At the forthcoming BDIA Dental Showcase 2024, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) is thrilled to be hosting the BACD Aesthetic Theatre which will feature a range of speakers looking into the latest innovations, treatments and ideas in ethical cosmetic dentistry.

Speakers include BACD President, Luke Hutchings, who believes that all dentistry has an aspect of cosmetic dentistry. “It doesn’t matter what treatment your patient seeks, they will want an aesthetic outcome,” he says.

The lineup also features Chris McConnell, Chris Leech, Jasmine Piran and Lydia Sharples, each presenting on different clinical topics and offering a wealth of practical guidance and personal insights.

Throughout the event, the BACD team will be on hand to share their expertise in the field. Attendees will be able to learn more about what the Academy does and the benefits of membership, such as the BACD’s educational pathway. 

“Our Accreditation programme provides a structured approach to education and recognises those who have accomplished a high standard of clinical ability,” explains Neil Gerrard, Chair of the Credentialling Committee for BACD Accreditation. “It is an excellent way to expand skills sets, promote professional growth and really push dentists to the next level of cosmetic – and general – dentistry.”

Come along to the BACD Aesthetic Theatre to learn more. We look forward to welcoming you!

The BDIA Dental Showcase 2024 takes place at ExCeL in London from 22-23 March 2024.

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry visit www.bacd.com

Dr Eoin O’Sullivan is a Specialist in Prosthodontics and a well-known teacher, lecturer and mentor in the UK and abroad. He will discuss digital tools available to enhance communication between dentist and dental technician from the Clinical Theatre on behalf of Align Technology at 14:00 on Friday 22^nd March at BDIA Dental Showcase 2024. He says:

“We are in an era of exciting digital technology across dentistry, with new things constantly coming along. However, this can be overwhelming, which can be a barrier to adaptation. So too can the initial financial outlay for the relevant equipment.

“I will share what I use, what works for me and how it could impact other practices. Adopting technology can improve predictability, convenience and efficiency of the clinical workflow, significantly improving communication as well. The return on investment can also outweigh the initial cost much quicker than some believe. But you don’t have to radically change everything about your practice to start benefitting. I will ensure that my session is very relevant to the general dental practitioner who wants to get started in digital.”

Get ready to embrace digital dentistry – register for BDIA Showcase 2024 today at https://dental-showcase-2024.reg.buzz/register-free-pr!

BDIA Dental Showcase 2024

22^nd-23^rd March

ExCeL London

dentalshowcase.com

Register today!

The 19^th BACD Annual Conference, titled “New Horizons”, once again brought together hundreds of members and non-members alike to learn and network with likeminded professionals. The three-day event offered hands-on training, live demonstrations and a diverse lecture programme covering both clinical and non-clinical topics.

The first day of the Conference was dedicated to hands-on workshops and masterclasses, which offered delegates an opportunity to develop practical capabilities in an array of areas. Sessions covered injectable moulding techniques, composite veneers and soft/hard tissue management concepts, as well as brand building and improving the treatment planning process with enhanced patient communication. Delegates had the chance to engage with both speakers and peers within intimate groups, learning intricate skills and taking away a wealth of guidance and advice that will help them optimise their patient care and business management for the future.

Upon attending a workshop on composite veneers by Richard Coates and sponsored by DMG, delegate H. Craig commented:

“I thoroughly enjoyed Richard’s composite veneer workshop. It was advertised as a Masterclass and it truly was. I have learned so much about layering composite to emulate nature – I know for certain that I can take these skills back to practice next week and deliver a first-class service for my patients. A big thank you to Richard and the DMG team!”

During the opening ceremony, now the Immediate Past President, Dr Simon Chard, described the Conference as a place to “engage, communicate and collaborate” with colleagues and industry partners. He highlighted the many benefits available to members and demonstrated some of the educational events that will be held throughout 2024.

