types of questions you are likely to be asked by an inspector and will also spot check a number of key areas e.g. decontamination processes, policies and protocols and safeguarding and child protection training and knowledge.

If you’re not sure whether your practice would benefit from the extra support, you can now visit the new Apolline website to complete the Compliance Self Assessment – a short questionnaire designed to identify how confident you are in your practice compliance.

The new website also outlines all the management, training and compliance services provided by Apolline. For more information, or for a no obligation quote, contact the experts at Apolline today.

Apolline - a company run by dentists for dentists and their practice teams.

For additional information or help and advice on any compliance issues, please call Apolline on 0114 209 6250 or visit the brand new website www.apolline.uk.com

Mrs Helen Love is the Senior Nurse and Practice Manager for Balerno Dental Care, a state-of-the-art dental practice based in Scotland.

“The practice has been using R4 Practice Management Software for about a year,” says Mrs Love. “I have been here for five weeks, so it is still very new to me.

“I use R4 for a lot of day to day tasks including appointments, scheduling, set up of clinics, patient accounts and registration of new patients.

“Having used other Practice Management Software, I’ve found R4 to be a lot quicker and more flexible. You can access information from a few different sources on your control panel, allowing you to choose your preferred method of carrying out a particular task.

“I called customer support recently because of a fault where the computer shut down and froze and we use it 24/7. Carestream Dental came back to me quite quickly and sorted it out. Having the remote access is very handy, especially because I’m new to the system and I don’t know the shortcuts yet. It’s important to be able to get back on track as soon as possible.”

For more information on R4 from Carestream Dental please call
0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

Ivoclar Vivadent’s ICDE 2^nd anniversary celebrations were back bigger and better for 2013, as over 200 dental professionals congregated at their state-of-the-art Leicester based UK and Ireland Headquarters, for an action-packed couple of days.

Attracting a pleasant mix of clinicians and technicians alike, delegates benefited from seeing the return of the superb clinician/technician duo James Russell and Rob Lynock. Taking to the stage on both days, James and Rob’s infectious chemistry saw them present another series of attention-grabbing case studies on how, through close teamwork, the excellent combination of the clinicians and technicians skills can ensure patients are provided with highly aesthetic, natural restorations. A variety of techniques to make conventional approaches more predictable and aesthetic were also shown.

With hands-on demonstrations from leading experts such as Rob Storrar, Jurgen Seger and Rob Endicott, alongside business-focused presentations from Laura Horton and Ashley Latter, to name just a few, delegates were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing from the comprehensive programme of practical lectures and inspiring seminars.

June’s much-anticipated event more than lived up to its high expectations with its supply of first-class speakers, and Ivoclar Vivadent ensured birthday celebrations carried on well into the Friday night with a lively party of eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment from the ‘Abba’s Angels’ tribute band.

For more information about future events please call the Ivoclar Vivadent Education team on 0116 284 7886 or visit www.dental-education.co.uk.

Facebook: Ivoclar Vivadent UK
Twitter: @IvoclarUK
YouTube: IvoclarVivadentUK

ProDentalCPD is one of the UK’s leading providers of high quality verifiable CPD from more than 2,000 authors – many of whom are distinguished experts in their fields. As a leading organisation in healthcare learning, ProDentalCPD features over 400 hours of peer-reviewed verifiable CPD (including all Core CPD) in text, video and audio formats.

Education is clearly important to Fay Griffiths, a hygienist who teaches the Diploma and NVQ for dental nurses in Wales and Hereford and works as an examiner for the Diploma. Fay has been doing her CPD with ProDentalCPD since May and the expanse of modules available has meant that she has made real headway towards achieving the remainder of her CPD hours. 

“ProDentalCPD has everything from diabetes, epilepsy, all the medical emergencies, infection control – even compulsory subjects like complaints handling,” says Fay. “And ProDentalCPD’s infection control course is the best I have ever seen in my life. I teach infection control and even I have learnt so much!”

ProDentalCPD strives to bring the highest quality CPD to its members with articles written by some of the most established names in dentistry. Fay agrees explaining, “I like verifiable CPD that is concrete and fool proof and with wonderful professionals like Shaun Howe RDH on ProDentalCPD’s editorial board, I just feel so comforted.”

The concept of e-learning has been designed specifically to fit around every dental team member’s working day. With ever-increasing time pressures and responsibility placed on dental professionals, having the opportunity to achieve the requisite hours of study can be difficult. “It’s good to go to courses to meet people,” says Fay. “But some people cannot go, many of these courses are just so expensive. ProDentalCPD is professional and convenient, and this is fantastic for dental nurses in places like rural Wales where courses may be difficult to reach.”

“I use ProDentalCPD all of the time,” continues Fay, “even in-between patients if there’s a quick half and hour. I can also retake the end of module assessments if needed.” This fits in with dental professionals’ clinical practice. “I have used ProDentalCPD everyday since last month, confirms Fay. “I have nearly done 40 hours already!”

With many DCPs embarking on a new CPD cycle this year, scheduling CPD around work and home life could be effortless with ProDentalCPD in the next cycle. By signing up to ProDentalCPD, members get a personal development plan (PDP) planner that allows them to map out their CPD for making the most out of training and reflective practice. Not only this, but members also have their own personalised homepage with Core CPD reminders and module recommendations suited to their CPD requirements.

Looking forward to the next CPD cycle, Fay is excited and reassured about her training and development. “I can’t wait until I start my new cycle,” concludes Fay. “I am going to do my online CPD three times a week. I am doing everything with ProDentalCPD.”

To learn more about high-quality e-learning solutions, contact ProDentalCPD on 0114 282 3509, or visit www.prodentalcpd.com

The thought of moving the premises of a practice can prove very exciting for a dentist. If put under pressure by the landlord or the limitations of the building that the practice currently operates from, a dentist may begin to take a look outside of their box and search for greener pastures. This can even turn out to be quite a practical solution. If the practice is set to move from premises that were once residential, reverting it back that way can be relatively easy and will increase the value of the property. However, it is an all too often occurrence that the over eagerness to move can result in this process being carried out much too hastily and this can have catastrophic repercussions.

When a dentist finds a plot of land or building that they like which appears to be redundant, they may find themselves getting very eager to dive head first into the project. A building that hasn’t been inhabited for some time may seem to harbour a lot of potential. The thought of renovating such a property into a stylish new dental practice can be quite enticing to a dentist and this enthusiasm can kick-start the project prematurely. The dentist will seek an agent to find out what the land or building will cost to buy, with the likely response from the agent being something along the lines of, “Go ahead, I’m sure you can get it”. This will usually trigger involvement from other services such as banks or a surveyor who will be bought in to draw up the area. The unfortunate thing is that all of this “progress” is usually made without making sure that the project is attainable. Firstly it will need to be checked if the project is viable in terms of construction and cost. Secondly it is necessary to establish whether or not the project will ever receive planning permission. Having jumped the gun without having first examined whether the project can even go ahead, a list of bills will already have begun to accumulate for the professional help that has been enlisted.

