Having successfully completed the BACD Accreditation Programme within just two years, Dr Petteri Viljakainen comments on his experience:

“BACD Accreditation is a really good way of achieving recognition in the cosmetic dental field, and marketing yourself to patients and colleagues. Throughout the programme, you learn new things and challenge yourself in relation to techniques and use of materials.

“It has inspired me to consider how I can achieve the best results, but also encouraged me to see the bigger picture with each case, rather than simply focusing on single-tooth dentistry. If you want to improve as a cosmetic dentist, there’s no better way to do it than by putting yourself through BACD Accreditation.”

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

Clark Dental has been supporting dental professionals from across the UK for over 44 years, offering a bespoke surgery design and equipment supply service.

No matter your budget or preferences, the Clark Dental team can offer you the latest solutions to meet your professional needs. They have the expertise to plan and manage your project, working closely with you to design and install the practice of your dreams.

Clark Dental’s commitment to your success doesn’t simply stop there. The friendly team also offer an exceptional after-sales service, including dedicated technical support to ensure you make the most of your investment. 

Call Clark Dental for all your practice transformations.

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

Solvay Dental 360^® is transforming dentistry with Ultaire^® AKP – a custom-developed polymer specifically designed for the fabrication of removable partial dentures (RPDs). This innovative, high performance material is strong, durable and biocompatible as well as lightweight and completely metal free!

Ultaire^® AKP fits seamlessly into the digital workflow to create RPDs with improved accuracy so that your patients can enjoy better retention with increased comfort and fit. Visit the Solvay Dental 360^® on stand J55 at the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show 2020 where industry experts can show you how.

To book a Solvay Dental 360^® Professional Lunch and Learn or to find more information about Ultaire^® AKP and Dentivera^® milling discs,
please visit www.solvaydental360.com

Career progression is important for people in any industry. The majority of individuals will want to improve their knowledge and skills over the years in order to get better at what they do. In dentistry, there are several things you can do to increase your development and get the very most from your career.

Get motivated

People in all roles within dentistry have different motivations for their career goals. For example, they might want to move into more senior positions with more responsibility and greater satisfaction. They may want to take on new roles entirely like moving from dental nursing to practice management. They may be motivated by an increase in pay or the opportunity to get involved with a new field of dentistry like orthodontics or implants. They might simply want to be the best that they can be.

It’s important to identify what it is that drives you and to use that to really push you forward. This is exactly what Laura-Leigh Jenkins has done over the past few years. Currently an Area Manager for Wales within the Rodericks Dental group, she started as a receptionist with no previous dental experience just a few years ago in 2016!

“My motivation for advancing my career so quickly was my son,” she says. “I wanted to be able to give him a better life. This, combined with the support of my colleagues, kept me going through even the most challenging times.”

Seize opportunities

Once you’ve set a goal and you know what motivates you, the next step is seeking out opportunities to help you achieve your aspirations. This will likely involve continuous training to strengthen existing skills and accomplish new ones. It also requires you to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves. Whether this is a new role that takes you out of your comfort zone or a lateral move to gain experience, it’s important to seize chances that come your way.

Laura-Leigh shares her progression in dentistry so far and the opportunities she was able to take advantage of:

“After working on reception for 6 months, I wanted a bit of the action and asked to become a dental nurse. I was able to focus one day a week on reception and 2 days on my training.

“Only a few months later, my practice team asked me to cover the practice manager’s role during maternity leave. I was a little concerned about whether I had enough experience to do this and if I could work full-time. However, with encouragement from colleagues, I went for it while still studying, until I qualified as a dental nurse. I enjoyed the management aspects so much that I covered temporary positions in other practices before returning to Cefn Coed Dental Practice. More recently, I took on the role of area manager. This has given me massive career progression in just three and a half years in dentistry!”

Overcoming challenges

Anyone looking to push themselves and progress in their career will inevitably face challenges along the way. These might be clinically focused, involve time pressures if studying and working, or relate to maintaining a healthy work-life balance when taking on more responsibilities. As Laura-Leigh goes on to reiterate, the support of family and colleagues can help to overcome any hurdles. 

“The biggest challenge I faced was time management,” she comments. “I had a toddler at home, management responsibilities at work and a dental nursing course to complete. Finding a balance between home, work and education was hard, but my team at Cefn Coed were amazing. They really supported me, lifted me up on bad days and shared the workload. A buddy helped me throughout my dental nurse training and the dentist I worked with made me the dental nurse I am today.

“The Head Office team were fantastic as well. I could call with any concerns and they would actively help me overcome the problem. Rodericks also fully supported my career progression by providing the time I needed to perform my roles and complete my learning. Dawn Farrell [Chief Operating Officer] personally came to my practice and saw the potential in me to become an area manager before I had even considered it myself. She supported me no end and gave me the push I needed to take the most recent career step into area management.”

Share your ambitions

In order to get the right support and be offered opportunities that suit you, it’s important to share your aspirations with your manager or principal so that they understand what you’re striving for. As Laura-Leigh concludes:

“For anyone considering a similar carer pathway, make sure you tell someone about your ambitions! If your manager knows where you want to go, they will help you get there. I was listened to and supported 100% over the past few years and I’m proud to have gone through massive career changes in such a short space of time.”

For more information on the career opportunities available at Rodericks, please visit www.rodericksdentalcareers.co.uk,

or contact Ashley Lillyman at recruitment@rodericksdental.co.uk or on

01604 970988 (option 1)

#wearerodericks

Among the many areas of learning at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020, delegates will have the opportunity to consider the current landscape regarding dental implants and periodontology. Leading professionals from the fields will offer a wealth of information, expertise and advice, helping all in attendance to further their knowledge and skills.

Professor Nikos Donos, President of the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP), will be presenting in the Speciality Interest Theatre in May 2020. A Professor of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, he is also the Head of Clinical Research at the Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. 

Professor Donos’ session, entitled “An overview of diagnosis and treatment modalities of peri-implantitis”, will offer delegates an insight into the latest techniques and concepts in the field. Discussing the greatest challenges that he believes dentists face in this area of the profession right now, he comments:

“The increased prevalence of biologic complications around implants indicates a clear need within the dental profession to be able to succeed in preventing and treating relevant issues. As the treatment of peri-implant diseases is not part of the core curriculum in dental schools, it creates a gap of knowledge that should be addressed.

“Clinicians can do this through continuing education and exposure to the existing treatment modalities. This will help dentists become aware of how to address relevant clinical challenges.” 

In order to minimise the risk of complications like peri-implantitis from occurring, it is essential that dentists have the appropriate knowledge and skills to not only identify early symptoms, but also treat them and prevent their development. Professor Donos’ session will therefore be suitable for dentists with different experience levels in placing dental implants, as most will come across patients who have already undergone the surgery elsewhere.

“Dental implants are considered a successful and predictable treatment for replacing missing teeth,” Professor Donos says. “As such, there is a possibility that delegates will need to maintain the health of and provide support around implants, which have often been placed by other dentists. It is necessary then to have a clear diagnosis protocol and pathway for treatment and/or referral according to the severity of the disease.”  

It is connections with professional bodies like the BSP that enable the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 to present the high quality educational programmes that it has become known for. The entire event is once again delivered in conjunction with the British Dental Association (BDA) and will offer a diverse range of lectures catering to the roles, needs and interests of all members of the dental team.

“The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show provides exposure to a wide range of topics in different disciplines of dentistry,” adds Professor Donos. “This makes it very appealing as it allows continuing education in a number of areas and at the same time, promotes networking and exchange of professional views. 

“The BSP considers our participation at the event a great opportunity to reach a wider audience, which in turn will allow us to promote the BSP message for healthy gums through prevention and relevant treatment. At the core of the BSP’s activities is the improvement of quality of care for patients through evidence-based treatment and continuing education. We aim to promote the importance of periodontal health through raising awareness with the public, patients, dental and medical professionals. Our attendance at events such as this allow us to do so effectively.”

Aside from the highly anticipated lecture programme, the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 will host an extensive trade exhibition with more than 450 dental manufacturers and suppliers. This will be the ideal platform for anyone looking to source new equipment, innovative technologies or cutting-edge materials. It will also facilitate networking among the profession, with all team members and individuals from around the UK coming together for the two days. Debate and discussion are as big a part of the learning process as hearing from esteemed lecturers, so the event ensures that everyone can get involved and share their own experiences for the advancement of all.

To make sure you don’t miss Professor Donos and the many other inspiring speakers who will take to the podium, don’t miss the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020!

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show 2020 will be held on Friday 15^th and Saturday 16^th May at the Birmingham NEC, co-located with DTS.

 For all the latest information, please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

Do you see financial year-end as an irritating, albeit necessary, interruption to workflow, requiring time, admin and stress? At time of writing, what the general financial landscape will look like on 5 April is anyone’s guess, too.

But it’s best to be a ‘glass half full’ type. So, use the lead up to the end of the tax year to focus on how your dental practice is doing and where it’s going. Did you achieve your goals? Have the posts shifted and do you need to reassess your business plan? Your profit and loss sheets will tell a big part of the story here. What lessons have been learned? Get the whole dental team on board with this, as well as any financial partners, so you can gain a clear picture, drawn from a variety of perspectives.

Be prepared

All your accounting needs backing up, so make sure records are up-to-date and accurate. Chase unpaid invoices and check receipts. Review suppliers’ contact info and ensure any software is the latest version – is it time to switch? The run up to year-end is a good time to audit recordkeeping processes and protocols. If you haven’t gone paperless yet, maybe this is something to consider. Cloud-based accounting solutions are efficient, save time and space, and are reliable. There are some great-value packages on the market, suitable for any size dental practice.