Dr Chris Orr and Dr Elaine Halley also paid a heart-felt tribute to Dr Uchenna Okoye, a long-time member of the BACD who sadly and very suddenly passed away recently. She was lovingly described as someone who was “passionate about making a difference” and “the best president the BACD never had” given how much she did for the Academy and the profession as a whole. In memory of Dr Okoye and her belief in living life to the fullest, the audience were treated to a lively “The Greatest Showman” performance, before settling into the day’s lecture.

Headline speaker Dr Lincoln Harris took to the stage at this point to take delegates on a journey through the “dance” that is the new patient consultation. Exploring how to engage with a patient who doesn’t know or understand that they need treatment, he was clear that not all patients are prepared to accept a treatment plan. The first of several key points of his session was to “never give a treatment plan to a patient that is not ready”. He went on throughout the day to discuss the importance of the professional recommendation when it comes to treatment options, the necessity to have belief in yourself as the clinician and the power of saying no to a patient. Dr Harris also talked about giving patients what they want but with no long-term regrets – something that is at the heart of the BACD’s dedication to ethical cosmetic dentistry.

Reflecting on their experience of the Conference overall, Y. Funmi Sijuwade said:

“I enjoyed both the workshops I attended – it was good to cover non-clinical topics with Ken Hughes and I learnt new things to take into practice from the composite veneer session. I thought Lincoln Harris was good, covering general principles of how to build a practice. I have been a full member of the BACD for 15+ years and the Annual Conference is the biggest benefit for me.”

The final day of the Conference brought more exceptional speakers, including Dr Anthony Mak discussing digital dentistry in anterior aesthetic restorations. Though a clear advocate for digital solutions in the modern profession, he acknowledged the need to build up digital capabilities in the practice over time. He discussed the steps of the workflow and benefits of restoratively-driven treatment, as well as how technologies and digital mock ups can aid the process. Dr Mak showed some of his own cases to demonstrate the benefits of digital dentistry and show it in real-life situations.

Delegate Tom Bereznicki said of the session:

“­This lecture was excellent. The speaker really showed how to put the pieces of the jigsaw together. He gave young professionals a good example of excellence and something to aim for.”

Throughout the Conference, delegates were able to interact with the trade exhibition, participating in the trade lottery to be entered into a draw to win over £18,000 worth of prizes that were kindly donated by the companies in attendance. Plus, the Gala Dinner lived up to its name, providing an exceptional evening of entertainment, food, dancing and the odd drink or two!

Delegate Anna McHenry said about the event overall:

“I have found the whole Conference so useful. Everything has been superbly organised and everyone has been so helpful. There was a great variety of workshops and talks to choose from and I have been inspired by the excellent standard of dentistry being shown.”

To stay informed of all the upcoming educational events hosted or supported by the BACD, become a member today!

For more information, please visit www.bacd.com

Treatment safety when it comes to dental surgery, implantology and maxillofacial surgery is of foremost importance. With Implantmed, a high-quality, high-performance surgical motor from W&H, improved treatment safety for both clinician and patient is assured.

With an intuitive user interface, colour touch screen and glass surface, Implantmed offers the highest levels of design and comfort. It also offers maximum flexibility thanks to its wireless foot control and its higher torque compact motor.

Boasting an automatic thread cutter function integrated into Implantmed, the tightening torque control provides support when placing implants and prevents excessive compression of the bone when inserting the implant. This reduces the risk of bone loss, facilitating stress-free healing of the implant. Discover the advantages that Implantmed could bring to your practice by visiting the W&H website today!

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

What makes your practice stand out from the rest? Is it your team of specialists? Your unique décor? The flexibility you offer patients? In an increasingly competitive environment, it has never been more difficult to distinguish yourself from the crowd. That’s why it’s so important to continually reinvest in the business. From the team you create to your marketing activities and building maintenance, actively working on the business is essential for success in both the short- and long-term. 

A major area that dental practices invest in today, is their equipment and technology. In what is becoming an increasingly digital profession, access to some of the latest equipment is vital for dental teams striving to deliver high-quality, efficient and long-lasting patient care. There are several ways in which the right equipment can impact the business.

