This year’s British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show (BDCDS) will include a wonderful array of speakers eager to share their insights with you. In particular, Dr Tif Qureshi will be presenting “Ortho Restorative Dentistry for Every Dentist and Every Patient” in the Specialist Interest Theatre. Here’s what Dr Qureshi has to say about what you can expect:  

“The idea of the lecture is to make the dentist look at their everyday patient in more detail, encouraging them to start to diagnose the long-term movement and functional changes occurring in their patient’s mouth, which can easily be prevented. I would also like to help change people’s basic standard for the intraoral examination. Currently, the focus is on caries and periodontal health when it comes to dental charting. However, dentists seem to very rarely track toothwear. Unless you’re taking photographs, scans, or models regularly there’s a lot of stuff that will be going on that won’t be seen – a lot of things develop over the years.

“This is applicable to every single patient and will be useful at some point in their life. Plus, every dentist should be able to do this. Long term functional changes can be missed if they aren’t tracked – if a dentist can identify and treat problems early on, we can prevent any patient who sees a dentist regularly from needing a full mouth rehabilitation further down the line.

“If dentists understand how to intervene at the right time it could make a massive difference to the patient over the years – whether someone works in a mostly NHS, or private environment, in the role of a dentist, practice manager or dental hygienist, my lecture content is relevant to the whole team. Another positive of this approach is that your patients’ experience will improve too – if you start to take photographs, scans, or models of your patient’s teeth you can use them to educate your patients on their oral health over time. You can also advise them about any potential problems that might result in a big problem later down the line and speaking about potential preventative treatments. Overall, this will improve the communication you have with your patient and as they become more educated they may become more motivated to focus on their oral health. Ultimately, this will enhance the treatment options you have for existing patients.

“The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show has always been a fantastic show and after a couple of years of downtime it will be amazing to get back to it. It will be exciting to be back!”

The next British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show will be held on Friday 13^th and Saturday 14^th May 2022, Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

For more information, visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

Register today

As part of the #Kemdent100 competition for UK dental technicians, applicants are demonstrating what can be achieved with the innovative solutions available from Kemdent.

In the mix for the Best Modelling Wax Try-in category are the Anutex, Anutex HS and Anutex Eco Modelling Waxes. These are designed for easy handling and exceptional detail replication, with the HS version delivering superior stability and Eco solution produced using 30% less energy.

For technicians entering the second competition category – Best Acrylic Denture – Kemdent offers the acrylic denture base portfolio, with Acron Hi, Aron Express and Acron Duo. These products provide optimal strength, durability and ease of use for a smooth workflow and outstanding results.

These solutions and more will be showcased as part of the #Kemdent100 competition, which enables dental technicians to show off their skills in two categories. For more details about the competition or the products themselves, visit the website today!

For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256

When it comes to tooth wear and what damages the health of people’s teeth, the most commonly discussed topic is diet – sugar and foods high in saturated fat have become the most widely known factor for contributing towards a decline in oral health. There are, however, a variety of factors that can contribute to tooth wear. Many patients don’t know that things such as bruxism, malocclusion, eating disorders, and excessive brushing can also cause damage. Tooth wear can be something you see in your patients more often than expected, especially as a survey concluded that 15% of UK adults presented moderate tooth wear and it was more common in men (19%) than women (11%).[i]

Bruxism

Commonly characterised by grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw, Bruxism can cause tooth wear, tooth breakage, TMJ dysfunction, and headaches.[ii] Supporting a patient who has, for example, suffered some kind of tooth wear due to their bruxism will likely be an ongoing process so it’s important to get to the cause of their bruxism and support them where you can.

One major cause of bruxism is stress and anxiety, especially as almost 70% of bruxism occurs as a result of this.[iii] Further still, it was discovered that job related stress is one of the most significant factors associated with bruxism. The study revealed that shift workers who were unhappy with their schedule experienced more stress and therefore became more susceptible to bruxism. It’s also important to note that, in this study, men presented with higher levels of job stress, depressive symptoms, and bruxism compared to their female counterparts.

As the patients you could see whom suffer with bruxism are likely to have stress and anxiety too it would be good practice to be prepared to support your patients with stress management techniques. Here are some things you could do:

• Speak to your patient. Asking them how they are can get a person speaking about their problems and sometimes venting about stress can be the biggest reliever.
• Mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. Practising these methods have been known to reduce stress via two different pathways in the brain, changing the structures and activity in areas of the brain associated with attention and emotional regulation.[iv]
• Suggest that they plan ahead if future tasks cause them a lot of stress. Sometimes breaking larger tasks down into small chunks can help a person manage the situation with less stress.
• While a lot of people who suffer with stress and anxiety can help themselves some may need to see a professional. If you are genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of your patient it may be a good idea to advise that they can get further support through their GP or a private therapist.

The Effect of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (ED) that include symptoms such as purging can play a role in causing tooth wear too. [v] In fact, changes in the mouth can often be the first signs of an eating disorder. The acidity levels of vomit that repeatedly flows over the teeth will affect the natural pH levels in the mouth. Over time, the tooth enamel can be lost and cause the teeth to change in colour, shape, and length. The teeth can also become brittle, translucent, and weak. When these symptoms start to show, most patients will grow concerned and seek treatment.

You might be wondering how you can treat a patient’s tooth wear when they have an ED that may take a long time to recover from. Of course, you can’t cure your patient’s eating disorder but you can help them manage the cause of their tooth wear. Here are some strategies you can keep in mind for these patients:[vi]

• Ensure the environment they are in is non-judgemental and relaxed. Suggesting that any tooth wear visible could be caused by fizzy drinks, for instance, may lead to disclosure of an ED.
• If it’s already known that they suffer with an ED it’s important to be as positive as possible when speaking to them about their symptoms as this could motivate them to continue treatment.
• Using fluoride mouthwash after purging can help reduce acid attacks.
• Drinking water as much as possible will help to keep the mouth moisturised as a dry mouth can upset the natural oral balance and leave the teeth more vulnerable. This will help to reduce exposure to any acidity in the mouth too.

Recommend the Best

One sure way to support your patients suffering with tooth wear problems in-house and after they leave your practice is with Curasept Biosmalto from J&S Davis. The impact action mousse can help to manage caries, abrasion, and erosion – with 7 years of research behind it you can rest assured that your patients’ symptoms will improve with regular use. Not just that but the formula also works to quickly remineralise enamel and dentine. What’s more, Curasept Biosmalto impact action mousse from J&S Davis is vegan so you can include a variety of patients in this treatment option!

Overall, tooth wear is an issue that many patients will face at some point in their life. The most you can do is to be prepared to support your patients when they come to you for treatment. Of course, treating any uncomfortable symptoms with the most effective products is important but ensuring that you address the root cause should be a priority too.

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

Author: Steve Brown Director of Sales and Marketing J&S Davis Ltd

[i] Steele, J. and O’Sullivan, I. (2011). Adult Dental Health Survey 2009. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/publicationimport/pub01xxx/pub01086/adul-dent-heal-surv-summ-them-exec-2009-rep2.pdf [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

[ii] The Bruxism Association (n.d.). What Is Bruxism? [online] Bruxism.org.uk. Available at: https://www.bruxism.org.uk/what-is-bruxism.php [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

[iii] The Bruxism Association (n.d.). Causes Of Bruxism. [online] Bruxism.org.uk. Available at: https://www.bruxism.org.uk/causes-of-bruxism.php [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

[iv] Apa.org. (2019). Mindfulness Meditation: a Research-Proven Way to Reduce Stress. [online] Available at: https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulness/meditation#:~:text=By%20lowering%20the%20stress%20response [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

[v] Dental Complications of Eating Disorders (2018). Dental Complications of Eating Disorders. [online] National Eating Disorders Association. Available at: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/dental-complications-eating-disorders [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

[vi] Douglas, L. (2015). Caring for Dental Patients. [online] Nature. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/bdjteam20159 [Accessed 10 Jan. 2022].

All members of the BACD are considered ambassadors for everything that we stand for, including clinical excellence and a commitment to on-going education and training. We want to help you spread the message to your patients and use your BACD member credentials to attract new patients too.

All BACD full members are now Silver Ambassadors who we will be providing editorial support with access to a blog each month to post on your website. These blogs will offer useful information for patients and highlight the benefits of your BACD membership to them. There will also be a Gold Ambassador level available, which will provide additional support such as access to social media management guides.

We want to help our members grow their businesses by making the most of what it means to be a BACD dentist. To find out more about this and the various other membership benefits available, visit the website and contact us today!

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

As a dentist, you’ll know that the profession is full of opportunities to expand into different fields and learn new skills. But is the technology you use in practice able to adapt to the new avenues you want to explore?

The CS 8200 3D CBCT system from Carestream Dental offers complete versatility, and offers exceptional-quality imaging across an array of indications.

Supplying six selectable fields-of-view and 2D/3D imaging options, the system is perfectly suited for scanning a full-arch in a single scan. Furthermore, at 75 microns, the CS 8200 3D delivers razor-sharp images. These images can be made even more dynamic with the integrated CS MAR technology that reduces the appearance of metal artifacts.