Finding out whether or not planning permission is likely does not always require plans to be drawn up or any other expensive services. All that needs to be arranged is a pre-consultation with the local authority. This is essential, as without planning permission the project will never happen. It is also wise to attain a price guide from a company who specialise in dental design, as they will be aware of the construction costs incurred when developing a new practice. Their experience will mean that they are qualified to provide advice as to what possibilities of the site are and roughly how much it will cost per m². Completing these basic early enquiries are essential as they can save a lot of money from being wasted should the project not get the green light. Considering how easy and inexpensive they are to accomplish it is a wonder than any project is embarked upon without this basic research taking place first.

This is the benefit of involving a specialised Architectural Design Service early on in the project. A company like such as Roger Gullidge Design will be able to assess the feasibility of a project both in both a construction and financial sense. This can involve anything from checking whether the property has D1 use on it and whether or not it is likely to receive it. This can also entail examining whether or not the building or patch of land will lend itself to a dental practice. For example, if your current practice has four surgeries will the new building be able to accommodate this? If it can’t facilitate the right number of surgeries, can it be extended? And subsequently, what will be the cost of this? Conducting a feasibility check is an economical decision as it will save time and money if it comes to light that the project was never in budget from the beginning. Carrying out a feasibility check may seem obvious, but many dentists put wheels in motion too quickly when the prospect of building a new dental practice presents itself.

There is an example of a dentist who wanted to move his practice for a whole abundance of reasons and found what he thought was the perfect building. It was within his budget and it seemed to fit the requirements of his practice. He hired a builder to take a look at the property and assess how much it would cost to develop and when the builder came back to him it was within his price guide. He then instructed the builder to have the building surveyed and have space plans drawn up. Then a specialist dental design company were introduced to the project and they put together some detailed surgery plans. Despite all of this professional involvement nobody had contacted the local authority to see if the building would be granted D1 use or if it was in a conservation area. After a meeting with the highway department it transpired that they wouldn’t allow access from the parking area of the practice to the main road as it would produce extra traffic to an area already suffering from congestion. The project could not go ahead and a lot of time and money was wasted as a result. Had the meeting with the authorities been set up earlier this situation would have never arisen.

The lesson here is that investing in an Architectural Design Service early on will limit the chances of money and time being squandered on a project that will never get off the ground. By conducting a feasibility check the boundaries of the project can be specified and whether or not it can go ahead will be determined. The prospect of building a new dental practice can indeed be an exciting venture, but don’t run before you can walk. Enlist the services of experienced professionals who can conduct a feasibility check and make sure that no time or money goes to waste.

Roger Gullidge Design is a specialist design and project management consultancy specialising in the dental sector. Call 01278 784442 for more details or visit: www.rogergullidgedesign.com

In any business, there are times when taking expert legal advice is essential to avoid expensive complications and disagreements. In dentistry that necessity can be especially pressing, and the peculiarities of the system makes it vital that specialist lawyers are used.

While all industries can involve complicated contracts and property ownership issues, many of them are unique to dentistry. Legal experts who specialise in other areas of industry will not have encountered them before, and will not benefit from the specific experience and knowledge required to deal with, for example, the sale of a dental practice.

While larger corporate groups continue to expand, the dental sector still essentially consists of lots of small businesses, usually managed by the founder or founders. Dental practices can be owned and managed in a number of different ways: partnerships, expense-sharing agreements, or incorporated practices, for example.

Any sale of such a business, or an acquisition made by one, must be handled appropriately for the way the practice is structured. A legal expert who had extensive experience in, for example, the manufacturing sector would not be aware of the strategy required  to transfer an NHS  contract.

Employment status is often unclear in the dental sector, too. Many practitioners consider associate dentists to be self-employed. Though in some, if associates are considered to have employed status it raises significant issues, such as the entitlement to maternity pay, paid holidays and redundancy payments if their services are no longer required. A Properly advised buyer will require protection from claims arising from such issues.

The situation is further compromised if any General Dental Services contracts are held by associates, rather than by the practice principal. It is often the case that, for historical reasons, a practice may have more than one contract and this is sometimes held in the name of the associate. If this is the case, he or she might be entitled to financial consideration if the principal decides to sell the practice. The situation could be further complicated by any question over whether the associate is self-employed or an employee of the practice.

An increasing number of incorporated practices are coming on the market. Often when we carry out due diligence on such practices on behalf of buyers we discover that the incorporation is flawed as the seller’s advisors  have not understood the very specific issues that need to be addressed when incorporating a dental practice and much  work is then needed to remedy the position before the practice can be transferred.

All of these issues simply reinforce the need for a suitably experienced legal adviser.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This July members of the dental press gathered at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel for the announcement of a new specialist firm of dental lawyers. GoodmanGrant is the result of a merger between Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal and John Grant former Head of the Dental Team at Cohen Cramer. Both have an extensive career assisting dental professionals with their legal affairs and the team at GoodmanGrant has a combined experience of more than 75 years.

The firm brings together the current Chairman of the NASDAL lawyers group and the immediate past Chairman of ASPD. Along with dedicated expert solicitors in all practice areas, Goodman Grant is able to provide its clients with extensive legal advice on all aspects of the dental industry.

With offices in London, Liverpool and Leeds, Goodman Grant is able to offer its unique brand of accessible and comprehensive advice to clients in all parts of England and Wales.

Ray Goodman and John Grant of GoodmanGrant Lawyers for Dentists - NASDAL and ASPD MEMBERS

For more information call Ray Goodman on 0151 707 0090 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call John Grant on 0113 8343705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Esthetic Alliance Program (EAP) from Nobel Biocare is a unique initiative designed to help GDPs realise the many restorative opportunities associated with dental implants.. The programme, based on a tried and tested formula that has been designed and delivered in the United States is now being rolled out successfully around the world,

EAP brings a small group of dentists together in a positive and focussed learning environment with the aim of improving understanding among clinicians in order to maximise the business potential that dental implant treatments have to offer, while at the same time building and strengthening the referral network for all those involved.

Dr Ian Lane is one of two managing partners at Queensway Dental Clinic, Billingham, Teesside, and has recently hosted four sessions covering the first module of the Nobel Biocare EAP.

“The EAP is primarily about taking dentists with little or no experience with dental implants and giving them the skills and confidence to assess, treatment plan and discuss implant cases with patients,” says Ian. “The idea is to promote good safe practice for practitioners with limited experience in the field. It’s not a surgical programme, but it allows dentists to take greater care of patients that may have already had implant treatment, or to be able to make referrals so that they can then place the crown, bridge or denture onto the implant when the case comes back.”