Quality of care

Modern solutions have been designed to improve the quality of care that can be delivered across all healthcare sectors. For instance, health information technology has been identified for its potential to reduce human error, improve clinical outcomes, improve care coordination and increase efficiencies.[i] Specifically within dentistry, intraoral scanners have been shown to be significantly faster and more efficient than conventional impression methods in some cases, with no compromise in accuracy.[ii]

Improved clinical care and enhanced outcomes are just one way in which clinicians can encourage patient satisfaction, and therefore their loyalty to the practice.[iii] Good patient relationships can also positively influence professional job satisfaction,[iv] and a happy team that provides excellent dentistry is the only kind of team that will make your practice truly stand out!

Productivity

Whether attempting to tackle the backlog of NHS patients seeking care, or trying to grow and sustain your private dental business, productivity is crucial within everyday activities. In the same way that the right equipment and technology streamlines the patient experience, they can also facilitate more efficient workflows for the professional team. You need equipment that functions in the way you need it to, that will adapt to your work rather than the other way around.

The benefits are multiple – smoother daily routines for the team and faster surgery turnaround times mean more patients can be seen with no compromise in quality of care delivered. Not only does this support patient access to care, but it also optimises profitability for the business.

Reliability

Just as you need equipment to promote efficiency in the practice, you also need it to be reliable. An all-singing-all-dancing imaging machine is a fantastic investment for practices that provide a lot of implant treatment – but it is a worthless addition if it is constantly breaking down.

That’s why practices must invest in technologies that can be trusted to work consistently and correctly. Equipment must be of a high enough quality to withstand the rigours of daily life in the practice, to be durable and robust. It can help to choose a supplier with a reputation for reliable equipment, and one that offers rapid technical support in the event of a malfunction. It’s important that you are confident you can get your practice back up and running with minimal down time, should an issue occur. You need your business to stand out, but for all right reasons.

Buy right, buy once

Regardless of whether you are investing in new imaging equipment, decontamination solutions or dental units, you want to buy right first time. Most practices will follow a thorough decision-making process in order to adequately research the options on the market and determine which are most suitable for the business. Both the technology itself and the support services available alongside should be measured against the aforementioned areas, in addition to any specific criteria required for your team or patients.

For industry-leading solutions that come with exceptional customer support, consider working with RPA Dental for your dental chair, imaging equipment and decontamination needs. A range of technologies are available, including brands like Stern Weber, Castellini, MyRay, KaVo and Mocom. The team are also committed to going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that you have all the information, inspiration and support you need to bring your vision to life. Dr Mehdi Yazdi has been a customer for some time and comments: “It has been a real pleasure working with RPA Dental over the last five years. They give me on-going support and guidance, to ensure our practice can continue to flourish and grow.”

There are many things you can do to make your practice stand out. Many of these are optimised by utilising the right technology and equipment, so investing wisely in this area is essential. 

For more detail about the solutions available through RPA Dental, please visit

www.dental-equipment.co.uk, call 08000 933 975 or email info@rpadental.net

Adam Shaw Bio

My name is Adam Shaw, and I am the sales Director here at RPA Dental ltd. Married to my wife Michelle and with two teenage boys, weekends are mostly taken up with their sporting activities and social diaries.

Having started life as an apprentice engineer with RPA Dental some 24 years ago, I have seen the Dental industry change and evolve considerably since first starting with the company.

At 16, working as an engineer I attended college one day a week and after a four-year period completed my qualification in electrical and mechanical engineering. From here I spent 5 years in the service department until gaining promotion to a senior status, responsible for managing the team, running my own installation projects and keeping quality levels to a high standard.

Coming from technical background allowed me to understand the equipment specifications and fundamental surgery requirements in its entirety and offered the base line on which to move over to my commercial role in 2011.

Our emphasis has always been on service and support to our clients, and this has continued with our holistic approach to designing surgeries and assisting in an optimum workflow with our valued customers.

My role within the business now is to offer our clients the help and support required on various levels dependant on their individual needs, whilst working with our manufacturing partners to ensure our portfolio brings a complete and extensive offering.

