One of the many joys of modern dentistry is the plethora of clinical solutions now available to help clinicians deliver exceptional patient care in various different situations. As a rapidly developing field, dental implantology constantly welcomes new ideas, concepts and technologies. Each solution is designed to combat everyday challenges, to improve treatment results and enhance predictability of procedures in even the most complex of cases. For dental practitioners, emerging treatments, materials and techniques help to create new and innovative management therapies for patients with dental implants. In turn, clinicians can ensure they continue to utilise the very latest concepts in implant dentistry to deliver successful outcomes every time.

Of course, while innovation is a key pillar of dental implantology today, it remains crucial to only use techniques and products that are evidence-based and proven to be safe and effective. As new philosophies emerge, it is important to evaluate their merits and explore potential indications with peers and subject specialists.

That is what the ADI Team Congress 2021 will be all about. Entitled “The Great Debate: Current Dilemmas in Dental Implantology”, the event will provide the perfect opportunity for all members of the dental team involved with the management of dental implants to come together, share insights and develop as a profession. It will present an array of world-class speakers who are at the cutting-edge of the field, each bringing their own ideas, perspectives and experiences to the fore. A wealth of information and practical advice will be provided to delegates on a wide range of new and exciting topics relating to dental implantology.

Robert Oretti will be among the highly esteemed speakers at the event. He is a post graduate tutor for the Thames valley deanery, a mentor and faculty educator for the ADI (Association of Dental Implantology), a mentor and international speaker for the ITI (International team of Implantologists), a Royal College of Surgeons examiner for both the implant diploma (RCS Edin), as well as the Membership in Advanced General Dental Surgery (MAGDS RCS Edin), and was the president of BAAD (British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry) 2018-2020

Discussing the session he plans to present next May, Robert comments:

“My presentation will focus on a selected case for an interactive treatment planning session. The chosen case will be a challenging scenario that demonstrates how several different clinical approaches could be utilised to deliver an excellent outcome.

“The case will initially be presented to the expert panel of moderators and the audience to stimulate discussion about the treatment approaches that could be utilised in this particular situation. This will encourage debate about the best options currently available in the profession, before the definitive treatment plan is presented.

“This promises to be an exciting and highly interactive session to help clinicians analyse challenging cases and to learn from how the speakers and expert panel members would approach the case. This should prove to be an involving format for delegates to enjoy, generating discussion and offering insight into how challenging cases can be treated.”

The comprehensive educational programme at the ADI Team Congress 2021 will be supported by a major trade exhibition. Various manufacturers and suppliers of dental implant related products, materials, technologies and services will be on hand to provide demonstrations and answer any questions that delegates may have about the state-of-the-art solutions explored in sessions. 

In addition, like many ADI events, the ADI Team Congress is well-known for its sensational social programme. The Congress Dinner on Saturday night will be no different, offering a chance for delegates, speakers and trade representatives alike to relax and enjoy a fun-filled evening at the end of the Congress.

Robert adds:

“The ADI has created a very stimulating Team Congress for the whole dental team. As such, this is the one conference not to be missed.”

To ensure that you and your team don’t miss out, book your places for the ADI Team Congress 2021 online today.

ADI Team Congress 2021

“The Great Debate”

6-8 May 2021, Manchester Central

www.adi.org.uk/events

ADI members can attend the ADI Team Congress for discounted rates. Join today.

www.adi.org.uk/congress21

Michaela O’Neill – a highly experienced dental hygienist and Past President of the BSDHT – will be speaking as part of the Team Programme at the ADI Team Congress 2021. She will be joining the debate about whether skill mix is safe and how practice teams can best utilise the benefits available.

She says:

“I believe skill mix can be utilised differently today compared to how we approached it pre-pandemic. There is a huge push on prevention right now, which is definitely one of the strengths of a dental hygienist/therapist. The fact that oral health education can be delivered virtually provides a new way for dental hygienists/therapists to utilise their skills. I think DCPs need to have more confidence in their abilities and speak up.”

Encouraging dental hygienists and dental therapists to attend the ADI Team Congress, Michaela adds:

“Dental implants are commonplace now in every practice. Over the past few years, the importance of optimal oral hygiene to maintain these has been a constant drum beat within the profession. It is imperative to attend an event like this to develop and update our skills. I also believe the best way to stay motivated in practice is to learn more and mix with enthusiastic colleagues. It renews your passion and keeps you at the top of your game.”

