Free CPD opportunity*: Caring for your patients with dentures

By 2050 our global population of those aged 60 years or older is expected to more than double to two billion people.¹ Statistics reveal the older you are the more likely you are to be edentulous.²

Research shows that denture patients are using a mix of up to 14 different methods to clean their dentures ranging from soap and water to bleach.³ In one study only 12% of subjects had clean dentures.?

To provide further insight for dental professionals GSK, manufacturers of Poligrip®, have launched a distance learner module. The module content examines the impact of an ageing population, the effects of tooth loss and dentures for patients and the role of denture fixatives and cleansers.

The module is available online for access at the convenience of the dental team member and is free to complete. Completion can contribute up to 1.5 hours towards verifiable CPD.

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

*which can contribute up to 1.5 hours towards your verifiable CPD

References:

1. UNFPA & HelpAge International, 2012
2. Oral health and function – a report from the Adult Dental Health Survey 2009. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011 (Ed. I O’Sullivan).
3. GSK Data on File, 2014. Multinational diary study denture cleaning
4. Dikbas I et al. Int J Prosthodont 2006; 19 (3): 194-298

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

PFM Dental group announces the addition of PFM Dental Legal to its comprehensive range of specialist services for dentists. The new legal services firm, headed by dental sector specialist solicitor, Stephen Knowles, brings the whole sales and purchases process under one roof.

PFM Dental’s Practice Sales director, Martyn Bradshaw, says: “We are delighted to be able to offer in-house legal services to our clients and expect PFM Dental Legal to reduce significantly the time it takes to transact the sale and purchase of a dental practice.”

PFM Dental, one of the leading specialist services providers exclusively for dentists includes practice sales and valuations, Chartered Accountancy, Chartered Financial Planning (such as pensions and wealth management) and now legal services.

Stephen Knowles, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the dental sector, says: “Developing a law firm with one of the UK’s leading practice sales agents is a fantastic opportunity. We expect to work closely with the practice sales team at PFM Dental to ensure transaction times are reduced and clients get great value as well as unmatched technical expertise.”

PFM Dental’s popular, ‘Retirement Planning’ and ‘Buying a Practice seminars' which begin a countrywide tour in Leeds on 18 May, will feature the new legal team in addition to presentations on topics such as practice valuations and Lifetime Allowance pension issues.

For more information about PFM Dental services and to book seminar places go to: http://pfmdental.co.uk

Interview with Dr Milad Shadrooh “The Singing Dentist” featured on the TV show Good Morning Britain after developing methods to encourage children to brush their teeth more effectively. Dr Shadrooh has his own YouTube channel where he posts new songs aimed at young children but which parody contemporay hits with which the kids and their parents are familiar. We asked his opinion of the new Sonicare for Kids Connected – a new sonictoothbrush with features Bluetooth® wireless technology and an interactive app* which are designed to help motivate children to brush more effectively and independently.

• What are the current issues surrounding children’s dental health which need addressing?

The current issues include a lack of awareness of correct brushing habits and lack of awareness of dietary aspects which both lead to tooth decay

• What do parents tell you are their greatest struggles getting their children to brush their teeth?

Actually getting the kids in to the bathroom to do their teeth, and if they do, getting them to clean for long enough and brushing properly.

• How can we encourage kids to brush effectively and for long enough?

We have to try to make brushing fun… as much as it can be! Rewarding kids can be a good way, having a cool toothbrush would help and to ensure they clean for the right amount of time, you could use timers, sing songs, play tunes or use a visual aid which is entertaining for them to watch, whilst helping them adopt the correct brushing techniques. 

• What do you think of Sonicare for Kids Connected?

I like the concept, it ticks a lot of the boxes... it’s a nice and cool sonic brush so I'm sure kids would like it, having an associated app is great as most kids have access to smart phones or tablets and the videos make the brushing experience more fun for them.

• How do you think kids will react to Sparkly the app character?

I think it will be nice for the younger kids, having a catchy name like ‘Sparkly’ helps, as parents can use that to encourage the kids to brush so they "help Sparkly".  This turns the experience of brushing into more of a game or fun-time process as opposed to a chore.  If that can help establish the brushing habit early on, then hopefully that habit will stay with them for their adult life.

• Do you think kids will be excited and motivated by the connectivity and gamification aspects of the new product?

Kids love games and visuals, especially tablets and phones so I think the connectivity is a great idea, anything to get them excited about brushing is a good thing and it's all about getting that habit instilled into them from an early age.

• What do you think parents’ reactions will be to the new brush?

I think parents will like the brush, it looks nice and is bright and is something for the kids to get excited about. Add to that the app side and the connectivity of it and I think parents will see the advantages and the potential for it to excite their kids so that they brush better.  Also, most adults have electric brushes nowadays and our children always want to copy us so having their own special sonic brush has got to improve kids with their brushing compliance. 

• As a dentist why do you think using a sonic toothbrush will be more effective than a manual brush?

I recommend electric brushes because of their ease of use and improved plaque removal when used correctly. I prefer the sonic technology because of the feeling of the brush and the way it leaves the teeth feeling clean and polished. Also, it is much quieter and sleeker to use. Using a manual brush correctly is difficult for those with dexterity issues, whether it is due to age or other factors, so anything that makes that process easier and more effective has to be recommended.

• Would you like your children to use Sonicare for Kids?  What does your daughter think of the product?

My daughter likes the app as she is crazy about anything bubbly and colourful on the smart phone. The app has the feel of the other apps aimed at children's learning so it fits in well. My wife and I both use the Sonicare and my daughter likes to copy us with hers but being only 2 years old, she finds the sonic vibrations a little tickly and she giggles all the way through brushing at the moment, but it has made brushing fun and she sometimes reminds me it’s time to "brush teethies"... Sonicare for Kids is something I will definitely continue to use and recommend to patients.

Dr Milad Shadrooh makes his next appearance on This Morning on Friday 6^th May 2016. His YouTube channel can be found here. 

For more information about Sonicare for Kids Connected please visit www.philips-tsp.co.uk or call 0800 0567 222.

In a recent ‘in practice’ product trial the new NSK iClave mini autoclave was awarded 5 stars by over 90% of users for the speed of its cycle - the iClave mini delivers up to 12 ‘dry’ handpieces in less that 12 minutes! Additionally over 95% of practices awarded the NSK iClave mini 5 stars for build quality and overall size, as it fits in to a space approximately the size of an A4 piece of paper.

Jason Greenwood, BDS The Stafford Dental Practice, comments, “The NSK iClave mini is easy, quick and offers efficiency savings for handpiece processing”.

The NSK iClave mini is the perfect autoclave to keep handpieces in excellent working order as it complies with Europe’s Class S sterilisation standard and sterilises even the invisible parts of handpieces using direct-heating technology. This quick and effcient autoclave is the perfect solution for a busy practice.

For more information on NSK’s care and maintenance range contact Mark Beckwith on 07900 246529, contact NSK on 0800 634 1909 or visit www.myNSKdecontamination.co.uk

www.nsk-uk.com

Facebook – NSK UK LTD

Twitter @NSK_UK

There can be no denying that the face of dentistry is changing. Over the last two years it has been well documented how cosmetic treatments have truly come to the fore – with the public demanding access to procedures such as tooth whitening and dental veneers as standard.

A number of different causal factors have been attributed to this trend, ranging from an increased understanding of available procedures and possibilities, to a more stable economy – some experts even consider the growing ‘selfie culture’ to be responsible for society’s drive for a better smile.

Whatever the reason, dental professionals must be prepared to take advantage of this growing demand. Those who do not take adequate steps to align their services with the demands of the public will ultimately find themselves losing out to those who have.

Of course, the first step is to gain the appropriate qualifications in order to offer such procedures. In the UK there are many exceptional learning programmes that impart the clinical skills necessary to offer the most desirable treatments. However, clinical ability is only one small part of the larger equation. Practitioners must also be aware of the different aspects of the growing cosmetic dentistry market.

For example, professionals must understand that their patients’ desire to improve their smile through elective treatments will always be tempered with their mindfulness of cost. It would be remiss to suggest that cosmetic treatments are inexpensive; by their very nature, along with the time and professional expertise required to perform them predictably and safely, they can be relatively costly.

It is no good to simply lower the cost of treatment, since remuneration for these treatments must be worth the cost of training, equipment and materials, and in many cases, the cost of outsourcing work to laboratories. Nevertheless, practitioners must be mindful that patients who are desperate to achieve a more aesthetic smile for less may resort to unlicensed providers or DIY treatments.

An effective solution to this conundrum would be to offer patients credit.

Those practices that provide patient finance benefit in a number of ways. Firstly, from a business sense, they can increase the uptake of their high-value procedures by making them more accessible to a public that wants them. From an ethical point of view, it enables practitioners to offer a safer option than DIY dentistry. It also becomes a USP for a practice – and can be used to attract more patients and revenue over time. For patients, it enables them to attain the treatments they want in a more affordable way.

Yet offering credit to patients has recently become far more complicated than it has ever been before. Before 2014, the provision of consumer credit licences was governed entirely by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and, by all accounts, the process of acquiring one was simple. However, as a direct result of the credit crunch in 2008, the Government transferred management of consumer credit to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Unlike the OFT, the FCA requires detailed reports on a quarterly and annual basis as well as numerous fees and duties which equate to a significant amount of management and expense simply to maintain compliance. Many practitioners simply do not have the time to do this – after all, their primary remit is the safe and effective provision of dental treatment: not fiddling around with bureaucratic applications and reports.

As such, a plethora of different companies have emerged offering to manage FCA authorisations on behalf of a practice. For a fee, these services will ensure a practice remains FCA compliant and will support customers with all the necessary reporting and maintenance. However, while this type of service can certainly help practitioners cope with the administrative burden of an FCA authorisation it still represents a significant monetary investment that could potentially negate the financial benefits of offering credit in the first place.  

Chrysalis Finance offers an alternative solution, however. Rather than directly managing a practice’s own authorisation, it allows practices to become an Appointed Representative – essentially enabling it to offer credit without being directly authorised. All regulatory matters and FCA reporting are dealt with by the expert team at Chrysalis Dental, in exchange for a nominal monthly fee. What’s more, the team will be on hand to offer marketing advice and promotional material to ensure that patients are fully aware of the available finance options. 

To meet the demand of modern dentistry, practices need to be able to offer their patients more options. Extending credit for high-value procedures is an effective way of increasing uptake and building a positive reputation for your service. Do so easily and securely as an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance.

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

When patients hear the news that they need dentures, everything else you tell them is often unheard.¹ At least 32% of patients don’t know what questions to ask their dentist when getting their new denture fitted.²*

To help support your patients on their denture journey, we have created the Poligrip® Partner Programme in conjunction with dental professionals.

Ask your GSK representative today for further information on the Poligrip® range and Partner Programme.

The Poligrip® range

The Poligrip® range includes:

-          Poligrip® Overnight Whitening Daily Cleanser

-          Poligrip® 3 Minute Daily Cleanser

-          Poligrip® Ultra Fixative Cream

-          Poligrip® Flavour Free Fixative Cream

Recommend the Poligrip® range to help your patients with dentures eat, speak and smile with confidence.

For additional support GSK have developed a distance learner module on the topic of “Caring for Patients with Dentures”. The module has been designed to provide you with an insight into the patient experience of dentures as well as supporting you when providing practical advice.

For further information on the Poligrip® range and to complete the distance learner module visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk. What’s more, completion of the module can contribute up to 1.5 hours towards your verifiable CPD!

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

References:

1. Kessels RPC. J R Soc Med 2003;96:219-222
2. Data on file, GSK. RH02678, December 2014

*Based on a survey of 1748 denture wearers in four countries

CHGBI/CHPOLG/0017/16

This year the GSK Consumer Healthcare team will be visiting the BDA conference to showcase Sensodyne® and Pronamel®.

New Sensodyne® Repair & Protect – now with stronger repair⁺, offers sensitivity sufferers the benefit of both advanced NovaMin® technology with sodium fluoride in a single formulation. The immediate availability of sodium fluoride when brushing allows for greater* fluoride uptake into the hydroxyapatite-like layer formed by NovaMin®, over exposed dentine.¹ 

Pronamel® toothpaste has an optimised fluoride formulation to help minerals penetrate deep into the tooth surface, actively strengthening and re-hardening acid-weakened enamel.^2-5 Pronamel® toothpaste delivers more fluoride deeper into enamel than other fluoride toothpaste² helping to protect patients enamel from the effects of erosive tooth wear.

Visit stand B03 to try Sensodyne® Repair & Protect and Pronamel® toothpaste for yourself in our tasting station. The stand will also feature an interactive lecture revealing the truth about patients with dentine hypersensitivity and erosive tooth wear.

GSK are pleased to be sponsoring two presentations at BDA

“Burden of Oral Diseases in Ageing Populations and links with General Health” - Georgios Tsakos

Thursday 26^th May, 14:30 – 15:30

The presentation will review the epidemiological evidence on the burden of older adults and highlight the issues around the impact on quality of life.

“How to Manage and Prevent Patient Tooth Wear Caused by Dietary Acids” – Rupert Austin

Friday 27^th May, 11:45 – 12:45

The presentation will cover the clinical signs and symptoms of erosive tooth wear and dentine hypersensitivity as well as revealing the latest science on prevention and diagnosis of tooth wear and hypersensitivity.

Reference: 1. GSK Data on File, 142234. 2. Edwards MI et al. Correlation of Enamel Surface Rehardening and Fluoride Uptake – DSIMS imaging. Presented at IADR, September 2006. 3. Fowler C et al. J Clin Dent. 2006; 17(4): 100-105. 4. Hara AT et al. Caries Res 2009; 43: 57-63. 5. Barlow AP et al. J Clin Dent. 2009; 20(6): 192-198.

⁺Vs. previous formulation. Forms a protective layer over the sensitive areas of the teeth. Brush twice a day for lasting sensitivity protection.

*Compared to previous formula with sodium monofluorophosphate

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

CHGBI/CHSENO/0048/16b

The 4 venues for Talking Points in Dentistry 2016 are booking up fast so make sure you reserve your free place now!

Open to all members of the practice team, Talking Points in Dentistry takes place in 4 venues across the UK during May. Attending this event can contribute up to 2.5 hours of verifiable CPD and you will be awarded a certificate following the lecture.

Book now – visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk

This year there will be 2 lecture sessions, delivered by industry experts, with content tailored for specific practice roles.

For dentists, hygienists and therapists – “The personal and social impact of dentine hypersensitivity”.

For dental nurses, practice managers and other team members – “Dealing with nervous patients”

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis so make sure you book up now! Visit www.gsk-dentalprofessionals.co.uk

Dentistry show saw the launch of Euro Dental Depot with great success. (www.EuroDentalDepot.eu) Euro Dental Depot is a new concept in supply and communication within the UK Dental market.

