Month: March 2022

Henry Schein Dental UK and Forward2Employment help young adults with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities gain career experience

Henry Schein Dental recently participated in two Forward2Employment events, presenting to the parents of young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) about the positive impact of internships. The Henry Schein Dental team discussed how internships can help young individuals boost confidence, gain valuable skills, and find a route into employment.

Held on 7 and 9 March 2022, at The Joiners Shop, Chatham Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, Team Schein Members, Helen Stubbs, Senior HR Business Partner, Dean Knight, Communications and Engagement Partner, Debbie Hatt, Operations Manager, and Carol Corthine, Team Leader, spoke with parents about the company’s internship programme, the meaningful contributions interns have made to the business, and the notable confidence boost interns gain from the programme. The team also shared insights about the Henry Schein intern experience, helping to answer questions and relieve any anxiety parents may have.

“It is a real privilege to support our interns, and we have the opportunity to nurture and help these young adults grow as individuals,” said Debbie Hatt, Operations Manager at Henry Schein. “Our team plans to help more interns in the future, and we are happy to discuss how we invite interns to our team culture.”

Forward2Employment works alongside Fortis Trust, a non-profit dedicated to providing high-quality education for children in Medway and Kent, to help young people with SEND find permanent and purposeful employment. Henry Schein Dental has partnered with Forward2Employment since 2018, welcoming three groups of interns with SEND to the company resulting in seven individual internships. Interns had the opportunity to work in the company’s distribution warehouse, helping with picking, packing, and posting products to Henry Schein Dental customers.

“Helping young adults find employment and sponsoring those first career steps is fundamental to assisting the next generation achieve success, and we are keenly aware that this can be even more difficult for young adults with SEND,” said Helen Stubbs, HR Business Partner at Henry Schein Dental. “Through our cooperation with Forward2Employment, we have been able to help local young people gain invaluable experience through our warehouse operations while helping to provide personal development. Each intern is a valued part of our working family, and we are pleased to have welcomed two interns into permanent employment with us so far.”

“Henry Schein Dental was our flagship business partner when we first embarked on this journey, and the team has supported us in our endeavours to provide for the young people of Kent and Medway,” said Liz Halton, Director and Head of Provision at Forward2Employment. “There has been a lot of learning on both sides, but Henry Schein has always been open to suggestions and adapting for the young people. The experience the interns have received has been invaluable in supporting them on their way into employment. They have really been made to feel like part of the family.”

Henry Schein Dental embraces and celebrates the diversity of its workforce, its customers, the patients they serve, its shareholders, its supplier partners, the communities in which the company operates, and society at large. The company has a holistic approach to diversity and inclusion and believes that an integrated approach to its Diversity & Inclusion journey ensures success by cultivating its culture, recruiting and retaining diverse talent, supporting its marketplace, and continuing its commitment to society. To learn more about Henry Schein’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts, please click here.

Straumann Charity Bike Ride 2022: fundraising for Dentaid

The Straumann Charity Bike Ride 2022 is fundraising for Dentaid – a fantastic charity that supports vulnerable people with access to essential dental care. Ahmed Mahammed will be taking part and he says:

“My experience of the last Straumann Charity Bike Ride was amazing. It was my first year of riding a bike and I wanted to challenge myself as well as raise money for a charity. I had never cycled more than 50km in one day and I signed myself to do 150km a day for 5 days. It was a challenge physically and mentally, but I was proud that I pushed through the pain/tiredness and flat tyres!

“The last few years have been difficult with the pandemic. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could still do it, being older and a bit more experienced as a cyclist. I also wanted to raise money for Dentaid and help ease the life of the less privileged in some way. 

“I have been preparing by eating lots of food and watching lots of cycling shows on my indoor bike. Fingers crossed this works and my knees hold up with all the hills in Spain! I have confidence in all the people I know to help me raise some great donations for the charity. 

“I think it is important to involve people around you to be part of your challenges and dreams. I hope that promoting the amazing charity work Dentaid carries out will inspire people to donate!”

Any donations are very welcome and most appreciated at Dentists in Lycra 2022 fundraising for Dentaid Ltd on JustGiving if you are able to show your support!

For more details , please speak to your local Straumann representative, visit: www.straumann.com.

CGDent President’s Commendations & Fellowship awards 2022

The College of General Dentistry has announced the recipients of its inaugural award of President’s Commendations, and has awarded fellowships to four dental professionals in recognition of their exceptional professional achievements. 

