Month: May 2023

Upgrade your day-to-day dentistry

Performing great dentistry isn’t only about carrying out cutting-edge procedures in the most challenging cases. Even though more advanced dentistry is exciting and can require specialist products to get right, it is certainly not the sort of dentistry most clinicians will be performing on a day-to-day basis.[i] Getting the basics right is vital, and ensuring you have the best possible equipment to complete everyday dentistry to a high standard is fundamental. After all, your patients are unlikely to know about a highly advanced procedure you performed last week, but they will certainly notice if they are dissatisfied with their new crown placement, and this will leave a lasting impression, affecting how they perceive you as a dentist. So, how can clinicians elevate the everyday dentistry they offer their patients?

Mastering simple skills

Becoming an extremely skilled dentist doesn’t happen overnight. Even though years of training are required to qualify, many more years are spent truly mastering the basics.[ii] Solidifying your skills and continuing to practise the essential general procedures is not only important in the early years after qualifying, but it is also vital at all stages of your career.

For example, taking accurate crown and bridge impressions can be very challenging.[iii] It is important to be able to take precise impressions as these are the foundations of many restorative procedures. Many things must be considered at once to achieve an impression accurate enough for use, these include setting time, working time, and the material’s affinity to water.[iv] With so many stages to consider, the success of the impression relies on the clinician’s ability to judge these things correctly. Once this skill has been mastered, the potential for the lab to create high-quality restorations is maximised.

Honing your skills and mastering the basics of day-to-day dentistry is vital to allow you to complete these treatments with confidence,[v] build a fantastic reputation and, in time and with additional training, advance to perform more challenging procedures, to tackle complex cases.

Choose your products carefully

The importance of using high-quality products, even in the simplest cases, should not be understated. The products a clinician has at their disposal will either limit or expand their capabilities. If you have the skills to carry out a beautiful anterior composite restoration, but not the materials, then you are unable to achieve your full potential, and the patient will not receive the best results possible.[vi]

When it comes to choosing consumables and dental equipment, it is important to consider several things. Is it appropriate for the type of work you carry out? Is it versatile for use across a number of indications to maximise value for money? And will it allow you to fulfil your potential in your day-to-day cases?

Imaging is the diagnostic key

The ability to make an accurate diagnosis is fundamental for providing your patients with the highest standards of care. Treatment planning, patient consent and satisfaction are based on the diagnosis you make at the initial examination. This makes it vital to be confident you can make an accurate diagnosis, every time. Imaging has proved itself to be a very useful tool in diagnosis and treatment planning, with advancements in the field being made every day.[vii] However, it is important to invest in equipment which is suitable for your practice, and compatible with your workflows.

The CS 8100 3D CBCT system from Carestream Dental is ideal for use across all routine cases. Its award-winning design means that it fits in tight spaces, making it suitable for use in any dental practice, slotting comfortably into your day-to-day workflow. The simple 4-in-1 solution offers outstanding value, without compromising on quality. The system gives you the ability to produce high-resolution 3D images within your practice – allowing you to diagnose and treatment plan effectively in all of your daily cases.

Take time to master the basics. Develop your skills in general dentistry, build your armamentarium, and hone your diagnostic abilities. When you can provide high-quality dentistry to each patient, every day, your reputation will grow and you can continue to improve and maintain relationships with your patients. Investing in technology which will assist you in this journey is beneficial. Using equipment which facilitates accuracy in diagnosis and treatment planning will support you as you are learning, and give you the peace of mind and certainty that you need to provide your patients with the treatment they need.[viii] Then, once you and your patients are confident in your abilities, you may find it appropriate to begin offering more advanced procedures, with the knowledge that you can consistently provide excellent care.

 

For more information on Carestream Dental visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

Nimisha Nariapara

Nimisha is the Trade Marketing Manager at Carestream Dental covering the UK, Middle East, Nordics, South Africa, Russia and CIS regions. She has worked at Carestream Dental for the past 7 years, where she has developed her marketing skills and industry knowledge to bring the core values and philosophy of the company to the market. 

