With over 100 years’ clinical and business experience, Wrights is one of the oldest established full service dental suppliers of top quality products at competitive prices.

Exhibiting on stand F10 and F11 at the Scottish Dental Show 2017, delegates will have the opportunity to see a sample of Wrights’ extensive catalogue first hand. With a number of special show deals on offer, you may even grab yourself a bargain!

If you get a chance, the Scottish Dental Show is also an ideal occasion to chat with the friendly and knowledgeable representatives about setting up an on-going account. With the ‘My Wright Place’ online account management system, you can easily place an order, monitor department spending and create a customised product list.

Regular customers also benefit from tailored loyalty discount structures, meaning you get even more for your money when you choose Wrights.

Can’t make it? Pick up the phone to find out more!

For more information contact Wrights on 0800 66 88 99 or visit the easy to navigate website www.wright-cottrell.co.uk

Make the most of your relationship with Henry Schein by becoming a member of our innovative loyalty programme, Henry Schein Rewards (hsdrewards.co.uk).

Henry Schein Rewards is free to join, and once enrolled, members can gain valuable points for every pound spent on almost all Henry Schein Dental and Software of Excellence products and services. In addition, as a member you can also benefit from exclusive special offers which attract double or triple points to boost your total. Members will be the first to hear about new products at special member previews and receive Early Bird discounts for member-only events.

Managing your Rewards account is simple. Just visit the Rewards website hsdrewards.co.uk, log in to check your balance and set points goals, then sit back and watch as your points total grows.

Since its launch 8 months ago Rewards has been incredibly well-received by Henry Schein customers who have quickly seen the value and signed up to start earning points.

Emma Emerson, who manages the Rewards programme, says, “The programme is a great success and our customers love the fact that they are being rewarded for buying across the product range from both Henry Schein Dental and Software of Excellence. The breadth of our products and services is just one way in which we are practically demonstrating our commitment to providing everything needed to run a successful and profitable dental practice.”

“Working with Henry Schein Dental, I always knew I would be well looked after, however the Henry Schein Rewards programme seems to be the icing on the cake and a great way to reward committed and loyal customers!” Paul Worskett, Ambelcote Dental

Get your Rewards total rolling by applying today for free at hsdrewards.co.uk. All new successful applicants will automatically receive 1,000 bonus points.

Tel: 0800 083 8559

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

Twitter: @HenryScheinUK

Facebook: HenryScheinUK

When placing a composite Class II restoration, one of the key challenges is to achieve excellent adaptation. Dentsply Sirona is addressing this issue with three innovative products designed to work together to provide superior adaptation at every stage of the restorative process:

• Palodent® V3 is a Sectional Matrix System that adapts to the natural contour of the tooth, providing predictable and accurate contacts and a tight marginal seal with minimal flash and fast finishing.
• SDR® Smart Dentine Replacement is a bulk fill composite that fully adapts to the cavity floor and matrix band. Its flowability and self-levelling properties reduce the occurrence of voids and bubbles, lessening the possibility of post-operative sensitivity.
• ceram.x® universal is a nano-ceramic composite used to finish the restoration. It fully adapts to the cavity and the SDR layer beneath it, while simplifying shade matching and finishing, creating long-lasting restorations with excellent aesthetics.

Each of these products alone offers the best in convenience, handling and performance. Used together, they complement each another and provide a complete Class II solution with superior adaptability.

To find out more about Restorative solutions contact Dentsply Sirona on 0800 072 3313 or visit dentsply.com/en-uk

Earn DENTSPLY Rewards £s on all your Restorative solution purchases at dentsplyrewards.co.uk and access free CPD webinars and product demonstrations at dentsplyacademy.co.uk

Facebook: DentsplySirona

Twitter: @DentsplySirona

Ivoclar Digital is the name of a strong and focused new brand developed by Ivoclar Vivadent. It provides dentists and dental technicians with state-of-the-art professional expertise throughout the entire digital process chain. The concept behind the brand will be presented at IDS 2017.

Since the successful introduction of IPS e.max more than ten years ago, Ivoclar Vivadent has significantly developed the company’s expertise in producing materials for the digital manufacture of esthetic dental restorations. Over 100 million restorations have been produced with this material to date, making it the most widely used CAD/CAM materials system in the world. The clinical reliability of the system has been proven many times over. The know-how gained by the company over many years will be integrated into digital dentistry workflows and marketed under the brand name of Ivoclar Digital. Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring easy and comprehensible processes: selecting materials and designing and producing restorations. The product range will be rounded off by a wide selection of services that will be accessible to dentists and dental technicians. 

Ivoclar Digital will be presented to the public for the first time at IDS 2017. The international dental show will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 21 to 25 March 2017. More information about this cutting-edge brand for dental laboratories and practices can be obtained in Hall 11.3. at stand A20 – D39. Preliminary information is available at www.ivoclardigital.com.

IPS e.max^® is a registered trademark of Ivoclar Vivadent AG.

Caption:

(IvoclarDigital.jpg)

Fig.: Ivoclar Digital: Consolidated digital expertise

________________________________________________

For additional information, please contact:

Ivoclar Vivadent Ltd

Compass Building

Feldspar Close, Enderby

Leicester, LE19 4SD

Phone: +44 (0) 116 284 7880

Fax: +44 (0) 116 284 7881

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

www.ivoclarvivadent.co.uk

Along with your chair side manner and expertise, Castellini can help to put anxious patients at ease.

The stylish Italian design of the Castellini Skema 8 dental unit is conducive to patient composure because it reduces the frightening sights and sounds of the treatment room.

The Skema 8 is a fully integrated treatment centre with instrument and tube modules to keep tools and leads out of the patient’s field of vision. This innovative system also offers fluid movement with silent hydraulic functions and Silent Power turbines to reduce operating noise.

Ideal for both patient and practitioner comfort, the Skema 8 has a pneumatic headrest with a tri-axis pivot to angle the head with minimal fuss. It is also equipped with full multi-media technology to enhance patient communication.

The Skema 8 is available in a choice of fourteen shades to compliment the calming environment of your treatment room. Providing the ultimate in style, efficiency and ergonomics, the Skema 8 makes it possible to keep patients calm and relaxed, while you work in comfort.

To find out how you can turn anxious patients into contented ones, contact Castellini today.

If you require any further information please call 08000 933975
and speak to Castellini UK directly for assistance.

It may come as a shock to you to understand that the healthcare sector is the primary target sector for Cyber attacks. With sensitive information on patient's medical history and general health, Cyber criminals know that if they obtain this type of data then it will be highly profitable for them. 

Attacks of this nature in the healthcare industry are becoming more regular, and more severe, than any other market sector.

We all hear about Cyber attacks of the largest scale when the make the headline news, however, even small, family run businesses are at risk. These proficient hackers are not selective about who they target as such; if there is an opportunity on any scale, they are likely going to take it.

If you have protection technology and software then it's a starting point, although don't think that this will be enough to protect your practice data and systems. 

It is now essential that you also protect your practice and business, financially, if something on this nature does occur. 

What are the true consequences of a Cyber attack?

If criminals obtain your patient data, there are a couple of things they may do with the data. 

Firstly, they can sell the data on the black market, which means your patients suffer a breach of confidentially, 

Or, secondly, they may request a ransom for keeping the data confidential, which means your business needs to honour their demands at great expense. 

Cyber attacks often result in the following for practice owners:

1. Redundant hardware and software, which needs to be replaced

2. Hefty litigation and legal costs in dealing with the matter in hand

3. Compensation requests from your patients, for the breach

4. Loss of revenue, whilst you get back up and running

5. Often it is combination of all the above

This is the cost element, but also there could be a direct impact on the reputation of your practice. 

After all, bad news spreads fast and it could certainly deter existing patients and new patients from choosing you over one of your competitors. 

Does your Practice Insurance sufficiently cover you? 

So you may be thinking that your Practice Liability Insurance covers you against such crimes. Here, it is essential to read the Terms & Conditions in detail, as most policies only offer an introductory level of cover. 

Specific Cyber Liability Insurance covers your practice, comprehensively, in the event that this nightmare materialises. 

Cyber Insurance policies vary, however many include:

·         Compensation payments to your patients

·         Your patient’s legal fees

·         Statutory fines

·         Hardware replacement costs

·         Data Corruption & Reinstatement Costs

·         Liability Cover for Affected Third Parties – e.g. patients

·         Cyber Financial crime

·         Data – Breach Expenses

·         Loss of Gross Revenue

As we are now part of a very digital working environment, it is your responsibility as a business owner to protect the data you hold in the form of patient records. 

In 2017, it is essential to not turn a blind eye, or be ignorant to what could happen, hoping that it won't happen to you.

For further information please get in touch with All Med Pro - 0203 757 6950 - www.allmedpro.co.uk

New for 2017, Henry Schein Dental is delighted to announce the launch in the UK of Henry Schein Orthodontics, providing everything you need to run a successful orthodontic practice.

The new service offers an extensive range of orthodontic products from renowned  manufacturers, including bracket systems, buccal tubes, molar bands, archwires and intraoral appliances. In addition, exclusive lines such as the innovative Carrière SLX self-ligating bracket and Carrière Motion Appliance, which limits extractions and turns complex Class II and Class III cases into simpler Class 1 cases, will also be available.

Henry Schein Orthodontics will stage a series of educational courses featuring luminaries of the orthodontic world including Dr Luis Carrière, who will deliver a Carrière Philosophy course on Innovative Concepts in the Correction of Class II and Class III Malocclusions. Courses are running throughout 2017 at Henry Schein Dental’s training facilities and details are available at hsdeducation.co.uk.

To find out more about Henry Schein Orthodontics, request a product catalogue or arrange a visit from one of Henry Schein Dental’s orthodontic product specialists visit hsdorthodontics.co.uk or speak to one of our orthodontic team on 01634 266060.

All purchases of orthodontic equipment and materials will qualify for Rewards loyalty points. New members can sign up for Rewards today for free at hsdrewards.co.uk and automatically receive an additional 1,000 FREE bonus points.

henryschein.co.uk

Twitter: @HenryScheinUK

Facebook: HenryScheinUK

In the field of dentistry, dentists may sometimes experience stress at work – after all, it can be a very fast moving, performance-driven environment.

As such, dentists (just like everyone else) are at risk of developing a substance abuse problem such as an alcohol or smoking addiction. According to a recent well-being report published by the British Dental Association, almost half of general dental practitioners (GDPs) surveyed reported low levels of life satisfaction and 44 per cent reported low levels of happiness.[i] On top of that, 55 per cent admitted to experiencing high levels of anxiety the day prior to being surveyed, which suggests that the number could be even higher if you take into account those dentists who suffer from sporadic episodes of anxiety and nervousness.

As it stands, the exact number of dentists suffering from an addiction problem and/or mental illness is unknown. What we do know, however, is that high levels of stress at work can have a negative effect on emotional well-being and mental health,[ii] which is why the profession must continue to place importance on staff welfare. After all, with the right help and support, such a risk could be completely avoided.

Luckily, there is help available for those dentists that need a hand with getting over an addiction. The Dentists’ Health Support Programme, which is managed by the Dentists’ Health Support Trust (DHST) offers dentists in difficulty an opportunity to remedy their problems, get their life back on track and, where possible, back into practice. Part of the struggle can be to admit to having a problem, but with the help of an organisation like DHST, which has an 80 per cent success rate (the highest of any comparable charity in the country), dentists can receive the necessary diagnosis and intervention that they need to get better.

All support, treatment, rehabilitation and assistance with recovery and reintegration is delivered by an expert team comprising of a psychiatric nurse and a recovering alcoholic with many years of sobriety under his belt. Without such a service, dentists would have no-one to turn to – and it is for that reason that the profession must continue to offer its support to charities like DHST. Similar to other organisations within the dental sphere, the work of the Dentists’ Health Support Programme relies entirely on the generosity of the profession for its funding.

One of the establishments that has taken an active role in providing monetary support is the Association of Dental Groups (ADG). “At the ADG, we are very much aware of the importance of providing support to dentists in need,” says David Worskett, the Chairman of the ADG. “That is why we will continue to assist the Trust and the delivery of the Programme as much as we can, and we encourage others, where possible, to do the same.

“While addiction isn’t a prevalent problem in the profession, it is important that a service is available, even if it serves just one person.”

The Dentists’ Health Support Trust is grateful for all of the support that it receives from the profession. If you would like to help, get in touch with the Trust today – any donation, no matter how big or small, would be hugely appreciated.

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

For more information about the Dentists’ Health Support Trust call 020 7224 4671 or visit www.dentistshealthsupporttrust.org

Dedicated to providing excellent patient care and dental treatment, Rodericks Dental is extending its services to bring eye care back into the healthcare setting.

It seems that too often these days, a visit to the opticians puts more emphasis on retail than healthcare. A trip to the opticians can feel more like shopping than tending to important eye conditions.

Rodericks is looking to change this by providing a combined healthcare solution for their valued dental patients that focuses more on their healthcare needs and giving advice on how to take care of their eyes.

The first Rodericks Dental Eye Care successful service was opened more than year ago from Buckingham House Dental Practice, with second following last year in Luton House Dental and Eye Care. Providing the same patient-centred care the group has become known for in dentistry, Rodericks is excited to watch the service develop and open more eye care services in the coming months.

Rodericks Dental – proud to be the corporate with a difference.

For more information please visit www.rodericksdental.co.uk

Nobel Biocare will be among the leading implant product suppliers and manufacturers delivering programmes in the Corporate Forum at the ADI Team Congress 2017.

Don’t miss Bertil Friberg‘s session on ‘Treating the compromised patient, what we have learned from 40,000 patients at Brånemark Centre in Gothenburg’ or Alessandro Pozzi’s titled ‘Using technology to solve complex treatment problem – from design to prosthetics’.

From the UK, Guy McLellan will explore ‘Treating complex maxillary situations with digital planning, models and quad zygomas’, helping all delegates take their digital workflows to the next level.

Entitled ‘Contemporary solutions for complex treatment challenges’, the morning’s lectures will provide delegates with two hours of verifiable CPD and be delivered by world-class professionals in the field.

Treat more patients better – don’t miss Nobel Biocare’s Corporate Forum at the ADI Team Congress 2017, Thursday 2nd March from 08:00 - 10:00 in ICC Capital Suite, Level 3 Room 2.

For more information about Nobel Biocare, please call 0208 756 3300,

 or visit www.nobelbiocare.com

The ADI Team Congress 2017 – 2-4 March – ExCeL London

For more details, please visit www.adi.org.uk/congress17

Selfies have taken over the world. It’s hard not to go anywhere without having to sidestep someone who is posing in front of their phone, or having to avoid an enthusiastically brandished selfie-stick. Likewise, we can’t log onto Facebook or Twitter without seeing someone’s face – usually displayed in front of a famous landmark, or posing alongside their dinner.

The popularity of this craze is undoubtedly due to the way technology has progressed: smartphones that include a forward-facing camera are now ubiquitous, allowing almost everyone around the world to take a good selfie.