It is a “members only” Ecommerce company supported by numerous Dental manufacturing companies and their product lines. The traditional method of realising a profit has been turned on its head allowing reduced pricing of products available on the site. The website also has a platform whereby members can communicate with colleagues, share clinical experiences, review courses, promote courses, share material experiences or even post job vacancies you have available. Registration is free using your GDC number and members must be registered to have access to the benefits the site has to offer.

The Dentistry show was used as a platform to register members. The stock of products along with details of participating companies will be introduced to the site when material stocks arrive in the UK early May, to ensure prompt delivery.

The Euro Dental Depot ecommerce company is also shortly launching into a further five European countries. So support Euro Dental Depot and join the site today.

www.EuroDentalDepot.eu

Providing an educational pathway that guides GDPs through a recommended sequence of courses but also affords flexibility with multiple entry points for dentists with prior educational and clinical experience. IAS Academy is pleased to announce the next course dates.

IAS Inman Aligner Hands-on Course:

• Birmingham – 3^rd June 2016
• Belfast – 4^th June 2016
• Manchester – 22^nd July 2016
• London – 23^rd September 2016
• London – 18^th November 2016

IAS Clear Aligner Hands-on Course:

• London – 20^th May 2016
• London – 19^th August 2016

IAS Fixed Introductory Hands-On Course:

• London – 17^th-18^th June 2016
• London – 11^th-12^th November 2016

IAS Fixed Conversion Course:

• Manchester – 24^th June 2016
• London – 4^th November 2016

IAS Photography Hands-on Course:

• London – 24^th September 2016

IAS Advanced Ortho-Restorative Course:

• London – 15^th July 2016

IAS Advanced Programme:

• London – November 2016 – November 2017

Overseen by Clinical Director Professor Ross Hobson and taught by globally renowned dental professionals, IAS trainers share their extensive knowledge and expertise.

All training and follow-up support is designed to ensure professionals develop the competency and confidence to deliver safe and effective treatment to a wide range of patients.

To discover how IAS Academy could help you grow your practice, book your place on one of the above courses or for more information, contact the team today.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses,

please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477

Denplan has announced that it will be rolling out its new hygiene payment plan nationwide from today. This follows a successful trial that has been running in Scotland since January 2015. Hygiene Plan is a simple non-insurance based payment plan that can be used in mixed, private or NHS practices. Denplan’s Hygiene Plan will support dental practices that would like to increase their income from private hygiene treatment. It’s also an easy way for patients to spread the cost of their dental hygiene treatments with a hygienist at a practice.

Chris Mackenzie, customer and product strategy manager at Denplan commented: “By using hygiene plan, practices can eliminate unwanted white space from the diary, generate additional income and fully utilise experienced hygienists, therapists and treatment co-ordinators to create and deliver hygiene programmes for patients.

“Hygiene Plan will help patients enjoy that ‘just cleaned’ feeling without having to worry about the cost, and includes the provision of preventive dental advice.  Practices can enjoy the benefit of a more regular private hygiene income with patients that are likely to attend more regularly*.”

The plan is priced for practices with a patient administration fee of £1 per patient per month and can be used to:

·         Attract new patients to a practice with an attractively priced entry level plan

·         Provide NHS patients with additional hygiene treatment at their request when not currently available on the NHS

·         Provide patients who would like additional hygiene treatments with a cost effective programme to improve the appearance of their teeth and smile

·         Support patients undergoing periodontal treatment

·         Provide patients with a full hygiene maintenance programme following implant therapy

·         Create a regular oral cancer screening programme in practice, which could be further supported with Oral Health Advice and underpinned with an evidence-based risk screening using a DEPPA assessment (Denplan PreViser Patient Assessment tool)

·         Support patients who are trying to give up smoking to improve their oral health. In fact BDA research in 2015 showed private practices are supporting more smoking cessation activities than their NHS colleagues. This is in part due to private practices being able to budget time, staff training and meet the significant expected demand practices think they will face**

Denplan has also set up a dedicated customer service telephone number for Hygiene Plan patients.

Further information about Hygiene Plan is available at www.denplan.co.uk/dentists/hygiene

Sources:

* Payment plan patients are the most likely to visit their dentist at least every six months (92%) compared to

private patients who pay as they go (50%). Source: Denplan/YouGov Survey, January 2016. Online survey

of 5,152 UK adults. All respondents who are regular attenders that pay privately, who have a dental payment

plan or pay fee per-item: 822.

** https://www.bda.org/dentists/education/sgh/Documents/Smoking%20cessation%20in%20NHS%20

dentistry%20V2.pdf

About Denplan

Denplan Limited is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist owned by Simplyhealth; with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 2 million customers. 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. Today, Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling patients to spread the cost of their private dental care through a fixed monthly fee. Denplan supports regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223

www.denplan.co.uk

·         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

·         Corporate 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 Certification Programme and Denplan Training.  Plus regulatory advice, business and marketing consultancy services and networking opportunities.

For more information about Denplan:

Rebecca Hutton

Denplan Press Office

Tel: 01962 829 179

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

Follow us @denplandentists on Twitter and at linkedin.com/company/denplan-for-dentists

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From PCT to LAT

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

Gain Consent From NHS

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

Incorporation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information or applications contact Healthcare Learning

 Tel: 020 7400 8989

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

Contact Barnet and Southgate College at:

www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

020 8266 4000

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www.facebook.com/barnetsouthgate

twitter @barnetsouthgate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last year it was reported that the UK has the most expensive dentists in Europe. While the NHS does provide funding for some treatments, it remains the case that many procedures are not supported by the health services – particularly treatments of a cosmetic nature, such as teeth whitening and veneers, which are in high demand at the moment.

It is because of this that dental tourism has seen an increase amongst patients in the UK. Indeed, rather than paying the price of treatment in this country, more and more people are travelling to clinics in Hungary, Poland, Turkey or even India and Thailand to take advantage of the relatively low-cost dentistry they can find there.

In many cases, the quality of treatment patients will receive on their trips abroad will be of a good standard. Indeed, within the EU, there have been efforts made by the Association for Dental Education in Europe to harmonise the standards of dentistry within the Union’s borders. 

Yet on the other hand, there are many examples of patients travelling abroad only to receive treatment that is, at best, second rate and, at the very worst, dangerous. This is particularly true beyond the borders of Europe, where it is hard to control and standardise quality on dental services.

Indeed, one of the main issues for dental tourists is the relative lack of legal protection they have for their overseas treatments. If something should go wrong, there is very little recourse that can be taken to rectify the problem. Indeed, it is often the case that a patient who returns to the UK with questionable foreign dentistry will have no other option but to pay for retreatment in a UK practice. Needless to say, this will incur even greater costs but, more importantly, it could have a longstanding impact on their oral health.

There is also the question of reliable – and safe – equipment. Within the EU, the CE classification is necessary on all equipment and materials, showing that the product is of a certain standard. Beyond the borders of Europe, these sanctions are non-existent, and a patient may be at higher risk of being treated with counterfeit or substandard appliances. Again, if something should happen to a patient on account of faulty or inferior equipment they will be entitled to very little legal protection once they have returned home.

It is therefore very important for UK-based dental professionals to provide options for patients to encourage them to remain in the country for treatment.

One effective solution is to offer patients finance options for treatments. In this way, patients will be able to afford the procedures they want most – eliminating the need to travel abroad instead. Not only does this benefit individual practices – since the uptake of higher-end treatments will inevitably raise a practice’s bottom line – it will also have positive ramifications on the UK dental profession as a whole. What’s more, it will mean patients in this country will be able to access safe, predictable treatment for which they are adequately protected.

However, since the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) took over the management of consumer credit, it has become more complicated to offer these options to patients. This is mainly due to the amount of administration that is required of a dentist – including quarterly and annual reporting – as well as regular fees and penalties should anything be forgotten.

As such, many companies are now offering dental practitioners the option to hand over the management of FCA authorisation to a third party. This liberates a dentist from the time-consuming responsibilities of handling a consumer credit authorisation, but does represent a high cost that must be mitigated by patient uptake to be viable.

Chrysalis Finance, however, offers a third option. Due to its unique contract, Chrysalis Finance can provide dentists with the UK’s only licence-free consumer credit options. By being able to make practices Appointed Representatives of the company, Chrysalis can assume complete responsibility of the FCA authorisation – leaving dentists to concentrate solely on providing affordable, high quality dentistry. What’s more, the Chrysalis Finance team also provides participating practices with an easy-to-use dashboard, which allows the application and approval of finance to be made from the surgery.

Make sure your patients are travelling abroad to find the treatments they want. Support them, the UK dental profession and your independent business by offering easier finance options with Chrysalis Finance. 

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

Martin Gilbert author

Martin Gilbert is the Director of Chrysalis Finance. Having qualified as a chartered accountant in 1978, he has since worked as a Financial Director in a wide range of different successful businesses, many of which have been involved in the provision of consumer credit. With over 30 years’ experience of the finance market, his understanding and expertise is second-to-none.  

“Whilst at a seminar on ‘selling your practice’, I met Luke Moore, a representative of Dental Elite” says Dr John Campbell who has recently sold two of his practices. 

“The valuation was organised promptly, we had a fantastic response and we received the full asking price.

“Despite the fact that a deferred consideration was involved pursuant upon contract extensions, Luke’s confident and professional approach eased the process; to date the deferred considerations have been met with no issues.”

Naturally, when it came to selling his second practice, Dr Campbell felt that there was really only “one choice of broker.”

“Full asking price was once again achieved and this time without a deferred consideration, despite only one year remaining of the contract!” John adds. “I think that this is testament to Dental Elite’s accurate understanding of the dental market.

“I would whole heartedly endorse Luke and Dental Elite for their thoroughly professional and supportive approach to selling a dental practice. Selling can be a very stressful event but Dental Elite certainly eased the process! I would without hesitation, recommend Luke and his company to any colleague, and indeed have already done so.”

For more information and to find out how Dental Elite can value
and assist your practice sale 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

The Nobel Biocare Global Symposium is a must-attend event for all professionals looking to take their implant dentistry to the next level.

The exciting four-day programme will be delivered by more than 150 industry experts from around the world, presenting a dynamic combination of podium lectures, interactive forums, masterclasses and hands-on workshops. Headline speakers will include:

• Oded Bahat
• Edmond Bedrossian
• Markus Blatz
• Wolfgang Boltz
• Steve Bongard
• Chee Chang
• Renato Cocconi

A vast selection of topics will be explored from immediate loading protocols to soft tissue management, materials and techniques for bone regeneration, screw-retained restorations and much, much more.

Key Nobel Biocare innovations designed to enhance your practice and help you grow your business will be discussed as well, including NobelClinician™, the All-on-4® treatment concept and the NobelActive® Wide Platform implant.

In addition to the outstanding educational programme, the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium will also offer fantastic social and networking opportunities, giving professionals from all corners of the globe the chance to meet and learn from those at the very forefront of the field.

To find out more or to register, visit the website today.

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

Orthodontic treatment remains as popular as ever with patients.

To ensure you can provide quality comprehensive orthodontic treatment, Wrights is offering top-of-the-range products at unbeatable prices.

An exclusive distributor of G&H Orthodontics, Wrights has everything you need from Bracket Systems to Buccal Tubes, Molar Bands, Pliers, Bonding Supplies, Cheek Retractors and more.

The leading supplier also offers a range of high quality own-brand orthodontic products that are competitively priced.

Plus, Wrights offers free next day delivery on any order, regardless of the value or size.

For a full list of products and exclusive deals available, either visit the easy-to-use website and examine the detailed catalogue or contact Wrights to speak to a friendly sales adviser.

Get your orthodontic supplies for less with Wrights.

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

In April 2015, a group of key opinion leaders met with a team from Johnson & Johnson at a National Advisory Panel event in Dublin to advise on the topic of ‘Improving the periodontal health of Irish population – prevention and treatment’.

At the meeting, the key opinion leaders agreed on the following periodontal health consensus statement:

• ‘Effective plaque and calculus removal is key to oral health;

• Dental healthcare professionals have a responsibility to educate patients on their disease status and to direct patients appropriately;

• Patients should receive tailored oral hygiene instruction and demonstration;

• Patients have a responsibility to act upon the advice given by dental healthcare professionals;

• For effective management optimal patient home care and professional debridement are both essential;

• Long-term periodontal maintenance with continuity of care is critical for successful treatment outcome;

•Clinically proven mouthwashes, gels and pastes should be considered for recommendation to those individuals who are not achieving optimal levels of plaque control in their home care routine.’

The key opinion leaders were:

Prestige Dental is delighted to announce that ACTIVA BioActive-Restorative from Pulpdent has received a 98% clinical performance rating from The Dental Advisor One-year Clinical Performance Report.

In summary, the ease of placement, finishing, polishing and final aesthetics of ACTIVA BioActive-Restorative was rated as ‘excellent’.

Speaking about the report, Fred Berk, Vice President of the Pulpdent Corporation, commented: ‘ACTIVA  BioACTIVE products are the most exciting development of a lifetime. They combine the bioactive ionic resin, the rubberised-resin molecule and reactive ionomer glass to mimic the physical and chemical properties of natural teeth. 

They are the first bioactive dental products with the best attributes of composites and glass ionomers but without any of the disadvantages of those materials. They are strong, durable and highly aesthetic, and they release and recharge calcium, phosphate and more fluoride than glass ionomers. They are ‘smart’ materials that respond to the pH cycles in the mouth and provide long-term prevention benefits. My team and I couldn’t be prouder to have these attributes recognised by The Dental Adviser.’
 

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

Harry Singh considers the repercussions of having the Conservative party in power for dentists investing in buy-to-let property....

So, it’s old news that in May the Conservatives came to power and set the UK a-flutter for all sorts of reasons in all sorts of areas. For those of us who are in the property game there was something of an initial sigh of relief – just in that regard – since the Labour party had said it would introduce rent controls, leading to fears that the property industry would become more heavily regulated and overtaxed.

But what has the reality been? Has there been the expected increase in confidence in the UK property market? Given the last few months of political shenanigans, what might we expect over the next few years?

Broken promises

The truth is that George Osbourne is now looking to restrict mortgage interest tax relief for buy-to-let property purchasers to the basic rate of income tax, even if, as many dentists do, they pay the higher tax rates of 40% or 45%. The current system, whereby buy-to-let landlords can offset their mortgage interest payments against their income, is set to be phased out from 2017.

In advance of the Conservative party conference in October, Damian Green, a Conservative MP, laid it out for us in The Telegraph. He wrote: ‘We need to reclaim the mantle of the party of home ownership, and to do that we not only to build more houses but ensure that they are available for people to buy. Too many new houses and flats are immediately snapped up by buy-to-let landlords, and never become available for first-time buyers. I am delighted that we have taken the first steps towards removing the tax advantages for buy-to-let, but I suspect there is much further to go (and therefore more political courage required).’

Well let’s face it – all of that certainly doesn’t tally with what I and others perceived we would be dealing with; namely, a political party that appeared more in favour of landlords and property investors than Labour in the run up to the election.

