There’s no denying that the past few months have been an enormous challenge for everyone in the healthcare sector. For dental nurses, the necessary changes have impacted how you engage with and comfort your patients, as well as how you interact with colleagues throughout the clinic. They will also have had a massive impact on your daily routines, giving you more responsibilities in terms of infection control procedures and requiring you to do all this while adapting to the increased amount of PPE you now have to wear.

It is a sad fact that some dental nurses don’t feel appreciated for their incredible dedication to their patients. It is also unacceptable that some are not recognised and fairly rewarded for their contribution to dentistry.

This is not the case at Colosseum Dental UK. It is important to us that our dental nurses feel valued in our clinics. We really appreciate everything they continue to do for their patients and their colleagues. We are here to listen to their concerns and ideas – we want to support them in any way that we can while we all adjust to this new world dentistry.

Working together

Only by working together can we deliver exceptional patient care – especially given the current situation. This means peers collaborating with each other in practice, as well as with those professionals working in operational and support roles across the organisation. Collaboration is one of our core values at Colosseum Dental UK. It is something we have always been committed to, as we understand how much difference it can make to our patients and our people. As such, we actively encourage all our dental nurses to speak up when they need help, or when they have a suggestion to enhance the working environment. They are on the ground in the middle of it all, so who better is there to recognise areas that could be improved?

For this to work, we ensure open communication channels throughout the company. Whether our dental nurses wish to speak to their practice manager, area manager, a member of the Clinical Care Board or the leadership team, they can. There is always someone at the end of an email or phone to provide the information, guidance or support needed.

A great place to work

There are many examples of us listening to our dental nurses to improve their working environment. Most recently, we embarked on the Year of the Dental Nurse to introduce an array of new features in direct response to feedback from our people. What did we do, you ask…?

We reviewed our pay structure and, at a time when most dental providers were making cuts, we did the opposite. We brought in pay rises to guarantee highly competitive salaries and we changed the relevant criteria to ensure equal opportunities for dental nurses of all ages. In addition, we will now not only pay for training so that dental nurses gain additional skills that benefit their clinic and their patients, but we’ll also pay them more when they are qualified.

Furthermore, we changed the annual leave entitlement to enable us to reward dental nurses who remain with us for a long time in recognition for their continued contribution to the business. We do all this while continuing to cover the costs of all our dental nurses’ GDC registration fees and indemnity charges.

A stronger voice

We understand that dentistry is evolving and we are keen to change at the same pace. Listening to our dental nurses is just one part of how we will do this, but it is very important to us. We are here to support you. To ensure you can care for your patients and to help you enjoy your work as much as possible, in spite of the challenges we now face. To be part of an organisation that really hears you, consider joining the family at Colosseum Dental UK.

For more information about Colosseum Dental, please visit www.colosseumdental.co.uk/careers

“I have used various generations of Scotchbond Adhesive from 3M for the last 8 years. The best, somehow, has once again managed to get better.”

Dr Greg Thorburn from East Renfrewshire, near Glasgow, describes his experience trialling the new Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive from 3M Oral Care.

“Dentistry is an already complex profession, which adheres to a vast variety of strict protocols and procedures. The ease of use and application of materials is vital to compliment and alleviate the pressures of my busy day-to-day activities. Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive is a user-friendly, simple yet highly effective preparation. The handling of the material is excellent. The viscosity is optimal, remaining in place on intended areas, yet easily spread with a microbrush or gentle air pressure. It also offers excellent working time.

“The new bottle design is superb – it’s easy to dispense only one drop, without excess waste, making it more efficient. The cap design allows for easy opening and closing of the lid using only one hand. I have also found it excellent for acute sensitivity from exposed dentine and patients have given great instant feedback.

“In terms of customer service from 3M, this has been fantastic. The free samples are always impressive and received with great appreciation. Being an associate in a largely NHS practice, it can be difficult to get extra spend approved for premium products. This is made easier when we have an opportunity to try samples, with often great results.”

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

3M representatives continue to be available via video calling technologies for your convenience.

END

3M and Scotchbond are trademarks of the 3M Company. – NB to editors: this line must

The BACD was founded by Drs Elaine Halley, Chris Orr and David Bloom. Launching the industry-recognised Accreditation programme was a key driver for setting up the Academy, as Dr Halley explains:

“We very much wanted a benchmark for BACD members to be able to prove a high level of clinical skills. It was also important for Chris, David and myself to demonstrate that we could attain the same standards. We were very much inspired by the AACD Accreditation process, but we wanted to adapt the requirements to make them more suitable for UK dentistry – including a posterior quadrant in the assessment criteria is an example of this.