There has also been some interesting research undertaken into the trends of selfie-taking, which show that the vast majority of selfies focus on the left-hand side of the taker. This behaviour is suggestive of an asymmetry in brain lateralisation – something which is well documented in cognitive neuroscience and is present in photos and paintings going back hundreds of years. While the reasons for this are yet to be fully understood, it is believed that the left side of the face is controlled by the right-hand side of the brain, which is responsible for emotions. This makes the left side of the face more expressive and, thus, many people consider this side their ‘better side’[1]

This is where selfies have garnered the most criticism, since many believe that there is a link between a propensity for selfie-taking and body dysmorphic disorder. Indeed, it has been reported that some people take hundreds, even thousands of selfies every day, in order to produce what they perceive as the perfect image of themselves.

In relation to this, it is also believed that selfie-culture has increased the demand for facial aesthetic procedures – including cosmetic dental treatments.[2] By putting their faces on display so readily, people are more aware of criticism – both from their audience and from themselves. As such, they want to look their best at all times and many see cosmetic work as the way to do this.

In terms of dental treatments, this is usually tooth whitening. Unfortunately, however, many people still do not realise that this kind of treatment must only be carried out by a registered professional – and continue to put themselves at risk by accepting whitening treatments from unlicensed and illegal providers.

As such, it is important that dental professionals do everything they can to ensure that patients are aware of the legal situation when it comes to tooth whitening – and of the dangerous ramifications of getting substandard treatment.

Of course, one of the main factors that deters patients from seeking tooth whitening from their dentists is the perceived price. But this does not need to be the barrier that many people think it is, because dental professionals can offer hard to beat offers on this type of treatment. This includes Munroe Sutton’s Healthy Discounts scheme, which gives patients a 20 per cent discount on tooth whitening, as well as a range of other treatments.

For more information please call 0808 234 3558

or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

Benjamin Franklin, writer and scientist once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. This philosophy can be applied to many situations, including that of selling a dental practice. Whether you are looking to reduce the burdens you shoulder, or are ready to move on to something new, preparation time put in before the sale can make the transaction much quicker and smoother.

There are many benefits to owning and managing a dental practice, but sometimes the administrative tasks and regulatory compliance can mean dentists lose focus of the reason they entered the profession in the first place –to care for patients. As with any sale, be it a car, house or dental practice, preparation is crucial. Time spent on refining and enhancing the practice will ensure it is sold at its highest possible value, to the right buyer.

The area which can slow down the process is the gathering together of all the necessary paperwork. Time spent ahead of the sale can help quicken this up and make it a lot less stressful towards the end. The main items that need to be made available include:

• Contracts, including staff, equipment suppliers, software suppliers etc.
• Financial accounts
• Policies and procedures, including health and safety, infection control etc.
• Building certificates
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) documents
• Price lists

Finally, in the preparation stage, do not forget your dental team! It can be a stressful time for all, timing needs to be considered carefully; they should not be told too soon in case the situation changes and staff become demotivated or consider moving on, but equally, you want to leave enough time so as to reassure them that their jobs and their patients will be looked after.

Selling to a dental corporate can often help an independent practice achieve its full potential. Their marketing budgets are larger and therefore they have the ability to reach a wider target audience, but they remain mindful of the existing practice’s ethos and patients. There is also a huge clinical and administrative support system for staff to utilise, with various learning and CPD opportunities readily available that are often subsidised. For example, Rodericks Dental is renowned for its commitment to patient care and treatment, plus, it prioritises staff development and career progression and has a dedicated, experienced team to help you through the transition.

If you wish to take the next step and are looking to sell your practice, make sure you know all your options and have all the information you need to leave your patients and staff in the safest hands.

For more information, please visit www.sellyourdentalpractice.net, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01604 602491.

Carestream Dental is delighted to host the first of its training days for customers at its showroom in Stevenage.

Offering fantastic added value for existing users, the next courses are:

Understanding dental X-ray technology and the need to minimise patient dose

Instructor: Ernesto Jaconelli

Dates: 16^th February 17:00 – 19:00

           15^th March 17:00 – 19:00

           27^th April 17:00 – 19:00

           23^rd May 17:00 – 19:00

Boost your business with CS R4+ (the launch of Springboard V2) – hands-on training

Instructor: Liam Rushton

Dates: 23^rd February 17:00 – 20:00

           28^th March 17:00 – 20:00

CS 3600 and CS 8100 3D user meeting

Instructors: David Claridge and Rob Charteris

Dates: 2^nd March 17:00 – 21:00

           3^rd March 09:00 – 16:00

To find out more about any of these training opportunities, please contact the friendly team at Carestream Dental.

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl

and Facebook

“Purchasing a practice and sourcing finance is both demanding and time consuming, so it is always good to get help from a team of experts,” says Zamir Raza, who recently purchased Serenity Dental Care. “Indeed, I would never have been able to do it alone.

“DE Finance helped me with the purchase of my practice from helping me to understand how the finance would be arranged, to sourcing the best interest rate, introducing me to the lenders and securing funding.

“Plus, because the practice was one that Dental Elite had listed, the sales and acquisition department provided additional guidance on how to complete the CQC registration forms.

“There were complications, but it wasn't DE Finance’s fault, it was delays caused by issues with due diligence and CQC registration, both of which were dealt with by the solicitors.

“I’m extremely happy with the rate that I secured as well as the service that I received – I would definitely recommend DE Finance.”

For the full interview, visit www.dentalelite.co.uk or contact DE Finance today to see how the team could help you.

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

Carestream Dental strives to make your everyday life easier with each solution that it brings to the market.

Its latest offering is specifically for Denplan practices, who now benefit from a new integration between the CS R4+ practice management software and the Denplan / PreViser Patient Assessment (DEPPA) tool.

Without requiring a separate log in, you can view previous assessments or start new DEPPA examinations all from the clinical screens in R4+. For the latter, either the appropriate records will be automatically updated or new patient files will be created.

Patients can complete DEPPA questions on an easy-to-use Wacom tablet and receive a print out or an email copy of their examination (which is automatically recorded in the patient’s communication tab).

This new integration is in addition to the previous benefits available to Denplan practices, such as automatic updates on Denplan patients, real-time review of fees paid and information on patients who have moved away but not updated their address at the practice or with Denplan.

To find out more about to fully utilise your CSR4+ software for Denplan patients, contact the friendly team at Carestream Dental today!

For more information please contact Carestream Dental on

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

For all the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl and Facebook

Here, John Grant of Goodman Grant Solicitors discusses the ins and outs of selling an NHS dental contract…

Unfortunately, selling an NHS dental practice is not particularly straightforward – and there are number of pertinent considerations that must be taken into account before making the sale.

PDS or GDS?

Knowing what type of contract you have – either a Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement or a General Dental Services (GDS) contract – is crucial to a successful sale. Unfortunately, PDS contracts, most commonly used by orthodontists, are notoriously difficult to transfer, since they depend entirely on the LATs somewhat unpredictable cooperation. However, dentists who have a PDS contract that is designated for general dental services can easily convert their contract to a more easily transferred GDS contract. The right to convert from one to the other is absolute and the LAT is not permitted to refuse the request.

However, while dentists have been selling their GDS contracts since 2006 without any difficulty, the actual transfer process is not as simple as many might imagine. In truth, the sale or disposition of a GDS Contract is specifically  prohibited in the GDS regulations and in the provisions of the actual contracts themselves – which technically makes it impossible to sell an NHS contract in a conventional sense. 

Fortunately, however, there are a number of provisions that make selling, or rather transferring, this type of contract possible. These provisions enable a principal dentist (or dentists) to introduce a new partner or partners into the practice. Again, the LAT must be notified – and they require a minimum of 28 days’ notice – but as long as the proposed partner is registered with the GDC, the LAT cannot refuse the request – although it would be fair to say that LATs are becoming more and more fond of introducing their own requirements before agreeing to issue a contract variation notice.

Once the new partner has then been added to the contract, the original partner – the seller – can retire, relinquishing their ownership over the contract and its goodwill. This will typically happen a couple of months after the sale of the practice has been completed.  This method has been come to be  known as “the Partnership Route” and has been successfully utilised to transfer ownership of NHS dental contracts for the last ten years.

Incorporated practices

The Partnership Route is only applicable for unincorporated practices and, if a practice has incorporated, then a principal  wishes to sell they are obliged to take a slightly different approach. The way that most incorporated practices are sold, therefore, is through the sale of the shares of the limited company. The principal, in their capacity as shareholder, must sell their shares to the prospective buyer, thus giving them  ownership over the company / practice assets. This will not change the legal status of the practice as contractor to the LAT, but will allow different principals to effectively transfer ownership of a practice.

With the majority of incorporated practices, a change of control clause will have been inserted into the NHS Contract by the LAT when the application to incorporate was given by the LAT. This allows the LAT to retain control over who is the contractor  – and means that if a certain percentage of shares are transferred, the LAT will need to be informed and their permission obtained. It is advisable to pay close attention to the wording of these clauses, however, since they are known to vary wildly – and even include stipulations that make it harder to transfer shares.

Help from the experts

Whatever the nature of your contract, the best approach is to always to employ the skills of an experienced dental solicitor, such as those at Goodman Grant, who understand the many different intricacies of buying and selling an NHS contract.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Solicitors – contact on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information visit www.goodmangrant.co.uk or contact your nearest office:

London: 0203 114 3133

Leeds: 0113 834 3705

Liverpool: 0151 707 0090

Patients nowadays are very aware that they have every right to change their dentist if they don’t believe they are getting the standard of service they deserve – which means inter-profession competition has increased significantly. As a result, it is incredibly important for practitioners to be sensitive to the needs and opinions of their patients, to avoid losing business and reduce the risk of complaints.

But not all patients are willing to leave feedback. Admittedly, some are more than happy to make a complaint – or direct an exasperated diatribe at your receptionist – but in most cases, British people don’t like to make a fuss.

Unfortunately, while this may be the easier way out, it isn’t very helpful. Indeed, a patient who is prepared to make their opinions known is far better than one who holds their dissatisfaction back. These are the patients who you will ultimately lose, since their issues will never be addressed.

As such, it’s generally better if feedback, even negative feedback, is out in the open. That way, you can learn from your mistakes and concentrate on improving your service. Indeed, while negative feedback can be demoralising, it can also be a positive learning opportunity – and should always be seen as such.

That isn’t to say that you must feel obliged to tolerate obnoxious comments. A complaint does not have to be insulting or inappropriate and it is usually best to ignore the people who deal with issues in this manner. In fact, it may simply be more worthwhile to ask them to leave. But if a complaint is provided in a polite and reasonable manner, then it is important that you take note and respond appropriately.

The only problem, as we have already suggested, is that many people do not necessarily feel comfortable with leaving negative feedback. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure that your patients understand that you welcome their comments, both negative and positive. You must then provide them with the correct platforms through which they can easily leave feedback. Many people do not like doing this face-to-face, so a different approach should be considered.

One of the most common mediums for review and feedback these days is the internet. More people than ever before place reviews on the web, making it the ideal place for them to do so for your practice. By providing them with an easy to use platform, such as the PatientConnections system from Welltime, your patients will be able to leave vital feedback for you on your own website, allowing you to review and utilise the information as necessary.

Negative feedback can always be a bit daunting, since no one – especially dentists – likes to think that they are not doing a good job. But there is much to be learned by constructive criticism and by giving your patients the opportunity to provide feedback in a number of different ways you can begin to provide a service that is truly exceptional.

For more information, contact the Welltime team on 07999 991 337, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website at www.welltime.co.uk

Author: David Claridge (pictured above) is currently the UK CAD/CAM Specialist at Carestream Dental. He began his career as a dental technician at The Briars Dental Centre, Newbury, before starting Claridge Dental Laboratory, and then Claridge Mouthguards. David has been closely involved in the digital impressioning/CAD/CAM world, through his role in the digital dentistry team at 3M ESPE, before joining Carestream Dental.

Digital technology has meant greater personalisation in our lives, including our professional life. We are no longer satisfied with being treated ‘en masse’ as the capability for modified configurations and bespoke settings are available in nearly all of the devices that we use. This capability to individualise is of great benefit in dentistry; whether it is the configuration of a dental chair for improved ergonomics, or the pre-set modes on a hygienist’s ultrasonic scaler, technology is helping workflows become simpler and quicker than ever before.

The evolution of digital radiography has put control back in the hands of the dentist by not only minimising, but also sometimes eliminating the drawbacks of conventional film radiographs. The dentist can now manipulate images that they take so they can be viewed in the way that they need to see it. With conventional radiographs, once the film had left the processing solution the image quality was determined and there was no chance of changing it.  However, the quality of digital images can be altered afterwards to allow for improvements.

There are a number of factors that make up image quality. Contrast, blur and noise can be controlled with use of software to help improve the image and therefore increase the chance of better diagnosis and treatment planning. Subtraction radiography is a useful enhancement method where the purpose is to produce two radiographs of the same view but at different times. Very small changes can be seen that would otherwise have been missed on conventional radiographs or on visual clinical inspection. Another digital capability is to zoom in on specific areas of concern; something impossible with conventional film. Other common enhancement tools include changing of the brightness, enhancing contrast, reversal of the image, embossing to create the image 3-dimensionally, the use of a multi-colour spectrum and filters.

The possibilities are vast when it comes to radiograph image manipulation. The CS Adapt module from Carestream Dental offers a whole new level of choice in extraoral image processing. Whether a panoramic or cephalometric image is required, CS Adapt allows easy adaptation depending on how the clinician wants it to “look and feel” and the intuitive Filter Library allows the clinician to select up to three favourites for a seamless workflow. 

Clinicians no longer have to be satisfied with using equipment that is not producing the results that they require, for the work that they do. Digitisation and the development of technology now allows for personalisation to ensure that the best results are achieved

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

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl and Facebook 

As dentists, we are aware that our patients are afraid of receiving anaesthetic injections. It’s the needle and the anticipation of the pain that does it – and it’s a big problem. For us, it can be a real issue. While we may be very skilled at administering anaesthetic, when faced with a nervous patient things become a little more complicated and, if the procedure goes poorly, we can be left doubting our own skills. In the case of extremely nervous patients, who we have had a great deal of difficulty injecting, we sometimes think it would just have been easy to sedate the patient from the outset. But sedation, of course, is just a short-term fix. It benefits us, as the clinician, more than the patient – it doesn’t remedy their fear.

As such, there has been a succession of different delivery systems for anaesthesia that have attempted to alleviate our patient’s fears. One of the most popular options is the anaesthetic wand. This device gives patients a much calmer and gentler injection due to its computerised delivery mechanism. It’s a great piece of kit and many dental practices have adopted it into every day procedures – mine included. I’ve actually found that my patients, who have historically been afraid of injections, have responded very positively to the wand – and have really appreciated the alternative option.

However, at the end of the day, the wand still uses a needle.

What dentists have been looking for, then, is the needleless anaesthetic – the Holy Grail of dentistry. This is why an article in the news piqued my interest recently. Apparently, a company in America has developed a completely needle-free option that consists of a simple nasal spray.

From the information we have available, this new nasal spray system looks quite promising. It induces minimal side effects (runny noses mostly) and is demonstrably effective. Unfortunately, it is only effective at numbing from one upper pre-molar to the other – and this, as we all know, is the area in which we are probably the most skilled at administering anaesthetic already.