As part of the structured course material, Nobel Biocare provides all the relevant information packs, folders; handouts and worksheets to lay the groundwork for further group discussion. Delegates are also encouraged to bring their own cases along for group discussion and treatment planning in order to assess the best course of action.

“The course consists of four modules in total,” continues Ian, “each consisting of four sessions lasting for three hours each. We’ve just completed the first module, and the reception we had was really very good. Six dentists came in total, which means our sessions can be very focussed and personalised to the dentists who attend. They were all people I’ve had conversations with in the past that I’ve discussed implant cases with. The EAP sessions allowed me to formalise that relationship, and gave them the opportunity to see some of just what can be achieved with the latest dental implant technology. This includes treatment planning using 3D scanners, and of course 3D CAD/CAM provided by our Queensway Laboratory, that allows us to order custom-made restorations directly from Nobel Biocare.

“If I were to summarise the EAP I would describe it as an excellent introduction to implant dentistry, supported by Nobel Biocare and delivered in a great location that is convenient for everyone who attends. Delegates will receive 12 hours of CPD from the four three-hour sessions that comprise each module, and the course is completely free to attend.

“From my own perspective the EAP is just great because it allows me to build relationships with local dentists while also showcasing some of the wonderful things we are now able to achieve. Our plan is now to host the second module in September, and then run a course every six months or so. It’s been really successful so far and I think the delegates who came were able to take aware some really useful lessons to help grow their businesses. I am now really looking forward to hosting the next module later in the year!”

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

Mortgages

Since the global financial crisis, the goal of home ownership has been pushed even further out of reach for many potential buyers, dentists being no exception to the rule. Despite interest rates being a little lower for those who have already taken out a home loan, for first time buyers it is difficult to amount the large deposit that many lenders demand. In the current climate there is no denying that having access to the best financial advice is an asset that few can afford to be without.

For those who live in Britain, owning your own house is an aspiration which most harbour. Which is kind of bizarre considering the stressful, nerve-wracking process that ensues, even for those with a good understanding of finance. Trying to get your head around the terms and conditions of a complicated mortgage arrangement can be difficult, but it must be carried out scrupulously considering the size of the investment that is to be made. At any one time there are more than 7000 mortgages available, all with subtle yet consequential differences, so seeking the services of an experienced Independent Financial Adviser should be seriously considered.

With so much to consider, here is an introduction to three of the more popular mortgage deals:

Repayment mortgage

This is probably the most common type of mortgage, it is easy to understand and is frequently taken out by first time buyers. Monthly repayments will reduce the total of the capital that is owed to the bank, whilst paying off the interest amounted over the previous month at the same time. This mortgage scheme has been constructed in away that, providing monthly repayments are met, the homeowner will be able to pay off the whole loan over the prescribed term (usually in the region of 25 years).

This option is generally viewed as one of the safer options, for example, there is no need for worries over investment returns. Though, the downside of this is that there is no opportunity for the buyer to take advantage of additional investment opportunities and it will be difficult to repay that loan early.

Interest only mortgage

This type of mortgage usually attracts those who are a little more venturesome. With this model, as the name suggests, only the interest is repaid and decreasing the capital sum is put off until the end of the mortgage term. The capital is repaid using a variety of separate savings vehicles, such as with-profits endowments, ISAs and pensions. If these savings vehicles are successful and generate extra profit, then these funds can be used to pay off capital and interest at an earlier date than that of a traditional repayment mortgage. The other advantage of this type of mortgage is that more often than not moving house will not have any effect on the savings vehicles or the repayment plan.

Of course, the risk of this type of mortgage is that the buyer is depending on the savings vehicles performing well, if this doesn’t happen a dangerous shortfall could occur.

Mix and Match mortgages

A mix and match mortgage is not designed for first time buyers, instead, this model has the interests of someone moving house in mind. As they will already have an endowment plan in place, a further policy may not be suitable for them, especially if their circumstances have changed. In this kind of instance, some mortgage lenders will be prepared to set up part of a mortgage as interest only and the other part as a traditional repayment mortgage. By doing this the money gained from the previous endowment policy.

Mix and match mortgages are popular because they are a good combination of the above mortgage plans. Keeping the security of a repayment mortgage, whilst having the investment opportunities that an interest only mortgage makes available.

The above descriptions are dramatically simplified, even the more simple mortgage plans are still quite complex, so special advice should always be sought. Dentist’s looking to buy for the first time should consider the services of an expert, like money4dentists, a specialist Independent Financial Adviser that has been assisting the dental industry for more than half a century. Using a service like this will make understanding and choosing the right mortgage much simpler. A specialist financial adviser will be able to describe the ins and outs of any mortgage plan in layman’s terms.

Using a specialist who has a good understanding of the career structure of dental professionals as well as financial and legal expertise, will mean that all advice given will be tailored to fit your individual requirements. By enlisting the services of an experienced IFA who has a background in dentistry you can be sure that when the time comes to buy, you will be making the right choices.

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

With millions of people tuning in to TV programmes like Embarrassing Bodies, 10 Years Younger and Extreme Makeover, the public has never been more aware of the possibilities for changing their looks.

These reality shows have provided exposure to the cosmetic dentistry industry, and, together with increasingly cost effective treatments, have shown that procedures are now available to almost anyone, rather than restricted only to the rich and famous.

Now more than ever, the British public are keen to have straight, white teeth like their favourite celebrities and there is no question that demand for cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. Orthodontic treatment in particular has benefited from countless pages of publicity thanks to famous brace wearers such as Tom Cruise or Kate Middleton.

In the past, people have generally assumed that only the teeth of the young can be moved into a more attractive, even position, but the fact is that orthodontics can work at any age. Patients are now becoming increasingly aware that good teeth can not only boost their self-confidence but also improve their general health.

In fact, the once unfashionable view of wearing braces is now acceptable even for adults. This is helped enormously by the sheer range of modern treatments available, which are far less obtrusive than the traditional ‘train tracks’ and are often more effective, more quickly.

With this increased interest in cosmetic dentistry and the ability to search the Internet for the various options available, patients are more knowledgeable now than ever before and they expect to have all of these choices available to them. This awareness and level of expectation puts general dental practitioners under considerable pressure to provide their patients with the desired specialised treatments.

For all dentists, their patients’ wellbeing is paramount and they strive towards top quality treatment that is suited to each individual patient’s need. However, some particular treatments, such as orthodontics and implant work, can require particular expertise, and often expensive, specialised equipment.

In order to provide this service, which is tailored to the unique requirements of their patient, there is the option for dentists to refer some or all of the work to a more suitably trained and equipped practice. This not only provides the ideal outcome for patients, it also expands the range of services the dentist can offer.

