Nishan Dixit, Scientific Director of the BACD, talks about the upcoming Annual Conference
When creating the programme this year, we wanted to focus on everyday dentistry. After last year’s digital theme, it was about getting back to the basics. The theme of the conference this year is FAB – Function, Aesthetics, Biology – essentially, we all want to do dentistry that’s functional, aesthetic, and biologically kind to the patient.

Our keynote speaker this year is Dr Francesca Vailati, who is probably the world’s most renowned clinician when it comes to restoring tooth surface loss with composite, using The 3-Step technique.

There are a few key differences compared to previous years, one of which is that we’ve responded to member requests and suggestions when developing the programme. We have tried to facilitate panel discussions as these have always received good feedback, and this year’s discussion is slightly different as we’re looking at how to handle the soft tissues around both teeth and implants – ultimately, this has a big impact on clinical outcomes. The panel will consist of Dr Nikos Mardas, Dr Boota Ubhi and Dr Roberto Rossi, and will be chaired by Dr Ken Harris.

As always, we have hands-on workshops that are pertinent to the type of work we do. This year they focus on prep design, anterior and posterior composites and treatment planning in orthodontics. The idea – for the last three or four years – has been to provide different speakers and a variety of topics for the hands-on sessions. Further, we will have a variety of world-renowned clinicians giving hints and tips on the way they deliver the type of work that they do. In fact, this is the first time we’ll be offering a hands-on workshop on prep design, with Dr Attiq Rahman.

In a move towards something more laboratory based, Phil Reddington is speaking about wax-ups. This is a hands-on session, too, and could prove very useful. Most of us will have dealt with wax-ups in dental school, but we still have to use the fundamentals of waxing up to build up our composites. It’s a case of going back to the building blocks of dentistry, and it’s looking at what we have learnt and how we can apply it to achieve better, more predictable results.

We also have a morning session on Saturday dedicated to all things ceramic – from prep design to the various types that are available to us. The speakers for this are Dr Markus Blatz, Dr Stefano Conti and Dr Maxim Belograd.

Overall, the take-away message from this conference will be to look more deeply at everyday dentistry, and understand how you can apply what you’ve learnt to enhance your clinical skills.

The BACD conference is also always a great opportunity for networking,
at its core, though, people should come for education and inspiration.

As dentists, our number one priority is the health of our patients’ teeth and mouths. But to our patients, their smiles mean much more to them than just their health. Of course, this is important too – no one wants dental pain or disease but, more often than not, dental health and hygiene ranks lower on our patients’ list than it does ours.

This is evidenced by the huge rise in cosmetic dentistry in the UK over the last several years. In general, these procedures have little impact on the health of a patient’s smile. Obviously, as dentists, we must always have those considerations in mind, we must factor in the long-time health of the patient before we proceed with a crown or a whitening procedure, but for our patients, all they want is the aesthetic result.

This is, perhaps, because our smiles are considered to be one of our most important features – certainly one of the most influential. Indeed, the appearance of our smiles, of our teeth, can greatly affect the way other people perceive us. In one study, it was found that decayed and poorly maintained teeth led to more negative judgements over four different personality categories – social competence, intellectual ability, psychological adjustment and relationship satisfaction. On the other hand, those people who had whitened teeth were judged far more positively across all four categories.

As we know, physical appearance plays a key role in human social interaction, and our teeth are one of the most important features that help shape the perceptions of others. This is evident in building romantic relationships, where it has been proven that attractiveness plays a key role – and our teeth even more so. Indeed, it has also been found, in a survey conducted by Match.com, that our teeth were the number one physical feature on which both genders judged their prospective partners. In terms of overall attractiveness, teeth ranked second, only behind personality. Indeed, most participants commented that bad teeth would be the most likely reason for declining a second date.

What’s more, good dental appearance is often regarded as important in our professional lives. Research has found that having whiter, straighter teeth is seen as a demonstration of wealth and status and makes a person look more successful and employable. It is also perceived to reflect the standard of education a person has received, with people with a better dental appearance being seen as better educated and more intelligent.

When looking for a job, it is believed that having a whiter smile will also help impress employers, with a good smile often being a key factor in getting a new job. It may also help when the opportunity for promotion comes up and is a sign of professional and personal success.5

Evidently, then, having an attractive smile is an important feature in terms of the way other people perceive us, but having white teeth also helps improve our own self-esteem and confidence.

As such, dentists must be prepared to be able to offer their patients these additional treatment options. As we all know, today’s patients are vastly different from those 20-30 years ago – they are far more discerning, for starters and they understand that their smile can be improved in a way that will give them a head start. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why we have seen a marked increase in the number of people requesting cosmetic dentistry – and, in particular, tooth whitening.

Tooth whitening is an effective way of improving the appearance of a patient’s smile, giving them the result they’re looking for. For the practitioner, this procedure is a good way of enhancing their practice’s remit and improving profits – especially when the barriers to entry for whitening are so low. Importantly, however, it is necessary for professionals to use products they know will provide their patients with the best results.

Enlighten Whitening understands the importance of a person’s smile – and is the only whitening product that can guarantee a whiter shade. This is particularly important for patients, who know what a white smile means and want to see the results.

There’s much more to a smile than meets the eye, from our patients’ health to their perceptions of themselves and the way people judge them in a wide variety of different social scenarios. As dentists, we must always look after our patients’ oral health, but we should also consider these other factors and ensure our service caters to our patients’ needs. With tooth whitening, as an adjunctive procedure that can be included as part of regular treatments, all of these considerations can be met.

For more information, visit www.enlightensmiles.com, email at info@enlightensmiles.com or call the team on 0207 424 3270

Have you ever thought about getting involved with dental implants? Or do you already offer them but wish you had a support network to turn to for information and advice?

The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) is the go-to organisation for all things related to the field. One of the largest dental professional bodies in the industry, it has more than 2,400 members – including dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental technicians.

To find out more about the myriad of benefits available to all ADI members, don’t miss the team at the BDIA Dental Showcase. They will be more than happy to introduce you to the various resources on offer, including the ADI Members-only Facebook Group, 50 free patient information leaflets and discounts on events like the ADI Study Clubs, ADI Focus Meetings, ADI Masterclasses and biennial ADI Team Congress.

We’ll be on stand C10 – see you there!

For more information about the ADI, or to join, please visit www.adi.org.uk/membership

The government’s tough stance on the tax affairs of the very wealthy has been the focus of a specially designated team since 2009. These taxpayers, or High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), are people whose investible assets exceed £10m.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been critical of how HMRC handles HNWIs, however, and in a report issued in January claimed that not enough is being done to deal with tax evasion and avoidance within this group. Between 2009 and 2016, there were 72 completed investigations for tax fraud, but just one successful prosecution in a criminal case. This is significant because HNWIs have the potential to make a healthy contribution to government finances.

The HNWI population in the UK currently stands at 552,800. In 2014/5, this growing club paid over £535,000 a head in income and capital gains tax (CGT). At the last count, London had the most HNWIs for a city worldwide, with New York and Tokyo in second and third place.

If this all sounds a million miles away from anything that dental practice owners should concern themselves with, don’t be fooled because there have been clear indications that HMRC wants to get more money out of a wider group of taxpayers. It is now starting to look closer at those who are just inside the upper tax bracket, which will include many dental professionals and entrepreneurs. Indeed, the number of Brits paying income tax at the higher or additional rate hit record levels in 2016.

In 2011, two years after the HNWIs team was established, the Affluent Unit was set up to look at individuals with incomes over £150,000 and/or a net worth between £1m and £20m. The Unit has almost doubled in size since it began, increasing its numbers of employees by 20 per cent. The Affluent Unit’s prime targets commonly include those who have property portfolios/bank accounts that are based offshore. You will also come under the scrutiny of the Unit if you habitually file self-assessment returns late and use (or have used) tax avoidance schemes.

An affluent individual is likely to have more complex tax affairs, so it is common sense that HMRC will want to take a closer look to ensure that everything is above board. The fact is that even if you are a higher or additional rate taxpayer, there are perfectly legitimate ways to reduce your tax bill while staying fully compliant with the rules. The services of a specialist accountant are essential to help with tax planning and regular tax check-ups so you can be confident that you are doing everything by the book. Lansdell & Rose has an expert team with extensive experience in advising dental practice owners on money matters. Saving tax while remaining legally compliant is not only possible, but will help you get the most out of your business.

