Month: June 2021

Waterpik Water Flosser now available from Tesco

Making it even easier for your patients to benefit from the number 1 selling Water Flosser brand worldwide, the Waterpik Water Flosser is now available from Tesco. Patients can order online (>https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/308847990<), or find the innovative product on the shelves across the UK. 

The Waterpik Water Flosser has more than 80 scientific research papers supporting its efficiency and effectiveness in supporting oral hygiene, each one giving you more confidence in recommending it to your patients. There are various models available, including countertop and cordless solutions, as well as several different tips. This ensures there is a suitable option for a wide range of patients, regardless of whether they have orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges or implants, or they are being treated for periodontal disease.

Now more accessible than ever, let your patients know they can elevate their oral hygiene with a Waterpik Water Flosser from their local Tesco retailer!

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

Join one of the 3k dental professionals who have already benefiting from a free Waterpik® professional Lunch and Learn – book yours today to gain 1 hour of verifiable CPD and a free WaterpikÒ Water Flosser – available either face to face or as a webinar – at www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/ 

Christie & Co’s mid-year review finds dental market has bounced back

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has today released its mid year review of the dental market so far in 2021, which analyses market activity and reveals a positive bounce back to pre-Covid market levels.

The first quarter in 2021 saw a glut of deals carried forward from 2020. Increased buyer confidence and the threat of a rise in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget contributed to a record volume and value of deals completing in a short period of time. Moving through 2021, deal volumes are returning to pre-Covid levels, but the likelihood of CGT rises in the Autumn Budget could place another artificial deadline for completions leading to a spike in September and October. 

Pricing and deal terms have returned to pre-Covid levels, and multiple offers are coming in on higher-quality practices. But, with demand continuing to outstrip supply in most segments the lack of new opportunities coming onto the open market is leading to premium prices being achieved for many practice types. This also means that competition for practices remains fierce, with multiple offers on practices being commonplace. Christie & Co agreed offers with an aggregate value of £200 million during Q4 2020 and Q1 2021 and received an average of three offers per practice.

There is limited evidence of distress in the dental sector despite the pandemic, however, smaller practices have inevitably found it more difficult to adapt to the new operating procedures. There is evidence of price inflation for larger practices, and it is likely that corporate buyers will continue to bid aggressively for such businesses.


Christie & Co has seen an increased number of buyers coming into the market; both established dental companies who had put their expansion plans on hold in 2020, and new market entrants who have been encouraged by the positive way that dentistry adapted to the post-lockdown trading environment. Christie & Co highlights an emerging trend from buyers, particularly corporate and dental groups, becoming more entrepreneurial in how they treat ‘deferred consideration’ in the sale of larger private practices. This is aimed at aligning the financial interests of buyer and seller after completion for a defined period, not just to tie in the seller but to incentivise the business to grow under new ownership and to share in that upside. There is evidence now of a number of new buyers coming to the market offering this alternative to the traditional structure. 

Deal structures briefly adjusted in mid-2020, with buyers looking to defer part of the proceeds as a result of the perceived increase in risk. However, the quick recovery in the income of most dental businesses has boosted confidence, and deal structures are now broadly similar to before the pandemic.

 

Bank lending has also returned to near normal levels, encouraged by the strong trading conditions that many, particularly in the private sector, have experienced especially in the last six months of 2020. Despite a prior nervousness to lend to first-time buyers, banks in England are generally supportive of the dental market – which has fared well through the pandemic – and a number of challenger banks are coming into the market which is positive for those wanting to acquire. Banks in Scotland are also very keen to lend, which is encouraging for those wanting to dip their toe in practice ownership.

The review report concludes with a look ahead to the remainder of 2021. Christie & Co predicts that NHS reforms in England are on the horizon. The contract reform programme in Wales might point the way to a capitation-based system, as Scotland has been for years, however, whether these are workable in England given the access issues experienced through the pilots and prototypes, is another question. Additionally, Average Earning Payments from NHS Scotland are due to end in July which, due to fewer rules and restrictions, will make transacting easier.

Paul Graham, Head of Dental at Christie & Co, comments, “The market has rebounded incredibly well and, whilst the profession is still experiencing some operational challenges, this hasn’t hindered the appetite coming from investors looking to acquire. Practice owners looking to sell their business can be confident of pre-Covid demand.”

