Want to try some of the latest solutions from 3M Oral Care?

With the 3M Experience Demo Cube, you can!

The 3M Experience Demo Cube contains a selection of our most popular solutions such as Filtek Universal Restorative, Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive by 3M. Plus, the sample pack comes with a tooth model to test them on and a link to exclusive hands-on training videos to ensure that you know how best to utilise the products to encourage outstanding outcomes.

Experiment, see how the solutions fit your working style and see what works best for you – the 3M Experience Demo Cube is your key to innovation.

You can order your FREE 3M Experience Demo Cube here: https://engage.3m.com/gb_direct_demo_box_

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

3M, Filtek and Scotchbond are trademarks of the 3M Company

Building from the success of the popular CS 8200 3D CBCT system, Carestream Dental has recently launched a new variation – the Neo Edition.

Combining the accessibility of the standard edition with new streamlined acquisition workflows and exclusive features, the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition is the pinnacle of power and performance.

Benefit from absolute 2D/3D imaging versatility, the broadest range of fields of view for systems in its category and unique software such as CS MAR – Carestream Dental’s imaging module that reduces the appearance of metal artifacts for truly dynamic diagnoses.

Want to find out more? Please contact the team at Carestream Dental 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

Rupert Monkhouse presents at the BACD 18^th Annual Conference 2022

The BACD 18^th Annual Conference 2022 will cover an array of topics pertinent to any dental professional passionate about excellence in cosmetic dentistry. Entitled “On The Shoulders Of Giants”, the event will showcase some of the latest clinical techniques, materials and technologies in the field, driven by science and innovation. The impressive speaker line-up includes individuals from across globe, all of whom are keen to share their expertise with colleagues and contribute to important conversations.

Among them will be Dr Rupert Monkhouse. After qualifying from King’s College London, Rupert worked as a general dentist in Berkshire, developing a passion for removable prosthodontics.

Rupert will be presenting a session at the BACD Annual Conference alongside dental technician Ricardo Soares entitled “Digital Dentures”, supported by 3Shape. Rupert starts by sharing what he feels are the main challenges of successfully introducing and integrating digital into the modern dental workflow:

“With regards to digital dentures, the biggest challenge faced by clinicians is how to recreate a functional impression in a fully digital manner. You also have to find laboratories with experience in this area to ensure accuracy. There is definitely still room for growth and improvement, but Ricardo and I aim to show various ways of integrating digital dentistry into the denture workflow throughout our session.” 

Rupert and Ricardo will be demonstrating both digital and analogue record taking techniques, showing delegates how to use each method interchangeably to find the best possible solution for different laboratory teams.

Rupert provides insight into his own journey with digital and shares what advice he would give colleagues starting out:

“I use digital for the majority of my crown and bridge work and I am starting to use digital more and more in denture work, particularly for immediate dentures and during the case planning process. I think the key is to understand both the technologies at our disposal and our own limitations regarding which will be more suitable for each individual case or procedure.”

Commenting on the session and what he hopes delegates attending will gain, Rupert continues: 

“We aim primarily to show delegates how to optimise their complete denture work, regardless of whether they use an analogue or digital approach. We also hope to show how digital techniques can be implemented into denture workflows and what the future of the field may look like.”

The BACD Annual Conference is the flagship event for the Academy, bringing together an exceptional line-up of world-class speakers for delegates to learn from and engage with. Rupert and Ricardo will be among a selection of renowned professionals on the podium, including US pioneer in the field of minimally invasive restorative treatment, Dr Frank Spear. Other names not to miss are Dr Chris Orr, Dr Javier Tapia, Dr Elaine Halley, Dr Thomas Sealey, Dr Mide Ojo, Dr Neil Gerrard, Dr Aman Bharti and many more.  

The 2022 event will provide a full day of hands-on workshops, with some sessions repeated in the afternoon for greater flexibility and choice. The following two days of lectures and seminars will further inspire and delight, offering a wealth of information and advice to help delegates elevate the standards of their cosmetic dentistry. The educational programme will be complemented by a trade show and various opportunities to network with friends and colleagues – including the Winter Wonderland-themed BACD Gala Dinner on Friday evening. Rupert reflects on his own experience of previous events:

“Last year’s conference was my first since lockdown and it was a fantastic experience. I have also attended various social events with the BACD and I thoroughly enjoy connecting with the network of people that the Academy brings together. I’m also greatly looking forward to the Young Dentist Conference in the autumn!”

The BACD 18^th Annual Conference will be the perfect place for dentists, dental technicians and various other team members looking to refine and advance their knowledge in different areas linked to cosmetic dentistry. Whether you are interested in treatment planning for minimally invasive restorative procedures, biomimetic dentistry, smile design, composite bonding or removable orthodontics, don’t miss out! Registration is quick and easy from the BACD website – visit today to secure your place for November!

