Dental nurses are often the heart of their dental practices. They are the vital pieces that ensure daily workflows tick over smoothly. They are also commonly the professionals that patients feel most comfortable speaking to. That’s why we value our amazing dental nurses at Colosseum Dental and we are looking to welcome more passionate individuals to our growing team.

So, what do we offer our dental nurses?

Training and support

Firstly, we provide all dental nurses with opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. There is plenty of training and education available, with even more dedicated programmes currently in the making.

This is complemented by the support we provide all our clinical teams. Our management team is only ever a phone call or email away. We make it our job to make sure you have the facilities, equipment and training you need to deliver excellent patient care.

Flexibility and collaboration

We also strive to offer flexible working agreements for dental nurses who need to work around family commitments. We appreciate that everyone is in a different position and we do what we can to work together.

Collaboration is a huge part of what Colosseum Dental stands for. We actively encourage our practice teams to engage with their managers and the leadership team as often as possible. We want to hear your ideas on how to improve life in the practice or enhance patient care, and we will work with you to implement change. We have already collaborated closely with our practice managers when refurbishing all our practices over the past year. We also worked with our dental nurses to select a new uniform – the need for which came about as a direct result of feedback in the first place. This is something we are very keen to maintain with all our practice teams moving forward.

Recognition and reward

Further to all this, we run a unique and compelling incentive programme, which offers our clinical teams the chance to achieve additional remuneration on top of their basic salary. The annual Colosseum Dental Conference also offers CPD and the chance to relax and have fun with colleagues as an extra way of saying thank you. We truly appreciate everything that you do.

Word from the front line

With high engagement and collaboration among our practice and management teams, we are proud of the environment we have created for all our people. We are not just a team, but a family.

Two of our dental nurses recently commented:

“Really nice family-like environment. New management very are supportive of staff and get things done!”

“Great team working together, helping each other, we get on really well… it almost feels like we are a family.”

In fact, feedback from dental nurses in our recent Great Place to Work Survey™ provided some fantastic comments that we were very proud to receive. These included:

“Free CPD, paid GDC fees, great friendly staff and all the people at Head Office are easy to talk to.”

“I feel very comfortable as the place has a fantastic environment and great atmosphere, and also the team are very friendly and supportive.”

“It’s great that we see our executives – they are not just someone who sends emails all year. We see them, we interact. It makes you feel better about who you work for. I also love the vision they have for this company; they want to make a real difference and if everyone could dream this, then we could all achieve.”

“Their focus is to put patient care first.”

“Everyone is super friendly and we all treat others the way we would want to be treated. There are so many benefits and bonuses to working for the company and it’s nice to get a shout out or treat when the practice is doing well.”

“I enjoy working for this company. It’s a wonderful place to be part of a team. I have been a dental nurse for over 15 years and I am glad to be a part of this journey that Colosseum Dental is on.”

Find out what a career at Colosseum Dental UK could do for you today!

For more information about Colosseum Dental,

please visit www.colosseumdental.co.uk/careers

It’s no understatement to say that dentistry is a mentally and physically demanding profession. The brain power involved is obvious – every case needs careful consideration; treatment needs to be planned and professionals need to always keep at the cutting-edge of any clinical advancements. But what about the physical side?

Yes, dentists and other DCPs aren’t running marathons every day, but that doesn’t mean that working in a busy practice isn’t having a negative impact on their bodies. That’s where ergonomics come in – with just a few considerations, professionals can avoid the risk of incurring any injuries related to daily working life.

Injuries in practice

It’s not uncommon for dentists to find themselves leaning over patients and twisting their bodies into awkward positions during the course of the day. Indeed, trying to get good access to a patient’s mouth can require some pretty spectacular contortions, and this very quickly takes its toll on the body. Muscle pain, strain injuries – these can fast become a reality, and are more common than you would expect.

