Coming back to the NEC Birmingham next May is Dental Technology Showcase 2023, THE event for anyone and everyone who works in dental technology.

Co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show, a high-quality education programme will run alongside a trade exhibition featuring the latest solutions for the modern dental lab and technician.

Whatever area you work in, you will gain insight through the 40+ hours of CPD available. Meet with the leading lights in industry and expand your network. The exhibition space is a great way to see, up-close, established brands alongside the innovators that are making dental technology an exciting place to be.

Save the dates for DTS 2023. It is FREE to attend – register your interest at the-dts.co.uk today.

DTS 2023 will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May, NEC Birmingham,
co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show.

For more information, visit the-dts.co.uk, or email dts@closerstillmedia.com

Complete incredible full-mouth transformations in one surgical phase with the NeoArch^® Immediate Fixed Full-Arch Solution from Neodent^®.

Shorter treatment times – great for your patients!

Natural looking aesthetics, so they can enjoy living life to the full again, with their smile returned.

Neodent^® NeoArch^®  has revolutionised this area of dental implantology. The optimised design means you can achieve high primary stability in all bone types. For more flexibility, there is a broad gingival height abutment range, also options of straight and angled abutment.

Predictable, safe – more peace of mind. The whole team will love working with this solution, coordinating efficient treatment which can bring life-changing results.

Choose NeoArch from Neodent^® , a Straumann Group brand.

For more information on the Neodent^® NeoArch^® Immediate Fixed Full-Arch Solution, visit https://www.straumann.com/neodent/gb/en/professionals/treatment-concepts/treatment-solutions/neo-arch.html

Something is missing and you don’t even realise it yet

You might think that your life is complete – but can you honestly say there is absolutely no way to make your life better or make you happier? It’s time to reassess what you love and put yourself first…

Dentistry is a wonderful profession that can provide a highly rewarding career. Many dentists are happy doing what they do every day – seeing patients, getting them out of pain, improving their smiles, boosting their confidence. You are probably one of these dentists yourself. But have you ever stopped to consider if there could be more?

Even when we are relatively happy, life can get monotonous. What was once exciting will lose its edge over time. The routine you create and refine can become mundane.

None of this means that you are unhappy. You may not even notice the subtle changes because it can happen slowly and sub-consciously. However, feelings of restlessness often increase over time and what you were once content with could change, eventually diminishing your quality of life.

“Why fix something that’s not broken yet?” you may ask.

Something doesn’t have to be broken to have the potential for improvement. If you look at some of the most successful business people and organisations in the modern world, they do not wait for things to stagnate before disrupting the norm and seeking innovative ways to grow. Bill Gates was famously quoted as saying “Success is a lousy teacher”. And it’s true. When things are going well and you are content with your career, there is little motivation to learn new skills and make changes. That can leave you drifting through the years, slightly disconnected, driven by habit rather than ambition and accepting the comfort that comes with familiarity.

This might be enough for you to remain content working as a dentist for many years, and that’s great.

Or, you might realise that you want that more from a career you have invested so much in already.

I worked as a dentist myself for many years so I know first-hand how easy it is to get into a rut without realising. The alarm goes off on Monday morning, you get yourself to the practice, see some great patients and a couple of difficult people, have the usual conversations about improving oral hygiene, chat with the dental nurse about your weekend spent catching up with paperwork and visiting friends. You go home, eat the typical Monday night pasta with the family, see an episode or two of your favourite TV show, go to bed – the alarm sounds and off you go again.                                                                                                                                     

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but surely, there must be more? More to enjoy, more to look forward to, more to actively get involved with – essentially, a more fulfilling version of this life. There is, if you recognise that you need to ignite that spark inside you. 

Breaking the normal cycle and moving out of you comfort zone can bring passion and exhilaration to your life that you didn’t know you were missing. It’s about finding that higher level in order to put the excitement back into your career.

The next question you might ask is “how do I do this?”

The answer will depend on what you care about most and what brings you joy. For example, many dentists realise they have a love for teaching or mentoring others, especially as they become more experienced themselves. The opportunity to pass on your knowledge and help shape the next generation can be hugely satisfying and offer unrivalled feelings of accomplishment.