These referral practices are able to break down quite difficult or complex cases, provide second opinions or further advice, and often offer alternative or simpler treatments the referring dentist may not have even been aware of.

Dentists new to this course of action should not consider this step an admission of defeat; rather it should be viewed as a positive move. Patients will see the referral as a demonstration, by their practitioner, that their best interests are being served, and show more trust and appreciation.

This enhanced loyalty to the practice is likely to encourage some referral patients to agree to subsequent work by their own dentist. Treatments such as teeth whitening would not have been especially appealing to patients with severely crooked teeth. However, having been referred to a specialist orthodontist, they may be more than happy to draw attention to their newly straightened teeth.

Referring a patient to another practice, however, is not to be taken lightly: it is important to choose the right clinic to care for your patient and this means contacting the practice, asking to see the premises and establishing whether or not you will all work well together. The referral practice you choose needs to behave as if it were an extension of your own practice, and work as part of your team.

Leading referral practices understand the importance of your decision to refer and will be happy to provide more information or dispel any concerns you may have. They will seek to understand all your requirements for your patient and any future work you may be performing. You will also be kept informed throughout the treatment, and your approval and consent sought at every stage. In fact, the very best referral practices even provide models that you can send to your own ceramist.

For orthodontic procedures, the referral practice should work with you to your restorative plan and you would be required to sign off the treatment before the braces are removed. In the case of implants, you would expect the referral practice to be adaptable, either providing the whole restorative implant treatment or making sure communication is open with the you to provide the restoration.

One practice that meets all of these expectations and more is the award-winning London Smile Clinic. They offer an extensive range of treatments that are delivered with the utmost care and skill, and to exceptionally high standards. They have developed safe and painless techniques that preserve natural tooth structures, creating natural transformations in the minimum of time.

The Clinic’s team, which includes specialist orthodontist Dr Preet Bhogal and esteemed implantologist Dr Zaki Kanaan, enjoy a reputation for their professionalism and ability, matched only by their enthusiasm and warm welcome.

The referral process is undoubtedly a win-win scenario for all involved. The patient receives the best possible treatment from highly qualified and experienced professionals, while the referring dentist has a delighted patient who takes a greater interest in their smile and greater care to preserve it.

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

With over 500 outstanding dental practice websites to their name, the award-winning team at Dental Focus ® ‘Websites for your profit’ have all the skills and expertise to make your practice an online success.

Dr Jagmail Basrai is Principal dentist at Chafford 100 Dental Care, Essex. He worked with Krishan Joshi and the team at Dental Focus ® to build a website to really make his practice stand out. He says:

‘If you want to be successful online, you always want to be one step ahead of the competition – one step ahead of the curve. That’s why you need to work with a web design team who are experts at what they do, and completely understand what it is you’re trying to achieve. The team at Dental Focus ® basically put me on the map in terms of the internet, and I highly recommend them!’

 For more information call 020 7183 8388, or visit www.dentalfocus.com

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2014, 28^th February & 1^st March, Birmingham NEC

With The Dentistry Show and the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) running alongside each other in 2014, the event will offer an array of unique benefits for the whole profession. World-class speakers will present lectures, workshops and live surgery demonstrations, catering to the needs of each member of the dental team.

David Smith, a member of the GDC and the owner of Phoenix Dental Castings, has been confirmed as the Conference Chairman of the education programme at DTS 2014:

“I have attended both events many times in the past and each has gotten better every year. They now offer a great range of educational opportunities to interest professionals in all areas of dentistry.

“Next year, I would like to bring the focus back to the dental team as a whole. It is a highly symbiotic relationship that we have between dentists and technicians, and I want to encourage efficient relationships that will enhance the outcome of treatment for the patients.

“I invite all dental professionals to attend in 2014, to take advantage of the remarkable and free lectures and workshops on offer and to build relationships for the future. Put the date in your diary!”

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

As part of the innovative R4 Software from Carestream Dental, the Text Messaging service is the smart and hassle-free way to remind patients of their upcoming appointments.

Shown to reduce the number of ‘no-shows’ by up to 50%, the service sends out text messages automatically, freeing-up valuable time for staff to concentrate on other tasks.

Any replies from patients are then updated on the system, recording cancellations to ensure practitioners’ time is not wasted and money is not lost through redundant appointment slots.

The service also suits the majority of patients more than reminder phone calls, as they can wait and read the texts when they have time, and are far less likely to miss the message altogether.

With the whole team following the Carestream Dental eXceed programme, you can also expect first-class customer service every time. Modernise and enhance the service you offer your patients with the innovative R4 Text Messaging solution.

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

Genix Healthcare is an ever expanding chain of dental practices that are committed to providing the very best private and NHS dental treatment in the UK. Genix Healthcare is constantly striving to raise the standard of the industry by creating career pathways for young, enthusiastic dental professionals.

Each Genix Healthcare practice operates a distinctly modern approach to dentistry, blending state of the art equipment and technology with clinical ability of the very highest quality. It is this standard of care that has meant that Genix Healthcare is quickly becoming recognised as one of the UK’s leading dental corporates.

At Genix Healthcare the emphasis is on making dentistry accessible to all. Its prices are affordable which means that all patients can receive high calibre dental care at affordable prices. For professionals, Genix Healthcare strives to carve career pathways in all areas of the profession which is aided by Managing Director, Mustafa Mohammed’s membership with The Apprenticeship Ambassador’s Network.

To learn more about how Genix Healthcare can help you to access our potential visit the website for more information.

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 

Whether we do it using a desk-based computer, tablet or smartphone, the internet has become the first port of call for almost anything we are looking to buy or book, whether it be physical goods or services. It used to be the case that we had to physically go somewhere, not anymore, anything we want can be ordered from the comfort of our own homes. The only problem with this? We don’t know how good the product is. So where do we turn? Online reviews.

No matter how big or small our purchase, we find ourselves turning to online reviews, this has made the internet a powerful ally of the consumer. Finding out what people really think of a product or service is now accessible for all to see and read online. The rise of Tripadvisor and other review sites has undoubtedly given the consumer a voice to channel and express their views.

Online reviews are now entering the healthcare and dental industry. An astounding figure of more than one million people search online for dental services every month in London alone. So having a positive web presence is incredibly important.

Many practices now have a website of their own, some are quite basic, but others provide a booking facility. This is a great feature for a practice website as it will allow dentists to welcome as many potential new patients to their practice as possible.

Aside from practice websites, there are also a number of websites appearing that allow prospective patients to search for a dentist in their area. These websites merely act as a directory and provide the patient with contact details.

