Author: Dental Design

Health Education England’s Healthy Child Programme now includes dental advice for children with learning disabilities and autism

The healthy child programme (HCP) developed by Health Education England now includes advice on dental issues thanks to the input of BSPD’s secretary and Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, Urshla (Oosh)Devalia, as well as Wendy Bellis, Honorary Clinical Senior Teaching Fellow at the Eastman Dental Institute. The new programme (1) is for all healthcare providers who treat children with learning disabilities and autism in special residential schools and colleges.

Some children and young people can have sensory difficulties coping with dental treatment. They do not like the dentist to touch them and the noise and lights of dental practices can make them fearful. The new resource provides carers with advice and techniques for helping children cope with a dental appointment.

The Healthy Child e-learning programme was first developed in 2017 (2) for all health professionals working with pregnant women and children in the first five years of life. The new programme focuses on sensory health services.

Dr Devalia said the programme highlights the adjustments that need to be made to help young people with sensory issues manage in a dental environment.  She commented: “Of all the healthcare appointments delivered to children with disabilities, dentistry is probably the most challenging. I am delighted that there is now advice for everyone involved in the care of this cohort of young people which will help them manage a dental appointment.”

Claire Stevens, spokesperson for BSPD, commented: “This is a first and important step towards reducing the inequality experienced by this group of patients who have struggled to get access to treatment in the past. I am delighted that aided by the contribution of Oosh and Wendy, the oral health of young patients with sensory challenges should now be addressed.”

References:

(1) https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/delivering-sensory-health-services/

(2) https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/e-learning-programme-launched-for-professionals-working-with-children-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/

Helpful, reliable systems and service

Amy Booth, Practice Manager at Delph Dental in Swadlincote tells us about her experiences with Eschmann’s customer care and why she would recommend Eschmann products to others:

“The customer service from Eschmann is simply exceptional. Our engineer, Mark, is always incredibly friendly and provides the team with CPD to ensure that we are all using the systems properly and to their full potential – he is always happy to help!

“We have the Little Sister SES 2010 Non-Vacuum Autoclave and the SES 2000 Autoclave as well as a Washer Disinfector, and all three of these systems are excellent value for money – I would rate them all 10/10! I would also recommend Eschmann systems to other professionals as they are easy to use and dependable.”

To find out more, contact Eschmann today.

 

For more information on the highly effective and affordable range of decontamination equipment and products from Eschmann, please visit www.eschmann.co.uk or call 01903 875787

Designed to optimise performance

The Straumann® BLX implant system has been designed to optimise outcomes in a wide range of clinical indications.

The innovative SLActive® surface promotes effective bone regeneration, even in compromised sites,[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] enhancing predictability for highly successful immediate loading protocols[v] and reducing healing time to 3-4 weeks in some cases.[vi] [vii]

These features are supported by the innovative Roxolid® material, which preserves the natural structures and boosts vascularisation.[viii] [ix]

Straumann ImmediaXy® takes immediacy to the next level by facilitating same-day restoration in a wide range of indications using a unique and comprehensive suite of solutions from dental data acquisition to restoration. To learn more, visit www.straumann.com/en/dental-professionals/products-and-solutions/key-topics/immediaxy.html.

 

For more information about the Straumann® BLX implant system, visit www.straumann-uk.co/str-blx

 

[i] Kuchler U, Chappuis V, Bornstein mm, Siewczyk M, Gruber R, Maestre L, Buser D. Development of Implant Stability Quotient values of implants placed with simultaneous sinus floor elevation – results of a prospective study with 109 implants. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 28, 2017, 109– 115.

[ii] Schwarz, F., et al., Bone regeneration in dehiscence-type defects at chemically modified (SLActive®) and conventional SLA® titanium implants: a pilot study in dogs. J Clin.Periodontol. 34.1 (2007): 78–86.

[iii] Schwarz, F., et al., Bone regeneration in dehiscence-type defects at non-submerged and submerged chemically modified (SLActive®) and conventional SLA titanium implants: an immunohistochemical study in dogs. J Clin.Periodontol. 35.1 (2008): 64–75.

[iv] El Chaar E, Zhang L, Zhou Y, et al. (Superior) osseointegration of super hydrophilic implants placed in defect grafted bones. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2018. (article in press).

[v] Nicolau P, Guerra F, Reis R, Krafft T, Benz K , Jackowski J. 10-year outcomes with immediate and early-loaded implants with a chemically modified SLA surface, Quintessence Int. (article in press).

[vi] ­­ Lang NP, Salvi GE, Huynh-Ba G, Ivanovski S, Donos N, Bosshardt DD. Early osseointegration to hydrophilic and hydrophobic implant surfaces in humans. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2011 Apr;22(4):349-56. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02172.x

[vii] Oates TW, Valderrama P, Bischof M, Nedir R, Jones A, Simpson J, Toutenburg H, Cochran DL. Enhanced implant stability with a chemically modified SLA surface: a randomized pilot study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2007 Sep-Oct;22(5):755-60

 

[viii] Ioannidis A, Gallucci GO, Jung RE, Borzangy S, Hämmerle CH, Benic GI. Titanium-zirconium narrow-diameter versus titanium regular diameter implants for anterior and premolar single crowns: 3-year results of a randomized controlled clinical study. J Clin Periodontol. 2015 Nov;42(11):1060-70. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12468. Epub 2015 Nov 14.

[ix] Al-Nawas B, Domagala P, Fragola G, Freiberger P, Ortiz- Vigón A, Rousseau P, Tondela J. A Prospective Noninterventional Study to Evaluate Survival and Success of Reduced Diameter Implants Made From Titanium-Zirconium Alloy. J Oral Implantol. 2015 Aug;41(4):e118-25. doi: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-13-00149. Epub 2014 Mar 25.

Reflect, refocus, rebuild

The New Year offers us a bright and shiny opportunity to reflect, refocus and rebuild. After the events of 2020, many businesses will be considering strategies to enhance the efficiency of certain processes in order to boost growth and support a quick recovery. For dental practices, this is a chance to start the year on the right foot by taking advantage of cutting-edge digital systems to ensure a more streamlined and cost-effective workflow that transforms the treatment experience for the better. The latest technology can undoubtedly offer a significant return on investment in terms of improving productivity and increasing the competitive edge of your practice.

Practice management

The smooth running of many practice processes often depends on efficient scheduling and organisation of day-to-day administrative tasks. As such, many practices invest in management technologies to automate these processes. Some platforms enable you to view information about the day’s schedule at a glance, including who is providing treatment, what procedures are taking place in what time slot, the status of each procedure, and much more. This data can then be used to book appointments, manage billing and send out reminders automatically, which not only reduces the risk of human errors, but also frees up valuable time for you and your team to focus on patient care.

Some practice management systems also enable you to measure and analyse the performance of your business, highlighting where strengths and weaknesses lie. You can then use this information to plan and implement changes within the practice to target specific areas for improvement, thus helping to enhance patient care and, consequently, grow your business. Similarly, technology can support you in monitoring and keeping up-to-date with trends that you may be able to capitalise on. If, for instance, you find that enquiries for cosmetic dentistry are more prevalent during a specific time of the year, you could create a promotion campaign in order to increase treatment uptake when demand is highest.

The patient journey

Besides practice management, digital technology can also offer significant benefits in terms of facilitating a more seamless and convenient patient journey. Given the current emphasis on infection control and social distancing, many practices are now offering virtual consultations, where clinicians can discuss likely treatment options without the patient having to visit the practice. As well as minimising non-essential contact, virtual consultations provide patients the space and time to digest the information they have been given and consider their options carefully for a more informed decision-making process. This can ultimately help improve the chances of treatment being accepted.

