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Amo Sohal will discuss how digital technology will future proof patient care in dentistry on Sunday 17 January at 19:00.

Let’s not beat around the bush and consciously accept the fact that 2020 took all sectors by surprise. Dentistry included.

We are now living in the information age, where information and data is everything.

How can we make informed decisions? We must have information and data to make such decisions.

How can we assist our patients’ problems and concerns when we have limited information streams available to us such as email/text/phone calls? With many patients now also reluctant to leave home – how are we able to help with limited information?

We must have more data – this is what dental check-ups are for! Dentists are visual people!

This is where technology can help us. Embrace technology to gain more data from patients and offer an enhanced level of care. … Read the rest

As we begin 2021, Claire Berry asks whether patients are beginning to realise the importance of the dental hygienist.

Since returning to work post lockdown 1.0, I find myself busier than ever.

It’s the beginning of January as I write this and I am fully booked until the end of April. That’s including working to see patients through my lunchtime. I am even opening extra days to account for the volume of patients, who seem to have suddenly realised the essential service a hygienist can offer.

The importance of prevention

When I started noting the volume of enquiries and bookings, I thought about what it is that could be causing this influx.

With parts of dentistry not back up and running to full capacity, people are turning to hygienists and are (finally), realising that prevention is an important commodity.

Access to dental care is more difficult right now, especially from … Read the rest

Nikhil Sethi introduces a composite bonding case to resolve chipping on the edges of a patient’s front teeth.

This patient attended with a history of heavy manual tooth brushing and chipping on the edges of his front teeth from nail biting. A habit which has now stopped.

His main concerns were the rough edges on the surfaces and edges of the front teeth. As well as the gaps (diastemas) between his canines.

After examining the occlusion and surface wear we determined that the cause was a mixture of attrition, abrasion and nail biting.

Our aim was to keep treatment as conservative as possible. All whilst improving the colour, surface form and length of the front six teeth. And also to close the diastema.

Composite treatment

After discussions with the patient, a course of tooth whitening was completed using White Dental Beauty 6% hydrogen peroxide for four weeks at two hours … Read the rest

Dentalair introduces its Air Supply service that aims to make sterile air supply to dental practices simple and cost effective.

It’s fair to say that for many professionals, their air compressor is not often at the top of their priority list. However, without this essential piece of equipment, it’s impossible to provide certain treatments.

With air compressor maintenance often quite stressful and taking time and energy away from other parts of your practice, it’s easy to see why professionals don’t put their air compressor first.

But what if there was an easy, stress-free way to ensure your air compressor remains in perfect condition, without any of the hassle?

Air Supply from Dentalair is the new, simple and stress-free way to ensure that you are never caught short when it comes to your air compressor.

New air compressor, no worries

Have you got an old air compressor in your practice that … Read the rest

Adam Nulty provides an evidence-based literature review on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) within the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

In epidemics of highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola, SARS and now the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, those working in the dental setting reportedly stand at greater risk than the general population. This is due to their close contact with patients. Also, their potentially contaminated bodily fluids (Office for National Statistics, 2020).

To be effective and also practical, PPE (such as masks and respirators) must prevent respiration of the bacterial or viral particulate. It should also be comfortable. The use of respirators requires compliance to be effective (Nichol et al, 2008).

When comfort is lacking, overprotection can introduce problems. For example, in proposing the use of masks of higher rating in some scenarios, these higher rated masks (such as N99/FFP3) may make work more difficult and uncomfortable. This is thought to … Read the rest

Join Nikos Donos as he gives an overview of the diagnosis and management of peri-implantitis on Wednesday the 13 January at 19:00.

This webinar will provide an evidence-based update on the diagnosis of peri-implant diseases. It will give an overview of the challenges that the clinician faces during treatment of these conditions.

By the end of this webinar the participant will:

• Have an understanding of peri-implant diseases
• Provide diagnosis for peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis
• Expose themselves to an overview of the treatment modalities.

More about Nikos Donos

Professor Nikos Donos is the chair of periodontology and implant dentistry, the head of the Centre for Oral Clinical Research and also the lead for the Centre of Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine at the Institute of Dentistry, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

In 2009, Professor Donos was awarded the title of honorary … Read the rest

Dental teams are ‘second in line’ for the COVID-19 vaccine, it has been confirmed. 

Dentists and their colleagues – including receptionists and cleaners – fall under the second priority risk group in the first phase of the vaccine rollout, according to a source close to the government.

As a result, current government plans mean dental teams should be offered the first dose by mid February.

Residents in care homes for older adults and their staff make up the first priority group to receive the vaccine.

Top priority groups

But this is closely followed by those over the age of 80 and frontline health and social care workers, with dental staff falling under the latter.

Yesterday (4 January) saw the first UK resident receive the Oxford University/Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, of which the government has secured more than 100 million doses.

At his briefing on Monday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson … Read the rest

This month Pete looks at how making small changes to the dental instruments we use can help reduce the amount of aerosols produced and therefore the fallow time.

In last month’s article we discussed air changes per hour (ACH) and how this can influence the overall fallow time between patients.

The aim for all dental practices is to try to work towards the shortest time. This allows you to see more patients, without compromising safety. The way to achieve this is to expel or reduce the amount of aerosol that we produce.

Your choice of dental handpiece

Although ventilation is the main way of achieving fresh replenishment of air, there are many products on the market that can help to make significant reductions in the level of aerosol produced.

One such way, and an instrument that dentistry uses for many procedures, is your choice of dental handpiece.

There are several … Read the rest

Marathon running, cycling and travelling, this week we hear from one of dentistry’s most physically active people – Chris Barrow.

Please introduce yourself

Chris Barrow – dental business coach since 1996.

What do you get up to in your spare time away from dentistry?

I’ve been a committed runner since 1978 (35 marathons under my belt) and occasional cyclist. So I’d say that my #1 love outside of work is exercise.

As I’m getting older, there is a steady transition away from the distance running due to quite a few niggling injuries I’ve picked up in recent years. The cycling has been the saving grace in that respect.

In 2018 I really did enjoy Lands End to John O’Groats. And, COVID-willing, plan to reverse the journey in 2021 with my friend Sheila Scott.

Investing in a Wattbike in 2019 was hugely beneficial during lockdown and throughout 2020.

#2 love … Read the rest

Mark Topley reveals the important steps businesses need to take to succeed post-COVID-19. 

The disruption of the past six months has changed every sector of society. It’s rare for any generation to experience an event that leaves no one unaffected, whether rich or poor.

But with challenge also comes opportunity. There have been notable advances in clinical workflow with the use of video consults. There have been several tech innovations that have been accelerated to market. New ways of working have made some things better.

In fact, for many, business has grown, with increases in new patient numbers, and teams pulling together, delivering beyond expectation. However, I’m acutely aware of the large number of businesses who are struggling to reopen, get their teams to re-engage, and attract nervous customers back through the doors.

The differentiator from my observation is whether or not the business did the right things during lockdown. … Read the rest