Month: January 2019

HPV: The landscape going forward

Dr Nigel Carter OBE considers the current landscape in the fight against HPV…

It has been a landmark year for the health of British boys.

The tireless work conducted by pro-HPV vaccination campaigners has resulted in significant steps taken towards reducing the devastating impact the human papillomavirus.

The decision announced by health ministers in England, Wales and Scotland to extend the HPV vaccination programme to include adolescent boys is very welcome and will lead to greater protection for hundreds of thousands of boys.

It is a truly watershed moment which gives us reason to believe that the next few years are going to be a lot more positive for the landscape of our fight against HPV.

To ensure the successful implantation of the vaccination, the Oral Health Foundation has identified two key issues.

Effective and swift strategy

It’s clear that boys and men are in urgent need of a vaccination against HPV. We are still yet to see Northern Ireland align with the rest of the home nations in signalling their intention to extend their own national programme to include schoolboys.

This does not change the need for swift and effective implementation across UK government. Every year of delay puts a further 400,000 boys at risk of HPV-related diseases. Because of this, we are calling for a roll-out date of no later than September 2019.

We shall be working with government and campaigners to ensure this happens.

Playing catch-up

The decision to vaccinate school boys in the UK was six years in the making. During this time, nearly three million boys have slipped through the net.

While our attention needs to be on successfully implementation of the vaccination programme to boys aged 12-to-13, we cannot fail to address those who remain unvaccinated as the JCVI dithered in their decision-making.

We can begin to repair the damage done by a dangerously discriminatory and unfair programme in Britain by offering a catch-up programme to boys up to the age of 18. At this point it is worth remembering that back in 2008, when the girls’ programme was launched, a catch-up programme was also introduced to ensure as many girls benefited from the vaccination as possible. It would be simply unfair if boys were refused the opportunity to benefit from a similar initiative.

We have made significant strides to address the sharp rise in HPV-related mouth cancer cases, but more work certainly needs to be done to bring about an impact akin to the pleasing reduction we have seen in cases of HPV-caused cervical cancers in the nation’s young women. Together, through more tireless campaigning and lobbying, we can bring about change that will benefit Britain’s health and wellbeing for generations to come.

Discretion in your dentition

Patients are always looking for a natural-looking solution – so why not give them what they want by offering Lava Esthetic full-contour fluorescent zirconia from 3M Oral Care?

Not only does this innovative zirconia exhibit tooth-like aesthetics like none other, but it also has natural-looking fluorescence, which means that it won’t stand out from the existing dentition.[i]

The zirconia is also ideally suited to highly visible anterior sites as it has a built in shade gradient that means that it echoes the opacity of natural teeth.[ii]

Offer your patients the discreet solution, contact 3M Oral Care today.

For more information, call 0800 626 578 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

 3M and Lavaare trademarks of the 3M Company. 

[i]3M Oral Care Internal Data. Inherent fluorescence. Claim 6632 (2016).

[ii][ii]3M Oral Care Internal Data. True shade gradient. Claim 6677 (2016).

Oral Health Foundation approves BioMin toothpaste

THE ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION is delighted to announce that BioMin F has become the first toothpaste to gain accreditation from its expert panel for both sensitivity reduction and tooth remineralisation.

Research suggests more than 40% of adults experience tooth sensitivity at some stage in their life.

To combat this, BioMin F toothpaste slowly releases calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions to form a protective layer on the tooth surface.

This layer effectively seals any exposed and open dentine tubules, which are a key cause of tooth sensitivity due to their direct link with the central nervous system.

BioMin Chief Executive, Richard Whatley, expressed his satisfaction at the conclusion of the accreditation process, saying: “Oral Health Foundation accreditation is a hugely important endorsement of our toothpaste. It assures consumers that BioMin F has been evaluated by an independent panel of internationally-recognised dental experts and academics.

“These experts have studied all the claims carefully to ensure they are true and are backed up by reliable scientific evidence.”

Commenting on the news, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE said: “It is a great pleasure to be adding our seal of approval to the BioMin F.

“Tooth sensitivity and enamel loss can cause many people a great deal of pain. For those looking for a toothpaste which combats sensitivity and enamel demineralisation, BioMin F is a good and effective option.”