Action points

• Rate your happiness as a dentist on a scale of 1-10, 1 is ‘extremely unhappy’ and 10 is ‘couldn’t be happier’ – be completely honest with yourself. If you decide on anything other than a 10, there is room for more fulfilment.
• Make a change to your routine tomorrow. Get up 30 minutes earlier than normal. Take a different route to work. Meditate for 10 minutes before leaving. Start reading a new book. Join a local study club. Ask a colleague if they would be interested in finding a mentor. Whatever you do, break out of your usual routine.
• Seek support from people who can inspire you and get you motivated to really fulfil your potential. Mahmood Mawjee and The RE-IGNITE Academy offer programmes designed specifically to get you out of your comfort zone and into the best years of your working life. Reach out on Instagram @thereigniteacademy or @mahmoodmawjee to get started.

You may feel content with your life as a dentist right now, but consider what life could be like with more passion and more success. Why not see if there’s more out there for you – what’s the worst that could happen?

 For more information about The RE-IGNITE Academy, please follow @thereigniteacademy or @mahmoodmawjee on Instagram or visit www.thereigniteacademy.com

Jason Wong is the Deputy Chief Dental Officer for England. He joined us at this year’s Dentistry Show London to present his session, “Creating a positive patient safety culture in dentistry”. He was joined by Health Education England (HEE) Fellow, Josie Sumer, to promote Project Spere which aims to change the culture of fear felt by many in dentistry. About Dentistry Show London and his session, he says:

“It’s been a bit of a flying visit this year, but the show so far has been really good, and I enjoyed presenting my session.”

Project Sphere aims to re-frame the way the dental team manage the recording of patient safety events by creating an infrastructure that is more supportive for dentists. In Jason Wong’s session, he encouraged a change in tone when discussing incidents, and the creation of a safe environment which allows dentists to learn from these events and share their experience.

When the team feels supported at practice level – with the opportunity to record incidents, manage and correct situations, and reflect on the event in order to learn from it going forward – a positive environment is created. The wider aim of this project is to help change the culture of dentistry as a whole and move away from defensive dentistry and fear, by encouraging education and incident recording.

“Our main message, and one which I hope many delegates will take away from my session, is about creating a culture in dentistry and in practices which makes their practising lives better.”

This project is aligned with the NHS patient safety strategy – learn from patient safety events (LFPSE) – which enables the recording and learning from incidents and examples of excellence. Dr Wong suggested that it’s important for dental professionals to remain vigilant looking out for when things go right and when things run the risk of going wrong. It is just as vital that professionals know what to do and who to talk to if things don’t go to plan.

Dr Wong recommended that delegates ask why things happen, encouraged them to analyse the root cause, take corrective action, and understand why it went wrong in the first place. At a practice level, notice what isn’t recorded, take the time to investigate the little things, helping to notice small errors which could lead to bigger issues down the line. He suggested that for every 300 near misses, there are 3,000 unsafe acts, behaviours, or conditions – so keeping track of and learning from these events will help to prevent bigger incidents.

He also suggested practices take a team approach to patient safety. As part of Project Sphere, it’s recommended to complete huddle sheets with your team. These should be daily, following an incident, to reflect on lessons learned. These will help your dental team to regularly evaluate their approach to patient safety, and assess any changes made and lessons learned after a patient safety event occurs.

By encouraging a positive culture change, you can reduce loss of confidence in your practice, increase positive outcomes and ensure your dental team members feel valued. Be sure to celebrate your team’s wins, whether that’s in person, or via social media, you can strengthen your team and encourage a positive work environment. It is worthwhile to take part in team events, such as book swaps and mental health week, and remember that looking after your dental nurses is key.

Dr Wong also recommended that dental practices build a system to reinforce patient safety messaging. This might include: conducting a 5-minute huddle every day, opening a recording system, giving the dental team the freedom to speak up, having a duty of candour, and allowing your team to speak truth to power. Remember that it’s vital to ensure you are following the correct procedures through indemnity providers, and not turning to social media for advice.

Tesa, a delegate at Dentistry Show London, commented:

“Jason Wong was an engaging speaker. The topic of the session was very important and I support the message. I have found the show very interesting so far.”

Dentistry Show London provided delegates with the opportunity to access education on the most important issues in dentistry from expert speakers and discuss with colleagues, as well as discover the latest developments in dental technology. Speaking on his experience with the show, Dr Wong added:

“Dentistry Show London’s communication in preparation for my session was really good and the team were very efficient. They were able to accommodate inviting Joise last minute to speak as part of my session too.”