What we need, therefore, is a system that will let us anaesthetise the lower mandibular molars – especially those with hot pulps. This is the hardest area to anaesthetise and unfortunately the nasal spray may be the wrong pharmaceutical to inhale for adequate relief.

As such, I can’t see this new system being revolutionary. I do believe that anything that helps our patients feel more at ease in the treatment room is of great value and I do not doubt that in very specific circumstances, this nasal spray will be an effective option. Patients in need of very simple restorative procedures, who are scared of the needle, will undoubtedly benefit – and this is not something to scoff at.

But for other procedures, we will simply have to rely on the tools we have available now and, for the time being, the quest for that Holy Grail must continue.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.

If you’re looking to develop your implant offerings and provide a wider range of services to your patients, get started with the All-On-4® treatment concept with your free e-book today!

From the pioneer of the globally popular concept, Nobel Biocare, the e-book offers a wealth of information, advice and top tips to help you maximise efficiency, safety and success of treatment.

The valuable tool will help you learn:

• The four key steps to identifying eligible patients

• Treatment planning tips

• The four common challenges associated with the All-On-4® treatment concept and how to avoid them

• Tips and techniques from experts, with real-life clinical cases

For this and much more, download your free e-book today! Just go to info.nobelbiocare.com/int/en/all-on-4-ebook to discover more about how the innovative All-On-4® treatment concept could benefit you and your patients.

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

Historically, stocks have achieved an average return of around 10 – 12 per cent over the long-term, and are notoriously well known for outperforming safer investments such as bonds or savings accounts. As such, having a share in the ownership of a company can be a worthwhile investment, particularly if you are willing to put your money into a riskier venture.

There are two main classes of stock: these are known as common or preferred. As the name suggests, common stock make up the vast majority of shares available and are generally considered to entail the most risk. Indeed, if the company goes bankrupt, shareholders do not receive any money until the creditors, bondholders and preferred shareholders are paid. On the plus side, being a shareowner entitles you to a portion of the company’s profits, so if the going is good, you could potentially see a significant return on your investment.

By owning stock(s) you are also entitled to one vote per share when it comes to electing the board of directors at annual meetings. So while having shares doesn't give you any power in the way the business is managed, your voting rights means you do have an opinion in who is in charge, and by association, the direction of the company.

Preferred stocks, however, don’t usually afford the shareholder the same rights, so if this is important to you as an investor, it is crucial to choose ventures that do allow you to vote. The other aspect to take into consideration is the way in which the money is paid out – unlike common shares, investors are usually guaranteed a fixed lifetime dividend, which could be ideal if you are looking for a safe, consistent income for retirement. When deciding upon which type of stock to invest in, it is always worth considering the option of a collective investment scheme. This is where shares are pooled into one investment to maximise returns and minimise tax.

There are innumerable different companies that you could potentially invest in, so before you make your move, take the time to shop around. And, if you are looking to make a much larger investment, you could consider taking over a dental practice. Indeed, if an incorporated practice is looking to sell, it will usually do so through selling their stock – as more often than not the principal owns the majority, if not all of the shares. By buying these shares you take over as the main owner of the practice, which holds numerous opportunities.

All in all, there are a number of roads to go down with shares, which if you play your cards right, can pay dividends – literally! To get the most out of your shares or for advice on buying or selling, it is best to seek guidance from an Independent Financial Adviser, such as those at money4dentists.

There is a lot to consider when trading shares, so make sure you are prepared – getting caught out will cost you.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060, 0754 DENTIST, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.money4dentists.com

BioHorizons is delighted to announce its new relationship with CAMLOG, a leading supplier of systems and products for implant and restorative dentistry.

Speaking about this development, Ken O’Brien, General Manager UK & Ireland at BioHorizons, said: ‘To me, this is the positioning of two premium systems under one umbrella, offering clinicians unrivalled choice. We are excited to share the possibilities with our customers in the coming weeks.’

Indeed, with CAMLOG and BioHorizons sharing a portfolio of products, our reps can offer a wider range of treatment solutions than ever before, combined with unprecedented added value features such as access to The Implant Hub (www.theimplanthub.com) and business support.

With a team of Territory Managers located across the UK and Ireland, you can be sure that whatever you need is just a phone call away.

For more information, please call 01344 752560, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.biohorizons.com.

New allowances mean that there is now the opportunity for some people to have up to £17,000 of savings income, tax-free. Along with the new £5,000 dividend allowance, that’s potentially up to £22,000 of tax-free income. So, how can you get on board?

The defined order for taxing income can make a difference. Earnings/non-savings income (such as rent) is taxed first. This is followed by savings income, then dividends.

The 0 per cent starting rate band for 2016/17 is £5,000. This is given on savings income as long as it does not exceed the personal allowance of £11,000. So if you have earnings/non-savings income of up to £11,000, you could receive £5,000 of savings income, tax-free. Dividends income does not affect your entitlement to the starting rate tax band. This gives you the option of having thousands in dividends, but also continuing to enjoy £5,000 of savings income taxed at zero.

April 2016 saw the introduction of the new personal savings allowance (PSA).
A basic-rate taxpayer will be able to earn up to £1,000 in savings income, tax-free; for a higher rate taxpayer this figure is £500. Using the PSA, a basic-rate taxpayer could take advantage of the £11,000 personal allowance, plus £5,000 taxed at 0 per cent, plus the £1,000 savings income allowance. This means a potential total of £17,000 in tax-free savings income.

Not only is basic-rate tax no longer deducted at source on bank/building society accounts since April, but the first £5,000 of a person’s dividends income is also tax-free. Why not look at how family members can be used to maximise the benefits available? For a couple, one partner may be lower earner or have less in pensions. If they hold the assets that generate the savings income and dividends, this can help the family qualify for the new opportunities.

Everyone wants to know how to maximise their tax efficiency and enjoy tax-free income. With the pressures of being a dental practice owner, it pays to get expert advice so you can get on with the business of providing high-quality care and a great place to work. Lansdell & Rose are specialists in providing tax-planning advice to dental and medical professionals, as well as business advice. Get professional support to maximise your tax efficiency – there are opportunities for tax-free income out there if you know where to look.

To find out more, call Lansdell & Rose on 020 7376 9333,

Or visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk

Are you thinking about refurbishing your practice? Then look no further than RPA Dental Equipment Ltd. With its extensive knowledge and experience within the dental industry, the team can help tailor your practice design to meet your specific and unique needs.

They will work closely with you to establish a suitable layout, fully utilising the space you have to ensure that you have an efficient, ergonomic and stylish work environment.

RPA Dental also provides quality Tavom cabinets to fit into your tailor-designed practice, all of which are compliant with CQC and HTM 01-05 standards and regulations.

To ensure you are happy with the refurbishment every step of the way, RPA Dental uses the latest CAD/CAM technology to provide computer-generated images of your future practice. This will give you an idea of how it will look, giving you the freedom to modify or change your plans if you wish.

If you would like to find out more about the cabinet ranges available and how RPA Dental could help you with your dental practice design, contact the team today.

To see how RPA Dental can transform your dental practice, please call

08000 933 975 or visit the website www.dental-equipment.co.uk

If you are looking to maximise your chances of success when applying for a role, it can pay to prepare for candidate screening. The only way to do that is to know what goes into it.

To help with screening, employers often use an initial checklist that can be used to quickly and efficiently establish whether an applicant is a suitable candidate or not. On that list will be a number of desired skills that the prospective employee must have in order to advance to the next round – these typically include the necessary qualifications, accreditations and registrations. They will also be looking out for candidates that have previous experience.

Once the employer has established which candidates satisfy all the requirements, they will examine personal qualities. If it goes down to the wire and two applicants are on an even playing field in terms of qualifications and experience, these attributes could be the deciding factor between who is selected to fulfil the position.

However, it is important to remember that no two prospective employers are the same, so there will always be variety in what practices are looking for during their screening process. Some companies, for instance, are very relaxed and will consider interviewing anyone that applies, while others are very selective. Some employers might even choose to conduct phone interviews either in place of interviewing or in addition to, though this typically depends on whether the vacancy is for a permanent or locum position.

Bearing all this in mind, there are a number of preparations that you can make to boost your chances of success during the screening process.

• Having a good curriculum vitae is the biggest foot in the door, so it is crucial that you spend adequate time ensuring that all the necessary information is included in a clear and concise fashion.

• You must also be sure that you have researched the company and the role thoroughly – and when you’ve done that, research some more. The more prepared you are, the higher up on their list you’ll be.

• About 80 per cent of employers will search for an applicant on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, so whatever you put online, make sure it’s appropriate.

• Draw on your peers’ experiences for insight and top tips.

• Follow up on your application to confirm that it was received – it will show that you’re proactive and enthusiastic about the role.

• Contact the employer post interview thanking them for their time to help keep your name at the forefront of their mind.

• Employ the services of a specialist recruitment agency like Dental Elite for expert advice, support and to act as an intermediary between yourself and the employer.

Altogether, there are a great many factors that are taken into consideration by an employer during the recruitment process, all of which not only help to ensure that the right candidate gets the job, but also to streamline the process for everyone involved. To ensure that you meet the criteria and pass the screening process, take the appropriate steps to prepare today.

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

“From the moment I started working with Enlighten, I knew I was dealing with something I hadn’t really experienced before,” says Dr Kunal Patel, owner and principal dentist of Love Teeth Dental Practice. “The team was incredibly proactive and generous – and, unlike other tooth whitening companies I have dealt with, had a vested interest in its clients and their patients.

“I think I was initially drawn in by Enlighten’s branding and marketing – which is all of a very high quality. I knew immediately that it was a product that was very much in line with the kind of practice I wanted to create.

“I also discovered that Enlighten can guarantee a great result – the only whitening product I can think of that can do so. Of course, this is incredibly important to patients and helps us dentists strengthen the bond of trust we have with them. Indeed, I trust Enlighten products to achieve that ideal B1 shade – and my patients trust me.

“Now, Enlighten whitening has become an integral part of our treatment process. I undertake many smile makeovers and orthodontic cases – both of which have a natural synergy with whitening products. I’ve found that patients are happy to pay the extra cost for whitening when having their smile altered – it’s the perfect way to finish off treatment to an incredibly high standard.

“As such, I would wholeheartedly recommend Enlighten products to any dentist!”

For more information, visit www.enlightensmiles.com, email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the team on 0207 424 3270

The outer protective layer of the teeth, dental enamel, is the hardest substance in the human body.[1] Ninety-six per cent of its composition is mineral – almost entirely a crystalline calcium phosphate, called hydroxyapatite¹ – with water and organic materials comprising the rest. As such, it is an effective barrier that protects the more sensitive layers of the tooth. Indeed, enamel can withstand bite forces as high as 1,000N on a daily basis[2] and has a relatively low wear rate,[3] making it the ideal protective material for the teeth.

Enamel is formed through the process of amelogenesis, beginning in developing babies during the third of fourth month of a pregnancy.[4] After this time, the new enamel forms at a rate of about 4?m per day⁴ until the tooth eventually erupts from the gum. Interestingly, before this happens, at some time during the mineralisation stage of enamel development, the ameloblasts – one of the integral proteins of enamel development – begin to undergo programmed cell death. As a result, enamel has only limited ways of regenerating itself once it has been damaged, through wear, acid attack or dental decay. The repair in the mouth is governed by the intricate balance of demineralisation through day to day challenges and the remineralisation by calcium and phosphates deposited by specialised salivary proteins.

This is a prevalent issue since, due to the nature of its composition, enamel is susceptible to almost constant demineralisation.¹ As we know, there are many different reasons for demineralisation, but by far the most important is the ingestion of fermentable carbohydrates. Sugars are, of course, the common culprits – particularly sucrose – and when these are introduced to the native bacteria of the mouth, lactic acid is formed, significantly lowering the intraoral pH and causing demineralisation,¹ and this may lead, if unchecked, to dental decay.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can help prevent or, at least, slow the effects of demineralisation. Perhaps the most effective – and subsequently overlooked – is saliva. By regulating the pH levels in the mouth, saliva helps prevent enamel from decaying; indeed, its importance to caries prevention can be assessed by the fact that people suffering from xerostomia generally have a higher incidence of dental decay.[5] Saliva also contains antimicrobial compounds and is hypersaturated in calcium through a group of proteins called statherins.

There are also a number of artificial prevention and remineralisation therapies that can help maintain the desired intraoral equilibrium. The fluoridation of drinking water and toothpaste is, perhaps, the most recognised – and has demonstrable results, as it leads to the formation of fluorapatite, which is much more resistant to acid challenges. Indeed, fluorapatite is an important component in tooth enamel and can be strengthened by the presence of additional fluoride ions.

Maintaining the equilibrium between demineralisation and remineralisation is one of the most important factors in preserving good oral health – and preventing dental caries. As we know, dental caries is one of the most prevalent dental health issues in the UK – and is a direct result of an imbalance in the demineralisation / remineralisation pattern. If a person’s diet or even genetic predisposition allows demineralisation to overtake the body’s natural reparative functions, caries results. Indeed, as the crystalline structure of enamel begins to break down, so called cariogenic bacteria – most commonly Streptococcus mutans – is able to gain a foothold on the tooth’s compromised surface, expediting decay and causing cavities. As we are well aware, once a patient has a cavity, there are few clinical options available other than placing dental fillings, which further compromise the tooth.

While it may be one of the most prevalent health issues in the world,[6] dental caries is still quite hard to detect, and particularly in its earliest stage, when remineralisation therapy can still repair the damage.

Fortunately, however, our understanding of dental caries has increased significantly over recent years and new technology is presenting itself that can aid dentists in early caries detection and subsequent treatment and prevention.

Cariologists have discovered that an effective way of detecting active demineralisation at its initial stage is to monitor a tooth’s calcium components at a molecular level. For example, as demineralisation occurs, calcium ions are released from the crystalline structure of the enamel. These ‘free’ calcium ions then start to collect in solution in what are known as hydration shells – small pores and pockets that increase as the enamel’s crystalline structure begins to break down. The presence of free calcium ions is indicative of the progress or active status of demineralisation, providing a means to track the process at its earliest – and most reversible – stage.

This process is the basis of the innovative CALCIVIS imaging system. By introducing a unique and highly specific recombinant, luminescent photoprotein to the free calcium ions that are a result of active enamel demineralisation, a tiny flash of light – termed as a chemiluminescent signal – can be produced. This has enabled CALCIVIS to produce a highly sensitive imaging device capable of producing a chair side map of active demineralisation, giving practitioners the necessary information to begin first-response preventive treatment before a cavity can form and more invasive treatments are required.

Preventive dentistry is regarded as the future of dentistry. Protecting a patient’s natural teeth is a paramount consideration and professionals must be prepared to focus on the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of dental caries. New technologies are making this possible by giving dental professionals the means to offer high-quality and accurate early intervention and preventive care in the first instance.

For more information visit www.calcivis.com, call on 0131 658 5152 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Enlighten is excited to announce the start of an exciting new initiative – through which it means to improve the standard and quality of tooth whitening around the country.

With the Regional Centre of Excellence scheme, Enlighten will reach out to its trusted clients, offering them exceptional training, support and marketing assistance. Partner practices will also receive regional exclusivity, ensuring that they are the number one choice for tooth whitening in their area.