[i] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/dental-treatments/

[ii] Singh, Simran Sunil, et al. “Millennial dental education: Insight into dentistry from the perception of interns.” NeuroQuantology 20.8 (2022): 4208-4216. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neelam-Gavali/publication/362733783_Millennial_dental_education_Insight_into_dentistry_from_the_perception_of_interns/links/62fcb387ceb9764f7202862f/Millennial-dental-education-Insight-into-dentistry-from-the-perception-of-interns.pdf

[iii] Geissberger, Marc. “Mastering Crown and Bridge Impressions.” https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/adn/id/2018/11/mastering-crown-and-bridge-impressions?page_id=453

[iv] Geissberger, Marc. “Mastering Crown and Bridge Impressions.” https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/adn/id/2018/11/mastering-crown-and-bridge-impressions?page_id=453

[v] Singh, Simran Sunil, et al. “Millennial dental education: Insight into dentistry from the perception of interns.” NeuroQuantology 20.8 (2022): 4208-4216. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neelam-Gavali/publication/362733783_Millennial_dental_education_Insight_into_dentistry_from_the_perception_of_interns/links/62fcb387ceb9764f7202862f/Millennial-dental-education-Insight-into-dentistry-from-the-perception-of-interns.pdf

[vi] Rimalovska, Sevda. “Study of the Dental Practitioners’ Criteria for the Selection of Restorative Materials for Primary Teeth.” https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/80861763/Study_of_the_Dental_Practitioners_Criteria_for_the_Selection_of_Restorative_Materials_for_Primary_Teeth-libre.pdf?1644923911=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DStudy_of_the_Dental_Practitioners_Criter.pdf&Expires=1670421350&Signature=X1-jxLQ7adBvlKejmd2HGWaX3OSPg5W6TcBT3mCzYB78Dr6DxlbDgaQ9~Vt7DldoGnXkBFwVyPnagQ8EjvpucUHXF7Aamdo95RHO5NR7gDP4BUARo-Z8xbYs1Ex4wLHBTACHb0d~ajVabVA5ACeLvkLokjD~WwWqKWBNcmiA-OOpckckGpbudkLWMaqy79A14L4cUKsVsv60rf9Rp~E6ptuoyGJq-QDGoLIKMuYqtESFtWDwtu3K6MdqSePEMkS4cH6~-UsKGghQFMzE9F0rFNjUD2HmeiYZkqOot6Uml~0mBAuWjIqzoUJk1MKtYxlQfgA2AkY9HfueGGAWB1KYpA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA

[vii] Leonardi, Rosalia Maria. “3D Imaging Advancements and New Technologies in Clinical and Scientific Dental and Orthodontic Fields.” Journal of Clinical Medicine 11.8 (2022): 2200. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/8/2200/htm

[viii] Singh, Simran Sunil, et al. “Millennial dental education: Insight into dentistry from the perception of interns.” NeuroQuantology 20.8 (2022): 4208-4216. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neelam-Gavali/publication/362733783_Millennial_dental_education_Insight_into_dentistry_from_the_perception_of_interns/links/62fcb387ceb9764f7202862f/Millennial-dental-education-Insight-into-dentistry-from-the-perception-of-interns.pdf

Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme report finds three preventative oral health interventions could reduce unnecessary trips to the dentist

A new report commissioned by the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme has found that rolling out three preventative oral health interventions could reduce unnecessary trips to the dentist, saving individuals and the NHS millions of pounds, while freeing up capacity to deliver up to 8.3m more check-ups.  

The report, Economic Value of Good Oral Health, was undertaken by Frontier Economics and has today been launched by the Wrigley to mark the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile Month. 

It shows that if most people chewed sugar-free chewing gum three times a day, there could be an estimated 109,430 fewer tooth extractions carried out on the NHS every year. Additionally, there would be up to 182,383 fewer fillings and 36,477 fewer root canals. The associated savings to NHS dental services could reach over £7.9m – which, if reinvested, could fund an additional 1.29m check-ups every year. 

Chewing sugar-free gum was one of three potential preventative interventions measured by Frontier Economics.  

In addition, rolling out water fluoridation to the 90% of the population who are not already covered in England and Wales would reduce incidents of tooth decay by an estimated 6%. The resultant impact would be an estimated 1.2m fewer tooth extractions, 1.6m fewer fillings, and over 226,000 fewer root canal treatments every year. NHS dental services would stand to save over £35m per year as a result – the equivalent of funding 5.7m check-ups. 