“At the time, I was due to be BACD President after Chris and David. I also had my third child, so I was very busy with work and the Academy. However, it was very important to me that I was undergoing Accreditation prior to taking the office as President. I wanted to demonstrate my belief in the programme. During the process, I learnt that I am much more critical of myself than others are. Reviewing your work with close-up photography from every angle is very humbling and gives you a deep appreciation for the 3D nature of what we do.

“Over the years, being an Accredited member of the BACD has given me confidence that a standard of aesthetic care has been achieved. Of course, not every case can be completed to the exacting requirements for Accreditation, but attaining these standards trains your eyes to see more and, by default, that raises the quality of care delivered. Patients are reassured that you have been judged by your peers and have experience at a level that you can be trusted to treat their smile effectively.”

Dr Halley believes that one of the biggest benefits of being a BACD member is that it puts you in touch with likeminded individuals who are passionate and enthusiastic about dentistry. She says:

“From the beginning, Chris, David and I wanted the organisation to be inclusive so that, regardless of your experience or clinical skills, you would be welcomed. At the BACD, we believe that everyone is learning and sharing their knowledge to help each other and, ultimately, their patients.

“I would advise anyone who is considering BACD Accreditation to choose one of the case types from the assessment criteria and to just start the process. I pinned the case types on my office wall so that I was constantly reminded to be on the lookout for an appropriate case. In the meantime, work on your photography and get in the habit of taking the Accreditation series of images for every patient – you are never sure where the right case will come from.

“I would also recommend that you take advantage of mentorship. Don’t feel you have to turn up knowing everything. Look through journals at examples of past cases so that you can train your eye to understand what the Accreditation examiners are looking for. It is also useful to attend the Accreditation workshops at BACD events like the Annual Conference. Life is busy so my advice would be to start one or two case types at a time and work to pass those first, rather than risk becoming overwhelmed trying to submit everything at once.

“Accreditation, like many things in life, is a journey. Set the intention and begin. Don’t expect to pass everything first time, but be ready to learn and accept feedback. You will grow and take pride in what you can achieve.”

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

Clark Dental was delighted to support Kunal Thakker in transforming his practice with top-quality dental cabinetry.   

“We chose the Apex range of cabinetry from Clark Dental as it offered good value for money,” Kunal comments. “These units are strong and durable, yet amazing from an aesthetic perspective as they look clean and professional. In addition, the cabinetry has made organising our dental surgery far more efficient.

“Matt from Clark Dental was particularly influential in helping us decide which dental cabinetry to invest in for our practice, as he knows what he’s talking about. I would 100% recommend Apex cabinetry from Clark Dental.” 

Contact the friendly team to find out how they could help you transform your dental practice today. 

For more information, call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Celebrating 25 years of success in the industry, Straumann^® Emdogain^® is an easy-to-use, biomimetic biology-based gel containing Enamel Matrix Derivative (EMD), that can be used for periodontal regeneration, gingival recession and wound healing.

It promotes the regeneration of soft tissue formation for accelerated wound healing and reduces risk of complications. For over two decades it has been the gold standard in regenerative periodontology and promotes patient comfort whilst reducing post-surgical swelling.

Straumann^® Emdogain^® provides an effective way of regenerating lost tissue in a minimally invasive way.^{[i] [ii]} It can be used in periodontal pockets of up to 9mm as part of a highly effective non-surgical periodontal hygiene protocol.^[iii] Backed by 25 years of clinical experience and over 1,000 scientific publications (including 600 clinical studies) it provides peace of mind for complex cases, increases patient comfort and predictability and induces true regeneration.

Available from the comprehensive Straumann Group portfolio of biomaterials, Straumann^® Emdogain^® has already proven its worth for more than two decades. With continued investment and development, it looks set to be around for another 25 years to come!

For more information on the complete range of biomaterials, please visit www.straumann-uk.co/biomaterials

^[i] Shujaa Addin A, Akizuki T, Mat- suura T, Hoshi S, Ikawa T, Maruyama K, Ono W, Fukuba S, Izumi Y. Histological healing after nonsurgical periodontal treatment with enamel matrix derivatives in canine experimental periodontitis. Odontology. 2018 Jul;106(3):289-296

^[ii] Mellonig JT, Valderrama P, Gregory HJ, Cochran DL. Clinical and histologic evaluation of non-surgical periodontal therapy with enamel matrix derivative: a report of four cases. J Periodontol. 2009 Sep;80(9):1534-40

^[iii] Graziani F, Gennai S, Petrini M, Bettini L, Tonetti M. Enamel matrix derivative stabilizes blood clot and improves clin- ical healing in deep pockets after flapless periodontal therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2019 Feb;46(2):231-240

Whatever you hope to achieve in your career, your success will be largely dependent on the education and training you undergo. Seizing the opportunity to develop your skills, choosing high quality courses and making the most of the benefits available are all crucial for advancing your career.