If you feel you may be affected by the proposed changes I would encourage you to visit http://saynotogeorge.co.uk/. There is a wealth of information on there explaining the potential repercussions in depth, and if you decide you are against what is being planned you may choose to sign the on-line petition. 

Dealing with reality

According to the experts, however, it’s not all gloom and doom. As reported in The Guardian, Andrew Montlake, a director at mortgage broker Coreco, said: ‘These changes will undoubtedly make some prospective landlords think twice about entering buy-to-let, but the response we have had from landlords suggest that while it will cut down on their profits, it is not enough to fundamentally change their views and start selling off all their properties.

‘It will just be a case of taking these changes into account when making a business decision on each property to see if the basic maths of a new purchase still works.’

We also know that earlier forecasts of interest rate hikes mid-2016 are unlikely to come to pass now, with conservative (with a lower case ‘c’!) predictions suggesting the first quarter of 2017 to be more likely. This is good news for anyone looking to source a mortgage over the coming months.

However, here’s the caveat – always be prepared for the worst. When making your buy-to-let decisions hope for the best but factor in the worst. Make sure your calculations allow for George’s tax changes to come to pass and interest rates to increase at any time, and you’ll be able to face the future with equanimity come what may.

Harry would like to share his professional property secrets with his dental colleagues free of charge. For further information, please visit www.dentalpropertyclub.co.uk.

                                                                                                   -ends-

Harry would like to share his professional property secrets with his dental colleagues free of charge. For further information, please visit www.dentalpropertyclub.co.uk.

The content of this article is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon when making legal or financial decisions. It is recommended you seek the help of a financial and/or legal expert to assess your needs fully before making any decisions and/or making changes.

Bio - Dr Harry Singh, BChD (Leeds), MFGDP (UK)

After qualifying from Leeds Dental School in 1996, Dr Harry Singh followed the traditional VT, Associate and Principal routes in dentistry, owning three dental practices along the way. Amongst these was ‘Aesthetics’, an award-winning private practice in Hertfordshire.

Like most dentists, Harry was making good money; however, it left him working long hours and missing out on family time, hobbies, holidays, going to the gym, healthy eating, etc. Even when Harry was away from the practice, he found himself thinking about patient emergencies or complaints, as well as staff issues.

Feeling alone on a professional level and unhappy with his lifestyle, Harry sought to make a change so, as well as practising dentistry, he started to invest in property and stumbled upon some professional property secrets that helped to develop his business interests. 

Over a 2-year period Harry bought 27 properties and sold 6. The profits from these deals allowed him to buy into dental practices and set up 2 squat practices.

The passive income that these properties brought in covered all of his financial commitments, enabling him to reduce his clinical dentistry hours and to spend more time with his family and on himself.

Eventually he found that he was making more money from property and practising dentistry two days a week, rather than full-time. Two years ago he retired from dentistry to concentrate on the property side of his work.

He now has a property portfolio valued at around £7 million, yielding a passive income of £8000 per month.

With the new tax year looming, it is important to re-examine how the latest Budget – the first Conservative Budget for 19 years – will affect the dental profession. Having had time to evaluate the pending changes, it seems that dividend taxation could have the largest impact, especially those drawing dividends from their own limited company.

As dividends from UK shares are currently paid for with a 10% tax credit, previous years have presented incorporations with opportunities for reducing tax. From 2016, however, all dividend income will be treated as untaxed income and the current system will be replaced with a tax-free dividend allowance of £5,000 with higher taxes on income above that. What this ultimately means, is that practices will see a 7.5% increase in tax on any dividend income above the £5,000 tax-free allowance.

Although this is an aspect that will undeniably affect incorporated practices and their overall income, for those considering the decision to incorporate in the future, it could be pertinent to seek out professional financial advice to determine if it is the right decision to make.

In regards to dividend income received on Stocks and Shares ISAs and private pensions, however, thanks to the 1997 Budget, there will be no tax consequences introduced. This is good news for private pension protection, especially as tax relief claims will shortly be changing from £40,000 to £10,000 for dentists with incomes over £150,000 per annum.

The changes to employment allowance, income tax and inheritance tax are much more promising. Indeed, as from April, the employment allowance will be increased from £2,000 to £3,000 for all private practices. With the additional increase of the income tax higher rate threshold from £42,385 to £43,000, the Budget does present potential benefits to practices and dentists alike.

This is especially true where inheritance tax (IHT) applies. With the transferable main residence allowance set to gradually increase from £100,000 in April 2017 to £175,000 per person by 2020/21, this may prove to be a comforting thought for dentists and their families who have concerns about the effects of the Budget.

All in all, the Budget has revealed some interesting changes. While George Osborne and his fellow Conservatives expect to see public finances run at a surplus from as early as 2019, it would be prudent for all practices and dentists to stay cautious of what the future holds. Ultimately, until the changes take full effect it is uncertain what financial downfalls and benefits may occur, which means for now, preparation and calculation are very much advised.  If you are unsure of how the Budget affects you, contact money4dentists today.

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

The most responsible elements of a dental professional’s remit is making effectual clinical decisions and planning appropriate dental care. Most often patients seek treatment to address comfort function and aesthetics but this can be compromised by fear, cost, time and access.

Practitioners are able to base clinical decisions on their professional knowledge, scientific evidence and experience. However, in order to preserve the trust and to serve patients well, dental professionals must take time to understand their expectations and limitations before any treatment begins.

Patients favour a personally active approach to dental treatment. A collaborative decision, with patient and dentist equally sharing responsibility for decision-making, is increasingly popular.[1]  As well as examination, diagnosis, determining aetiology and formulating appropriate treatment options, individual preferences and requirements should be tailored into the treatment plan. Additionally, well-informed, engaged patients are placed in a stronger position when deciding between treatment options and are more likely to take ownership of the final treatment decision and outcome.

Patient expectations should be considered carefully and practitioners need to recognise that the focus of the general population has shifted from ensuring teeth are healthy and pain free to an ever-stronger desire that they should also be aesthetically pleasing.[2] As a result, the demand for higher standards of treatment and cosmetic procedures are on the increase, but when both the practitioner and patient bring value and information to the treatment plan they can build an agreement together, which is more likely to result in patient satisfaction.

There will, of course, always be occasions when things happen that are beyond our control but by covering every eventuality, both patients and professionals can be aware of any factors or risks that could compromise the treatment outcome. When shared decision-making takes place, patient acceptance of any less desirable consequences increases and the likelihood of complaints and claims arising from clinical decision-making are also reduced.

Planning well is an attribute that all professionals aspire to achieve. It is particularly important in the dental practice because a detailed treatment plan is beneficial not only for the patient and practitioner but the dental team and laboratory. With forward thinking, realistic scheduling and organisation, the skills, services, materials and time can be communicated and allocated efficiently to ensure the most effective results.

At times, cases present that are beyond the technological parameters or skill set of the practice. This could be due to the complexity of the treatment or due to the patient needs and enhanced imaging, sedation or specialist clinical skills may be required. Whatever the circumstances, dental professionals need to recognise any limitations and make a decision to refer.

Calling upon the additional assistance will ensure the success and accuracy of treatment. Furthermore, it extends the professionalism of the referring dentist and practice. However, these professionals must be able to trust the people and services they chose to work with and have confidence in their expertise.

London Smile Clinic is able to provide a referral service that can be integrated into any treatment plan. Referring dentists can rest assured that they will remain informed throughout the treatment and feel confident that their patients will receive first class treatment to achieve the most successful results possible.

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

John Grant of Goodman Grant Solicitors explains the difficulties that NHS orthodontists may encounter when the time comes to sell their practice…

It is often the case that the majority of NHS orthodontists will have a Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement rather than a General Dental Services (GDS) contract, which, unfortunately, can make it difficult for a contractor to sell.

This is because PDS contracts are time-limited; at present, the longest contracts are being renewed for three years. While LATs are likely to grant this, there is nothing obliging them to do so. Indeed, if an LAT were to decline a renewal request, there would be nothing an orthodontist could do.

The second issue is that, unlike GDS contracts, PDS contracts cannot be transferred  using the partnership route . Since 2006, NHS practices have been bought and sold by introducing a partner to the contract with the seller subsequently retiring – resulting in a  smoothish transition from one principal to the next. As this is simply unavailable for PDS contracts, on the face of it they are unsalable.

In 2006, there was a change in the law that allowed dentists to incorporate their businesses. After years of uncertainty in 2013, NHS England introduced its incorporation policy – effectively making incorporating possible – if by no means guaranteed. For orthodontists, this created the opportunity for the sale of their contracts: by transferring the practice’s assets, including the NHS contract, to the limited company. Then, by selling the shares in the company  the value of the practice could be realised.

Nowadays, however, the LATs’ attitudes towards incorporations have changed. More and more often, they are requesting tangible benefits – and the focus tends to be on the patients. Typically, their requests manifests as a request for extended opening hours; a recent case saw an incorporation application denied because the practice refused to commit to more than an extra hour a week, showing how stringent the LAT can be in this regard.

Of course, assuming the LAT does agree to the incorporation in principle, the problems for the contractor will not suddenly cease. At this stage, the LAT will produce a Deed of Novation – which operates to transfer the NHS contract to the limited company. Included in this document are two sections of which practitioners must be particularly aware.

The first is that the LAT will require a guarantee from the contractor that the contractor will personally guarantee the performance by the limited company of the NHS contract. This does not represent a problem whilst the contractor holds the shares in the limited company – it places them in no worse position than they were prior to incorporation. Complications arise, however, after the sale of shares, due to the way in which the deed is drafted unless amended the personal guarantee will continue even after the contractor has sold their shares.

Secondly, a Deed of Novation will include what is known as a change of control clause, which subjects any transfer of shares  of 10% or more in the Company (which obviously will be the case on a sale)  to the approval of the LAT. This essentially puts the decision as to whether the principal can sell in the LAT’s hands – and if they were to refuse it would be extremely difficult to challenge that decision.

John Grant of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists - a NASDAL member

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

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

A NASDAL and ASPD MEMBER

2D digital imaging has given the dentist greater opportunity to visualise the tooth than ever before, but with the revolution in 3D imaging and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), the practitioner can now visualise the full picture.

Due to its wide range of applications and its contribution to easier, quicker and more effective results, it has become embedded in the practice’s daily routine. It allows the tooth to be viewed in any direction or orientation, and negates the need for speculation, which is what has often happened with 2D views. Dentists can interpret this valuable new information to make better treatment plans and give more accurate diagnoses.

One of the more specialised areas of dentistry that 3D imaging is of particular use in is implantology. CBCT allows for bone evaluation in terms of thickness and density, identification of anatomical landmarks and provides multiple options for views. Most notably it also allows for ‘virtual’ implant placement. When the implant has been placed, historically, 2D images would have only shown a portion of the placed implant, but with 3D imaging, the whole picture can be seen meaning the greater likelihood of long term success.

Endodontics is another speciality finding this development in technology essential. Root morphology can be more accurately assessed and the ability to see different views of the canal, be it in cross section, long axis or oblique, allows the endodontist greater virtual visualisation of the form and structure of the root canal. More accurate measurements can be achieved resulting in more effective treatment success. It is also effective in the identification of post endodontic treatment infections, which often could not be identified with 2D radiographs.

Making it a Reality

Manufactured by the world class Sirona and supplied by the experienced Clark Dental, the ORTHOPHOS SL 3D is at the cutting-edge of technology. Clark Dental can help you make the leap to 3D imaging, and all the advantages that it brings with it, a reality.  The ORTHOPHOS SL 3D offers exceptionally sharp 2D panoramic images with its ‘Direct Conversion Sensor’ (DCS) and ‘Sharp Layer’ (SL) Technology, but also full 3D flexibility with its selectable fields of view. 

With just a single rotation, thousands of images can be taken and the SL technology can bring the entire jaw into sharp resolution.  Further still, the interactive element of SL allows you to manipulate the image and select a particular area that you want to focus on.  The ground-breaking DCS provides unrivalled character sharpness with unmatched clarity, ultimately resulting in greater success in all fields of application.  

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

Are you offering your patients finance options?

In this day and age, most people will expect credit – particularly for large-scale purchases. As elective dental treatments grow in popularity in the UK, this expectation will certainly extend to your service.

But these days, gaining and maintaining  consumer credit authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a lengthy, time-consuming process – one that many busy dental practitioners will not have time to complete.

Which is precisely why Chrysalis Finance is the perfect option.

Its unique service allows you to become Appointed Representatives – essentially allowing you to offer consumer credit through Chrysalis Finance’s existing authorisation: it’s quick and easy and allows you to offer your patients more options.

Simply sign up for a nominal monthly fee and let the expert team at Chrysalis Finance deal with all the regulatory management and FCA reporting. All you need to do is continue providing your patients exceptional, affordable dentistry!

As the UK’s ONLY licence-free provider of dental finance, Chrysalis Finance is changing the way practices offer credit. To find out more, contact the friendly team today.

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

Dedicated to bringing you the best, RPA Dental recently launched a new uniform range from leading medical clothing designer, Pastelli.

Pastelli uniforms are handmade in Italy from the highest quality of Egyptian cotton assuring you comfort and safety at work.

The collection – which boasts over 150 models in 32 different colours – is available in a variety of sizes and has been specially designed to inspire confidence and endure the day-to-day life of a dental professional.

Pastelli uniforms are also seven times stronger than a pair of jeans, thus offering you the highest quality and a guarantee on your product!

As Pastelli uniforms have been designed with professionalism in mind, RPA Dental is offering you the opportunity to take your practice’s appearance to the next level.

Essentially, a uniform can be as influential as your choice of equipment and the design of your practice; it has the potential to improve your status and reputation.

Make a lasting impression on your patients with Pastelli – contact RPA Dental for more information.

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

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

Renowned supplier of dental cabinetry, RPA Dental offers a dental practice design service tailored to helping you to achieve an efficient and stylish dental environment.

With years’ of experience specifically within the dental industry, RPA Dental has all the skills and expertise to ensure your practice not only looks great to your patients, but that it also functions with maximum efficiency. Regardless of the size or shape of space available, the team will be sure to put it to maximum use.

With an extensive selection of Tavom cabinet ranges, colours and surfaces, you can also be sure to create a practice unique to you, while also promoting your professional values and high quality patient service.

Combine the sophistication of Italian design with the expert support services of UK-based engineers, and take the stress out of creating your next practice with RPA Dental.

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

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

Last week, a group of Dental Industry Leaders from the UK went on a fact finding trip with Bridge2Aid in Tanzania.

The group visited Kasamwa in Geita District where a Bridge2Aid team was training and treating. They met with the Site Clinical Lead, an experienced dentist with several trips under his belt who is leading the clinical team on this programme. Bridge2Aid’s sustainable model of training first attracted him and has kept him firmly committed ever since. The training team had already registered 99 patients for the morning, with more arriving as word spread.  Among the first to arrive that day was an 86 year old man who had started walking before dawn for 4 hours to reach the clinic, having been in pain for 2 years.