The Enlighten team will be on hand to provide in-practice training, ensuring your entire staff know exactly what is involved in the tooth whitening process. This way, they can provide your patients with precise and friendly advice and information whenever it’s needed.

Enlighten will also help promote your practice as the go-to expert in tooth whitening – through its own nationwide network of contacts, as well as dedicated and personalised advertising and promotion campaigns.

Membership to this exciting initiative is limited, depending on regional interest and uptake, so ensure you contact the Enlighten team as soon as possible to register your interest and take the first step to becoming a Regional Centre of Excellence.

For more information, visit www.enlightensmiles.com, email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the team on 0207 424 3270

Rentokil Initial – of which Initial Medical is a subsidiary – is thrilled to have raised more than £100,000 for the company’s chosen charity, Malaria No More UK, in the past three years!

The company and its employees achieved this fantastic milestone through a wide variety of events and fundraising activities. From marathons to car washes, Pestaurant challenges to car boot sales, and even a gruelling three-day cycle ride from the Rentokil Initial HQ in Camberley to Paris. 

Phill Wood, Managing Director – UK, Ireland, Baltics & Rest of World, Rentokil Initial  – commented: “As a global leader in pest control and washroom hygiene, Malaria No More UK is an important organisation for Rentokil Initial to support. We are delighted to contribute to such a great cause and our colleagues look forward to taking part in further challenges in the future.”

Malaria No More UK is part of the global effort to wipe out malaria and there has been phenomenal progress in recent years with deaths from malaria slashed by 60% since 2000. The charity works to save lives by building business partnerships; encouraging governments to place malaria at the top of their international development agendas, and through investing in lifesaving malaria control programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, currently in Kenya and Namibia.

Proud to have broken through the £100,000 milestone, Rentokil Initial remains committed to raising donations for such a worthy cause in 2017!

For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical

Initial Medical is a division of Rentokil Initial plc.

About Initial Medical

Initial Medical is an expert in healthcare waste management, providing a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for hazardous and non-hazardous waste and offensive waste produced by businesses and organisations within the UK.

The safe management of healthcare waste is vital to ensure your activities are not a risk to human health.  Initial Medical’s healthcare waste services ensure that all of your waste is stringently handled in compliance with legislation and in accordance with Safe Management of Healthcare Waste best practice guidelines, providing you with the peace of mind that you are adhering to current legislation.

A recent, pan-European study has revealed that as many as 41.9% of young adults suffer from dentine hypersensitivity.¹ Due to the often sporadic nature of the condition, patients may fail to mention it at the dental appointment. It therefore lies with the dental professional to identify this painful condition which can cause patients to avoid food and drink triggers they may otherwise enjoy and even neglect their oral hygiene.^2,3

Discover the new interactive Sensodyne® with NovaMin® distance learner module! Through a series of short video clips and interactive activities, refresh your knowledge of this prevalent condition before learning more about Sensodyne®’s clinically proven innovation for dentine hypersensitivity treatment, Sensodyne® Repair & Protect.

The module is free of charge, easy to use and available 24 hours a day. There’s no time limit so you can complete the module whenever you like, in your own time and at your own pace. What’s more, completion of the module can contribute up to 1.5 hours towards your verifiable CPD.

Sensodyne® Repair & Protect toothpaste with NovaMin® builds a dynamic, hydroxyapatite-like layer over and within exposed dentine tubules.^4,8 It repairs your patients’ dentine, to provide clinically proven sensitivity relief with twice daily brushing. ^4,6 The robust NovaMin® layer binds firmly to collagen in dentine,^6,9 and resists daily physical and chemical oral challenges,^4,6,8,10,11 helping to protect against future dentine hypersensitivity pain.

Visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk/pr to complete the module now!

References:

1. West NX et al. J Dent 2013; 41: 841-851.
2. Schiff T et al. Am J Dent 2009; 22 (Spec Iss): 8A-15A.
3. Schiff T et al. J Clin Dent 2009; 20 (Spec Iss): 131-136.
4. Burwell A et al. J Clin Dent 2010; 21 (Spec Iss): 66-71.
5. LaTorre G, Greenspan DC. J Clin Dent 2010; 21 (Spec Iss): 72-76.
6. West NX et al. J Clin Dent 2011; 22 (Spec Iss): 82-89.
7. Earl JS et al. J Clin Dent 2011; 22 (Spec Iss): 62-67.
8. Earl JS et al. J Clin Dent 2011; 22 (Spec Iss): 68-73.
9. Efflandt SE et al. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 2002; 13 (6): 557-565.
10. Parkinson CR & Willson RJ. J Clin Dent 2011; 22 (Spec Iss): 74-81.
11. Wang Z et al. J Dent 2010; 38: 400-410.

Trade Marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies

Ever wished for an intuitive practice management experience? Want software that is updated regularly and supported by real humans that care?

Now is your chance.

Dentally is revolutionising practice management software in the UK.

We offer full practice management in a user friendly package:

-       Streamlined clinical design - customisable tools for charting, treatment planning, perio and BPE. Record medical histories and clinical images.

-       Easy communication and efficient time management - stay in touch with your patients from appointment to post-surgery care.

-       Full integration so you can expand beyond your practice - Financial, iPad, automation, imaging and more!

What’s more is that we offer a human service. Whether it’s training, support or feedback we’re always available at the end of a phone or even directly in-app.

Right now we’re offering a free iPad with every order*.

Dentally for iPad can assist your practice in going paperless.

Patients can fill out medical history forms, review and sign treatment plans whilst reception can check patients in and set medical alerts. Saving valuable time in the practice.

Find out more at Dentally.co and share your details with us for a personalised tour of our software.

*when purchasing a Dentally iPad subscription

Michael Lansdell is a founding partner at specialist dental and medical accountants Lansdell & Rose. As a chartered accountant, here he discusses the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and how it could impact on dental practitioners and practice owners…

It could be the understatement of the century to say that we have had ‘quite’ a year here in the financial sector! We barely had time to draw breath after the result of the EU referendum when, on 8th November, the global political and economic landscape had another shock with the election in the US of Donald Trump. 

As far as the UK is concerned, not only do the people in charge now look different, the numbers do too. Back in March, ex-Chancellor George Osborne was still talking about his goal of turning the deficit into a surplus by 2020; by November his successor Philip Hammond had the (unenviable?) task of embracing the current reality by setting out careful fiscal targets that leave “significant flexibility to respond to any headwinds the economy may encounter”. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) now forecasts the 2016/17 deficit will be £68.2bn, with 2019/20 producing a deficit of £21.9bn. Most worrying is that by end of this parliament, total government debt is forecast to be just short of £2 trillion!

Still, in the real world we have to press ahead with resolve and get on with the job in hand. For dental practice owners, this means trying to maintain a sustainable, successful business that looks after its employees and provides top-notch standards of patient care. So, in Mr Hammond’s first – and last – Autumn Statement, what were the stories that could impact on the dental sector?

First, there was some continuity. The previously announced staged reduction in corporation tax, from the current rate of 20% to 17% by 2020, will stay.

Employers would naturally be interested in any changes to National Insurance Contributions (NICs). From April 2017, the primary (employee) threshold and the secondary (employer) threshold will be aligned at £157 per week. Also, the tax and NI advantages of most salary sacrifice schemes will be removed from April 2017 (as previously proposed). Exclusions include packages relating to pensions, childcare and cycle to work schemes. Some arrangements will also be protected up until a specified date (the devil is in the detail, as ever). So, if you currently offer employees the opportunity to swap salaries for benefits you may decide to think again as they could end up paying the same amount of tax as individuals who pay for these things out of their post-tax salary. There will also be a call for evidence on tax relief for employees’ business expenses.

With regards to personal taxation and finance, Mr Hammond confirmed an increase to the personal allowance to £11,500 and the higher rate threshold to £45,000 for 2017/18. He also remains committed to a goal of a £12,500 and £50,000 (higher rate) personal allowance by 2020, he said. Of interest in the area of pensions, the Chancellor also announced proposed changes to the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPPA), a reduction from £10,000 to £4000. MPPA applies to anyone who has drawn income benefits under the current pension flexibility rules. The new guidelines are intended to limit the amount of pension income being ‘recycled’ as tax-relieved contributions (future consultation could result in some exemptions). There will also be other changes to the tax rules for pensions of people who move overseas, aligning them more closely with the UK’s tax regime; pensions/lump sums will be taxed to the same extent as they would have been domestically. Finally, the much anticipated further restriction on pension contributions by higher rate taxpayers did not materialise, so no changes there (mercifully)!

What about your other savings and investments? The band of savings income that is subject to the 0% starting rate will remain at £5000 during the next financial year. As previously announced, if you have an Individual Savings Account (ISA), the subscription limit will increase to £20,000.

This is just a brief summary of what dental practice owners may find interesting and/or applicable to their circumstances. Now more than ever, it is essential to enlist a specialist accountant when you are making any financial decisions, whether it relates to you or your business. In a year of shocks, now is time to be vigilant, be flexible, be organised and most of all to use the experts!

To find out more, call Lansdell & Rose on 020 7376 9333,

Or visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk

The BDIA is pleased to announce that Lizzie Boon, qualified dental nurse and Quality Assurance Auditor for the National Examining Board of Dental Nurses (NEBDN) has won the latest ‘Spot the Fake’ competition, which was held at BDIA Dental Showcase 2016.

The competition challenged members of the dental team to correctly identify genuine and counterfeit dental devices as part of the BDIA’s award winning Counterfeit and Substandard Instruments and Devices Initiative (CSIDI), which has recently partnered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to help stamp out counterfeit and non-compliant equipment.

As the winner of the competition, Lizzie was awarded £500 to spend with a BDIA member of her choice, and put the money to good use by choosing to purchase subscriptions to Dental Nursing for herself and colleagues at NEBDN.

Commenting on the competition, Lizzie said, “Seeing the fake equipment next to the real thing definitely makes you think about where the products come from and how important it is to purchase quality equipment from a reputable supplier in order to safely protect users and patients”.

The CSIDI campaign continues to highlight the danger of counterfeit and non-compliant dental equipment and the risk involved in purchasing from unknown sources. BDIA Policy and Public Affairs Director, Edmund Proffitt, commented, “Counterfeit dental devices pose a real risk to patients as well as the professionals using them. We’re pleased that the competition and CSIDI campaign have had such a positive response from the dental team and look forward to continuing this important work in partnership with the MHRA”.

Notes for editors:

Picture attached: BDIA Spot the Fake competition winner, Lizzie Boon.

Established in 1923, the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) represents and supports manufacturers and suppliers of dental products, services and technologies. BDIA members gain access to a range of services designed to benefit them and promote the well-being of the industry as a whole and the profession gains the reassurance of dealing with like-minded individuals who are committed to providing a high quality standard of service.

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

“The conference provided a very informative day, covering a varied range of topics and I found it interesting to see all the new developments and research. It was great that so many speakers who are top of the profession worldwide came to Dublin and I found it useful to get reaffirmation that we’re following good protocols and achieving the same success rates as those international leaders.” – Dr Eoin Fleetwood, Eyre Square Dental Clinic in Galway

Entitled Osseointegration Reimagined, Nobel Biocare’s Dublin Team Conference 2016 highlighted just how far dental implantology has come since those early days.

The full-day programme brought a piece of June’s Global Symposium in New York to Ireland, demonstrating Nobel Biocare’s total commitment to education and innovation. An array of world-class speakers took delegates on a journey through the development of dental implants, with lectures in the morning and smaller masterclasses and workshops in the afternoon.

From where it all began, Professor David Harris kicked off proceedings by paying tribute to Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, before Dr Bertil Friberg reminisced about what dental implantology was like in the 80s. It seems strange to realise that only 20 years ago, patients had to wear a denture for one year before implants could be placed in healed extraction sites!

Professor Hannes Watchel, Dr Ana Ferro and Dr Paul O’Reilly then offered their own experiences from Munich, Lisbon and Ireland, each emphasising the benefits of implants for patients and their quality of life. Modern treatment options for compromised patients were also discussed, with Dr Dawood considering situations where customised implants, cutting-edge 3D printing and innovative ideas were combined to deliver truly life-changing solutions.

Exploring the height of implant innovation, the final plenary session challenged the status quo with respect to the digital integrated workflow and CAD/CAM restorations and highlighted the importance of respecting the soft tissue. Dr Rompen also introduced the exciting new On1 concept, which brings the restorative platform from bone level to tissue level for maximum soft tissue attachment and optimised healing.

Throughout the morning’s lectures, a clear trend developed. All speakers – regardless of specialism or nationality – were passionate about simplifying the clinical workflow for a faster, more predictable and more cost-effective procedure for the patient.

Dr Robert Bowe from Bowe Dental Clinic in Limmerick commented:

“This was a very well-organised conference, where speakers provided different, innovative solutions to implant problems we face every day. Throughout the morning sessions there was a lot of new evidence presented, as a result of which I will look to modify my own practice. As with all Nobel Biocare events, I learnt something new and came away with a renewed enthusiasm for implant dentistry. It is also great to have the opportunity to talk with colleagues – it’s reassuring to know that we all face the same challenges and that there are solutions out there!”

In addition to all this, there were plenty of opportunities to network with industry-leading professionals, while also catching up with friends and colleagues. The Innovation Evening saw delegates and speakers come to together to enjoy a fantastic meal and entertainment, and a great time was had by all.

Paul O’Reilly, Scientific Co-Chair, added:

“Nobel Biocare is to be commended for assembling an impressive array of national and international speakers for this conference. As well as some outstanding lectures, a programme of hands on workshops and masterclasses allowed attendees to try innovative products, learn new techniques and gain an appreciation for the rapid advances that are occurring in treatment options for our patients.”

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

Today, the assurance that home insurance can provide is invaluable, particularly as it can offer peace of mind to homeowners that their house and contents are protected.

There are a number of different types of home insurance available from standard cover to more bespoke, specialist policies. Buildings insurance covers both the structure of the house as well as the replacement or repairs of permanent fixtures such as bathrooms and kitchens as well as the roof. Contents insurance protects your declared belongings, including electronics, jewellery, clothes, furniture and so on from incidences like theft, fire and flooding. Accidental damage cover, which can be used to repair or replace items that have been damaged – such as a smashed TV or wine stain on the carpet – is classed as an extra, so be sure to specify what you require when selecting your policy. More specialist policies can cover holiday homes, listed buildings, high-value homes and belongings and non-standard houses.

Regardless of which policy you choose it is crucial that you are aware of what it covers and the restrictions that are applied within the small print, otherwise you could find yourself unable to make a claim. 

Statistics show that the most common claims made by policyholders in 2015 were weather (25 per cent), escaping water (21 per cent), fire (13 per cent), theft (13 per cent), accidental damage (10 per cent), domestic subsidence (4 per cent) and other domestic claims (14 per cent). [i]

Claims for floods have increased in particular over recent years. At the end of 2015, start of 2016 alone, storms Desmond, Eva and Frank are thought to have resulted in payouts of £1.3 billion, with each claim thought to average at £50,000 – in 2013/14 the average was £31,000.[ii] With research showing that heavy rainstorms are on the rise due to manmade climate change – one in five extreme rain events experienced globally are as a result of the global rise in temperature[iii] – it is possible that we could be seeing a lot more claims for bad weather and flooding in the coming years; something to think about if you are not currently protected against these events.