Choosing the right training for your existing experience and your professional ambitions is key, especially when it comes to dental implantology. The nature of this modality, combined with the lack of a standardised learning pathway to ‘qualification’, means that quality training is the cornerstone of safe and effective treatment provision.

Straumann – a globally recognised brand – supports an array of training courses in the UK. It works with educational providers that share its ethos for clinically-proven techniques and reliable products. Here are the six of the biggest courses available to clinicians getting started with dental implants: 

Foundation in Implant Dentistry (FID) – International Team for Implantology (ITI)

This offers a comprehensive, evidence-based introduction to dental implantology over in 14 days and provides 91 hours of CPD. It’s the first stepping stone into the ITI’s Academy, which follows the dedicated ITI Continuum pathway of learning, supported all the way by online resources and a globally-leading teaching and mentoring faculty.

MSc in Implantology – ­VSSAcademy™

The part-time course offers an in-depth foundation in dental implants, with theory, hands-on and live skill sessions held over two years and in collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). It provides an academic and scientific background, as well as teaching practical skills and enabling delegates to build practical experience. 

The Campbell Academy Year Long Course

As the name suggests, this year-long training programme provides more than a basic understanding in the field. It is structured with 9 didactic training days and 3 clinical days, concluding in a total of 72 hours of CPD. 

MSc in Dental Implantology – University of Bristol 

Anyone looking for a formal qualification in dental implantology may be interested in this 3-year, part-time MSc course delivered by the University of Bristol and The Dental Implant Clinic in Bath. You will gain practical experience of dental implants and relevant prosthetics within a controlled environment, covering a wide range of topics from biomaterials and biomechanics to patient assessment, occlusion, soft tissue management and team development.

Dental Implants Fundamental Course – Delta Dental Academy

This programme is ideal for clinicians completely new to the treatment modality looking for the additional mentoring and support they need to progress safely and efficiently. Held on 11 training days over several months, it covers 5 modules and focuses primarily on clinical topics.

Evidence-based & Clinical Course in Implant Dentistry – BAIRD

Organised by the British Association of Implant & Restorative Dentistry (BAIRD), this comprehensive course is held over 24 days and provides 128 hours of CPD. The multi-system teaching is broken down into 8 modules, with patients provided for clinical training and the placement of 5-10 implants under direct supervision.

For information on any of the above implant courses and how they could help you realise your career ambitions, visit the Straumann website today.

For more details please visit www.skill.straumann.com/en-GB/Home

When it comes to composite restorations, use products you can trust to deliver functional, durable and aesthetic results.

Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M Oral Care utilises nanotechnology and fluorescent pigments to deliver a natural-looking aesthetic that lasts.[i]^,[ii] It is also available in a simplified yet comprehensive array of shades that makes colour matching easy across the entire VITA spectrum.

For example, the Extra White (XW) shade of Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M is ideal for patients with bleached dentition and the Pink Opaquer shade has been designed specifically to mask metallic defects and stained dentition.[iii]

Find out more from 3M Oral Care today.

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

3M representatives continue to be available via video calling technologies for your convenience.

END

3M and Filtek are trademarks of the 3M Company

[i] 3M Oral Care Internal data, Polish. Claim 7349.

[ii] 3M Oral Care Internal data, Fluorescent pigments. Claim 7378.

[iii] 3M Oral Care Internal data, Masking with pink opaquer. Claim 7393.

Screening your dental team for COVID-19 is quick and effective with the BioSURE^® COVID-19 Triple Antibody Rapid Test. It is simple to perform and only requires 5ul of capillary blood to deliver results in just 10 minutes.

Developed and manufactured in the UK, this test comes in a box – priced at £750 excluding VAT – that contains sufficient product for 25 tests (£30 per test). Take full advantage of this game-changing solution with the help of leading oral health specialist, Curaden. The team can support you with:

• High-quality PPE
• Educational resources
• Comprehensive training for your COVID-19 screening staff
• Creating a socially distanced screening area in your practice
• Reporting tools in the form of the BioSURE^® powered by PocDoc app

To order, please call 01480 862084, email info@curaprox.co.uk or visit www.curaprox.co.uk

The British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) will be joining forces with the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show to present a brand-new theatre at the 2021 event – The BAPD Private Dentistry Theatre.

Rachel Derby, BAPD Chair of Trade and Sponsorship, comments:

“The BAPD Private Dentistry Theatre will provide a platform for people to speak and be heard. We are planning to present a combination of practice-orientated lectures and debates, discussions and Q&A sessions. It will be highly interactive, with BAPD members offering their insights and advice, as well as creating an opportunity for others to explore both the benefits and challenges of modern private dentistry.”

If you are involved with the provision of private dentistry in any way, don’t miss the BAPD Private Dentistry Theatre at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2021.

The next British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show will be held on Friday 21^st and Saturday 22^nd May 2021, Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

For more information, visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com