A programme of supervised brushing, targeted at children aged between three and six living in the poorest 20% of areas, would save the NHS £8m a year. The measure could lead to 28,000 fewer tooth extractions, 28,000 fewer fillings, and 2,700 fewer root canal treatments per year. 

In total, if all three oral health prevention policies were rolled out in England and Wales, it is calculated that combined savings to the NHS could reach £51m and there could be up to: 

  • 1.43m fewer tooth extractions;  
  • 1.8m fewer fillings; and  
  • Over 265,000 fewer root canal treatments every year. 

Meanwhile, NHS dental patients could save up to £95.9m collectively by avoiding the need for urgent treatments and making the need for check-ups less frequent. 

Commenting on the launch of the report, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “The NHS is currently struggling to fund the dentistry this country needs and deserves. Pressures on staffing are hitting all areas of health care. A simple increase in funding will not sort out these problems for several years. In the meantime, it is evident that if we can move to a preventative approach, we can have much healthier mouths. We can reach all areas of society with the implementation of more water fluoridation schemes. If we take on the suggested plans for fluoridation in the new report, it will result in an estimated 1.2m fewer tooth extractions and 1.6m fewer fillings every year. The oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum three times per day could also prevent a substantial number of fillings a year, a fantastic result from a very simple habit. 

“We need to make impactful and long-term changes to how we handle oral health in the UK to secure a better oral health future. It would help relieve pressure on NHS funding for dentistry and improve people’s oral health related quality of life. Having a healthy mouth is an essential part of having good overall general health.” 

Dr Mike Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme, said: “The evidence has long shown that sugar-free chewing gum can promote good oral health. Chewing gum can help neutralise plaque acids, maintain tooth mineralisation, and reduce the incidence of dental caries. We know that dental services are under real strain right now, with a backlog from the pandemic still being worked through. So the role of preventative policies, that can help reduce demand on services, is more important than ever. Chewing sugar-free gum is one simple, effective and enjoyable thing people can do to prevent tooth decay and support good oral health.” 

Speaking to the research, Matthew Bell, Board Director and co-Head of Public Policy at Frontier Economics, said: “Oral health is important for overall health, which can also translate into lower dental costs for individuals and for the NHS. Our report draws on existing evidence and presents new analysis linking improved oral health measures, such as fluoridation, sugar-free gum and supervised brushing programmes, to reduced dental costs for individuals and for the NHS, alongside improved health and wellbeing.” 

Eschmann Care & Cover – service offering you can rely on

Jo Wightman, Practice Manager of Riverside Dental Practice, kindly shares her experience of the Eschmann SES 2010 autoclave and their Care & Cover service contract:

“We’ve always used Eschmann autoclaves and have always been happy with them – they have lasted for years.

“Over the last three years, we’ve had to purchase two new autoclaves and we didn’t hesitate to go for another Eschmann SES 2010 unit.

“The practice previously used another company for our maintenance contract but the service was not good. We moved to Eschmann Care & Cover and they provide excellent service, in the rare event of an issue with one of our autoclaves, we don’t have to wait long for help. We ring customer support and they liaise with our local engineer. There is always someone at the end of the phone and the service is fantastic – they return our calls and emails quickly.

“We’re very pleased with the service and support Eschmann provides, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”

Thank you, Jo!

 

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

 

Help to reduce your carbon footprint

Greenhouse gases are a leading cause of global warming and the resulting climate change.

Help to reduce your carbon footprint by choosing Sustainable Clinical Waste Bags from Initial Medical.

Made from 30% recycled plastic, these durable waste bags have been manufactured in the UK using renewable energy. Plus, every effort is taken during transportation to reduce CO2 emissions, helping to minimise your practice’s carbon footprint.

Make a greener choice by contacting Initial Medical today.

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

-Ends-

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

Offer dental implant treatment to boost your practice

Dental implants are considered by many to be an ideal solution for replacing missing teeth. With a 95% survival rate after 10 years, they are able to provide patients with lasting functional and aesthetic results.[i] The treatment has gained significant popularity and is frequently the preferred option for replacing missing teeth.[ii]To offer dental implants to patients, it is important that clinicians undertake appropriate training so that they feel competent and confident in their ability to provide effective treatment. In doing this, clinicians should be sure to access high-quality education which takes into account the latest developments in the field, giving them a comprehensive educational experience.