If you don't have an existing policy or you are looking to change or upgrade, it can be prudent to enlist the services of a specialist agency such as insurance4dentists that can advise you on products that would be best suited to you. By going at it alone you run the risk of selecting cover that might not be sufficient or correct for your needs, which could result in a subsequent claim being rejected. Thus, for peace of mind, contact an expert adviser today.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754 DENTIST. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.insurance4dentists.co.uk

With over one thousand students enrolling in the UK’s dental schools last year, it is vitally important that each and every one of them receives quality training from the very moment they begin their education. After all, it is they who will be responsible for the future of dentistry – a future which, it must be said, is looking ever more challenging.

With an ageing population, the needs of patients are changing, placing new pressures on dental professionals that must be addressed from the very beginning of their careers. This can then be juxtaposed against the shifting needs of dental professionals themselves, prompted, in part, by an increasing understanding of the ergonomic requirements of dentistry.

Having access to the latest technology and equipment is particularly important, after all this reflects the direction in which dentistry is going. For young dental students, it sets an early precedent which may be continued throughout the rest of their career – and this is why so many of the UK’s dental schools are choosing A-dec equipment.

Designed to meet the challenges of modern dentistry, A-dec dental units are renowned for both their reliability and functionality. With years of testing and retesting invested into their creation, each product is devised to provide practitioners with precisely what they need to practice excellent dentistry. Whether it’s ease of maintenance, cost efficiency, the capability of integrating necessary ancillaries or providing an ergonomic workplace solution, A-dec chairs are developed with a keen understanding of what practitioners need and want from their dental equipment. 

With high quality equipment available to train on, dental students are more likely to learn to practise in a way that greatly benefits both themselves and their patients. With A-dec stools and dental chairs, for example, students will be able to acquire the correct working posture early on, meaning that the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders later in their careers will be mitigated.

Fully committed to ensuring that the next generation of UK dentists have the very best start in their careers, A-dec works closely with the country’s best training facilities, providing quality equipment on which students can perfect their skills. A-dec UK has worked closely with the majority of UK dental schools and has installed literally thousands of dental units and training simulators across the country.

Aiming to provide support to the dental community at all stages, A-dec is also proud to work alongside some of the biggest and most celebrated dental hospitals in the country. The team has, in the last several years, installed over a thousand dental chairs (the majority being the premier A-dec 500 model) into many dental hospitals across the UK and Ireland, including Birmingham Dental Hospital, the Royal London Dental Hospital, Bristol Dental Hospital, the Peninsula Dental Hospital and the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital.

The quality of the services provided in these facilities necessitates the use of nothing but the most reliable and multi-functional equipment available – which makes A-dec the perfect choice. The A-dec 500 is one of the most cutting-edge dental chairs on the UK market, boasting a design that meets the challenges of modern dentistry – in all scenarios. With optimum ergonomics, excellent mobility and access, reliable internal mechanisms and the clinical adaptability, the A-dec 500 is changing the way in which the UK’s dental hospitals have been treating patients.

In addition to the provision of exceptional equipment, A-dec also offers each of its institutional partners unparalleled support. With a keen understanding of how important each and every piece of equipment in any of these facilities is, the A-dec support team is available to support and advise with any query.

Led by Christopher Cox, A-dec’s Sales and Marketing Manager, the team provides unwavering assistance from the very beginning of an installation project, including design and fitting, to continuing maintenance and engineer support. Christopher says: “I’m very proud of the work undertaken by A-dec in the UK’s dental hospitals and schools and look forward to continuing to support their success.”

With so many fantastic institutions now recognising the benefits of A-dec equipment, it must be remembered that A-dec offers the same exceptional products and support to independent dental practices. Simply contact the team to find out precisely how they could help you.

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

www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

Relocating to offices 4 times larger than before, the success of S4S (UK) Limited and Smilelign Limited has meant that they needed to go bigger and better! 

Watch below for a video invite from Matt Everatt, S4S Technical Director!

S4S and Smilelign are hosting a laboratory launch to celebrate their move to Rutland Road and their continuing success. Featuring tours and a thank you by the Directors, the Signing Dentist will also be in attendance! With a mission to promote oral health in a fun and entertaining way, and as seen on Good Morning Britain, Dr Milad Shadrooh has his own YouTube channel and over 20 million Facebook views. 

Doors will be thrown open at 4pm on the 7^th December at 151 Rutland Road, S3 9PT. The planned launch will consist of tours of the lab space, a talk from the Technical Director about the business - how it has remained strong despite factors such as the economic crisis, and the first-class staff that they employ - and a session with the aforementioned Singing Dentist, Dr Milad Shadrooh, explaining how he intends to continue delivering a positive message for the UK dental industry as well as sharing his experience of using S4S and Smilelign in his practice. Followed by drinks and nibbles, the afternoon should prove to be a popular event amongst the business and dental scene. 

S4S and Smilelign have grown significantly since their conception and have won a number of national awards including Best Dental Laboratory in both 2014 and 2015, and are up for the award again this year. “Eliminating the space constraints of our previous home will allow our team to continue to provide the excellent service that our clients expect” says Neil Bullement, Commercial Director, “with close to 9,000 sq ft, we now have space for further growth”.

About S4S (UK) Limited & Smilelign

An award-winning dental laboratory S4S and Smilelign provides clinically proven treatments to dentists and patients in the fields of snoring & sleep apnoea, bruxism and orthodontics as well as offering educational opportunities to GDPs and others in the surrounding fields. To learn more visit www.s4sdental.com or call us on 0114 250 176.

‘Compliance’ may be one of the most hated words amongst dental practitioners these days. Indeed, whether it’s HTM01-05 or CQC, it pervades almost every aspect of the profession – and there really is no escaping it.

However, while we may not want to like compliance, there can be no denying that it has helped us improve our service, protect our patients and ourselves. Certainly, without HTM01-05, our practices would not be nearly as safe as they are today, and without the CQC, many more cases of malpractice might go unnoticed, undermining the integrity of the dental profession.

These days, however, compliance extends far beyond the clinical aspects of our work – decontamination, patient consent and case documentation, for example; indeed, as mentioned above, it is integral to almost everything we do within the walls of our practice.

This also includes our finance options. Patient finance is by no means a new feature in modern dentistry, but it is certainly becoming increasingly more popular as patient demands begin to change. Certainly, as more and more patients seek out elective, cosmetic treatments – many of which necessitate higher value procedures – the need to provide cost-effective credit options is essential. Indeed, if there is one thing that we have all learnt since the recessionary years, it’s that ‘affordability’ is golden. As the demand for different treatments rises, so too does the competition between professionals – both inside and outside the UK. As such, it is vitally important to offer ways for patients to financially access the treatments they want.

Of course, by offering finance options in practice, dental professionals are introducing themselves to yet another form of compliance – and a particularly stringent one at that. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates all consumer credit, and its guidelines are strict.

Indeed, the FCA does not distinguish between a dentist, who has built up trust and who may have a long-term relationship with their patients, and a company that deals with patients on an entirely ad hoc basis. The result of this is that dental professionals who want to offer their patients finance options for treatment will be subject to the same stringent regulations as any payday loan company or bank.

As one might imagine, therefore, the amount of administration involved in maintaining compliance with the regulations can be something of a nightmare – especially for independent practices that do not have the resources of manpower to dedicate a specific member of staff to its maintenance.

In fact, just applying to the FCA for finance authorisation can be an excruciating process – not to mention the subsequent reporting and reviews that the FCA requires on a regular basis. All this can be particularly disruptive – and is unlikely to really be one of the highest priorities in a busy practice that already has to deal with many other compliance issues on a day-to-day basis.

Of course, this does put practices at risk of falling foul of the regulations – and represents a real threat to the reputation and financial wellbeing of any practice.

So, unfortunately, dental professionals may find themselves in something of a catch-22 situation. As more and more patients demand affordable dental treatments, practitioners may feel as though they need to offer credit options, but by doing so, they will have to devote time they probably do not have to the appropriate compliance protocols and regulations. And if they cannot, they will not be able to meet the demands of their patients at all – and run the risk of losing business.

Luckily, however, there are a number of solutions. In light of the increased interest in dental finance options, a number of third party companies have appeared that will handle all aspects of finance compliance for the practice – for a fee. These fees can be quite high, but they do buy practices the chance to leave all matters of compliance in the hands of the company they have chosen to work on their behalf. The problem with this, though, is that FCA authorisation is still in the name of the practice owner, who will ultimately be responsible – and liable – for the authorisation overall.

Another option is to work with a company that can offer exemption from authorisation through its own FCA arrangements. This means practitioners will not need direct authorisation through the FCA – and all matters of compliance and liability will be lifted from the practitioner’s shoulders.

Now there is a company in the UK that offers this type of service to dental professionals: Chrysalis Finance. Their expert team works to ensure dentists have access to easy, safe and cost-effective credit options, which they can then offer to their patients with absolute peace of mind.

In a profession as tightly controlled by compliance as dentistry, every little helps. Offering credit options to patients may be becoming a very real aspect of the profession, but stressing over the compliance does not have to be. Contact the team at Chrysalis Finance to find out more.

For more information about Chrysalis Finance call us on 0333 32 32 230 or visit www.chrysalisfinance.com

At this year’s showcase, A-dec gave delegates the opportunity to take part in their Chair Building Puzzle, for a chance win a pair of A-dec stools.

The worthy winner was a member of Leidos – the  procurement team for the MOD – and, selflessly, they opted not to accept the stools, but asked for a donation to a brilliant charity instead.

And, of course, A-dec was more than happy to help out.

Therefore, in lieu of the stools, A-dec will be making a £1,000 donation to Paul King’s ‘Brave the Shave’ challenge, in support of Macmillan cancer support. Paul had  his hair and beard shaved completely off in order to raise money. This is a great cause which will help those who have been affected by this terrible disease.

The whole team at A-dec are humbled by Leidos’ show of generosity – and wish Paul all the best in his challenge. Let’s hope it doesn’t get too cold!

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

www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

For dental professionals, the need for an effective lighting solution is paramount. Eyestrain is a common problem; by having to concentrate on a fixed point inside the oral cavity for long periods of time, or by constantly adjusting their sight to the different ambient lights in and outside the oral cavity, dental professionals increase their chance of suffering from aesthenopia.

For years, practitioners have tried to combat this issue with effective lighting. By utilising high-quality products, professionals can not only reduce the risk of eyestrain, but improve the accuracy and consistency of their clinical work.

Traditionally, dentists have used halogen lights to illuminate their patients’ oral cavities; indeed, many still do – but increasingly, these halogen systems are being replaced by LED alternatives. Light emitting diodes have become more and more popular across a wide range of different fields and environments in recent years – from domestic living to clinical and scientific settings – and they do have a number of compelling advantages over other light sources.

1. Longevity

LED lights have an outstanding operational lifetime expectancy – approximately 100,000 hours. This equates to around 11 years of continuous operation. In other words, if an LED light is left on for around 8 hours a day it would take about 20 years before the ‘bulb’ would need replacing. In a dental surgery, where the clinical light would only be used during appointment times, the potential longevity of a single fixture is incredible.

2. Energy efficiency

Compared to traditional lighting, LED lights are exceptionally efficient. Estimates suggest that high-quality lights are approximately 80-90 per cent more efficient, meaning that almost all of the electricity expended on powering one is converted to light. Only the remaining 10-20 per cent is lost and converted to heat. This will ultimately save a dental practice a significant amount of money on electrical bills and, when considered alongside the life expectancy of a single LED fixture, the savings can be substantial.

3. Ecologically friendly

Unlike many other fluorescent light sources, LED lights are completely free of toxic chemicals. As such, they can be easily recycled[1] and enable a dental practice to dramatically cut its carbon footprint. Again, thanks to their exceptionally long life expectancy, an LED light can save the material and production of at least 25 incandescent light bulbs.

4. Durability

LED lights are also extremely durable when compared with more traditional lighting solutions. They are particularly resistant to shock and vibrations which, in a dental scenario, can offer real peace of mind.

5. Instant lighting

When switched on, an LED light will brighten immediately. This helps save time when performing a dental examination and improves efficiency.

6. Frequent switching

Unlike other light fixtures, LED lights are not negatively affected by being switched on and off frequently. In the dental surgery, where a light is being turned on and off many times throughout the day, this is an important consideration.

7. Low-voltage

A low-voltage power supply is more than sufficient to power an LED light, which is excellent for safety and more cost effective than other alternatives. 

8. Quiet and cool

Thanks to their aforementioned energy-efficiency, LED lights do not produce a great deal of heat. This is not only safer, but also eliminates the need for an integral fan, meaning the whole fixture is quieter during operation. This is a great help for anxious patients, who may be discomforted by the sounds of a dental surgery – and is also less annoying for practitioners who must be around their light for long periods of time.

9. Design flexibility

LED lights can be combined in a dynamic range of shapes to produce highly efficient and adaptable illumination solutions – and can offer incredible amounts of control. A well-designed fixture can achieve highly effective, focussed lighting that will allow a dental professional to have complete visual freedom during an examination.

LED lights are becoming increasingly popular on the UK dental market as their advantages are being recognised. It is always best, however, to compare competing brands to ensure the right choice is made – since an LED light will last for the majority of a dentist’s natural career. A light that is ergonomic, effective and easily positioned is ideal, as is one that can be easily integrated into an existing space with little disruption or difficulty.

The LED light from A-dec, for example, is a high-quality lighting solution that adds fluid manoeuvrability, improved lighting for better shade analysis and delivers 25% more illuminance at one fifth of the power consumption.

To discover more about the benefits of an LED light, contact the expert team at A-dec UK today.

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

www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

The festive season seems to creep up on us every year. You may try to keep it low key, but it all takes up a lot of time, money and effort and often gives way to ‘seasonal stress.’ On the plus side, online shopping has provided a welcome reprieve from parking problems, trudging around crowded shops and standing in long queues. However, less than one in five people actually look forward to shopping for presents during the lead up to the festive season.[i] Added to this, is the worry of absorbing the extra expenditure - it is believed that most families will spend around £800, mostly on food and drink. There is also more pressure to overspend at this time of year and there is an increase in the proportion of people turning to credit to cover the cost of presents and food.[ii]

We all look forward to having the family together and eagerly waiting for everyone to arrive for the celebrations brings great joy. Nevertheless, some family gatherings can easily turn into an airing of grievances and there is always the worry that one relative could become awkward or drunk. These occasions can become exhausting and overwhelming, with festive cheer turning into festive fear for many people.

The pressure of Christmas can just be too much for some and the mental health charity Mind, states that one in four adults feel anxious about social gatherings during the festive period.[iii] It can be a tough time of year for everyone but if one feels under pressure to be sociable, to join in or to be on good form because everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves, social gatherings and parties can be uncomfortable and overpowering.

A lot of people suffer from low self-esteem or lack of confidence and chatting, dancing or getting up close to others is totally off limits for some individuals.