To read the full mid year review, click here: https://www.christie.com/news-resources/publications/june-2021/Dental-Mid-Year-Review-2021

Primescan supports optimal infection control

Enhance the treatment experience for patients with the cutting-edge Primescan intraoral scanner from Clark Dental. It is equipped with a Smart Pixel Sensor and dynamic depth scan technology, enabling it to capture high-quality images within seconds.

Primescan is also optimised to support your infection control protocols. It features a compact Acquisition Centre with smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces, and a sleek touch interface that facilitates improved standards of decontamination compared to a traditional keyboard.

Additionally, Primescan offers a choice of hygienic sleeves, including single-use sleeves, an autoclavable sleeve with a disposable window, and a stainless-steel sleeve that can be effectively wipe disinfected or dry heat sterilised.

 

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

Dr Asif Chatoo: ‘A named clinician must be central to orthodontic care’

Knowing the name of the clinician who provides your orthodontic treatment should be a fundamental right says Dr Asif Chatoo, an orthodontist who founded the first clinic in the UK dedicated to lingual orthodontics.

His comments are made following publication of a statement from dental regulator the General Dental Council as well as the 2020 review Dental Complaints Service (DCS) which highlight the worrying growth in “direct-to-consumer” orthodontics.

The DCS annual report reveals that the majority of complaints by patients in 2020 related to perceived failure of treatment (85%) with most arising from treatment with removable orthodontic appliances. Of concern to Dr Chatoo is that a case study in the report reveals the patient did not know the full name of the clinician who wrote their treatment plan. This meant that they had no-one to turn to with their concerns or questions about their treatment.

The case study described how following treatment the patient complained to the company who provided the aligners because they could see no difference in their teeth. Initially the company would only offer another course of treatment involving a second finance plan. Fortunately, the DCS intervened and the company cancelled the finance agreement with the patient who declined a second course of “remote” orthodontic treatment.

Said Dr Chatoo: “Several things about this case study concern me. I am shocked that the initially the company declined to share the name of the clinician who provided the treatment plan. Without the intervention of the DCS, the patient would not have had a refund and their credit rating might have been jeopardised due to the finance agreement not being cancelled. This highlights the risk of an arrangement with an online company as opposed to with an individual clinician or practice.”

In its statement issued last month, the GDC stresses that patients must know the full name of the dental professional responsible for their treatment and be able to make direct contact with that person if they should need to.

Dr Chatoo, who has written a blog  https://www.londonlingualbraces.com/for-patients/orthodontics-must-include-communication-clinician/)

about ‘remote orthodontics’ said: “I am glad that the GDC and the DCS have highlighted the questions patients need to ask before they order aligners online. For all patients, knowing the name of your clinician should be a right.

“Communication between clinician and patient is critical to the provision of orthodontics and must not be lost in the rush to embrace innovation and remote technology.”

The Dental Complaints Service 2020 report can be found here: https://dcs.gdc-uk.org/about/publications

Medenta Finance grows its lending panel

Medenta Finance has appointed a new broker to its panel following a surge in demand for dental patient finance.

Following a significant increase in the number of requests for finance since the turn of the year, the company has appointed V12 Retail Finance as a broker on its panel of lenders from this month.

V12 – a subsidiary of Secure Trust Bank PLC – joins Wesleyan Bank on that panel and brings a wealth of experience in point-of-sale finance in the dental and other retail sectors.

Richard Scarborough, Head of Medenta, said: “This is clearly a very busy time for the industry and having V12 Retail Finance on board alongside Wesleyan Bank will really help us support dental practices, and provide more affordable ways for patients to pay for their treatment.

“Adding V12 as a lending partner also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to support the needs of the profession, especially as more and more dental patients request treatment plans.”

Andrew Phillips, Sales Director at V12 Retail Finance, added: “We’re very pleased to partner with Medenta to provide an alternative finance option within the dental sector. We know that our streamlined practice on-boarding process, straightforward patient journey and product offering will be a great fit with Medenta, and we look forward to helping Medenta meet the demands within this sector”.

‘No job is too small’

Dr Avik Dandapat worked with Clark Dental to relocate his existing dental equipment and install new dental cabinetry within his practice.

“I sourced my cabinetry from Clark Dental because of the team’s excellent customer support,” he says. “The features of the cabinetry I find valuable include its aesthetics, ergonomics and ease of cleaning. My practice staff certainly love the new cabinetry.