BACD 18^th Annual Conference 2022

On The Shoulders Of Giants

10-12 November

ICC Wales, Newport

Please visit www.bacd.com for details and to register

The last two years have felt like somewhat of a fever dream. No one could have guessed that a virus would have caused such absolute havoc across the globe, shutting down dental services, putting thousands of people at odds and leaving many with uncertain futures.

However, as the time has gone by and things have generally started to improve, we’re now faced with a different challenge – the long-term impact the pandemic has had on our stress levels.  In dentistry this is particularly pertinent, and as I was looking through the news recently, I came across a survey that suggests up to 70% of Welsh dentists are now exploring alternative career options due to the high-pressure stress they’re under.[i]

This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise. It joins a host of other surveys and reports that paint the same picture – dentists are reaching their limit.

But what are some of the main stressors affecting the profession?

The pandemic in current numbers

First of all, we need to address the fact that the pandemic is far from over. Although the UK is now living without restrictions, the virus is still among us, and numbers of infections are still unexpectedly high. At the time of writing, it is estimated that 1 in every 23 people has the virus, while the latest death toll states that 1,560 people have died in the most recent 7-day period.[ii] While a far cry from the tragic numbers at the height of the pandemic, these figures are still not to be sniffed at.

New research into the virus has also continued to unveil some interesting long-term effects. For example, a recent study suggests that those who have contracted the long version of the disease could end up becoming less intelligent, as brain fog prevents them from fulfilling problem-solving tasks that they usually would have been able to perform.[iii]

Other long-term effects linked to the virus include tinnitus, depression and anxiety, insomnia, extreme fatigue and more – all of which could be life-changing for those suffering from them.[iv]

From these figures alone, it’s easy to see why many people are still stressed about the dangers surrounding Covid-19. For dentists, a lot of this fear is likely to be compounded by the fact that we are in close proximity to people throughout the day – dental practices are safe environments for the most part, but it’s still a great concern.

Extra pressure in practice 

Although burnout is no stranger to the dental profession, we’re only now seeing the full effects that the last two years have had on mental health across the board. The same survey that spoke to Welsh dentists found that 83% of respondents had still gone to work in practice, despite not feeling mentally well enough to do so.[v]

There are many potential reasons behind the plummet in mental health that many are experiencing. Catching up on the huge patient backlog, stressful safety measures, unhappy patients who haven’t been able to find care during recent months – there’s a lot of extra pressure to our positions that didn’t exist to quite the same extent before the pandemic.

Interestingly, one aspect of our jobs that continually ranks high in the extra stress department is the increase in administrative tasks that have been made necessary following the resumption of services. One survey found that a staggering 98% of dentists stated that admin was responsible for rising stress levels in practice – again, perhaps no surprise as the ever-changing nature of guidelines, protocols and necessary patient screening is a time-consuming and sometimes confusing affair.[vi]

NHS services, in particular, are also considerably underfunded at this time, leading to many dentists deserting NHS dentistry as they believe the stress isn’t worth it. Indeed, a report states that 2,000 dentists quit the NHS in 2021, which has left many areas in the country without NHS services and piling extra pressure on those who have retained their NHS contracts.[vii]  

A dire shift

So, with stress levels so high, burnout imminent for many and no particular relief in sight, it’s easy to see the shift this is having in UK dental services. As well as leaving the NHS, figures suggest that two thirds of dentists are now looking towards early retirement.[viii]

What this means for the fate of dentistry in the UK in the long-term is unclear, but it’s obvious that it will take a long time for dentistry to bounce back, especially if so many professionals are no longer finding the industry an environment they can thrive in.

Ultimately, the cost of weathering the pandemic has been the emergence of a new epidemic – a stress problem that needs urgent attention.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

[i] Nation. Cymru. Dentists in Wales report high levels of stress with many facing ‘complete burnout’. Link: https://nation.cymru/news/dentists-in-wales-report-high-levels-of-stress-with-many-facing-complete-burnout/ [Last accessed May 22].

[ii] BBC News. Covid-19 in the UK: How many coronavirus cases are there in my area? Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274 [Last accessed May 22].

[iii] Web M. Study Finds Covid-19 May Lower Intelligence. Link: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210730/study-finds-covid-19-may-lower-intelligence [Last accessed May 22].

[iv] NHS. Long-Term Effects Of Coronavirus (Long COVID). Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/long-term-effects-of-coronavirus-long-covid/#:~:text=depression%20and%20anxiety,sense%20of%20smell%20or%20taste [Last accessed May 22].

[v] Nation. Cymru. Dentists in Wales report high levels of stress with many facing ‘complete burnout’. Link: https://nation.cymru/news/dentists-in-wales-report-high-levels-of-stress-with-many-facing-complete-burnout/ [Last accessed May 22].

[vi] Nation. Cymru. Dentists in Wales report high levels of stress with many facing ‘complete burnout’. Link: https://nation.cymru/news/dentists-in-wales-report-high-levels-of-stress-with-many-facing-complete-burnout/ [Last accessed May 22].

[vii] The Guardian.  ‘Dental deserts’ form in England as dentists quit NHS, experts warn. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/01/dental-deserts-form-in-england-as-dentists-quit-nhs-experts-warn [Last accessed May 22].

[viii] Nation. Cymru. Dentists in Wales report high levels of stress with many facing ‘complete burnout’. Link: https://nation.cymru/news/dentists-in-wales-report-high-levels-of-stress-with-many-facing-complete-burnout/ [Last accessed May 22].

For dentists looking to learn the principles of lingual orthodontics, the Lingual Braces course from IAS Academy covers all the essential topics.

The course is split between a morning and an afternoon programme – in the morning, delegates will cover mainly theoretical topics, such as arch evaluation and space calculation, treatment sequence and brackets, arch wires and instruments. For the afternoon programme, delegates will cover retention and case presentation and trouble shooting. Plus, there will be a stimulating hands-on session with expert assistance, covering wire and retainer placement.

Delegates will learn how to provide dentistry that lasts, gain clinical support and governance plus life-long mentoring with every case included.

Be sure to book your place now!

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

Clark Dental is delighted to offer the CEREC Primescan and Primemill solution from Dentsply Sirona, supporting the ultimate digital workflow.

With its intuitive touchscreen and touchpad, the CEREC Primescan provides highly convenient handling. The advanced Smart Pixel Sensor processes over 1,000,000 3D points per second, producing photorealistic and highly accurate data. With two individual software configurations, clinicians can make the best choice for the needs of their dental practice.

The Primemill delivers remarkable precision for restorations, which can be milled within five minutes, reducing treatment times and boosting efficiency. With the choice of wet and dry milling and wet grinding, the Primemill offers a range of material options, providing flexibility and predictability for the best possible treatment.

When these two solutions are combined, clinicians have the option for designing and producing outstanding chairside restorations.

To find out more, visit the website or get in touch with Clark Dental today.

If you’d like to find out more about Clark Dental’s solutions, call the team on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk.

There are many factors that may contribute to the development of dental caries, many of which patients can influence with positive oral hygiene behaviours. The greatest challenge for the dental team is often educating patients to the point where they genuinely appreciate the importance of preventing caries, as well as understand the role they play every day. However, this is easier said than done, because the risk factors can be complex.

The current landscape

In the UK, nearly a third of adults have tooth decay,[i] which is commonly caused by inadequate oral hygiene, as well as a diet high in sugar.[ii] The story is little better for children. In 2017, almost a quarter of 5-year-olds had tooth decay.

The good news is that prevention can be simple for many individuals – regular removal of bacterial plaque from the teeth and gums through recommended brushing and interdental cleaning is all it takes. The not-so-good news is that the message surrounding oral health, how to maintain it and its impact on general wellbeing, still needs to be louder among the population. What’s more, the solution is not always as simple as encouraging patients to brush better.

Complicated relationships

Unfortunately, there are many other factors at play which the dental team have less direct control over. Several sources demonstrate significant inequalities in oral health across the nation for people, which include imbalances in access to and utilisation of dental health support for those of varying age, gender, location and socio-economic status.[iii] Oral health of those in the latter group was most often linked to availability of dental services, as well as smoking habits and alcohol consumption.

Even when deprivation was considered, a study by Public Health England in 2019[iv] found an association between children’s weight and their risk of dental caries – finding those who were overweight more likely to experience tooth decay. There was also a suggestion that children who were seriously underweight may have a higher risk of caries too.

Other systemic health conditions that could affect caries risk include diabetes. One paper postulated that children with type 1 diabetes may be at a higher risk of caries than those without, given their experience with dry mouth and salivary dysfunction.[v] This is supported by similar findings in diabetic adults, especially those with poorer glycaemic control.[vi] 

Plus, it’s important remind patients that it works the other way around too. Advanced dental caries has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in among middled-aged cohorts.[vii]

Getting the message across

Of course this is all far too much to discuss with a patient in a single appointment. The dental team therefore has to consider how to convey the information in the most effective way. This should be done on an individual basis, taking into account each patient’s specific situation, their education level, their priorities and their health status.