Expanding your skillset

In any field of the profession, dentistry requires continuing education. This is vital, not only to refresh clinicians’ skills, but also to ensure they stay up to date with any new developments. Commonly, dentists will undertake continuing education with the aim to improve their knowledge and gain new skills, keep up to speed with current developments, further their careers, and ensure they remain professionally competent.[iii] Even though some dentists might consider time, cost, and distance to be barriers to attending regular continued education, it is vital that they do so to ensure their knowledge is accurate and up to date with the latest developments in their fields.iii

Dentistry is always evolving with continuous conversations regarding various oral conditions, constant streams of new scientific research, developments of new technology, and patients’ ever-increasing expectations of dental services. By keeping their knowledge and skills up to scratch, dentists will be able to effectively manage these challenges and changes, ensuring they remain competent and confident in their work, and allowing them to offer excellent care to their patients.iii

The benefits of offering in-demand treatment

When a treatment, such as dental implants, is frequently requested by patients, it can be beneficial to the dental practice to be able to offer that treatment type. It is important that treatment is carried out to a high standard, especially as patients are likely to demand an aesthetic result. Clinicians should be able to offer treatment which will provide patients with high-quality functional and aesthetic outcomes. To do this, dentists should expand their skillset to gain confidence and knowledge of implant dentistry, and undertake frequent and relevant education which allows them to introduce themselves to new developments in materials and techniques.iii

When clinicians decide to learn a new skill to meet the demands of their patients, they can expect a range of benefits. They will be able to carry out entire treatments, without the need for referral, depending on the complexity of each case. This is likely to encourage improved patient retention, as well as attract new patients due to their expansive skillset. In turn, clinicians can expect an increased revenue, and boosted patient satisfaction.

Accessing high-quality education

High-quality education is important for improving standards of care in the dental practice. Once an educational course has been completed, dentists must take time to reflect on it, and how it can impact them and their practice going forward.[iv] When the dental implant training that they have undertaken is of a high-standard, they are likely to see a boost in confidence, feeling able to undertake implant cases in practice. This will have a positive impact on they dentist, their patients, and their business – providing additional opportunities for revenue while ensuring successful treatment outcomes.

By offering in-demand treatment options to their patients, clinicians are able to provide them with high-quality treatment which meets their expectations. Dental implants, in particular are a fantastic choice, giving patients a long-lasting functional and aesthetic result. The Straumann Group works with a number of excellent education and training providers, using the most up to date technology to facilitate high-quality dental implant training opportunities for dentists. Whether they’re looking for a foundational level of dental implant education or wish to broaden their knowledge of dental implant placement techniques, the Straumann Group offers the perfect course.

Undertaking regular training and education is crucial for furthering a dentist’s career and enhancing their skillset. By investing in their education, undertaking training in dental implant treatment, clinicians are able to expand the treatments they are able to offer their patients, as well as attracting new ones, helping them to boost their practice and improve patient satisfaction.

For more information about the education and training available through Straumann, please visit straumanncourses.com

[i] Hare, Arminder, et al. “Current undergraduate dental implantology teaching in UK.” Dentistry Journal 10.7 (2022): 127. file:///Users/officeone/Downloads/dentistry-10-00127%20(2).pdf

[ii] Nagpal, Disha, et al. “Clinical outcomes of predoctoral implant dentistry education: A Systematic Review.” Acta Stomatologica Marisiensis Journal. https://sciendo.com/pdf/10.2478/asmj-2022-0009

[iii] Nazir M, Al-Ansari A, Alabdulaziz M, AlNasrallah Y, Alzain M. Reasons for and Barriers to Attending Continuing Education Activities and Priorities for Different Dental Specialties. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018 Sep 22;6(9):1716-1721. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.373. PMID: 30337997; PMCID: PMC6182532. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182532/

[iv] General Dental Council. Reflective practice. Accessed March 23. https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/reflective-practice

