For the recruitment team, attending the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 will be about networking with clinicians and professionals within the industry. We want to increase our brand awareness so that more people know who we are and what we do. It will also be an ideal place to discuss vacancies that we have available at the time for those looking to make a change in their career.

I will be on the stand both days alongside members of my team. We will be joined by a number of associates who currently work within the group, so delegates can gain first-hand accounts of what it’s like to work in a Rodericks practice.

The 2018 conference was very good – it was interesting to attend for the first time and it was really busy. We got a lot out of it in terms of networking, as we could engage with different people in the industry and get their feedback on us. It was also a great place to improve our understanding of the dental market as a whole, with professionals from different areas of the industry available to speak to.

We hope to do much of the same at this year’s show. We have a bigger stand with a larger recruitment team and a greater presence with our own dentists, so we are aiming to be even more visible. We will be looking to speak to everyone – dentists, dental hygienists and therapists, specialists, dental nurses, new graduates – any professionals who are looking to learn more about us. 

For the most part, we hope to show delegates that as a clinically led group, we have real insight into what their lives are like in practice. We understand what they do and what they need to do their jobs properly. Our extensive clinical team means we offer on-going support, but our dentists still have clinical freedom, which I think makes for a great working environment. We also have a strong Head Office function – we take care of all the day-to-day roles so our professionals can focus on their dentistry and caring for their patients.

In addition, we offer comprehensive CPD opportunities with a lot of in-house training and discounted external courses made available to all members of our practice teams.

At Rodericks, our ultimate aim is to be the best dental group that we can be.

Having the clinical leadership that we have is powerful for us and I believe it has contributed significantly to our good reputation. Our aim at the conference this May is to make more people aware of us, who we are and what we do. 

• Ashley Lillyman, Head of Recruitment

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 – Friday 17^thand Saturday 18^thMay – Birmingham NEC  – Stand J45

Or visit www.rodericksdentalcareers.co.uk, contact Ashley Lillyman at  recruitment@rodericksdental.co.ukor

on 01604 970988(option 1)

At the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show this year, the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) is pleased to be once again supporting the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium.

The Society is sponsoring two educational sessions. The first will explore immunology and natural reactions to periodontitis and is lead by Shauna Culshaw, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow. The second is a guide to recording erosive tooth-wear, lead by Saoirse O’Toole, Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London.

As ever, the BSDHT will also help dental hygienists and dental therapists to excel in their careers through education and networking, so be sure to visit the team on stand P65!

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk

call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show is delighted to announce Deborah Lyle, Director of Professional and Clinical Affairs at Waterpik^®, will present two sessions as part of this year’s comprehensive conference and education programme. 

The first will be in the Dental Nurses’ Forum on Friday 17^thMay, entitled “What to tell your patients with braces”.

“Everyone is concerned about their smile and having straight teeth is one of the best methods of improvement,” Deborah says. “It’s therefore no surprise that we are seeing the number of people in orthodontic treatment increase annually – especially when considering adults.

“In order for professionals to deliver the best possible care, teamwork is crucial. Collaboration of dental therapy between specialties and within practices makes the process flow more smoothly and efficiently. Communication is the key. It is especially important that the referring dentist and orthodontist have a relationship to ensure nothing falls through the cracks and there are no mixed messages. 

“Dental nurses in orthodontic practices spend the majority of their time with the patient. They are often able to establish a close relationship, so patients feel comfortable asking questions or sharing any concerns with them. Dental nurses also have time to check the oral cavity for any trauma or poor oral hygiene, helping the patient to improve their behaviours at home and thereby enhancing their overall dental experience.”

Dental nurses attending this session will be able to develop their understanding about the risks of orthodontic care, as well as how common challenges can be overcome. Deborah will also discuss how the dental nurse’s role can impact the patient experience and the professional workflow.

On Saturday 18^thMay, Deborah will return to the Dental Nurses’ Forum to explore the importance of relationships between the professional team. Keen to demonstrate why “Dealing with difficult people does not have to ruin your day”, Deborah will consider how conflict among the team can affect the team and ultimately patient care, as well as how it can be resolved. She says:

“When there is conflict in the dental practice among the team, it is difficult for individuals to work to their best ability. It may be that someone has brought their problems into work, or that they are simply having a bad day. When a person is unhappy it affects the entire practice because teamwork is essential. Patients will notice if there is an issue and that is not good for anyone. 

“There are many ways of dealing with difficult people. It’s important to choose what will work best in a particular situation. Possible solutions will also vary depending on who is causing the problem – employer or employee. My lecture will explore tactics for different scenarios and also help delegates to identify difficult people in the first place. It is always better to avoid conflict in the practice before it can become toxic enough to affect the team or the patient care provided.”

The Dental Nurses’ Forum is completely free for delegates to attend, as are the many other educational theatres and extensive trade show. Register for free online today!

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2019 – Friday 17^thand Saturday 18^thMay – Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

Visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270

or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

For dental laboratories, the custom gained from dentists is the lifeblood that keeps the business alive. After all, it stands to reason that the more dentists you work with, the more work your technicians will have to do and the more profitable your business will be.

However, it’s important to keep the relationships with these referring dentists as mutually beneficial as possible. There are multiple ways to ensure that these connections stay strong, and exploring these will help your laboratory remain successful.

Put quality first

It’s been said time and time again, but unless you can offer those who work with you a quality product it’s likely that they will soon look elsewhere. Therefore, quality is instantly more important than other aspects of service such as speed – bad quality will lead to unhappy patients, possible remakes and a loss of trust from dentists.

As such, is there any way you can think of to improve the quality of units you fabricate? There are multiple paths to take when it comes to improving product quality, and steps such as training technicians, researching the latest materials and even investing in innovative technology can all quickly make a noticeable difference.

It may also be worthwhile researching methods to help motivate your team. Keeping a team well inspired has been proven to increase the quality of the goods they produce, alongside bringing other benefits such as better staff retention and increased productivity.[i]Can you think of any incentives you could offer your staff to help keep them working towards their goals? Maybe more flexible working hours could encourage your team to stay happy and focused or maybe you can encourage more teamwork to promote friendships? It’s all about evaluating the individual personalities of your team, discovering what drives them and encouraging them to achieve a shared common goal.

Speed it up

The pace of life has quickened considerably in a short time. Patients and professionals alike are now expecting high quality results, fast, and laboratories need to adjust their services to reflect this. Try speaking to your referring dentists and see how you could tailor your services in ways that suit them. Adopting a bespoke approach for each of your clients is highly likely to be worthwhile as they will see the effort you are putting into your business relationship, and will therefore likely want to put the same effort in themselves and value your services more.

These measures could be as simple as offering free delivery on all cases or even introducing express turnaround speeds for important products. If you want to take it a step further you could also see if it’s viable to prioritise certain cases or even pick up/drop off products to local dental practices who use your services.

Open channels of communication

Much like every relationship in life, communication between dentist and technician is paramount in order to ensure that collaboration is successful. This applies to both parties, but for dental laboratories, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that the sense of trust that good communication can form remains strong.

For example, you can schedule regular meetings with the dentists you work with. This gives both sides the time to voice opinions and smooth out any issues they have. It’s also important to admit to any mistakes and apologise accordingly. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and as long as you are upfront and deal with these scenarios candidly you can ensure that dentists will understand the situation and continue to trust you going forward.

During cases it’s important to maintain open communication channels so that the results can be as good as possible. It’s worth making your laboratory very easy to get in touch with, especially as dentists may want to update case information during the fabrication process and this can directly impact the restoration being made.

One seamless way to introduce this level of communication is to encourage dentists to invest in technology such as the CS 3600 intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental. This innovative technology sends digital impressions in an open STL file format, allowing technicians to design restorations with the software of their choice. As files can be sent and updated digitally, this means that both parties can be on the same page throughout the treatment process.

Relationships worth supporting

With communication, quality and a willingness to succeed, you can ensure that your professional relationships with dentists remain strong, keeping your laboratory busy, profitable and steaming ahead into the future.

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

[i]Tutor2u. People Management: Introduction to Motivation. Link: https://www.tutor2u.net/business/reference/people-management-introduction-to-motivation[Last accessed December 18].

In orthodontics it’s undeniable that improved smile aesthetics is one of the primary goals. However, when faced with malocclusions, it’s entirely possibly that patients may have functional problems as well and could be experiencing further complications such as issues with chewing.

Class II malocclusions are one of the most common problems presented among orthodontic patients, and they need to be treated predictably so that it is possible for patients and professionals alike to know what impact this will have on aesthetics and function. Additionally, it is important to consider how treatment may affect patients’ face shape and profile.

 Of course, much like any orthodontic treatment, treating these issues effectively comes down to using the correct appliance and encouraging  high patient compliance.

Make sure they follow your advice

Patient compliance is a core part of ensuring treatment achieves the desired results. Indeed, should patients fail to follow the guidelines that are given it is entirely possible for procedures to not be as effective, and this can result in compromised results and expectations not being met.

Therefore, when treating issues such as Class II malocclusions, it’s necessary to try to find a treatment that is effective, predictable, and easy for patients to understand and comply with.

An expert opinion

It is exactly this topic which forms the focus of the seminar that will be hosted by Dr Lisa Alvetro at Excellere 2019, by 3M Oral Care. Entitled “Predictable Class II Correction’, in her session Dr Alvetro will explain how using a bio-mechanical appliance such as the Forsus™ Class II Correction System from 3M Oral Care can help professionals to solve Class II malocclusions efficiently and with ease.

Dr Alvetro says:

“The Forsus Class II Correction System from 3M Oral Care allows professionals to combine effective alignment with the ability to simply correct Class II malocclusions. This treatment is highly predictable and helps professionals to effectively plot the desired position of teeth during planning so that treatment can follow the expected route.

“It’s also a very easy way to solve malocclusion issues so patients won’t have problems complying with the necessary steps to achieve their desired final aesthetics.”

When speaking further about products from 3M Oral Care, Dr Alvetro comments:

“I really rely on the knowledge of 3M Oral Care. As a company it is constantly striving forward in the field of orthodontics and looking to help improve treatments for professionals and patients alike.”

An orthodontic event unlike any other

Dr Alvetro’s session is just one of the exciting educational opportunities available for orthodontic specialists looking to attend Excellere 2019. Other sessions will explore topics such as understanding patients and staff members from different generations, how to combine lingual and labial appliances to achieve the best aesthetics and how to build private orthodontic opportunities in a fast changing market.

Other keynote speakers include Dr Adam Schulhof, Dr Patrice Pellerin, Dr Federico Hernandez Alfaro, Dr Paolo Manzo, Dr Paulo Monteiro, Dr John Scholey, Dr Simon Littlewood, Dr Peter Ilori and Dr Richard Jones. There is also a specific set of sessions focusing on lingual parallel appliances headed by Dr Roberto Stradi, Dr Ektor Grammatopoulos, Dr Philipp Al Khatib and Dr Aurélie Guidoux.

Dr Alvetro adds:

“I can’t wait to attend and present my topic at Excellere 2019 as the diverse speaker line up is really exciting. The show is covering a great range of topics and I’m really looking forward to furthering my own knowledge by attending the other sessions, as well as helping professionals who visit my seminar to remain up to date with the latest treatments.”

Excellere 2019 is taking place in the superlative 8 Northumberland Avenue venue in central London on the 17^thand 18^thof May. A wonderful location in the heart of the city, the venue is just a stone’s throw away from a selection of the city’s best landmarks and sights, meaning professionals can explore the city at will once the sessions are over.

Likeminded individuals

As well as educational opportunities, Excellere is also set to be a perfect platform for mingling with likeminded individuals from all over the world. On Friday the 17^thMay, there will be a fabulous Evening Reception at Swingers – London’s famous indoor crazy golf arena – where professionals can enjoy cocktails, street food and a glimpse into London’s exciting nightlife.

A wonderful chance to learn about the latest techniques, research and trends in the orthodontic landscape, Excellere 2019 will be a fantastic event for orthodontic specialists, therapists and postgraduates, helping everyone who attends to learn something new, really excel and expand in their career.

You can book your place at Excellere 2019 HERE www.3mexcellere.com

For more information, call 0113 2387 383or visit www.3mexcellere.com

When dentists send labs digital impressions, there’s nothing more frustrating than having to invest in lots of different design software to support the various file types.

Eliminate the need for this by suggesting the CS 3600 intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental.

This state-of-the-art scanner sends digital impressions in an open STL file format, meaning that technicians can use the design software of their choice to create accurate, effective and aesthetic restorations.

Break down the barriers and work your way by suggesting the CS 3600 intraoral scanner today.

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

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

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

and Facebook

The ADI Team Congress 2019 is now just around the corner, but it’s not too late to book your place if you haven’t already! With an exciting combination of education, innovation and networking, it is the perfect event for all members of the dental team to develop their knowledge and skills in the dental implant arena.

Lyndon Cooper, one of the internationally renowned speakers at the event, commented:

“The ADI Team Congress 2019 is being held in one of the world’s most intriguing cities and is bringing together the highest calibre of speakers to inform clinicians as to the latest information concerning dental implants. It promises to be an inspiring and fun time for learning.”

The speaker line-up for he ADI Team Congress 2019 encompasses many leading lights in the field. Travelling to Edinburgh from all over the world, professionals taking to the podium in the plenary programme will include:

• David Guichet
• Alessandro and Andrea Agnini
• Daniele Cardaropoli
• Istvan Urban
• Barry P Levin
• Craig M Misch
• Mark Montana
• Markus Blatz
• Tord Berglundh
• Wael Att
• Markus B Hürzeler
• Lyndon Cooper
• Anabell Bolonga
• John E Davies

They will cover a wide selection of topics from the impact of digital workflows in dental implantology to new and improved surgical protocols. Sessions will also consider hard and soft tissue management, maximising primary stability, regeneration procedures, peri-implantitis, dental implant restoration and osseointegration principles. All sessions will be supported by clinical evidence and research, with speakers sharing their own case studies to illustrate their points and deliver a wealth of practical and inspiring information to delegates.

“It is truly an honour to be invited to speak at the ADI Team Congress 2019,” said Barry Levin, speaker. “So many thought leaders in dental implantology will assemble in one place over three days and it is amazing to think about the high level of information exchange that will occur – the ADI should be commended. As a student of the literature, it seems like a rare delicacy to be able to hear so many key opinion leaders not only present their ground-breaking material, but also then to discuss ideas with each other after each session. This will certainly be a career highlight and I am very grateful for the opportunity – it is a meeting not to be missed!” 

In addition to the plenary programme, there will various other sessions designed for specific members of the team. On Friday 3 May, there will be a full day’s lectures for dental nurses and practice managers, another for dental hygienists and therapists and another for dental technicians. Professionals will also have access to the plenary programme on Thursday 2 May and Saturday 4 May as well. In addition, the Poster Competition will showcase professionals’ own studies or research and the winner will be awarded their £500 prize on Saturday.

This team approach to education in implant dentistry is and always has been a key aspect of the ADI Team Congress. Markus Blatz, a speaker on the plenary programme, commented:

“I love the ‘TEAM’ aspect. Some people believe that digital technologies eliminate some of the team members, but nothing could be further from the truth. Since some of the technological aspects have become even more specialised, working together with a team of experts is now more important than ever. The ‘TEAM’ spirit and great variety of speakers at this event clearly represents and embodies this philosophy.”

Ensuring an even more varied learning experience for delegates, the Congress will host a major trade exhibition for professionals to browse between lectures. A number of manufacturers and suppliers of dental implant-related products, materials and technologies will be present, each demonstrating their latest innovations and offering delegates bespoke advice. 

Further still, the Corporate Forums on Thursday morning will give delegates a chance to hear straight from the manufacturers about their new and upcoming products. Sessions will be presented by Bredent, BioHorizons, Dentsply Sirona, Geistlich, Implantium, Nobel Biocare, Straumann and Swallow Dental Supplies.

Providing a break from all the learning and enabling delegates to mingle in a more relaxed atmosphere, there will be Congress Drinks on Thursday evening and the legendary Congress Dinner will take place on Friday evening at the National Museum of Scotland.

To make sure you don’t miss out, be sure to book your place for the ADI Team Congress 2019 online today.

ADI Team Congress 2019

Shaping the Future of Dental Implantology: Techniques – Technology – Teamwork

2 – 4 May 2019, EICC, Edinburgh

For more information or to book please visit www.adi.org.uk/congress19

ADI members can attend at significantly reduced rates, join online today.

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times – patient expectations are rising and it is the dental team’s job to both meet them and manage them as best we can. While it is not unfair for them to expect quality care every time, some can be unrealistic about can actually be achieved. Managing their expectations involves effective patient communication, with dentists, dental hygienists and clinical dental technicians best positioned to help patients better understand their dental health condition and any procedures that may be required.