Dentistry Show London 2023 will be held on Friday 6^th and Saturday 7^th October. Visit london.dentistryshow.co.uk for the latest details

For clinicians looking to improve and increase their skill set in dental implantology, Ucer Education is proud to provide quality assured and accredited postgraduate dental implant courses.

Run by Specialist Oral Surgeon Professor Cemal Ucer, clinicians are taught in a state-of-the-art dental hospital and teaching centre, with the latest digital technologies. There will also be mentoring and support on-hand throughout the training programmes and beyond, granting clinicians confidence when applying new skills to patient treatment.

By gaining skills and competence in restoring and placing implants, clinicians will enhance the care they provide, boost patient satisfaction and maximise treatment outcomes.

Ucer Education has been providing postgraduate education for 25 years, so clinicians can reach the next level of implant dentistry with confidence.

Please contact Professor Ucer at ucer@icedental.institute or Mel Hay at mel@mdic.co

01612 371842

www.ucer-clinic.dental

In November, the ADI Masterclass: Peri-implantitis Defects, held in collaboration with Osteology Foundation, took place at the Royal College of Physicians in London. The event welcomed speakers of international prestige from across the globe.

Turnout was impressive and ADI President Amit Patel said this was thanks to members’ ongoing support, and also their belief “in what the Association stands for: the profession and the team”.

The ADI’s events programme is just one reason to become a member – you’ll also get networking opportunities, learning resources, the chance for peer recognition and more. We welcome dentists, DCPs, technicians and students and believe in a real team approach.

Get in touch today, to find out how the ADI can help you take your career to new heights in 2023 and beyond.

For more information, visit www.adi.org.uk

Become a member today!

As part of 3M Oral Care’s commitment to helping professionals remain at the forefront of the industry, we created the Brain Floss Blog!

An easy-to-access online hub, this blog contains everything from in-depth case studies to spotlight features of the latest 3M Oral Care solutions.

You can test your knowledge in weekly quizzes, keep up to date with the latest 3M webinars and read about topics that are relevant to dental professionals of all skill levels – with the Brain Floss Blog, you have everything you need!

You can find the blog online here: https://dentalblog.3m.com/dental/

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

3M is a trademark of the 3M Company.

Working in dentistry is a career path full of opportunity. Clinicians are encouraged to continually diversify and add to their skill set, branching out into new areas and following their passions to help them become better healthcare professionals.

However, gaining the training and support you need to excel in your chosen path is not always straightforward. From finding relevant CPD courses, mentors and other necessities, it’s not unusual for professionals to feel like they’re lacking support or can’t access the resources they need.

At Colosseum Dental UK, the skills and career ambitions of our dentists are a top priority. We invest in our professionals, and ensure that they have the environment and opportunities they need to succeed.

Here’s what we can do for you:

Cutting-edge practices with modern amenities

Investing in our dentists starts with giving them a high-quality place to work. We’ve dedicated millions of pounds into refurbishing and modernising our practices across the nation. Now, the dentists who work with us benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment such as the latest intraoral scanners and rotary endodontic equipment, so that they the necessary tools to provide unrivalled care.

We’re proud to be the only UK dental provider that can confidently say we’ve updated practices on this scale.

Support at every step of your journey

Every dental professional has a different career path in mind. Regardless of whether you want to  pursue endodontics, become a dental implantologists or become a master of orthodontics, Colosseum Dental UK will support you.

We give our dentists access to incredible resources such as our mentoring programmes and opportunities to specialise. For example, all clinicians can benefit from discounted CPD courses through Agilio. We also provide sponsored educational opportunities for professionals to learn more about clinical areas such as composite bonding  – regardless of your interests and professional aspirations we can help you achieve the necessary skills and knowledge.

Dentists can also visit the Colosseum Dental Academy in Oslo, Norway. Here, clinicians have the option to partake in hands-on training and a diverse array of continuing education programmes, giving everybody the chance to hone their skills and receive the information and training they need to excel in whatever their chosen path may be. Training provided by the Colosseum Dental Academy is delivered in a combination of in person sessions and online modules, giving professionals a flexible and manageable approach to training that can be tailored to suit different schedules.