In fact, according to one study that examined work related injuries among dental surgeons, it was found that 6.6% of these individuals experienced constant shoulder pain, 83.3% sometimes experienced back pain and 70% sometimes experienced neck pain. Interestingly, the study also revealed a strong correlation between these pains and the number of patients dental professionals were treating each day. The bigger the patient list, the higher chances of developing back and/or neck pain.[i]

Another common injury that dentists experience is wrist and/or thumb pain. This is usually because providing dental treatment means holding instruments for extended periods of time, often applying pressure that requires muscular force. Over time, this sort of action can lead to problems such as de Quervain’s disease and osteoarthritis.[ii]

Evidently, these conditions are something that shouldn’t be ignored. Many of these muscle related injuries are difficult to treat, and, if they progress enough, may require surgery to fix – not only meaning that you will need to take time off work, but also that your practice may lose business as patients will have to go elsewhere for the care that they need. These injuries can also be the kiss of death for your career – almost a third of dentists who retire early have had to do so because of musculoskeletal disorders, which, arguably, could have been prevented.[iii]

Ergonomics explained

So, how can ergonomics make a difference? Ergonomics, in a nut shell, is effectively adapting the work environment to increase efficiency and productivity while also decreasing discomfort. This means that by thinking ergonomically, professionals can easily make changes in order to prevent any injuries occurring, streamlining workflows and creating additional benefits at the same time. This can be achieved in a number of ways.

Proper posture and positioning

It’s amazing how much of an impact proper posture can have, especially when people have to sit or stand for long periods of time. The key is to keep the body in a neutral position for as long as possible throughout the day.

This means maintaining an erect posture, sitting for clinical procedures where possible, working closely to the patient to avoid stretching and strains, and keeping feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest when sitting. These small measures can make a huge difference and help centralise weight distribution throughout the body. It’s also a good idea to try to minimise wrist movements and to maintain a neutral position in order to prevent strains.[iv]

Proper patient positioning is also paramount. If your dental chair is positioned at an awkward angle and you have to lean too much or bend into strange positions to provide treatment, try adjusting the chair. Don’t be afraid to readjust the patient if necessary – it’s far more important that you get them in the correct position to treat them than to hurt yourself in fear of causing mild inconvenience.

Instruments and technology

The instruments professionals use and the technology in the practice are also influential when it comes to avoiding injuries. Choosing instruments with larger handles or with textured grips is a good way to reduce the amount of force you need to apply when using them, reducing the chances of injury.

Do you have any technology in your practice that is difficult to use? What about an intraoral scanner that is difficult to grip and manoeuvre? Much like instruments, selecting technology that doesn’t require any awkward positions to operate is key.

The new CS 3700 intraoral scanner is ideal for dentists who want an ergonomic option. Designed with an ergonomically optimal grip channel to empower professionals with a better sense of scanner control, the CS 3700 also boasts superior functionality, offering ultimate versatility and accuracy alongside shade match technology to help facilitate optimal outcomes.

Care for yourself as well as your patients

Dentistry is centred around care, but that doesn’t mean you should only focus on the needs of your patients. By optimising your posture and positioning, as well as investing in technology and instruments that aid ergonomics, you can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders and strain injuries from occurring.

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] Shaik, A., Rao, S., Husain, A., D’sa, J. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dental Surgeons: A Pilot Study. Contemp Clin Dent. 2011 Oct-Dec; 2(4): 308–312.

[ii] Posturedontics. Wrist Pain Among Dental Professionals. https://posturedontics.com/identifying-your-wrist-pain-in-dentistry/ [Last accesses January 2020].

[iii] Burke, FJ., Main, JR., Freeman, R. The Practice of Dentistry: An Assessment Of Reasons For Premature Retirement. Br Dent J. 1997; 182: 250-254.

[iv] Hu-Friedy. Ergonomics in the Dental Office. Link: https://www.hu-friedy.com/blog/dental-office-ergonomics [Last accessed January 2020].

Delivering a clear, simple yet strong oral health message has never been more important, as well as supporting patients with their daily home-care.

If you haven’t seen your routine patients – or your colleagues! – as often as you would have liked, you may have been working ‘outside the box’ to spread the word about how essential maintaining a clean and hygienic mouth is.