Branch out with CS 8200 3D by your side by contacting the team today.

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 Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

We’re tired, we’re exhausted, and after two years of living through a pandemic, it’s no surprise that people from all walks of life are finally hitting breaking point. This is not only true for our patients, but also within the profession as well. Normality has returned in some forms – but the road to get there has been far from smooth.

Mental health has been thrown into the spotlight during the pandemic. While this is a very good thing as it opens the door to conversation and helps to rid the stigma of any discussion around the topic, it also indicates just how much of a problem mental health in modern society is.

Millions of people in the UK suffer from mental health conditions. Mind, an organisation dedicated to mental health research and understanding, estimates that around 1 in 4 people in the UK has a mental disorder of some kind.[i] However, if we consider the nature of mental illnesses and their often lack of any physical symptoms, we can safely assume this number is much higher.

People suffering may not be aware that they actually have a condition and believe that their thoughts are normal. Furthermore, the surviving stigma surrounding mental health (especially among men) means that plenty of people who have mental health conditions are unlikely to be seeking help, and therefore go unseen by any medical authorities.

As such, improving our mental health and discussing this with our patients should be a top priority. Here are some general tips on how to improve mental health:

Be open about your feelings

Whether this is just venting frustrations to friends/your partner or seeking help from a therapist or mentor, speaking about your feelings is a perfect way to prevent negative emotions bottling up and to find solutions to any problems. It’s a good idea to try to let these conversations happen naturally – building up to a conversation can be stressful in itself, so it’s better to try to guide conversation this way if you’re feeling anxious about broaching the topic.

Remember – it’s more than likely that whoever you have chosen to speak to has suffered or is currently experiencing some mental health problems too! You’re never alone.

Keep moving

Although exercising is a daunting prospect for a lot of us, research has proven that regular exercise has a positive impact on our mental health.[ii] This doesn’t have to be playing a sport or dedicating hours to the gym either, and just keeping active by walking daily, cycling to work or making sure to keep moving during the day will all have a positive effect. As dental hygienists and dental therapists will likely spend a fair amount of the day moving about at work anyway, it’s good to supplement this with quick walks at lunchtime and other gentle exercise – anything it takes to reach the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week.[iii]

Eat and drink well

With busy work schedules, eating properly in the modern age can be easier said than done. However, our brains need a complex mix of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to stay healthy and in proper working order, so eating healthily can certainly improve our mental health over time.

It’s also a good idea to avoid depressant substances such as alcohol where possible – stick within the recommended 14 units a week and avoid drugs that cause highs and a resulting low – substance abuse is never a solution to problems in the long term.[iv]

Support is near

If you are ever worried about your own mental health, there are plenty of resources to turn to. Today mental health advice and support is more accessible than ever, and you can contact the NHS, explore online counselling opportunities and more.

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

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

[i] Mind. Mental health Facts and Statistics. Link: https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2958/statistics-facts-2017.pdf [Last accessed February 22].

[ii] Sharma, A. et al. Exercise for Mental Health. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006; 8(2): 106.

[iii] Mind. How To Look After Your mental Health Using Exercise. Link: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise [Last accessed February 22].

[iv] Mind. Drink Sensibly. Link:  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health/drink-sensibly [Last accessed February 22].

diane

Every dentist has an incredibly tight schedule and that means that every minute matters.

You can save time throughout your day with the NOMAD Pro 2 from Clark Dental Sales. This handheld X-ray system will introduce more efficiency into your busy dental practice, especially as you can safely stay right next to your patient whilst taking radiographs, unlike any wall-mount X-ray generator. What’s more, your image quality will not be compromised, as the device utilises the latest X-ray technology in order to preserve image clarity and deliver exact, repeatable exposures.

The NOMAD Pro 2 is designed with clinician, patient, and practice in mind and it benefits everyone in terms of efficiency and safety. Get yours today!

For more information, call Clark Dental on 01270 613750, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Dr Daniel Benson’s webinar – Implant Site Management Step-By-Step: From Simple Cases to Complex Scenarios – is one of the many educational resources available to ADI members. He highlights treatment strategies, available surgical techniques during different stages of treatment and guidance on decision making. Daniel shares further:

 “It’s important to acknowledge that the criteria of success in today’s dental implantology are a lot more complex than focusing on the survival of the dental implant.

“Using the relevant dental implant systems, techniques and materials alongside a proper treatment plan will ensure a successful treatment outcome.

