Dr Phil Barton a dentist at Pemberton Dental in Wigan, which joined the Rodericks Dental family in 2021. Here, he talks about his experience with selling, the lead up to his decision and how practice life has been since the changeover.

I was getting closer to retirement, but my enthusiasm for dentistry was higher than it had been in years. In the past, I had suffered from burnout and the overwhelming nature of running a practice had got to me. Then I had a psychological awakening – I told myself, ‘You’re doing the best you can, so chill out, but get back into right frame of mind because you enjoy the work.’

What I had had enough of, though, was the overregulation. It dawned on me that I didn’t want to retire, I wanted to free myself from all the paperwork; the accreditations, the policies … this was the problem, not the dentistry. I also enjoyed the rapport that I had with the patients that I had built over many years. Fundamentally, I needed dentistry for own validation, to know that I had something to offer.

Big companies operate with multiple departments; IT, HR, Health & Safety, Accounts and the rest. As a dentist you have to do all this without training, which had led me down the route of stress, anxiety and depression. I had already taken the practice mostly private, so thought it was worth having a chat with corporates who we could work with without feeling like the character was being sucked out of us. Rodericks was recommended by one of our previous associates. At this point, I had turned down a couple offers from other corporates, so gave them a call.

Forging a fruitful relationship

I didn’t want to tie in with a corporate, work for a short while, then retire; I wanted a fruitful relationship. My main goals were, first, to improve the service and range of treatments we were offering. Next, to get relief from the paperwork and organisation side of things and for our compliance to be tip-top so I didn’t have to worry about it. I wanted to be able to offer more education and pathways to professional and personal development for the staff. Also, to get fair remuneration when I ceased being a practice owner and became an associate. I could achieve all these things with Rodericks.

During the transaction, communication was good. Selling is a stressful situation – there is a high volume of work involved ­– but the process was handled well. I never got the sense that Rodericks was not being transparent. The people I worked with on the acquisitions team, Faye Gibson and Steve McCarron, were wonderful – I can’t say anything negative about our experience. Rodericks were positive and helpful and willing to answer any questions.

Rodericks had things in place that I wasn’t able to manage on my own; websites for CPD, a newsletter, checklists for compliance etc. If you’re a full-time clinical dentist and throw all this in too, your clinical production would halve. One of the team has already attended first aid training and we’ve had opportunities for CPD, which is great.

Post-sale, it’s going well. We have staff who have been at the practice for decades and I’m happy to report that not one has said, “I don’t like what’s happening here.” We’ve had someone come in to make improvements to our computer system which I had been trying to get to grips with for years, so we can now action things like automated emails for patient communications – this is where their expertise is.

You simply can’t do everything on your own. In football, the goalkeeper hones their skills for that position and it’s the same in dentistry – we cannot be all things to all people. That’s the main benefit for me, we’re getting help in all the right places.

A relaxed way of working

Since the changeover, we have a relaxed way of working. To perform quality dentistry, you need to be in a state of relaxed concentration, not anxiety-induced fear. It concerns me that many young dentists work in an atmosphere of fear due to worries about litigation, or their lack of clinical training.

If I was talking to practice owners thinking about selling, or finding a new partnership, I would say, keep an open mind. Appreciate the time you are spending on admin and compliance. If you were free from that, how much more productive could you be?

Also consider your work-life balance. Being too tired to enjoy your family, or spend time with your partner, leads to stress and depression and this is why the profession has a higher-than-average rate of mental health problems. If anyone is getting to this point in an established practice, I would suggest looking at the options.

I fully recommend Rodericks Dentalnot just because of the organisation, but also their friendly and amenable approach. In dentistry, it’s been fear-based for so long and I would like to give credit to how nice everyone has been – it’s nice to be kind and helpful. My wife and my daughter say I’m like a different person since we became a Rodericks practice – what a positive!”

For more information on the career opportunities available at Rodericks, please visit www.rodericksdentalcareers.co.uk,

or contact Ashley Lillyman at recruitment@rodericksdental.co.uk or on

01604 970988 (option 1)

#wearerodericks

Plastic pollution isn’t a new concern. Indeed, as awareness surrounding plastic pollution has grown over the last decade or so, it seems that there has been almost constant coverage on the topic.

But what about the UK’s approach to plastic pollution, and in what ways can professionals embrace change to help make a difference?

Let’s look at the stats

Currently, the UK is estimated to generate around 2.36 metric tons (mt) of plastic waste per year. Out of this, it’s thought that around 43.8% is recycled (1.03 million mt).[i] However, other sources state a lower figure of 32%[ii] – proving exactly how difficult it is to accurately assess the current level of plastic waste being recycled and the amount entering landfill.