Different platforms  

When you can’t see patients face-to-face, social media can be incredibly useful for getting a message out and the practice website is a great platform to reiterate simple points for everyone who can’t come in for appointments. How you present any content will be entirely up to you – are you a family practice, is your patient base elderly? Write as if you were talking directly to your patients; use your own “voice” and keep your tone light, but informative and to the point. It’s probably fair to say that a lot of us have been struggling with an information overload for a while now – appropriate humour could also go a long way!

Think about your youngest patients too. With schoolchildren across the UK enjoying an unexpected break from their classrooms, your website could be a great way to teach them about how maintaining their oral hygiene will protect them from developing all kinds of serious conditions in later life, as well as helping them to feel good and stay healthy. If they have a clean mouth, they’ll want to keep smiling every day, too. If you have the skills, maybe you could make a short video, or use animation.

It’s good to talk!

It’s about being proactive and finding ways to stay connected. The patient-practitioner relationship is built on trust and communication. Once something resembling “normality” has been reinstated, we will all have been reminded how it’s so important to listen, as well as to talk – to have a genuine conversation with everyone we see in our practice and to really get to know them. 

Listening to what people say, how they say it and what they don’t say can give dental practitioners so many clues about their personal barriers to achieving optimal oral health. Maybe they’re confused about dietary advice, or brushing technique… Over the last few months, we’ve all realised that face-to-face appointments, with the chance to find out all about our patients, their lives and their unique circumstances, are a privilege.

Simple and clear

Implementing simple, yet effective oral hygiene measures will help all of us to stay well and healthy every day and for years to come. They are a central part of self-care. Oral hygiene is as important as keeping our body clean. Good, effective tooth brushing will remove optimal plaque and bacteria; daily cleaning must be supported by the right food choices and drinking plenty of water. The connection between oral health and all-round good health is clear; we can also factor in finding time to exercise every day – which we’ve learned can be something as simple as a 30-minute workout with your family, courtesy of Joe Wickes! ­– and getting some fresh air.

At the other end of the scale, there is the importance of finding inner calm too. Stress and anxiety will have consequences for physical and oral health. The preventive message must include ways to switch off, for your patients – and don’t forget about you, either. Exercise, especially outside, is a great stress buster, but when this is difficult you could recommend, or try for yourself, switching your phone off for the afternoon, enjoying a good book in the bath, or attempting something new and creative. There are meditation apps to try too, some of which have been tailored specifically to children, who may have been left feeling anxious by recent events. True good health is about staying healthy in mind as well as body.

Taking care of each other

Anyone working in a healthcare profession may be frustrated over what they haven’t been able to “fix” lately. What we can do is keep delivering a message of self-care and why it’s so important to have a proactive, responsible attitude to staying healthy, which includes oral health too. When we return to brighter days, our relationships with our patients will be stronger than ever, with the prevention message never louder. Simple yet effective habits, quality products and tools, including the correct brush – like those found in the TANDEX range, which includes interdental and UltraSoft options – will keep your patients smiling.

The events of this year have taught us how we must all take care of ourselves, and those around us, to stay well every day. Once normal service is resumed, we’ll be even more motivated to deliver care that keeps everyone we treat in good health for as long as possible.

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

Now that Winter has passed and Spring is in full swing, we can rejoice in the fact that cold and flu season is starting to peter out. This will be especially good news for asthma sufferers who are more susceptible to the effects of colds and tend to experience a worsening of their symptoms during periods of illness.

In the UK, a staggering 5.4 million people are currently being treated for the condition,[i] meaning more people have received an asthma diagnosis than all other lung diseases combined.[ii] That’s not even taking into consideration those who have not yet received an official diagnosis – and indeed, the condition is still under-diagnosed and under-treated despite significant advancements.[iii]

Asthma is caused when the body’s airways come into contact with triggers such as allergens, chemical irritants, smoke and air pollution, and can also be set off by cold air, physical exercise, some anti-inflammatory medications and even emotions. For the most part, asthma can be controlled with inhalers and other courses of treatment like steroid tablets, but approximately 200,000 people are thought to suffer from a severe form of asthma that doesn’t respond to usual therapies.ⁱ For those unlucky few, asthma can lead to extremely poor health, periods of hospitalisation and even in rare cases, death. Fortunately, however, most asthmatics biggest complaints are wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing.