One of the reasons for this is that around 25 per cent of the entire population suffer from halitosis at some point in their lives[iv] and a great many others believe that they have it. In addition, to cope with the pressure directly associated with the festive season, there is a lot more alcohol and comfort food consumed. Some people even turn to smoking in their hours of need as insecurities become intensified. It is little wonder then that while stressed and tired, people might forget or skim over their normal oral health routines and end up with embarrassingly unpleasant smelling breath.

Nine out of ten cases of malodourous breath have an oral cause,[v] which is why dental professionals are ideally placed to help. When delivering instructions to improve oral hygiene levels, you can also recommend CB12 mouthwash to prevent unpleasant breath for up to 12 hours. Used each morning as a daily oral deodorant, this clinically proven formula is quick and easy to use - ideal during the busy holiday season. You could also encourage your patients to carry CB12 boost chewing gum - discreet mouth refreshment to power through any worrying breath inhibitions after meals and on the go.

Save your patients from ‘seasonal stress’ with sound advice and recommendations to bring little more cheer and good health to this time of year.

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

GSK is leading a campaign to raise awareness among dentists, DCPs and patients about two common conditions – erosive tooth wear and Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH).

Over ¾ of British adults - 77% exhibit signs of tooth wear and moderate tooth wear has increased¹. It can lead to changes in tooth shape, yellowing of teeth and translucency at the tooth edge. You can now download the BEWE app for a comprehensive guide to erosive tooth wear diagnosis and condition management.

The optimised fluoride formulation of Pronamel® strengthens your patients’ demineralised enamel to help protect against the effects of erosive tooth wear². 

DH is characterised by short, sharp pain in response to stimuli and needs to be diagnosed differentially. 41.9% of adults have experienced it³ and, according to the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ), over 70% of sufferers consider the sensations to take pleasure out of eating and drinking⁴.

Sensodyne® Repair and Protect combines NovaMin® technology and sodium fluoride in a single formulation, which creates an even harder hydroxyapatite-like layer over the exposed dentine and within the exposed dentine tubules^{2, 5-7}, providing sustained protection and relief.

For more information on these conditions and other CPD materials, visit: https://www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk/

Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.

CHGBI/CHSEN/0023/16

References:

1.        Disease and related disorders – a report from the Adult Dental Health Survey 2009, The Information Centre for health and social care, 2011

2.        Fowler C et al J Clin Dent 2006; 17(4): 100 - 105

3.        Addy M. Int Dent J 2002; 52: 367-375.

4.        GSK Data on File RH02026

5.        Greenspan DC et al. J Clin Dent 2010; 21: 61-65.

6.        La Torre G and Greenspan DC. J Clin Dent 2010; 21(Spec Iss): 72-76.

7.        Earl JS et al. J Clin Dent 2011; 22(3): 62-67(A). 

GSK, manufacturers of Sensodyne®, invite you to join their webinar event – ‘How can we measure the true patient impact of sensitive teeth?’ on Thursday 10^th November from 6pm.

The presentation will be delivered by Professor Peter Robinson and is based on insights from the development of the ground-breaking Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ).

To register for the webinar online visit https://engage.vevent.com/rt/gskevents/index.jsp?seid=1119     NOW!

As many as 1 in 3 patients may be suffering from Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH).¹ Research using the DHEQ amongst over 900 people highlighted the impacts that patients with the condition may experience:²

·         70% consider the sensations to take the pleasure out of eating and drinking*

·         59% try to avoid pain by biting food into small pieces*

·         32% think that having sensitive teeth makes them feel old*

Find out more about the impacts on your patients with Dentine Hypersensitivity by joining the webinar. Register online now to ensure your place –

visit https://engage.vevent.com/rt/gskevents/index.jsp?seid=1119.

*pooled analysis of 7 clinical studies involving 905 participants aged 18-65 (mean 39.7 years) in Canada, Europe and USA before treatment. All participants who gave the ratings of 5, 6 or 7 (agree a little, agree, strongly agree) on a 7-point impact scale were considered to have the impact in question.

References:

1.      Addy M Int Dent J 2002; 52: 367-375

2.      GSK data on file, RH02026

Last weekend marked the return of the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) annual showcase.

And for those interested in reviewing how best to boost efficiencies and the profit of their practice with the help of practice management system solutions, then a visit to Systems for Dentists on stand J34 proved time very well spent.

As one of the longest established practice management system design specialists in the UK, the enterprising company offered an exciting forum for Dentists looking to gain an in depth insight into their latest technologies and innovations.

Not only was it an opportunity to meet personally with members of their team, but for many, it proved the perfect forum in which to get hands on with the latest developments in practice management system solutions.

And in addition to getting close up and personal with all that was new from the latest version of their flagship system software, to the benefits it stands to offer, the dynamic team of developers were certainly looking to inspire and impress with everything exceptional about the latest interfaces and functionality on offer this year.

As beyond all that was practical and leading edge about their carefully designed practice management solutions, the backdrop of stand J34 at BDIA also provided all the knowledge visiting Dentists needed to increase their practice bottom line through the help of their V6 Practice Management System.

And for those dental practices who managed to attend, taking valuable time out of their busy day, the BDIA Dental Showcase presented a great platform once again to meet alongside over 350 leading dental companies and to provide the perfect setting to re-ignite a shared passion for the UK Dental market.

Ranging from global brands to industry newcomers, Dentists were presented with one of the widest selections of industry related products and innovations demonstrated under one roof in the UK this autumn.

As a well-respected and credible arena for providing the opportunity for dentistry teams to immerse in the present and future of our industry, the BDIA Showcase 2016 was certainly a great arena in which to explore new innovations, and to discover everything brilliant about Systems for Dentists practice management system design.

As ever, Systems for Dentists were just one exhibitor who relished the opportunity to exhibit to showcase their portfolio. And with a genuine care for speaking to practitioners about how they could look to partner with them to drive up profits and further streamline their practice management efficiencies.

And for those Dentists looking to review how practice management could make a valuable difference to their practice moving forward, not only that, but to keep pace with the industry and to catch up with friends and associates, they were sure to fuel not only their knowledge of practice management system benefits, thanks to the help of Systems for Dentists experts, but also a love of all that makes the UK dentistry market so special!

Systems for Dentists will return to exhibit at BDIA 2017 live from stand I60 at The NEC to present and showcase all that’s new and exciting as they continue to shape and develop their practice management system technologies for the benefit of the UK dental market.

For further information, contact:

Nathan Ross at Systems for Dentists on 0845 643 2828

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

BDIA Dental Showcase has again delivered a show worthy of its reputation as the premier event on the dental industry calendar.

With many exhibitors reporting excellent on-stand sales, visitor figures for this year’s Showcase have also shown that the dental industry is in good health with practices and practitioners happy to apply many of the technological advances they have discovered at BDIA Dental Showcase 2016. 

Michael Cann, President of the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) and Managing Director of Septodont, is delighted with the numbers of visitors that they have seen at this year’s show and said, “Our stand this year has focused on our new online CPD training that will allow practices to be compliant with the 2013 Sharps Legislation using our new needle-stick injury prevention devices, which has had a very good response from visitors.”

Sonia Tracey, Vice President of the BDIA and Managing Director of W&H, commented, “The visitors we have seen at our stand this year have done their homework before coming to the show, which makes our work so much better as we can offer them more detailed information and products that are useful back in their practice.  This has also allowed us to spend quality time with them to ensure they get all the information they need.  We couldn’t have asked for better.”

Charlie Fuller, Sales and Marketing Manager at OralB, is very happy with year’s Showcase, saying “BDIA Dental Showcase is an incredible event for us.  It gives us one-to-one time with practitioners who work with our products and who will be advising patients on which of our products will work best for them.”

Alun Dabner, Brand Manager of Colgate, said “We have had an excellent show this year with visitor and sales figures at our stand looking really healthy.  Our on-stand lectures have been very well attended which has fitted in really well with our education focus for the show.”

With the announcement that next year’s show will be organised under the auspices of the Mark Allen Group and George Warman Publications, 2017 will certainly be a very exciting year to look forward to.

Related news story on GDPUK - https://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/2352-showcase-event-sold-by-bdia

According to Delivering Better Oral Health, daily effective plaque removal is more important to periodontal health than tooth scaling and polishing by the clinical team.¹ As a dental professional, you are in a position to recommend a good daily oral care routine.

Recommend the Corsodyl® Daily range to support your work and help keep patients’ gums healthy. The range includes:

-          Corsodyl® Daily mouthwashes

-          Corsodyl® Daily toothbrushes

-          Corsodyl® Daily Expanding Floss

-          Corsodyl® Daily Gentle Tape

For further support, order your Gum Care Pack today for patient and expert educational materials. Visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk to order your pack.

Reference: 1. Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. Third edition. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/367563/DBOHv32014OCTMainDocument_3.pdf. Accessed on 20/07/2016.

Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.

Did you manage to talk to the Welltime team at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase? If you didn’t, you truly missed out.

That’s because the expert Welltime team were showcasing the innovative online booking system, AppointMentor. Delegates were keen to learn how this state-of-the-art solution enables patients to book, reschedule and cancel appointments easily, from anywhere, at any time.

The benefits of such a system were clear. Providing greater accessibility for patients, AppointMentor helps practices boost their business. Easily integrated into a practice’s existing website, the clever system allows a practice to remain in complete control of their appointment book, whilst giving patients the control and flexibility to choose the appointment slots that are best for them.

Delegates were enthusiastic about the AppointMentor option and how it could help practices take the next step into the future of dentistry.

If you didn’t manage to talk to the Welltime team at the BDIA Dental Showcase, you don’t need to worry. They are always happy to help – simply contact them today to discuss your options.

For more information, contact the Welltime team on 07999 991 337, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website at www.welltime.co.uk.

Back in April this year All Med Pro teamed up with Hiscox Insurance to provide indemnity cover for Dental Professionals across the UK.

With indemnity costs on the rise and the well-publicised issues around discretionary indemnity and in particular the payment of claims we believe our offering provides a true alternative to the medical defence organisations. 

We are exhibiting at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase at the London Excel on the 6-8 October. We will be located at stand C70 in a red route master bus. Our aim together with Hiscox Insurance is to offer support to Dental Professionals throughout their career and we invite you to join us and discuss your indemnity requirements.

Just one of the ways we have assisted our clients is by partnering up with a specialist provider of verifiable CPD - for dentists by dentists. This provides online CPD, resource library and access to training courses.

For Dentists who are claim free premiums start at £1,642.00* including insurance premium tax. We can also assist those who may have had claims, refused cover or GDC enquiries. The policy with Hiscox includes the following:

·        Up to £10,000,000 limit of indemnity

·        Run-off cover

·        Reputation protection

·        Good Samaritan acts

·        Data protection cover 

·        Loss of documents cover

·        Contract certainty 

·        12 month interest free direct debit for the medical negligence cover

We can also provide indemnity cover for hygienists, therapists, technicians and dental nurses.

#getonthebus

For further information click here - www.allmedpro.co.uk

*This does not include the cost of medico legal expenses and CPD. 

Latest offers from MC Dental below. Click on the images for further information.

Handpiece repair also available from the team at MC Repairs.

This October the FGDP(UK) is undertaking an ambitious initiative called the ‘Mass Observation’ project. Subtitled ‘Your profession, Your experiences, Your opinions’ the project aims to capture a snapshot of the dental profession in 2016. 

Everyone in dentistry, from receptionists to practice owners, is invited to submit their experiences about one particular day working in dentistry. The official Mass Observation Day is Wednesday 12th October but people can choose to talk about any day in the week of the 10th to the 16th October. 

Although a small amount of demographic data will be gathered all submissions are anonymous, enabling people to be as candid as possible. The two main questions are deliberately very open: 
 

• What did you do today? 
• What are your thoughts on the profession? 

Within the parameters of those two questions people can write whatever they want, providing they do not breech patient confidentiality. 

The main anticipated outcome from the project is a wealth of anecdotal evidence about dentistry in 2016, and what those involved in the practice of dentistry think about the profession. Whatever themes emerge will be examined in a report to be produced as part of the FGDP(UK)’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2017. 

Dean of the FGDP(UK) Dr Mick Horton said: 
“This project was inspired by the Mass Observation Project that ran for nearly three decades from 1937. Ordinary people shared snapshots of their lives, and in doing so created an invaluable treasure trove of social history. The FGDP(UK) now wants to create something similar to help us celebrate general dental practice during our 25th anniversary next year. 

We want the whole profession to get involved, not just Faculty members. Dentistry is a wonderful and diverse profession, full of people with fascinating experiences and strong views to share. We want to hear from them all.” 

 

To take part visit www.massobservation.org.uk

People will have until the 31st October to submit their contributions. 

 

UK dental practices are being offered the unique opportunity to take part in a charity auction to win a brand new A-dec Performer dental operating unit. This chair has been donated by Adec and SPS Dental in support of the charity Bridge2Aid.  It’s your opportunity to win a top class chair for a very reasonable price – and for all the money to go towards an amazing cause. And as part of this great opportunity SPS have offered to deliver and install the chair for no cost to anywhere in the mainland UK

You can make a bid today on this fantasic A-dec Performer chair by visiting the Bridge2Aid charity ebay auction site -  www.bridge2aid.org/charity-auction

A-dec are long term partners in the work of Bridge2Aid and SPS Dental are now joining them as another piece of the important support structure for the charity.  Bridge2Aid works to free communities in the developing world from chronic pain by teaching vital new skills to rural health workers.  Over 70% of the world has no access to any form of safe treatment for oral diseases and infections.  People are abandoned to agony for months and years.  They face life-threatening infections and pain that is so severe that they cannot work, go to school or feed their families.  Bridge2Aid’s unique solution is providing intensive practical training to existing health workers in emergency dental skills to treat and educate.  The support of companies such as A-dec and SPS Dental is vital in carrying out this work.

A-dec are the world’s leading manufacturer of dental operating units, with over 30 years experience supplying to the UK high street practices, NHS centres, educational facilities and HM Armed Forces.  A-dec Dental UK has been a major supporter of Bridge2Aid for over a decade.  A-dec have also helped Bridge2Aid to equip and design the fee paying ‘Hope Dental Centre’ in Tanzania which raises additional funds to help get rural communities out of pain.

In addition to the amazing fundraising and project support that A-dec give to Bridge2Aid they also regularly host training & interview sessions and other large meetings at the four A-dec showrooms across the UK. In 2016 A-dec will once again host the Bridge2Aid team on their stand (I20) at BDIA Showcase 2016.

A-dec are supported in the UK by an extended distribution network, of which SPS Dental form a key part, SPS Dental have over 50 years’ experience as a specialist provider of dental equipment and dental surgery design. Providing its services to both the public and private sectors SPS are a proud supporter to the A-dec brand in the South East of England. SPS Dental has an enviable reputation as a highly regarded and respected company that provides its clientele with the very best in advice and service. Chris Knight’s drive and dedication is a pivotal part of the success of the partnership that has been built between A-dec and SPS over the years.  

Visit stand I30 at the BDIA Showcase to find out more from the SPS team and see the chair that is being auctioned.  

Join Planmeca and special guests on stand E70 and experience how easy it is to embrace digital dentistry within your practice!