There are now online facilities that act as a link between the dental practice and the patient. For the practice they act as a marketing tool, making the practice visible to thousands of potential new patients every day. For the patient, it offers a quick and simple way to book a dental appointment.

One of the main advantages of these sites is that they feature reviews and ratings from previous patients. This means that prospective patients can make an informed decision as to which practice they want to book their appointment at based on factors such as cost and services provided. If they wish they will also be able to leave a review of their own after their visit.

One of these sites is Zesty, which provides 24-hour, real-time access to finding and booking an appointment. This will be especially useful when trying to book an appointment for the next day, or even the same day.

As dentistry moves into the digital age, we will find that online booking services will become a more common occurrence. The service that they provides allows patients to make a quick, easy and informed decision about the practice that they book their next appointment with.

Simply email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.zesty.co.uk or call 020 3287 5416 for more details

At Horton Consulting, we’re celebrating our 5^th birthday! It’s been a magnificent five years in which we’ve met and worked with a wide range of lovely people, and this year we want to give something back.

To celebrate our 5^th Anniversary, we’re offering our full consultant programme to a practice owner/s that need our help the most, absolutely FREE of charge^*. On the 13^th August 2013, the lucky winner will benefit from our full suite of services including business development, team training and marketing, as the Horton Consulting team visit your practice for the day to lend a helping hand.

If you’re available on 13^th August and fancy winning this fantastic opportunity, simply tell us in no more than 50 words “why you would like our help?” Enter today by visiting www.horton-consulting.com/win. Good luck!

Twitter: @hortonconsult
Facebook: /hortonconsulting

^*Terms & Conditions Apply. 

On Saturday 9^th November 2013, Rita Zamora will take to the stage at the BACD’s 10^th Annual Conference with her talk “Keys to Social Media Marketing Success”. She says:

“This will be my first time speaking at the BACD Conference and I’m really very excited. There’s a great skill to managing social media effectively, but by attending my lecture I hope delegates will leave with a good understanding of how to make the best use of social media without falling into the traps that some healthcare professionals have fallen into in the past. I will also cover other important areas such as the need for multiple pieces of online real estate and the need to embrace change in a positive way. I hope then that delegates won’t just leave my lecture feeling informed about social media, but also feeling empowered to make good decisions on behalf of their practice that will help their practice thrive in the digital world for many years to come.”

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7^th, Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

Luke Barnett says:

‘For a technician working in today’s competitive environment, BACD Accreditation is a fantastic opportunity. The process of doing Accreditation itself is very useful as it applies your mind and focuses your mind on a higher level of work. In doing that you raise the quality of your own work and it changes the way you look at things. It’s a journey, and at the end of the journey you will be a better technician as a result.

‘If you are a technician and you have never been to the BACD Conference before, I really do recommend you come along and see for yourself just what the BACD is all about. On Saturday 9^th November I will be holding a Technician Accreditation Workshop, and will be explaining the whole process, and giving tips on selecting the best cases for submission. There will also be plenty of opportunity for networking, and some really fascinating lectures from renowned speakers including Galip Gurel and Chris Orr among others. I look forward to seeing you there!’

This year’s BACD Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 7^th, Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th November 2013 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. For further information 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

Dentisan’s parent company Quadralene, has been recognised for their recent significant increase in international sales, winning the Medilink East Midlands Export Achievement Award.

The increase has been driven largely by Quadralene’s expansion in healthcare markets and their products are now sold in 41 countries worldwide. In 2012, overseas sales increased by 70% and are forecast to rise by a further 50% this year.

Managing Director of Dentisan, Andy Corley, said,  “I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of a terrific team that works hard each day to build our growing reputation as a leader in the field of infection control. Their tireless effort on behalf of our international clients is what makes the difference. This award is proof that their work is recognised not only in the UK market but also on a global stage.” 

Medilink is an organisation that celebrates the latest technologies, outstanding business achievement and international success across the UK Life Sciences sector and this is not the first Medilink award-win for the company. Two years ago, Dentisan received an “Outstanding Achievement” award for their collaborative work with University of Nottingham School of Biosciences in developing Bioclear, a biofilm remover for Dental Unit Water Lines. The company now goes forward to Medilink’s National Finals, held at the end of the year.

For more details of Dentisan’s full range of infection control products visit www.dentisan.co.uk

Dentisan Ltd on Facebook
@DentisanLtd on Twitter
 

The DENTSPLY CeramX Case Contest is a long running competition aimed at dental students wishing to practice composite layering techniques with the innovative Ceram?X nano-ceramic single and dual layer composite.  The students supply clinical poster cases to the DENTSPLY judging panel for the chance to win prizes including an Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle and Apple iPod Nano.

DENTSPLY is pleased to announce the results of the Ceram?X Case Contest 2013 as follows

:

Rebecca Morgan with Simon abbey, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

Winner – Rebecca Morgan, UCLAN

The case from Rebecca Morgan was a first class example of how modern resin composite materials can be used to restore worn dentitions in an efficient and relatively economic fashion - with dramatic aesthetic and functional improvement.  Judges were impressed by the composite build-ups, use of a silicone template constructed from a pre-operative wax-up, the establishment of canine guidance and the greatly improved form and excellent aesthetic appearance of the teeth. 

Rebecca’s case also achieved fifth place in the World Final.

Before                                                                                                      

After              

Second Place – Julia Bernardo, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry

Matthew Jerreat, Julia Bernardo from Peninsula College and Kate Caple, Key Account Manager at DENTSPLY

The judges felt that the build-up of the lateral incisors and the reduction of anterior spacing n Julia’s case was carried out with a high level of skill. The final aesthetic outcome was impressive with excellent contouring, colour matching and polishing.

Third Place – Brendan Quinn, University College Cork

The judges felt Brendan’s case was complex with an excellent aesthetic outcome.

Honorary Mention – Hassan Adi, Birmingham Dental School

Hassan received an honorary mention as it was a strong case with good quality photography.

DENTSPLY would like to thank all the Dental Schools and students who participated in the Case Contest and extends its congratulations to the winners.

Contact us at dentsply.co.uk or 0800 072 3313

Earn Rewards against purchases at dentsplyrewards.co.uk

Access webinars and product demonstrations and earn CPD at dentsplyacademy.co.uk

The BDA Benevolent Fund held this year’s Annual General Meeting on 21 June.

Chaired by BDA President and Patron of the Fund, Dr Barry McGonigle, the AGM provided a great platform to discuss all achievements, issues and future goals of the Fund.

Officers of the Fund were also officially elected, with Dr Ann Rockey becoming Chairman, Dr William Nichols becoming Vice-Chairman, Prof Ros Keeton was named Honorary Treasurer and Dr Dianne Waller was named Honorary Secretary.

In addition, Dr McGonigle had the difficult task of judging all the great entries from the photography competition run as part of the ‘Be Active’ campaign.  The winner was announced as ‘A Whirling of Wing Walkers’.

