No one likes mess! Intricate tasks are part-and-parcel of orthodontics, but clean, clear working can help make the entire treatment process more streamlined.

That’s where APC Flash-Free Adhesive from 3M Oral Care comes in.

When you are bonding brackets, use this and you will achieve faster treatment times, without any compromise to the end result.

With APC Flash-Free Adhesive you will still have strength and predictability but with more efficiency and far less mess. There is no need for flash clean-up and the risk of bacterial build-up is significantly reduced.

Work smarter, work cleaner with 3M.

For more information, call 0845 873 4066 or visit www.3m.co.uk/apcff

3M representatives remain contactable by phone or via video conferencing

3M and APC are trademarks of the 3M Company.

It may have been out of the headlines for much of 2020, but as the year crawled to a close, Brexit was back.

One of the key areas with regards to its impact on dentistry, is the matter of EU nationals working in practices across the UK – including anyone from dentists and other dental professionals, to receptionists, patient coordinators and cleaners. If you are a practice owner, you may be looking for clarity, whether you are wondering how the new rules could affect recruitment, or if you already have EU nationals employed within your business.

The new rules

Since 1 January 2021, EU nationals no longer have the automatic right to live and work in the UK. The new points-based immigration system means anyone wishing to work here must now reach at least 70 points in order apply for skilled work.

How does an applicant accumulate 70 points? They need to show that: they can speak English at the required level (10 points); they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor (20 points); the offer is at the required skill level (20 points) and that they will be paid either £25,600 p.a., or the “going rate” for that offer – whichever is higher (20 points).

If you have EU citizens in your employment on 31 December 2020, the new system will not apply to them. However, they must apply to the EU settlement scheme. If they have continuously been a resident in the UK for five years or more, they can apply for “settled status”; if it’s less than five years, “pre-settled status”.

As a business owner, are you obliged to assist them in their application? Well, no but it would be a good idea to send a reminder letter and ensure that they know where they can go for specific advice and support. There is also a wealth of information on the government’s website, both for you and any existing/prospective employees.

Outsource other tasks, for more time to focus

Always take advice from an employment law solicitor or consultant before acting. But
be assured that, with careful planning and by staying up to date, you can create a workforce that will keep your practice thriving. The right team means you can deliver a targeted, quality service and the new rules do not have to inhibit your success.

For smooth operations in the months ahead, as dentistry adapts to life outside the EU, look at where you could outsource. Payroll is one area where outsourcing will save money and time, leaving you free to focus on other areas of the business, including recruitment. Hand over payroll to experts, and you will get peace of mind that people will be paid on time and accurately, and that you will be fully compliant with HMRC’s regulations. Wagemate is a provider that will fully manage your payroll, including everything from BACS payments (perhaps not everyone is on the same payment schedule) to Auto Enrolment for pensions. You can get on with running your practice – including dealing with any issues that Brexit brings – knowing that payroll is in the hands of dedicated professionals.

Leaving the EU will affect who can work for you, because EU nationals no longer have the right to free movement within the UK. But dental practice owners, like all business owners, can take steps to mitigate any impact, by putting more efficient workflows in place. Outsourcing certain tasks is one way to do this, and outsourcing payroll is rarely not a good idea to ensure efficiency and compliance in a shifting landscape.

To better manage your payroll, contact payroll specialists Wagemate today,
tel: 03330 102102 or email info@wagemate.com

Author: Daniel Hull, Director – Wagemate Limited

“Money isn’t everything, but its right up there with oxygen”.

Staff are a business’s most important asset and peoples pay matters! Making sure employees are paid correctly, on time and have access to their pay information is one of the fundamentals to keeping staff happy. That is what we do and much more. My goal is to take away the stress of payroll away from as many people as possible, making sure staff are paid accurately and on time and by adding value, providing excellent service and plenty of convenience to our clients.

As a dental professional, you want to be confident that the oral healthcare solutions patients use are backed by science.

