Month: December 2019

“The bridge between different restoration types is indistinguishable!”

Dr Conor Morgan is a cosmetic dentist based at Quadrant Dental Practice in Ayr. Passionate about delivering excellent dentistry and outstanding, beautiful results for his patients, he uses BRILLIANT Crios reinforced composite bloc from COLTENE in his restorative practice.

He says:

“BRILLIANT Crios composite blocs are an amazing development within digital dentistry. They allow me to exactly match my direct BRILLIANT EverGlow™ restorations to an indirect restoration, making the bridge between different restoration types totally indistinguishable. With the same polishability and lustre you can get from BRILLIANT EverGlow™, BRILLIANT Crios blocs are a fantastic addition to my indirect restorative toolkit!”

To find out more visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 01444 235486

What the dickens? Rebecca Waters Initial Medical

In the last century, advances in medicine have meant that some once deadly diseases, such as smallpox, have been all but eliminated.

Indeed, the very mention of something like typhoid or scarlet fever is likely to conjure images of the grim streets of Victorian London, where soot and mist hangs in the air and whooping cough echoes out of the slums. However, though these diseases seem more suitably placed within the pages of a Charles Dickens novel, they are threatening to make a return.

Which diseases are making a comeback?

According to statistics gathered by the NHS, old fashioned diseases making a comeback include whooping cough, scarlet fever, gout, rickets, scurvy and many more. Cases of these diseases have increased a considerable amount in just a short period of time. Scarlet fever, for example, had 429 reported cases in the country in 2010-2011, but this number rocketed to 1,321 in 2017-2018.[i]

Although many of these diseases can be treated with antibiotics and other defences that were unavailable to people in Victorian times, this doesn’t mean that the conditions can’t have life-threatening implications.

Lifestyle and disease

We now live in a much cleaner, clinical world. Despite this, certain lifestyle factors still mean that old fashioned diseases have the opportunity to thrive once more.

The growing number of people living in poverty within the UK is restricting access to nutritional foods.[ii] Our immune systems cannot fight off viruses and bacteria if they are not supported by essential minerals, vitamins and amino acids and this means that some people are becoming more susceptible to pathogens in their environment.[iii]

Another very worrying factor that could be influencing this resurgence is the growth of the anti-vaxxer movement. Anti-vaxxers are those who believe that vaccinations can cause autism, and therefore refuse to have their children vaccinated. There is no substantial proof supporting this claim, and this is proving to be a dangerous decision as it is leaving young children susceptible to diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, that vaccinations effectively defend against.

What can dentists do?

In light of this, it’s more important than ever to concentrate on decontamination and disease prevention.

The use of highly effective cleaning products throughout the practice is essential. The Steri-7 Xtra range of disinfectants from Initial Medical is particularly recommended, especially as these can be used in all areas of the practice. These products kill 99.9999% of pathogens and also have Reactive Barrier Technology – a special feature that means that once dried on a surface, any viruses and bacteria cannot recolonise these areas for up to 72 hours.

 Let’s head back to the future

Resurging diseases can be stopped in their tracks through the use of effective modern cleaning products. By treating every area of your practice, you can ensure that you do your bit to prevent these diseases from making a comeback.

 

For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045

 

[i] CNN. ‘Dickensian Diseases’ Are Making A Comeback in the UK. Link: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/02/health/dickensian-diseases-britain-scli-gbr-intl/index.html [Last accessed July 19].

[ii] The Guardian. New Study Finds 4.5 Million Children Living in Poverty. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/16/new-study-finds-45-million-uk-children-living-in-poverty [Last accessed July 19].

[iii] Bourke, C., Berkley, J., Prendergast, A. Immune Dysfunction as a Cause and Consequence of Malnutrition. Trends Immunol. 2016 Jun; 37(6): 386–398.

Marketing Modern Dentistry – Flo Couper – Calcivis

Marketing is all about communication – reaching the right people, in the right way at the right time. It is important to tailor communication to any patient demographic and as well as using the traditional ways of delivering messages, practices should explore fast and convenient ways of attracting attention, delivering information, making connections and engaging patients. Digital media offers a multitude of opportunities to attract and interest new patients, enhance the reputation of the practice and build the business. Here are just a few tips:

Create a strong, engaging website

It is no longer a bonus to have a website, it is a necessity. People looking for a dentist in a specific area or to provide a certain service are most likely to use a search engine on the internet to find what they want. The practice website creates the all-important first impression so it must be well designed and organised to provide instant credibility. People can form opinions remarkably quickly and if the website is slow to load, looks confusing or unprofessional, they will simply move on. The practice website should be informative and engaging but also, easy to navigate and effortless to use from all types of devices.