ADI Team Congress 2021

“The Great Debate”

6-8 May 2021, Manchester Central

ADI members will be able to attend the ADI Team Congress for discounted rates. Join today.

www.adi.org.uk/congress21

Should your patient require full arch rehabilitation that you are unable to deliver in-house, it is important to refer them to a team you can trust to ensure the highest clinical standards.

The NeoArch^® Centres, supported by Neodent^®, have all demonstrated exceptional treatment outcomes in full arch restoration cases. They are dedicated to advanced professional training, use only the very latest, evidence-based techniques, and invest in cutting-edge technologies and materials.

That’s why they utilise the Neodent^® NeoArch^® system, which facilitates shorter treatment times while enhancing patient quality of life by effectively restoring both function and aesthetics.[i] It uses the Helix GM^® dental implants that promote flexibility of treatment to ensure high primary stability in all bone types.[ii]

NeoArch^® Centres may also use digital solutions alongside the implant system to maximise predictability and accuracy of every single treatment.

To find your nearest Centre, or for more information, contact the friendly team today.

For more information, please visit https: www.neodent-uk.co/neoarch 

[i] Babbush CA. Post treatment quantification of patient experiences with full-arch implant treatment using a modification of the OHIP-14 questionnaire. J Oral Implantol. 2012 Jun;38(3):251-60.

[ii] Steigenga J, Al-Shammari K, Misch C, Nociti FH Jr, Wang HL. Effects of implant thread geometry on percentage of osseointegration and resistance to reverse torque in the tibia of rabbits. J Periodontol. 2004;75(9):1233-41.

Dr Erika Spyer from Smile Solutions, London, has used products from 3M Oral Care for several years. Here, she reviews the new 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement:

“The new syringe design is sleek and simple to use. I love the fact that it does not require a lid and the application tip is magnificent!

“Compared to previous products, this latest version features a better syringe design and leads to less waste of material.

“It also works really well with the new Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive, which is just as easy to apply when following the simple steps. I would recommend RelyX Universal Resin Cement to colleagues.”

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.

3M, RelyX and Scotchbond are trademarks of the 3M Company.

The average person spends around 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime. Making those hours as positive, enjoyable and rewarding as possible is therefore crucial for happiness and quality of life. That’s why we are working hard to constantly improve the working environment for all our practice team members at Colosseum Dental UK.

We are always speaking to our people to find out exactly what they value most and how we can continue to improve what we offer. As such, we understand that the following are some of the most important areas to our people, which is why we remain committed to supporting each and every one.

Quality first

Of course, in order to enjoy your work, it’s important that you have confidence in the quality of patient care your team is able to deliver. That’s why we are committed to maintaining exceptional clinical environments, with state-of-the-art facilities, an array of quality materials and meticulous protocols designed to keep you and your patients even safer in this new world we find ourselves in. We also have a Clinical Care Board to oversee and support clinical excellence and provide the highest standard of clinical governance for total peace of mind.

Potential to grow

For those at all stages in their careers, the potential to grow and develop is crucial for continual career progression and job satisfaction. To support this personal and professional growth, we offer an array of training and educational opportunities for all members of our practice teams. We actively encourage individuals to take the next step, expand their capabilities and broaden their horizons with additional skills, new experiences and different role responsibilities. We are also keen to recognise and reward their advanced skills and remunerate them accordingly.

A valued member of the team

Even before all the challenges faced by dental professionals post-pandemic, dentistry could be a stressful occupation. The pressure to meet patient expectations, time restrictions, CPD commitments, volume of patients and administrative tasks all contributed to a busy workload. At Colosseum Dental UK, we do our best to alleviate potential stress points by taking responsibility of much of the paperwork, creating productive working environments and delivering the support that individuals need to care for their patients. We have also always recognised and appreciated the hard work and dedication of our practice teams.

We really value each and every person within our clinics and our operational team. We also care about what they have to say – we actively seek out feedback, ideas and suggestions from all members of our practice teams to help us build an even greater place for them to work and for our patients to receive first-class dental care. 

Proof is in the pudding

We are just as proud to receive positive feedback so that we know what we are doing well and what our people like the most. Bryony, for example, recently started at Manor Dental Clinic as a practice manager, and said:

“I joined Colosseum in February this year and it was the best decision I could have made – I have never felt so welcome! I have been supported in all aspects of my role from the get-go and I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I feel respected and listened to, I have the best team around me at the practice and I am part of an amazing team of leaders. Working with Colosseum is about being part of the family, being supported and championed for being you and working hard to deliver the best patient care. I have found working here really rewarding and I know that I am helping to make a difference to the care and support patients receive. It is an absolute pleasure to work for Colosseum Dental.”