Six individuals have received the President’s Commendation, which recognises significant service to the dental profession through the College or former Faculty of General Dental Practice, at local or national level, by Associate Members, Full Members, Associate Fellows or Fellows of the College, and is conferred by the President on the recommendation of the elected College Council.

Three individuals have been made Honorary Fellows of the College, and one has been awarded Fellowship by Election.

College Fellowship marks out a dental professional’s ongoing commitment to professional development and reflective practice, diligence in upholding the highest standards of clinical care, and distinction across clinical and professional domains. While the main routes to fellowship are Fellowship by Experience and Fellowship by Equivalence, the Council makes annual awards of Fellowship by Election and Honorary Fellowship to a small number of individuals deemed to meet the required standard.

President’s Commendations

Mark Richardson FCGDent is commended in particular for his significant contribution to the Faculty’s education provision. He became an examiner for the MFGDP in 2007 and a Core Group MJDF examiner in 2013, later serving as a Facilitator for the FGDP(UK) Fellowship and as a key member of the Faculty’s Academic Board. He also represented the Wessex and Oxford region on the National Faculty Board from 2016 to 2021, chairing its Education & Qualifications and Finance committees, and serving on the Dean’s Executive Committee and as a Vice Dean from 2018-19.

Since 1989, Group Captain Richardson has served as an RAF dental officer in the UK, Europe, the Far East and Afghanistan. Now Assistant Head of Clinical Operations (Dental) and Chief Dental Officer (RAF and Defence), he was previously the Armed Forces’ Principal Dental Officer for the Wessex Region, and Armed Forces’ Clinical Adviser on Paedodontic Dentistry. In 2018 he was appointed Her Majesty The Queen’s Honorary Dental Surgeon.

Paul Friel MCGDent, a general dental practitioner in East Kilbride,is recognised for his service as Lead Tutor of the FGDP West of Scotland division’s MJDF Study Group, in particular his adaptation in response to coronavirus restrictions of the division’s highly interactive face-to-face study evenings into content-rich, virtual group meetings which have provided excellent support to candidates.

Jonathan Hiscocks MCGDent has been commended for his service to the Faculty in Scotland. A former director of its East of Scotland division, for many years he acted as a mock examiner in the preparation of MJDF examination candidates across the country, and was the Faculty’s representative on NHS Education for Scotland’s Dental Committee. Originally from County Down, he is a partner and dentist in a mixed NHS-and-private dental practice in Edinburgh.

Mutahir Rahman MCGDent has been awarded the President’s Commendation for his service to the Faculty and College in the West Midlands. A member of the FGDP since 2010, he has been active in its West Midlands division since 2012, soon being elected Treasurer. He was Divisional Director from 2016 until the Faculty’s transfer into the College of General Dentistry last year, energetically leading the delivery of many successful educational events and helping to support local colleagues, and is now a Director of CGDent Midlands. He works in the Community Dental Service in Worcestershire, and as Specialty Dentist in the Periodontology Department at Birmingham Dental Hospital, and is also a DCT1 Educational Supervisor in the West Midlands.

Charles Ormond Dip.FFGDP(UK) is honoured for his remarkable commitment to the Faculty, which he joined at its inception in 1992. He served its West of Scotland division for a quarter of a century in a variety of capacities, including Treasurer, Director, committee member, Candidates’ Counsellor for the DGDP and MFGDP, and throughout as a mock examiner for its Study Club. He also represented the region on the National Faculty Board for nine years, chairing its Education, Research and External Affairs committees, serving as Vice Dean from 2009- 2011, and representing it on the Scottish Dental Training Committee and the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme’s Oral Health Assessment Group. In addition, he was a member of the working group which developed the Faculty’s definitive Clinical Examination and Record-Keeping guidance, now published by the College.

Recently retired from dental practice, during his career he also served as President of both the Stirling and Clackmannan and the West of Scotland branches of the BDA, Chair of the Vocational Training Selection Committee and of NHS Education for Scotland’s Dental Education Committee, President of the Royal Odonto-Chirurgical Society of Scotland, and as a Board Member of Dental Protection.

The late John Craig Dip.FFGDP(UK) has been conferred the award posthumously in special recognition of his wide-ranging contributions to advancing the profession, and in particular his instrumental role in laying down the foundations of the FGDP in Scotland. Further information on this award is available at cgdent.uk/news.