Planmeca are hosting a series of 1 hour workshops taking you on a ‘same day digital dentistry’ journey starting with renowned dental business consultant Chris Barrow. Chris will present a look into the future of the ‘Connected Digital Dental Practice’ and talk about the benefits of integrating digital dentistry within your practice. This session will be followed by the Nordic Institute of Dental Education (NIDE) who will present a hands-on  ‘CAD/CAM for dental clinics’ session, utilising Planmeca’s chairside digital impression system; PlanFITTM, and giving each delegate the opportunity to scan design and manufacture their very own restoration guided by the digital experts from Planmeca and NIDE.

Closing the workshop will be Ivoclar Vivadent, who will provide an overview of the process of staining, glazing and characterisation of your restorations, plus the material choices available and the aesthetic results achieved.

If you’re interested in digital dentistry then make Planmeca your no.1 destination at this year’s dental showcase.

For more information and to secure your place on one of the 16 workshops, please call us Freephone 0800 5200 330 or visit www.planmeca.com for more information.

Dental Elite is pleased to announce that it has been awarded membership to the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB).

Having gone through a rigorous process, Dental Elite is now a member of the UK’s trade body for business finance brokers – an accolade that only a few other companies within the dental sector can boast.

With this associateship, Dental Elite can continue to offer its clients an excellent service with the additional support of the NACFB, which exists to safeguard both its members and their clients against fraud and restrictive practices.

Its aim as one of the largest agencies in dental recruitment, finance, valuations, acquisitions and sales is to ensure that its clients receive a transparent, impartial and ethical service that ensures the optimum outcome is achieved.

For more information, contact the team today.

For more information contact DE Finance. 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

“38% of 12 year olds have signs of tooth wear.”*¹ You can help!

According to the Children’s Dental Health Survey 2013 “up to 57% of 5 year olds and up to 38% of 12 year olds have signs of tooth surface loss on the incisors.”*¹ Now that your young patients are going back to school, their lunchboxes may include acidic fruits, fruit juices and fizzy drinks which can lead to enamel softening and tooth wear. The enamel of their adult teeth has to last the rest of their life. And once enamel is gone it’s gone for good.

How can you protect your young patients’ enamel?  

Pronamel® for Children toothpaste has been developed with dental experts to help provide daily protection from the effects of erosive tooth wear and decay.

-          Optimised fluoride formulation with 1450 ppm fluoride to help re-harden acid-softened enamel

-          Low abrasivity to be gentle on softened enamel

-          Neutral pH and SLS free

The online CPD module, developed by GSK, gives you the opportunity to find out more about how to identify tooth wear using the BEWE tool. Simply visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk to complete the module today!

Pronamel® has worked with leading dental experts in the field of tooth wear to develop a range of products specifically designed to help protect against the effects of erosive tooth wear,² such as Pronamel® for Children.

Recommend Pronamel® for Children to provide daily protection against erosive tooth wear and decay.

References:

1. Children’s Dental Health Survey 2013. Report 2: Dental Disease and Damage in Children England, Wales and Northern Ireland. March 2015. Health & Social Care Information Centre.
2. Final Minutes from the Expert Panel Meeting to Discuss Toothwear/Erosion

in Children. GSK Data on File. 2007

*Refers to the lingual surface of the incisor only

Trade Marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.

CHGBI/CHPRO/0038/15c

On Monday 22 August, Denplan welcomed Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley, and Andrew Taylor, her Dental Programme Manager, to the company’s head office in Winchester. The aim of the meeting was to explore areas of mutual interest between the private and public sectors. There was acknowledgment that engagement between the two sectors centres on common patient-centred goals – not least that of offering more patient choice, and improving the long term oral health of patients in the UK.

Henry Clover, Denplan’s Chief Dental Officer said: “We were delighted to welcome Sara and Andrew to our offices, where we were able to explain Denplan’s business model and the range of support services we offer to 6,500 member dentists nationwide. We see this as the start of a conversation on potential areas of collaboration and information sharing.”

One area of discussion was the Denplan Excel certification programme, developed over 15 years ago for dentists to help support clinical governance, professional regulation and excellence in patient care and communication. The Denplan Excel programme was also UKAS accredited in January this year. Denplan explained that they would be open to future discussions with the GDC regarding continuing assurance plans, and with the CQC, to discuss the potential value of clinical service accreditation and peer review schemes. These could be useful information sources to support their inspection programmes and to help continue driving up standards in dentistry.

Henry also shared some data recently published in the British Dental Journal which demonstrated that worsening oral health correlates with worsening general health. This was derived from over 37,000 patients who had received a Denplan PreViser Patient Assessment (DEPPA)¹. The research provided further evidence for the association between high-risk lifestyle factors such as smoking and heavy drinking and poor oral health outcomes in an area of common interest in all sectors of primary care.

There were also discussions around the array of tailor–made practice training sessions that Denplan runs for practices and their dental teams – over 450 sessions per year.  Denplan Academy training covers areas such as complaint handling, legal and ethical issues and GDC standards, preparing for CQC inspections, and caring for patients with dementia to name a few.

Henry said: “It was generally agreed that any initiatives and training that improves practice efficiency and in turn improves oral health outcomes, would serve the profession well to be explored on a wider scale.”

Sara also outlined the case for a national programme to improve dental health through better co-ordinated care and empowering communities to implement their own sustainable oral health initiatives.  She will be launching the concept of “Smile 4 Life” at the Health and Care Innovation Expo next month; national support for existing community based projects, a hub for sharing best practices across Local Government Authority areas and ensuring that local oral health initiatives are complemented by innovative commissioning approaches within local NHS England Commissioning Teams and supported by the profession. 

The initial focus is “Early Years/under 5’s” with the aim to provide opportunities for families and  children to establish good oral health habits as a daily norm, be it nursery school or at home.  With encouragement and ease of access to dental care professionals, first check-up by age 1 and opportunity to continue to visit the dental team regularly for age–appropriate preventive advice, together with help to ensure problems are identified early, the prospect of a generation of children free from decay becomes increasingly real. 

Keen to expand the concept of Smile 4 Life beyond childhood, Sara also touched on an ambition for a wide-ranging programme for oral health reform – with a focus on improvements for the oral health of the over 65’s, the 16-24 age group, the homeless, the ageing well (typically aged 35-55) and those aged 85 plus – a population expected to double between 2010 and 2030. She also expressed her determination that the dental profession work together to lead and achieve the required changes.

Henry commented: “Denplan will continue to support such prevention strategies that recognise that good dental health in childhood is vital, not only for lifelong oral wellbeing, but for good overall long term general health. This is ever more so important now, given the lack of an oral health focus in the government’s recently published obesity strategy.” 

^[1] http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v221/n2/full/sj.bdj.2016.525.html British Dental Journal 221, 65 - 69 (2016) Published online: 22 July 2016 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.525

About Henry Clover

Henry Clover joined the Professional Services team of Denplan in 1998, having worked as a dentist for 17 years looking after patients’ oral health in his own practice. He now holds the position of Director of Dental Policy at Simplyhealth and is also Chief Dental Officer at Denplan. Henry playing a vital role in Simplyhealth’s Leadership Team and is at the forefront of private dentistry liaising with more than 6,500 member dentists.

About Denplan

Denplan is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 1.7 million registered patients. Established in 1986 by two dentists who pioneered the concept of dental payment plans, Denplan has been at the heart of dental care for nearly 30 years and today the company is owned by Simplyhealth. Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling patients to budget for their private dental care by spreading the cost through a fixed monthly fee. We support regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

For further information visit www.denplan.co.uk. For oral health tips and advice visit www.myteeth.co.uk. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223 
 

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

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

Since it was established in 1972, Curaprox has become a leading name in oral health.

“As a team, we pride ourselves on offering proven solutions that encourage best practice, correct technique and ensure an efficacious oral hygiene regimen – and that is why we are delighted to be expanding our service to the Irish market with a new team member,” says Richard Thomas, MD of Curaprox UK.

“Though we have had a presence in Ireland since 2014 supplying our products via two renowned distributors, our goal has always been to expand Curaprox UK. That is why we have recruited Orla Sheehy to look after Curaprox Ireland as a Senior Business Development Manager.”

Orla is originally from Carlow, and has worked as an Operations Manager for a dental equipment company and for GSK.

Over the coming months Curaprox will be increasing its support to oral healthcare professionals across Ireland through regional meetings and by attending exhibitions.

Orla will also be working very closely with iTOP tutor Barbara Derham as part of Curaprox’s efforts to increase its educational presence.

In the meantime, Curaprox will continue to produce oral healthcare products that are safe, gentle and effective.

To find out more, contact Orla on 085 1644648 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information please call 01480 862084, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.curaprox.co.uk

While our love of queuing may be integral to our national identity, the truth is that we, just like everyone else in the world, don’t really like having to wait. This is particularly true in the dental practice – with waiting times being a real bone of contention amongst patients.

Of course, it may be impossible to completely eliminate your waiting times – after all, dentistry is a very, very busy profession and, while you will undoubtedly do our best to see patients as quickly and efficiently as possible, the very nature of the work that you do necessitates a level of care that can sometimes result in delays.

Nevertheless, it is always important to strive to ensure that your waiting times in practice are not unacceptable – not only since you have a responsibility to your patients, but because it can also be damaging to the reputation and success of your practice.

Indeed, waiting times can be a very important factor for patients when choosing where to go for treatment. Nowadays, patients are well-informed, organised and far more discerning when it comes to choosing dental care, and are much more likely to conduct their own research before booking an appointment – and if they find reviews of your practice that mention a long waiting time, they may simply choose to go elsewhere.

You also have to remember that this can be true of your existing patients too. Unfortunately, loyalty to one’s dentists is largely a thing of the past. No matter how good the service they receive has been before, if your waiting times begin to increase, your current patients may just leave for a practice that is more convenient for them.

As such, being in control of your waiting times is key to providing consistently excellent customer service. To be a successful, thriving practice in what is becoming an increasingly competitive profession, customer service must be impeccable from the minute a patient first makes contact. Indeed, if a patient does not believe they have received the utmost service in this respect, even if the treatment itself was a success, their opinion of the practice in general may be ruined. After all, if you go to a restaurant and are served delicious food by a bad waiter who made you wait, it’s likely the poor service that will be remembered.

You should also remember that people lead increasingly busy lives nowadays, and sitting in a waiting room is simply a waste of their time – making it unsurprising that so many people are willing to forgo their dental treatments in the first place.

However, by carefully managing our waiting times, you can improve your customer service and strengthen your patients’ positive relationship with your practice. It’s also good for compliance too, since patients who are happy with the service they have received are likely to be more receptive to any advice they are given regarding their oral health. It will also encourage patients to continue attending your practice, helping you build a more personal relationship with them, one that is more communicative and trusting, which will give you the information needed to better treat their problems.

What’s more, managing waiting times will also benefit your staff. Without having to deal with consistently annoyed or impatient patients, your reception staff will be less stressed. They’ll also be able to more effectively get on with their work, without the disruptions caused by potential complaints.

Of course, to set reasonable waiting times, you have to be ruthlessly efficient about how you organise our appointment book. Using an online booking platform is an effective way of achieving this. With complete control, you can upload only the appointments you want to fill, for your patients to browse and book. This allows you to keep your daily and weekly workload at an optimal level, within your abilities to manage, and gives space for any emergencies, routine follow-ups or, in those unavoidable instances, delays. Online booking will take some of the pressure off your reception staffs too, so they can focus more on welcoming the patients who have come into the practice rather than dealing with busy phone lines and bookings.

AppointMentor from Welltime is a perfect example of this kind of system. It affords complete control of your practice’s appointment book, is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year; is easy to use, and simple for you to review and revise.

Ensuring your patients do not have to wait unduly long amounts of time for treatment is a fundamental aspect of good customer service. It will also help streamline your whole treatment system and strengthen the reputation and efficacy of your practice. Look for tools that can help you set reasonable waiting times: they allow people to get actively involved in making decisions about their care and get the most out of you, their dentist.

For more information, contact the Welltime team on 07999 991 337, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website at www.welltime.co.uk.

Following the unveiling of the Government’s long-anticipated Childhood Obesity Strategy, the UK’s leading dental payment plan provider, Denplan, has criticised the plan for overlooking oral health.

“The strategy shows small steps in the right direction but has ultimately been widely slammed by campaigners as being ‘weak’ and ‘watered down’,” says Henry Clover, Chief Dental Officer at Denplan. “Not only does the strategy omit the desired restriction on junk food advertising and multibuy promotions, it was also hugely disappointing to see that childhood tooth decay was only referenced once in the entire report. Although the strategy focuses on obesity, the knock-on effects of implementing tougher sugar restrictions on manufacturers and retailers could only have been positive for our children’s dental health too.”

The strategy fails in the eyes of many health experts, campaigners, and MPs to fully tackle the issue of unhealthy eating habits and does not impose tough enough restrictions on manufacturers and retailers.

Central to the Strategy is the Government’s ‘challenge’ to manufacturers and retailers to voluntarily reduce the sugar content of produce popular with children by 20 percent by 2020, with a five percent reduction in the first year. George Osborne’s already-announced sugar tax on soft drinks was also referenced in the plan, but the expected restrictions on junk food advertising during peak family TV shows and bans on supermarket cut-price promotions on unhealthy foods were ignored.

“It’s fair to say that the long-anticipated Childhood Obesity Strategy was expected to be a lot more robust,” says Henry. “Asking manufacturers and retailers to reduce sugar content on a voluntary basis may not achieve what is needed to both reduce childhood obesity and tooth decay. Far too many children experience tooth decay, and it remains the single most common reason for five to nine year olds in England to be admitted to hospital, with many of those children needing multiple tooth extractions under general anaesthetic.” [1]

About Denplan

Denplan is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 1.7 million registered patients. Established in 1986 by two dentists who pioneered the concept of dental payment plans, Denplan has been at the heart of dental care for nearly 30 years and today the company is owned by Simplyhealth. Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling patients to budget for their private dental care by spreading the cost through a fixed monthly fee. We support regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

For further information visit www.denplan.co.uk. For oral health tips and advice visit www.myteeth.co.uk. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223

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

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

For more information about Denplan:

Sara Elliott

Denplan Press Office

Tel: 01962 828 194

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

Johnson & Johnson, the makers of LISTERINE®, are delighted to bring you new online content, to help support the ongoing CPD needs of dental healthcare professionals in improving and maintaining the oral health of their patients.

This is free to complete and each module accounts for 1 hour of verifiable CPD.

Through our programme, we aim to deliver recent clinical findings, useful information for in-practice management of oral diseases and patient communication strategies for improved preventive home care, as well considering the effects of lifestyle and other external influences on your patients’ oral health.

Please visit http://www.listerineprofessional.co.uk/cpd-educational-programme to earn verifiable hours from our continuously expanding library, including our newest pieces on:

• The adjunctive benefits of a daily use mouthwash

• Evidence-based decision making

• Communicating with children

• Dr Elizabeth Kay: Psychology in communicating with patients.

In addition, soon to be made available are CPD articles on:

• Dental care for older patients

•  In support of prevention

Upon completing each module successfully, you can either select to save and print your certificate and/ or have a copy emailed to you directly.

For further information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A dental chair is the focal point of any surgery: the central cog in a machine that allows for the provision of exceptional treatment. These products see almost constant use throughout the day and the average practitioner can expect to spend almost 27,000 hours with each chair over the course of their career. As such, it is vitally important for practitioners to choose wisely when selecting a new chair, to ensure that they are making a wise investment for the future.

The first consideration is reliability. Any savings made on a cheaper model will likely be lost if constant and expensive repairs are needed to maintain a chair’s ability to perform at its best, let alone the lost business caused by chair down-time. Investing in a dental chair that has renowned reliability will eliminate these unnecessary overheads. It will also provide essential peace of mind; indeed, being able to trust in the reliability of such an important piece of equipment is a factor that simply cannot be overstated.

It’s also important to invest in a chair that can stand the test of time – that’s future proof. Dentistry nowadays is advancing at an astronomical rate, with new innovations appearing on the market on an increasingly regular basis. This makes it very easy for some products to depreciate in value incredibly quickly. Therefore, a chair that can easily be adapted or updated to suit the rapidly changing needs of modern dentistry is a must.

On this basis, it is hard to beat an A-dec dental chair. With a longstanding reputation of unsurpassable quality, A-dec chairs are also easy to refresh and upgrade. They have both the durability to last for years and the flexibility to change when needed. This is something that Dr Wayne Williams, principal of Smile₂0 in Wokingham recently discovered. He says:

“I’ve had my A-dec 500 for 12 years. In fact, I think it was one of the first of this model to be installed in the UK. It’s an incredibly reliable chair – in over the decade I’ve worked with it, I’ve never felt the need to change it. Recently, however, I did make a small change: I had one of the new A-dec LED lights fitted.

“The upgrade process was very easy and it took less than an hour for our A-dec authorised dealer, Marz Dental Equipment Ltd., to come and do the installation. We’re so impressed that we are likely to do the same refreshing upgrade for our other chairs too – and I envisage being able to continue to use them for many years more!”

A-dec focusses on providing the equipment that dentists need to deliver first rate dentistry. Since modern dentists need the ability to be able to adapt to new technologies, techniques and materials, A-dec has worked hard to ensure that they have the products that allows them to do so.

With equipment solutions that allow for easy and innovative upgrades, A-dec has future proofed its chairs, allowing practitioners to change the individual aspects of their chairs to suit their individual needs, across many years of use.

And, indeed, Dr Williams’s example is simply the tip of the iceberg; A-dec chairs are extremely versatile, allowing practitioners to choose precisely the options that compliment their clinical preferences. For instance, another dentist, Dr Patricia Seyf from Seyf Dental in Barnes, has recently purchased an A-dec 500 without a cuspidor. She says: “Having no spittoon makes for a far more hygienic treatment centre. I can autoclave my funnels between each appointment and be completely assured that my surgery is cross-contamination compliant. It also allows me to have a direct, face-to-face conversation with the patient – something which I think is very important for putting them at ease and encouraging a strong patient-practitioner relationship.”

This level of customisation is indispensable. Practitioners can quite literally purchase the dental chair they need at the time – without having to worry about what is coming around the corner, since they also have the option to refresh and upgrade at a later date.

Investing in an A-dec chair is investing in your future in the dental profession. No matter what challenges or changes come about in the years to come, A-dec will continue to provide relevant and applicable options to those dentists aspiring to offer the very best dentistry.

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

www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

Midlands based Theresa Riley has joined cost effective and technology embracing dental payment plan provider – Patient Plan Direct, heading up the company’s business development support in the Midlands. Theresa brings to Patient Plan Direct a huge amount of experience in nurturing practice’s private growth and the implementation and development of private dental plans.

Following an initial career in dental nursing, dental radiography and teaching, Theresa moved into dental corporate management and quickly advanced up the career ladder to run the specialist department within one of the UK’s largest dental corporates. Thereafter, Theresa has held several senior management and business consultancy roles, recently consulting on the design and implementation of a dental plan administration solution, thereafter introducing the plan solution at several practices either converting from NHS to Private or switching their plans from another plan provider.

With regards to her new role, Theresa commented; “I wanted to further expand my knowledge and work within the plan sector, but due to my previous consulting work it just wasn’t possible, so when the opportunity came along to join Patient Plan Direct, the company, role and team seemed the perfect fit. I can’t wait to get started”.

Simon Reynolds, commercial director of Patient Plan Direct explains; “As we continue to evolve and build on our strong reputation as a low cost plan provider offering first-class support, Theresa brings to the mix an unrivalled level of experience and knowledge. Theresa’s skills set will benefit the practices we already work with in further developing and growing their respective dental plans, as well as new practices not already working with Patient Plan Direct who wish to take advantage of maximising the profitability of a dental plan at their practice.”

Theresa added; “I was attracted to joining the Patient Plan Direct team after taking the time to understand more about their service proposition and technology. Patient Plan Direct’s streamlined, practice branded and web based approach to dental plan administration along with the support and advice that is delivered for £1 per patient per month is the right fit for so many practices both clinically, financially and operationally.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting Patient Plan Direct’s existing clients and seeing how I can help them grow their plan patient base further as well as connecting to new clients to see how our solution can benefit their practice whatever their objective; transferring from another plan provider to make significant cost savings, launching a plan for the first time or making a move away from the NHS.”

Patient Plan Direct is a highly cost effective dental plan provider working with over 300 practices nationwide, embracing 21st century web-based technology to offer a sophisticated solution to running practice-branded dental plans. Thanks to an administration fee of £1.00 per patient per month (including worldwide dental A&E cover and VAT), Patient Plan Direct often proves to be 2-3 times more cost effective than working with other plan providers.

Web: www.patientplandirect.co.uk

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

Tel: 08448486888

There are so many little things that can impact considerably on our life. The world has recently been subjected to the devastating effects of the tiny Aedes aegypti mosquito that is believed to be responsible for spreading the Zika virus, causing microcephaly in new-born babies. Equally, small gestures such as a friendly smile, a word of encouragement or a genuine ‘thank you’ can lift the spirits and really make a difference to the day. Minor things such as wearing our favourite jumper, having a good belly laugh or getting into a bed with clean sheets, can make a big impact on how we feel. Similarly, by making a slightly different lifestyle choice, taking a different attitude to a matter or discovering a slightly more efficient way of carrying out a task has the potential to make giant strides in our success.

It is not always possible to change or improve some things immediately but by beginning with small manageable activities there is much more chance of achieving bigger targets. Take the marathon runner as an example; most people cannot wake up one morning and decide they will run for 26 miles, they need to begin slowly and gradually to build and develop the stamina they need to run long distance. Another example is when we are faced with never-ending list of little jobs to do. It can soon become overwhelming even though they may not critical. However the completion of just one small task can make us feel a whole lot better. It is the same for dental patients, if they make regular appointments that only take a little time, they can avoid lengthy, more invasive treatments. Dental professionals constantly reinforce oral hygiene instructions because if patients pay attention to these details much larger dental issues can be prevented.

Inflammation of the gums or gingivitis is another case in point. As dental professionals will know, if detected early it can be treated successfully with relatively simple steps before it develops into more serious periodontal disease. When periodontal disease develops however, pockets form between the teeth and gums that collect plaque and rapidly breed perio-pathogenic bacteria. If this is not addressed damage to the supporting tissues can occur and ultimately lead to tooth loss. To treat these cases effectively, practitioners must first perform root surface debridement (RSD) to clear away toxins and often follow this with maintenance therapy to prevent recolonisation. PerioChip^® is an ideal adjunct for this purpose, because although very tiny, is able eliminate a wide spectrum of microbes. PerioChip^® can be placed directly into periodontal pockets of 5mm or deeper and slowly releases chlorhexidine digluconate to eliminate 99% of perio-pathogenic bacteria over 7-10 days.[1] This little chip then continues to suppress the growth of microflora for up to 11 weeks[2] allowing time for pockets to heal and the teeth to stabilise. Clinical studies showed a pocket reduction of more than 2mm in almost three quarters of patients when PerioChip^® was placed every three months in combination with RSD,^[3] which confirms that something very small can make a substantial difference.

PerioChip^® is available exclusively from Dexcel Dental, to order or for further information call 0800 013 2333 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summary of product link;

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

The vast majority of dental practices in the UK have some form of practice management software. It’s important to uses these systems to their full potential in order to truly maximise return on investment.

Organisation for All

It is not unusual for a dental business to operate from several geographical locations. This can create challenges in terms of communication and co-ordination from one site to another. The premium practice management systems currently on the market can easily cater for such situations; they allow “multiple clinic set-ups” meaning information is held on one central system that can be accessed from any approved location.

It is not just multiple sites that can test the effectiveness of communication channels in a business, but also the management of every member of the dental team’s diary. Dental care professionals, treatment co-ordinators, oral health educators and even practice managers are taking on greater responsibilities and so have more duties when it comes to caring for and communicating with patients. It is therefore essential that the practice management software is accessible to the whole dental team and can incorporate each individual’s schedule, whether they be a clinical or non-clinical professional.

Patient Recalls and Communication

Patients are more dental-savvy now than ever before and with greater understanding of the options available come higher expectations and the greater need for clear and effective communication from the professional team.  Many systems allow for patient records to be sent to them via email and with accompanying e-material, such as information leaflets to aide treatment explanations and encourage informed consent. Cutting-edge practice management software can also make the patient recall process run smoothly if fully utilised, with minimal need for user intervention. Once a patient’s communication preference has been selected, the recare cycle can be highly automated helping to improve on revisit frequency.  The patient record will display when the recare appointment has been booked or an alert will be sent when it is due.

Further considerations when choosing a practice management system for your practice might include the reputation of the provider, as well as the training and on-going technical support available for the team. The CS R4+ practice management software from Carestream Dental, for example, offers outstanding customer service alongside all the benefits outlined above, plus the capability of delivering real-time data for highly accurate practice performance analysis. Find out more today.

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

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl and Facebook

Did you know that AllMedPro can assist you with any of the following products and services?

• Medical Indemnity Insurance (individuals and vicarious entity cover)
• Practice Insurance (buildings, contents, public & employers liability)
• Practice Overheads / Locum Cover
• Online Dental CPD & Document Resource Library
• Pressure Vessel Inspection Cover
• Property Owners Insurance (buy-to-let, holiday home, unoccupied)
• Home Insurance
• Hands & Eyes Insurance
• Directors & Officers Liability Insurance
• Dental Laboratories (including products liability)
• Aesthetics Medical Indemnity Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Travel Insurance

We can also refer you to one of our specialist partner firms for:

• Financial Advice
• Legal Services
• Accountancy Services
• Practice Sales
• Patient Payment Plans

Just pick up the phone and give us a call to discuss any other insurance requirements you may have on 01793 820100

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

Top tips for finance

As the demand for high end, elective dentistry increases, so too does the importance of providing suitable finance options to your patients. Unfortunately, doing so is not necessarily a simple process – so here are a few helpful tips to help take the stress out of consumer credit.

#1 – Secure FCA authorisation

As of April 2014, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) took over the provision and management of consumer credit from the Office of Fair Trading. Now, it is mandatory that any institution that wishes to offer a deferred payment scheme is authorised by the FCA – which stringently upholds the guidelines that have been set out in the Consumer Credit Act. These rules apply unequivocally to all businesses and individuals who wish to offer any form of consumer credit, even if the treatment is ongoing.

#2 – Don’t try to do it yourself

The process of applying directly to the FCA in order to become fully authorised to offer consumer credit can be a complicated and drawn-out task. Not only are there many regulatory matters to tend to, but there are also regular reports that need to be sent and ongoing compliance factors that must be constantly addressed. This would, of course, be on top of the other administrative duties that a practice owner must account for.

As such, it might be wiser to look for providers that have been granted full permission to act as a Principal Firm and are in the position to authorise and manage a practice as an Appointed Representative on their behalf. From a legal perspective, and as a general guideline, the chosen financial provider should be able to:

• apply for and complete all FCA regulatory reports that must be made
• issue regulations and procedures designed to prevent any non-compliance
• carry the liability if anything goes wrong

#3 – Careful advertising

When advertising their new finance options to the public, practice owners must be particularly careful to comply with the FCA’s regulations in regards to financial promotions. Whether it’s in print or online, the FCA oversees all advertising with a great deal of scrutiny, to ensure that there are no misleading financial adverts on display, and that they comply with all of the rules.

To ensure this does not happen, it is worth working with a financial provider who fully understands the ins and outs of financial advertising – one who can ensure that all documentation and promotional materials are compliant before publication. Not only will this save time, but it will also help ensure full compliance.

#4 – Talk to the experts

Dental professionals are already busy enough without having to deal with the extra pressures and legal responsibilities inherent in patient finance. An easier option would be to give the matter to a team of experts who can manage the whole process on their behalf, securely and safely – so professionals can concentrate on providing nothing but the very highest quality dentistry to their patients.

As one of the UK’s leading providers of finance to dental practices, Chrysalis Finance is the ideal solution for you. Contact the team today to find out just how they could help arrange simple and secure patient finance.

For more information about Chrysalis Finance call us on 0333 32 32 230 or visit www.chrysalisfinance.com

Riz Akhtar, Co- Founder of dental specialists RA Accountants, has begun training for the marathon of his life - a seven-day, 250km footrace across the Atacama Desert in an aim to raise charitable funds for Bridge2Aid.

Taking place from 2-8 October this year, the 4deserts Atacama Crossing Challenge is a 250km race which crosses Atacama Desert, around San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Riz will face 6-stages in seven days with almost four Marathons in four days, then 74 km and a final stage of 11 km.

As one of the few deserts on Earth that doesn’t receive any rain, Atacama is a plateau in South America, covering a 600-mile (1,000 km) strip of land on the Pacific coast of South America, west of the beautiful Andes Mountains. Whilst the desert has an awe-inspiring and unique landscape of salt lakes, volcanoes, lava flows and sand dunes, it is fifty-times dryer than Death Valley. He will have to endure unpredictable terrain, harsh climate and an altitude that averages at 2,500 meters (8,000 feet).

The one-week challenge is self-supported, which means he will have to carry his clothes, sleeping bag, mandatory equipment, medical/safety kit and seven days’ worth of food in his backpack whilst journeying across the desert.

Noting his decision on Bridge2Aid as the chosen charity Riz, he said,

“I have always admired the work that Bridge2Aid have done through the years and it is remarkable how they have made a huge impact on individuals especially through the act of educating and training.”

Bridge2Aid aims to free communities in the developing world from chronic pain by teaching vital new skills to rural health workers. Over 70% of the world has no access to any form of safe treatment for oral diseases and infections. People are abandoned to agony for months and years. They face life-threatening infections and pain that is so severe that they cannot work, go to school or feed their families. The charity’s aim is to provide a unique solution by providing intensive practical training to existing in emergency dental skills to treat and educate. 

Not a newbie to marathons, Riz previously completed the six day and six stage 250km 4Deserts Gobi challenge run across China’s eastern province of Xinjiang last year, in line with the launch of RA Accountants charity RA Foundation.

Stay updated with Riz’ progress and journey in October by searching #RAforB2A on Twitter and Facebook. For more information or to sponsor Riz Akhtar on his 4Deserts Atacama October challenge visit:

http://www.justgiving.com/RAforB2A

www.raaccountants.com