The Oral Health Foundation has the largest oral healthcare product accreditation scheme in the world.

The charity’s independent and internationally-recognised panel of experts examine product claims to make sure they are reliable and can be supported by scientific evidence.

Each product that passes through the programme is awarded with a kite mark to show that its claims have been rigorously checked and effectively verified.

NASDAL Goodwill Survey – Greater Private Equity interest

This week sees the release of the latest practice goodwill statistics from NASDAL (The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers). These statistics are produced quarterly and provide a useful snapshot of the dental practice sales market.

The survey for the quarter ending 31st October 2018 has illustrated a number of trends that seem to be becoming more prevalent in the sector.

This quarter saw a reduction in the average goodwill values of all types of practice. NHS sales saw an average goodwill value of 177% of gross fees – down from 224%. Fully private practice sales were at an average goodwill value of 104% of gross fees – down from 125% in the quarter ending 31st July 2018. Finally, even mixed practices – one of the great performers of recent years, saw a slight reduction from 111% of gross fees to 108%.

Alan Suggett, specialist dental accountant and partner in UNW LLP who compiles the goodwill survey, said, “Although there has been a drop in both valuations and deals, I would want to see the next quarter’s figures before deciding on whether or not this is a trend or simply a blip.”

“There are still a number of issues in the UK dental practice sales market. Geography is a consistently important factor – it is simply more difficult to sell practices in certain areas of the country. I have also heard from a number of sources that a lack of availability of associates is causing some NHS practice owners to worry about hitting targets. This may be related to Brexit and it will be interesting to see what effect this may have on the market.”

New Private Equity entrant to market

Alan also noted, “There is ever increasing Private Equity interest in acquiring larger practices, or small groups – a new entrant to the market is Apposite Capital which has invested in  ‘Riverdale Healthcare’ which recently bought the ‘Alpha Vitality Group’ in the North East.”

The goodwill figures are collated from accountant and lawyer members of NASDAL on a quarterly basis in order to give a useful guide to the practice sales market. These figures relate to the quarter ending 31st October 2018.

NASDAL reminds all that as with any averages, these statistics should be treated as a guideline only.

Accurate scans on the first try

Does your practice routinely perform complex treatments like oral and maxillofacial surgery or dental implant treatment?

In these cases precise visualisation is key. Get an accurate image in even the most demanding of scenarios by choosing the new CS 9600 from Carestream Dental.

Including breakthrough innovations such as Live Positioning Assistant, video cameras and SmartAuto technology, the device ensures correct and consistent patient positioning to help your team capture crystal clear images first try.

Discover more by contacting Carestream Dental.

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

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

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

and Facebook

Inman Aligner training scores top marks

Dr Rachel Hendron from Onebyone Dental Practice scored the Inman Aligner training course top marks in every category she was asked about. Here’s why:

“Having completed the online course for the appliance a couple of years ago, I wanted to refresh my knowledge and add the ClearSmile Aligner Light to my skillset.

“The course was brilliant – very informative, clear, focused and very well taught by the speakers. I found it particularly helpful to be able to clarify a few questions that I had and was pleased that I left with more confidence in my understanding of and ability with the appliance.

“I think the Inman Aligner is a great invention and the ClearSmile Aligner Light will be really helpful as well.

“As for the IAS Academy ethos, I like that it promotes minimally invasive and forward-thinking dentistry. The support available for practitioners through the online forum is invaluable and ultimately, everything is offered to ensure that the patients’ best interests remain at the heart of treatment.”

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, including the Inman Aligner,

please visit www.iasortho.com or call 020 8916 2024

TANDEX to support Dental, Diabetes & Asthma Health Camp 2019

 

TANDEX is working with the charity Satya Samaj UK and Parmarth Niketan to provide toothbrushes for underprivileged adults and children in India, as part of the Dental, Diabetes & Asthma (DDA) Health Camp 2019.

In March, nine dental students from the University of Birmingham will travel to the Rishikesh and Himalayanregion to spend five days delivering essential health services to people with limited access to basic healthcare facilities.