Fellowship by Election

Allan Pirie FCGDent has been a dental implant surgeon for 25 years of a 40-year career, and receives referrals for complex implant treatment from all over Scotland to his practice in Glasgow. He was awarded the Diploma in General Dental Practice from the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1995, and an MSc in Implant Dentistry from the University of Warwick in 2006, has served as an examiner for the Diploma of Implant Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh since 2007, and has tutored at the University of Warwick and the University of Glasgow Dental School. Generous with his time and greatly admired for the assistance that he gives freely, he teaches the restorative side of implant dentistry via local study groups, and mentors local practitioners to introduce implant dentistry into their own practices.

Honorary Fellowship

Maggie Jackson FCGDent(Hon.) has been a trailblazer at the forefront of the Dental Hygiene profession throughout her 60-year career. With unsurpassed skills as a communicator and dental hygienist, her patience, humour and clarity helped highly perio-compromised patients change their habits and gain a chance of keeping their teeth for longer, gaining her a reputation as an inspirational colleague and mentor. For 30 years she worked with specialists who believed in curing periodontal breakdown by empowering patients, without surgery where possible, before opening her own ‘Direct Access’ hygiene practice in Manchester, receiving referrals for the more difficult, non-surgical periodontal treatments from other dental practices. She lectures throughout the UK, and overseas, has had numerous articles published in international journals and books, and is the first and only hygienist to have been awarded an MPhil in Periodontology.

Kathryn Marshall FCGDent(Hon.) is a dental nurse of over 40 years’ experience, and is currently a Dental Educator in quality improvement and Professional Support Tutor at Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW). She co-founded a general and specialist dental practice in Surrey, where she took the opportunity to support student dental nurses though their GDC-registrable qualifications, and was the DCP Tutor for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) Deanery from 2000 until 2007, and the Training Programme Director for the KSS Dip CDT from 2013 until 2019.

A past examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, she was a member of the GDC Fitness to Practice Panel for five years, and the only DCP appointed to the GDC’s e-CPD Advisory Board. She holds a Diploma in Dental Health Education, a Diploma in Leadership and Management, an MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare, and was the External Examiner for the University of Central Lancashire’s Advanced Certificate in Facilitated Learning in Healthcare Practice, and Advanced Certificate in Mentoring and Coaching.

William John Parry FCGDent(Hon.) has been a Consultant Orthodontist at Gwynedd General Hospital in Bangor since 1984, and has particular expertise in managing complex and cleft lip and palate cases. Throughout his tenure, he has devoted considerable time to mentoring and training general dental practitioners to support the delivery of orthodontic care in general dental practice, helping ensure that the highest standards of care are available in remote and rural communities. This support is exemplified by the significant number of GDPs who since 1988 have worked with him as clinical assistants, many achieving accreditation to provide orthodontic care.

He has been Chair of the BDA hospitals group for Wales, President of the BDA hospitals and speciality services UK group, and regional adviser for postgraduate training for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, of which he is a Fellow. He is currently President of Y Gymdeithas Ddeintyddol (The Dental Society of Wales), which he co-founded in 1991. The society offers postgraduate training and development in Welsh, has delivered 30 unbroken years of annual study days as well as evening lectures for its members, and supports student education through its dental dictionary.

A “perfect” course

Dr Matt Lawler, Principal of Peelhouse Dental in Cheshire, comments on the Soft Tissue Around Dental Implants course he recently took with Dr Boota Singh Ubhi and BPI Dental Education & Training:

“I wanted to improve my skills and confidence in the field, specifically regarding soft tissue augmentation around implants. I knew Boota quite well and following a recommendation for his course on a social media forum, contacted him about the programme.  

“I thought the course was perfect, with a good group size that was big enough to allow for lots of discussion and interaction. The content and structure were both excellent, particularly given the number of hands-on opportunities – the practical elements were repeated, which I preferred to other courses that tend to only give you one go at something.

“I also appreciated the didactic aspects and discussing Boota’s cases – there was a lot of information in there and it’s always good to see this from the lecturer.

“The course gave me the confidence to routinely use techniques I was previously not implementing. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and would highly recommend it to clinicians with experience in implants who are looking to learn advanced soft tissue techniques.”

 

For more information or to book, please visit https://bpieducation.co.uk/dental-courses/soft-tissue-around-dental-implants/

Limited space remains for October and November courses!

Heard of the HALO?

At Colosseum Dental UK, we want to make sure that all of our dental nurses feel valued, empowered and supported. So, we’ve combined all of our promises to you in what we call the HALO:

  • Happy – feel positive about coming to work
  • Action – see that we’ll always strive to be better
  • Listening – your voice will always be heard
  • Opportunities – your career advancement is our priority

Dental nurses may face many challenges on a day-to-day basis, but with the right support, they can work with confidence and prove that they truly are the backbone of the dental team.

To learn more, get in touch with Colosseum Dental UK today!

 

For more information, please visit https://www.colosseumdental.co.uk/careers/job-opportunities/dental-nurses

#WeCareMore

Reducing plastic in the pandemic era

For the last half a decade or so, the importance of limiting plastic waste has been a huge focus. In healthcare settings, however, the pandemic did put a spanner in the works. Where measures to reduce plastic were being considered before the outbreak of Covid-19, the necessity for enhanced infection control procedures, more regular cleaning and elevated levels of PPE meant that plastic waste generated in these settings increased during this time.

It’s only now becoming clear what the true impact of the plastic generated by the pandemic has been, with multiple reports painting a dire picture. One study suggests that almost 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste related to Covid-19 has entered our oceans over the last two years.[i] This huge amount is only comprised of items such as improperly discarded plastic gloves, face masks and other protective measures, which means this it is adding to the already huge amounts of plastic waste being generated and finding its way into natural environments.

The plastic pollution problem

In fact, one report suggested that the 8.4 million tonnes of plastic waste generated during the pandemic has elevated the situated of plastic pollution to breaking point, and that action really must be taken at this point to ensure that plastic waste doesn’t continue to increase.[ii]

Unfortunately, even though awareness of the plastic problem is growing, plastic pollution is still on course to double from now until 2030. One report from the UN that examined this problem even suggests that recycling, though helpful, is not enough, and that our main focus should be reducing plastic consumption.[iii]

So, how can dental professionals take this all-important step?

Set realistic goals

The first step towards lowering your plastic waste in practice is to ensure that any measures you consider are achievable. While we would all love to boast that we have reduced plastic waste to zero, in healthcare settings this simply isn’t possible, especially with the ongoing threat of the pandemic still demanding measures such as enhanced PPE.

As such, to reduce plastic waste within this time it pays to think outside the box – look beyond the essentials and think about all of the plastics in your practice and whether there are substitutions that can be made. Here are a few tips:

General plastics – make a switch

Whether it’s just grabbing a plastic bag when you pick up lunch at the supermarket or choosing to buy a drink in a plastic bottle, everyday work life can lead to you and your team to create plastic waste that could be avoided. There are other examples too – what about the water cups you provide in practice for patients?

These are the sort of plastics that can be easily swapped out for alternatives – whether that’s just taking your own reusable shopping bag with you when you nip out to lunch or investing in reusable glasses in waiting rooms.

Can we reduce plastic PPE?

As the most common single-use plastics used in a dental practice, PPE items can be difficult to switch out, especially as the constant stream of patients means that even some reusable alternatives may not be viable.

However, depending on the nature of the practice you work in, items such as reusable gowns could potentially be an option. During the beginning months of the pandemic, many manufacturers of reusable PPE items upped production and innovated their approach, meaning that if your set up is right, these solutions could be a viable option with significant waste reduction benefits.

What about the products you use?

Keeping a well-stocked product selection is always a top priority – but what about the packaging that products arrive in and the materials used in their production?

With an environmental focus still being held at the core of some brands, recent years have seen a further shift towards more environmentally friendly options for packaging, helping to reduce plastic waste. For example, 3M Oral Care has ensured that a number of its products are now more sustainable than ever, including 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement which features a newly designed syringe that is more hygienic, aids accurate placement and cuts physical plastic waste by 50% compared to other leading cements on the market.*

Taking the first steps

Ultimately, while we can’t heavily reduce plastic waste in practice while the pandemic continues, that doesn’t mean that we can’t take some steps to help combat unnecessary plastic pollution. By evaluating the plastics in your practice and making a conscious effort to invest in eco-friendly alternatives where possible, you can do your bit in helping to reduce plastic consumption.

 

For more information, call 0845 873 4066 or visit 3M.co.uk/RelyX-Universal

 

*3M Internal Data

 

[i] The Guardian. About 26,000 Tonnes of Plastic Covid Waste Pollutes The World’s Oceans – Study. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/08/about-26000-tonnes-of-plastic-covid-waste-pollutes-worlds-oceans-study [Last accessed december 21].