Kindly commenting in a similar vein, a new dentist to the group added:

“In the interview stages I was impressed by the professionalism of the members of the team that I interacted with. They were all very friendly, reassuringly supportive and thorough. The group vision also resonated well with my future aspirations. I am looking forward to a sustainable development of my career within the group.”

Investing in you

At Colosseum Dental UK, we are all about investing in our people and ensuring they have a great place to work. If you enjoy what you do and where you do it, it will be easier to deliver exceptional patient care, which is the end goal for us all. If you’d like to know more, check out our website.

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

World AIDS Day on 1st December is a widely recognised international health day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It also presents a chance to celebrate successes such as increased access to treatment and prevention services for these diseases.[i]

Dental professionals will be aware that HIV is a virus that leads to immune deficiency in humans. There is no vaccine or cure, yet there is effective treatment available to control the virus, support the immune system and extend life. Over the last decade, incidence of HIV has greatly reduced and, due to new medication and combination therapy, many individuals have been able to achieve undetectable levels of HIV viral load, which significantly minimises the chances of transmission. Nevertheless, HIV is still a serious health concern. In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 14 people living with HIV do not know they have the virus and can therefore pass it on. Furthermore, over 4,300 new cases are diagnosed each year. [ii]

Obviously, the mission is to prevent new infections with a target to achieve zero HIV transmissions by 2030. But for now, dental professionals still have a vital role to play in early detection. By recognising the oral manifestations that may relate to HIV infection, clinicians are able to refer patients to appropriate care provision for prompt treatment and better health outcomes.[iii] Oral lesions are among the earliest clinical signs of HIV and are important indicators in the detection of infection, for prediction of viral infection progress and the progression to AIDS.[iv] They are observed in 79-90 percent of HIV positive patients during different stages of the disease and lesions strongly associated with HIV infection include:

• Candidiasis – Erythematous – Pseudomembranous
• Hairy leukoplakia
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Periodontal disease – Linear gingival erythema – Necrotizing (ulcerative) gingivitis – Necrotizing (ulcerative) periodontitis[v]

As well as detecting symptoms that may be related to HIV, the dental team are also crucial for providing the comprehensive care required to help HIV patients maintain their health and quality of life. People with HIV/AIDS have an increased risk for oral health problems as the disease compromises the immune system and makes it harder for the body to fight off opportunistic infections. In addition, due to the side effects of medication or treatment, these patients commonly experience oral changes that not only cause discomfort, but may also lead to difficulties with eating or sleeping. For example, some drugs cause taste changes, resulting in loss of appetite or alterations to food choices and eating patterns, which, in turn, can weaken the body’s ability to cope with the virus and affect the patient’s overall health. Some anti-HIV drugs can also decrease the production of saliva, making the mouth dry and more vulnerable to bacteria. Consequently, the patient is at increased risk of developing tooth decay and periodontitis. Dental problems such a tooth decay and gum disease also have the potential to change the patient’s appearance and affect their self-esteem. Fortunately, dental professionals are ideally placed to help these patients by increasing oral hygiene awareness and making sure that those diagnosed with HIV have the support and knowledge they need to prevent further complications.

Dental hygienists and dental therapists are fighting viruses and bacteria on a daily basis and need to continually update their knowledge through education. The British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy (BSDHT) provides its members with the highest level of information, research and development opportunities to help maintain the very best level of patient care.

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

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

[i] World Health Organisation. World AIDS Day. 1 December. https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/communicable-diseases/hivaids/world-aids-day [Accessed 21st September 2020]

[ii] National AIDS Trust. HIV in the UK Statistics – 2018. https://www.nat.org.uk/we-inform/HIV-statistics/UK-statistics [Accessed 21st September 2020]

[iii] Reznik D.A. et al. Managing dental patients with HIV. Journal of Multidisciplinary Care. Decisions in Dentistry. Dec 1 2015.  https://decisionsindentistry.com/article/managing-dental-patients-with-hiv/ [Accessed 21^st September 2020]

[iv] Pakfetrat A. et al. Oral manifestations of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients. Iran J. Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 Jan: 27(78):43-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4344974/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20result%20of,ulcer%20(4%2C5). [Accessed 21^st September 2020]

[v] Vaseliu N et al. Oral manifestations of HIV infection. Texas Children’s Hosptical. Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative. https://bipai.org/sites/bipai/files/13-Oral-Manifestations.pdf [Accessed 21st September 2020]