[i] Alotaibi YK, Federico F. The impact of health information technology on patient safety. Saudi Med J. 2017 Dec;38(12):1173-1180. doi: 10.15537/smj.2017.12.20631. PMID: 29209664; PMCID: PMC5787626.

[ii] Afrashtehfar, K. I., Alnakeb, N. A., & Assery, M. K. (2022). Accuracy of intraoral scanners versus traditional impressions: A rapid umbrella review. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, 22(3), 101719.

[iii] El Dalatony MM, Alshareef RI, Alkahtani AR, Alhajri SM, Alhumaidany TM, AlQarni WA, Almuaddi AM, Aldossary MS. Patient Satisfaction as a Determinant of Patient Loyalty to the Dentist in Dental Clinics. J Patient Exp. 2023 Apr 2;10:23743735231166506. doi: 10.1177/23743735231166506. PMID: 37051112; PMCID: PMC10084532.

[iv] Le VNT, Dang MH, Kim JG, Yang YM, Lee DW. Dentist Job Satisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int Dent J. 2021 Oct;71(5):369-377. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2020.12.018. Epub 2021 Feb 19. PMID: 33612262; PMCID: PMC9275337.

“It’s a game changer!” says Zohaib Hassan of his experience with Kiroku, the AI digital note taking platform.

Based in Brigstock Dental Practice in Thornton Heath, Surrey, general dental practitioner Zohaib has been using Kiroku for over five months now and has become a huge fan. “I like the fact there is a template for absolutely everything, alongside the ability to adjust templates to your own style and personalise them,” he enthuses.

He believes that the profession currently overwrites notes because of the worry of litigation. “Having that constant worry of ‘do my notes cover me?’ is horrible,” Zohaib admits. “But Kiroku helps reduce this stress. Knowing that they have worked with indemnity companies to make sure their templates cover what is required of us in our notes gives you a peace of mind, too.

“With Kiroku you are able to use the information in the template or remove it if it is not appropriate. And because you’re filling out a template you are less likely to miss out vital bits of information. The other key benefit is that the software prompts the user to ask patients for details we may forget during examinations.”

For more information about how Kiroku can help you in your practice, get in touch with the team today.

To find out more about Kiroku, or to start your free trial, please visit trykiroku.com

Jane Lovatt, practice manager of Castle View Dental Spa, has been a very satisfied customer of AeronaDental practice management software since the opening of this squat practice 5 years ago. She says:

“We are very happy with the system and do not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking to change their software. 

“The charting is very similar to the original manual charting format and so is very easy to do. We love the fact that we can add our own treatment items as and when needed, plus, reports and audits are simple to produce. The patient journey is streamlined and user friendly as well, from start to finish.

“The most beneficial feature to us is the integration with GoCardless, which facilitates our in-house, monthly payment plan for patients. This feature has proven invaluable as well as being very cost effective. 

“In addition, the customer service from AeronaDental is literally second to none. A feature on the system allows you to raise and automatically log a query on the system. The reply is always very fast, meaning no downtime. On the occasions we have called, the phone has been answered quickly, and they are able to sort issues straight away. We have never had any problems whatsoever with the customer service! 

“They regularly hold lunchtime training sessions to offer top tips and ensure we are getting the most out of the system. Even when I have been unable to attend, Dean has always been happy to talk me through the content, going above and beyond.  

“I would definitely score AeronaDental 10/10. They provide a 5* service every time and I would recommend them to others without hesitation.”

For more information, please visit aerona.com

Dr Sagi Shavit graduated from dental school in 2009 in Bucharest and shortly afterwards developed a special interest in endodontics. He undertook a number of endodontic training courses, including microsurgical endodontics, in London and, in 2015, he gained an MSc in Endodontics from the University of Chester. He now treats endodontic patients exclusively at Cleveland Terrace Dental Practice, Darlington.

Here, he presents a case where a patient favoured a treatment plan of endodontic therapy as a solution to her oral pain.

Initial presentation and diagnosis

A female patient in her 50s was referred to our clinic regarding her upper second premolar. She complained of painful episodes and pain upon mastication.