The visitors spent several hours touring the clinic and talking to volunteers, Health Workers (the trainees), and the local government dentist.  They viewed the treatment in progress, all performed today by the Health Workers, all of whom have passed the 9 day course, and coached by the training dentists who started work with them just last week. They saw the sterilisation processes used and taught to the Health Workers, and heard an oral health education talk given to the group of waiting patients by one of the Health Workers, a key component of Bridge2Aid’s programme.

The visitors gave us these reflections on the day:

Patrick Allen – Henry Schein Dental

 “The passion and dedication of the volunteers was incredible and meeting people who have been on 6+ programmes and who clearly will be back again was inspiring. …[this is] a special programme which is clearly creating lasting and sustainable change”

Alison Speak - Director Oasis

“Although I’d been on a B2A training day in the UK , to see, first hand , just what an impact the programme is having was very emotional. Everything I observed today (commitment of volunteers, skills of the  clinical officers in training, organisation and admin skills of the employed local staff) confirmed to me that the approach B2A have taken will effect lasting change.”

 Jason Newington – FMC

“An amazing and humbling day watching the Bridge2aid volunteers at work. To see the life changing effect their work has on the lives of the local people who have suffered for so long with pain, was truly incredible. Bridge2aid are simply making a massive difference to the community and its clear that the years of hard work and persistence by the team and volunteers has paid off”.

 Bob Newsome – Dentisan

“I witnessed great teamwork in play today, between indigenous Tanzanian Clinical Officers and Dental Volunteers from the UK- in less than ideal conditions the rhythm of work and the camaraderie established was a delight and pleasure to see”

Steve Booth – Straumann

“Today was truly an inspiring day in several ways. 

 “The patients, some clearly in pain and discomfort, were themselves immensely patient and grateful for the treatment they had or were about to receive. For a patient to have chronic dental pain and to be able to relieve it must have a dramatic effect on the quality of their lives. 

“The team spirit, respect and closeness of the volunteers was clear to see. The way they supported each other and the Clinical Officers was amazing. How they run such an efficient clinic in such an environment is astonishing and clearly a testament to the quality of the people and the process you have put in place.

 “To see all six clinical officers today taking charge of all of the clinical work shows what can be achieved with the right mindset and people. A truly inspiring day in so many ways.”

Note for editors

For further information please contact Paul Tasman at Bridge2Aid, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07796 951855

The third NHS Confidence Monitor has revealed that 70% of survey participants would not recommend dentistry as a profession to a family member or friend.

To reflect the profession’s growing interest in the NHS Confidence Monitor, this latest survey was launched to enable all members of the dental team to share their thoughts, providing a deeper and wider understanding of the whole profession’s perception of NHS dentistry. With 590 participants, it is the most comprehensive survey in the series thus far and makes it clear that all dental team members feel similarly to those dentists who answered the questions posed by the previous survey in the summer of 2015.

As before, the survey monitored the profession’s confidence in:

•               The future of NHS dentistry as a whole

•               Future career prospects

•               Remuneration levels

•               Getting the balance of treatment versus prevention within the NHS right

•               The ability of the team to work effectively within the NHS

•               Whether patients will be happy with level of care provided.

In addition, the survey was extended to explore two new issues: whether respondents would feel happy encouraging a family member or friend to pursue a career in dentistry, and their proposed age of retirement to gauge the possibility of a staffing crisis in the future.

When considered as a whole, the NHS Confidence Monitor indicates that an overwhelming majority of dental professionals are lacking confidence in many aspects of NHS dentistry.

Speaking about the results, Judith Husband, a dentist who participated in the second Insights Panel meeting and who sits on the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, commented: ‘I was unsurprised but nonetheless sad to learn that confidence levels are so low among dental team members across the board. We need to look at these figures within the general landscape of dentistry, so not only how the NHS contract is affecting the profession, but also regulations, the role of the GDC, and the levels of patient complaints. All of that can make practising NHS dentistry a daunting prospect, to say the least.’

Looking at the results in greater detail, it was further revealed that dentists’ desired age of retirement ranges significantly, with an average of 60 years old.

In relation to this outcome, Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, co-founder of Lockharts Solicitors and a member of the Insights Panel, said: ‘We are seeing a greater number of dentists considering their retirement plans earlier than ever before. 60 may not seem a young age to retire, but certainly the number of people who, broadly speaking, have said to me that they are retiring four or five years earlier than they had anticipated is growing. The age has come down, without any doubt at all.’

The results of the latest survey will shortly be presented to an ‘Insights Panel’ made up of key opinion leaders and experts from the dental profession who will explore and debate their significance and implications for the future of NHS dentistry. The panel’s findings will then be shared with dental professionals throughout the UK.

For detailed results from this and the last two surveys, as well as to gain access to the discussions from our previous Insights Panel meetings and interviews with our panel members, visit www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk

This Friday 18th our NHS Dentistry Insights Panel are meeting to discuss the results of our latest NHS Confidence Monitor survey. The panel consists of 6 KOL's and dentists, including Eddie Crouch, Judith Husband and David Houston. If you'd like us to pose your question on NHS dentistry to our esteemed group, please post them here and we will feed back their answers after the event.

You can view the latest results of the confidence monitor here http://www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk

Notes:

The NHS Confidence Monitor is an independently verified survey commissioned by Practice Plan.

The NHS Confidence Monitor was conducted to gain insight into the confidence levels in NHS dentistry. The results will ensure Practice Plan has the most up-to-date information to provide the very best support to dentists looking to make an informed decision about the future of their practice.

The third forum of key opinion leaders will be held in March and includes Judith Husband, Eddie Crouch, Andrew Lockhart-Mirams, Sarah Franks, David Houston and Paul Worskett. Information on their thoughts will be released soon.

Practice Plan is the UK’s number one provider of practice-branded patient membership plans. They have been supporting dentists with NHS conversions for over 20 years, helping them to evaluate their options and, for those who decide to make the change, guide them through a safe and successful transition to private practice. 

If you are incorporated as a limited company or incorporation is something you are considering here’s important information about dividend tax changes in April 2016. Changes also apply if you are an associate trading as a limited company.

The majority of earnings are likely to be paid out of the company via dividends. Currently, UK dividends are paid with a notional 10 per cent tax credit; as of April 2016, the dividend tax credit is being scrapped and replaced with a tax-free dividend allowance of £5,000 per year for each shareholder. Additionally, the income tax attributable to dividends is increasing by 7.5 per cent within each income tax band, including the basic rate band – which was previously tax free.

Hayley Hudson ACA, Manager for PFM Townends LLP, says: “There are a number of beneficial reasons to incorporate as part of a tax planning scheme, however, there are many factors to consider. Incorporation should be analysed on a case-by-case basis to ensure it is indeed the best course of action.

“At PFM Townends we always proactively discuss all the advantages and disadvantages with our clients.”

For more information visit www.pfmdental.co.uk

It is with the greatest pleasure that Wrights can announce the appointment of Charlie Cope as the Equipment National Sales Manager.

With 34 years’ experience as a Sales and Service Engineer, Charlie is a perfect addition to the award-winning Wrights Engineering and Technical Services team.

Charlie started his long career with a four-year apprenticeship with Ferranti – a name known throughout the aerospace and defence industry – before qualifying as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer. He then worked with the leading company for ten years developing radar systems for Harrier Jump Jets and Eurofighters.

Thereafter, Charlie added to his accomplishments, putting in five years as a Field Service Engineer with Leco instruments before making the move in to dental and medical equipment sales. He has worked with Prestige Medical, Viasys Healthcare and A-dec – which he was with for 13 years.

With a great wealth of experience and an extensive skill set, Charlie has established himself as one of the dental profession’s leading Engineers, and looks forward to offering a quality service to Wrights’ customers.

Contact Wrights to find out more on services available from the superior team.

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

TEXT TEETH TO 70660 TO DONATE £5

Plus your standard network rate

www.dentaid.org/get-involved/fundraise

Founded specifically to meet the ever-growing demands of modern dentistry, the IAS Academy has always been a firm advocate in delivering ethical treatment. The Academy is proud to be largely responsible for the change in dentistry over recent years that has seen the profession embrace a more minimally invasive approach. The IAS Academy is now a well-established provider of highly popular anterior alignment training courses and support tailored to meet the needs of modern GDPs and ensure they deliver safe and effective treatment.

As anterior alignment procedures have increased in popularity, the need for appropriate professional education and training has also become essential. Orthodontics is no longer covered in any great detail by the dental schools, with current GDC aims limited to assessment and referral. Through no fault of their own, this means that GDPs often lack the experience or skills to know when they can provide safe orthodontic treatment and when they should refer, as well as the processes that should be followed.

That said, with the correct training and support GDPs are more than capable of delivering anterior orthodontics for simple to moderate cases. In recognition of this, the IAS Academy pioneered the ‘guided learning pathway’, which is designed to lead practitioners through a recommended sequence of training courses in order to ensure they have the competency and confidence to offer safe and effective treatment to their patients.

With different courses providing education on various appliances, this sequence also affords flexibility with multiple entry points for GDPs of various experience levels. The training courses include IAS Inman Aligner and IAS Clear Aligner, which are recommended as initial courses for those with little previous experience who wish to learn how to provide anterior alignment orthodontics using simple removable appliances. Leading on from these is the IAS Fixed course, which teaches simple anterior tooth alignment using fixed appliances allowing full 3D movements. The final step of the IAS Academy pathway is the IAS Advanced year course for practitioners with significant experience in fixed appliances. This teaches dentists how to treat more complex orthodontic cases such as extraction cases and functional appliances.

All courses are structured and overseen by Professor Ross Hobson, who is a renowned Specialist in Orthodontics and Clinical Director of the IAS Academy. All the IAS courses have a strong emphasis on carrying out full orthodontic assessments, formulating a diagnosis and then treatment planning with digital guidance . Professor Hobson is adamant that GDPs should fully understand what is appropriate for them to treat and to refer. He comments:

“In order for GDPs to ensure orthodontic treatment is successful, they need to know how to properly assess, diagnose and plan. When these steps are followed correctly, professionals are able to select appropriate cases and effectively communicate treatment to patients for informed consent, protecting themselves from any potential litigation. If GDP orthodontic training does not cover these stages in detail, the clinician will be left putting their patients and themselves at risk.

“All the IAS Academy courses place a heavy emphasis on ensuring GDPs can assess, diagnose and plan effectively. We believe it is always best to plan for the ideal and then determine if there are any acceptable compromises, depending on other factors affecting treatment. Therefore, this is what our training focuses on.”

Dr Anoop Maini, who is very well known in the UK for raising the profile of cosmetic orthodontic training for general dentists, adds:

"IAS training doesn’t stop there, however. A learning continuum has been developed that encourages clinicians to carry on refining their practical skills and experience through a range of additional courses, study clubs, workshops and online resources. Full case mentoring is also provided and new users are required to submit their first completed cases for review and evaluation via the online support in order to achieve full accreditation."

Complimenting the carefully designed learning continuum, there is on-going support available for all users of IAS appliances. The experts are always available to provide fast and relevant advice or guidance to those posting cases or questions on the dedicated forum. Plus, professionals can learn from their peers’ cases and queries, accelerating their own learning in an efficient way.

As Dr Tif Qureshi – the world’s most experienced clinician of the IAS Inman Aligner – concludes:

“Fundamentally, the IAS Academy advocates an effective diagnostic pathway. It’s not about marketing, it’s about performing treatment correctly and protecting patients. This is why we founded the guided learning pathway in the first place – to ensure GDPs have the skills and support they need to offer safe, ethical and effective anterior alignment. Our treatment protocols combined with our experienced understanding of restorative dentistry and function mean that we can help our Academy members create aesthetically outstanding results that are also stable, and with good planned functional results.

“Our team has 10, 20, 30 years of experience in different aspects of orthodontics and it is this same team who will provide quality mentorship throughout every GDP’s journey – from simple cases at the very beginning to the much more advanced cases a few years on. In this way we can ensure a continuum of learning and support GDPs in their mission to develop orthodontic skills and provide the right treatment for the right patients.”

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses,

please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477

Waitrose hit the headlines recently for their animal welfare policies in dairy farming[i]. Now the supermarket chain is further endorsing their ethical values by proudly announcing the arrival of the Humble Brush to their stores.

Waitrose and Humble Brush are a perfect match. ‘The Waitrose Way’ is defined as showing a total commitment towards respecting the environment and treating people fairly. These values perfectly mirror those of the eco and panda-friendly toothbrush.

Currently with over 10,000 likes on Facebook, Humble Brush has also just been awarded Best Wellness product 2016 at Biofach/Vivaness Exhibition in Germany. At the world’s leading international trade fair for organic food and natural personal care, Humble Brush was selected for this accolade by over 50,000 visitors.

Humble Brush toothbrushes are equal in performance to traditional, plastic versions but with a 100% biodegradable Moso Bamboo handle. The bristles are also bisphenol-A (BPA) toxin-free nylon, which degrades over time and is processed through regular waste channels.

Every year, 5 billion toothbrushes are produced, most of which end up in landfills or in our seas, threatening our eco-systems and marine life. However, the fully biodegradable, sustainable bamboo used for Humble Brushes is the fastest growing, naturally antibacterial plant on earth. It’s also kind to our environment,  requiring no pesticides or fertilisers during its cultivation. What’s more, because pandas do not eat this particular bamboo, they are safe too!

The eco-friendly theme carries right through to the fully compostable packaging.

The Humble Brush’s ‘buy one, give one approach’ is simple – for every brush sold, the equivalent in funding goes to The Humble Smile Foundation. This group of volunteers currently operates in 15 remote communities across the globe delivering oral health awareness and critical dental care where the need is greatest.

One example is the Humble Smile Foundation’s collaboration with the Gabriel Project operating in the slums of Mumbai. Here, the aim is to counterbalance poverty and suffering to some degree for Mumbai’s children in the form of hunger relief, literacy support, health and empowerment. The simple slogan, “Eat to Learn” is promoted – in return for attending classes, children are given daily nutritious meals. The idea is to alleviate the immediate and pressing issue of hunger whilst at the same providing long-term care through education, the key to changing lives.

The Humble Smile Foundation joined forces with the Gabriel Project at the Kalwa slums, training local educators to become Oral Health Ambassadors and encouraging them to continue promoting oral health in schools across the wider district. Many children had never heard of a dentist before and almost without exception, didn’t own their own toothbrush. Tooth decay is rife, as the children have had no access to dental care. However, with many yet to establish their adult teeth, the Humble Smile Foundation afforded them a second chance. All of this is possible from the funding supplied by sales of the Humble Brush.

Do you care about the fair treatment of people and the environment? The Humble Brush, available in Waitrose stores, is the toothbrush for you!

For more information about the Humble Brush visit www.humblebrush.co.uk or to find out more about the Humble Smile Foundation’s work visit www.humblesmile.org

Follow us on Facebook, HumblebrushUK

and Twitter

@HumbleBrush

The majority of dentists will not be financial experts. The team at money4dentists are.