Additionally, all of our dentists benefit from high levels of clinical governance and support as part of fostering an understanding, high-quality work environment for all.

Of course, support doesn’t mean just helping our dentists meet their career goals. In our practices, we guarantee that dentists are backed by qualified dental nurses who are fully trained to help streamline treatment and give the necessary ancillary support. This way, regardless of the skills you develop, you can rest assured that your dental nurses are able to assist you with procedures, joining in the team effort to provide exceptional treatment.

Colosseum dental UK takes you further

Ultimately, Colosseum Dental UK goes the extra mile to support our dentists, not only by nurturing and developing skills and passions, but also by providing high quality resources for development and education.

Here’s what Micheal, one of the dentists who is part of the Colosseum Dental UK family, has to say:

“I cannot fault any part of Colosseum Dental and feel privileged to be part of such a great company. The support staff are excellent!”

Remember, when you choose Colosseum Dental UK, you benefit from:

• State-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment
• High standards of clinical governance and support
• Professional development into a range of specialisms
• Mentoring opportunities
• Much, much more!

To find out more about skill development, job opportunities and other information for dentists, please get in touch with the team at Colosseum Dental UK today.

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

Or for an informal call, call our Head of Recruitment, Lee Catlin on 07936 358758

#WeCareMore

Claude Streit
Chief Executive Officer

Claude Streit joined Colosseum Dental in 2019.

Claude previously spent 7 years in senior finance leadership roles at Hirslanden – the leading private acute care hospital group in Switzerland. Hirslanden is part of Mediclinic International, an international private healthcare services group listed on the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”).

During his tenure as Head of Group Controlling and Business Unit Financial Management and Member of the Operations Committee he lead the organisational transformation from a group of independent hospitals to a highly integrated hospital group. He was instrumental in building out the new financial setup of Hirslanden including a new Enterprise Resource Planning system that provides a highly integrated value flows across functions. Furthermore, he established a reputation for aligning financial and business metrics to support business strategy and high-growth.

Claude started his career in consulting. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen, majoring in Finance, Accounting and Reporting. Outside work, Claude loves to travel, spend time outdoors and enjoys running and skiing.

As all dental professionals are aware, according to HTM01-05 guidelines, reusable instruments must be free of visible contaminants prior to sterilisation as an Essential Quality Requirement (EQR). There are various potential methods for this, including manual cleaning, an ultrasonic bath or a washer disinfector. The HTM01-05 guidelines state that a validated automated washer disinfector should be used in order to achieve best practice. SDCEP guidelines likewise advise that for compliance, a washer disinfector is the preferred method for cleaning reusable instruments. This is due to its thermal disinfection stage that renders instruments safe for handling and inspection, as well as its automated process that can be validated.[i]

Therefore, you should consider making a thermal washer disinfector part of your decontamination workflow, to demonstrate that this EQR is now best practice. The benefits of utilising this system are numerous and, if you have not done so already, it is worth exploring how a washer disinfector can streamline your infection prevention protocols.

Thermal disinfection – how does it work?

Thermal disinfection, as defined in the ISO15883-1:2006, is ‘disinfection achieved by the action of moist heat’.[ii] This method utilises hot water and/or steam to kill bacteria and viruses, exposing them to a high temperature for a specific amount of time. This process has been depended on by medical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries for years, to ensure that products and goods are safe for use, handling or consumption.[iii]The temperature used in thermal disinfection can range from 65°C to 100°C, and has demonstrated its effects on the structure and function of biomolecules, and the coagulated proteins, lipids and carbohydrates that comprise cell and virus structures.ⁱ Thermal disinfection minimises exposure to bloodborne pathogens by processing staff. This is through the removal of debris and microorganisms from the instruments, so they are ready for inspection and sterilisation. Therefore, thermal disinfection is considered a reliable, consistent and validated disinfection process.[iv]

How can a washer disinfector benefit a busy dental team?

Like all other areas in healthcare, the dental environment is home to many potential cross-infection threats.