“This is why I believe it is vitally important to further our knowledge in this field, and I’m happy to present my webinar and engage with an audience who are truly at the forefront of their profession.”

Interested in becoming a member? Join the ADI and gain access to webinars, study clubs, forums and more!

For more information about the ADI, or to join, please visit the website

www.adi.org.uk

The late 1900’s saw a lot of change in society. People experienced the closure of factories in the UK and started to move into office-based positions; the service industry grew too.[i] Of course, every big change society goes through has an impact on the people and there are always positives and negatives. In recent years, people seem to be experiencing more of the downsides of office-based and professional work – burnout.

Symptoms of burnout include feeling in a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. People can feel helpless, alone, tired most of the time, and overwhelmed by even small tasks.[ii] The experience of burnout has been on the rise since the pandemic hit but previous to that 43% of workers were already suffering from the phenomenon.[iii] Struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance is a contributing factor to burnout and it seems that workers may be striving for a more personalised experience. Colosseum Dental UK is a dental provider who understand just how important it is to make their employees’ health and happiness a priority, as well as their patients’.

Making You Smile

One of Colosseum Dental UK’s missions is to make their colleagues smile. Many efforts have gone into ensuring this. There are currently over 70 clinics that work to be part of their communities; taking part in local events and raising money for charity when they can to keep people connected. Millions of pounds has also been invested in refurbishing their practices as Colosseum Dental UK understands just how much of a difference an up-to-date working environment can have on your job satisfaction – as a dental nurse you will be able to enjoy some of the latest technologies alongside the dentist you work with.

Colosseum Dental UK has taken this one step further to ensure you smile in the workplace – they’ve tailored the benefits they have on offer to suit your needs. These include things such as the Workplace Nursery, discounted gym membership, a holiday purchase scheme, your birthday off, and more. On top of that, Colosseum Dental UK has made eight promises to their dental nurses:

1. Excellent clinical facilities and working environment
2. High standards of clinical governance and support
3. Opportunities for continuous professional development
4. GDC membership and indemnity fees paid
5. The chance to work across different dental specialisms
6. Career progression opportunities
7. Secure hours with flexible working options
8. A new Pastelli uniform

So, whether you’re interested in a specialism, want to enhance your current skills, or you want to adjust your schedule for your family, Colosseum Dental UK is prepared to support you every step of the way. You really can get the best of both worlds when you work for a dental provider that is managed in the UK while being part of one of the world’s largest dental organisations – there is a personal touch to the workplace that doesn’t miss out on the latest clinical advances worldwide.

The Jacobs Foundation

Colosseum Dental work in partnership with The Jacobs Foundation and therefore contributes to all the great things the foundation is responsible for. Working for Colosseum Dental UK means you are also contributing to the success of their projects. One of their main goals is to ensure that young people grow to become socially responsible and productive members of society, no matter their background – they understand that to achieve this developmental opportunities and fairer access to education needs to be granted to these children.

Currently, The Jacobs Foundation has developed programmes such as Learning Societies and Learning Schools in order to support the development of these young people. As a dental nurse, it will be great to know that the place that supports you supports others too.

The Choice is Yours

Making the decision to switch jobs or change your career is never easy. However, if you’re feeling the burn without the reward of a workplace that understands you’re more than just a number then Colosseum Dental UK could be the next best place for your career. What’s more, they’ve made the interview process less stress inducing by replacing a formal 1:1 interview with a full day experience so you can really get to know your potential new colleagues and get a feel for what it will be like to work in your local Colosseum Dental UK practice.

In summary, more and more people are experiencing burnout in their current position. However, you have a choice to make a change and work for a dental provider that suits your needs. Colosseum Dental UK are prepared to make work the place you smile the most.

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

#WeCareMore

[i] Baldwin, R. (2019). Globalisation, automation and the history of work: Looking back to understand the future | VOX, CEPR Policy Portal. [online] Voxeu.org. Available at: https://voxeu.org/content/globalisation-automation-and-history-work-looking-back-understand-future [Accessed 1 Feb. 2022].

[ii] Mental Health UK. (n.d.). Burnout. [online] Available at: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-c7kvLTe9QIVCZftCh361QIQEAAYASAAEgLR_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds [Accessed 1 Feb. 2022].

[iii] Kelly, J. (2021). Indeed Study Shows That Worker Burnout Is at Frighteningly High Levels: Here Is What You Need to Do Now. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/04/05/indeed-study-shows-that-worker-burnout-is-at-frighteningly-high-levels-here-is-what-you-need-to-do-now/?sh=75c0dbc23bb1 [Accessed 1 Feb. 2022].