The BDA Benevolent Fund provides much-needed support to UK dentists and their families who are struggling financially while coping with accident, chronic illness and other stressful life-changing events.

The Fund relies on the generous donations of the profession to continue its work,
so thank you for your on-going support.

The BDA Benevolent Fund would also like to extend its thanks to Dental Update who kindly provided refreshments for the Bend Fund AGM.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Although dentists are servicing what is in effect a captive market, and so most can expect to maintain at least a minimum, viable level of turnover, a recent survey indicated that nearly a million registered dental practice patients were deferring or declining dental procedures in response to reduced state funding.[i] Surely a clear indication that the current pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending is reaching beyond the High Street and into the healthcare sector. 

Competition is a relatively new phenomenon in dentistry, but the ease of comparing practices’ services, options and prices via the internet has coincided with a rapidly growing interest in cosmetic dentistry, and many patients now see themselves as customers fully entitled to shop around for what they regard as the best value. To be successful rather than simply surviving, all practices need to raise their game to encourage loyalty, increase patients’ median spend, and attract new business ahead of their rivals. 

Delivering the highest quality patient service is vital, and this can only be achieved if every member of the team properly understands their role and is committed to providing the patient with a positive experience, from their first contact with the practice to the completion of their treatment. The only way to achieve excellence is to constantly strive for it; it’s easy to forget, in the heat of a busy day that ‘good’ is not the ‘best’. Excellent, friendly and empathetic communications, face to face or on the telephone, encourage treatment take-up rates and lead quickly to extra business through personal recommendations. Remember, enthusiastic patients are walking testimonials!

However, it is important to be prepared for the repercussions of something going wrong. Any resulting complaints must be handled promptly, with courtesy and sympathy. Just one unhappy patient can have many friends, and some of them may even be patients at your practice.

Communication is a key element in the 7-Star Dental Practice Programme, and relates to the staff as well as the patients. For staff to be fully committed to their patients they need to have an understanding of the Principal’s vision for the future and their own place in it, and how it will progress their own careers. If you keep your team onside, you’re much more likely to score goals! 

Conversations, however brief they have to be, are the route to excellent clinician/patient relationships. Questions and the exchange of information lead to genuine rapport, and it becomes much easier to discuss the financial aspects of treatment plans, or to devise a plan which is affordable for the patient who is keen but has limited means.

Raising the treatment plan acceptance percentage is the quickest way to improve turnover and improve patient education. Stressing the importance of oral health as a proven factor in overall health will resonate with patients and convince them of the importance of the treatment you can offer. Cosmetic patients who are making a significant investment in their smile need to know that you are both striving for the same happy outcome. Education also includes explaining choices, a point well made by the Office of Fair Trading in its latest report on the industry.

Failed appointments are every dentists’ bugbear, but be wary of threatening sanctions; you don’t want to lose the patient (and possibly their friends and/or family as well), whose reason(s) for not attending you cannot know and the ethics, and even legality, of trying to charge for a service you have not been able to deliver are, at best, doubtful. Much better to send polite reminders!

All patients expect their dentist to be properly qualified and highly competent. When two practices offer similar treatments the element of competition is not usually relevant in the area of clinical expertise. The value added which gives one practice the edge over another is in the patient’s appreciation of the entire appointment experience, and it may be worth engaging a reputable company like Milestone Experts to run a course at your practice. Allowing you to be sure that each and every member of your dental team has the skills to make your practice second to none.

 Milestone Experts offers consultancy services and training for every member of the dental practice team.

For more information visit www.milestoneexperts.co.uk, call 020 8337 5937 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Gary on Twitter: @everycallcounts

Cosmetic dentistry has changed a great deal over the years, and even more so over the last decade. Back when the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) was founded back in 2003, cosmetic dentistry was very different to how it is today. The overall “look” we are trying to achieve nowadays – the aesthetic goals – have not really changed, but the means by which we achieve those goals have changed dramatically. The emphasis is now very much on trying to be as conservative of the natural tooth tissue as possible. This has largely been made possible by advances in forms of orthodontic treatment that patients will accept. In the past if patients had crooked teeth you would suggest they needed braces, but in many cases patients would not be willing to accept a course of treatment that could potentially take years. As such patients would ask for other options, and the only other option we’d have would be to cut away at their teeth.

Of course 10–12 years ago that kind of approach may have been acceptable, but now we have a whole range of short-term orthodontic appliances that have fast become a part and parcel of what we do. Developments such as Invisalign for example mean we can create a nice smile without having to be as destructive of a patient’s teeth as we might have been 10 years ago. This has gone hand-in-hand with a philosophical change in dentistry, so we are no longer saying, “look how well I’ve prepped this”; instead we are saying, “look how little I’ve prepped this”. Ultimately this change in how we approach dentistry is much better for the patient in the long run.

Another significant change we have seen in the industry has been the advancement in material technologies. Take veneers for example. We can now make veneers that are extremely thin, but still very aesthetic. Being so thing means less preparation is needed and some need no preparation at all. Filling materials have also improved dramatically. Recent research for example shows that composite restorations after 10 years are now just as successful as silver amalgam.

Given all these changes in dentistry I really don’t think there is such a thing as a “cosmetic” dental practice any more. Rather I think it is more accurate to say that cosmetic dentistry is just normal dentistry done well. This is because cosmetics, or aesthetics, are now a fundamental part of what we do on a day-to-day basis. Indeed many patients have come to expect their dentistry to be carried out in an aesthetically pleasing way, so we should be doing all we can to meet this demand. Ultimately this ties in very closely with what we are trying to achieve through our work at the BACD. We aim to share in our passion for excellence in dentistry, while providing the very best educational opportunities to our members that we can.

If you want to learn more about the changing nature of cosmetic dentistry, I will be presenting the opening lecture at the BACD’s 10^th Annual Conference on Thursday 7^th November, at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. If you have not been before, I really do recommend you try and come along. We have an outstanding line up of speakers and I can guarantee you will come away with plenty of useful hints and tips that you can apply to your practice the very next day!

About the author:

Chris Orr is past President and Accredited Member of the BACD. He lectures widely and is the Course Director for Advanced Dental Seminars’ year course in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry. 

While many dental students enter training as soon as they’ve completed their studies at Sixth Form or college, for some, the passion for dentistry isn’t discovered until a little later in life. Saul Konviser is a dental student based in London, and completed both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before his true calling finally became clear.

“Looking back, I can now see how so many things in my life led me to take this decision,” says Saul. “My Dad is still a practicing Orthodontist, even into his 70’s and has been a major influence in my life. I’ve been very fortunate to grow up watching him enjoy almost every day of his working life, never once complaining that he was tired or bored of it. I think that is very rare these days to be able to find a job you can be happy in for so long and I definitely believe that his passion and enthusiasm for dentistry has filtered through to me, even if it did take me a little longer to realise it.