[ii] Peng, Y. et al. Plastic Waste Release Caused by Covid-19 and Its Fate In The Global Oceans. PNAS November 23, 2021 118 (47) e2111530118; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2111530118

[iii] UN News. Plastic Pollution On Course To Double by 2030. Link: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1103692 [Last accessed December 21].

Technology with a human touch

The CS 3800 wireless intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental combines the best of digital technology, with comfort and freedom in mind.

Weighing only 240g in use, the CS 3800 facilitates smooth and swift scanning, with no wire interference. The handpiece fits effortlessly into the palm of the hand, thanks to its innovative and comfort-driven design. Due to the ease of handling and precise ergonomics, practitioners can deliver more accurate results.

The CS 3800 wireless intraoral scanner also ensures a comfortable scanning experience for the patient, as the scans can be completed quickly, with minimal invasion. 

By streamlining your workflow and the scanning process, the CS 3800 wireless proves to be the perfect digital partner for your practice.

 

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @CarestreamDentl

and Facebook

Introducing the {my}dentist Open Ride

{my}dentist’s first charity cycle challenge takes place on 22 May 2022

{my}dentist has launched it’s charity cycle challenge – the Open Ride 2022 – and is inviting clinicians and colleagues from across the industry to take part and raise money for Dementia UK and Bridge2Aid.

The ride takes place on Sunday 22 May 2022 in the picturesque Peak District. Setting off from Hassop Station in Bakewell riders will have a choice of either a 50km or 100km distance through the rolling hills to test their endurance, or a beginners ride of 16km on the Monsall Trail.

The event is open to all and while there is no fee to take part riders are encouraged to get sponsored  or make their own donation to help raise as much money as possible for {my}dentist’s two chosen charities; Dementia UK and Bridge2Aid.

Among those taking part will be Tom Riall, {my}dentist Chief Executive, and Nick Marston, Director of Private and Specialist.

Tom Riall said: “Myself, Nick and many of our team are keen cyclists so we wanted to host an event that will be a physical challenge and a way to raise money for both important charities.

“Everyone is invited to take part, both colleagues at {my}dentist and beyond. It looks set to be a fantastic day in some of the best cycling country in the UK.”

Anyone wanting to take part who can’t join on the day are invited to take part by completing the distance at home on a stationary bike or a cycle through their local area.

All funds raised through the Open Ride will be split equally to support both charities’ work. Dementia UK was chosen as {my}dentist’s charity of choice in a staff poll, due to the links between poor oral health and dementia. The charity provides support to carers and families of people with dementia via its team of Admiral Nurses.

{my}dentist has also supported Bridge2Aid for many years by donating to the charity each time a dentist or dental nurse is successfully referred to the team. Bridge2Aid works in partnership with dental professionals, dental associations and governments in East Africa to train local dentists and dental therapists to train health care workers to be able to offer safe emergency dental treatment to their communities.  

Riders taking part will benefit from food and refreshments served at Hassop Station after their ride, plus there will be a refreshment stop on the route.

Those who want to take part should register here to sign up.

Work with Optimal Efficiency

There are never enough hours in the day, especially for clinicians – every minute of the day can feel invaluable.

Of course, this means that your workflows need to be as efficient as possible and now, thanks to Clark Dental, they can be. The Sinius treatment centre is efficient, intuitive, and compact. The uncomplicated workflow and integrated treatment functions will save you time throughout the day, while ensuring excellent patient care.

Further improving the patient experience, the Sinius is incredibly comfortable – especially throughout prolonged treatment sessions.

Elevate the way you work today and upgrade to the Sinius treatment centre!

 

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

The LM-Arte Solo – simplified excellence, from J&S Davis

The LM-Arte Solo system will replace all instruments for restorative work in the posterior and anterior. Yes, really!

Modern clinicians need exceptional tools that offer efficiency as well as good value for both practice and patient.

You will achieve stunning restorations, but only using two instruments. The LM-Arte Solo system has also been developed to offer flexibility, so you can add your own touches to every unique restorative case.

Intrigued? J&S Davis can tell you more – we are a personal, committed distributor of the highest-quality dental products and will offer expert help, with whatever you need

 

Find out more today by visiting www.js-davis.co.uk, calling 01438 747 344 or emailing jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk!