Educating patients on interdental cleaning is vital, as this will allow them to maintain their oral health. Be sure to inform patients about using the correct size interdental brush in each space, for the most effective clean.

FLEXI interdental tools from TANDEX are the ideal solution for your patients. The series is available in 11 different sizes, easily identifiable by the ISO and PHD (passage hole diameter) numbers on the box. This makes it easy to find the right size brushes for every patient, and ensure they know which ones to use where.

For more information, please contact the team at TANDEX.

For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
visit https://tandex.dk/ or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TandexUK

Our products are also available from CTS Dental Supplies https://www.cts-dental.com/ and DHB Oral Healthcare https://dhb.co.uk/

Getting patients to say “yes” to treatment is a perennial challenge. Now, cost is likely to be one of the main reasons why people are either saying “no”, or “not yet”. The full impact that the cost-of-living crisis has had on dentistry, and levels of oral health in the UK, won’t be known for some time. But even someone who wants to invest in dental care, and who accepts the clinical necessity of the plan you’re proposing, may look at what several other practices are offering and go for the cheapest option.

Selling treatment isn’t something that every dentist feels comfortable with and there is no training in sales technique at dental school. Being a good communicator doesn’t come naturally to everyone and each patient’s decision-making process is complex and unique to them. As well as cost, factors in the mix will include convenience (if another practice can deliver their treatment sooner, for example) and the availability of their preferred dentist.

Treatment coordinators will act as a kind of bridge between patient and dentist and manage everything from the appointments schedule to finance. They will provide support and information so, in each case, that individual feels able to make the right choice for them. But even without one, treatment acceptance is a team effort. Consider patients as being like consumers and think about what is important to you, when you are making decisions about how and where to spend your money and time. The reality is, the smallest thing can put you off, like an unanswered email that you must chase.

When investing in quality dentistry, an individual will want to feel they’re getting value for money. If you are recommending something more complex, like a dental implant, a patient will consider every element of the experience before they say ‘yes’. They’ll ask themselves, ‘will I be safe/well cared for if I go ahead?’. Longevity is also fundamental, as well as achieving a natural-looking and functional result.

Dental implants are in high demand for modern patients. As an alternative to removable prostheses, they can last for many years. If you recommend an implant, expect that your patient will do their own research, by asking around and going online. They will look for confirmation of the information you give them, and have more questions of their own. They will soon appreciate that although good habits and behaviours are key to keeping their implant beautifully maintained, so is treatment delivery; the skill of the dentist and the techniques, tools and materials you use.

A proactive patient will want to know they are in the best hands. They will know that the risks of dental implant treatment failure can be managed and mitigated. They may ask about your credentials, your own success rate. But they will also consider the whole picture, by looking around the practice and noting if it is modern and efficient. One shouldn’t underestimate how impressive a high-tech practice is to patients weighing up whether to say ‘yes’.

Digital solutions have made the delivery of complex treatments, like dental implant therapies, more comfortable, faster, smoother. The digital workflow can aid communication with your patients and allow smiles to be transformed in just a few appointments. Digital doesn’t have to be unaffordable, though, and that is the message for practices, too. A lack of space or budget doesn’t mean you cannot access the benefits of digital dentistry. Outsourcing, a solid business principle that can be applied to treatment planning, can allow you to offer the benefits of digital without having to make significant changes. If you’ve been reluctant to invest so far, for whatever reason, there are flexible, modular concepts available that will give you access to digital solutions that could drive up patient acceptance. The Smile in a Box^TM system from Straumann^® can be used to motivate more people to say ‘yes’ to life-changing implant therapies. Your practice will get the help when it needs it, to facilitate predictable outcomes. Once patient data is uploaded, whether it’s a single implant or full-arch solution, the treatment planning, surgical guide, restorative design and production can all be outsourced as and when required. You will receive all the components packed in one box, ready to deliver high-quality treatment and a beautiful, stable outcome. All of this can be delivered within 10 working days once approval of the plan is given.

Getting patients to say ‘yes’ has become harder, as patients have become more empowered and know they have a choice about where to go, and what to say yes to. A high-tech, digital workflow is a great selling point and can be offered without the need for a significant financial outlay. Comfort, efficiency and value, and successful results can be achieved when you take advantage of ways to outsource digital options.

For more information, visit http://www.smileinabox.com/

The ability to produce high-quality images in your dental practice is invaluable for effective diagnosis and treatment planning. The CS 8100 3D Evo Edition is the ideal solution for your practice.

The 4-in-1 CBCT system delivers outstanding image clarity, great for use in general dentistry and endodontics. Its award-winning design is able to fit into tight spaces, making it ideal for smaller practices, and you can enjoy the benefits of innovative software from improved image review.

Get in touch with the team at Carestream Dental for more information.