Once patients are in practice, dental teams can take advantage of digital technology to restore teeth within a single appointment. Intraoral scanners, for example, can outperform traditional impression-taking methods in terms of speed, precision, hygiene and ease-of-use. These devices can be combined with the latest CAD/CAM systems or 3D printers to facilitate the design and manufacture of supreme-fitting restorations in practice. Additionally, clinicians can use this technology to produce highly accurate surgical guides that can further simplify procedures and maximise available chairtime. By maintaining an in-house restorative workflow, practices can ensure quicker treatment turnaround times in order to cater to even more patients in the long-term. Moreover, patients benefit from not having to attend multiple appointments.

To support more efficient treatment, it is important to invest in reliable decontamination equipment that can keep pace with the demands of a busy practice, whilst ensuring the health and safety of both staff and patients. Thermal washer disinfectors like the new Teon from W&H provide an automated, reproducible and validated means of cleaning instruments, including hollow and rough-surface handpieces, as well as tools with complex components. Some dental handpieces may not be suitable for cleaning in a thermal washer disinfector, so be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid incorrectly processing instruments and invalidating any warranties.

Sterilisation can also be optimised with intelligent systems such as the Lisa type B vacuum autoclave from W&H, which offers an S class cycle time of 13 minutes and B class cycles from 28 minutes for maximum results with minimum energy consumption. Further still, practices can automate handpiece maintenance with the innovative Assistina TWIN. In just 10 seconds, this award-winning reprocessing device thoroughly lubricates and cleans the spray channels of the handpiece, before removing all aerosols produced through active suction and an integrated HEPA filter. This makes handpiece maintenance as easy, hygienic and cost-effective as possible.

With the arrival of the New Year, it’s time to turn reflection into action. There’s no doubt that the months ahead will present both challenges and opportunities for the profession, emphasising the importance of being prepared. By investing in innovative technology, dental teams can ensure a more efficient workflow to meet the ever-evolving demands and expectations of patients in the wake of an ongoing global health crisis. A new approach to the delivery of treatment could be just what your practice needs for a stronger bounce back in 2021.  

 

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

‘The best chairs on the market’

“I’ve had A-dec dental chairs since I qualified as a dentist over 20 years ago and have always found them to be the best chairs on the market,” says Dr Fazeela Khan-Osborne. “They’re sophisticated, reliable and ergonomic with an ambidextrous style, and their design makes them versatile and easy to move around the room with respect to our workflow.

“Moreover, patients have always commented on the comfort and style of my A-dec chairs. I chose to source them from Clark Dental as they were not only A-dec suppliers, but I’d also worked with the team intermittently over the years. I would recommend A-dec and Clark Dental wholeheartedly.”

 

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

Make healthy habits happen

Dental professionals have possibly heard every new year’s resolution in the book. Whether it is working out more, spending less time on social media, saving money or becoming more mindful, the determination is almost palpable at the beginning of the year. But unfortunately, the majority of people lose their determination within a month or two and a great many fail to accomplish their good intentions.

The most popular New Year’s resolutions centre around health. Taking more exercise or increasing fitness is at the top of the leader board closely followed by losing weight, improving diet, cutting down on alcohol and giving up smoking or vaping.[1] However, changing behaviours can be extremely difficult and it can take a long time to establish a new habit. It depends on each individual of course, but according to research, it takes an average of around two months (66 days) for an action to become automatic, and the more achievable that action is, the more quickly it becomes second nature. [2]

Many people make the mistake of making changes or setting goals that are far too ambitious. The challenge is often simply too much and they are doomed to failure. Plus, if they try and fail it can make them feel worse about themselves than if they had never tried at all. However, altering the way in which something is approached may help to maintain a sense of well-being and most certainly, your professional guidance and support can encourage your patients to stay on track.

The first, most obvious tip you can give patients is to start small. Advise them to be realistic and set targets that are easy to accomplish. If they are not to able complete their objective or fully commit to a change in behaviour straight away, encourage them to take small steps towards their goal each day.

Explain how self-judgment is unhelpful and thoughts such as “I don’t think I can do this” are not constructive. Help patients to reframe this script and retrain their brain to create positive self-thoughts. For instance, “I am working towards a healthier lifestyle” or “I feel more invigorated today” will build confidence and help them to succeed.[3] Naturally, there will times when they stray from their target but they will regain their resolve more easily if they are kinder to themselves.

