Maximum precision with American Eagle Surgical Instruments

With the new dental surgical range, American Eagle Instruments offers you hand and hinge instruments for about 80% of surgical procedures in the oral cavity.
Not only do we focus on the high-quality practitioners have come to expect from our scalers and curettes, but also on highly precise and efficient products and the easy to clean surfaces which consider current cleaning and reprocessing guidelines. High-quality materials, ergonomic handles and a matt finish to prevent reflections are standard. The range covers multiple treatment areas including extraction, apicoectomy, wisdom teeth removal, dental implantation and osteotomy.

For more information contact Jaeson Duckworth: jduckworth@younginnovations.com, Mobile 07590033844.

Get more from your favourite products

Our customers choose COLTENE brands for their quality and reliability. So, we want to help them get even more benefits from their favourite products.

COLTENE understands the value of customer loyalty.

This is why COLTENE has introduced COLTENE Rewards. The more a customer spends on COLTENE products, the more they get back. It’s simple!

Earn COLTENE Coins and redeem them on a wide range of well-known high street brands or your favourite COLTENE products.

To discover more about COLTENE Rewards, get in touch with the team today.

Email rewards.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115

COLTENE loyalty scheme https://rewards.coltene.com

Optimising oral hygiene for orthodontics

Malocclusion can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Oral function may be seriously impaired, causing issues with mastication, swallowing and speech. It can also make oral hygiene more difficult, increasing the risk of gingivitis and caries. In addition, there are implications for a person’s social status and psychological wellbeing when their malocclusion is bad enough to influence interactions with others and dampen self-confidence.[i] In many situations, orthodontics provides a solution by aligning the teeth, enhancing function, hygiene and aesthetics.

Despite the many advantages of orthodontic therapy, it is widely acknowledged that oral hygiene tends to suffer during treatment. Studies[ii] have demonstrated that both the number of decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth, and plaque index scores increase during orthodontic therapy among adolescents. Research[iii] has confirmed that the oral microbiota changes when any orthodontic appliance is fitted, resulting in a significantly increased bacterial count. These alterations can be detected one month after treatment commences. There is also evidence that the type of appliance impacts the risk of oral health concerns.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis[iv] compared levels of oral hygiene between patients with fixed and removable appliances. Though it found only relatively low-quality evidence, it did suggest that fixed solutions lead to higher plaque scores, as well as higher incidence of S.mutans and lactobacilli bacteria in the first 6-12 months after treatment begins.

Why is this important for the general dental practitioner to be aware of and confident in supporting patients through? Because demand for adult orthodontics is on the up. Approximately 76% of UK orthodontists reported a rise in demand for treatment among adults in the three years preceding August 2023.[v] A large proportion of this increase has been attributed to more time spent on video calls, in addition to the greater sway of influencers and celebrities. With no sign that this will change again any time soon, we can safely assume a continued need for orthodontic solutions.

The importance of oral hygiene during treatment must be highlighted to patients in order to optimise outcomes. For example, orthodontic treatment in periodontally-compromised patients can lead to axillary anterior teeth proclination, absence or loss of interdental spacing, tooth rotation, super-eruption, pathological tooth migration and tooth loss.[vi]

While many people understand the importance of oral health, there is still a disconnect between their perceptions and how effective their dental hygiene actually is. For instance, one survey[vii] found that almost 80% of orthodontic patients believed their oral hygiene to be good, even though 51% reported bleeding gums. As such, continued and intensive education is essential throughout orthodontic treatment,[viii] teaching patients how to reduce bacterial counts while navigating orthodontic brackets or other considerations.

It has also been found that reinforcing oral hygiene by communicating key messages post-treatment is advantageous in enhancing patient compliance.[ix] Reminding patients either by text or phone call has been shown to significantly improve motivation and lead to lower plaque index scores in patients after tooth alignment is achieved. Other research has highlighted the positive role that dietary advice can have on post-treatment oral health as well.[x]

Of course, all of this requires excellent communication from practitioner to patient, delivering information on the potential risks faced during orthodontic therapy in a way that they really understand and can relate to. This is the cornerstone of effective patient education in relation to any type of dental treatment, including orthodontics.

Importantly, this communication and education should continue beyond treatment completion. Finding innovative yet efficient and convenient ways to remind patients about their commitment to oral hygiene even once alignment is achieved, is crucial.