If HMRC is being criticised for not having taken a tough enough stance on its wealthiest clients, then you don’t want to be caught out as it starts to ramp up the scrutiny on those who are slightly lower on the income scale. As it expands its operations to monitor the affluent more closely, we can predict a tighter inspection of everyone’s tax affairs in a few years’ time, as the government seeks to squeeze more tax out of more of the population. Don’t give yourself the headache of non-compliance; work with the experts now and you will stay in control.

To find out more, call Lansdell & Rose on 020 7376 9333,
Or visit www.lansdellrose.co.uk

Every year, millions of working days are lost across the UK due to sickness and injury averaging out at about 16 days per person – and dentists are no exception. If anything, dentists are at greater risk of becoming ill or suffering from an injury than many other professionals, as dentistry is such a physically and mentally demanding occupation.

That is why you need income protection – a policy designed to pay you an income if you are unable to work due to sickness, injury or an accident. That way, if the worst were to happen, you can rest assured that your livelihood is protected regardless of how long you are off work.

Now, there are more than 50 income protection plans available at any given time, so be sure to examine all of the options available to you. Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

1. Level of incapacity: All insurance companies base claims on how ill you have to be prior to any benefit being paid, but whether or not you receive a payout will all depend on which incapacity level you choose. Selecting ‘own occupation’ policy will provide you with the most comprehensive cover, as it ensures that your claim will be assessed on your ability to perform your duties as a dentist. ’Any occupation’ cover on the other hand will only pay out for as long as you’re unable to work, so if you were declared fit to work payments would be stopped – regardless of whether you could return to practice or not.

2. How long can you afford to wait before making a claim? With income protection policies there is what is known as the ‘deferred period’, which means you can either choose to be paid from the first full day you are off sick or defer your claim to a later date. Generally, a shorter deferred period will increase the cost of your cover.

3. Guaranteed or reviewable premiums: If you were to go for guaranteed rates, the amount that you would pay for your cover would remain the same for the duration of the plan, irrespective of how many claims you make. Alternatively you could select a reviewable premium, which is where your monthly payment would be reviewed after a set period of time and can be increased based on their overall claims experience.

4. Exclusions: When choosing income protection cover be sure to check the policy for any potential limitations or exclusions. These may vary depending on the insurer that you opt for, but typical exclusions where you won’t receive a payout can include pre-existing medical conditions and illness or injury that is self-inflicted.

To find out more about income protection or for expert help and guidance with finding a suitable policy, contact the Independent Financial Advisers at money4dentists today.

For more information please call 0845 345 5060 or 0754DENTIST.
Email info@money4dentists.com or visit www.money4dentists.com

A short while ago, the head of the Department of Health’s National Data Guardian (NDG) wrote a letter criticising the NHS for the deal it struck with Google’s DeepMind over sharing patient data. In the letter, Dame Fiona Caldicott questioned the legality of sharing 1.6 million patient records with a third party company without informing patients that this would be happening

The issue here is that this data was given to Google without informing patients precisely how their personal information would be used which, as Dame Fiona pointed out, was a violation of the trust patients put in the healthcare service. Google, however, answered by stating that the deal was covered by ‘implied consent’.

Both the NHS and Google have defended the use of implied consent and asserted that the sharing of any sensitive information would be very strictly controlled – but, even so, the question of the morality and legality of implied consent is dubious.

Indeed, consent is something of which we, as dentists, are well aware. For every procedure, we must ensure that out patients are fully aware of the benefits, limitations and alternatives, and willing to give informed consent for us to proceed. If a dentist made the decision to remove a patient’s tooth without informing them, just because that patient had come in complaining about toothache and wanting a solution, the repercussions would be very serious indeed. True, the dentist could say that the patient asked them to come up with an answer to their problem and, in asking, had given implied consent for the dentist to do what they deemed the best course of action – but do any of us actually think this would be appropriate or professional? Of course not.

Consent has to be a conscious decision on the part of the patient or, at least, their carer or guardian. It is the glue that holds the patient-practitioner trust together. It is our job to relay all the facts and options to our patients and it is their job to understand what we are telling them and give us the go ahead. It cannot be the other way around or avoided by suggesting the patient implied that we could proceed with whatever we thought was best.

Naturally, the issue of consent is becoming more and more pertinent in dentistry, not least because of the increase in litigation against dentists. Consent, therefore, is not just an important concern for the patient, but a necessary consideration for practitioners who do not want to see a Fitness to Practise case brought against them.