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

For all businesses great and small, marketing is an incredibly important tool to keep prospective patients aware of your services, boost your profitability and also strengthen relationships with your existing patient base. Marketing plays a role in enabling your dental practice to stay relevant and constantly ‘on the radar’ for those seeking dental services. Dentistry is competitive and has never been so dynamic – but where to start when marketing your dental practice?

Set yourself up for success – the ‘why’

Marketing is ubiquitous now – every business, company or organisation utilises some form of marketing in order to attract customers and promote their services. In dentistry, a good marketing strategy can help you stand apart from the crowd. For example, appropriately marketing a business is especially important once a clinician has acquired their first practice. It may be jarring for many after the long years of vocational experience, to delve into practice ownership and the business side of dentistry – but successfully marketing their business is a sure-fire way for new practice owners to attract prospective patients and establish themselves.

The majority of dentists are not well-versed in marketing, and may not feel entirely confident in that area. But in order to maximise the true potential value of your business, you should be marketing it successfully. Firstly, you should establish an ‘identity’ for your business – what makes you unique? Why should patients choose you over competitors? What will be your unique selling point (USP)? Over the years the business’s identity may shift and change, but establishing one from the outset and being consistent in subsequent marketing will prove vastly useful. For established dental practices, is marketing still valid? Yes! Due to the competitive nature of dentistry, you may consider adopting new technologies or treatment offerings to diversify your practice, and this is certainly worth shouting about. As such, you should always be thinking about new ways to promote your business’s evolution.

Let’s hear the ‘how’

When looking to market your business and services, the internet provides near-limitless resources to do so. Approximately £3.6 billion is spent on social media advertising in the UK each year[i] – and with around 66.11 million internet users in the UK at the beginning of 2023, it’s not hard to see how utilising the online sphere can be a boon for business.[ii] However, you don’t have to spend thousands on marketing your practice.

A practice’s website will be the first port of call for most patients, as such it should be a thoughtful, accessible and well-laid out resource. Patients should be able to find any information they need easily, such as contact information, directions and options to book appointments online. Websites are fantastic tools for displaying the best of your service offerings, too – you can display testimonials and information about the team, for that personal touch. Your website should be search engine-optimised (SEO) to ensure that prospective patients can easily find it when searching for dental services.

Online platforms that can be utilised for marketing are typically platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – but other options like YouTube and TikTok are also growing in popularity.[iii] This is likely due to consumer interest in faster-paced video content, which dentistry is particularly well-suited for. You could consider hiring a social media manager or tasking a team member with creating short, snappy videos that help to promote your business – for example, video testimonials from patients or ‘before-and-afters’. You don’t have to spend thousands on this endeavour, which is why social media has become such a popular vehicle for business marketing and promotion. Plus, it’s free to join groups and pages on social media, which will get your practice’s name out there and help you create more of an online presence.

Don’t forget some other traditional marketing methods which are relatively cost-effective, such as leaflet drops in your local area. This is especially effective if there are new housing estates or properties in the area. Plus, you could ask your patients to refer family and friends to you if they are happy with your services, gifting them with a referral card as a way to show your appreciation.

Benefits in the short- and long-term

It’s also important to remember that creating a solid, positive presence through your marketing efforts will aid you should you choose to sell your dental practice further down the line. Even if that’s several years away, building up your patient base, accruing positive reviews and experiences will benefit your dental practice immensely when the time is right to sell. As part of their free practice ‘Health Check’, Dental Elite provides marketing ideas and techniques that will aid you in maximising the value of your business. The team have years’ worth of experience in marketing and SEO, and are dedicated to helping you optimise your revenue stream, so you can enhance your practice’s value when you decide to sell.

An effective marketing strategy is a powerful tool when it comes to attracting new patients and boosting your business’s revenue. In dentistry, it truly pays to stand out from the crowd and when you can differentiate your practice from competitors, you will certainly reap the benefits.

For more information contact Dental Elite. Visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.uk or call 01788 545 900

[i] statista. (2023). Digital marketing in the United Kingdom (UK) – statistics & facts. [online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/4019/digital-marketing-in-the-uk/#topicOverview [Accessed 17 Apr. 2023].

^[ii] DataReportal – Global Digital Insights. (n.d.). Digital 2023: The United Kingdom. [online] Available at: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-united-kingdom#:~:text=There%20were%2066.11%20million%20internet [Accessed 17 Apr. 2023].

[iii] Statista (2023). Social media platforms used by marketers worldwide 2019 | Statista. [online] Statista. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/259379/social-media-platforms-used-by-marketers-worldwide/ [Accessed 17 Apr. 2023].

When delivering dental implants, the system you choose is crucial.

The TLX^Ò and BLX^Ò Implant systems utilise Roxolid^®, a high-performance material with outstanding mechanical strength and healing capacity.

The result? Hard and soft tissue is respected, peri-implant health is preserved and fast healing is encouraged.

The TLX^Ò, for tissue-level cases, has been perfected for immediate-loading protocols, but is suitable for conventional placement too. Its design can reduce the risk of inflammation and bone resorption, with narrow diameter options making it ideal for all indications.

The BLX^Ò offers bone level implants and is also suitable for immediate or conventional placement and loading. It enables dynamic bone management; the redistribution of native bone and control over insertion torque, to achieve optimal primary stability.

Gold-standard materials mean you can offer the treatments patients want, and feel confident about outcomes.

Find out more about TLX^Ò and BLX^Ò Implant systems, both from the Straumann Group, today.

For more information, please visit www.straumann.com

Dr Stephanie Loke recently completed the Anterior & Posterior Composite course from the IAS Academy. She shares her experience:

“I chose the course because the IAS Academy has always been well-known and it has a good reputation. I developed an interest in composite fillings and, being a fairly new dentist, I wanted to build on my basic skills. I had seen good reviews about this course, and decided to sign up!

“There’s no doubt that I learnt a lot – I loved the hands-on aspect. Each step was taught in detail and there was a little competition at the end, which definitely activated my competitive spirit! I’m sure I speak for everyone there when I say that Dr Shiraz Khan himself was one of the highlights. He was really down to earth, approachable, and I felt very comfortable asking any question.

“All the information included on the course was relevant and easy to understand. I would definitely recommend the course to other professionals. I would absolutely love to take another course with the IAS Academy.”

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

Did you know that Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material from 3M Oral Care has been awarded the best VPS impression material by The Dental Advisor in 2023?

This product helps clinicians achieve exceptional, precise impressions. With unique chemistry, clinicians have sufficient time to load and seat the tray, as the setting time doesn’t start until the end of the working time.* There’s also less stress for patients, as Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material from 3M sets swiftly due to active self-warming technology.

It comes as no surprise that the Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material from 3M earned a 97% clinical rating in The Dental Advisor Awards 2023!* 

Get in touch with the team to find out more today.

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

Please scan for the:

• Latest news on education, webinars and events
• FREE clinical samples – try before you buy
• Save with current sales promotions

END

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

* Dental Advisor Awards 2022: https://www.dentaladvisor.com/evaluations/imprint-4-2022-award-winner/

** 3M Internal data

Across the dental profession, dental caries has been the key disease we have treated for many years. More recently, tooth wear has been recognised as an increasing problem and may become a much greater challenge for clinicians in the years to come. Preventing and managing tooth wear and tooth surface loss (TSL) will be key to the conservative and holistic dentistry that we strive for. This means that we need effective ways to predict and/or monitor the progression of wear – could digital technologies help with this?

Why is tooth wear such an issue?

Tooth wear is a multifactorial condition that can be slow to progress and therefore symptoms may not appear until late in the disease process.[i] As colleagues will know, tooth wear is typically the result of attrition, erosion or abrasion – or a combination of these. There are several possible chemical and mechanical causes, including an acidic diet, gastric reflux, as well as abrasive food or dental products, and parafunction. The data varies widely regarding the prevalence of moderate to severe tooth wear among the global population. However, it is estimated to be between 20% and 45% in adults.[ii] 

With regards to how the condition impacts daily life, patients with tooth wear are nine times more likely to report dissatisfaction with their teeth.[iii] Higher levels of tooth wear have also been linked to a lower oral health-related quality of life.[iv] Severe versions of the condition have been linked to psychological discomfort and disability in patients, regardless of socio-demographic factors or specific clinical characteristics.[v] As such, it is important that the dental team is able to help patients manage tooth wear, minimise its impact and prevent further progression.

Clinical management of tooth wear

As is the case in many areas of dentistry, patients tend to be motivated to seek help for tooth wear primarily due to aesthetic concerns. One study found this to be true for 59% of participants, compared to 40% complaining of sensitivity, 17% with function issues and 14% with pain.[vi] Another study found similar results, despite endodontic treatment being indicated in 11% of tooth wear patients evaluated, all of whom presented with late-stage dental erosion and exposure of the pulp.[vii]

Personally, I see an increasing number of patients present with fractures in the teeth due to prolonged wear. These are especially common in older people, and the fractures can be catastrophic for their natural dentition. This, combined with the complex aetiology behind the development of the condition and an ageing population, means that effective preventative and clinical management of tooth wear is crucial, albeit challenging.

Where possible, a focus should be placed on prevention and early diagnosis so as to avoid potentially extensive treatment and rehabilitation. This requires on-going assessment and recording of tooth surface levels, collecting comparative data that can be utilised over time to evaluate TSL. The Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES) 2.0 has been proven to be a reliable tool in the assessment of tooth wear severity.[viii] It also contains a decision tree relating to the taxonomy of tooth wear to aid diagnosis.