Use of cutting-edge technologies can help substantially, facilitating communication as frequently as necessary with just the click of a button. Sharing useful information in a digital format also enables patients to review the oral hygiene advice and recommendations at a time that best suits them, retaining access for as long as they need it. This is just one of the functionalities that Chairsyde provides. A state-of-the-art patient consultation platform, Chairsyde features a stunning library of animations that clearly explains a vast range of dental conditions and related treatment procedures – including different orthodontic solutions – along with all their benefits and risks. Once shown to patients during an appointment, these animations are automatically recorded in patient notes and can be easily emailed to patients for review at home. Chairsyde is also fully integrated with Dentally and Software of Excellence practice management software for convenience. This technology could be the game-changer you need to help your patients optimise their oral hygiene during and after orthodontic treatment!

However you support your patient education and communication, ensuring they have the right information and are motivated to follow it, is crucial for the best possible results. Orthodontic appliances may increase the risk of oral bacteria, but effective dental hygiene will ensure treatment outcomes are never jeopardised. 

For more information, or to book a Chairsyde demo, please visit

www.chairsyde.com or call 020 3951 8360

[i] Elyaskhil, M., Shafai, N.A.A. & Mokhtar, N. Effect of malocclusion severity on oral health related quality of life in Malay adolescents. Health Qual Life Outcomes 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01710-2

[ii] Cantekin K, Celikoglu M, Karadas M, Yildirim H, Erdem A. Effects of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances on oral health status: A comprehensive study. Journal of Dental Sciences. 2011: 6 (4): 235-238. ISSN 1991-7902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2011.09.010.

[iii] Lucchese A, Bondemark L, Marcolina M, Manuelli M. Changes in oral microbiota due to orthodontic appliances: a systematic review. J Oral Microbiol. 2018 Jul 3;10(1):1476645. doi: 10.1080/20002297.2018.1476645. PMID: 29988826; PMCID: PMC6032020.

[iv] Oikonomou E, Foros P, Tagkli A, Rahiotis C, Eliades T, Koletsi D. Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2021 Jan 7;19(1):659-672. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b2403661. PMID: 34874143.

[v] British Orthodontic Society. New stats from The British Orthodontic Society reveal online working triggers a rise in adults seeking tooth straightening treatment. August 2023. https://bos.org.uk/news/new-stats-from-the-british-orthodontic-society-reveal-online-working-triggers-a-rise-in-adults-seeking-tooth-straightening-treatment/ [Accessed January 2024]

[vi] Alsulaimani L, Alqarni H, Akel M, Khalifa F. The Orthodontics-Periodontics Challenges in Integrated Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023 May 14;15(5):e38994. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38994. PMID: 37323308; PMCID: PMC10262598.

[vii] Guo J, Li L, Guan G, Bennani F, Mei L. Oral health knowledge and practice among orthodontic clients in China and New Zealand. Can J Dent Hyg. 2020 Oct 1;54(3):124-132. PMID: 33240372; PMCID: PMC7668273.

[viii] Yadav J, Shinh AS, Natt AS, Maheshwari K, Aulakh S. Oral hygiene status: The critical parameter in orthodontic patient. J Clin Adv Dent. 2023; 7: 007-012.

[ix] Cozzani M, Ragazzini G, Delucchi A, Mutinelli S, Barreca C, Rinchuse DJ, Servetto R, Piras V. Oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients: a randomized controlled study on the effects of a post-treatment communication. Prog Orthod. 2016 Dec;17(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s40510-016-0154-9. Epub 2016 Dec 19. PMID: 27891568; PMCID: PMC5165014.

[x] Aljohani SR, Alsaggaf DH. Adherence to Dietary Advice and Oral Hygiene Practices Among Orthodontic Patients. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020 Oct 20;14:1991-2000. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S277034. PMID: 33116442; PMCID: PMC7586054.

New prophylaxis device from B.A. International at Henry Schein Ireland

Compact, flexible powder blasting and ultrasonic combination device with a winning price-performance ratio and comprehensive services.

Henry Schein Ireland has added the new prophylaxis device from B.A. International to its portfolio. The compact Ultimate UC500L covers a wide range of indications (supra- and subgingival) thanks to the combination of ultrasonic scaler for calculus removal and powder jet cleaning. In everyday practice, the appliance is characterised by its simple operation via touch display, flexibility in terms of water supply and automatic cleaning in just 30 seconds. Ultimate UC500L also delivers an impressive performance with its competitive price and favourable consumables and accessories.

Services support smooth prophylaxis processes in the practice

Henry Schein Ireland supports practice teams using the B.A. International Ultimate UC500L with customised services. This includes expert advice, maintenance contracts and technical support from experienced and certified technicians from our in-house workshop.

Get started right away: Extensive accessories included in the package

The Ultimate UC500L device is supplied with an extensive accessory pack that contains a comprehensive range of initial equipment. These include various handpieces and tips. A compact cart for mobile use and additional accessories is available separately, as are two prophylaxis powders specially adapted to the appliance: the BA Ulticlean Prophylaxis Powder Standard based on sodium hydrogen carbonate for supragingival use, and the particularly fine-grained Perio Plus Powder based on tagatose for gentle sub- and supragingival use.

More information is available here

A team you can rely on

For any principals considering a sale in the future, Julie Randle’s session in the Business Theatre at BDIA Dental Showcase proved a popular attraction. Julie considered some of the key aspects that dentists need to explore when preparing to sell and offered advice on how to make their businesses more attractive for potential buyers.

More questions were asked of the Dental Elite experts back at the stand where the team were happy to discuss practice sales and acquisitions, as well as recruitment and finance concerns.

Lenka Wong said in her recent Google Review:

“From the very start Dental Elite was nothing but professional, friendly and efficient. Lottie, Nick, Jane and the rest of the team have helped and supported us every single step of the way. Our sale proved to be challenging, however, we could always rely on the whole team to get us past the finish line. Thank you, Dental Elite. You have been amazing!”

To find out more about how Dental Elite could support you, contact the team today.

For more information, visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email info@dentalelite.co.uk or

call 01788 545 900

All bases covered: Centralise your practice systems

The Sensei Cloud practice management platform from Sensei, the software portfolio of global technological innovator Carestream Dental, is an all-in-one software solution designed to support the critical areas in today’s dental practice and improve productivity.

Sensei Cloud features trackable patient charts, integrated image storage and treatment plan management to provide an enhanced patient experience. Live metrics, with user-friendly analytic tools and visualisation charts make it easy to streamline workflows and measure key performance indicators (KPIs).

Access your practice data and schedule appointments wherever you are with Sensei Cloud’s secure, reliable accessibility. The software is fully GDPR compliant and offers state-of-the-art data security, with continuous back-up and disaster recovery expertise.

Find out more about the Sensei Cloud practice management platform from Sensei today.

For more information on Sensei Cloud visit gosensei.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

The successful new BACD Aesthetics Theatre at the BDIA Dental Showcase!

The British Association of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) is a membership association, and a world-leading authority on cosmetic dentistry, offering a range of benefits to dentists, technicians, team members and students. The BACD is proud to have sponsored the brand-new BACD Aesthetics Theatre at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase.

The programme of events included the valuable insights of expert practitioners like award-winning restorative dentist Neil Gerard, who gave a highly informative and useful lecture about predictable crown-lengthening. Dental surgeon Chris McConnell spoke about digital smile design and the exciting innovations in materials science now available for use in restorative dentistry.

Other highlights included talks about digital smile design, immediate implant placement and loading, and optimising orthorestorative workflow and patient communication.

Find out more about the amazing benefits offered by the BACD, and the range of different memberships available.

For more information, visit https://bacd.com/

A business built on teamwork

Dr Mehdi Yazdi is the Principal of Crown Bank Dental in Cheshire. He shares his experience of developing the business over the past few years as it becomes a major referral hub for the area.

I had been working as an associate in a practice that predominately took referrals for implant treatment and other oral surgery services. I had the opportunity to hone my clinical skills and I also came to appreciate how the business aspects worked. It had been an ambition of mine to run my own business one day, and that day had come.

I bought Crown Bank in November 2017. The practice was split into approximately 60% NHS dentistry and 40% private services. I was keen to maintain the NHS component and our contract value has still not decreased, but I recognised the potential to grow the private element. This meant significant investment in the facilities, the team and the technology.

The focus is always on providing excellent quality dentistry, of course, so I wanted to create an environment that would be conducive for this. A stimulating workplace with all the tools needed for the entire team to be at their best is essential for both the quality of patient care and staff satisfaction. Many of the team stayed when I took the practice over – I really appreciate their on-going loyalty and aim to repay this by continually improving their working environment.

Managing staff concerns and expectations is one of the hardest parts of my job. It’s really important to give everyone an opportunity to share worries or suggestions, to listen to their feedback
and to act accordingly. There is then a balancing act between making changes and fulfilling requests, and maintaining a productive and profitable business. It is hard to please everyone, but if you’re clear in your vision and you share this with the team, they will often understand and accept why you make the decisions that you do. In some situations, the aspirations of the individual and the business don’t align, but everyone is fully informed and can make the best decisions for their own career.

This is also important when bringing new people on board. We have expanded our team as we’ve grown, welcoming more dentists, as well as dental therapists. All our dentists are generalists with a special interest in a particular area. I focus on implants and oral surgery, and I have colleagues in the practice with special interests in endodontics, periodontology or restorative dentistry. This allows us to work together well, to treat patient holistically and comprehensively. We’ve also added facilities to screen for high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels, enabling all the team to broaden their scope and link dental health with systemic health in patients.

Over the years we have invested heavily in professional training, as well as introducing new radiography solutions like a CT scanner. Combining these together, for example, we have helped several of our dental nurses gain additional qualifications in radiography. Our dental therapists are also able to broaden their skills and make full use of their scope.

With regards to equipment, one of the biggest challenges of developing and growing a dental practice is managing relationships with so many suppliers. I set time aside from my clinical work to review everyday business operations, technologies and products. Establishing strong and long-lasting relationships with service providers is the only way to really appreciate what they offer and how they can support you. It’s essential to find the companies that truly have your business’ best interests at heart and who share your goals. That’s why I have worked with RPA Dental since buying the practice – they have provided on-going support and guidance, to ensure the practice can continue to flourish and grow. They even went so far as to invite me to the manufacturing facility in Italy where I could better understand some of the equipment that I have in the practice, which was really appreciated.

All of the above has enabled us to develop the referral aspect of the business. We now offer various treatments upon referral, including implant dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics and periodontology. As a team, we understand the challenges that referring dentists are faced with. We are conscious to include the referring dentists in all their patient’s treatment for a truly collaborative approach, acknowledging our duty of care to both them and their patients. Though being kind and caring is essential for all healthcare sectors, we do this particularly well, putting patients at ease straight away. We will always address patient concerns directly, ensuring thorough assessments and meticulous planning for the very best results.

All-in-all, I’m proud of what my team and I have achieved over the past few years and how we have grown. I think it’s important to enjoy the process when you can – there are many challenges along the way but we’re very fortunate in our line of work that there will always be a need for dental care. As long as the motivation driving the business is to deliver dentistry that’s in patients’ best interests, and you have a good team around you, you’ll be ok!

For more detail about RPA Dental please visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk,

call 08000 933 975 or email info@rpadental.net

 

 

Take your next step in implantology

Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard in tooth replacement. But are you aware of the various techniques involved?

Wherever you are in your dental implantology journey, Ucer Education offers a range of accredited, postgraduate implant courses and hands-on clinical training to suit your needs.

Led by eminent specialist oral surgeon Professor Cemal Ucer, courses range from Full Mouth Oral Implant Rehabilitation and an Advanced Certificate in Bone & Tissue Regeneration & Sinus Grafting to an MSc in Dental Implantology.

Courses take place at the ICE Postgraduate Dental Institute and Hospital in Salford Quays, Manchester, which boasts state-of-the-art teaching and clinical facilities.

Visit the website today to discover which course is right for you!  

 To find out more, contact Ucer Education today. Contact Professor Ucer at

ucer@icedental.institute or Mel Hay at mel@mdic.co;

call 01612 371842 or visit www.ucer-clinic.dental.

Safeguarding the dentist-patient relationship

Excellent communication allows dentist-patient relationships to be built on trust. Clinicians know to put this into effect every day, hoping it will make a difference in oral hygiene routines and improve the lives of everyone in the dental chair.

A key aspect of the relationship between a patient and your practice is safety, and the ethical responsibilities surrounding it. This doesn’t only entail the most fundamental general principle in healthcare – “First, do no harm” ­– but includes a patient’s greater rights and expectations of privacy, respect and professionalism from their dentist.

If practices can safely navigate the moral requirements of modern dentistry, patients have the opportunity to receive excellent, reliable care that is suited appropriately to their personal needs.

What is ethical dentistry?

