Month: February 2023

BDCDS 2023 programme now live!

The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS) returns to the NEC Birmingham on 12-23 May 2023 and the extensive CPD educational programme is now live on the website.

Browse the full line-up of outstanding speakers and diverse range of topics being discussed, including management of tooth wear, use of digital imaging technologies, anterior and posterior composite, endodontics, implantology, practice marketing, career development, team building, skill mix and so much more. Whether you’re looking for new equipment and materials, hoping to streamline your business or considering your next career move, BDCDS 2023 has something for you.

With the programme now live, you can plan your visit to make sure you don’t miss any important sessions for the most productive learning experience possible. Browse the website and register – for free – online today!

Check out the BDCDS 2023 programme online today at birmingham.dentistryshow.co.uk/conference-programme

Register today

Dentist juniors to join 72-hour walkout

The British Dental Association has announced that dentists working in hospitals employed under the junior contract will join their medical colleagues in a 72-hour walkout from 13 March.

These dentists will be withdrawing their labour in 19 employing trusts. 100% of voters backed industrial action in 18 of the 19 trusts.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “This small but important group of dentists are working to the same contracts as their medical colleagues, and like them are not worth a penny less than they were 15 years ago. Our members will down drills until the government comes back to the table with a serious offer.”

Hospital dentists based in the following trusts are set for action:

  1. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  2. Countess Of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  3. Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  4. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
  5. George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
  6. Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  7. Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  8. Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
  9. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
  10. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
  11. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
  12. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
  13. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
  14. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  15. South Tyneside And Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
  16. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  17. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  18. St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  19. Barts Health NHS Trust

Announcing our guest speaker!

This year, we are delighted to announce our guest speaker, Major Tim Peake, will be hosting a fantastic lecture for delegates. Tim has an impressive job history, including being the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station.

Undoubtedly, Tim has encountered many obstacles over his career, which includes 18 years in the military – at the ADI Team Congress 2023, he will take to the stage and discuss how he overcame these trials, inspiring the audience to consider the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

At the ADI, we are proud to deliver exceptional education and learning opportunities to the dental implant community. This is why we created the ADI Team Congress – an event that would bring together dental professionals from across the UK and beyond, to network, socialise and keep at the cutting-edge of implant dentistry.

Tim’s lecture certainly is not to be missed – book your place for the ADI Team Congress 2023 today!

 

ADI Team Congress 2023

Dental Implants: Individual Excellence or Team Triumph

Birmingham

4-6 May 2023

ADI members can access the event at a heavily discounted rate, join today

www.adi.org.uk

Measure implant stability with confidence

The Osstell Beacon™ is a swift and non-invasive diagnosis instrument, delivered proudly by W&H. This innovative solution helps clinicians objectively determine implant stability, as well as measure the degree of osseointegration without risking the healing period.

The implant stability quotient (ISQ) values are displayed on a colour wheel, providing information on the degree of osseointegration. With the Osstell Connect portal, clinicians can easily extract data, share files and view the results of each implant measurement. This can be done using a computer, tablet or even a smartphone.

With over 1,200 reviewed articles demonstrating the efficacy of the Osstell Beacon™, clinicians can rest assured that they’ll receive a fantastic performance, every time. To discover more about W&H solutions and systems, get in touch or visit the website today.

 

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

Industry expert Ferhan Ahmed on how he built a business empire and multiplied his income by 10

Every dentist has the potential to do more, earn more and be more than they are today. The ideas and passion are there, but sometimes you just need a helping hand to unlock them and realise the opportunities available to you. Dr Ferhan Ahmed has been on his journey in the last few years, whereby he has adapted his business, removed self-limitations and truly thrived.

Thinking about how it all began, he shares where he started back in 2019:

“I was listening to a podcast from Mahmood Mawjee and what he said really resonated with me. He was discussing how important it was to be an impactful speaker in almost anything else that you do. As a provider of dental implant training and a practising clinician, it was easy to apply this to my personal situation and see just how much this could impact my work. Mahmood was very energetic, motivational and clearly passionate about what he was saying. I was hungry to improve, to better myself. When I contacted Mahmood, he promised he could make me a better speaker – it was as simple as that.”

Ferhan proceeded to join a programme with Mahmood and The RE-IGNITE Academy – that was three years ago. He considers what his life is like today and what the greatest changes have been:

“I started working with Mahmood one-to-one just prior to the pandemic, so we were both developing our business models to adjust to lockdown at the same time. He helped me adapt to the situation, take my mentoring and training services online and really engage with people at home. Mahmood enabled me to reach a remote audience, identify what I could offer them and build packages to provide a service they valued. In the first lockdown I sold out three cohorts of my online programme through careful marketing and positioning, so it was a significant success – all made possible through my relationship with Mahmood.

“Regarding what has changed the most for me, I’d say I am starting to discover what I am truly capable of. I am a qualified doctor and dentist and had always compartmentalised my working lives which limited what I was capable of. Mahmood helped me realise that I could be so much more than just a clinician – he saw the bigger picture as an outsider looking in and provided a guide for me in my growth. He took the drive and hunger I already had hidden inside me, brought it to the surface and super-charged it. He encouraged my curiosity to learn more and propel my personal development.

“Aside from this massive change in my mindset, my business and my personal growth, Mahmood’s guidance has also enabled me to consistently earn way beyond what I ever imagined I could make. I never dreamt of monetising my skills this effectively – Mahmood has enabled me to consistently earn 10 times my previous monthly income.”

While hugely successful, growth of this size does not come without challenges. Ferhan reflects on what he feels has been the toughest aspect of his journey so far:

“We all have to balance a lot in life. As you develop, you get busier because you have more commitments. Finding time to do everything properly and prioritising tasks day-to-day has been difficult. What I have learnt is that time management is always an issue – you have to spend your time as wisely. As you grow as an individual, your problems get bigger too. However, so does your ability to overcome difficulties, because your whole mindset changes. The challenges I face today would have floored me a few years ago. But I have worked on myself and immersed myself in this environment with Mahmood that has taught me to react differently and be better prepared. It’s like exercise – most people can’t go to the gym on day one and bench press 120kg, they have to build capacity through training. The same should be applied to life in general, the more you work on yourself, the more you can overcome and the more you can achieve. Fortunately, I surrounded myself with the right people to get myself to the place I’m in today.”

Having totally changed his life, Ferhan is keen to help others unlock their own potential and is now a coach helping Mahmood to deliver programmes through The RE-IGNITE Academy. He adds:

“People can achieve whatever they want to when they believe in themselves. As a coach with Th RE-IGNITE Academy, I have seen multiple others repeat what I achieved through the system. It’s not a fluke, it works! Without a doubt, many people have the potential to turn their hidden passions into massive successes, increasing their monthly income by 5 or 10 times in the process.

“I’d encourage colleagues to search out help and guidance for their personal development. You will be more than capable of getting there on your own, but finding a guide, a mindset or business coach will fast track your progress and improve your experience. It’s also hugely beneficial to have someone at the end of the phone for support and reassurance when times get tough.”

As a coach with The RE-IGNITE Academy, Ferhan helps deliver training to clients, shares his own experiences and offers support. He’s there to encourage and motivate others as they embark on their own personal growth. 

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

Cosmetic dentistry on the rise – what gives you the edge over the competition?

We’ve all seen the headlines about the high demand for cosmetic dentistry, and how increasing numbers of patients are electing to have treatment to improve dental aesthetics. People are more aware of things like composite bonding and other treatments and products to quickly and easily fix any issues that are bothering them.

They also know that being satisfied with their smile is a big part of oral health, general physical health and emotional wellbeing. Cosmetic dentistry can restore a sense of self, so that when a person looks in the mirror, they don’t see a version of themselves that makes them want to hide away, rather than live life to the full. This partly explains why one of the big drivers behind the cosmetic boom is the elderly patient population, desiring to reverse any signs of ageing evident in the dentition, such as staining, discoloration and toothwear.[i]

But it isn’t just these patients boosting demand. People of all ages see that a beautiful  smile is achievable and within their reach, often in a relatively short space of time. If they’re unhappy with how theirs looks, and they have the money to spend, they are researching their options, including into which dentist to go to.

Building a cosmetic practice with an enviable reputation will require you to do more than simply list the services you offer on your website. When you’re dealing with a patient population that is proactive, engaged and informed, you won’t be starting from the bottom up. They will have done their own fact-finding independently, probably online, and will likely have had conversations with other practices. You’ll be meeting them halfway, listening to what they want, sharing your knowledge and experience, and often having to manage their expectations. They may have to improve their oral health before you can begin, for example, or perhaps the treatment they are interested in is unsuitable, for reasons that could be clinical, lifestyle related, or both. The patient’s understanding of their role and commitment to aftercare, including regular reviews, hygiene appointments and positive behaviours (not smoking, a healthy diet, good daily cleaning) is crucial too.

If they are disappointed with their initial consultation, rather than watch them go somewhere else, start a dialogue about what, from your professional point of view, could work even better. Communication skills are essential for a successful cosmetic practice, so you can gain patients’ trust to ensure your treatment plans are not only accepted, but completed. It isn’t just your communication skills either, but also the skills of the team who will be supporting you.