To demonstrate best practice, it is recommended by the HTM01-05 guidelines to use a validated washer disinfector in addition to an autoclave.[v] While not currently mandatory, washer disinfectors still make for a highly-beneficial investment that all dental professionals should consider. For example, when compared to the manual cleaning of items prior to sterilisation, using a washer disinfector can not only reduce the risk of sharps injuries, but can also ensure that the entirety of the item is clean and free from debris. As all dental professionals know, time is always of the essence in the dental practice, and the use of a washer disinfector can save time for the dental team when compared with manual instrument cleaning.[vi]    

Washer disinfectors put dental instruments through a comprehensive cleaning process. Firstly, cold water is used to remove contaminants such as blood, tissue debris, proteins and fluids. HTM01-05 guidelines state that water under 45°C will prevent the coagulation of protein and fixing of soil to the instrument.^v A detergent wash then

loosens up and breaks any remaining contamination that is adhering to the instrument. This is followed by a detergent rinse, and then a thermal disinfection, whereby the temperature of the load rises and is held for the required holding time. Finally, the contents of the washer disinfector are dried and ready for inspection before sterilisation. This thorough process provides much-needed confidence that the dental instruments are sufficiently cleaned and ready for the autoclave.

Protect your equipment

Like any piece of equipment in the dental surgery, regular maintenance and servicing of a washer disinfector is vital to ensure its longevity, and to make sure it is always operating at its best. When looking to invest in a washer disinfector, it is wise to be mindful of the company’s service offerings. This helps to ensure that, in the rare event that assistance is needed, it can be easily accessed with minimal downtime.

Eschmann offers the Miele PG8581 underbench washer disinfector, a free-standing system configured specifically for dental practices. The Miele PG8581 features a unique dental cycle which is validated and compliant to HTM01-05 and SDCEP guidelines. It is also available with Eschmann Care & Cover, a comprehensive service that offers complete breakdown cover and regular maintenance, unlimited Eschmann parts and labour and Enhanced CPD User Training, all with no hidden costs.

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

[i] Cleaning of Dental Instruments Dental Clinical Guidance Second Edition Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme SDcep. (2014). [online] Available at: https://www.sdcep.org.uk/media/rq4n5tnn/sdcep_cleaning_of_dental_instruments_2nd_edition_jan2016.pdf [Accessed 14 Sep. 2022].

[ii] 14:00-17:00 (n.d.). ISO 15883-1:2006. [online] ISO. Available at: https://www.iso.org/standard/41076.html [Accessed 22 Aug. 2022].

[iii] McCormick, P.J., Schoene, M.J., Dehmler, M.A. and McDonnell, G. (2016). Moist Heat Disinfection and Revisiting the A ₀ Concept. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, [online] 50(s3), pp.19–26. Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/bit/article/50/s3/19/142833/Moist-Heat-Disinfection-and-Revisiting-the-A0 [Accessed 22 Aug. 2022].

[iv] Kremer, T.A., McDonnell, G., Mitzel, E., Jain, N., Hubert, H., Roth, K., Labrie, P. and Villella, A. (2021). Thermal Disinfection Validation: The Relationship Between A0 and Microbial Reduction. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, [online] 55(3), pp.85–90. Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/bit/article/55/3/85/468080/Thermal-Disinfection-Validation-The-Relationship [Accessed 22 Aug. 2022].

[v] Decontamination Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices 2 0 1 3 e d i t i o n. (2013). [online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/HTM_01-05_2013.pdf [Accessed 22 Aug. 2022].

[vi] Stankiewicz, N. (2018). The experience of dental practices that use automatic washer disinfectors. Journal of Infection Prevention, [online] 20(1), pp.25–31. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1757177418795044 [Accessed 30 Sep. 2022].

Dentistry is a hugely rewarding career, but it is easy to get stuck in a routine without realising it. Breaking out of your comfort zone is important to renew your passion and bring the excitement back into your career.

Mahmood Mawjee and The RE-IGNITE Academy offer programmes designed specifically to help you change your mindset, create a career blueprint, give you the belief that you can make it happen and hold you accountable to literally start a new life. They will give you the motivation and the tools you need to reinvent yourself, to maximise your career, to start a side business, or to double your income. Whatever your goals, the team have experienced the journey themselves first-hand – they know what it takes to be truly happy and truly successful, and can help you achieve total fulfilment.

Reach out on Instagram @thereigniteacademy or @mahmoodmawjee to get started. What’s the worst that could happen?

For more information about The RE-IGNITE Academy, please follow @thereigniteacademy or @mahmoodmawjee on Instagram or visit www.thereigniteacademy.com