What we also need to remember that these figures are unlikely to be entirely accurate. A lot of plastics will find their way into natural environments such as the ocean through improper disposal and therefore can’t be properly assessed. Some plastics may be produced in home environments through processes such as 3D printing and therefore won’t be recorded, and some pieces of plastic that are collected for recycling won’t necessarily be reprocessed. Indeed, plastic recycling in the UK recently came under fire when it was revealed that huge amounts of plastic waste was being sent to illegal processing units or dumps in other countries such as China and Malaysia.[iii]

We also have to address the elephant in the room – the pandemic. With demand for single-use plastics such as facemasks and other PPE booming during the last two years, as well as the heightened need for plastics in healthcare settings, it’s inevitable that the amount of

plastic produced and the resulting level of plastic waste will have risen. One study suggests that as much as 8.4 million mt of pandemic-associated plastic waste has been generated around the globe since early 2020, a significant portion of which ended up in global oceans (more than 25 mt).[iv] While we cannot accurately know how much of this waste was created specifically in the UK, it’s still food for thought and a significant indicator that more needs to be done to reduce plastic waste, and ensure that more plastic is recycled and kept away from natural habitats.

How the UK is fighting the plastic problem

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, and the UK has made a number of important steps towards limiting the plastic waste being produced. An especially significant measure was the ban on the use of microbeads – miniscule pieces of plastic found in exfoliating creams, shower gel and other products that would end up being washed directly into the ocean. Other steps forward have included plastic free aisles in supermarkets, the ban of single-use plastic items such as straws and earbuds, as well as a general push for companies to make more eco-conscious choices concerning packaging and the materials used to create products.[v]

Additionally, our current plastic bag tax has resulted in a highly significant, 90% reduction in plastic bag sales. Government statistics suggest that the average person buys just 10 plastic bags a year, compared to the almost 140 plastic bags per person that were being used before the tax was introduced in 2015.[vi]

Attitudes surrounding plastic waste are also changing. Initiatives to get children and schools involved are now taking place across the country, and plastic pollution is now addressed in the curriculum to ensure that younger generations understand the significance of the issue.[vii]

But are you joining in to reduce plastic use in your practice?

A complicated relationship

Unfortunately, due to infection control necessities and the very nature of dentistry, completely abolishing plastic in the industry isn’t viable at this stage. However, that doesn’t mean that dental professionals can’t explore various ways to cut down on plastic in their workplaces.

There are the obvious actions such as removing or replacing single-use plastics like water cups where possible, as well as encouraging staff to avoid plastic packaging when bringing in food to consume while on their work breaks. You can also explore the products you use in practice and whether there are greener alternatives that come in recyclable packaging – a significant portion of manufacturers are now looking to use less plastic, so this should make switching easier as you’ll have plenty of options.

As a testament to its continued commitment to help reduce plastic waste, Initial Medical has recently introduced a new solution – rigid cardboard waste containers for clinical waste. Constructed from recycled carboard, these lightweight, collapsible, and easy to assemble containers, are an affordable and eco-friendly choice. They come with a high-density polyethylene liner to ensure that they are suitable for dry and infectious waste, while extra features such as carry handles for easier transportation, and an optional reusable frame to keep containers off the ground, ensure that they seamlessly fit into your current waste management workflows. 

Do your part, reduce your plastic use

While the overall picture of plastic pollution in the UK isn’t a totally positive one, there are considerable steps being made to ensure that the future is brighter. By looking at the options available to you and making a conscious effort to reduce plastic use where possible in practice, you can rest assured that you’ve done your bit to tackle the UK plastic pollution problem.

To find out more, get in touch at 0870 850 4045 or visit the website today www.initial.co.uk/medical.

-Ends-

Author: Rebecca Waters, Category Manager, Initial Medical

Rebecca has worked in the Healthcare sector for the past 17years and was a Research Chemist with Bayer Cropscience prior to joining Rentokil Initial in 2003.  She keeps up to date on all developments within the clinical waste management industry and is an active member of the CIWM, SMDSA and BDIA.  

About Initial Medical Waste 

Initial Medical set the standard in healthcare and infectious waste management in the UK, providing a reliable, effective and fully compliant service built around customer needs and delivered by our highly trained local teams.  We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited, with technology fully integrated into our operations, providing full traceability of service delivery, electronic waste documentation and the best customer experience possible. We also offer innovative healthcare waste management services and infection control products, to help break the chain of transmission and prevent cross contamination.  

Initial Medical are a company with a ‘World Class’ Health and Safety record, and ISO 45001:2018 accreditation. We are also accredited to ISO 14001:2015 environmental standards, and pride ourselves on our sustainable approach with a focus on delivering eco-friendly products and operational solutions.
 

For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045

Media enquiries:

For more information, please contact:

erica@ekcommunications.net

01227 265700

[i] Statista. Plastic Waste in the UK – Statistics and Facts. Link: https://www.statista.com/topics/4918/plastic-waste-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/#:~:text=Every%20year%20the%20UK%20generates,plastic%20packaging%20waste%20per%20person. [Last accessed March 22].

[ii] British Plastics Federation. Plastic Recycling. Link: https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/Plastics_Recycling.aspx#:~:text=Recycling%20rates%20in%20the%20UK,bottles%20a%20year%20%5B2%5D. [Last accessed March 22].

[iii] The Guardian. Plastic Recycling Is A Myth – What Really Happens To Your Rubbish? Link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish [Last accessed March 22].

[iv] PNAS. Plastic Waste Release Caused by COVID-19 and its Fate in the Global Ocean. Link: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2111530118 [Last accessed March 22].

[v] Global Citizen. 9 Brilliant Ways The UK Is Cracking Down On Plastic Pollution. Link: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/uk-tackling-plastic-pollution-waste-plan/ [Last accessed March 22].

[vi] GOV.UK. Plastic Bag Sales Down 90% Since Introduction of 5p Charge. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plastic-bag-sales-down-90-since-introduction-of-5p-charge [Last accessed March 22].

[vii] GOV.UK. Schools challenged to go single-use plastic free by 2022. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-challenged-to-go-single-use-plastic-free-by-2022 [Last accessed March 22].

Dr Anthony Davies was among the first cohort of clinicians to have begun the Complete GDP course with IAS Academy. Having completed the first of three modules, he shares his experience to date:

“So far, it has more than met my expectations. The format, content and teaching are all excellent. Ian, Chris and Neil are approachable and more than happy to help. It’s clear they demand high standards.

“The ‘complete assessment’ is already being adopted and I am picking up on more than I did before. I also have more confidence to treat different cases.”

The Complete GDP programme epitomises what IAS Academy is all about – enabling the GDP to take a comprehensive, holistic and long-term approach to treatment. Anthony adds:

“I think the IAS way is simply fantastic. The patient-centred approach promoted through educating dentists and then the on-going support is second-to-none, in my experience. The ethos of minimal intervention, future planning and the ‘lifetime patient’ are spot on. I would certainly recommend the Complete GDP course – it’s a must for any conscientious and progressive general dentist’s PDP.”

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

Dr James Stafford is one of several leading clinicians presenting ADI webinars. Available to ADI members for free, his session is entitled, “The consent process in Implant Dentistry. Is it worth the paper it’s written on? How to protect yourself.”  He says:

“Every dentist wants to reduce the risk of a claim being made against them for work they have provided. Unfortunately, the combination of high costs, long treatment times, and small but inherent risks of complications and failure with dental implants mean that patient dissatisfaction can be hard to avoid and we sometimes make easy targets.

“In this presentation I cover the history of consent (more interesting than it sounds… I think!) and issues which may be helpful to improve the chances of consent being ‘informed’ in the unfortunate event of complications arising. It is hoped that for all dentists, but especially those practising implant dentistry, watching this presentation will increase awareness and understanding of consent and litigation, therefore helping avoid potential vulnerability in the future.”

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

www.adi.org.uk

It is important to invest in all aspects of your practice and team to ensure you continue delivering exceptional patient care whilst developing and future-proofing your business. This is relevant when it comes to everything from imaging machines to infection control technologies. Whatever you’re upgrading or replacing, steps should be taken to maximise your financial return and protect your investment in the long-run. This involves maintenance and servicing of the equipment to keep it in good working order for longer, as well as an insurance policy that offers a plan-b in the event of a breakdown or technical difficulty.

Care & Cover from Eschmann provides everything you need to guarantee your Eschmann decontamination equipment works efficiently and is fully compliant to HTM01-05 and SDCEP guidance.

Cutting-edge technology and team training

Eschmann is proud to offer an array of industry-leading decontamination and infection control solutions designed to optimise associated processes in the dental practice. To keep your equipment at the cutting-edge, Care & Cover ensures you seamlessly receive the latest software upgrades and developments. This is just one way that Eschmann delivers consistent support that you can depend on.

Eschmann engineers are also able to deliver enhanced CPD training for all relevant members of your practice team to make sure they are knowledgeable and confident in using the equipment. This Enhanced CPD User Training is available at no extra cost and will familiarise your team with all necessary technology features to ensure they can utilise it safely and effectively.  

Compliance made easy

Keeping all infection control equipment compliant with local guidance is a mandatory requirement.

Eschmann offers total confidence that your equipment meets all the necessary standards and guidelines. Your equipment will be installed and validated by Eschmann’s dedicated engineers who will provide a manufacturer’s HTM01-05/SDCEP validation for your records. This is reviewed and confirmed annually to ensure that your technology remains working as effectively as possible.

As part of Care & Cover, you will also receive Pressure Vessel Certification, which is a legal requirement for dental practices to comply with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) 2000. This is designed to protect staff from potential risks associated with using or maintaining the equipment. Aside from demonstrating your compliance, this certification and support from Eschmann provides reassurance that your equipment will remain efficient for maximum output and minimal downtime.

Equipment breakdowns covered

Care & Cover from Eschmann also offers protection in the unlikely event of a breakdown. All Eschmann engineers nationwide have immediate access to original manufacturer’s parts ensuring that, should your decontamination equipment breakdown, our team will be there to fix it in the shortest possible time.

You can rest assured that there will be no unexpected or hidden charges, no limit for spare parts and no travel or labour costs. Everything is included in your Care & Cover policy.

For added peace of mind, we offer technical telephone support. This is a great resource and further ensures that simple to solve issues or equipment breakdowns are resolved quickly over the phone. If you don’t need an engineer to visit in-person, you may be able to resume normal activity straightaway following a quick call to our technical team.

Equipment leasing covered too

If you are interested in leasing decontamination equipment instead of purchasing it outright, Eschmann’s Care & Cover provides protection for you too. Eschmann 3-, 5- and 7-year lease contracts benefit from the same exceptional service as already described. This includes equipment installation, testing and certification, enhanced CPD user training, on-going maintenance and breakdown cover.

Find out more!

Eschmann’s Care & Cover is available alongside an array of decontamination equipment.

Don’t forget, Care & Cover includes:

• Annual validation and pressure vessel certification
• Annual service and free software upgrades
• Unlimited breakdown cover
• Unlimited Eschmann parts and labour
• Nationwide on-site support
• Enhanced CPD user training
• Technical telephone support

To find out more about our service offerings, please contact the team. Alternatively, you can generate a Care & Cover package quotation on the Eschmann website here: https://www.eschmann.co.uk/service-and-support/care-and-cover-booking/ .

For more information on the highly effective and affordable range of infection control products from Eschmann, please visit www.eschmann.co.uk or call 01903 875787

Whilst direct restorative treatment is often regarded as some of the more straightforward work in dentistry, it isn’t without its possible complications. Post-operative sensitivity, in particular, is an issue that is more common than many practitioners would expect.

But what causes post-operative sensitivity and how can practitioners avoid it?

A deeper look into the issue

Research suggests that as many as 50% of restorative procedures utilising resin composites result in some level of post-operative sensitivity. This can cause considerable discomfort for patients, resulting in pain or discomfort when eating hot, cold and sometimes acidic or sweet foods. It may also cause residual pain that doesn’t need a trigger to activate, putting patients through significant distress. Post-operative sensitivity is more common in posterior and Class II restorations, though it may occur in any tooth that has undergone restorative treatment.

Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases post-operative sensitivity is only rectified through the removal of the restoration in question and the procedure being repeated. This is inconvenient for patients and practitioners alike, and may lead to patients feeling like they didn’t initially received the high standard of care they expect.

Interestingly, post-operative sensitivity isn’t an issue that has one set cause. The literature surrounding this phenomenon suggests that there are various reasons behind its occurrence, which generally speaking can be split into three categories: the clinician’s technique, the health of the tooth being restored and the materials used for treatment. Every case is different, and therefore the unique tooth anatomy will come into play so clinicians may need to harness different techniques and products for the best chances of success.

Treatment techniques

One action that is associated with higher incidence of post-operative sensitivity is over etching. If the tooth surface is exposed to etching agent for too long, this can prevent the bonding agent from penetrating down to the depth that has been etched into the surface, resulting in a demineralisation zone and ongoing sensitivity.

Other potential reasons for post-operative sensitivity could be failure to remove solvent during the drying step, under curing, insufficient isolation and over drying. A dental product report written in conjunction with a dentist highlighted these issues, suggesting that each one of these miscalculations during treatment can compromise the quality of the final restoration and leave the patient in pain.

While some of these issues are easily avoided, it’s recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on any solutions used during the restorative process. This way, you can reasonably prevent issues such as under-curing or any other minor mistakes that can have significant consequences.