Mr Vinod Lodhia, project lead for Satya Samaj UK, is working alongside Dr Upen Patel, Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Birmingham. Upen is the clinical lead for the project and had this to say:

“Maintaining good oral care is essential for everyone and it is unacceptable that there are people in the world who do not have access to the simplest of cleaning aids such as a toothbrush and toothpaste. These simplest of items can help to keep the mouth healthy by reducing the risk of dental decay and gum disease, which can also lead to further health problems.

“The toothbrushes donated by TANDEX will allow the volunteers of the Dental, Diabetes and Asthma Health Camp – which is sponsored by the charity Satya Samaj UK – to help those underprivileged people of the Rishikesh and Himalayan region of India. The dental volunteers will provide an oral health check, required treatment and show each patient how to clean their teeth and gums effectively to prevent disease. The donation of these toothbrushes means that people can continue to look after their teeth and gums, preventing oral diseases, which can make a big difference to their day-to-day lives.”

 

 

TANDEX will supply adult, junior, child and baby toothbrushes for the group to distribute.

 

Jeannie Heart Strømsborg, managing director of TANDEX says: “TANDEX has always been keen to support oral health projects around the world. Access to preventive dental care and a toothbrush should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. We wish Dr Patel and his team the best of luck for their important venture.”

TANDEX brushes and oral health aids are gentle, efficient and suitable for all ages and dentitions. Each product has been developed following consultation with leading clinicians to ensure that practitioners can offer patients the very best.

 

To find out more about the DDA Health Camp 2019, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/satyasamajukddah

https://www.facebook.com/SatyaSamajUK/

For more information on Tandex’s range of products, visit www.tandex.dk or visit the facebook page:

www.facebook.com/pages/Tandex-UK/234855250044190?fref=ts

Brexit – what’s going on? – Luke Moore

Despite its dominance in the headlines over the past few months, progress with regards to Brexit has actually been non-existent. With a group of MPs who can’t agree on anything and a looming deadline, we seem to be in much the same situation as we were when Article 50 was triggered – surrounded by confusion and uncertainty.

The main event to have occurred of late was the rejection of May’s proposed EU deal, which she lost by 230 votes. This made history in itself as the heaviest parliamentary defeat of any British Prime Minister since 1924. After surviving a vote of no confidence in the government, May was tasked with creating and sharing her Plan B, for which she held cross-party talks in an attempt to find a consensus deal that would be approved by parliament. 

When the time came, Plan B was not all that different to Plan A. May offered to forget the £65 fee for EU citizens wishing to remain in Britain as an attempt to appease the EU (though initial comments from EU officials reported in the media suggest this has done little to open any doors to further negotiations). That was essentially the only real change from Plan A. The Northern Irish backstop remains a sticking point and May advised that she would continue talks with MPs to find a solution. Despite widespread disappointment in Plan B so far, it will be voted on in the House of Commons on Tuesday 29thJanuary.

What does all this mean for dentistry?

With no decisions or agreements made, we still don’t know to what extent the dental profession will be affected.

Recruitment remains a particular concern. We have already heard reports of dental practices and corporates receiving fewer applications from EU nationals wishing to work in the UK. We can all appreciate the potential consequences of this becoming a bigger issue in the near future. Approximately 17% of dentists registered with the GDC are from the EU – they are estimated to deliver around 22% of NHS dentistry, with this number significantly higher in certain pockets of the UK. As much as 60% of the workforce in some corporates and groups is believed to be from the EU. Providers will therefore struggle to meet the demand for dental services in their communities if they don’t have access to a steady stream of new European professionals.

Having spoken to some of the corporates in the country, many think that a lot of the damage has already been done. Many EU professionals are unwilling to risk coming to the UK in case a hard Brexit or no deal make staying here impossible for them. In the event of a no deal, there are other risks to contemplate. While it is unlikely, there is the potential for the GDC to no longer recognise EU qualifications, making the transition from Europe to the UK even more troublesome for individuals. The uncertainty of it all is already keeping some people away but the reality may be worse depending on the outcome in March.

This indecision and doubt is also affecting other areas of dentistry. For example, fluctuations in the strength of the pound are influencing the cost of products made in Europe, as well as those sourced from the Asian basin. This, coupled with rising national living wages, could make recruitment of auxiliary staff more complicated too. Higher outgoings could have a major impact on practice profits and goodwill values.

The best case scenario of Brexit would be for politicians to find common ground and broker a deal that enables sustained trading between the UK and EU, with seamless transition regulations for appropriate goods and services. While many would praise stricter immigration laws, it seems that the dental profession would largely welcome exemptions that allow EU professionals to continue working in the UK. How close we get to that remains to be seen.

For now, the best defence is probably to get your practice into the strongest position possible. Improving efficiencies within the business, while marketing to attract new patients and creating the best possible working environment for staff all remain crucial – both now and in the future, regardless of the Brexit outcome.

It’s important to remember that a lot of people out there claim to be Brexit ‘experts’ but in reality, there can be no experts on the topic. We have not experienced such a situation before and therefore no one has historical evidence to support their claims. Their guidance is their opinion and their perspective. Only time will tell how Brexit plays out for us all.

For more information on Dental Elite visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.uk or call 01788 545 900

Luke Moore is one of the Founders and Directors of Dental Elite and has overseen well in excess of 750 practice sales and valuations. With over 11 years working in the dental industry, Luke has extensive knowledge in both dental practice transfersand recruitment and understands the complexities of NHS and Private practices.

 

 

Research published on post-Brexit intentions of EEA-qualified dental professionals

New research was published today on the post-Brexit intentions of EEA-qualified dental professionals working in the UK. With almost one in five UK dentists, and around the same proportion of new applicants to the professional register each year, having qualified in the EEA, the General Dental Council (GDC) commissioned independent research to help understand the potential impact of Brexit on the UK registers of dental professionals.

Key findings from the report, which has just been finalised and includes both quantitative and qualitative elements, include:

  • almost a third of those surveyed are considering leaving the UK in the next few years, although more than half of this group said this might change if their qualifications continue to be recognised
  • of those intending to leave, more than eight in ten said that Brexit and the uncertainty about arrangements for EU citizens living and working in the UK was a significant factor in their reasoning
  • 84% agreed that Brexit is leading to a shortage of healthcare workers in the UK and 75% agreed that it is leading to a shortage of dental professionals.

Since the 2016 referendum, the regulator has seen no evidence of EEA-qualified dental professionals leaving the UK registers, and this trend continued in the December 2018 dentists’ annual renewal.

Head of Regulatory Intelligence at the GDC, David Teeman, said:

“Exploring the intentions of people who are currently able to work in UK healthcare because their qualifications are recognised under EU legislation is essential. This research was undertaken before important issues have been resolved, such as recognition of qualifications, residency rights and access to the UK for existing and prospective dental professionals. Once these issues are settled, we are planning a further round of research which will aim to provide us with increased insight and aid us in our planning. We recognise the information could be useful to others, for example those involved in workforce planning, and will therefore be making it publicly available also.”

Whilst no publication date has been set for the second round of research, the regulator will publish the findings as soon as they are available.

The OPMI® Pico – highly recommended

“When I decided to purchase a dental operating microscope I chose the Carl Zeiss OPMI®Pico from Nuview, as it came highly recommended to me from a number of colleagues,” says Dr Adam Toft, Principal Dentist at Cavendish Dental Care in Derbyshire.

“Plus, I had been aware of Carl Zeiss products for over a decade, so I knew that the build quality and clarity of the optics were unmatched.

“Since being installed, I’ve been using the OPMI®Pico for both routine endodontic treatments and restorative dentistry. The clarity of the optics and quality of the illumination has helped to make a real difference to the delivery of care.

“The ergonomic design of the microscope also deserves praise, because while the loupes that I had before were good for facilitating a neutral position, theOPMI®Picohas taken my positioning and comfort to a whole new level.

“With the addition of a fantastic service from the team, whose friendly, helpful attitude and attention to detail was outstanding, I would recommend the OPMI®Pico from Nuview to anyone.”

 For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266,

email info@nuview-ltd.com, visit www.nuview.co or ‘like’ Nuview on Facebook.