My name is Karen Coates and I am Dental Advisor for The British Dental Health Foundation and as you are probably aware, we provide resources for the profession and other organisations
to help to raise awareness of oral health matters.

We would love to be able to increase the amount of resources that we produce ‘in-house’ however we are struggling to find images that we are able to use. We wondered if you knew of any dentists that would be happy to donate any images to the Foundation? In particular, images of dental erosion, gum disease, teens teeth, ortho but we would be very grateful for any images which we could add to our rather dated library. If you could help the Foundation at all please contact me at karen@dentalhealth.org or 01788 539784.

By donating your photographs to the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) you will have given permission for the BDHF to use, duplicate and copy the aforementioned material. The BDHF will only use the photographs or images to accompany their educational resources and will not use them for any other means. The BDHF will not pass on any of your images to third party companies, with the exception of a customer purchasing a temporary online licence for BDHF educational resources. In this case, the images will only be used for educational purposes and will prevent third parties using your photographs for advertising or commercial gain. The BDHF acknowledges you as the owner of the intellectual property rights of the material.

The winner of the postcard challenge will be sponsored by the Dentistry Show to go on one of Bridge2Aid’s 13 day programmes in Tanzania. It’s a great opportunity to give back and see a beautiful part of Africa – be sure to take part!

As I haven’t been offered a place yesterday, does that mean I will not be getting one at all?

As being one of those who were very dissatisfied with the whole process from the beginning, I think it is sad that now a lot of people who complained and expressed concerns will now sit back and keep quiet about the concerns they had; since they now hold a place.

Many in my dental school sent emails complaining about the process to the London deanery and the BDA, only one of us had a response from the London deanery, explaining this:

‘ Please be advised that the recent DF1 interview process was designed by experienced postgraduate dental deans, DF1 Training programme directors and both general practitioner and specialist dentists from COPDEND and its regional teams, in close cooperation with London Deanery. In accordance with standard practice in healthcare selection and wider recruitment, a set number of scenarios and set questions were used during the interview process. For the Clinical Scenario station, one set clinical scenario was used throughout the day across the selection centres. For the Management and Leadership station, three pairs of set scenarios were used in rotation throughout each day of interview, across the selection centres. For the written exercise, five exercises were used in rotation throughout each day of interview, across the selection centres. Questions asked at all stations were standard set questions.’

Honestly I do not think this is enough to prevent candidates preparing for the interview, it was basically an exam, and as a candidate within the process, it would have allowed me to perform a lot better being familiar with the questions and scenarios asked, just as it does with OSCEs and exam questions.

I appreciate that these scenarios are comparable to those that a dentist will encounter within practice……. but dentistry is a profession were we will not be able to prepare for incidents, facing many unfamiliar situations….. If candidates were familiar with what they were to be asked well then how does that help distinguish between the better and worse candidates?

The London deanery explains that ‘It is worth noting that candidates were individually instructed prior to interview not to discuss the interview with their colleagues’ did they really think that people were going to do this?

Especially over 4 days, those who discussed it probably thought that the people organising the process would have had the sense to include more scenarios or do their utmost to prevent candidates preparing!

An actor on the Tuesday expressed that on the Monday in Leeds that they were very unorganised and most of the examiners weren’t calibrated and didn’t really know what they were doing, how is this fair?!!

I am extremely upset and distressed with the whole process and I do not believe this has been any fairer! I cannot comment for all those offered places, but after seeing a few people who have, seeing their dentistry/performance in dental school, I can comment and say that it does not express their ability as an eventual dentist.

The ‘interview’ process that took place is not enough to rank candidates in order and distinguish between the better students. There should be something in hand where after ranking the London deanery/copdend would contact the dental school, and I would be very interested in seeing how these rankings correspond to performance at university!! I live in a house with other dental students, all of which have places; I am able to say that I am not in any way the worst candidate/dental student.

This feeling I have at the moment is one of the worst feelings I have had for a long time, especially after having no support and no idea with what is going to happen, I cannot believe copdend have left us waiting a whole weekend to find out!! If I am going to be unsuccessful why not just tell me when they gave everyone else their offers?

UNQUOTE

I have to say I found the whole recruitment process a shambles, and completely unfair. I was in the first session to be interviewed in the XX (location withheld) centre, by the afternoon most applicants knew the questions that were in the bank, the clinical skills one having not changed in the two days of interviewing. By the following day, the same questions were known to everyone being interviewed. I later discovered that the same questions had been asked two days prior in another centre, and applicants with friends there had come to know what was going to be asked. I cannot blame any of the applicants as it’s human nature to help one another. The ranking is competitive so people with rehearsed answers to questions undoubtedly did better in this “tick box” exercise.

The most unfair part of the process is that, just because I had one bad interview, my career may be put on hold until next year. The interview in no way reflects my academic, clinical or professional ability and none of these factors will be considered.

UNQUOTE

Whenever you have a bright idea:

• free implant consults
• half-price whitening
• same day veneers
• same day crowns
• invisible ortho
• new patient assessments with a TCO
• Children’s Days
• Charity events
• members evenings
• special offers
• limited time promotions

In fact, any campaign….

Your A-Board can be changed immediately and at no cost.

Your A-board is bright, shiny and very noticeable.

The problem is – where do you put it?