The referring GDP had already accessed and dressed the tooth. A radiographic examination (see figure 1) shows deep restoration on the UL5, with no associated periapical pathology. The root shows a 45-degree curvature in the apical third.

A diagnosis of acute apical periodontitis following pulp necrosis, was placed.

The treatment options of endodontic treatment or extraction of the tooth were discussed. The patient decided to have endodontic treatment, if possible.

Treatment steps

The tooth was accessed under rubber dam (the framed Flexi Dam from COLTENE) and a single canal was located with the aid of the dental operating microscope. A HyFlex™ EDM OneFile (~/25), manufactured by COLTENE, was used for coronal enlargement, up to the curvature which was estimated radiographically at 18mm.  

The working length was determined using the CanalPro™ Apex Locator (COLTENE) at 21mm.

A smooth glide path was achieved using manual 8 and 10 K-Files, under copious irrigation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.

Mechanical instrumentation continued using the HyFlex™ EDM OneFile (~/25) to the working length. An intra-operatory radiograph (see figure 2) with a gutta-percha point confirms the correct working length. This was performed under copious irrigation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and a final rise with 17% EDTA. Both irrigation solutions were activated ultrasonically using a cordless endodontic activator, the CanalPro™ EndoUltra (COLTENE).

Especially when working in curved canals, it is advisable to inspect the gutta-percha point after it is removed from the canal, to ascertain that there are no deformations, and it is well seated apically (see figure 3).

The canal was then dried using matching paper points, and obturated using warm vertical compaction, due to the oval shape of the canal in the coronal third. Figures 4 and 5 show the down pack phase both clinically and radiographically; on Figure 4, the intra-canal view, you can clearly note the oval shape.

The access cavity was sealed with resin composite and the patient was advised to return in three months for outcome assessment of the treatment.

The post-operative radiograph (see figure 6) shows adequate 3-dimensional obturation of the endodontic space.

Conclusion

This case was completed in a single visit, with a single file, quickly and safely, and both myself and the patient were satisfied with the outcome.

COLTENE offers a wide variety of tools that can help clinicians delivering endodontic treatment achieve predictably good results. From the pre-framed Flexi Dam, through to apex locators and endo motors and super-elastic files like the HyFlex™ EDM range, the products allow me to simplify my workflows.

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

Adaptability to case situations allows clinicians to achieve excellent treatment outcomes, no matter the challenge in front of them. Prepare for any case with Advanced Biomaterials from Straumann^®, a comprehensive portfolio of hard and soft tissue regenerative solutions.

The diverse range is made up of biomaterials that are uniquely designed to provide better healing, volume preservation, natural aesthetics and quicker treatment.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for each challenge a clinician faces. Within the Advanced Biomaterials range, dental professionals can access more than ten unique bone graft solutions and a variety of membranes that enhance treatment outcomes, tailoring the solution of choice to an individual case’s needs.

Included within the portfolio are products like cerabone^®, which has been a part of over 1 million successful augmentations, and has renowned success in a number of medical applications. Patients can experience greater results in the long-term, with the opportunity to minimise implant complications such as bone resorption.

To learn more about Advanced Biomaterials and individualised care that exceeds expectations, contact the Straumann^® team today.

For more information on the complete range of biomaterials, please visit www.straumann-uk.co/biomaterials

When cleaning interdentally, brushes are often easier to master than string floss and more effective at optimising plaque removal, too.

The right-size brush is crucial to success which is why the CPS Prime interdental brushes, by leading Swiss oral hygiene brand Curaprox, are available in a range of sizes, colour-coded for your and your patient’s convenience.

That is not the only reason to use and recommend the CPS Prime. The bristles are long and super-fine, opening like an umbrella to remove debris and bacteria in one efficient in-and-out movement.

They’re durable too, so good value. When it’s time to replace the brush head, you only need to remove this part of the tool, clicking the new one into place on the reusable handle. Less waste, less cost – just a brilliant everyday clean.

Motivate your patients to clean between, with CPS Prime range.

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