The example with DeepMind serves as a strong reminder of the importance of attaining full and informed consent from patients; indeed, the case into the legality of the NHS’s decision to share such information is still being investigated and will undoubtedly raise more questions in the future.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999
Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.

Endodontics is the most effective way of treating and preserving a patient’s natural tooth. Indeed, the British Endodontic Society (BES) reports that modern endodontic procedures have a consistent success rate of approximately 90 per cent – making endodontics one of the most reliable treatment modalities available to patients.

As a highly specialised field of dentistry, the tools required to perform successful treatment must be of a high quality. Indeed, the tools that dental professionals use can make all the difference between a successful treatment and a failure. As such, it is very important for any professional undertaking endodontics in their practice to be aware of the items they need for best practice.

For example, it is necessary to use a front surface reflecting mouth mirror to prevent the double image of the fine detail in an access cavity that can occur with a conventional mirror. Also, the use of end locking tweezers is advised, in order to safely transfer small items between practitioner and nurse. An endodontic probe is similarly vital, in order to detect canal orifices.

Practitioners should also make use of rubber dams. These are important in providing an isolated operatory field free from oral contamination, as well as preventing patients from accidentally swallowing or inhaling small root canal instruments.

While it may seem like a relatively minor consideration, it is also important to use suitable protective coverings for the patient’s clothes – since the accidental spillage of sodium hypochlorite can lead to complaints and even litigation.

An endodontic practice will also require a long-cone parallel radiographic system. This has been shown to be the most effective form of radiography for endodontic cases, since it allows practitioners to capture an undistorted view of the teeth and surrounding structures. Another benefit is that this system easily allows repeats, allowing for a more accurate assessment of periapical healing.

Of course, digital radiography is now being used to exceptional effect and many modern systems can be preset specifically for endodontic requirements. This technology also allows practitioners to view scans almost instantaneously, effectively streamlining the diagnostic process and allowing for a better standard of care.

Obviously, endodontic treatments are conducted on an incredibly small and complex level. Therefore, magnification is particularly useful and many practitioners opt for using dental loupes or surgical microscopes in order to complete even more intricate procedures.

A practitioner must also choose an appropriate endodontic handpiece. As always, it is vital to find a handpiece that will suit an individual’s ergonomic and clinical needs – one that will be reliable and effective and, crucially, cost-effective. Low-speed models, with precise torque control and auto-reverse, are ideal for endodontics, as are models with ‘micro’ heads to improve operatory visibility.

Along with this, practitioners must choose a file system that they can rely on to achieve excellent canal shaping and debridement. Often, it is the quality of the file that determines the overall success of the treatment, making the choice of instrument incredibly important.

The new HyFlex EDM NiTi file from COLTENE is an excellent example of a high-quality endodontic file. With over 700 per cent higher fracture resistance than previous files, this product allows for precise and reliable canal shaping, shorter treatment times and better overall results.

To find out more visit www.coltene.com, email info.uk@coltene.com or call 01444 235486

Author: Mark Allen, General Manager at COLTENE

How can you make patients your best endorsers in the community? Here are some ideas, gleaned from feedback from patients that may be well worth your while.
Well Informed: Take concerted steps to promote and market what your practice has to offer. Weigh your options, from traditional advertising in newspapers and magazines, to radio spots, to the burgeoning force of social media. Make sure that your website is up to date and that your social media accounts are listed.
Be strategic in your use of different social media. Instagram, for instance, is suited for placing images of new arrivals at the clinic, from up-to-date equipment to treatment updates, while Twitter can be great for sharing the latest developments in the dental sphere with your peers. Facebook can be your community notebook for announcing the newest “additions” to the practice, from the most sophisticated equipment to team comings and goings.
Well Received: Everyone wants to be treated well, and it must start with the prospective patients’ very first inquiry to the practice, when they should be handled with courtesy and respect. The initial inquiry should be the precursor to the civil, professional and friendly greeting they receive when they take their first steps into the practice. If they receive short shrift at reception, it will leave a lasting bad impression that no amount of excellent treatment will be able to erase.
Well Kept: The state of the practice is a reflection of its organisation and the conscientiousness of its principals and staff. There is no excuse for overflowing bins, a lack of comfortable or sufficient seating, out-dated publications or a dirty toilet.
Well Meaning: Attention to all of the preceding concerns must continue once the patients are in the dental treatment room with you. Patients also want to be heard. They want to be informed about their treatment and why it is being done, the pain involved, the benefits and drawbacks of undertaking it and the full range of options available to them. It is your responsibility to explain the procedures, and address any queries to the patient’s satisfaction.
Well Paid: It goes without saying that costs and payment are important to patients. Information about the costs of treatment should be easily available, posted on practice walls or in brochures or leaflets. Patients must also be informed of the insurance accepted at the practice and any options open to them. You can also explore plans that are a win-win solution for you and your patients. Among them, the Munroe Sutton Healthy Discounts programme, which brings affordable, discounted dental care within reach of the public and benefits its member practices.
Well Done: Patients can be our best partners or our worst critics in word-of-mouth promotions, which can either boost your sales and attendance or put a dent in even the most polished PR campaigns. Make sure to take care of your patients’ needs, and you will have an invaluable ally by your side.
For more information, please call 0808 234 3558
or visit www.munroesutton.co.uk