“So after a quite diverse background in education and work, I’m currently in my third year at King’s (the fourth year of the BDS course) and I’m also still do some part-time PR for the Weizmann Institute. It’s been a busy few years for me as I got married just before starting the course and I’ve now got a 7-month old daughter, but life is very enjoyable and very satisfying. I do believe that I followed the correct paths and I now truly value my position on the BDS course.”

Though life is certainly demanding for Saul, as he prepares to start his final year in September, he’s also been fortunate enough to have some help and support along the way.

“It was very early on during my time at King’s that a fellow student introduced me to Alpha Omega,” says Saul. “I admit I hadn’t heard of them before, but he explained a little bit about the organisation and invited me to come along to one of the lecture evenings.

“The first lecture I attended was presented by Dr Basil Mizrahi. I walked in, really not knowing what to expect – I thought it would just be a simple lecture and maybe a couple of promotional stands, but really, the whole experience was just incredible. I was greeted with a very warm welcome by everyone there. The Chairperson also made a conscious effort to introduce me to other members of the society. Not only was there a lovely reception but the quality of the lecture that followed was just exceptional. I’ve subsequently been to many Alpha Omega lectures since and they are all of an incredibly high standard. For me, as a student, the lecture evenings really are a fantastic addition to what we already have at university, and are a great way to supplement what I’ve been learning. There’s also a great social element with a committee regularly organising events for its members. This is another fantastic way to meet other people within the profession and make new friends.

“From a social, professional and charitable point of view, Alpha Omega has just opened up so many doors for me,” continues Saul. “It’s great to have access to so many professionals in this environment who are all genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming people. I really don’t know many other organisations out there that would offer the same kind of environment, experience and support to its members. I’m incredibly grateful for being introduced to Alpha Omega and am sure that I will remain a member for many years to come!”

For more information on the Alpha Omega London Chapter, visit www.alphaomegauk.co.uk

The BDA Benevolent Fund doesn’t just offer financial help in a crisis. We visit potential beneficiaries and find out how they
came to be in their current circumstances. On some occasions impartial advice and emotional support is enough to help
them get back on track.

For others, who are at real risk of falling into poverty, the Fund offers a one-off grant, a monthly grant towards living expenses
or an interest-free loan.  Over half of beneficiaries are on means-tested benefits and some of the poorest in society.

The Fund is very grateful for the all the donations it receives from the profession.  Every pound goes directly to dentists and their families, making a real difference to those who are struggling while trying to cope with accident, chronic illness and other stressful
life-changing events.

For more information about the BDA Benevolent Fund
call 020 7486 4994, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 or visit www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

Michael Kerwick is the owner of MK Oral Designs Ltd, a dental laboratory in Harley Street.

“We’ve had the Nobel Procera Scanner for about six months,” he says. “Not that long really, but long enough to make a difference.

“Initially I didn’t have a single case to do, but now it is used every day and the cases got bigger as our knowledge and experience increased.

“We have now used Nobel Procera to do quite a number of screw retained complete arch cases, and the technicians just love the quality of fit and finish using Nobel Procera Scanner, and the amount of time saved processing and finishing all frameworks.

“Our business has grown and is still growing with the addition of Nobel Procera alongside my mobile “onedayteeth” service for All-on-4^TM cases.

“Using Nobel Nobel Procera, I know that it will give me a consistent and predictable result that will be right first time, as I have total confidence that Procera will return frameworks I can be proud of.

“I wouldn’t have achieved this level of success with Nobel Procera if it weren’t for the fantastic customer support I’ve received from Nobel Biocare. They’ve been brilliant.”

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

Goodman Legal – Help with all legal considerations when buying a practice

When buying a dental practice there are many legal aspects that must be considered, Goodman Legal can help with many of them. As a law firm with more than 25 years experience providing expert legal assistance to the dental industry, Goodman Legal has an unparalleled understanding of the process of acquiring a dental practice.

Seeking legal assistance from a specialist law firm will help no end when it comes to making the important decisions that will affect the purchase of a dental practice. Goodman Legal and Managing Director Ray Goodman are established within the dental industry for providing a comprehensive service that is essential when buying a practice.

From Due Diligence to Heads of Agreement and Sale and Purchase contracts, Goodman Legal is there to help with a variety of the legal issues that arise when buying a practice. Access to knowledgeable legal advice during the acquisition of a dental practice is indispensible. Goodman Legal can oversee the purchase, making sure that the transaction is safe, smooth and simple.

Ray Goodman of Goodman Legal – Lawyers for Dentists a NASDAL member

For more information call GoodmanGrant Lawyers for dentists on 0151 707 0090 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.goodmanlegal.co.uk

A NASDAL MEMBER 

Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts know the difference that providing customer service of the highest standard can make. They can show you and your dental team how to make the most of every call that your practice receives. This will help you to increase the number of patients joining your practice and increate the number of treatment plan acceptances.

The training that Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts offer can take place at your practice which makes the service both time and cost effective. The training is conducted in a way that is fun and informative, this is something that Gary believes enhances the learning process.

Viv Brown, Practice Manager at Harland & Dear Dental Practice in Epsom, Surrey used Gary Morgan’s Milestone Experts, she says:

“Gary Morgan from Milestone Experts managed to get excellent group interaction from the beginning, the session was interesting and very well presented. Gary tailored the session specific and relevant to the needs of our Dentist business – Highly recommended!”

Milestone Experts offers consultancy services and training for every member of the dental practice team.

For more information visit www.milestoneexperts.co.uk, call 020 8337 5937 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Gary on Twitter: @everycallcounts

Combining sophistication, style and speed, the Clinical+ R4 Practice Management Software from Carestream Dental is designed to function as the very heart of your practice.

By automating and simplifying daily tasks, the software allows for a highly efficient and effortless practice routine.

Authorised remote access to records and easy sharing of digital images also encourage a seamless service for referrals or collaborations, greatly improving the patient care delivered.

In addition, offsite data storage and back up programmes ensure patient data is carefully protected at all times, aiding the practice’s compliance with CQC regulations.

Designed and proven to enhance the day-to-day running of your practice, the CS R4 Clinical+ Software will help you and your team refine your routines and enhance your services. Demonstrating its dedication to quality customer service through the eXceed programme, you can rest assured that Carestream Dental will help your practice reach its full potential.

For more information, please contact Carestream Dental on

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

The 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium will be held at the Hotel Russell in Bloomsbury, London from October 4^th - 5^th 2013. Following the success of last year’s symposium, this year’s is set to be bigger and better, with the aim of exhibiting the ways that a dental microscope can improve and expand a dentists clinical work.