It’s important for all members of the dental practice team to completely understand their moral obligations when providing effective healthcare to patients in need. The public expects dental professionals to carry out their daily work with integrity and confidentiality,[i] and it is upon this assumption that patients can build their trust in a practice.

Guidance on the approach required of dental professionals is available from a variety of sources, with the General Dental Council (GDC) setting the benchmark for care in the UK. As would be expected, the standards set by the GDC and similar authoritative bodies have changed with time, most notably with the advent of the internet and digital solutions altering everyday life drastically.

It’s important to consider how your practice interacts with current and prospective patients, and how the unspoken expectations of the profession are held up. Failure to meet these requirements could damage the faith in your practice, and embroil you in a variety of complex legal challenges, too.

Trust in your judgement

Today’s digital age has prompted many practices to establish an online ‘brand’ to reach new patients and other clinicians. This modern approach requires careful management, to accurately represent your services without creating conflicts of interest.

An increasingly useful way to promote to new audiences is with the help of social media influencers. These individuals may have great sway in local communities, or help you create a larger reach. Engaging with an audience in this way develops trust and credibility,[ii] as prospective patients look to a familiar source of advice and place their assurances in the healthcare provider, by association.

To properly develop the relationship between patients and the practice, there must be an element of transparency. Whether the influencer writes an article, posts an Instagram story or creates a TikTok video singing your praises, if they had been paid or receive a service in return, it must be identified as an advert to the audience upfront. The practice may share the influencer’s content, but the onus is still on the individual to clearly state it is an advertisement. Without clearly identifying this, patients may be misled, breaching consumer protection law and industry advertising rules.[iii]

Clinicians must not be impacted by a push for certain treatments when a patient visits, and should only recommend the relevant treatments that are in the patient’s best interests.[iv] To do otherwise would suggest there is a personal incentive for the clinician or practice to benefit from, casting extreme doubt on the ethical nature of the treatment.

An unspoken rule

 Another level of the dentist-patient relationship relies very little on communication at all. Whilst patients expect their dentist to communicate professionally and clearly, or not use their treatments as a method for personal gain, they may not have considered the often-unspoken requirement for privacy.

Both in person and online, dental practices must act to protect their patients’ information. People have to give over a large degree of information to their practice, and as such, confidentiality is fundamental. This includes personal details, medical history, current healthcare treatments and their associated costs.[v]

In the digital age, to fulfil this trust, dental practices must be able to safely store and protect all kinds of patient documents – and ensure they are kept private. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, patients can expect that their information is kept up-to-date, and protected against unlawful and unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage.[vi] By acting appropriately on these requirements, the dental practice can meet the expectations of trust that are ever-important in the dentist-patient relationship.

Communicating ethically and safely with patients is essential, and trusting professional relationships could thrive with Patient Bridge, a Sensei product. The platform enhances communication with patients through automated messaging, improved marketing campaigns and the possibility to complete pre-appointment forms before reaching the practice. Importantly, Patient Bridge is hosted in super-secure Microsoft Azure UK data centres, audited and accredited by the NHS, to protect patient information and maintain your clinical trust. It is available for both Sensei Cloud and R4+ to perfectly meet your practice’s needs.

Trust is often difficult to build, but once established, a practice should do everything to protect and nurture it. By understanding the ethical requirements placed upon clinicians, the appropriate measures can be put in place to help patients find optimal healthcare, safely.

For more information on Sensei solutions visit https://gosensei.co.uk/  

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

[i] General Dental Council, (2014). Standards for the Dental Team. (Online) Available at: https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/standards-for-the-dental-team/standards-printer-friendly-colour [Accessed October 2023]

[ii] Bajaj, H., Ahluwalia, R., Kaur, P., & Chugh, T. (2022). The Art Of Influence In Dental Marketing. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 1878-1882.

[iii] Competition & Markets Authority, (2022). Hidden ads: Being clear with your audience. (Online) Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-media-endorsements-guide-for-influencers/social-media-endorsements-being-transparent-with-your-followers [Accessed October 2023]

[iv] General Dental Council, (N.D.) Focus on Standards, Principle One, Put patients’ interests first. (Online) Availabale at: https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle1/principle1.aspx [Accessed October 2023]

[v] General Dental Council, (N.D.) Focus on Standards, Principle Four, Maintain and protect patients’ information. (Online) Available at: https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle4/principle4.aspx [Accessed October 2023]

[vi] GOV.UK, (N.D.) Data Protection. (Online) Available at: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection [Accessed October 2023]