Tooth health

In some cases, the root cause of post-operative sensitivity is directly related to the health of the tooth that has received treatment. Miniscule cracks and pre-existing cracks in the tooth structure can lead to pain developing over time post-treatment, and these issues are easily missed as they are not always visible.

Research into this area has found that, in many cases, this damage to the tooth can occur during cavity preparation. Pulpal heating may lead to irreversible dental tissue damage, and incorrect use of burs or those not ideally suited to the site has been linked to issues that are not necessarily visible until the restoration begins to exhibit post-operative sensitivity.

As such, it’s important for clinicians to assess teeth in great detail before providing restorative treatment. Proper irrigation is also necessary in order to prevent any temperature-related tissue damage.

Products make all the difference

As the old adage states, a worker is only as good as their tools. In dentistry this is especially true, and selecting the correct products to form part of your armamentarium is a vital step in order to provide the best standard of treatment. After all, even the best dentist in the world is unable to offer patients high-standard care with sub-standard products.

Product selection can influence post-operative sensitivity in a number of ways. For example, if a composite is prone to shrinkage after placement, this could cause stresses within the tooth, resulting in sensitivity. A dental adhesive can also cause sensitivity issues, especially if microleakages occur.

As such, a smart way forward is to scour the market for solutions that help prevent post-operative sensitivity or that have been proven to result in low incidence of this problem after use.

3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive from 3M Oral Care is a universal bonding agent that is suitable for all direct and indirect bonding indications and etching techniques. It promises virtually no post-operative sensitivity, * and testers in the 2022 Dental Advisor awards highlighted this benefit in their feedback – part of the reason the product was awarded a clinical rating of 96%. Plus, it’s radiopaque* to help prevent any future misdiagnosis and bonds and seal caries-affected dentine to support minimally invasive dentistry and help preserve as much as the natural tooth structure as possible.*

Help support long-lasting outcomes

Although post-operative sensitivity is a common issue, there are steps that professionals can take to minimise the risks of it occurring. By taking the time to assess the health of the tooth as well as selecting products and techniques that support an excellent standard of treatment, you can reduce incidence of post-operative sensitivity and ensure that your patients receive a long-lasting solution that they are happy with.

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

*3M Internal Data

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

A great dental team equals great patient care.

At Colosseum Dental UK, we recognise that every team member should be valued and rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Especially our dental nurses, who support not just our patients but the entire team, too.

So, to ensure that our dental nurses are able to work confidently within the team, we offer some exciting benefits, such as:

• Excellent clinical facilities
• A holiday purchase scheme
• A great working environment
• A discounted gym membership
• High standards of clinical governance
• Birthday day off

We know that we can only do what we do thanks to the commitment and expertise of our wonderful dental nurses. Alongside these benefits, we also provide brilliant career progression opportunities, from different specialisms to becoming part of the management team.

To find out more about a career with Colosseum Dental UK, get in touch with the team today!

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

#WeCareMore

Immediate placement is an increasingly attractive prospect for many implant dentists, with the promise of reduced treatment time, and increased efficiency and patient satisfaction.

The Straumann^® BLX implant system is ideal for immediate placement and has numerous features that reduce healing time. It is specially engineered to provide a minimally invasive, highly reliable implant solution.

The BLX is precision-made, incorporating innovative materials such as the SLActive^® surface which has been demonstrated to have a 100% implant survival rate in irradiated patients with compromised bone after 5 years.[i]^{, [ii]} The BLX Roxolid^® body is composed of a high-performance zirconium-titanium alloy that has even higher mechanical strength than grade 4 titanium. This allows for a design with a reduced neck diameter, and a slim, fully tapered core for smaller osteotomies.[iii]

To find out more, contact your local Straumann representative today.

For more information on the Straumann^® BLX implant system, please visit the website

[i] Nelson K., Stricker A., Raguse J.-D. and Nahles S. Rehabilitation of irradiated patients

with chemically modified and conventional SLA implants: a clinical clarification. J Oral Rehabil. 2016; 43: 871–872. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12434 March 3, 2022.

[ii] Heberer S., Kilic S., Hossamo J., Raguse J-D., Nelson K. Rehabilitation of irradiated patients with

modified and conventional sandblasted, acid-etched implants: preliminary results of a split-mouth study.

Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 2011; 22: 546–551.

[iii] Medvedev A., Molotnikov A., Lapovok R., Zeller R., Berner S., Habersetzer P., Torre F. Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-15Zr alloy used as dental implant material. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. 2016; 62: 384-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.05.008 March 3, 2022.