Get a grip!

Make sure you have a good grip on upcoming tax changes and how they could impact on you. One of the big ones after 6 April is the way that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is reported and paid. From this date, when you sell a property, you’ll have 30 days to declare your gain (based on a provisional calculation) and pay the estimated tax due.
If you’re registered for self-assessment, you’ll need to declare your gain on your tax return, and pay any CGT over your estimate by 31 January. If you aren’t, you’ll need to review your estimated tax due in the year after you made a gain, then pay any adjustment. Regular readers will know that this is an important topic and must be taken into account for tax planning. There are also cuts in reliefs for capital gains on the sale of some residential properties to be aware of too. Talk with your specialist accountant about if the new rules apply.

Something else to consider before year-end is if you are claiming all the tax-deductible expenses that you are entitled to (so an expense that is “wholly and exclusively” for business use). Again, talk with your accounting expert. A brief note on dividends – the dividend allowance in the 2019/20 tax year was £2,000 so anything above that, you will need to pay tax on (the amount depends on which tax band you are in). Any dividends to shareholders need to be issued and paid before year-end.

All of the above is about maximising your tax efficiency after 6 April.

Any other business?

You’ll need to ensure you’re meeting your auto-enrolment responsibilities and, if there are bonuses being issued, that this is done in good time. Is it time to offer employee benefits schemes? Don’t neglect personal finance either – are you maximising your own savings/investments, including your pension?

Year-end is a time to refresh. Never make big changes without taking counsel from your specialist accountant – the team at Lansdell & Rose are experts in the financial and dental fields. Let them know if your attitude to risk has changed too, as maybe an opportunity that was off the agenda last year can be discussed now. See year-end as a golden time and not a hassle, and you and your practice will hit the ground running on 6 April!

Author: Michael Lansdell 

To find out more, call Lansdell & Rose on 020 7376 9333,

Or visit http://lansdellrose.co.uk

Have you ever found it frustrating to have to use more than one dental adhesive during a case? Not only does using multiple products take more time, but it can quickly become expensive.

With Scotchbond Universal adhesive from 3M Oral Care, you can rely on one product for the majority of your adhesive needs.

A recent 5-year clinical evaluation confirmed that Scotchbond Universal adhesive is a truly versatile and can be used regardless of technique.[i]

Scotchbond Universal adhesive from 3M bonds with metals, alloys, natural dentition and composites, all without the need for any additional primer.[ii] You can also ensure that your workflows remain swift and stress-free as Scotchbond Universal adhesive requires no mixing and only takes one application to achieve the desired hold.[iii]

Find out more today.

For more information, call 0800 626 578 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental

END

3M and Scotchbond are trademarks of the 3M Company

[i] 3M Oral Care Internal Data. Lawson, N. et al. Class V restorations in Self-etch and Total-Etch Modes – a 5 Year Recall.

[ii] 3M Oral Care Internal Data. Bonds to surfaces without primer. Claim 4813 (2011).

[iii] 3M Oral Care Internal Data. Easy to use, one application. Claim 4825 (2011).

In the Straumann Village at this year’s British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show, delegates can discover the wide range of leading products and technologies currently available from the Straumann Group.                                                                                                                               

Among solutions on display will be the ClearCorrect aligner system with a comprehensive digital workflow, including intraoral scanners and the innovative DenToGo remote treatment monitoring technology. The Straumann CARES Digital Solutions facilitating crowns in a day will also be there, as will the Straumann coDiagnostiX implant planning software for predictable guided surgery.

In addition, delegates can see the clinically proven BLX implant and ProArch full-mouth immediate rehabilitation system – designed to maximise stability and aesthetics – as well as the comprehensive biomaterials portfolio including XenoGraft non-sintered granules and Emdogain FL for flapless regeneration.

For all this and much more, visit the Straumann Village on stands F30 and F40.

Discover the comprehensive product portfolio from Straumann Group at www.straumann.com

CosTech Dental Laboratory is proud to offer professionals a number of excellent advantages including:

• A family owned and run laboratory since 1977
• Dedicated NHS and Private departments
• A daily Personal Pickup and Delivery Service (in some areas)
• DAMAS accredited since 2011
• An Express Turnaround service for urgent cases
• Free postage on all standard work
• Competitive prices
• Tracked post on private crowns and bridges
• 5 Year guarantee on all private C&B cases (patient guarantee card supplied)
• 1 Year guarantee on all NHS C&B cases

Offering a huge array of products including dental implants, NHS zirconia crowns, mouth guards, tooth whitening kits and more, CosTech prides itself on reliability, quality and excellent customer service.

So, if you’re looking for a lab, why not choose CosTech?

You can find out more by contacting CosTech today.

For more information about CosTech Dental Laboratory, please visit www.costech.co.uk or call 01474 320076