“The overall service provided by Clark Dental was fantastic – no job is too small for the team. They relocated my existing equipment with precision and efficiency. As such, I would not hesitate to recommend them, especially as they also provided 2D and 3D surgery designs for my project.” 

 

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

Becoming a modern, multidisciplinary GDP

With the dental industry’s ever-shifting landscape, we know that great dentistry requires continual learning – whether it be refreshing what you learned at the beginning of your training journey, or developing a new skill. A multidisciplinary approach to dentistry, always within the boundaries of personal competencies and confidence, carries a number of advantages for you, your patients, and your practice.

As an example, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment in the UK is continuing to rise[i], and so it makes for a smart move for GDPs to meet this growing demand and enhance their technical skills accordingly.

As such, if you are a GDP thinking of offering restorative and orthodontic treatment in your practice, there are several benefits to branching out and investing in a broader skillset to become a more versatile clinician for the modern age.

Benefiting you: a bigger picture

Developing your clinical expertise can be highly rewarding for the ambitious GDP. With care taken to invest in high-quality training and expert support, GDPs can deliver successful orthodontic treatment in simple to moderate cases to help patients achieve their desired result, while eliminating a sometimes-lengthy referral process.

A broader perspective on modern treatment options will also help provide GDPs with several procedures to choose from when recommending suitable options to patients. It can also give them confidence to select the best solution for optimal results.

It’s also worth highlighting that being able to deliver orthodontics to patients helps to diversify a GDP’s daily routine – no doubt bringing greater job satisfaction and reinforcing a passion for the profession.

Benefiting your patients: quality care

Providing patients with the outcomes that they want is what dental professionals ultimately strive for. GDPs being able to carry out orthodontic treatment themselves is a win for both them and their patients.

Continuity of care can be a big contributor to overall patient satisfaction. By having the same clinician throughout the treatment process and beyond can help build on the all-important patient-practitioner relationship and be hugely comforting for the patient.

Having a well-rounded knowledge of orthodontics also frequently means the modern GDP can offer a less invasive alternative to restorative solutions like full-prep veneers – enabling the maximum preservation of natural tooth structure, while still achieving the aesthetic transformation that patients seek.

It is, of course, always important for GDPs to identify those cases beyond their scope and refer patients to an appropriate specialist for safe, comprehensive treatment wherever necessary to maintain the highest levels of patient care.

Benefiting your practice: growth

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the percentage of UK adults seeking orthodontic treatment is increasing, and so with the right training and support, this is something that GDPs can capitalise on to grow their practices.

When thinking about expanding your capabilities, it is advisable to take a look at the dental industry through a wide lens and consider the treatments that are popular and profitable, both now and in the years ahead. It is also essential to take a step back and examine the individual competencies of you and your team, the facilities at your practice and your patient demographic – will providing orthodontic treatments, for example, be a good, profitable fit for your practice?                                                                                                                                      

It should be noted that short-term financial success should not be the main driving force behind the business, and delivering successful, ethical patient treatment should remain the top priority.

Training to be the full package

So, where do you go for comprehensive training that provides the safe and effective development of your skills? IAS Academy is offering a new training course for GDPs looking to establish and advance their skills in orthodontics and restorative dentistry. The Complete GDP teaches dentists how to examine, diagnose, and treat every patient over three comprehensive two-day modules.

These courses provide the framework to ensure each patient case, whether simple or complex, is treated appropriately and ethically to achieve biologically stable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing results. The training is primarily delivered with a hands-on approach which helps to solidify the skills taught on a wide range of restorative and orthodontic concepts.

 

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

 

Author: Dr Tif Qureshi founder and a clinical director of IAS Academy, qualified from Kings College London in 1992. He is a Past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an International faculty that provides mentored education for general dentists on a pathway from appropriate simple to comprehensive orthodontics.

 

[i] New British Orthodontic Society survey reveals the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment in the UK remains high. British Orthodontic Society. Available at: https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/News [Last accessed 19.04.2021]

New Vice Deans of FGDP and Vice Presidents-Elect of CGDent

Roshni Karia and Tashfeen Kholasi have been elected as the next Vice Deans of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP), and will become the first Vice Presidents of the College of General Dentistry (CGDent).

Roshni Karia MFGDP(UK) qualified from King’s College London in 2010, and works in Surrey as an associate dentist in general dental practice. After developing a special interest in periodontics, she completed an enhanced two-year postgraduate study programme and is now also a clinical tutor in periodontology at King’s.