The ‘Perio plus’ product range is the outcome of over 20 years’ research and development, making it highly effective at combatting plaque and its associated complications. These solutions combine the benefits of chlorhexidine with those of Citrox^® – a natural bioflavonoid extracted from bitter oranges, featuring powerful anti-microbial properties.

Clinically proven to afford greater efficacy than chlorhexidine alone, clinicians can recommend ‘Perio plus’ with total peace-of-mind that its pleasant-tasting formula promotes supreme patient compliance and safely ensures optimal results.[1]

Explore the product range online today.

For more information please call 01480 862084, email info@curaprox.co.uk or visit www.perioplus.com/uk

[1] Malic, S., Emanuel, C., Lewis, M. A. O. and Williams, D. W. (2013) Antimicrobial activity of novel mouthrinses against planktonic cells and biofilms of pathogenic microorganisms. Microbiology Discovery. 1: 11.

At Colosseum Dental UK, we are always looking for opportunities to celebrate the amazing hard work and dedication of our people.

For International Women’s Day 2021, we will be marking the occasion by recognising and highlighting some of our female advocates throughout the business. With approximately 80% of our workforce being female, we have plenty of inspiring individuals to choose from! As part of the campaign, we will be sharing their stories and hoping to encourage more women to strive for the career of their dreams.

For anyone wanting to know about how Colosseum Dental UK could help them achieve their aspirations, give our friendly team a call today!

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

The BACD is proud to have appointed Dr Simon Chard as its next Vice President. The warmest of welcomes is also extended to Dr Christopher Leech as a newly elected Board of Directors member. Christopher joins a forward-thinking leadership body that has honoured Dr Sam Jethwa as well by re-electing him as Communications Director.

The Board remains committed to promoting the Academy and supporting its members with outstanding dental education, networking opportunities, trade collaborations, and much more. It is integral to the continued success of the BACD as a leading authority in cosmetic dentistry.

Congratulations to Simon, Christopher and Sam for their successful election to the Board!

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

We have seen Straumann^® become the powerhouse brand for dental implants in all our practices. The brand promotes confidence amongst our patients, thus making each implant enquiry a walk in the park.

Our CEO and Head Implantologist, Dr Zuber Bagasi, trains and mentors dentists with implants alongside a team of other mentors. Together as a group of clinics, we treat thousands of implant patients every year, with Straumann^® being one of our strongest brands of choice. As such, we are one of the largest providers of Straumann^® Implants across the North West. 

During the COVID19 pandemic, we have positively steered our ship in line with the ever-changing guidance given, bolstering our marketing efforts and becoming more online friendly. Patients were very quickly able to see dentists virtually and they stayed in touch with our team throughout lockdown. This meant when our doors officially reopened to the majority of patients, we were already several steps ahead to book them in to see our highly skilled dentists, especially for dental implant consultations.

Stepping away from the pandemic, implants have become extremely popular in all of our practices. Not all of this is down to our marketing efforts either. The dentists themselves have become very well-known and they established themselves quickly within the practices. Word-of-mouth is an effective marketing tool, so the abilities of our dentists together with the strength of the Straumann^® implant brand spread rapidly. We find that a lot of patients do plenty of research regarding which implants are the best quality – a bit like shopping around for a sports car. The deal clincher is often our dentists’ experience and the quality of care provided in all of our practices. 

There are three ingredients needed for any dental practice to succeed. Coinciding with our highly trained staff and dentists, we feel proud to have found 3 key pillars. Management, training and 13 years’ of tried and tested experience. Without this core, we feel we couldn’t offer brands such as Straumann^® so confidently across all of our practices.

So, what’s the final icing on the cake? JV, or Joint Ventures for those who don’t know yet. Here at Synergy Dental we have already built a successful dental group with huge amounts of success through teamwork and support. Dr Zuber Bagasi, Synergy Dental Group CEO, has made it possible to channel his 13 years of experience within the industry to help new and existing practice owners grow, whilst leaving you in full control of your business.

The system we use is called SynTrain, an accredited training platform that allows for unique, online training, as well as 1-to-1 mentorship for various roles across the clinical setting. Alongside our in-house departments such as Marketing, IT, Business Intelligence, accounts governance and training, we offer more to help your practice flourish with our very own business management software, called SynPro. In essence, you’ll have various teams within the group that will help you get a step closer to creating a well-oiled machine. It’s a tried and tested formula that has provided the perfect foundation for success over our 13 year, continuously growing tenure. 

With this in mind, it is essential that oral surgeons are not simply saving costs by employing a cheaper implant system or reducing their fees. It is essential to rely on skills developed through appropriate training and support and to be able to offer the premium implants systems such as those from Straumann^®. Many patients really appreciate the additional benefits that a system such as this can offer them. 

If you feel you could benefit from our Zuber’s experience and the level of clinical freedom we offer with our JV schemes, get in touch with one of our helpful representatives by filling out the form at the bottom of our ‘For Practice Owners’ page. We want to know more about you, your practice, and how we can plan for your next steps to success!

www.straumann.com/en/dental-professionals/products-and-solutions

Dr Peter Ziderman shares his thoughts on selling his dental practice through Dental Elite: 

“Although the bidding process was stressful, Luke Moore was in regular contact and provided good guidance throughout. In fact, the support Luke and my lawyer provided helped me decide to choose the offer that I accepted.

“The most challenging time of the sale was when I thought the buyer would pull out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the buyer’s FDD findings demonstrated a lower EBITDA but this was successful proved wrong by Dental Elite, who resisted any price reduction or alteration of terms on my behalf. This enabled a smoother progression to completion.”

For more information contact Dental Elite. Visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.uk or call 01788 545 900

Complex bone augmentation procedures are often stretched to their limits in cases of high-risk patients, poor compliance and extreme bone resorption. Zygoma dental implants offer both patients and clinicians an alternative if surgical intervention in the upper jaw is indicated.

The new SZ-75 handpiece has been developed by W&H in collaboration with leading Zygoma dental implantologists. It is specifically designed to enable ultra-safe Zygomatic dental implant surgery and placement, with an innovative chucking system that makes this contra-angle handpiece the only one of its kind.

Easy access to the treatment site

Zygoma implants are inserted into the zygomatic bone at a specific angle. It is crucial that the implant is accurately positioned to ensure success. The new W&H SZ-75 handpiece makes Zygomatic implant procedures easier to perform, as the ergonomic angulation of the instrument facilitates optimal access to the treatment site. This enables the clinician to work for extended periods of time with minimum risk of strain or fatigue.

Ultra-safe to use

Conventional surgical handpieces do not always clutch Zygoma implant burs securely. The SZ-75 from W&H is the world’s first 20:1 contra-angle handpiece to combat this issue with a unique chucking system that is optimised for Zygomatic dental implant surgery. This innovative solution makes the SZ-75 ultra-safe to use, whilst ensuring highly accurate concentricity during application. In addition, the handpiece can be used with standard dental implant burs and applied universally in surgery.

Efficient spray cooling

The new W&H Zygoma handpiece also features an external spray channel that expels coolant close to the tip of the instrument to ensure efficient cooling of the treatment site, thus eliminating the need for manual cooling.

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

These past 18 months or so, many dentists have had to step out of their comfort zones.
How you responded to a landscape that was suddenly reshaped by forces out of everyone’s control will depend on various factors and we have all moved forward in our own, unique way.

Maybe you saw an opportunity to adapt your practice. Even before 2020, dentistry was changing, and GDPs would have been aware of the growing need to embrace new ideas and different perspectives. We are seeing more skill-mix in practices, for example, also a greater focus on prevention and inceptive solutions, as well as more adult patients choosing to improve their smile with conservative restorative treatments and orthodontics.[i]

If you hadn’t yet explored ways to meet the challenges of modern dentistry – because of time, or because your “comfort zone” was a thriving practice that you didn’t feel the need to change – recent events have underlined how important it is to be willing to diversify and keep adding to your skills and experiences. Even if the present is going well, a dentist who is committed to ongoing learning will be prepared for the future, too. Learning keeps you inspired and motivated while ensuring you are able to meet patients’ expectations.