What sufferers likely don’t realise is that asthma can also have an impact on oral health. Indeed, there is research that suggests asthma medication can increase the risk of dental caries, erosion, and oral candidiasis.[iv] Asthmatics are also almost one fifth (18.8%) more likely to suffer from periodontitis,[v] making them, in turn, more susceptible to tooth loss.

That’s why it is essential that you take extra care to establish patients’ medical histories and provide the necessary oral hygiene advice that will help to minimise these risks. Plus, oral health probably doesn’t spring to patients’ minds when they consider the impact asthma can have on their wellbeing, so it’s up to you to educate them on what can happen if they use inhalers and other medication.

Naturally, this is an on-going year-round task, but with World Asthma Day coming up (May 5^th) why not seize the opportunity to go the extra mile? You might not be able to take away symptoms or make them less at risk during the Winter months, but with your help asthmatics can be equipped with the right knowledge and tools they need to protect their oral health, giving them one less thing to worry about.

So, what are you waiting for? Address asthma in your practice today!

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

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

[i] Asthma UK. Asthma facts and statistics. Accessed online 18 December 2019 at https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/media/facts-and-statistics/

[ii] British Lung Foundation. (2019) Asthma statistics. Accessed online 18 December 2019 at https://statistics.blf.org.uk/asthma.

[iii] World Health Organisation. (2017) Asthma: Key facts. Accessed online 18 December 2019 at https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma

[iv] Thomas MS, Parolia A, Kundabala M, Vikram M. Asthma and oral health: a review. Aust Dent J. 2010 Jun;55(2):128-33. Accessed online 18 December 2019 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20604752

[v] Oral Health Foundation. Asthma found to increase the likelihood of gum disease by a fifth. Published 20th September 2017. Accessed online 18 December 2019 at https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/asthma-found-to-increase-the-likelihood-of-gum-disease-by-a-fifth

Even the most beautiful paintings need a frame. This is the finishing touch to any work of art and the element that completes and elevates it, presenting it to the audience in the best possible light. If the Mona Lisa was framed by cheap plastic, would we think it as beautiful as if it were presented in an elegant and ornate frame? This same concept applies within cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Some practitioners focus on treating the teeth (the white) and overlook the gingiva (the pink), but both of these elements need to be considered in order to achieve the best aesthetic outcome.

Dr Elizabeth Bakeman will be exploring this topic in depth at this year’s BACD Annual Conference, which will take place at the EICC in the heart of Edinburgh. Dr Bakeman maintains a full-time private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and teaches as an adjunct faculty member at the Kois Centre in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Moreover, she is an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), of which she is also currently President.

With a commitment to helping other practitioners achieve clinical excellence, Dr Bakeman has been the Section Editor for Compendium and the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, and continues to serve on several other editorial boards. In addition, she publishes and lectures on comprehensive dentistry and periodontal plastic surgery in the aesthetic zone. As the recipient of the AACD’s 2013 Award for Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry Education, Dr Bakeman makes a fantastic addition to the speaker line-up at the BACD’s Seventeenth Annual Conference. She will be exploring how to evaluate and manage soft tissue architecture in order to achieve optimal aesthetics.

“Over the past few decades, aesthetics has increasingly motivated patients to seek treatment,” she says. “Aesthetics is also the criteria under which many patients evaluate treatment outcomes. Practitioners with knowledge and a solid skillset in relation to the restorative/periodontal interface are best placed to satisfy patients’ increasing aesthetic demands.

“Healthy, ideally positioned and symmetrical gingival architecture enhances beautiful dentition. With proper diagnosis, treatment planning and minor orthodontic and surgical training, the restorative dentist can predictably deliver the best results. Knowing where to place restorative margins in order to avoid open cervical embrasures, red and puffy gingival tissues, as well as exposed margins is key to optimising the treatment outcome. Providing this standard of care enables the restorative dentist to refine his or her diagnostic skills, maintain greater control over treatment and increase patient satisfaction.”