Options:

• in the back garden of your practice = 1 person sees it every week = 0.1% take up = 1 new patient every 1000 weeks
• at the front of your practice = 100 people see it every week = 0.1% take up = 1 new patient every 10 weeks
• in a local shopping centre = 1000 people see it every week = 0.1% take up = 1 new patient a week
• in a major regional shopping mall = 10,000 people see it every week = 10 new patients a week
• on a bridge over the local motorway = 100,000 people see it every week = 100 new patients a week
• on TV in the X-Factor adverts = 1000,000 people see it very week = 1000’s of new patients

Wouldn’t you like your A-board in that shopping centre, on that bridge, on TV?

Well now you can – and at very low cost.

Its called social media.

Populate the following:

• a web site
• a blog
• a Facebook page
• a Linkedin profile
• a Foursquare site
• a YouTube channel
• a Twitter page

Keep them busy. Keep them lively. Keep them interesting.

Invite followers at every available opportunity.

You will create that virtual A-board for your offers – but better then any A-board – you will be able to add content and video that will bring your brand to life.

You become the media.

The world’s most effective A-board.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

When you qualified from Dental School they didn’t tell you about the stress some of you would face. They didn’t tell you about the high suicide rate. They didn’t warn you about the treadmill, about burnout and about how dealing with Bureaucrats can sometimes feel like bashing your head against a wall.

Of course many of you qualified years ago, before the UK became one of the most litigious countries in the world. And all of a sudden you wake up one morning with the stark realisation that the equation has changed.

And yet there are many of us who are still loving our dentistry. We treat and employ great people. We love our jobs and we love our lives, and the natural challenges that appear in the path of our lives only make us stronger.

So where are you, right now? Do you see the CQC as an excuse to up your game? Or do you see them as an all powerful ogre stalking the realm of the Dental folk? Do you do 5 minute check-ups, or do you spend the time you need to build rapport with your patients.

It’s never about the system. It’s how you react and work in the system. It’s never about the situation, it’s how you react to the situation.

You might feel you are in a dark place right now, overburdened with regulation, hit financially by the recession, your work suffering from self doubt or delusionment. And what you need to remember is that it’s often in your darkest moments that your true character emerges. There can be no light without the dark, and even the bleakest winter is always followed by summer. Life’s greatest opportunities usually come wrapped up in what seem like impossible situations. Trust me, I know.

Of course, sometimes we need a little help. Recently 30 of some of the top names in UK dentistry came together to collaborate in a book called “Messages From Dental masters”. In this book are 30 never before seen articles, ranging from advice to stories of self discovery. They have agreed to share their knowledge on how dentists can improve their working lives. The book contains such well known names as

Chris Barrow

Ellis Paul

Paul Tipton

John Renshaw

Kevin Lewis

Barry Oulton

Raj Rattan

Sheila Scott

Amarjit Gill

And many more…….

There is another reason for the book of course. 40% of all profits will be split equally between the BDA Benevolant Fund and the Dentist health Support Trust. Want to know more? Visit www.GDPResources.com today

Stephen Hudson BDs, MFGDP, DRDP

Dental Business Club clients, Elmsleigh House, in Surrey are running a very clever campaign that combines two of my favourite things: social media and Bridge2Aid.

Visit the practice page here http://www.facebook.com/ElmsleighDental and for every person that likes their page they will donate £2 towards Bridge2Aid with the ultimate goal of raising £2500, the amount required to train a dental officer in Tanzania.

Please have a look and help them to reach their goal!

The deadline for late payment has been extended until 13^th November which means huge savings are still available for both clinicians and dental team members who register in advance of that date. Don’t miss this opportunity to register for one of the best implant events in the United Kingdom. Register now at – www.iti.org/congressuk-ireland

A: “Yes, you are – and we are very proud of what we are doing to improve the practice – thank you.”

Q: “Are you taking on NHS patients?”

A: “We do not currently have any availability of NHS treatment (other than for children) but we do have a full range of very affordable services – what exactly are you looking for?”

Q: “Are we getting a pay rise in January – there has been nothing for 2 years now?”

A: “No – but we are taking steps to protect everybodies job in 2012.”

Q: “Do I really have to come to team meetings – I’m self-employed?”

A – “No you don’t – but if we have to downsize the business we’ll be keeping those who do attend first.”

Q: “What’s the benefit to me of becoming a member of the practice?”

A: “The first and most obvious is that you will qualify for our member’s price list – non-members will pay 20% more.”

Q: “Do I really have to get involved in all this Facebook, Twitter and social media stuff – does it really get new patients?”

A: “There is plenty of evidence now that social media marketing works – but you are free to opt out.”

Q: “Where do new patients come from mainly?”

A: “A third word of mouth, a third web and social media, a third signage, B2B networking and focused direct marketing.”

Q: “Chris – how do I motivate my team to perform?”

A: “Be a better leader.”

Q: “Chris, why do you think that Tesco and Sainsbury’s will make a success of dentistry when Boots failed?”

A: “Get your facts right – Boots didn’t fail.”

Q: “Chris – are you optimistic about the future of the independent private practitioner?”

A: “Never been more so – market set to grow to £8bn in the next few years, fewer practices sharing more business, a discerning customer group who want a concierge class service, more innovation in products every day. That’s why I’m busy establishing lines of credit to start purchasing shares in private practices starting next year.”

The little something extra that makes them shine.

I met two of them yesterday.

One was an apprentice dental nurse and TCO aged 19.

The other was a waitress in a country pub who was possibly over 60 years old.

They both “sparkled”.

There are no limits to what these people can achieve.

If you have them active in a customer service setting – they can be wonderful ambassadors for your business.

I’d take an unqualified “sparkler” any day over a qualified plodder.