Running a dental practice as a successful business includes many complicated aspects, some of which are far beyond the knowledge imparted at dental school. To achieve business prosperity and security these factors need to be efficiently managed. 

This is where money4dentists can help. With excellent knowledge of the dental sector, the team of expert advisers can help with any financial query practice owners might have. As IFAs, they offer objective, unbiased advice – meaning you can be assured that the only thing they have in mind is your best interests. 

Whether it’s income protection, mortgage advice or tax planning, the IFAs at money4dentists will you their in-depth knowledge to offer you relevant and appropriate advice, every time.

Contact the friendly and professional team to find out just how they could help you today.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754DENTIST.

Email  HYPERLINK "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.money4dentists.com" www.money4dentists.com

Providing an in-depth educational pathway with multiple courses, the IAS Academy is dedicated to training GDP’s on the full range of orthodontic options, including the ClearSmile Brace.

Having previously completed training in several different appliances, Raoul Patel had been looking to build a foundation in orthodontics. 

“Wanting to build my skillset, I undertook ClearSmile Brace training to add a new, safe, discreet and gentle appliance to effectively treat more of my patients,” says Raoul, who took the conversion course last April in London. 

“The course I attended was excellent. It didn't waste any time going over basics, but focused more on diagnostics and the concept of anterior alignment orthodontics instead. 

“The instruction during the training was very clear and because you need approval before beginning a case, the IAS Academy provides you with a sense of mentorship and support which is ultimately invaluable. 

“If you are a GDP wanting to expand your orthodontic foundation, I would definitely recommend this course.”

To find out how you can develop your orthodontic skill-set using a fixed brace appliance, contact the IAS Academy today. 

 For more information on the ClearSmile Brace and upcoming training courses,
please visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477.

At EndoCare, we pride ourselves on our empathetic and patient-focused approach. Our friendly team is dedicated to providing a caring, comfortable and continuing service to your patients – and is enthusiastic about making and maintaining excellent relationships with referring practices.

If you are looking for a high quality and trusted specialist endodontic referral centre, look no further than EndoCare. Our experienced and compassionate team are fully committed to providing outstanding levels of endodontic care, every time.

Across three main locations – Harley Street and Moorgate in London, and Richmond, Surrey – all of our practices feature state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and are staffed by a support team that is ready to assuage any concerns your patients might have.

By working together with referring practices, we at EndoCare can become an integral part of your service team, helping to deliver outstanding endodontic treatment. 

Refer your patients to EndoCare today for effortless, stress-free referrals, and an excellent level of patient care. 

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

Almost half of British adults say they feel stressed every day – that’s according to the Mental Health Foundation. It is generally well known that stress can contribute to health problems such as depression and heart disease. What is less well known – but imperative to address for emotional and physical well-being – is that it can also damage your teeth.
 

This is what happens – one of the more common signs of stress is tooth grinding but there’s a good chance you don’t even know you’re doing it, as it often happens in your sleep. However, its effects cannot be underestimated, often resulting in physical symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, gum problems, difficulty chewing, headaches and neck ache, as well as the possibility of ultimately losing teeth, which can have a devastating emotional effect.
 

If a dentist examined your mouth, they might find teeth that are:

• Sharp or chipped

• Broken

• Shortened

• Loose

• Wearing flat and looking shiny and pitted.

The good news is that making a few simple lifestyle changes can be a big help, such as:

• Doing something relaxing before bed, such as yoga, reading or having a bath

• Learning to brush effectively yet gently with a relatively soft toothbrush and a toothpaste that is low in abrasivity (ask your dentist for advice on this if you’re not sure).
 

In addition, if you’re suffering from sensitivity (which should be diagnosed by a dentist to ensure there is no underlying condition that needs treatment), using a fluoridated mouthrinse every day at a different time to toothbrushing is an effective first line of defence. A desensitising toothpaste used when brushing or applied directly onto a sensitive tooth can also be helpful to calm any sensitivity.
 

Commenting on this growing problem, Professor Andrew Eder, an expert in tooth wear and Clinical Director of the London Tooth Wear Centre^®, said: ^‘If you’re worried that your teeth may be wearing, tell your dentist. They are, after all, there to help and will be able to make a diagnosis, provide guidance or refer you, if appropriate.
 

‘Possible treatment options include the provision of a suitable mouthguard to be worn at night to relieve pressure on the teeth and jaw, prescribing muscle relaxants or recommending care from a physiotherapist or osteopath with specialist knowledge of the muscles involved.
 

‘If there was one piece of advice above all others I’d offer, it would be this – don’t delay in seeking help. If damage resulting from tooth wear is diagnosed and addressed in its early stages, you can avoid extensive and expensive dental treatment that might otherwise be necessary to correct the situation. The bottom line is that you needn’t suffer alone or long-term.’
 

If you have any concerns about your oral health or would simply like some preventive advice, please contact your dentist. If you prefer, the team at the London Tooth Wear Centre^® is happy to help. For further information, please visit www.toothwear.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7486 7180.

When experts were compiling this year’s annual World Happiness Report, they took a number of different variables into account to judge a population’s happiness. GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity were all part of the equation.¹
 

Of all these factors, generosity was consistently recorded to have one of the highest positive affects on the population and to produce the lowest negative overall effect. To evaluate a country’s level of generosity, participants were asked, “Have you donated to charity in the past month?”
 

The UK is, according to these results, the 21^st happiest country in the world.[1] Since the UK Giving Report 2014, 57% of adults in this country are regularly donating to charities – to a sum of around £10.6 billion.[2] So how does giving to those in need correlate to happiness?
 

Research has shown that people who are giving money to charity exhibit heightened brain activity – particularly in the ventral striatum and tegmental parts of our brain. These areas are closely linked to the experience of positivity  and our physiological reward system and the processing of emotional output from the amygdala.[3] What this means is that the act of donation triggers a chemical reaction in our brains that produces a sense of reward and positive emotion. Not only this, but it is well documented that those who regularly give feel healthier both physically and mentally.[4]
 

If giving blindly encourages optimism, imagine how good it would feel knowing that you have helped a fellow colleague, peer or even quite possibly, someone you know. Because the BDA Benevolent Fund has been providing this type of vital support since its establishment in 1882, the team are more than aware of the gratitude felt by all of its beneficiaries.
 

When speaking about the Fund, one recipient, who shall remain anonymous for confidentiality reasons, put this into context: “I treasure every action and gesture from people who have helped me and the children cope with cruelty and hardship. Your help means a great deal to me. I will never forget it.”
 

For others, the work of the Fund and the thanks felt towards dentists who donate is seen as more than a helping hand, it has saved their lives.
 

“To be perfectly honest, before I met the general manager, I was seriously considering suicide. I had a very low opinion of the human race, but your response to me has made me reconsider that there are still some decent human beings after all.”
 

But most of all, the financial support that the BDA Benevolent Fund provides is the answer when all other channels have failed. “Please accept my heartfelt thanks for giving me an emergency grant. I’m truly not sure how I would have managed otherwise.”
 

By offering essential monetary assistance to dentists and their families during difficult or unexpected financial hardships, the Fund helps many dental professionals get their lives back on track. While it may feel good to give, offering a sense of reward and pride in aiding those less fortunate, donating is essentially about one thing – improving the lives of those in need.
 

Before Dr. T needed to take time off work to have life-saving surgery, I bet she’d never considered that one day she’d need financial support from the BDA Benevolent Fund. But after her husband left her and she was struggling to support two young children, the Fund offered assistance in her darkest hour. Now that Dr. T has a monthly grant to cover costs while she is recovering, and a loan to help pay for child-care costs accrued whilst she was in and out of hospital, it is not hard to guess how she feels about the Fund now.
 

For the good work to continue and to change more lives for the better, the Fund needs your donations. Entirely dependant on your generosity, the BDA Benevolent Fund asks for your help to make sure that your colleagues are not left alone in times of personal crisis.

Thank you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

The team at A-dec UK were delighted by the turnout to their recent open evening, at the new A-dec Showroom in Nuneaton – and would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

From dealer and supplier partners to clinicians, approximately 50 guests were in attendance, all of whom were eager to view the celebrated range of A-dec equipment solutions, as well as take advantage of some exclusive ‘on the night’ offers. 

Dean Hallows, General Manager of A-dec UK, welcomed and thanked all for coming, and had the pleasure of introducing A-dec’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Mr Wes Snyder, and the Director of Logistics, Mr Devin Layman, who had come over from the A-dec head office in Oregon, USA for the event. They commented on how great the showroom looked and also on how wonderful it was to be able to share the evening with so many valued industry partners and customers.

The evening of canapés and champagne was so enjoyed by all that it ran on well past the advertised closing time.

If you are interested in any of the innovative dental solutions that A-dec has to offer, be sure to contact the friendly team today.

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

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

Michaela Deseta, a dental hygienist and therapist currently studying to become a dentist, shares her career experiences so far, highlighting the importance of practical work for career progression.

During my degree in Dental Hygiene and Therapy at the University of Portsmouth I found that I particularly enjoyed the therapy side of the course. However, securing a job in this domain is difficult as the vast majority of jobs available are for private hygiene. Therefore, following graduation in 2010 I began an optional Therapy Vocational Training (TVT) year with Rodericks Dental, where I was initially placed at a practice in Newbury and then in Slough.

The TVT year was fantastic and involved four days a week in the practice treating patients under supervision and one day attending practical and theoretical courses at either Oxford or Slough hospitals. These informative days covered a multitude of areas, from ethics to hands-on patient care and were a brilliant way to enhance learning. My TVT year greatly improved my confidence and clinical skills, both with hygiene and therapy.

Following the TVT year, I remained working and spent my time split between various practices including Newbury, High Wycombe, Wallingford and Farnborough. I loved providing therapy to patients and particularly enjoyed treating children who came to see me for prevention, fillings and extractions.

The practical experience gained whilst working in these practices reflected positively in my applications and allowed me to attain a place at Kings College London to study dentistry. I enrolled on the course in 2012 and I am now in my fourth year. My tutors have been impressed with my clinical skills and confidence with treating patients, which has allowed me to advance further. Having treated patients previously through my job, the enhanced knowledge and skills I had developed helped me to win some prestigious academic and clinical prizes.

Alongside my degree I work part-time as a dental hygienist at Rodericks’ Marylebone House Practice. With its evening and weekend opening hours, I am able to easily fit in work around my studies and the dental nursing support provided by the group makes my sessions much less stressful. Earning a decent wage compared to working within another sector has also made a huge difference to me financially throughout my degree.

Rodericks Dental has been an ideal corporate to work for as they have several practices throughout England and Wales. Every time I have moved location during my five years of working for the group, I have been able to get work at a practice nearby which has been brilliant. Furthermore, I like the fact that all the practices have the same high standard of patient care and follow the same protocols and procedures, making it easy to move between practices. Working within several practices and with highly experienced professionals, I gained skills that proved integral for fast progression and have stood me in good stead for the future of my dental career.

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

Dentist Alexandra Henderson is the proud recipient of the annual Prestige Dental Prize, having been deemed the best performing student on the Postgraduate Certificate element of the MSc in Restorative Dental Practice, at UCL Eastman Dental Institute. The deputy programme director Dr Neil Nathwani  of the Postgraduate Certificate element of the course was delighted at Alexandra’s great all year round performance.

Receiving her prize – a Denar Mark 2 articulator provided by sponsor Prestige Dental – Alexandra said: ‘I am so thrilled and thankful for this award. I had already set my sights on a Denar articulator, having used it and seen the benefits in practice, so to be given one as a prize is amazing. I don’t doubt it will make a huge difference at Croydon Dental Care, where I practise.’

A spokesperson from UCL Eastman Dental Institute added: ‘Prestige Dental has always been very supportive of our programmes, providing equipment – including articulators – benefitting not only our students but also their patients for years to come. That Prestige then also supplied a Denar Mark 2 articulator as a prize to reward Alexandra’s hard work and commitment is just wonderful. We offer our hearty congratulations to Alexandra and would like to thank Prestige Dental for their on-going patronage.’

Denar articulators, available exclusively in the UK from Prestige Dental, are engineered for superior performance, tested thoroughly and are based on proven methodology. They bring a new level of interchangeability with the innovative 300 Series, offering a range of features to suit the needs of any practice or laboratory.

The MSc in Restorative Dental Practice at UCL Eastman Dental Institute is a part-time, four-year programme that enhances students’ ability to provide high-quality and comprehensive restorative management for the majority of patients. Students are able to assess, plan and provide quality treatment at an advanced level, forming a sound foundation for the restoration or rehabilitation of a compromised dentition in their own clinical practice. For any further information about the content of the programme please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7905 1234 or visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/education/programmes/restorative-dental-practice-msc

If you would like to know about the range of quality products available from Prestige Dental, please call 01274 721567, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.prestige-dental.co.uk.

In the picture above from left to right:

1) Dr Neil Nathwani: Deputy Programme Director of restorative dental practice certificate course, senior clinical teaching fellow, specialist Prosthodontist

2) Peter Nutkins from Prestige Dental

3) Alexandra Henderson

4) Dr Chris Louca: Head of Education, Eastman Dental Institute, Head of Department of Continuing Professional Development, Programme Director MSc in Restorative Dental Practice

5) Andrew Croysdill: Specialist in Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, Senior Lecturer, Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Eastman CPD,

For safe, easy-to-use and highly effective disinfectant solutions, look no further than Safe4.

Now available direct from the leading manufacturer are key products designed especially for the dental profession:

• Disinfectant Cleaner – available in 900 ml and 5 litre containers, as well as a trigger spray and wipes

• Instrument Cleaner – available in 1 litre and 5 litre containers

• Safe4 Nitrile Gloves – available in sizes small, medium and large

Effective against a wide range of pathogens from E.coli to HIV, MRSA, Salmonella and Swine flu, Safe4 products will give you the confidence you need in your infection control processes.

What’s more, all Safe4 products are alcohol-free, non-toxic, non-irritant, non-corrosive and non-staining. This means you needn’t worry about any damage to your worktops or equipment surfaces, with added peace of mind that the products pose no health risks to patient or staff, even when still wet.

To find out more about the exciting Safe4 product range, call the team today!

For more information, visit www.safe4disinfectant.com,

call 01606 591900 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As dental professionals, our actions are governed by our knowledge and expertise. We can even utilise these skills to improve oral health in the far reaches of the world. Spreading the preventative dentistry message and educating others on the importance of oral hygiene doesn’t have to be confined to our shores or need to involve extreme fundraising techniques such as running marathons or shaving off all our hair!

The simple but stylish Humble Brush is one tool that gives us this power for change. Ergonomic, handcrafted handles made from 100% biodegradable Moso Bamboo are combined with Nylon 6 bristles, rendering these toothbrushes just as durable as their plastic counterparts but infinitely kinder to mankind and the environment. When a Humble Brush is sold, it is matched by another toothbrush or the equivalent donated in oral care to those in need. Patients buy one and then the Humble Smile Foundation, in unison with Humble Brush, gives one.