Through research and case examples, Dr Bakeman will look at the key principles for managing soft tissue architectures that facilitate highly aesthetic, natural-looking restorations. She aims to engage with delegates about the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques available for manipulating soft tissue in cosmetic and restorative cases.

“I will be providing information that is helpful for every dentist and dental technician to know in order to increase treatment predictability and reduce stress,” she says. “Ultimately, pink aesthetics matter!”

Dr Bakeman will be among many other incredible speakers at the highly anticipated BACD Annual Conference. Here, delegates will be treated to a phenomenal three-day programme of lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops, combined with the chance to explore an eclectic tradeshow, where many leading brands will be demonstrating the latest dental technology and materials available. Held at the National Museum of Scotland on Friday evening of the event, the exclusive Gala Dinner will also provide the ideal space for delegates to relax with friends and colleagues, whilst networking with some of the industry’s most distinguished professionals.

The wide range of social and educational opportunities at this prestigious event will allow delegates to sample cutting-edge products, explore new ideas and concepts, and share their passion for beautiful cosmetic dentistry among likeminded individuals. The Annual Conference ultimately embodies the BACD’s goal of creating a highly inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

“I have heard great things about the BACD and know some of the esteemed Academy members who also attend the AACD’s Annual Scientific Session,” adds Dr Bakeman. “I haven’t yet attended a BACD Annual Conference, but I’m looking forward to this year’s event, where I will be able to network with knowledgeable, motivated delegates. It’s an honour to be invited to speak here.”

Open to dental professionals of all backgrounds and levels of experience, the BACD Annual Conference offers a truly outstanding educational platform. Book your ticket to this unmissable event via the BACD website – Academy members benefit from preferential booking rates!

The BACD Seventeenth Annual Conference
‘Seeing Is Believing’
12th – 14th November 2020
The EICC
Edinburgh, Scotland

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

Already known as experts in the field of infection control and waste management, Initial Medical brings you a new service designed specifically to meet your needs at this time and in the near future.

An all-purpose specialist disinfection service provides a reliable method of disinfecting an entire dental practice or laboratory to protect against microbial infection and to help maintain a high level of hygiene on the premises. It involves ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging, which involves using equipment to generate extremely small droplets of disinfectant fog, meaning that pathogens are deactivated from every area of the room, including those places that would otherwise be difficult to access. Plus, there is the option of additional touchpoint cleaning for added reassurance. Our qualified technicians are equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and specialist disinfection equipment to work safely and effectively.

This fast-response, specialist disinfection service from Initial Medical is just what you need to provide complete peace of mind to both your staff and your patients. When you’re ready to reopen your dental practice or laboratory, call Initial Medical for an all-purpose specialist disinfection service.

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

-Ends-

About Initial Medical

Initial Medical is an expert in healthcare waste management, providing a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for hazardous and non-hazardous waste and offensive waste produced by healthcare providers, and other businesses and organisations within the UK.

The safe management of healthcare waste is vital to ensure your activities are not a risk to human health.  Initial Medical’s healthcare waste services ensure that all of your waste is stringently handled in compliance with legislation and in accordance with Safe Management of Healthcare Waste best practice guidelines, providing you with the peace of mind that you are adhering to current legislation.

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

Media enquiries:

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In dentistry times are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic brought even more challenges to dental practice owners and their teams, especially considering that some insurance policies haven’t paid out when businesses needed them the most. 

Make sure you’re not caught unawares again and effectively plan for the future of your business with the help of the award-winning team at money4dentists.

With years of experience helping dental professionals to achieve their financial and business goals, the team of Independent Financial Advisers at money4dentists can assist with everything from pension advice, financial planning, practice buying and selling, insurance policies and so much more.

By offering solid, impartial advice, we provide a helping hand that will help any goal become an achievable target.

To find out more, contact the team at money4dentists today.

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

Email info@money4dentists.com or visit www.money4dentists.com