Leading Health Organisations Call for the Health Secretary to Release Commercial Baby Food & Drink Guidelines

Action on Sugar, the expert group based at Queen Mary University of London, along with 16 NGOs[i] are today calling for the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, to release the much-awaited Commercial Baby Food and Drink Guidelines[ii] as data shows the main contributor of sugars in infants, aged four to nine months, is coming from shop brought baby foods – in particular fruit-based and cereal-based foods.[iii]

Introducing good nutrition early on is essential in developing a healthy relationship to, and preference for, healthy foods, and in supporting a baby’s future health.3 It is recommended infants (before the age of two) should avoid sugar sweetened drinks and food with added sugar[iv], and, after this, free sugars should provide no more than 5% of their daily energy intake (approximately 14g).3 However, shockingly, by the time children are 18 months, they are reportedly already consuming nearly 30g free sugars (7tsp) a day – the recommended maximum for an adult.[v],[vi]

Although many baby food brands are already reducing sugars, there are still products marketed as suitable for infants and young children with unsuitably high levels of sugars. As illustrated in Table 1, the range in total sugars levels in similar products can be a whopping 64g difference!

Table 1. Highest total sugars product vs lowest total sugars product found in the baby aisle per 100g, per category [vii]

Food Category Highest Total Sugars (g) per 100g Lowest Total Sugars (g) per 100g Difference (g) per 100g
Processed Fruit Snacks 70.0 6.4 63.6
Fruit Bar Snacks 61.0 10.0 51.0
Oat Bar Snacks 30.0 18.2 11.8
Hard Baked Snacks 29.0 2.5 26.5
Fruit Pouches 19.5 6.3 13.2
Prepared Baby Rice 12.0 8.3 3.7
Prepared Porridge 9.2 2.8 6.4
Puffed / Aerated Snacks 8.7 1.0 7.7
Rice Pudding 8.6 5.2 3.4
Vegetable Pouches 8.2 0.5 7.7

 

To improve the nutritional content of shop brought baby foods, releasing the guidelines is therefore essential. The consequences of an unhealthy diet in early years has a life-long impact on a person’s diet and health, which is why the commercial baby food and drink industry should do more to encourage a healthy diet.

In a Censuswide survey[viii] of 1,000 UK parents with children aged six to 36 months old, 91% said they support the Government in taking action to ensure all food and drinks available in the baby aisle are nutritionally appropriate according to NHS recommendations.

Three leading baby food companies[ix] have also signed an open letter to the Health Minister to call for the release of commercial baby food and drink guidelines, in order to create a level-playing field.

Zoe Davies (ANutr), Nutritionist at Action on Sugar says:

“Without doubt, both parents and children need to be supported for better health and it’s imperative that the baby food industry plays its part. The impact that good nutrition in early life has on someone’s future diet and health cannot be understated, which is why baby food guidelines are needed to ensure all food and drink products marketed to babies are nutritionally appropriate.”

Dr Kawther Hashem, Campaign Lead at Action on Sugar and Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London adds:

“An unhealthy diet high in saturated fat, salt and sugar and low in fruit and vegetables is the biggest cause of preventable ill health globally. Given this, all food and drink companies should act responsibly and commit to improving their products as part of Government and NHS guidance and provide peace of mind for parents when buying foods for their young children.”

References

For parents looking for advice and support for weaning / feeding their children visit:  https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ready-or-not/ 

[i] Open letter signed by:

  • The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
    London Early Years Foundation
    Early Years Alliance
    Obesity Health Alliance
    British Dental Association
    Oral Health Foundation
    World Cancer Research Fund
    Food Foundation
    British Society of Paediatric Dentistry
    Blood Pressure UK
    Diabetes UK
    Early Start Group
    Faculty of Public Health
    Food Active
    Association for the Study of Obesity
    The Dental Wellness Trust

[ii] Public Health England/The Department of Health and Social Care released their report on ‘Food and Drinks Aimed at Infant and Young Children: Evidence and Opportunities for Action‘ in 2019, and following this ‘Draft Guideline Proposals: Improving the Nutritional content of Commercial Baby Food and Drinks‘ consultation in 2020, with an initial goal for them to be achieved by 2023. http://www.babymilkaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DRAFT-PHE-proposals-for-2023-commercial-baby-food-and-drink-guidelines.pdf

