Patients are increasingly on the lookout for what does good and feels good, rejecting harsh chemicals and animal-based products in favour of plant-power and herbal heroes. BE YOU gentle whitening toothpaste from Curaprox is the natural partner to their toothbrush – making them feel great inside and out.

Saying no to microplastics, Triclosan, SLS, and animal products, BE YOU celebrates herbal healing and promotes vegan vibes for those looking to bring pure joy to their day-to-day brushing. Chemical nasties give way to the power of glucose oxidase – an enzyme so natural that bees use it to keep germs away from their honey.

In this kind but mighty toothpaste, herbs and natural ingredients such as extracts of echinacea, bitter orange, devil’s claw and Indian pennywort, combine beautifully to nourish the mouth’s tissue and help stop inflammation.

Available in six zesty, fresh flavours and in a collection of funky colours, let your patients try the power of plants in BE YOU toothpaste today.

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

It’s almost time for the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) to host their flagship event – the Oral Health Conference (OHC)!

Following last year’s online format, this year sees the return of the live event structure, with the Society welcoming dental hygienists, dental therapists and students of the profession to enjoy the show at the SEC in Glasgow on November 26-27.

But what can you expect from this year’s event?

Expand your skills and embrace new possibilities

The theme of the OHC 2021 is “See and Be Seen – putting the spotlight on dental hygienists and dental therapists”. This was chosen to highlight not only the vast array of skills and responsibilities that fall under the profession’s scope of practice, but also to encourage individuals to think of ways to make the profession more visible in the industry and beyond.

The theme has also been chosen to inspire delegates to think outside the box, embrace opportunities and expand in their careers. As such, each of the sessions has been chosen to give delegates a more holistic view of the profession as a whole, with many of the lectures showcasing the different paths available to all.

One of the first sessions of the OHC this year will encapsulate the core message behind the event. Entitled “SEE- Skills, Engagement, Evolve” the lecture includes three short presentations to motivate delegates for the rest of the show by giving them a taster of what’s on offer.

Engaging sessions from industry experts

At the very heart of the OHC is always the incredible line-up of speaker sessions headed by industry experts from across the nation.

These sessions will cover a vast range of highly pertinent topics, including paediatric dentistry in the modern age, minimum intervention caries management, the facts and myths about prescribing and interpreting radiographs and much, much more.

Across the two days, delegates will also have a choice of numerous parallel sessions. This allows attendees to tailor their experience at the show, choosing the topics that most appeal to them and their areas of interest. Much like the other sessions on offer, the subjects explored in these parallel sessions are varied and highly relevant in the industry. From more clinical subjects such as a closer look at oral soft tissue abnormalities, to ideas applicable for everyone’s professional journey and a look at sustainability and growth, there’s something for all.

Coinciding with the parallel sessions are hands-on workshops that give delegates the opportunity to get involved, learn new practical skills and see some of the cutting-edge technologies in the market first-hand. These are an excellent opportunity for those who prefer a more practical approach to learning!

There are up to 12 hours of Enhanced CPD available for all delegates by attending these lectures.

The poster competition returns!

An annual part of the OHC that always generates a lot of interest is the annual poster competition. This part of the show presents the research that has been submitted by professionals in a poster format and gives awards to those who have created exceptional educational resources for others in the industry. These posters will be available to view before and throughout the show, with the awards ceremony planned for the afternoon of the first day. This will coincide with the Student of the Year award – a prized accolade that rewards a future member of the profession for their outstanding performance and exciting ideas.

Network, relax and let your hair down!

The OHC isn’t all study and no play, and as always, the programme offers multiple opportunities for networking with likeminded individuals, fun activities and a chance for professionals to let their hair down!

On the first night of the event, a glamorous dinner and dance will take place at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow. This is the perfect chance to catch up with colleagues, meet new people in the industry and dance the night away. This is a ticketed event, so make sure you reserve your space so that you don’t miss out!

The following morning, a Pilates session has been planned for those who want to focus their mind, body and spirit before another day of learning. This restful start to the day has limited space and needs to be prebooked – so be sure to get your name on the list to guarantee your spot.

Tickets for the OHC are priced starting from £49, with special rates available for BSDHT members, students of the profession, dental nurses and those who have newly qualified (2019-2021).

So, what are you waiting for? Reserve your space to the OHC and mark the dates in your diaries – it’s definitely going to be a show that’s not to be missed!

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

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

Author – DIANE ROCHFORD – President BSDHT

CEB DIP DENT HYGIENE 1996, BSC (HONS) 2016, DENTAL HYGIENIST

Dental anxiety, fear or phobia is a topic that is always worth a revisit. Since the history of dentistry began, and through its continued evolution, the expectation of treatment, as well as the treatment itself and the person who delivers it, has stimulated emotional and/or physical responses.

If someone is extremely phobic, they may struggle to even walk past a dental practice. At the other end of the scale, mild or moderate dental anxiety can occur in anticipation of a diagnosis or procedure – for example, an individual experiencing toothache worrying what the dentist might uncover during the examination. Somewhere in the middle, a patient might have a specific fear of needles, or gagging, or there may be a combination of factors at play.  