Roshni Karia

After joining the Faculty in 2012 and completing the MJDF, she joined the FGDP Board as an Early Career Representative in 2015.  She was elected as a full member of the Board in 2017 to represent the South East and South West Thames membership divisions, and re-elected for a further three years in 2020. Currently Chair of the Education and Qualifications Committee and previously Chair of the Membership Affairs Committee, she is also the Faculty’s representative on Public Health England’s Children’s Oral Health Improvement Board. From 2019-20 she was Junior Vice Dean of the Faculty, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the post, and at 34 will now become the Faculty’s youngest ever Senior Vice Dean.

Tashfeen Kholasi

Tashfeen Kholasi MFGDP(UK) is an associate dentist and Chief Clinical Information Officer in general dental practice, as well as a Clinical Tutor in Special Care & Sedation at King’s College London, from where she qualified, and a health informatics clinical lead at NHS Digital. She has worked in a range of roles in primary care referral services and in secondary care, and as a Fellow in Clinical Leadership at Health Education England. With a strong in interest in digital health, she has a BSc in Computer Science & Maths, is a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics, was Clinical Lead for Digital Dentistry at NHS England and obtained her diploma in Digital Leadership from the NHS Digital Academy. She has a Diploma in Conscious Sedation and a Master’s in Legal Aspects of Medical Practice, and is currently completing Master’s in Healthcare Leadership & Commissioning. She joined the Faculty in 2012, served as an examiner for the MJDF, and was elected to the FGDP(UK) Board in 2020 to represent the Faculty’s North East and North West Thames divisions.

Succeeding Onkar Dhanoya FFGDP(UK) and Susan Nelson MFGDP(UK), the new Vice Deans were elected by the Board for one-year terms, most of which will be served as Vice Presidents of CGDent following the transfer of the Faculty into the new organisation next month.

Abhi Pal FFGDP(UK), FGDP’s new Dean and President-Elect of CGDent, said: “On behalf of all members of FGDP and CGDent, I congratulate Roshni and Tashfeen on their election as Vice Deans and future Vice Presidents. I look forward to working with them over this critical period as we seek to build on the achievements of the FGDP(UK),  developing our new College of General Dentistry with enhanced services and benefits to meet the needs of general dental professionals and their patients.

“I would also like to thank Onkar and Susan for their service as Vice Deans during a year of unprecedented and unanticipated challenge for our profession, and I am delighted that they will continue to serve on the FGDP Board and CGDent Council.”

Quality products for well over a decade

“LM Perio instruments provide the quality I need to do my job effectively as a dental hygienist and therapist, which in turn leads to a better patient experience.”

Amy Hayes, a dental hygienist and therapist from Warwickshire, has used the LM Perio instruments for the past 14 years. She continues:

“I have stayed with this brand for so long for several reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, they are very high-quality instruments that do their job effectively.

“The handles are the next biggest draw. They are comfortable, ergonomic and long-lasting – even 10 years later they don’t discolour, chip or look tired, like other products can. They don’t break easily and patients can see that we use quality products.

“In addition, the range of instruments offers everything I need – I needn’t go elsewhere for any reason.

“We order our LM Perio instruments through J&S Davis, who have been absolutely fantastic. Some of the other equipment suppliers have taken advantage of the pandemic and increased prices. However, J&S Davis has not – they have even offered discounts and special offers to help us purchase the equipment we need now more than ever before. They have only made life easier for us and this is truly appreciated.”

 

For more information on the industry-leading products available from J&S Davis, visit www.js-davis.co.uk, call 01438 747 344 or email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk

Dental Elite to present as part of this year’s National Dental Seminars

A selection of the highly knowledgeable team from Dental Elite will be presenting as part of this year’s National Dental Seminars, discussing “Buying & Selling Dental Practices in a Post Pandemic World – The Experts Discuss”.

They will utilise their several decades of combined experience to offer an array of industry information and practical advice to help delegates navigate the post-Covid dental practice sales market. Everything from the impact on practice value to how different structures will affect legal and financial conditions, as well as the latest emerging trends they are seeing first-hand.

If you are thinking about selling your practice in the next couple of years, or you just want to know more about the current dental landscape, tune in to the virtual National Dental Seminars, July 28th.

For details and to register, please visit https://nationaldentalseminars.com/