The event gives delegates the opportunity to watch a series of lectures from renowned speakers including:

• Dr. Domenico Massironi, specialist in implantology and prosthetics.
• Prof. Ivo Krejci, President of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Delegates will also have the chance to attend one of three training courses:

• ‘Hands-on experience: using surgical microscope in endodontics’ with Dr. Gilberto Debelian, the vice-president of the Norwegian Endodontic Society.
• ‘Restorative dentistry using surgical microscope – a whole new world’ with Prof. Ivo Krejci.
• ‘Microscope-assisted regenerative implant surgery’ with Dr. Massimo Mazza, a renowned maxilla-facial surgeon from Italy.

Attending the 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium will show delegates the significance of the dental microscope in modern dentistry and how it can improve their work.

To register, please contact Marjorie Kelly on 020 7950 1234 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For enquiries regarding the course content please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For technical enquiries please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UCL Eastman Dental Institute and

2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium Present

Dr Tomas Lang

Make a date for the 2^nd International Zeiss Dental Symposium in London from 4^th to 5^th October 2013. UCL Eastman Dental Institute is proud to host the prestigious event, which offers two days of the latest innovations and developments in surgical microscopy.

A top international team of speakers will pass on their wealth of experience during inspirational seminars and interactive training sessions. Delegates will get involved and gain hands-on experience on how to incorporate microscopes into their daily work.

Dr Tomas Lang will present case reports on Friday 4^th October to demonstrate the considerable advantages of magnification technology in dentistry. Dr Lang is vice president of DGmikro, CEO of ORMED (Institute for Oral Medicine at the University of Witten/Herdecke), Germany; and has authored numerous publications on endodontology, restorative and preventive dentistry.

Delegates at the International Zeiss Dental Symposium will enjoy a unique experience designed to deliver real benefits to practitioners and their patients.

For more details about UCL Eastman Dental Institute, please visit
www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman or telephone 020 7905 1234

For many years now there have been limited treatment options available to edentulous or soon-to-be edentulous patients. Typically, the only option available to most patients is dentures, though it has long been recognised that removable tissue supported dentures are far from an ideal solution. Not only do patients often struggle with poor fitting dentures and ‘sore-spots’, but dentures can often make eating and even speaking difficult, and many patients find they must drastically alter or reduce their diet as a result.

Thankfully, over the past few years there have been a number of significant advances in dentistry that have led to major progress in the area. One of the most significant developments here being ‘Fixed Teeth in a Day’ – the revolutionary implant procedure that allows for the relative simple replacement of natural teeth with a full arch prosthetic supported by dental implants. 

The advanced protocol delivers same day, full arch rehabilitation utilising four or more implants to support a fixed, immediately functional, aesthetic prostheses. By using the latest techniques, Fixed Teeth in a Day is much less invasive than traditional rehabilitation approaches, as it reduces morbidity, is less disruptive to patients’ lives, and is also less costly.

The principle surgical difference to Fixed Teeth in a Day is the implant placement. Placing implants at an angle to avoid the sinus cavities in the upper jaw and the inferior dental nerve complex in the lower jaw, allows for favourable implant position and reduced cantilevers without  the need for significant bone grafting and complex sinus lift surgery. The availability of zygomatic and pterygoid implant approaches means Fixed Teeth in a Day is suitable for even the most complex atrophic cases.  Cases where patients might have previously been considered otherwise untreatable.

Though it is only natural for some in the profession to question the thinking behind tilted implants, there are numerous studies to support their use. In 2007 for example Koutouzis and Wennstrom found that implant inclination has no effect on peri-implant bone loss. (Clin Oral Implants Res. 2007 Oct; 18(5): 585-90. Epub 2007 Jun 30). Similarly, a 5-year study by Krekmanov et al found a 98% success rate in the maxilla and a 100% in the mandible (International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants 2000), while a 1999 study showed a high success/survival rate for tilted implants placed nearly 20 years ago (Implant Treatment without bone grafting in severely resorbed edentulous maxillae; Mattson et al International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - with a 10 year follow-up study by Rosen and Gynther IJOMS 2007).

Given the clinical benefits of Fixed Teeth in a Day – especially to patients who might otherwise be considered ‘untreatable’ – it is clear that there is massive opportunity for the dental profession to take advantage of this advanced new treatment option. Since Fixed Teeth in a Day came to the UK and has been offered widely by specialist referral clinics.  More and more clinicians have discovered for themselves the clinical, and indeed financial benefits of being able to offer this unique treatment to patients. Not least for the fact that Fixed Teeth in a Day offers a life-changing solution to patients who have resisted much needed treatment due the complexity, time, and cost of the more conventional treatment approaches. 

By referring patients for Fixed Teeth in a Day not only do referrers gain from the ability to offer a broader range of treatment options, but they can also benefit by attracting in new patients whom they might otherwise never see. United smiles Centres will offer the support and training to those that are willing and interested to provide the final prosthesis for their patients. Naturally once the treatment has been completed the referrer also then has the ability to maintain the patient for routine maintenance and oral health checks and so on.

If your practice is already is providing implant-based treatments, United Smile Centres are now offering the option for a select group of implant practices to work together for mutual benefit, adopting United Smile Centres’ same-day implant solution brand and marketing, and unlike corporate entities, still allowing you to retain full control over your practice’s operations. With Fixed Teeth in a Day now such a powerful and convincing brand in the public sphere, an option such as this could well prove incredibly financially beneficial to your practice, and may well attract new long-term patients to your care. You will also find yourself in the position to benefit from economies of scale and a substantial brand marketing budget that will benefit you. 

Whether you wish to offer Fixed Teeth in a Day yourself, or if you would prefer to refer, there can be no doubt the fantastic benefits the treatment offers to both patients and clinicians alike.

For more information call United Smile Centres on 0800 8 49 49 59, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.unitedsmilecentres.co.uk

Dr Ramesh Siva worked closely with Clark Dental during the refurbishment of his practice, Albion Dental in Lewes. During the course of the project Clark Dental completely refitted two surgeries and a new decontamination room. Dr Siva says:

“When embarking on a project such as this, it’s important that the contractors you use are reliable. I decided to opt for Clark Dental, firstly because I had experience with them from my time at Bridge Dental, but also because of their name, and because they are known for the quality and reliability of their work. Quite simply I knew that I could rely on them, and they have an excellent track record of success.”

The team at Clark Dental have over 30 years’ experience providing turnkey surgery designs to dental practices across the UK. Using the latest computer aided technology, the dedicated Clark Dental team can guide and support you through every stage of your project from consultation to completion and ongoing support.

To learn more about how Clark Dental is the smart choice in surgery design, contact the Clark Dental team today.

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