Month: November 2018

Setting your goals – Dr Andrew Wilson

Dr Andrew Wilson reflects on his own personal experiences as a young dentist in the profession.

Why do we go to work?

It’s a really simple question but most of us never actually consider the answer. We just go to work because that’s what we’re supposed to do. That’s what society expects. It’s obvious that we go to work to provide ourselves with food, shelter and Prosecco (I know it’s not just me). But if we consider why we work in a bit more detail, you might be surprised by how your perspective changes.

As mentioned above, the first function of our career is to provide for our basic needs. As dentists, we’re lucky in the fact that most of us are able to afford a relatively comfortable lifestyle. But once we’ve ticked that box, what’s next? The next thing our career needs to do is offer us meaningful work; a feeling of achievement that what we are doing is significant and worthwhile.

That’s what I like to believe. We need to find greater purpose in our careers. We need to be striving for something. Otherwise, going to work can quickly become boring and unfulfilling.

Direction of travel

That’s why goal setting is so important. If you have a target that you’re aiming for, you have direction. You have a reason to do what you’re doing. You have motivation and purpose. If you have goals, big decisions often become that little bit easier to make. If you have considered your ultimate ambitions, you can better assess whether this job or that move helps you along the path to achieving those targets.

This acts to keep them present in your mind and motivates you to keep going. When you’ve had a bad week, your goals remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing. To be successful, the key ingredient is persistence. This is what having a greater purpose will inspire.

The power of purpose

People who set goals are much more likely to be successful. However, successful does not always equate to happiness. It turns out that the types of goals that you set have a huge bearing on personal contentment.

Broadly speaking, there are two main types of goals; extrinsic goals and intrinsic goals. Extrinsic goals are based on profits and income. They consider material wealth and how the world views you. Intrinsic goals, also known as purpose goals, are much more individual to you. They are based around personal satisfaction. Is your work meaningful? What are you building? Do you have autonomy over your own life?

It turns out that people who set extrinsic, profit goals – although more likely to accumulate wealth – are also much more likely to be dissatisfied with their lot. Even if they attain their targets of material wealth, individuals can be left feeling anxious, craving more and worried that they still don’t have enough.

Goals based around extrinsic factors alone are extremely unhealthy. What’s the answer?

I believe that you should have a mix of profit and purpose goals, with the intrinsic, purpose goals as your main driver and profit goals as pieces to the puzzle; parts of the strategy that deliver you to the end destination.

What do you want?

Can you see why it’s important to consider why we go to work? I promise you, if you don’t face up to this difficult question, you’ll wake up one day and think “what the heck is the point in all of this?” Whereas, if you set yourself goals, giving yourself purpose, you will develop the motivation to go out and achieve. When the going gets tough, you have the reason to carry on.

Of course, your priorities will change over time and therefore your ultimate ambitions will need to evolve as well. You must not set goals and then become a prisoner to them. But having ambitious targets will allow you to build more, create more, achieve more. Who doesn’t want that?

It can be fun too. It’s exciting to look into the future and view the whole picture. It’s only then that you really find out why you go to work. It’s only then that you find out what you want.

About the author

Dr Andrew Wilson is a general dentist working in Central London and he was the winner of National Young Dentist of the Year at the Dental Awards 2018. He is also the author of The Art of Dentistry blog.

UK’s first report into mouth cancer reveals huge gamble the nation is taking with its health

The UK’s first State of Mouth Cancer Report highlights the dramatic and sharp rise in cases of mouth cancer and the dangerous lack of awareness. The eye-opening report shows nearly 8,300 people-a-year are now diagnosed with the disease – a 49 per cent increase compared to a decade ago and a 135 per cent increase from 20 years ago. Despite this, the large majority of Brits remain unaware of the signs and symptoms.

According to the report, three in four British adults do not know the symptoms while more than four in five do not know where mouth cancer appears. The new findings published by Oral Health Foundation and Simplyhealth Professionals to coincide with November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month indicate the alarming facts of the disease and highlights the need for more education regarding risk factors linked to mouth cancer.

Speaking on the release of the report, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, says: “We have published this report to highlight the need for greater awareness of mouth cancer.  It is extremely concerning to see the lack of basic knowledge about the disease, especially as it continues to affect more people every year.

“For so long, mouth cancer seems to have gone under the radar. It is now time for us to take notice and learn what we need to, so that we can help protect ourselves and others around us.

“It is so important to understand what is most likely to put us at risk, how we can spot mouth cancer, and where we can go if we see anything out of the ordinary.”

Smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol to excess, the human papillomavirus HPV (transmitted through oral sex), and poor diet are the leading causes of the disease.