Author

Jeremy Hedrick is Vice President of Network Development and has been an integral part of the Careington and Munroe Sutton teams for over 14 years. As Vice President, Jeremy is responsible for the strategic leadership of network development for both Careington and Munroe Sutton, overseeing business development, licensing and regulation, recruiting, credentialing and quality assurance. Jeremy’s primary focus is on the continued growth and expansion of the Careington and Munroe Sutton dental networks, which are currently among some of the largest dental networks in the US and the UK. In addition to his current role, Jeremy has served in various senior leadership roles throughout Careington and Munroe Sutton including customer support, compliance, claims as well as operations of Careington’s affiliate TPA, Careington Benefit Solutions.

There can be no denying that the UK population is getting older. In the next few years, the healthcare needs of more and more people will begin to change and, as such, it is crucial that dentists take steps now to ensure that they are capable of offering the best service and care to older patients.

Indeed, our oral health naturally begins to deteriorate the older we become and conditions such as xerostomia, periodontitis, dental caries and tooth loss, become more likely with age.

As we know, these oral health issues can have a direct impact on our general health – which increases the risks of serious problems as we get older. Tooth loss, in particular – no matter the causal factor – can lead to low self-esteem, not to mention functional impairment. Of course, nutritional intake can be impacted by this and, in turn, general health. Similarly, periodontitis has been demonstrably linked with a number of other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer – all of which pose a greater risk to older patients.

As such, it is necessary for dental professionals to prepare themselves for a future where patients may be more susceptible to oral health conditions. Currently, there is a focus on preventive dental care, which helps patients maintain a good standard of oral health for longer – and which will ultimately help professionals provide patients with adequate care in the future.

Clinical considerations are just one part of the solution, however. Professionals must also consider how they will adapt their service to the changing needs of the population. For example, there are many other age-related complications that have the potential to impact patients’ quality of dental care. With age, a person’s mobility can be significantly impaired, so can their ability to sit comfortably for prolonged periods of time.

The layout of the treatment area, therefore, must be conducive to comfort and accessibility – which means the equipment that one uses must be able to accommodate a wide range of patients. For example, older patients may not be able to enter or exit a dental chair as easily as a younger patient could. Nor will they be able to sit as comfortably for prolonged periods of time, especially if they have conditions such as arthritis. This means that the chair a dentist chooses must have a high level of ergonomic comfort and accessibility, to ensue that older patients can receive treatment easily and comfortably.

Dental chairs from A-dec, for example, are renowned for their ergonomic features – including advanced pressure-mapping technology that ensures all patients can sit comfortably during their appointments. A-dec chairs also feature smooth articulation points, to ensure that patients can be maneuvered into the best positions possible – and will also aid them when entering or exit the chair itself.

For more information about A-dec Dental UK Ltd, visit
www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

Christopher Cox author bio

Christopher Cox has been working at A-dec since 2005, when he started as an Administrative Assistant. From then, he worked his way up through the company, as a Project Co-ordinator, Project Manager, Territory Manager for Institutional Sales, Special Markets Manager and, now, the Sales & Marketing Manager. In this time, Christopher has developed a thorough understanding of the dental market and remains dedicated to promoting the A-dec brand and bringing first-class solutions to more and more professionals.