Encourage your patients to trust their instincts. Often people can feel in some way entitled to something – be it a glass of wine after a busy day at work, a bar of chocolate or staying up late to watch a box set. They know that it is not good for them and it is likely to make them feel unhealthy or tired the next day but equally, that awareness is powerful enough for them to acknowledge how capable they are of making changes for the better.

Most people have an established morning routine that they take for granted. This is likely to involve actions such as getting up, opening the blinds, taking a shower, making a coffee and eating breakfast. There is nothing unusual about these activities or patterns of behaviour but they are built into the brain and have been strengthened over many years. Consequently, the morning is an ideal time to establish a new routine and the way to successfully form a new habit is to tie it to a current one.  For example: if a person usually gets up and goes straight to the kitchen to get a drink, they could use this pattern of behaviour to establish a new habit such as: doing some star jumps while the kettle is boiling or writing a ‘to do’ list while they drink their tea. This process can also be repeated to link several habits together, each one acting as a cue for the next and should increase the likelihood of success.

Dental professionals can also make use of this natural habit-forming behaviour to enable patients to improve and maintain better oral health. When providing oral health instructions, encourage patients to tie the habit of taking a shower to daily flossing. Using string floss can be difficult and tiresome for a lot of patients but the WaterpikÒ Cordless Advanced Water Flosser, makes flossing quick, convenient and considerably more achievable. This lightweight, portable model is waterproof so it can be used in the shower to remove hard to reach bacteria and debris that can cause bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay. The WaterpikÒ Water Flosser combines water pressure and pulsations to clean areas that brushing and traditional dental floss cannot reach. It is also clinically proven to be significantly more effective for removing plaque and improving gum health than string floss. [4]

Dental professionals can help patients to develop motivation, establish new habits and make positive changes to benefit their health and well-being.

 

For more information on Waterpik® products please visit www.waterpik.co.uk.

Waterpik® products are available from Amazon, Asda, Costco UK, Argos, Boots, Superdrug online and in stores across the UK and Ireland.

 

Book a free Waterpik® Professional Lunch and Learn for 1 hour of CPD – available either as a face to face meeting or a webinar. Please visit www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/ 

 

Author: Maxwell O’Neill, professional educator for Waterpik

 

[1] Ibbetson C. Quarter of Brits will make a New Year’s resolution. YouGov. December 2019. https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2019/12/31/quarter-brits-will-make-new-years-resolution [Accessed 5th October 2020]

[2] Lally P. et al (2010), How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur. J. Soc. Psychol., 40: 998–1009. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674/abstract [Accessed 5th October 2020]

[3] Goetz T. How to change unhealthy habits. Psychology Today July 14, 2016. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/renaissance-woman/201607/how-change-unhealthy-habits [Accessed 5th October 2020]

[4] Goyal C.R et al. Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use. Journal of Clinical Dentistry 2013; 24:37-42. Study conducted at BioSci Research Ltd, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24282867/ [Accessed 5th October 2020]

The 2021 Dental Awards: Cost of entry lowered to £25; entry deadline extended

Recognising that 2020 was a difficult year for many of us, and with a pair of vaccines on the way, The Probe is thrilled to announce that the cost of nomination for the 2021 Dental Awards has been lowered to the £25 for all entries. We will all hopefully have reason to celebrate as 2021 is looking likely to be off to a positive start, so what better way to mark the end of 2020 than by nominating a colleague, your practice, or even yourself for the dental industry’s most highly anticipated awards ceremony?

In addition to lowering the cost of registration, from the original price of £50, to £25 per category per entrant, the final deadline for entries has also been extended to 28th February 2021.

The Dental Awards exclusively aims to recognise the outstanding individuals and teams whose commitment to patient care and professional development are raising standards throughout the profession.

In addition to the usual array of categories, including Dentist of the Year and Practice of the Year, 2021 will present a new prize in the form of the Practice Contamination Award, which will be bestowed upon a practice for measures implemented in the wake of the pandemic.

The full line-up of categories includes:

  • NATIONAL SMILE MONTH AWARD
  • DENTIST OF THE YEAR
  • YOUNG DENTIST OF THE YEAR
  • DENTAL THERAPIST OF THE YEAR
  • DENTAL HYGIENIST OF THE YEAR
  • WEBSITE AND DIGITAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
  • BEST OUTREACH OR CHARITY INITIATIVE
  • PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
  • PRACTICE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
  • DENTAL PRACTICE TEAM OF THE YEAR
  • PRACTICE DECONTAMINATION AWARD
  • DENTAL RECEPTIONIST OF THE YEAR

Each of the various categories are judged by a panel of well-known industry experts with superior knowledge of their respective fields. Held alongside the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show at the NEC Hilton Metropole Hotel, the event is the highlight for practices wanting to express the abundance of skills and talents that exist in their teams. 

As well as boosting the morale of your dental team by entering, the evening marks the perfect opportunity for team building – previous years have seen new friendships emerge from the event, with ample opportunity available for networking and knowledge sharing.

But don’t just take our word for it! Click here to read what some of the 2020 winners had to say.

For more information, visit the-probe.co.uk/awards, or email awards@purplems.com.

For an entry brochure, please click here.

A huge thank you to The Dental Awards 2021 sponsors: Click to find out more!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you in?

The ADI Members’ Only Facebook Group is the perfect place to share ideas, seek advice and gain inspiration from like-minded professionals. 

One of the many benefits of joining the ADI, access to the secure online forum enables clinicians to discuss pertinent topics and offer guidance on everything from clinical cases to business management. It is also a great place to find out more about upcoming ADI Study Clubs or other educational events, and ask for recommendations regarding training courses or products.

Make sure you are part of the conversation by joining the ADI today. Are you in?

 

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

CDO confirms dental professionals and their teams are now being prioritised for a Covid-19 vaccine

Following Boris Johnson’s answer in the House of Commons to Craig Whittaker MP’s question over whether dental team members in patient-facing roles would qualify as ‘health workers’ as part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, CDO England, Sara Hurley, and deputy CDOs Eric Rooney and Jason Wong have confirmed that dental professionals and their teams are now being prioritised for a Covid-19 vaccine.

“This means that dental teams supporting the NHS, those working in private or mixed practices will all be entitled to a vaccine, this includes specialist practices and clinical dental technicians registered with the CQC,” the CDO and deputies stated. “Dental professionals who work for a NHS trust will fall within the vaccination programme co-ordinated through their trust.​ Locum clinical staff employed by the practice and non-clinical ancillary staff who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in patient care (e.g. receptionists and cleaners) are also included. 

“As frontline health professionals, it is important that when you are called to be vaccinated you attend. Private practices are advised to ensure their contact details with the CQC are up to date as a matter of urgency. More detail is in this bulletin.”

Update:

Dental Protection has welcomed the announcement that the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out to dental professionals as priority.

Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “This news will come as a relief for dental professionals across the UK, who are some of the most exposed workers to the virus. The new Covid-19 variant, which is 70% more transmissible, poses a greater threat than ever before.

“Dental professionals always put the interests of their patients first, and remain committed to providing high standards of care. Prioritising dentists and dental teams to receive the Covid-19 vaccine acknowledges the essential healthcare service they continue to provide.”

A referral service unlike any other

Working conditions under the COVID-19 pandemic need not be an obstacle to providing first-class dentistry. By referring to Ten Dental+Facial, you can still offer patients the same outstanding range of treatments they have come to expect from you.

Distinguished by a referral service unlike any other, Ten Dental+Facial can treat both simple and complex cases – whether for general dentistry, specialist procedures or dental implants. Referred patients benefit from receiving the highest quality treatment, whilst you are kept fully updated throughout the process.   

Patients are then returned to you with ongoing aftercare support provided by Ten Dental+Facial to ensure further peace-of-mind. Call the multi award-winning team for further details.  

 

For more information visit www.tendental.com or call on 020 33932623