To stand the best chance of turning a visitor into a new patient the website should clearly show what services are available, where the practice is located, the opening hours and prominent contact details. Patient testimonials and reviews are also important because the first thing people are likely to do is to read what others think of the practice. There should be a link on the website where patients can leave their feedback as well as links to social media pages. A section introducing the dental team with profiles and photos will also help to build trust and patient relationships. Interesting on-site content with eye catching images helps to grab attention; it is an opportunity to showcase services and success stories, mention individual and team achievements and promote the ethos of the practice whilst using key words such as “pain-free,” “gentle” and “preventive dentistry”.

Equally, blogs, videos, news and a “frequently asked questions” section can drive visitors to the website. However, consider getting professional assistance to employ search engine optimisation strategies (SEO) that ensure that the website is aligned with relevant search enquiries, reaches the right audience and helps to convert visitors into patients.

Generate patient reviews

It is widely accepted that people trust online reviews written by people that they don’t know as much as recommendations from people they do know. Positive reviews are highly influential; they endorse the practice, provide reassurance and help people to make a decision about which dental practice to choose. The dental team should be trained to ask for reviews as part of the practice processes with a gentle nudge after appointments or a follow up email, for example. It is important to thank patients for their kind comments and always respond quickly and efficiently to negative reviews.

Connect to social media

Social media provides the perfect opportunity to reach out to potential patients, create an online community and to connect and build relationships with existing patients. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter allow practices to post updates, news, oral health advice, campaigns and interesting information about the practice and the team. As well as including contact details and patient reviews it provides a variety of touchpoints for potential new patients. Furthermore, it is easy to share information with plenty of visual interest – remember, photos are likely to receive around 30 times more engagement than a written status.[i] Encourage patients to let you take photos of them for social media and tag them in these posts – a good way to show both skills of practice and good treatment outcomes as well. Also, when people when see their friends tagged in the photos it can prompt them to explore the practice and possibly opt for a similar treatment themselves.

Plug in to technology

To relate to people living in a technology driven society, shout about any new technology or equipment that is installed at the practice. For instance, the CALCIVIS® imaging system puts your practice on the map as a progressive, patient-centred establishment that embraces innovation for the best possible dental experience and oral health outcomes. The CALCIVIS imaging system visualises early active demineralisation on the surfaces of the teeth. Using bioluminescence, it highlights areas or ‘hot spots’ that are likely to lead to caries or damaging dental erosion at the earliest, most reversible stages. This technology demonstrates the practice’s commitment to minimally invasive preventive dentistry and it is also a powerful communication tool. The glowing CALCIVIS images are displayed at the chair side, which helps patients to better understand their oral health status and motivates them to comply with preventive measures to save their teeth from further destruction.

In our super connected, digital world where patients are ever more discerning, owners and managers now need to use a combination of marketing methods to attract new patients and to keep the existing ones coming back.

 

For more information visit www.CALCIVIS.com or call 0131 658 5152

 

[i] [i] Stelzner M.A. 2018 Social Media Marketing Industry Report. May 2018. Published by social Media Examiner. https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Industry-Report-2018.pdf [Accessed 10th September 2019] [Accessed 10th September 2019]

Enter the next generation of digital imaging

Carestream Dental is pleased to announce the launch of its next generation intraoral scanner – the CS 3700.

Designed by the same minds who inspired the aesthetics for Porsche motor cars, this slick new scanner builds off the success of the previous CS 3600 and takes certain features to the cutting-edge.

Faster, more streamlined and inbuilt with innovative features such as shade match technology and touchscreen compatibility, it truly is a scanner that brings the future, to today.

To find out more, please contact 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

Aesthetic amalgam replacement

Amalgam restorations can stain the surrounding teeth, resulting in difficult to mask aesthetic defects.

Conquer these challenges by choosing the Pink Opaquer shade of Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M Oral Care.

This new shade of composite has been specially designed to mask metallic defects and stained dentition during restoration.[i] This helps ensure you can create optimal aesthetics, even when replacing amalgam.

By applying a 1mm layer of the Pink Opaquer followed by a composite layer from the simplified Filtek Universal Restorative shade choice by 3M, you can create aesthetic restorations with beautiful opacity.

To find out more today.