[iii] Foods and drinks aimed at infants and young children: evidence and opportunities for action June 2019. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812204/Foods_and_drinks_aimed_at_infants_and_young_children_June_2019.pdf

[iv] Sugar: the facts. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect-our-health/

[v] NDNS: results from years 9 to 11 (combined) – Data tables
Data Table – NDNS Y9_11_Descriptive statistics tables_Final-2
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/ndns-results-from-years-9-to-11-2016-to-2017-and-2018-to-2019

27.9g/day = 9.7%  

29.9/9.7*100 = 287.6g 

287.6*3.75 = 1078.5kcal  

5% of 1079kcal = 53.95kcal 

54/3.75 = 14.4g 

[vi] Children start to consume more products outside of the baby aisle from around 12 – 16 months based on feedback from the baby food industry. However, being exposed to sweet foods from the beginning of weaning encourages a greater preference to sweeter foods and may cause fussy eating later on

[vii] Data taken from FoodSwitch database to demonstrate range in sugar content for similar foods.
Snacks, Pouches, Rice Pudding data from Nov 22 – March 23
Baby Rice, Porridge data from August 2022

[viii] The research was conducted by Censuswide with 1004 UK Parents of children ages 6-36 months between 02.11.2022 – 03.11.2022. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

[ix] Open letter signed by Babease, Little Dish and Little Freddie.

Components for any case, any implant system

Medentika® is a trusted name across the dental profession. It provides the Multi Platform System (MPS), which includes abutments and implant components to suit nearly any clinical situation and all major implant systems.

Precision engineered, the comprehensive range of products comes with a lifetime guarantee – that’s how confident we are that they will consistently meet exacting standards. Encompassing unique parts that cannot be sourced anywhere else, the portfolio offers an excellent price:performance ratio for economic benefits as well.

No matter the case at hand, Medenika® offers both dentists and dental technicians the components they need to achieve exceptional results for their patients. Discover the full MPS range online, available from the Straumann Group.

 

For more information, visit the website today: https://www.straumann.com/medentika/en/professionals.html

Dentist formulated to freshen breath

Did you know that The Breath Co oral rinses were developed by a dentist who wanted to create a solution for his daughter’s halitosis?

Bad breath can result from a myriad of causes, including certain foods and drinks, smoking, medication and general poor oral hygiene. The Breath Co oral rinses help fight the bacteria that cause bad breath, with a pH-balancing, alcohol-free formula that leaves no harsh afterburn. Plus, it’s clinically shown to fight bad breath for 24 hours, when used every 12 hours after brushing and flossing. Available in mild or icy mint flavours.

To tackle bad breath, your patients can implement The Breath Co oral rinses into their at-home oral hygiene routines. It’s easy to use and, because it’s dentist formulated, you have the peace of mind that patients are adequately caring for their oral health. 

For more information, visit the website today or get in touch with the team.

 

For more information about The Breath Co, please visit http://www.thebreathco.com/  

 

A hygienist-owned and led practice, started from scratch? Achieving a unique vision

Dental hygienist Sophia Lucas recently set up a squat practice in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. The goal was simple, albeit somewhat unique – to create a hygiene-led clinic that primarily promotes prevention, with access to high-quality cosmetic dental procedures. To further distinguish the clinic from other businesses in the industry, Wisdom Dental has also taken a different approach to its branding.

Tell us more about what motivated you…

We had a shared vision for a truly hygiene-led clinic, which also offered cosmetic treatments. We wanted to give patients direct access to a passionate dental hygienist and make them feel welcomed in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Our focus would remain on three core areas: oral hygiene, teeth whitening and smile makeovers. We had aspirations to create a place where clinicians could thrive, too, so building the right team was essential.

What was the timeline for your project?  

It took around 12 months from deciding to go for it, to finding the premises. It was another three months to get the keys. We started on the design first, planning every single detail before moving onto the build.

The biggest challenge has been the long wait to get registered with the CQC – not coming from a dentistry background, Charlie was surprised at how slow it

Was! You can control most other things, chase people up, make calls and throw money at problems, but with the CQC, it is what it is.

What work was required for the physical build?

When we acquired the space, it was a shell. We had to replaster, install partial walls, do a full rewire and install hot water. We needed add pipework to enable the running of air compressors too, then we chose and fitted the cabinetry in the right place.

What about décor and design – what was your inspiration there?

We wanted the practice to be different and less like a ‘traditional dentist’. Our design concept started with a light, bright colour scheme. We added an obligatory flower wall, a high-end drop ceiling, LED back lighting, TVs in that appointment rooms that show Netflix and a drinks area. 

 

How did you choose which equipment suppliers to work with?

We contacted several companies, and Matt (Rowlingson) from Clark Dental was immediately willing to help. He came to visit us, and we could call him at any time for advice. The installation team was also brilliant from start to finish  

The experience was professional, collaborative; Clark got the job done right and fast. They could accommodate our budget and beat other suppliers on price, too. We installed two Dentsply Sirona unit packages – the highest spec available – also the Xios XG Supreme intraoral sensor kit, plus a MyRay X-ray system, compressor, a couple of suction pumps and the W&H Lyla autoclave. Included in the cost was the initial and ongoing training on the equipment, which is also important to us.

We are very happy with the level of service we received. As well as guidance on what to choose, Clark Dental kept us up-to-date with lead times. We could have had other dental chairs sooner, for example, but were happy to wait a bit longer for those we chose.

How did you go about marketing yourself?

Our brief has always been about keeping things relatable, simple. Our wish was to appeal to the 18 to 35-year-old demographic too. 

We aimed for quality marketing content and put together a social media strategy for the first few months, including videos to make things engaging and fun. We didn’t want it to feel too clinical, or to only use stock photos.

As well as the socials, we’ve done local leaflet drops. Now we’re open, SEO with the website is ongoing and we hope to generate more leads through our contact form and online booking system.

What advice would you give anyone else, before setting up a brand-new practice?

The best advice we can give is to submit your CQC application as soon as you can!

Also, eat, sleep and breathe your plan so you know exactly what you need to do. The planning part is so important – now we’re at the end, the practice perfects reflects our vision. When you’re in the midst of a build, you need to have already made most of your decisions, so you don’t make bad and expensive choices. Build it in your head and on paper before you get the keys. We worked mostly from visuals and floorplans.

Don’t forget about your marketing budget. Word of mouth is great, but it’s not a marketing strategy. You need to get patients through the door and the books filled ASAP. Also, invest in your team and be ready to support them. They will help to grow the business. We’re helping our team boost their own online presence, too.

It’s early days, but how are things going?

We opened at the beginning of March and were fully booked for that month, and into April. We’re seeing a lot more male patients than we expected, especially for cosmetic dental options. We’re also seeing people choose to move through the treatment journey. For example, they attend for a hygiene appointment, then later return for teeth whitening.

The practice has two surgeries, with two dental hygienists, a cosmetic dentist and a GDP. There are challenges that come with being a hygienist-owned practice, but we hope to have set a precedent for what dental hygienists can do. We’ve put hygiene at the heart of our business and this is what drives us. We’ve already received a lot of attention from the industry, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve in the future.

Find Wisdom Dental on Instagram @wisdom_dental_ 
and discover more at: www.wisdomdentalleigh.co.uk

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146,
email: info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Author bio:

Sophia Lucas is a dental hygienist with a passion for creating confident smiles, by enhancing patients’ natural teeth with hygiene and whitening. Believing in prevention over cure, educating the importance of regular hygiene appointments through her platforms.

 

Making dentistry more sustainable at home

There has been growing demand to make dentistry more sustainable in recent years, driven by both the public and the profession. But how can we help patients achieve a greener oral hygiene routine at home without compromising quality?

The Curaprox interdental brushes provide a fantastic option in that they significantly reduce plastic waste compared to other products on the market. Whenever they require replacement, only the brush tip needs to be thrown away – the innovative click-system handle can be reused time and time again. Made from durable materials, your patients can have confidence that these proven interdental aids really will last!

What’s more, they are flexible in design to ensure a gentle yet highly effective clean between the teeth and along the gumline. And they are backed by Swiss research and innovation thanks to the oral health powerhouse that is Curaden. Find out more today.

 

For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk