At EndoCare, we strive to be just another member of your team, offering referral services that help you deliver the care your patients need.

We have a highly experienced team of specialist endodontists, who provide a vast range of advanced endodontic treatments and retreatments. They will work with you to diagnose and treatment plan for your patient, tailoring care specifically to their needs.

The team has access to state-of-the-art technologies, materials and products, further ensuring that every treatment is predictable, effective and pain-free.

Once your patient returns to you for their on-going and routine care, we are still available should you need any follow-up advice. Just give us a call!

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

It may be cliché, but it remains true that we all learn something new every day. Whether related to our personal or professional lives, we are always taking in new information, meeting new people and gaining fresh experiences that can change our perspective or add to our knowledge base. However, when it comes to career advancement, especially in endodontics, it’s important to take a more structured approach.

Know how you learn best

The process of learning new information or skills is often talked about in terms of behavioural psychology. John B. Watson famously established a learning model that recognised three core processes – classical conditioning, operant conditioning and observational learning.[i] These three concepts refer to how one turns new information into a core skill, basically by creating a trigger linked to a specific memory or action, and strengthening this reaction to make the new skill easy to replicate time and time again.

Understanding which of these learning methods are most successful for you is a good place to start in building an effective development pathway. Most of us need a combination of different strategies, but it is necessary to consider the structure of any training course, events or education activities you are interested in to make sure they will work for you.

Set learning goals

Regardless of whether you have worked as a dentist for 1 year or 40, it’s important to determine what you wish to learn next and what your goals are for each educational activity you undertake. In doing so, you provide a benchmark from which you can measure your progress and assess the quality of training you have attended.

For example, if you are thinking about pursuing a new interest in endodontics, then your training will need to be tailored accordingly to the field. You’ll need to find courses that cover topics relevant to you and at a level that is appropriate for your current experience level. Your goal may be to advance your existing skills and learn how to retreat previously endodontically-treated teeth. It may instead be to build your confidence in identifying multi canals.

Whatever your goals, it’s necessary to plan ahead. By scheduling courses into your diary in plenty of time, you are far more likely to maximise your learning and really gain the most for your development.

Where to start

It goes without saying that there are a huge number of training courses, events and activities to join across dentistry today. However, they are not equal in quality, evidence-base, length or depth of material. As such, take time to analyse the options available – look for credible reviews and testimonials from colleagues, review the teaching faculty or course instructors, and consider the format of the course regarding whether it offers the appropriate level of theoretical and/or hand-on experience. No matter if you are starting out in endodontics or are highly skilled in the field, sourcing programmes pitched at the right level will have a massive impact on how much you gain – and how worthwhile the investment is for you.

The British Endodontic Society (BES) is a great place from which to start your search for your next steps in endodontics. We are proud to be a proactive and diverse organisation dedicated to supporting education across the field. We have a dynamic membership including clinicians who are new to endodontics and those who are among the most experienced endodontists and specialists in the country. As such, we offer various opportunities for individuals to network with colleagues, to discover exceptional educational courses or hands-on workshops and advance their skills at BES events. We are also delighted to be supporting the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) Congress this September – entitled ”Shedding Northern Lights on Endodontics” and to be held in Helsinki, Finland – which may be of interest too!

A mixture of classical, operant and observational conditioning is often best for dental professionals looking to develop skills, enter a new discipline or take existing capabilities to new heights. Consider your modes of learning to ensure you are getting the most from your choices and to achieve your career ambitions.

For more information about the BES, or to join, please visit www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk

[i] University of Wolverhampton. What you need to know about the psychology of learning. November 2021. https://online.wlv.ac.uk/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-psychology-of-learning/ [Accessed May 2023]

15% off Billion Dollar Smile purple toothpaste until 31^st July

How many of your patients want whiter teeth and a brighter smile? Probably quite a few – so recommend Billion Dollar Smile purple toothpaste to give their smiles the boost they need this summer!

The unique solution contains natural ingredients to deliver powerful benefits while being gentle on patients’ mouths. Papain enzymes from raw papaya fruit fight staining, while brightening purple pigments conceal yellow tones for a whiter smile. Xylitol – a naturally occurring sugar – also offers anti-plaque benefits, while fluoride and 60% more hydroxyapatite has been added, compared to the original Purple Polish, to promote remineralisation for superior protection against caries.

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Help your patients achieve smiles of up to 4 shades lighter using a natural product they can trust – discover Billion Dollar Smile purple toothpaste today!

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For more details, please visit billiondollarsmile.com, call 01480 862080 or email orders@billiondollarsmile.com

Part of the globally renowned Straumann Group, Medentika^® brings the long and proud tradition of German and Swiss craftsmanship and industrial production to implantology.

Medentika^® manufactures and supplies precision-engineered multi-platform abutments and components for all restorations: single-tooth, bridge or full-denture. The range is clearly structured and fully compatible with all widely used implant systems.

All Medentika^® abutments and components are guaranteed – meeting if not exceeding the quality of the original systems.

Affordability, versatility and efficiency are cornerstones of the Medentika^® ethos. Clinicians and technicians can be confident that the Medentika^® range is a competitively priced, clearly structured, one-stop catalogue.

From its inception in 2005 in Hügelsheim, Germany, Medentika^® has harnessed its passion and commitment to precision engineering to fast become the leading manufacturer of compatible prosthetics. Durability, reliability and performance of Medentika^® products are second to none.

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

Patients suffering from the physical and mental ramifications of edentulism are granted a new lease of life when they undergo dental implant treatment.

Thanks to the continuous improvement and development of dental implant design and materials, patients can enjoy their new dentition for years, if not decades. As you know, patients play a key role in extending the lifetime of their investment. To support patients post-treatment, the dental team are a fantastic tool to ensure they have the know-how to keep their dental implants clean and healthy over the years.  

Dental implant longevity – what we know  

A recent study following the long-term performance of 10,871 implants over 22 years found that at an implant level (defined as ‘implant removal for any reason’), the ‘cumulative survival rate at 3, 5, 10 and 15 years was 98.9%, 98.5%, 96.8% and 94.0%’ respectively.[i] At patient level (defined as ‘the patient experiencing at least one implant failure during the follow-up period’), the statistics were ’97.4%, 96.7%, 92.5% and 86%’ at the same follow-up intervals.

These statistics highlight that dental implant survival is often high, but it also underlines the issues that can impact the dental implant’s longevity, ones that clinicians are continuing to battle against. This includes poor patient compliance, with habits such as smoking causing their implants to fail.ⁱ As you know, patient compliance and maintenance are crucial factors in the survival of the restoration, but often hard to implement as a professional. Most patients understand the risks, but there are still many who end up foregoing the advice and guidance their clinician offers them.

The role of the dental team

Prior to treatment, patients are informed of what is required from them once their implants are placed. But, as the years progress, it can be difficult to know if they are adequately caring for their oral health, especially if they do not continue with regular dental check-ups. Habits such as smoking only further put the dental restorations at risk, and devising ways of supporting patients when ditching the habit is not straightforward. The latest research continues to support the view that smoking has an adverse impact on dental implants and oral health in general.[ii] Research from the Faculty of Odontology in Sweden found that a higher degree of smoking correlated with a greater degree of marginal bone loss around dental implants.ⁱⁱ Poor oral hygiene continues to be another driving factor in the health and success of a patient’s dental implants. There are many reasons why a patient may struggle to maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine at certain points in their lives, whether due to circumstance, illness, mental health, diet or age.

To help patients care for their oral health and dental implants, the dental team plays a vital role. While patients are given all the information they need before and during treatment, the dental nurse, hygienist and therapist can ensure patients are continually supported in the months and years after their treatment. As such, it is key that the dental team have access to education resources to ensure their knowledge is clinically-relevant and up-to-date. The scope of practice for various members of the dental team mean they can be instrumental in supporting patients, and contributing to the high standards of your dental practice. It also helps to ensure that patients received more tailored communication, helping them understand their role in a way that is more accessible to them.

Prioritise education

It is essential to stay abreast of the latest conversations within the field of dental implantology – doing so will ensure your patients receive only the most cutting-edge information and care. Dental implants are a fantastic option for a range of patients, and by getting the whole team on board with patient education, the risk of restoration failure due to poor compliance can continue to be minimised.  

Here at the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI), we are committed to providing outstanding support and education to members of the dental profession. Members have access to: free premium membership of Dentinal Tubules; free implant assessment template on Kiroku; discounted delegate rates for ADI events and access to the ADI Members’ Only Facebook Group. No matter the stage of your career, everyone is welcome at the ADI, for a brighter future of dental implantology.

The dental team form the bridge between patients and healthy restorations. When the team is well-versed in the ever-evolving field of implant dentistry, you can ensure their restorations are beautiful and long-lasting.

The ADI Team Congress 2023 will be held on 4-6 May at the Birmingham ICC. Visit the website for details in due course. ADI members get significantly discounted rates for all ADI events.

www.adi.org.uk

Amit Patel –

President of The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) is registered with the General Dental Council as a specialist in periodontics. His special interests are dental implants, regenerative and aesthetic periodontics. Amit graduated from the University of Liverpool and completed a four year specialist training programme in Periodontics at Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Dental Institute.

[i] French, D., Ofec, R. and Levin, L. (2021). Long term clinical performance of 10 871 dental implants with up to 22 years of follow‐up: A cohort study in 4247 patients. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8359846/ [Accessed 24 Mar. 2023].

[ii] Ali, A., Al Attar, A. and Chrcanovic, B.R. (2023). Frequency of Smoking and Marginal Bone Loss around Dental Implants: A Retrospective Matched-Control Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, [online] 12(4), p.1386. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/4/1386 [Accessed 24 Mar. 2023].

Modern life takes its toll on our oral cavity, whether due to diet, lifestyle or illness. As you know, far too many individuals experience oral diseases that impact the health and aesthetics of the teeth. This coincides with society becoming overly-conscious of our image, especially our teeth. To meet this overwhelming demand to correct certain ‘imperfections’, restorative and cosmetic dental modalities have been developed and finessed.

But is there too strong a focus on aesthetics when patients seek restorative and/or cosmetic work? The profession is all-too aware of the impact of social media and misinformation on the internet, and the thought process of ‘if my teeth are white and straight, then they must be healthy’. Helping patients see the importance of health over aesthetics (without foregoing the latter entirely) is an ultimate challenge: but by recognising the significance of good oral health, they can not only appreciate a healthy mouth, but can also prolong and enjoy their dental treatment results for longer.

Beneath the beauty

The link between our smiles and body image is well established:[i] tooth colour/shape has been associated with a person’s attractiveness and social standing.ⁱⁱ To combat any ‘imperfections’, people have turned to various, sometimes dubious avenues to gain their desired smile. There are many challenges within modern day dentistry, with special mention to outside influences that can have a real impact on patients’ health and wellbeing. ‘Turkey teeth’, a no doubt familiar term within the profession nowadays, still dominate headlines.

Most patients who decide to go overseas for treatment often do so due to price, and with the benefit of a holiday thrown in. Without having done their research, and being motivated by a purely aesthetic viewpoint, they are at risk of complications and, in the worst-case scenario, of receiving long-lasting or permanent damage to their oral cavity. Despite the risk, there are still just as many, if not more success stories about overseas treatment – essentially, it boils down to whether patients have planned for their trip and thoroughly researched clinics in the area. But the allure of cheaper treatment is, for some, still worth the risk.

It must be noted that as a population, we are living longer – the current UK life expectancy is 81.77, up by 0.15% from 2022.[ii] Dental work that goes awry, whether due to a badly-researched overseas dental trip to poor oral health compliance, can put patients in an unfavourable position as they age. For dental professionals, this is very worrying. We all want to ‘look good’, but not at the expense of our health. Even some patients who undergo professional treatment may nod along to the routine oral health advice, but once treatment has concluded fail to keep on top of a rigorous oral health routine. As a result, the longevity of their final outcome is reduced considerably. With this in mind, it is vastly important to continue bridging the gap between patient understanding and clinically-supported dental health information. It is not the easiest part of being a dental professional, but improving communication and education is a sure-fire way to help patients make informed decisions that prioritise their health, without compromising their desired aesthetics.

Where aesthetics and health meet

The benefits of good oral health are endless – most importantly, it is a fantastic preventative measure for common dental complications and disease. A patient’s quality of life has been noted to improve drastically, as a result.[iii] The advantages of a beautiful smile are likewise extensive, and also include an improved quality of life, albeit in a slightly different, but nonetheless vital way.[iv] When patients understand that good oral health and aesthetics complement one another, they are more likely to care for their teeth, and go the extra mile to protect any dental work they have had done. For those undergoing either restorative and/or cosmetic work, many would be surprised to know that following a simple oral hygiene routine could actually help to extend the lifetime of their investment.

When it comes to creating beautiful restorations and helping them last, high-quality products go hand-in-hand with good oral health and patient compliance. 3M Oral Care is proud to announce that the RelyX Universal Resin Cement has won the 2023 Dental Advisor Awards in the Cement category.* This dual-cure solution can be used in either adhesive or self-adhesive mode for cementation, for indications such as veneers, all-ceramic, composite or metal inlays/onlays and crowns.** There is also virtually no post-operative sensitivity for improved patient comfort.**

For a healthy and beautiful smile

Undergoing dental treatment to improve the smile can transform an individual’s life. By equipping them with the knowledge they need to protect their oral health, supplemented by robust, high quality materials, they (and you) can rest assured that their investment will endure, with reduced risks of oral complications.

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.go.3M.com/ocsdpr

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3M and RelyX are trademarks of the 3M Company. – NB to editors: this line must be included at end of editorial when published

*Dental Advisor Awards 2023: https://www.dentaladvisor.com/evaluations/3m-relyx-universal-resin-cement/

**3M internal data

[i] Khalid, A. and Quiñonez, C. (2015). Straight, white teeth as a social prerogative. Sociology of Health & Illness, [online] 37(5), pp.782–796. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-9566.12238 [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].

[ii] www.macrotrends.net. (n.d.). U.K. Life Expectancy 1950-2022. [online] Available at: https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/GBR/united-kingdom/life-expectancy#:~:text=Chart%20and%20table%20of%20U.K. [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].

[iii] Bettie, N.F., Ramachandiran, H., Anand, V., Sathiamurthy, A. and Sekaran, P. (2015). Tools for evaluating oral health and quality of life. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, [online] 7(Suppl 2), pp.S414–S419. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606631/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].

[iv] Tin-Oo, M.M., Saddki, N. and Hassan, N. (2011). Factors influencing patient satisfaction with dental appearance and treatments they desire to improve aesthetics. BMC Oral Health, [online] 11(1). Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6831-11-6 [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].