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

 END

 

3M and Filtek are trademarks of the 3M Company

[i] 3M Oral Care Internal Data. Masking with Pink Opaquer. Claim 7393.

Work unimpeded with Implantmed

The award-winning Implantmed surgical unit from W&H provides powerful and precise control for straight and contra-angle handpieces. Featuring an intuitive interface on a clear, easy-to-read touch screen, the Implantmed is designed for clarity, comfort and efficiency.  

With excellent stability and an optional wireless foot control, practitioners have outstanding freedom of movement and flexibility during procedures. The Implantmed’s innovative new pump design also ensures inserting irrigation tubing is fast and efficient, while the unit’s cableless control enables you to work unimpeded, with no superfluous wires to get tangled in during operations.

Work more efficiently with the award-winning Implantmed surgical unit. Contact W&H for further details.

 

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

Dentists urge government to act as NHS access hotspots go Blue in election

The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged the government to act on the mounting problems in NHS dental services, following recent election gains which saw the Conservatives take control of an overwhelming majority of England’s worst access hotspots. 

In an open letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock following today’s Queen Speech, the BDA has urged the government to factor in dentistry as it presses ahead to put its NHS plan into law: recognising both mounting recruitment and retention problems, and the service’s unique status as the only part of the NHS family operating on a lower budget than that received in 2010. 

Breaching the so-called ‘Red Wall’ in the Midlands and North of England has seen the Conservative Party make headway in areas with acute access problems, including areas like Dewsbury in West Yorkshire where residents routinely receive support from the charity Dentaid: this charity normally operates in the developing world.

In the 50 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) reporting the highest number of patients who have tried and failed to secure an appointment, the Government gained 10 seats, leaving nearly two thirds (64.2%) of constituencies (149 constituencies in total) represented by Conservative MPs.

Areas with among the deepest access problems also include West Suffolk CCG, home to both Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Minister responsible for dentistry Jo Churchill, where over 10,000 tried and failed to secure care. Further hotspots include seats represented by Trade Secretary Liz Truss (West Norfolk and South Norfolk CCGs where over 20,000 patients have failed to secure care), Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG, where nearly 40,000 have been affected) and numerous mid-ranking and junior ministers in other parts of the country.

This access data comes from analysis of the Government’s GP Survey undertaken during the election, which revealed that across England over 1.4 million adults are estimated to have tried and failed to secure an appointment. Unmet need for services stands at over 4 million when factoring in those on waiting lists, those put off by treatment costs, and over 2 million who did not believe they would be able to secure an appointment.

Dentists’ leaders are urging the Government to commit to a sustainable funding settlement for NHS dental services and halt the decline in state contributions that has seen a growing reliance on patient charge revenue. They have also called for renewed impetus to reform the discredited target-driven NHS contract system that caps patient numbers and has devastated morale in the workforce. 

BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said:

“Dentistry cannot be the missing piece in the government’s NHS plan.

“As the only part of the NHS operating on a lower budget than it received in 2010, dentistry faces an existential crisis. Morale in this service is at rock bottom, and as recruitment and retention problems mount, millions of patients are left unable to secure care or have simply given up trying.

“Following the election, the Conservative Party now represents the overwhelming majority of communities that are being failed by NHS dentistry.

“From Cornwall to Cumbria, from Devon to Dewsbury this government, and this parliament, have a responsibility to deliver for these patients and provide the reform and investment the service urgently needs.”

Dental bus to bring oral health for homeless

One of Winchester’s largest companies has brought smiles back to the city’s homeless community by providing vital funds throughout 2020 for their dental care.

Simplyhealth, which has offices in both Winchester and Andover, has contributed funds for another year through its Local Community Impact Fund for a mobile dental bus – operated by the charity Dentaid. The bus will visit Trinity Winchester on a monthly basis and provide essential dental care for homeless people in Winchester. Patients will receive a regular dental check-up from dentists and hygienists to improve oral health. 

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth said: “Regular dental visits and a good brushing routine are important for maintaining both good oral health and reducing the risk of tooth decay. We know that more studies are increasingly finding links between oral health and common conditions including heart disease, dementia and diabetes, amplifying the need to increase understanding of good oral health.

“People who are homeless will find maintaining a good oral health routine difficult, which can lead to dental problems. By providing the opportunity through Dentaid for both immediate dental care and subsequent follow-up appointments and monitoring, we can help to improve the oral health and overall wellbeing of homeless patients.”