The story of the Humble Brush is gaining momentum and generating a great deal of positive feedback. Last week Humble Brush launched their Humble Helpers campaign throughout primary schools in Ireland. This keenly received programme aims to educate children on a number of key oral health issues whilst they raise funds for their schools or another cause of their choice. As schoolchildren are actively involved with these programmes, they engage with the humanitarian objectives of the Humble Smile Foundation. In return, these children are instilled with knowledge in the value of their own oral healthcare and the hygiene regimens.

Additionally, the Humble Smile Foundation, in collaboration with volunteer group Project TEN – Be The Change, has been educating vulnerable Ethiopian communities on essential preventative dental care. Ethiopia has an estimated population of 96 million[i] but just one dentist per 1.278 million people[ii]. Many Ethiopians don’t even know what dentists or even toothbrushes are. When they find themselves needing oral care, they generally employ excruciatingly primitive and potentially life-threatening treatment methods rather than face a journey of thousands of miles to find a dental practitioner. It is in locations such as this that preventative dentistry methods are all the more crucial. 

There are so many fascinating angles attached to this otherwise innocuous dental adjunct, endorsed by over ten thousand likes on Facebook. These beautifully presented toothbrushes are also environmentally and panda-friendly. The endangered species has learned that Moso leaves grow too high up the plants, so they choose to eat the more accessible species of bamboo instead.

Global consumer trends company, Nielsen, studies over 100 countries to gain knowledge on what people watch and buy. In their online 2015 study, they found a significant rise in the percentage of respondents aged 15-20 who are willing to pay even more for products and services from companies who are committed to positive social and environmental impact. In 2015 the numbers of these consumers had risen to 72% from 55% in just one year[iii]. We are proud to say that The Humble Brush is a perfect example of a product that serves this growing market – but costs no more than a run-of-the-mill plastic toothbrush.

Purely by setting these toothbrushes on reception counters, patients will engage with its purpose and will be attracted to its contemporary look. The ethos of effecting change and providing oral health aid for those in need is layered throughout everything the Humble Smile Foundation tries to achieve. For example, a proportion of the cost of a traditional toothbrush contributes towards huge corporate marketing machines. There is no such process with the Humble Brush, there isn’t a huge marketing budget – the revenue from sales is used directly towards providing oral care for those in need.

Humble Brushes can be supplied in their ‘naked’ glory or can be personalised on minimum orders of 400. Not only does this constitute a novel talking point at reception desks but it also gives dental businesses the opportunity to distribute their brands on something their patients use every day.

By stocking the Humble Brush in your dental practice, you are not only providing a superior product that can be used on all types of dentition but also giving patients the chance to make an ethical choice.

For more information about the Humble Brush visit www.humblebrush.co.uk or to find out more about the Humble Smile Foundation’s work visit www.humblesmile.org

Follow us on Facebook, HumblebrushUK

and Twitter

@HumbleBrush

Looking to buy a dental practice? Don't forget to consider the effect intangible values such as customer base, rapport and employee relations will have on the goodwill premiums that might be incurred.

As the market becomes increasingly more aggressive and competitive with practices in high demand, goodwill premiums are growing in occurrence and increasing in magnitude. This will affect the amount that you will have to pay on top of the valuation price.

With over 100 combined years’ of experience and expertise, the team at Dental Elite are committed to providing financial advice to those looking for a smooth and hassle-free acquisition.

Knowledgeable and attuned to current trends, Dental Elite offers a person-centred single point of contact service to ensure you don't go over budget and get out of your depth.

Don't get caught out with goodwill premiums; contact Dental Elite today.

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

Whether you are looking for your first, next or last dentist role, it can be difficult to know which pathway to take.

Experienced and up-to-date with the latest market trends, Dental Elite could help you consider all of your options.

Dental Elite offers a single point of contact service from one of its knowledgeable specialist recruiters and has a vast database to help you find your ideal job.

Corporate or independent, private or NHS, permanent or locum and general or specialist, Dental Elite has a vast range of vacancies available.

If you are looking for something different, Dental Elite could even find you a role within the community, in a prison or on a military base.

To find out more about current vacancies and how Dental Elite could help you, contact the team 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

Dental marketing can be a complex puzzle, requiring time, money and effort from your team in order to see success. With all of these resources in short supply, particularly for the smaller practice, you need an automated solution that does all the hard work for you.

With this in mind, 7connections brings you AIM – Automated Intelligent Marketing. 

Capturing the team’s extensive experience and expertise in dental marketing and packaging it into a format designed specifically for smaller practices, AIM is the ideal tool to maximise your marketing activities. 

Once you have determined what you want to do and when, the system will automatically perform tasks as required, taking the stress away from you and your team.

With automated processes to streamline your marketing strategy and enable implementation of effective ideas in a convenient way, discover AIM from 7connections.

For more information about 7connections and AIM, please 

call 01647 478145, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

or visit www.7connections.com.

Prestige Dental is delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Ball as its Product Specialist for the M62 corridor and surrounding areas.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Jennifer, who has an extensive dental nursing background, is in the process of rolling out an exciting programme of learning opportunities in individual practices. 

Whether lunchtime, first thing or after the practice closes is best for you, armed with sandwiches and in the space of just one hour Jennifer can provide invaluable information on products such as ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE, as well as vacuum forming and Medentika’s implant range – obligation free. 

Speaking about her new role, Jennifer commented: ‘I am really looking forward to meeting customers – new and old – and learning what support I  can offer individual dental practices so that dentists and their teams can remain focused on what they do best – delivering excellent patient care.’

To make an appointment for Jennifer to visit your practice or for more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01274 721567.

If you are looking for a truly exceptional panoramic X-ray solution, look no further than the Sirona ORTHOPHOS SL range available from Clark Dental. 

The ORTHOPHOS SL 2D is capable of capturing incomparably sharp 2D panoramic images. This is possible thanks to the powerful DCS sensor, which significantly reduces conversion signal loss, and the unique Sharp Layer Technology. Not only this, but the 2D system can be upgraded to full 3D and can include an optional Ceph arm for greater diagnostic flexibility.   

The ORTHOPHOS SL 3D is available in two main volume sizes: 8x8cm or 11x10cm. Both of these devices have flexibility in volume, starting from 5x5.5cm upwards, for use with endodontic issues and single implant planning. With this expansive scope you will be able to adapt your diagnostic range to the specific needs of every patient and produce excellent 3D images every time.      

Complete with a number of innovative features that will help you ensure optimal positioning for your patient, the ORTHOPHOS SL range makes it possible for you to streamline your workflow and achieve diagnostic excellence.

The Sirona ORTHOPHOS SL range from Clark Dental will provide your practice with a truly flexible diagnostic system, benefitting both your team and your patients. Discover what it could do for you today.

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

At mid-life, patients often evaluate their satisfaction, their personal goals, health and lifestyle and go on to make changes for the better. You can help them to review their oral health successfully, by recommending CB12 mouth rinse to empower these changes. 

CB12 has a powerful and unique, patented formula that contains fluoride as well as low concentrations of zinc and chlorhexidine. Not only does it effectively control dental plaque, improve periodontal health and prevent cavities but also, it targets breath odour with the power to boost confidence. 

CB12 does not just mask unpleasant breath but it actually adheres to the tissues of the oral cavity and neutralises malodourous gases for up to 12 hours to ensure first class breath. 

Patients can use CB12 mouth rinse as a daily oral deodorant to reliably ensure fresh breath and confidence that will last all day.

To see how CB12 can support your patients with a powerful and confident oral hygiene routine contact the team now.

For more information about CB12 and how it could benefit your patients, please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.cb12.co.uk" www.cb12.co.uk or to order contact DHB oral healthcare on 0845 601 7086 or www.dhb.co.uk

Dr Phil Loughnane, owner of the Chipping Manor Dental Practice in Gloucestershire, has been very impressed with Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative from 3M ESPE.    

“I have been working with this bulk fill for three months now, and I think it is the best posterior composite I have ever used. 

“I have to commend how easy the material is to handle, and how quickly it can be used. I think the overall aesthetic result is particularly excellent.  

“I would unreservedly recommend Filtek Bulk Fill posterior restorative to others and have encouraged all of my associates to make use of it.” 

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.3Mespe.co.uk" www.3Mespe.co.uk

As a Gold Unity Partner of Bridge2Aid, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is pleased to support the Kigurusimba Health Centre in the Pangani district, as part of the Dental Training Programme. 

Over the course of a six-day assessment, five Clinical Officers and the Bridge2Aid training team were able to treat a staggering 475 patients including Ndahane Mathias, a 37-year-old mother and farmer from Mkalamo village. 

Thanks to the provision of this treatment, Ndahane was able to have a tooth removed that had been plaguing her for a brutal three months.

By continuing to support the work of Bridge2Aid, deprived areas can be supplied with much needed equipment and training. Thanks to you, the Kigurusimba Health Centre and the five newly trained clinical officers – responsible for approximately 10,000 people – can deliver effective dental care that the local community needs. 

To find out how to donate, volunteer and support, contact ADG now: all together we can make a difference. 

For more information about the ADG visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.dentalgroups.co.uk" www.dentalgroups.co.uk

Looking for innovative and practical marketing ideas? Need inspiration?

7connections could have the answers you’re looking for. With a variety of different avenues from online marketing, patient relationships and referrals, to branding and social media, 7connectinos can help your practice grow and bloom. 

Throughout the year the 7connections coaches host and attend a number of essential educational events, where delegates can learn how to enhance their practice, reach more patients and streamline their business.

Aaron Ferguson from West-End Dental in Colwyn Bay attended the recent 7connections Marketing Roadshow, he says:

“What’s exciting is the fact that 7connections can add so much more to the software and solutions that are available. I would thoroughly recommend that you give them a call.”

If your practice is in need of fresh ideas and inspiration, make sure your explore the options available from 7connections.

For more information about 7connections, please call 01647 478145 or email pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Alternatively, please visit www.7connections.com.

None of us can predict the future, and as a result, life can stop us in our tracks when we least expect it. Whether as a result of lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity, or plain cruel misfortune, life-changing diseases can strike without any warning at all.
 

Dr. R discovered this for herself early last year after having a severe heart attack. She found that suffering from such a serious and unexpected health condition turned her life upside down.
 

Although the heart attack wasn't life threatening, Dr. R was in poor health and struggled with the after effects of undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft. Between recommended rest, implementing lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of reoccurrence and gradually restoring physical fitness, Dr. R had no choice but to take considerable time off work. Sadly, her husband also lost his job at this time and there wasn’t an income to support her husband and two young children; debt inevitably amassed.                                                                                               

Just as Dr. R had started to recover, her husband had a nervous breakdown.
 

Although after several months he managed to recover, he was unable to find employment. Between the responsibility of looking after her husband and children and dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath of her heart attack, Dr. R found it increasingly difficult to cope. When the situation started affecting her daughter with extended periods of depression and poor performance at school, she was unable to continue working as a dentist.

Eventually, her debts forced Dr. R to declare bankruptcy and sell her home. During this process her husband left her and their children and has not provided any financial support since.
 

Cases like this are more common than you think and by working together to provide financial support, the future for dentists like Dr. R – who is now a support teacher in a local school and feels brighter about her prospects – doesn't have to be bleak. Run by dentists for dentists, the BDA Benevolent Fund provides pecuniary support to current and former dentists and their families through all stages of their career and beyond. It relies on the generosity of dentists, dental organisations and companies to continue its work, so your help is critical.

By making a monetary donation or participating in fundraising events you could help a valuable cause. Thanks to the support of the profession, the BDA Benevolent Fund was able to help Dr. R, and who knows, maybe one day the Fund will help you.

The BDA Benevolent Fund relies on your help to continue its work,
so please contact us on 020 7486 4994 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
or to give a donation today go to www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk.
 

And if you are in need of help yourself, please contact us now.

All enquiries are considered in confidence.

Registered charity no. 208146

For a composite that provides superior polish retention for long lasting restorations, try Filtek Z500 Universal Composite from 3M ESPE.

Filtek Z500 will enable you to create precise restorations easily due to its shapable formula that adapts readily to cavities and margins. It also offers the benefit of a non-sticky consistency while holding its shape and resisting slump.

?????? ?500 composite can be used for direct anterior and posterior restorations, including occlusal surfaces, as well as indirect anterior and posterior restorations such as inlays, onlays and veneers. It is available in eight universal shades and one opaque, all of which match the VitaPan universal shade guide.

For a truly universal composite, try Filtek Z500 from 3M ESPE today.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.3Mespe.co.uk" www.3Mespe.co.uk

Dr Amit Patel is a registered specialist in periodontics; graduating in 1997 from the University of Liverpool, he is now the principal of the Birmingham Dental Specialists as well as working as the Associate Specialist in Periodontics and Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham dental school. He is a prolific lecturer both nationally and internationally and is enthusiastic about practising better dentistry. To this end, Amit always ensures to use the best equipment possible to achieve excellent results.
 

“Everything I use is A-dec,” says Amit. “I have an A-dec 500 dental chair, an A-dec LED light and, after trialling one recently, I’m using the A-dec 500 stool as well. Together, these pieces of equipment allow me to practise better dentistry – not just for my patients, but for myself as well.
 

“Many dentists will suffer from back pain and musculoskeletal disorders throughout their careers. The positions we must assume to perform even the simplest of dental treatments can have a real effect on our wellbeing – indeed, the majority of dentists who are forced to retire early, do so because of these debilitating conditions.
 

“But modern, ergonomic equipment, like that supplied by A-dec, can have a huge impact on the ease with which we can practise dentistry and the quality of life we can enjoy as a result. For example, the 500 stool allows me to assume a comfortable posture in which I can remain for long periods of time; even during implant surgery I do not get fatigued. What’s more, because the stool is so lightweight and easily manoeuvred, I can move around my patient without having to stretch.
 

“Similarly, a good light will help eliminate eye strain. Repeatedly focussing in and out of the oral cavity and having to adjust to the different ambient lights can cause unnecessary strain. The A-dec LED light I use is bright enough to negate this: it illuminates everything. I find it particularly useful since I perform a significant amount of surgery and I need a light bright enough to fulfil my needs. Rather than investing in an incredibly expensive theatre light, the A-dec LED is more than satisfactory. It’s also incredibly light and easily manoeuvred, making it applicable for many indications. Some of my patients comment on just how bright is – but they appreciate that the better I can see, the better the result of their treatment will be.
 

“I also work with the University of Birmingham Dental School and use A-dec equipment there as well. As a way of promoting good posture and ergonomic practice, A-dec products are the best.
 

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend A-dec and its products to any dentist.”
 

With an eclectic range of dental equipment that has been specifically made with dental professionals in mind, A-dec will provide you with everything you need to practise better, healthier dentistry.
 

To find out the benefits yourself, contact the friendly team today.

For more information about A-dec Dental UK Ltd, call 02476 350 901 or visit: www.a-dec.co.uk

The Chancellor’s new rules for paying tax on incorporated company dividends will start at the new financial year in 2016. Along with many of the new regulations regarding taxes, these guidelines will muddy the waters of the existing system, which is also bewildering.