When describing dental disease or the proposed treatment, it is essential to use simple language. This can be a very daunting experience for many patients and not understanding or misinterpreting the conversation could lead to distrust and very little action on their part. In general, it can be helpful to talk about the bigger picture too – if they appreciate that oral health is about much more that whether they keep their teeth, they might be more motivated to improve their at-home routines.

Communication can often be supplemented with visual aids such as images or animations, which may convey the development of caries better than words. This is especially useful when engaging with children and young people.

It is equally as important to recommend products that patients find easy to implement and that you trust to effectively manage issues and deliver adequate protection for the future. Take the Curasept Biosmalto Impact Action Mousse, available through J&S Davis in the UK. This provides rapid remineralisation to protect patients’ teeth from caries, as well as from acid attacks, mechanical abrasion, dry mouth, white spots, fluorosis and sensitivity. It’s SLS-free, easy to apply and vegan, making it ideal for all patients who would benefit from its innovative remineralisation features.  

Start simple

The topic of dental caries may be a complex one to discuss with patients, but giving them relevant information in a way they are most likely to understand will help to encourage their participation in oral hygiene maintenance. Start with simple explanations and reliable products, building detail each time a patient returns to refresh and expand their knowledge for the best long-term results.  

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

[i] Oral health Foundation. Oral health statistics in the UK. https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-health-statistics [Accessed May 2022]

[ii] NHS. Tooth decay. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/ [Accessed May 2022]

[iii] Gov.uk. Inequalities in oral health in England: summary. March 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inequalities-in-oral-health-in-england/inequalities-in-oral-health-in-england-summary#:~:text=The%20relative%20inequalities%20in%20the,geographies%20and%20different%20social%20groups. [Accessed May 2022]

[iv] Public Health England. The relationship between caries and body mass index. Child level analysis. November 2019. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/844121/BMI_dental_caries.pdf [Accessed May 2022]

[v] Ferizi L, Dragidella F, Spahiu L, Begzati A, Kotori V. The Influence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Dental Caries and Salivary Composition. Int J Dent. 2018;2018:5780916. Published 2018 Oct 2. doi:10.1155/2018/5780916

[vi] Schmolinsky, J., Kocher, T., Rathmann, W. et al. Diabetes status affects long-term changes in coronal caries – The SHIP Study. Sci Rep 9, 15685 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51086-z

[vii] Kim, K., Choi, S., Chang, J. et al. Severity of dental caries and risk of coronary heart disease in middle-aged men and women: a population-based cohort study of Korean adults, 2002–2013. Sci Rep 9, 10491 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47029-3

To meet the demands and expectations of a wide range of patients, it’s important to build a diverse and talented team. In many situations, it can be faster and more efficient to extend your team with the help of a referral centre – we’re here to help at Lodge Dental.

We have an exceptionally dedicated, highly skilled team of clinicians that can provide various treatments by referral when you need us. Our dedicated Referrals Manager also ensures a seamless service from start to finish. Get total peace of mind when referring your patient to our expert team and state-of-the-art facility.

The result is excellent treatment outcomes and happy patients.

Why not work with Lodge Dental and build a dream team for your patients’ care today?

For further information, please contact Jo on 01873 854711 or referrals@lodgedental.co.uk, or visit lodgedental.co.uk/referrals

What’s most important to you in your role?

The chance to work with a great team of professionals? Opportunities to develop your career? Greater working flexibility? Here at Colosseum Dental UK, we offer all of this, and more!

We provide exceptional training opportunities and career development and, as you’ll be in an employed contract, you can enjoy all of the benefits this brings too. This includes having your GDC registration fees covered and indemnity provided. Plus, you’ll receive a competitive salary package, a new Pastelli uniform and flexible hours, among plenty more perks!

If you’d like to find out more about a career with us, get in touch with the team or visit the website today!

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

#WeCareMore

Straumann works with several high-profile education partners to help deliver exceptional implant training opportunities for clinicians. VSSAcademy™ is one such partner, providing an MSc in Clinical Implantology, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Alan Goldie, VSSAcademy™ Partner, commented:

“We’re not your ‘normal’ training provider team and we’re proud of it. We are not just about teaching skills and leaving dentists to work the rest out on their own. We do everything in our power to look after the people who come to us for skill development, taking a personal interest in every individual considering the MSc and all our courses. We take a real-life approach and we are in it for the long-haul.”

The course itself is presented by Dr Fadi Barrak over two years and covers an array of topics from treatment planning and case selection to implant design and biomechanics, surgical skills, occlusion, restoration and more.

For details or to apply, please visit courses@vssacademy.co.uk

For more information about the education and training available through Straumann, please visit https://www.straumann.com/en/dental-professionals/training-and-education.html