Create the right look for your practice. When a patient is choosing to spend their income and time with you, you want to give them the best experience. Set the correct tone of comfort and health, also care and luxury, so that anyone who is hesitant or feels anxious is immediately put at ease. But the space must be functional and professional too, rather than demonstrating style over substance. Patient testimonials are particularly useful when displayed in the reception area, as you can combine physical evidence of dental transformations with the relatable words of people who were delighted by the results and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you.

Make the products you use part of your marketing, promoting how only use the best, for a predictable and stable outcome. Look for consumables that your team loves working with, as well as that support efficient and conservative workflows that protect and preserve the healthy enamel. Composites should be chosen not only because they deliver a naturally beautifully result, but also because they can help prevent further damage. In some cases, modern materials will allow treatment to be completed in a day, with no compromise to strength or aesthetics. COLTENE is the leading global dental manufacturer that champions a streamlined approach to stock, and only offers products that deliver superb and predictable results, a comfortable, efficient experience for the patient and that teams enjoy working with. For beautiful and enduring cosmetic applications, its restorative range includes BRILLIANT EverGlow™, developed to provide long-lasting gloss and shade aesthetics, as well as handling convenience – it’s a real all-rounder. Also, BRILLIANT Componeer™, a composite veneering system comprised of prefabricated shells, for anterior restorations in a single visit. Amazing possibilities for patients, who can get a fantastic result fast. These materials offer exceptionally good value too.

The future of modern dentistry, with more preventive work delivered by dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental nurses, give dentists an opportunity to create a practice that focuses on services patients really want. More demand for cosmetic dentistry, from people who are engaged, informed and have high expectations, means more competition. Take steps now, so you’re ready to stand out and offer exceptional treatment in this sought-after area.

For more on COLTENE, visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.

Author: Mark Allen, General Manager at COLTENE

[i] Morley J. The role of cosmetic dentistry in restoring a youthful appearance. J Am Dent Assoc. 1999 Aug;130 (8): 1166-72. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.1999.0370. PMID: 10491926.

Oral Health Foundation calls for action after a huge rise in childhood tooth extractions under general anaesthetic

The Oral Health Foundation calls for urgent action after a new report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities highlights a catastrophic rise in childhood tooth extractions

Shocking figures reveal an 83% increase in the number of 0-19 year-olds being admitted to hospital for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic, due to tooth decay.

In total, there were 26,741 tooth extractions on 0-19 year-olds, due to tooth decay between 2021-2022.

According to the report, there are large disparities between areas of the country, for example Yorkshire and the Humber rates are over five times that of the East Midlands.

The cost of hospital extractions under general anaesthetic in children 0-19, due to decayed teeth was almost £60 million.  The Oral Health Foundation say this is NHS money that could be used in other areas, to improve dental access and reduce treatment waiting times.

The charity believes more education and funding is needed, as well as improved awareness about tooth decay dental decay can be prevented.   

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation said: “It is unfair and unjust for even one child to experience dental disease and pain, let alone thousands. Only 10% of the country has fluoride added to their water, so expanding water fluoridation schemes could help to reduce these disparities in all areas of the UK.  Water fluoridation is one of the single most credible and impactful schemes that can have a significant impact on tooth decay. The data on children’s general anaesthetic, hospital extractions in non-fluoridated areas versus fluoridated areas is staggering – in fluoridated areas, hospital admissions fall by as much as 68%.”

The caries-related tooth extraction rate for children and young people living in the most deprived areas is nearly 3.5 times that of those living in the most affluent areas.

“These figures continue to suggest that the UK is turning into a postcode lottery when it comes to dental access,” adds Dr Carter.  “These differences have been increasingly apparent as NHS dentistry is put under more stress. Less NHS dentists, rising populations and dental teams combined with an NHS dental contract that does not work, have certainly not helped the situation around the UK.”

The Oral Health Foundation says the number of children and young adults having teeth removed in hospitals is unacceptable.  The charity is concerned that too many people believe that having ‘baby’ teeth removed early does not have a long-term impact on the ‘adult’ or permanent teeth.

Dr Carter says: “If the baby teeth have to be removed early due to decay, this can cause problems with the adult teeth, in the future. The baby teeth hold the space open for the permanent teeth to move into when they are ready.  Without the baby teeth to keep these spaces, the adult teeth often come through in the wrong position.  If this happens, the child will need to have orthodontic (braces) treatment, in the future.”

As always, the Oral Health Foundation recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, using a fluoride toothpaste.  As children get older, they should start to clean in-between their teeth using interdental brushes, tape or floss, once a day.