Tax on any kind of income will vary depending on the source and whilst PAYE income tax is fairly straightforward, requiring little or no independent calculations, dividend tax payments are an entirely different matter.

The current set up is that any practice owner/manager of a limited or incorporated business drawing dividends from the company’s profit pot as either their entire salary, or as a share of it, pays tax in the following ways:

• Basic rate taxpayers whose overall mix of salary and dividend income is £42,385 or less, typically do not pay any tax on their dividends. This is due to a tax-free threshold on income up to £10,600 and then the basic rate tax category applies to anyone earning up to £31,785. As they fit into the basic rate bracket, their tax due on dividends is 10% but this is then effectively cancelled out by an across the board 10% tax credit for dividends.
• Higher rate taxpayers, when the 10% tax credit is taken into account pay 25% in tax dividends.
• Additional rate taxpayers (total income more than £150,000 per annum), when the 10% credit is applied, pay just under 31% in tax dividends.

However, a blanket £5,000 tax-free dividend allowance will be introduced which will replace the 10% tax credit. Any dividends paid out beyond that first £5,000 will then be taxed for basic rate taxpayers at 7.5%, for higher rate taxpayers at 32.5% and additional-rate taxpayers at 38.1%. Often, these changes will mean that the combination of dividend tax and national insurance contributions paid by practice owners and managers will pay a higher amount of tax on their dividends. For example, for a practice generating £100,000 annual profits and an owner drawing £8,000 as a salary and £73,000 as dividends, the amount of tax and national insurance contributions is going to increase from £28,900 to £32,937.

Financial advice and accountancy services from experts who have been working for the dental sector for many years is exactly what you need to make sure your company profit offers the best return possible, whilst remaining legally compliant.

Contact the friendly team at Lansdell & Rose today, to find out how to maximise the benefits of your hard-earned profit.

Specialist medical and dental accountants Lansdell & Rose have a wealth of knowledge on a range of topics, from pensions to tax and record-keeping, and will help your business to grow. Visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk or call 020 7376 9333.

For dental professionals of all experience levels, interests and career aspirations, The Dentistry Show facilitates the development of clinical and business skills within a dynamic and fun environment. The 2016 event will once again bring you an array of lectures, hands-on workshops and on-stand learning throughout the trade floor, ensuring diverse learning opportunities for the whole team.
 

Among the highlights of the next show will be the Aesthetic Dentist Conference, Chaired by Dr Elaine Halley. Here, she gives a taste of what delegates can expect from the highly anticipated lecture programme:
 

“I’m very excited to present this great line-up of speakers who’ll be exploring a broad variety of subjects. We will show how the digital age is now well within the realms of the GDP who has an interest in aesthetic dentistry. It doesn’t matter how much previous experience delegates have with modern digital technologies, or indeed whether they have access to advanced CAD/CAM equipment in their practice – we will demonstrate how anyone can start to integrate the digital workflow.
 

“Our outstanding speakers will include Florin Cofar visiting from Romania, who will be discussing CAD/CAM and digital smile design and how it can be used in general practice. Roberto Spreafico will take this further by looking at CAD/CAM relating to treatment of the posterior teeth. In my own lecture, I will consider how we can capture effective digital images and utilise them for enhanced treatment planning.
 

“In contrast, Professor Trevor Burke will be speaking about the management of more complex cases, focusing on the treatment planning stages and offering practical hints and tips to help improve this stage of treatment. Ian Kerr, known for his work with resin-bonded composites, will also explore the advanced restorative dentistry that can be aided with CAD/CAM solutions. Renowned speakers Didier Dietschi, Finlay Sutton and Louis MacKenzie will complete the line-up, ensuring the entire topic spectrum is covered.”
 

Alongside the Aesthetic Dentist Conference, The Dentistry Show 2016 will host a myriad of additional features covering all fields of dentistry including the GDP Theatre, EndoLounge, PerioLounge, CORE CPD Theatre and STO Lounge. What’s more, the trade floor is expected to stage more than 400 leading dental manufacturers and suppliers, each displaying cutting-edge innovations and many will provide on-stand learning for those interested in honing their knowledge of products and treatment concepts.
 

“The benefit of The Dentistry Show comes from the amount of thought and effort that goes into putting the programme together, ensuring each conference stream is relevant for those within the appropriate field,” concludes Elaine. “Delegates can trust that the speaker line-ups and topics are always different year on year, enabling them to access a wide spectrum of educational opportunities.
 

“The event is also very well supported by the trade, so delegates can learn about materials and equipment and then speak to the manufacturers directly. This combination of education and access to the trade is fantastic.”

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 ­ Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April ­– NEC in Birmingham. For further details visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk call 020 7348 5270 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thankfully, news stories relating to the lack of hygiene in dental practices are rare. Consequently, when a serious lapse of infection control happens in dentistry, the headlines are all the more shocking[i].
 

For dentists, successful decontamination is a multi-layered process, where vigilance is key. The microorganisms found in dental settings are often on surfaces and hidden in self-contained water supply systems. Moreover, many pathogens are growing ever more resilient to disinfectants and drugs so preventive methods are even more crucial. Also, our increasingly ageing population have weaker immune systems and greater susceptibility to water and blood-borne illnesses.
 

The quality of water supplying dental unit water systems (DUWS) e.g. autoclaves, washer disinfectors and Reverse Osmosis filters, has to be of optimum purity. The complex network of connecting plastic tubes integral to DUWS, have consistently proven to be prone to microbial biofilm cultivation. Whilst the majority of opportunistic pathogens are eliminated by chlorine added to our water supplies, the composite nature of some bacteria renders them either completely resistant to, or more robust in their defence against disinfectants.
 

One example is Cryptosporidium – a parasite causing the diarrheal disease, cryptosporidiosis, acquired through drinking contaminated water. It is resistant to most forms of disinfection and therefore constitutes something of a headache to the water industry and health officials. Reverse Osmosis water filters that have been correctly maintained, have shown to effectively eradicate this insidious pathogen.
 

Other gram-negative (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms found in DUWS output water include:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (leading to infections of the blood), the legionella species (leading to serious respiratory diseases).
• Human-derived pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (leading to MRSA)[ii].
• Legionella pneumophila, causing Legionnaires’ disease, which thrives especially well within biofilms.

Reverse Osmosis water filters dilute water from a more concentrated state by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane. They are highly effective in removing protozoa (single celled microscopic organisms) such as Cryptosporidium and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus[iii].
 

CleanCert is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of infection control solutions. For example, its range of exemplary Reverse Osmosis filters are demonstrably effective at reducing the risk of waterborne infections. The team is also dedicated to providing you with more cost-effective ways of maintaining compliance, by developing simple to use ‘annual maintenance kits’ and water analysis ‘dipslide apps’, to ensure you can manage and maintain your own decontamination protocols effectively, quickly and inexpensively. 

Protect yourself, your staff and your patients, call CleanCert today.

For more information, please visit www.cleancert.co.uk, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 08443 511115

It has been known for centuries that dental health and systemic health are linked. However within the challenging environment of a hospital, oral care is still, quite often a low priority. Recent studies reveal that total bacterial count of dental plaque increases during hospitalisation[1] and the oral cavity of hospitalised patients can harbour high frequencies of bacterial respiratory pathogens.[2] As a result, this can lead to infections and hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)².
 

As well as inadequate oral hygiene, the potential risks to oral disease and discomfort in hospitalised patients include a significant number of medications as well as artificial feeding and high-calorie food supplements used to maintain nutrition. In addition, the effects of nasal oxygen, mouth breathing, intermittent suction of the airway and the restriction of oral food and fluid all contribute to a decrease in saliva production and symptoms such as xerostomia.[3]
 

Another common problem for sick patients is the dry mouth and discomfort caused by constant open mouth posture that is required for intubation. For those undergoing surgery, there can also be further complications. A study involving 404 surgical patients under general anaesthesia facilitated by endotracheal intubation, revealed that 6.9% sustained various degrees of oral trauma including soft tissue laceration, tooth fracture, prosthesis damage, tooth avulsion, ecchymosis and numbness of tongue.[4] In addition, a recently published study on the oral health of 162 patients found an increase in plaque levels and deterioration of gingival health during just a short stay in hospital.[5]
 

If a patient that has recently been hospitalised attends the dental practice, practitioners may observe oral tissue and tooth trauma, high plaque levels, gingivitis and periodontal disease. As always, it is fundamentally important to reinforce oral health instructions and to treat any dental problems efficiently. If, for example, periodontal disease has developed, it is first necessary to remove and disrupt the plaque using root surface debridement (RSD). In cases with deep periodontal pockets it is usually necessary to implement an adjunctive therapy to inhibit further periodontopathic bacterial growth and allow the periodontium time to heal and stabilise. Some practitioners use antibiotics for this purpose, but, if the patient has recently been unwell and had antibiotics prescribed previously, the risks of resistance are greater and it is preferable to use an antimicrobial alternative.
 

Practitioners should therefore consider PerioChip^® – a wafer thin dental insert that is an effective, non-antibiotic alternative for treating periodontal pockets over 5mm. PerioChip^® is applied directly into the periodontal pocket and slowly releases chlorhexidine digluconate to eliminate 99% of bacteria over 7-10 days.^[6] Furthermore, the insert employs a controlled-release system and continues to provide an antibacterial effect to suppress bacterial growth for up to 11 weeks after placement.^[7]

As it seems that care for medical and dental problems are still less coordinated than we might expect, it is imperative to emphasise to patients that successful recovery after a period of ill health or hospitalisation is not just about the body but also their oral health.

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.

The health and function of your hands is crucial if you are to ensure that you perform to the best of your ability. This is particularly relevant to dental professionals where working with pain or discomfort can adversely impact the quality of treatment and care provided, in turn putting patient satisfaction, practice reputation and, ultimately, revenue at risk.
 

According to a recent Health and Safety Executive study, dental nurses and dentists are 10 and 7 times (respectively) more likely to suffer from contact dermatitis than the all industry average. [i] Of the top causative substances identified, a number commonly found within the dental industry could be associated with this high prevalence of skin irritation[ii]. These include soaps and cleaners, wet work and rubber chemicals and materials. This situation is further compounded by the potential chafing caused by frequent donning and doffing of gloves throughout the day. However, it is possible to alleviate many of the potential risks by choosing high quality gloves for your practice.
 

High-quality medical grade examination gloves are now suitable for use in the dental setting. But how do you choose the best gloves for you and your team in order to help protect against such irritation and discomfort?
 

Essentially, you need strong yet tactile gloves, which offer sufficient grip. Of course, they must also provide an effective barrier against bodily fluids and potential infection, protecting both you and your patients.
 

Other aspects to consider include colour, which can be chosen to effectively reflect your corporate branding or alternatively be utilised in a practical manner such as identifying glove size at a glance or distinguishing dentists, hygienists and dental nurses within your practice. General comfort and appropriate fit help to avoid hand fatigue whilst easy donning and removal reduces the risk of irritant contact dermatitis. In addition, products that promote hand health and help to moisturise the skin can be a huge benefit for all the team.
 

A market-leading manufacturer of high quality, single-use gloves, Unigloves now offers the exciting new Vitality range, designed specifically for dental professionals. Utilising a lanolin and vitamin E coating to help keep the skin moisturised, the gloves feature a double-chlorinated cuff to ensure easy donning and removal and are fully micro-roughened to enhance grip and control.
 

It may seem trivial, but you or your colleagues might already suffer from dry skin and chapped hands, and it may only be a matter of time before your hands became sufficiently sore that your clinical performance is affected or you are unable to work.
 

To ensure that you are able to maintain the highest standards of dental care and treatment, make sure that you look after yourself and your hands.

For more information, please visit www.unigloves.co.uk or call 01634 726 516

Encourage your patients to prioritise their oral health with CB12 mouth rinse.

National Toothache Day is the perfect time to remind patients how important it is to look after their oral health. It serves as a prompt to book a dental check up, buy a new toothbrush, remember oral health instructions and remind them how to avoid painful toothaches.

Prevention is the key and by recommending CB12 mouth rinse as part of a daily oral health routine, you can empower patients with improved oral hygiene standards, fresh breath and confidence.

CB12 mouth rinse has been developed by dentists to provide confident breath for up to 12 hours by neutralising volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). Its unique formula also contains fluoride to help strengthen the teeth and prevent cavities from developing.

You can grab your patients’ attention with the powerful effects of CB12 and encourage them spend a little more time looking after their teeth and gums - before any dental problems can occur.

See how your patients can benefit from a daily shot of CB12, by contacting the team today.

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

To say that Wisdom has a pedigree in toothbrush design is an understatement. The company was founded over 235 years ago by William Addis; the inventor of the modern day toothbrush. Addis’ prototypes consisted of bone and horsehair but improvements in design and oral hygiene knowledge have advanced immeasurably since those early beginnings! 

Our focus today is on preventative care and we are committed to delivering top quality products that help your patients avoid tooth decay and gingival disease. 

The range of innovative oral healthcare products include the clinically proven^, Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes. The tapered design and soft rubber coating enable effective and gentle cleaning, while also massaging and stimulating the gums. 

Disposable and available in three sizes, Dentist Surgery Packs of Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes will be available via dental wholesalers from September for you to try in practice.

Recommended by 100% of dental professionals polled, the Wisdom Clean Between Interdental Brushes are a must-have for all your patients.

For more information visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.wisdomtoothbrushes.com" www.wisdomtoothbrushes.com or 

call 01440 714800

What’s in your GDS contract?

General dental services (GDS) contracts are lengthy, complicated and dentists are, on the whole, not fully accustomed to the plethora of legal terms that can be found in them – and why should they be? Dentists have undertaken substantial training to care for patients’ teeth and oral health, not digest convoluted legal phrasing and contractual terms.

Which is why it is vitally important for any dental practice owner who holds a GDS contract to have a comprehensive understanding of all of the terms to which they have agreed.

Thus, it is imperative to take proper legal instruction from a professional who understands the ins and outs of dental contracts – and who can offer relevant advice and ongoing support.

With this in mind, let’s discuss some of the more important points that require careful deliberation.

Firstly, clause 14 of the GDS contract concerns whether or not the Contractor has elected to be regarded as a health service body. This status determines the processes that will be followed in the event of any contractual dispute, and while this electing to do so will not affect any other aspects of the contract, there are benefits to not doing so.

For example, if a Contractor does not elect to be regarded as a health service body, they will be free to choose either the NHS dispute procedure or to proceed through the Courts should any contract disputes arise – giving a Contractor more options in the long term.

Another good example of where careful consideration must be taken is in clauses 198-200, which concern the permission of sub-contracting under the GDS contract. These may be useful if the contract is to remain in the name of the individual holder, but performed by a company – and may be considered an alternative to having the contract vested in the company on incorporation.

Notice of this must be served to NHS England in accordance to clause 199 – which states that any required information be supplied as quickly as reasonably practicable. Be aware that NHS England may seek a formal contract variation as a result.

Thirdly, clause 339 of the GDS contract states that where a partnership contract reverts to an individual contract, the NHS England has the power to terminate in the event that, in its reasonable opinion, the change is likely to have a serious adverse impact on the ability of the provider to perform its obligations. This could include the fact that there will be fewer performers (e.g. dentists carrying out the units of dental activity (UDAs) following a change from partnership to individual). This is a particularly pertinent consideration should one of your partners be approaching retirement, or if serious illness threatens the current partnership. Either way, a contingency should be arranged with your lawyer to ensure you are fully prepared for any eventuality.

There are many more points that need to be addressed before you commit your signature to the contract.

Goodman Grant Solicitors are experienced, dental-specific lawyers that fully understand the minutiae of GDS contracts. Their expert team is prepared to answer questions regarding any of the specific clauses of the contract and can provide a useful checklist to ensure that everything is in order before you sign.

Paul Harris of Goodman Grant Lawyers for Dentists – a NASDAL member

For more information call Paul Harris on 0151 707 0090 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.goodmangrant.co.uk

A new director, Paul Harris joined Goodman Grant as a trainee solicitor in September 2010 and qualified to the Dental Team at the end of 2012. Paul works on a variety of dental matters relating predominantly to dental practice acquisitions and disposals – though he has an in depth understanding of all dental-legal issues that make him an indispensible member of the team

 

Clinpro white varnish with TCP contains fluoride, calcium and phosphate, components naturally found in saliva and necessary for maintaining strong teeth. 

The high levels of fluoride help to relieve hypersensitivity and because of the precise unit dosage you can be sure of the amount of fluoride you are providing.

The area for application needs only to be toothbrush clean, saving you vital time in surgery. Once applied, the varnish is virtually invisible on teeth.

To provide your patients with maximum protection but with minimum fuss, contact 3M ESPE to try Clinpro white varnish with TCP today.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.3Mespe.co.uk" www.3Mespe.co.uk

When a patient walks into your practice, they want to find an environment that suggests calm, professional competence. If you know that your tired workspace isn’t making the best first impression, turn to Tavom UK to refresh it and ensure it’s modern, functional and fully fit for purpose.  

Tavom UK has years of experience in supplying bespoke cabinetry that meets the exacting demands of modern medical and dental environments. It also has a fast-growing design service and, no matter how big or small, Tavom UK’s engineers will help you make the most of the space. Tavom UK has all the ideas, and will install your furniture too, so the whole process is seamless with minimal disruption to your schedule. 

Good practice design plays a key role in making all patients feel comfortable, promoting regular attendance and enhancing revenue. For a long-term investment in the success of your practice, contact Tavom UK today. 

To find out how to refresh your workspace with some of the most contemporary dental cabinetry on the market today, go to www.tavomuk.com, call 0870 7521121 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Richard Smith discusses the importance of maintaining focus on excellent patient care while expanding a dental business and his new appointment as Non-Executive Director at Rodericks.

With recent and foreseeable changes within the UK dental sector, it is crucial that dental care providers continue to evolve. The demand for excellent patient care and treatment remains high and indeed many will agree that it is intensifying with modern societal pressures and increased awareness among the public.
 

Alongside this requirement for clinical excellence and outstanding patient care, is the need to expand services and increase access to both NHS and private dental treatments across the nation. As such, leading dental providers have been developing their services and attempting to deliver the care and treatment needed in different areas of the country.

Someone that understands this need for growth and the processes involved is Richard Smith.
 

Richard has a huge wealth of experience and expertise in running and developing companies and groups within the dental and pharmaceutical sectors. He began his career at Unilever before spending 30 years working in a series of roles across customer service, multisite operations management, marketing, finance and operations, including a senior role at Somerfields Stores plc. Richard later became Managing Director of Lloyds Pharmacy in 2005 and then CEO of IDH in 2010. Richard is also the Chairman of Europe’s largest diagnostic and cancer care business, Affidea, and is therefore heavily involved in healthcare across Europe.
 

“Having previously developed a dental business over four years to become the largest in the world, as well as being actively involved in the expansion of a pharmaceutical chain company, I have a fair amount of experience regarding what happens when an organisation grows. With my responsibilities in previous roles including management of the financial, legal and technical aspects, I have also developed an extensive network in these areas.
 

“As with anything, you often learn the most when faced with situations where something has gone wrong. I have witnessed a variety of circumstances throughout my career in the dental, pharmacy and retail sectors, which have contributed to my understanding and knowledge of such projects. Even for companies that are very well run, some changes must still be made in order to ensure the new business structure is well supported.
 

“Despite growth plans, I believe it is very important for dental providers to remain true to their original ethos and values. Care for patients should always remain the top priority; it’s crucial to maintain this alongside increasing access and developing the business.”
 

This is a view share whole-heartedly with Rodericks, a leading dental group in the UK committed to providing excellent patient care and service and increasing access to NHS and private dentistry.
 

Richard recently joined Rodericks as a Non-Executive Director and he is looking forward to sharing his expertise in order to help drive the group forward.
 

“I initially met Shalin Mehra, Managing Director of Rodericks, when I co-founded the Association of Dental Groups and he became a member. A very down-to-earth and personable man, his passion for dentistry is evident and I quickly became impressed with his organisation. As a dentist running a dental group, he naturally brings dental excellence to the fore and I believe his group to be the best quality operation in the profession. When Shalin asked me to get involved I was delighted by the opportunity – I don’t think I would have gone anywhere else in dentistry.”
 

Concerning his new role with the dental group, Richard clearly has an abundance of experience and skills on which to draw.
 

“It is still early days for my involvement with the dental group, but my major focus with be on what we can bring to the growth plan of the business. As changes are implemented to facilitate growth, I hope to help make sure the transition is as easy and as effective as possible. Based on my previous experience, I hope to help the group avoid any potential pitfalls as it continues to expand with a key focus on excellent patient care.”
 

For Richard, a huge benefit of returning to dentistry is the opportunity to visit practices and meet the staff on the ground.
 

“I have really enjoyed visiting the practice and management teams – it’s probably the main element I really missed when I took a break from dentistry. It’s great to meet the team in-person and discuss any concerns or successes, and I am looking forward to doing this again.”
 

Looking to the future of dentistry, Richard comments:

“There is a definite move towards consolidation of the dental market, but approximately 85% remains independent. While I believe there will always be a place for the independent practices, I think there will be a growing place for corporates to introduce brands and collective ways of working in dentistry.
 

“What’s more, the future of dentistry might soon encompass other primary care. In various industries I have experienced diversifying from the core services provided, because there is the opportunity to provide more for patients within the existing setting.
 

“In my opinion, Rodericks’ clinical background will make it well-placed to capitalise on these prospects in the future. However the ownership looks in 20, 30 years time, the organisation could be the embryonic beginning of a very successful, major force in corporate NHS and private dentistry. Whatever happens, the group will be an incredibly good platform from which to successfully develop a model synonymous with the future dental sector.”

Clark Dental provides its customers with stylish, highly functional practice designs, complimented by some of the most attractive and practical cabinets available today. With cabinetry options from the outstanding Apex and Edarredo ranges, Clark Dental truly has a cabinet to suit every style of practice.

Apex cabinets are custom made and hand finished to optimise workspace whilst reflecting a practice’s identity. For uncompromising dental cabinets, the Apex range includes a distinctive selection of bespoke wall and base units that feature all the modern conveniences and functionality.

For a more contemporary practice aesthetic, the Edarredo range comes is a variety of worktop colours and finishes, and features aluminium and glass styling. Ideal for a space-conscious surgery, it is designed for maximum efficiency and safety.  

Whatever your practice specialist requirements or style, Clark Dental has a range of cabinets to suit. To find out how your practice can benefit from Clark Dental’s vast experience in the dental market contact the team today.

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

The advancement of the X-ray since its discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, has been a 120-year journey. Nineteenth century X-ray machines emitted radiation doses 1,500 times greater than those used today, took 90 minutes to produce images and during the process clinicians and patients suffered from radiation burns and loss of hair[i].

A century later, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiography was launched in Italy by Attilio Tacconi and Pero Mozzo[ii]. The algorithm for reconstructing a three-dimensional image from a set of two-dimensional projections had been devised by L.A.Feldkamp et al in 1984[iii]. However, CBCT units specifically dedicated to dento-maxillofacial radiology experienced a fifteen-year waiting gap whilst the cost of X-ray tubes, the quality of detector systems and strength of the personal computers developed enough to catch up with the science behind them.

Since that time there has been a global explosion of digital technologies in many spheres of life. We use digital TV, radio and imaging every day, so logically, digital dentistry is fast becoming the norm. More than 50% of dentists using digital technologies report an increase in earnings, and 93% claim they have significantly improved patient experience[iv]. 

It is only in recent times that CBCT clinical systems affording 3D data have been relatively inexpensive and small enough to be used in dental practices[v]. The advantages of this are infinite, especially within the fields of periodontology, endodontics and implantology. In these disciplines, CBCT 3D scanning is indispensable; the view of the teeth in context, with the surrounding bone and tissue is crucial to release full diagnostic potential and provide greater precision in the selection and placing of implants. Additionally, the cone beam technique uses a single scan capturing the entire area, vastly reducing the amount of exposure time to the patient.

The CBCT digital system allows for clinicians to explain treatment options and provide a virtual presentation of these processes in advance. Implants can be placed on an accurate and high resolution CBCT scans and the digital guides ordered. This guides then help in the precise positioning of the implant. Some practices even have the necessary equipment to take X-rays and mill guides in one sitting.

Carestream Dental, a leader in the arena of digital imaging, offers an exceptionally user-friendly CBCT solution in the CS 9000 3D extraoral imaging system. 3D technology combines panoramic imaging in one, affordable unit. The cone beam limits radiation to a specific oral site, offering the lowest possible radiation dose. Provided with innovative CS 3D imaging software, the unit aids with treatment planning and patient communication using visuals in slice by slice, axial, coronal, cross-sectional and oblique views. What’s more, the integration of the CS 3500 Intraoral Scanner with the Dicom volumes from the CBCT, provides all the information required for guided surgical stents.

For concise, efficient and safe radiography practices, discover the latest innovations available to you today.

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

We are renowned for providing quality imaging equipment, dental units, autoclaves, consumables and instruments, but how well do you really know Wrights?

Firstly, it is important to us to be completely transparent, honest and professional. We listen, advise and deliver a quality service – that is what makes us the distributor with a difference. Since Frank Halley Wright founded Wrights in 1898, our ethos has always been to deliver an exceptional service.

With our traditional values, modern outlook and holistic approach, we are the national company with a local touch. To ensure you get the best service possible, Wrights has a nationwide team of experienced professionals and multiple showrooms across the UK.

From cutting-edge X-ray imaging equipment to practice management software, clinical instruments, materials, general consumables and more, we have over 30,000 products covering a range of top brands including 3M Oral Care, Coltene, Dentsply, GSK, Heraeus Kulzer, Ivoclar Vivadent, Kerr, NSK, Voco and W&H. Furthermore, we offer an array of own-brand gloves, bib rolls, facemasks, alcohol-free wipes and prophy paste, which are gaining recognition across the UK. We have also recently extended our service to offering an exclusive orthodontic range from G&H Orthodontics, quality imaging software, CAD/CAM solutions and dental units from leading manufacturer Planmeca and a cloud based practice management software from Dentally. 

As we don’t consider it enough to simply supply the best products on the market, Wrights also constantly strives to save you money. As Polly Bhambra, Practice Owner of Tree Tops Dental Practice said: “Because of price matching, discounts and packages available, we always get the best price possible from Wrights.” With regular seasonal flyers also available offering exclusive promotions, Wrights is unbeatable when it comes to value for money.

At Wrights, we’re proud to receive extremely positive feedback on our team of experienced and dedicated representatives. As Maryam Felker, Principal Dentist and Clinic Co-ordinator at eleDent Clinic commented: “The personalised service that we receive is invaluable and is the biggest selling point of the company.”

Ultimately, all we do and everything we try to achieve is by putting your needs first. With our consistent well-delivered advice, excellent communication, rapport and our professional, upbeat attitude, it is no surprise that more and more dentists are choosing Wrights as their number one dental supplier.

All in all I am very proud of what Wrights has achieved and our quality of service. For anyone wishing to experience this attentive service, our door is always open.

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

Did you know that your dental drill, the one you probably used just yesterday, has a heritage of around 9,000 years?

In 2006, archaeologists in Pakistan discovered a number of teeth dating back to around 7,000 BC which exhibited distinct signs of drilling. It is thought that expert craftsmen used specifically adapted bow drills to core out infection and decay in their fellows’ teeth.[1]
 

The real innovations, however, started much more recently. In 1864, a British dentist called George Fellows Harrington invented a clockwork-powered dental drill called the Erado (from the Latin: I scrape out). This drill was significantly faster than previous drills but was insufferably noisy and, presumably, required winding up regularly. Nevertheless, it was the first example of a mechanised dental handpiece that allowed for continuous rotation and would prove to be the progenitor of many subsequent innovations.
 

The first of which appeared just four years later in 1868, when American dentist George F. Green patented a pneumatic dental drill powered by a pedal-operated bellows. This was closely followed by the 1871 pedal-powered drill from James B. Morrison.
 

Green then developed and patented the first ever electric dental drill in 1875, which represented a true revolution in the profession. Not only could an electric drill reach high speeds, it could maintain them indefinitely. For the first time this allowed for continuous treatment and it lay the foundation for the modern working technique that the majority of dental professionals have adopted today.
 

By 1914, electric dental drills could reach speeds of up to 3,000 rpm – and this was doubled by the 1950s when the first air turbine drills were introduced into practices.[2]
 

This new design, driven by compressed air, was first created by a New Zealander called John Patrick Walsh who began developing on the idea after working with a commercial-use air grinder. It didn’t take long for air turbine drills to gain popularity around the world and several different manufacturers in the US and Britain began shipping their own models by the end of the 1960s.[3]
 

And the same basic design is still very much in use today – albeit, modern handpieces operate at distinctly higher speeds, up to approximately 400,000 rpm. They have also been designed to increase usability and ergonomic appeal and are made from more reliable materials to ensure the highest levels of comfort and safety. Indeed, they are the real mainstay of a dental surgery and are indispensible to practitioners on a day-to-day basis.

Which is why it is so important that dental drills are effectively maintained. Since they play such an integral part in general everyday dentistry, any malfunctions can cause delays and cost money – not to mention the risk they can cause to a patient’s safety. Should a dental drill break inside a patient’s mouth, the damage caused could be catastrophic.
 

Therefore, it is imperative to find and work with an exemplary repair and maintenance service that you can trust to quickly and reliably fix your handpieces in the event something should go wrong. Quintess Denta can provide that service – and much more, including offering helpful maintenance and money-saving tips. What’s more, they work with every brand on the UK market and always ensure that nothing but the highest quality components are used for repairs.

For more information visit www.quintessdenta.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 028 6862 8966