The early warning signs of mouth cancer are mouth ulcers that last longer than three weeks, red or white patches and unusual lumps and swellings. The disease can appear in the mouth, lips, head and neck.

Dr Catherine Rutland, Head of Professional Support Services at Simplyhealth Professionals, adds: “We must use this report, along with campaigns like Mouth Cancer Action Month, as a springboard to help increase awareness of mouth cancer.

“It is important to know how and where mouth cancer can appear and to be alert to any changes in and around the mouth.  Regular dental visits remain crucial to spotting mouth cancer early, as your dentist will examine you for mouth cancer during every routine appointment. However, being vigilant in between appointments and checking your own mouth will also help to find any early signs and symptoms. If you notice any of the signs, make an appointment with your dentist who will be able to examine you further.

“Mouth cancer is beatable, but we have to act quickly.  An early diagnosis is vital and can not only save a life but can also improve quality of life.”

You can help to raise awareness of mouth cancer by taking and sharing your #BlueLipSelfie on social media and on the gallery at www.bluelipselfie.com  to drive everyone to be more mouthaware.”

The full State of Mouth Cancer Report can be online at www.dentalhealth.org/stateofmouthcancer

Protecting your money in more ways than one – Richard Lishman

Managing Director of the 4dentists group, Richard Lishman, looks at pension scams and steps that can be taken to protect against them.

Pensions have always been a hot topic of discussion for the media, and recently they hit the headlines again due to growing concerns over pension scams. According to reports, a total of 253 victims reported to Action Fraud in 2017 that they had lost more than £23m to pension scammers, equating to an average loss of £91,000 per victim.[i]Though it is predicted that as many as 107,000 people between the ages of 55 and 64 could have actually fallen victim to scams last year,[ii]suggesting the problem is much larger than the available numbers indicate.

In light of these worrying statistics, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator have joined forces to launch a new advertising campaign about the risks of pension fraud. It is hoped that the ‘ScamSmart’ campaign will help to raise awareness and reduce the prevalence of scams in the UK – and in the long-term, speed up the government’s plan to introduce a pensions cold calling ban. So how does the scam work?

Invariably it starts with an unexpected call, email, letter or text offering an investment or business opportunity, or a free pension review to discuss the ways in which to invest pension money and claim before the age of 55. Many promise great returns over a short period of time or tempting investments that seem convincing, such as investing in a new hotel, business venture or green energy scheme. Unfortunately, once the money has been transferred into a scam it’s too late to do anything, so to make sure you don’t lose your pension money and in turn incur a hefty tax bill or additional fees, you will need to be extra vigilant moving forward.

One simple way to protect yourself is to reject unexpected offers – if you’re called out of the blue and you don’t know who they are then hang up. Likewise, do not respond to any offers received via email, letter or text. The chances are it’s a scam, especially if the proposal seems too good to be true. You can also check the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register to confirm whether an individual or company is FCA authorised. If they’re not on the list then they’re not a real company – though be warned that a company may be calling under the guise of a registered firm so be sure to use the contact details on the register, not the details you’re given to confirm validity.

Take your time to do this, even if it means turning down what seems like an unmissable deal, as fraudulent companies will often make out like what they’re offering is time-limited in the hopes of rushing your decision. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book; and one that you should be wary of. 

Where possible, it is also prudent to be proactive as well as reactive, because if you want to fully protect your money you can’t leave your pension to chance. There are companies out there that can provide impartial advice and work with you so that you get the most from your investments – the trick is finding the right one that is equipped to offer the advice that you need. Tied and multi-tied advisers, for instance, are restricted in the range of products and/or product providers they are able to offer, limiting your options. For optimal results, you need an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) that provides unbiased and unrestricted advice on all types of products from a large number of firms, such as the specialists at money4dentists. The long-standing firm is authorised and regulated by the FCA, so you can rest assured that you’re receiving genuine advice from a trusted expert.

An IFA will work with you to gain a full understanding of your circumstances and requirements, and will always provide supporting evidence of their suggestions in writing to make sure you are fully informed. This is invaluable for ensuring the safety of your pension and that you get the most from your money.

Scams have always been a threat for anyone with a pension, but now more than ever it seems that savers must be mindful of these schemes and arm themselves against potential threats. To protect your money, take a proactive approach with your pension.

 

For more information please call 0845 345 5060, email info@money4dentists.comor visit www.money4dentists.com

 

[i]BBC News: Pension scam victims ‘lost 91,000 each’. Published 14 August 2018. Accessed online 16thAugust 2018 at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45170408

[ii]Financial Conduct Authority: Financial Lives survey. First published 20June 2018. Accessed online 16 August 2018 at https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/research/understanding-financial-lives-uk-adults