“Unless the proper steps are put in place to reduce the number of decay-related tooth extractions under general anaesthetic in hospitals, these numbers will continue to escalate and place further strain on an already over-stretched NHS,” adds Dr Carter.  

“The only way to reduce this burden is to educate all ages, on the causes of dental decay and how to prevent it, with a balanced, healthy diet that is low in sugar and maintain an effective dental hygiene routine at home, and keep an eye on their oral health by visiting their dentist regular, as often as they recommend.”

An implant training course to exceed expectations

Dr Simon Bate completed The Campbell Academy’s Year Long Implant Courses in 2020. He says:

“The programme exceeded my expectations. My previous training was quite ‘old fashioned’ and a lot of modern techniques such as GBR were missing, severely limiting the number of cases I could treat. The training at The Campbell Academy far exceeded this and I would recommend the course to anyone. The introduction to the ITI consensus statements and being taught protocol from them was a game changer. It gave me a structure to my treatment planning and protocols that I hadn’t had before.”

The Year Long Implant Course is supported by Straumann, who supplies its clinically-proven implant systems for delegates to practise their new skills with. Simon adds:

“I trained initially with a different implant brand, who’s placement protocols were more complex and solutions limited. Straumann enables you to treat more cases as they have more solutions and better products. For example, the Roxolid surface is stronger than titanium, therefore allowing narrow implants to be placed in situations where this is not possible with other brands.”

Find out more about the training courses available from The Campbell Academy at www.straumanngroupcourses.com

For details about the implant solutions available from Straumann, please visit www.straumann.com

Soaring debt risks cutting off pipeline for next generation of dentists

The British Dental Association warn debt among dental students has more than doubled from 2013 to 2022, risking escalating severe workforce problems, while shutting off access to the profession to those from more modest backgrounds. 

Research published today (24 February 2023) in the British Dental Journal shows: 

  • The total debt of final year dental students and recent dental graduates surveyed increased substantially, more than doubling from £24,734 in 2013 to £52,922.12 in 2022. Increased student fees in 2010 and then in 2016, plus the removal of student grants in 2016 have played a large part in the increase.
  • Commercial and informal borrowing from family and friends almost doubled between 2013 and 2022, with the average value of commercial debt among dental students / recent graduates in 2022, £2,268 and £2,976 average for informal debt in 2022.
  • Three in five (60.2%) respondents experienced financial difficulties during their studies and over a quarter (28.2%) nearly did not come to university because they were concerned about the debts they would accumulate – roughly a 10% increase in both proportions compared to 2013.
  • Over a third (37.9%) of respondents had thought about dropping out of university, with significant differences found between different socioeconomic groups (students whose parents attended university or college of higher education vs. those who didn’t).

With NHS dentistry currently experiencing unprecedented workforce problems and an access crisis the BDA stress sufficient support must be available to meet the needs of current and future dental students, as part of any fully funded, long term workforce plan. 

The professional body stresses that the level of maintenance support within the financial package available to students must be adequate. It says all dental students should be entitled to an NHS bursary, and that all UK governments must jointly produce information resources which allow prospective students to easily find out what support is available to them. It believes interest should not be applied to student loans during studies.

Paul Blaylock, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Student Committee said: “As millions of patients struggle to access care, debt is leaving many students thinking twice about their future in the dental profession. Successive governments have tightened the screws. Ministers cannot rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to ensure this country has the health professionals it needs. We need the brightest and the best on the frontline, and eye-watering levels of debt should not be a barrier. The next generation of dentists and patients deserve better.”

ADG calls for new dental school places to form part of NHS Workforce Plan

Neil Carmichael, Chair of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has responded to The Times newspaper report “NHS want to double medical school places” today with a call for new dental school places in the East of England where access to NHS dentistry is at crisis point to form part of the NHS Workforce Plan.

The ADG supports the creation of a new dental school in the East of England to tackle the geographical imbalance in England’s existing dental schools, coupled with new post graduate training places in the same parts of the UK where oral health inequalities are at their worse.

The ADG has previously called for an increase in the number of UK training places for dentists and incentives for NHS dentists to move to areas with poorer access to dentistry such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, but also the South coast around the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and in Cornwall.

Neil Carmichael, Chair of the ADG, said:

“The Government has recognised the need to train more doctors and nurses, but we need more than this.  As the NHS integrates care systems a long term workforce plan for the whole healthcare workforce is required including lifting the current cap on places at existing dental schools who have capacity to train more students and a new school where it is needed most in the East of England.

“NHS dentistry provision is suffering from acute recruitment problems in many areas of the country the Government wishes to level up.  A national recruitment drive for dentistry  highlighting the opportunities in many parts of the country for those who want to make a difference is part of the solution.”