The potential of digital

There has also been development in the digital techniques available to support management of tooth wear. For example, intraoral scanners may be useful in the continuous monitoring of TSL, as they have shown promise in being able to detect minor tissue loss over time.[ix] Comparing scans from consecutive patient appointments can provide a relatively easy way to measure the pace of TSL, and help clinicians to detect a potential issue and deliver early intervention. These same images could also be used for digital models that facilitate occlusal management and therefore help to prevent further wear in the future. Existing technologies are not yet capable of supporting this workflow efficiently, but this is definitely food for thought.

There is currently scope for digital solutions to be incorporated within the planning of restorative treatment following tooth wear diagnosis. Face scanning, CBCT and intraoral scans may be combined to facilitate 3D planning that enables the design of restorations that are the most appropriate length, level, shape and colour for the patient’s face.[x]

Additionally, digital solutions can be used to design and fabricate night guards to help protect new restorations and prevent further wear. The potential advantages of digital impressions and manufacturing processes in this area include shorter turnaround and chair times, as well as a simpler workflow for the dental team.

There is definitely still scope for improvement within all these digital workflows but the early results are very encouraging. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so anything that can be done to avoid tooth wear in the first place must be prioritised. If digital technologies can help clinicians to risk assess for tooth wear, as well as treat it and restore dentition once the condition is under control, this would be a very valuable tool for the future.

Author: President – Elect of the British Endodontic Society

Alyn Morgan graduated from Leeds Dental School in 1995 and worked in general dental practice for 12 years. He undertook an MSc in Endodontics at the Eastman Dental Institute which was awarded with Distinction in 2009. He has worked as a specialist in endodontic practice for 10 years at U Dentistry in Ilkley and has been a Senior Clinical Teaching Fellow in Endodontics at both the Eastman and Leeds Dental Institutes. He is currently Head of Endodontic Teaching at Leeds where he teaches undergraduates, postgraduates and hands-on courses for GDPs. He is President of the British Endodontic Society

[i] Wetselaar, P, Wetselaar-Glas, MMJ, Katzer, LD, Ahlers, MO. Diagnosing tooth wear, a new taxonomy based on the revised version of the Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES 2.0). J Oral Rehabil. 2020; 47: 703– 712. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12972

[ii] Schlueter, N., Luka, B. Erosive tooth wear – a review on global prevalence and on its prevalence in risk groups. Br Dent J 224, 364–370 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.167

[iii] Al-Omiri M K, Lamey P-J, Clifford T. Impact of tooth wear on daily living. Int J Prosthodont 2006; 19: 601-605.

[iv] Mehta, S., Loomans, B., van Sambeek, R. et al. Managing tooth wear with respect to quality of life: an evidence-based decision on when to intervene. Br Dent J 234, 455–458 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5620-4

[v] Li MHM, Bernabé E. Tooth wear and quality of life among adults in the United Kingdom. Journal of Dentistry. 2016: 55; 48-53 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2016.09.013.

[vi] Wazani, B., Dodd, M. & Milosevic, A. The signs and symptoms of tooth wear in a referred group of patients. Br Dent J 213, E10 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.840

[vii] Sivasithamparam, K., Harbrow, D., Vinczer, E. and Young, W. (2003), Endodontic sequelae of dental erosion. Australian Dental Journal, 48: 97-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2003.tb00016.x

[viii] Roehl, JC, Jakstat, HA, Becker, K, Wetselaar, P, Oliver Ahlers, M. Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES) 2.0—Reliability of diagnosis with and without computer-assisted evaluation. J Oral Rehabil. 2022; 49: 81– 91. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13277

[ix] Witecy C, Ganss C, Wöstmann B, Schlenz M, B, Schlenz M, A: Monitoring of Erosive Tooth Wear with Intraoral Scanners In vitro. Caries Res 2021;55:215-224. doi: 10.1159/000514666

[x] Yar, R. Digital workflows for the management of tooth wear. Br Dent J 234, 427–431 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5657-4

For your patients struggling with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the OraStretch Press Rehab System, available through Total TMJ, is an excellent solution.

The handheld system utilises passive motion to stretch and strengthen the patient’s jaw joint and muscles as well as facial tissues to help increase mobility, flexibility and function.

TMD can cause patients pain, and restrict jaw opening making day-to-day tasks like oral hygiene, eating and speaking very challenging. This makes it very important to treat quickly, to prevent the condition worsening and maximise their range of motion.

By using the OraStretch Press as recommended, patients can expect to see an increase of 1-2 mm per week in range of motion. Recommend the OraStretch Press to your patients to prevent and treat TMD.[i]

For more details about Total TMJ and the products available, please email info@totaltmj.co.uk

[i] https://www.craniorehab.com/orastretch-press-jaw-motion-rehab.html