Rising expectations

Meeting patients’ expectations has been linked with higher patient satisfaction within the healthcare environment.[1]^,[2]For dental practices, the benefits of happy patients are vast, as they can have a very positive impact on the morale of the professional team, as well as the business’ reputation, profitability and growth. Positive online reviews, as well as recommendations to family and friends, are in fact often the most effective forms of marketing for dental practices today. It follow that happy patients makes for more referrals. In addition, satisfied patients are more likely to become repeat visitors, in turn supporting the long-term sustainability of the practice as well.

However, achieving patient satisfaction by meeting their expectations does not come without its challenges. With greater access to information and more scrutiny of how they spend their money, most patients will form certain expectations regarding the quality of services they receive in every area of their lives. This certainly extends to their dental care, where they will often seek significant improvement in function and/or aesthetics for a reasonable price. While this seems completely reasonable, in some cases, their expectations are unrealistic when taking into account their starting situation, existing oral hygiene or financial situation.

For example, they may present seeking a smile just like their favourite celebrity, but simply don’t have the same shaped mouth or skeletal base, or they might want to go from few natural dentition and aggressive periodontitis to a full mouth of gleaming white and healthy teeth. Whatever the situation, management of these patients’ expectations is crucial if the dental team is ever going to deliver treatment outcomes that both they and their patients are happy with.

Management techniques

Managing patient expectations has consequently become an important aspect of the modern dental team’s role. Here comes another buzz phrase in dentistry that is completely true is this situation – communication is key. During appointments, the need for treatment and an explanation of the processes involved should be detailed. The patient should also be very clear about what the likely outcome of treatment will be, any limitations that are being faced, the potential costs and their own responsibility to maintain results in the long-term.

A simple conversation explaining the importance of resolving periodontal disease for long-term restorative success, for example, will help the patient to understand how and why their behaviours affect treatment. They may also be more accepting of the need for periodontal therapy before bridges or implants can be placed, and therefore less apposed to the extra cost.

Additional tools like digital images can prove invaluable during the diagnosis and treatment planning stages, for the same reason. They enable the patient to see exactly what and were the problem is, improving their understanding of the procedure(s) proposed. Equally, digital mock-ups can help patients to visualise what they may look like following treatment. This can serve to highlight any limitations of treatment and prevent the patient from expecting unachievable results. It can also provide sufficient motivation to improve patient compliance and encourage them to maintain the results for longer.

Delivering on promises

Once professional and patient expectations are in alignment, it’s important to ensure that you have the ability to deliver. This means utilising evidence-based clinical techniques that have been shown to provide effective and predictable outcomes. It means using cutting-edge technologies that facilitate a precise and efficient workflow. It also means employing only those materials that you trust to deliver safe, aesthetic and durable results. With consideration of all these elements will you be able to fulfil your promise to the patient and enjoy the benefits of their satisfaction upon treatment completion.

With this in mind, it is equally as important that your dental laboratory uses high quality materials. Especially in cases where complex/high-end prosthetics or implant-retained restorations are required, the lab materials could have a huge impact on the treatment outcome. By working with a business like Sparkle Dental Labs, you can have complete confidence that your team of technicians will use only the best materials the dental market has to offer, including the innovative REF-LINE teeth from PoliDent and technology supplied exclusively by the industry-leading John Winter & Co.

While some patient expectations may be unrealistic, it is totally fair for them to expect quality dental care. By using high quality materials, technologies and concepts, the dental team can ensure quality every time.

For any additional information please call 0800 138 6255 or email customerservice@sparkledentallabs.com or visit:

www.sparkledentallabs.com

[1]Zebiene E, Razgauskas E, Basys V, Baubiniene A, Gurevicius R, Padaiga Z, Svab I. Meeting patients’ expectations in primary care consultations in Lithuania. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. February 2044. 16(1);83–89 doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzh006

[2]Schaaninger C, Ventura A, Simmons T, Hart KW, Lindsell CJ, Pancioli A. 208 patient expectations: Are we meeting them and do they affect patient and provider satisfaction? Annals of Emergency Medicine. October 2014. 64(4);S75-S76