Fear is a natural, primitive human reaction, so patients must know that some degree of anxiety is normal. In the face of any kind of threat or danger, be it physical or psychological, an instinctive biochemical response kicks in, as we decide whether to confront, to try to avoid, or to escape from it completely, aka “fight or flight”. The manner of the response is adaptive and individual and will range from rational (appropriate) to irrational (phobia). So, although a level of fear as a protective mechanism is expected, when this triggers an urge for flight, this could mean a patient self-medicates rather than makes an appointment or chooses not to accept a treatment plan.  

A combination of complicated factors

Surveys that give incidence of dental anxiety, fear or phobia won’t necessarily paint an accurate picture, if someone does not admit their anxiety, or considers themselves unafraid of the dentist – until they have an emergency. A post-COVID world adds another layer, as research conducted before 2020 won’t account for those who now feel anxious about safety and infection control in the dental practice, something they always took for granted.

The mouth is an intimate part of the body and the thought of someone working in close proximity and carrying out a procedure that may be painful and/or uncomfortable is anxiety-inducing for even the most resilient. They may have had a terrible past experience at the dentist or know of one that happened to someone else. There is evidence to suggest that “conditioning” from others may lead to dental phobia in children and adolescents, for example.[i]

The thought of being vulnerable during invasive treatment can trigger fear. A patient who feels unable to tell you that they are feeling nervous, or who is nodding when you’re explaining your recommendations, but doesn’t come back – this is the opposite of what modern preventive dentistry is seeking to achieve. Good relationships that create trust and loyalty lead to better clinical outcomes, and dentists should consider their patients’ non-verbal communication as well as what they’re actually saying. Great dentistry is about your ongoing partnership, but the patient is in control. Patients know they can flex their consumer muscles to choose a practice based on a number of factors from cost to convenience; when they are investing their time and money in you, they expect a quality experience. Anxiety may be compounded if they are embarrassed about the state of their oral health, but you’re there to fix not judge, to heal not hurt.  

Methods to help

Strategies to help patients may be used in combination and involve trial and error, depending on the individual. Someone with extreme phobia will likely require multi-agency support. In other cases, sedation may be the best way forward. For those with mild/moderate anxiety, there are plenty of things you can do to put them at ease and encourage treatment acceptance. Offer distractions, like relaxing music, or give them simple breathing exercises to learn in advance, to bring about a sense of calm. Ask your success story patients to provide a testimonial. Talk as well as listen – for treatment such as endodontic therapy, which seems to come with its own mythology of fear, explain the benefits of going ahead. Give a full breakdown of each step, the tools and processes you will use. COLTENE has a range of quality endodontic materials that can ensure efficiency and comfort – from the CanalPro™ Jeni that offers autonomous digital navigation in the root canal, to the HyFlex™ EDM files, including the REMOVER file for mechanical retreatments. This will fight the sense of the unknown, help them understand that any pain will be temporary and that the chances of achieving successful, enduring results are high.

Dental anxiety is a problem with no ground-zero. It’s about finding the fine line between accepting some level as normal and expected, but not letting it inhibit successful dentistry. Despite all the amazing things we can do, anxiety, fear and, in some cases, phobia, will never go away and therefore we must always show empathy and offer practical, tailored solutions.

For more on COLTENE, visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.

Author: Mark Allen, General Manager at COLTENE

[i] Milgrom P, Vignehsa H, Weinstein P. Adolescent dental fear and control: prevalence and theoretical implications. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 1992 Jul 1;30 (4):367-73.

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 2022 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 2022 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 2022 online today.

ADI Team Congress 2022

“The Great Debate”

26-28 May 2022, Manchester Central

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

www.adi.org.uk/congress22

Whenever you need financial advice, it pays to choose a company that has years of experience.

Widely regarded as the leading firm of Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) in the country, money4dentists is the perfect choice for all of your financial needs.

The team only work with dentists, meaning that they have a unique industry insight. Plus, the award-winning team can help you to achieve a vast array of goals, whether this is sorting your taxes, investing in a new practice, getting your assets in order before retirement and much, much more.

To find out more, please contact the team today.

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

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

When offering your patients orthodontic treatment, you want to be confident that you can provide a solution that is fully tailored to their needs.

With the Incognito Appliance System from 3M Oral Care, you can guarantee bespoke, predictable treatment every time.

The only 100% customised, invisible fixed orthodontic appliance system on the market, the Incognito Appliance System features customised brackets, archwires and bonding trays, helping to deliver a highly personalised approach. Plus, as the system is placed lingually, it ensures patients can continue to live their daily lives with confidence.

To find out more, please contact 3M.

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

3M representatives remain contactable by phone or via video conferencing

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

Have you been presented with a complex endodontic case that needs special attention? Perhaps you have a patient who is scared of treatment because they think it will be painful.

In these scenarios, why not refer to EndoCare?

Our team of endodontic specialists use only the most cutting-edge treatments and products available to guarantee high-quality, practically pain-free treatment.

Once we have treated your patient, we always return them to your care with full details of treatment performed, tailored aftercare tips and our suggested next steps.

Let EndoCare help you by referring to us today!

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999 or visit www.endocare.co.uk