Sue McKenna, Chief Executive at Trinity Winchester, said: “Being able to visit a dentist can be life-changing for someone living on the streets. Giving someone their smile back builds confidence and puts people on the right tracks to rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Simplyhealth for funding us to do this for the whole of next year”.

Quality and commitment at the heart of the profession

Holly Payne speaks to the winner of this year’s Dental Nurse of the Year award, Siana Garstang.

What first appealed to you about dental nursing?

I have been involved in the dental world since I was a little girl – my dad is a specialist dental technician and in my school holidays I remember begging for him to take me to work so I could help him in the lab! I loved this but figured out I wanted to be able to meet the patients he was making the lab products for. When I was thinking about what I wanted to do as a career I looked into many different options including photography, which I studied at college. I decided I wanted to venture into the dental world for myself and I found an apprentice position at Sharoe Green Dental Practice in Fulwood, I went for my interview with Lesley Holden and was offered the Job – I was so excited.

What is your recollection of the first time you helped a patient?

On my first day of nursing I remember feeling so nervous but excited to be there, I was just amazed at the variety of treatment that could be done in one day’s work. I couldn’t wait to be able to gain all the knowledge the qualified nurses had about each treatment. That day I helped in the fitting of a bridge for a lady – she was so happy she cried and hugged and kissed all of us. At that point I knew I wanted to be a dental nurse and help create beautiful smiles.

Who has inspired you the most during your career to date?

Many people have inspired me and encouraged me to push myself and progress my career. As a nurse at Sharoe Green we don’t only work with one clinician, we have a weekly rota that means we work with different clinicians each day of the week. I feel this is a really good way of working and learning, as you pick up different tips and knowledge from all the clinicians which you can adapt to your own technique – whilst nursing I feel this has really helped with my skillset.

Other people I have had so much advice and support from include my practice owner Lesley Holden, principle dentist Graeme Fisher and specialist in restorative dentistry Meena Ranka. They have given me the confidence to push myself and encouraged me to go that bit further with my studies and roles and responsibilities within the practice.

Have you noticed a difference in the way dental nursing works in the years since you qualified?

Yes, in the seven years I have been a dental nurse I feel that the clinicians are now more willing to let nurses get further involved in the treatment of patients. I am able to take impressions, digital scans, X-rays and do oral health sessions. I love being able to get more involved.

What was your first reaction when it was announced that you had won Dental Nurse of the Year at this year’s Dental Awards?

I couldn’t believe it! I was so shocked I was shaking! It was my business manager’s idea to put me in for the award but I didn’t think for one minute that I would actually win! I feel that the award is not only a celebration of my achievement but a celebration of the people who have encouraged and supported me.

Do you have any other memorable moments from the evening?

How proud and happy the whole team were for me.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I have been involved with scouting my whole life and I love to help out at the local groups. I am a keen photographer, baker and love to explore the outdoors, either walking or mountain biking. I love to travel, whether it’s in the UK, in our caravan or travelling to exotic places. My husband and I feel there’s nothing better than going on adventures and seeing new places.

In what ways do you promote the message of practicing good oral hygiene outside of the practice?

I do oral health sessions at local beavers and cub groups, and dental nurse Gemma Holden and I go into schools and nurseries to do oral health sessions. Me, dental therapist Suzanne Morton and business manager Lesley Holden got in touch with a local homeless shelter and together we set up a charity called Street Teeth in January this year. We go one day per month and deliver emergency treatment to the homeless.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to someone studying to become a dental nurse?

Ask lots of questions, never feel like you will sound stupid about asking anything, Your clinicians and nursing team are there to help – they want you to learn and that is the best way to do it. I love asking questions – I feel if I don’t ask I will never know – and I love to know!

If you’d like to submit your application for the Dental Awards 2020 please visit: www.the-probe.co.uk/awards

‘Incredibly inclusive’

Delegates at this year’s sold-out BACD Annual Conference were spoiled for choice with a full programme of hands-on workshops. These engaging sessions covered everything from digital smile design and CAD/CAM technology, to composite restorations and tooth preparation techniques. 

“The hands-on workshops were inspiring, especially for someone who’s at the beginning of their career,” said Dr Dominique Napier.

“The BACD is incredibly inclusive and there is a wealth of experience shared by speakers and delegates at the Annual Conference. I would recommend the event to anyone at any stage of their dental journey.”

Visit the new BACD website to book your place to the Seventeenth Annual Conference in Edinburgh next year.

 

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com