The key to professional and personal fulfilment

Is now a good time for GDPs to upskill? Yes! Whatever stage you’re at in your career, embarking on quality education and training is always fulfilling, on a professional and personal level. Be the dentist who can offer more and help more patients. Via ongoing learning, you’ll discover the latest techniques, how to deliver and when to use them. You can also engage with likeminded professionals who will grow your network and support you on your journey.

Patients will pay for dental treatment that is delivered efficiently, and that endures. A beautiful smile is what patients desire, but they also want one that looks natural. Modern restorative-orthodontic treatments also offer solutions to problems like tooth wear, of which we are seeing more cases, and which can lead to functional as well as aesthetic problems, if left unchecked. If you are able to offer these treatments, this is immensely satisfying, not least because of the range of issues you will now be able to solve. You will be constantly challenged and will evolve as a clinician, using the cutting-edge techniques, materials and equipment that put you ahead of the curve.

Not all learning is equal

Quality training is the route to quality dentistry, so seek out the very best. As well as comprehensive, relevant content, look for options that include mentoring. This means you’ll become connected to a dynamic community, rather than simply to a training provider. Professionals who are experienced in the field can not only offer guidance, but will also be able to advise if a case is beyond your current competency. Dental treatment must always be safe and correct; avoiding a complaint, or worse, is a priority. But don’t let the fear of complaints stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone either as the best programmes will give you the confidence to deliver appropriate treatment for every patient.

The ability to offer a minimally invasive solution, which preserves the integrity of the tooth or teeth, is the gold-standard of modern dentistry. This is one reason why adult orthodontics has grown in popularity – it offers a conservative alternative to something like veneers, with stunning results. Or maybe your patient hadn’t considered orthodontics – if you are able to wax lyrical about why it could be right for them, because you have knowledge of the benefits and can assure them you have the level of skill needed for a successful outcome, this will encourage acceptance.

For learning that will allow you to meet the highest clinical requirements, your patients’ expectations and engage you with a dynamic community of professionals, consider joining IAS Academy. The Academy is well-established and offers exceptional education and training whether you’re a beginner to orthodontic-restorative dentistry, or you are on a more advanced pathway. With membership, you will get savings on courses and ongoing mentoring from leading clinicians, guiding you from diagnosis, to treatment planning and execution. Support is constant too, thanks to an innovative online portal.

With so much uncertainty, now is the time to learn, to expand your skill set, your treatment repertoire and your network. Dentistry has always been a progressive industry, but the day-to-day demands of working in a busy practice sometimes make it hard to step back, assess and consider a different focus. A dentist who can provide world-class orthodontics and restorative treatment, that is safe, ethical, successful and beautiful will be able to solve a range of issues and will always be in demand. To stay motivated and inspired, focussed on patient satisfaction and a fulfilling future, a commitment to learning is key.

For more information on IAS Academy membership and upcoming training courses, please visit www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)

[i] British Orthodontic Society. News and Events. New British Orthodontic Society survey reveals the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment in the UK remains high, August 2019. Link: https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/News (accessed October 2020).

Do your patients find string floss tricky to use?

Do they find interdental brushes uncomfortable?

Recommend the gentle but effective Waterpik^® Water Flosser!

This outstanding device uses a combination of water pressure and pulsations to clean deep between the teeth and below the gumline.

The Waterpik^® Water Flosser is clinically proven to be more effective than traditional brushing and flossing for improving gum health[i] and your patients will find it much quicker and easier to use.

Check out Waterpik^® now.

For more information on Waterpik^® products please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik^® products are available from Amazon, Asda, Costco UK, Argos, Boots Superdrug online and in stores across the UK and Ireland. 

To book a free Waterpik^® Professional Lunch and Learn – available as a webinar or in-person where it is safe to do so – visit www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/

^[i] Barnes C.M et al. Comparison of irrigation to floss as an adjunct to tooth brushing: effect on bleeding, gingivitis, and supragingival plaque. J Clin Dent. 2005;16(3):71-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16305005/ [Accessed 2^nd November 2020]