Baby teeth matter

 

We are now reaping the consequences of living in a throw a way society, our plastic waste are polluting our seas and rivers. Also “disposable wipes” are contributing to giant fatbergs in our underground sewers.

So with this throw away mentality, we do not really value our first teeth, as within our second decade of life they will have exfoliated, and have become “gifts” for the tooth fairy.

 

We do not really value the role that they play as part of our physical development. Not only do they help us chew our food, but they help our speech development, and let us smile with confidence.

But the main understated role they play is that they guide the underlying adult set of teeth into place, the roots are resorbed as the underlying adult erupts upwards, allowing the tooth to come in in the right position, and without being twisted or displaced

I refer many of my patients for orthodontics (braces) to correct these displacements, or for impaction (where the neighbouring teeth, grow into the pace, before the tooth that should be there comes through).

The NHS great “10 year plan”, is to focus on prevention, rather than cure. So to reduce the number of braces being fitted if we can preserve and maintain our primary teeth well and to educate parents in the importance of good regular tooth brushing, and limiting the sugar.

Therefore it is valued that we bring children as early as possible to see a dentist, for good advice, and regular monitoring. So if there are any issues we can treat with minimal intervention and make it an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

There are a lot of new display materials to reinforce Dental check ups before one from the British Society of Paediatric dentistry and managing the amount of sugar children have.  They are also encouraging parents not to add sweeteners or honey to milk as this will cause decay in baby teeth and cause premature extractions.

 

So that special time of year is approaching, and we are all busy running around “chasing our tails”, hoping its going to be a perfect day, or get that perfect gift for someone.

But as I have now experienced my fair share of Christmases, Im beginning to realise, it not the materialistic things that are important, the stocking fillers, the latest gadget/toy. It is the time we spend with our nearest and dearest.

Now its a good time to reflect on the year just gone and who has been in your life to help you enjoy it and make you develop to be a better person. I have been working this year with a business coach Chris Barrow, who has helped me see what a wonderful team I work with and utilise their talents to make the people who visit our practice a great one.

I also have to thank my husband Dipesh, who has helped me raise two wonderful children, and encouraged me to strive.

 

So I want to thank you all for a wonderful 2018, and may our friendship, be it professional, or personal continue in the years to come.

 

Im truly privileged and blessed to be where I am, to be surrounded by such lovely people everyday in my work and in my personal life.

 

So thank you all and wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and may the new year be a happy and healthier one for you and your family and friends

 

Roma x

We frequently get asked  what are the benefits for paying for a private dental consultation, when they are just checking my teeth…

A thorough Dental Check up should take a dentist a good 20 -30 minutes. They should not only look at your teeth and inside the mouth, but your head and neck.

They should also use the time to look at your dietary habits and lifestyle.

Like  a detective, a lot can be deduced by forensically looking at the oral tissues, such as the tongue, cheeks and the gums, as well as the shape, colour of the teeth and how they meet .

If this is not done thoroughly then any treatment carried out may not have the same longevity and a compromised end result.

For example, the tongue can tell us how your digestive track is, and if you are clenching /grinding your teeth. Its colour and texture can tell us if you are deficient in vitamins and or minerals.

Your teeth can tell us if you suffer from acid reflux (heart burn  )or if you are an aggressive/lazy toothbrusher….

We also take photos, so we can monitor any changes or wear so  we may monitor, rather than treating aggressively.

We also review your medication, and prompt if reviews are needed, or if there are any side affects that need addressing. We can also advise and refer to specialists so avoiding to

So  dentists are giving healthy living advice, not just checking to see if you have gum disease or tooth decay.

You are a person not just a set of teeth. You need to make sure you are looked after and value yourself and your health.

Apart from the more thorough check we also like to take the time to get to know our patients.

Working in the same dental practice, for over 20 years, and looking after the dental needs for ages 0 to 100 (yes we do have a 100 year old patient).

We have come across all types of family, we have shared the joy of welcoming new additions, and the sadness of losing treasured and loyal patients.

We see families of all shapes and sizes. The one thing they all have in common is that they value there health (by coming to see us) and each other, yes even those challenging teenagers. When thay feel liked after and cared for they recommend friends and other family members to us.

So after caring for all generations from the same family, we feel we get to know them well and truly blessed and so they become part of our “Dental Family”

 

I recently saw a wonderful, local Doctor as a patient, who has been suffering from migraines for years.

They said that when they suffer from Migraines they “Feel like a fog coming over the brain and can only function at 50% as parent.

They treat many of their patients for Migraines with a cocktail of meds, and now are even advocating Botoxtm. for the condition.

But it was surprising, that they didn’t value their own health and not practice what they preach.

I approach my patients who suffer from migraines. Firstly with questioning their lifestyle, and being mindful of the trigger factors such as certain foods and situations and how to be “Mindful” of them.

Secondly, by assessing the neck and facial muscles and jaw joint palpating for tenseness and or pain. We can then look at the teeth and the way they meet to see if they are the cause and hopefully make simple change, such as simple night mouth guard to reduce and clenching/grinding that may occur at night.

Thirdly We can either refer to the hospital to see a head and neck specialist , or we can inject Botox (TM)

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Theresa May would like the U.K to lead the way and show the world how to be greener, by reducing our carbon emissions, and plastic waste.
Plastic in our oceans

“Plastic is not that fantastic anymore”.

Recently personally I have started using a waterpik for my interdental cleaning, instead of using The plastic interdental brushes to maintain my gum health.

99% of us suffer from gum disease and we all have our own way to deal with it, be it mouthwash, floss or inter dental brushes, and now my new gadget the Waterpiks. Oprah Winfrey swears by hers.

So far I’ve been impressed and find it easy to use, and feel I’m getting the same results as my little brushes, Also make me feel like I am playing my part in reducing the use of non recyclable plastics, and not throwing away plastic brushes every day…. and in the long run hopefully save me money in the long run.

But if you want further information you can watch this video by clicking here

Alternatively please ask our hygienist at your next routine appointment and he can demonstrate how to use it and give advice.

I recently went to a masterclass on social media and marketing  with Roma. The course was run by Coach Chris Barrow who is a Dental Business Guru.

So what did I learn?

I learnt that patient testimonials are the best promotional tool you can have such as google reviews. I also learnt that you can take this one step further by posting video testimonials on newsletter, social media and the website.

Therefore he suggested 60 second videos gaining patient feedback to basic patient questions. I have recently been taking on the social media of the practice, blogging and newsletters with Roma so really wanted to take this on and get stuck in.

I know I am no Martin Scorsese but hope I can master 60 seconds of footage or least press the on button without accidentally taking a selfie or picture of the floor.

The questions I have prepared:

1. How did you hear about us?
2. What brought you to us?
3. How would you describe your customer service experience?
4. what difference has the treatment made?

All I would need is a smartphone camera, and a little tripod and a little bit of bravery.. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it. Ha..Geronimo…

Therefore armed with my smart phone, bendable mini tripod, questions, and consent forms I asked a few lovely patients if I could interview them. Mostly for practice but I will use these videos as I do feel that they are very raw and feel non staged and you can all see my progress as I go.

The first video for some reason (other than being a bit of a rabbit in the headlights perhaps) I held the tripod rather than placing it and pointing the camera at the patient. Maybe I was clinging to it as a tripod shaped life raft. Therefore the video is a little shaky..and at points there is an odd jerk as I almost point the camera down as I read the questions and quickly stop myself.

The second was easier and felt a little more confident. I still sound a little nervous and my own tongue did seem trip me up on the way. However progress was made, this video looks much less like I was filming during an earthquake.

Reviewing it back I noticed I need to learn some little editing techniques to tidy up the video as well as the fact I need to stop being self conscious as I hate the sound of my voice and maybe be a little less nervous in my delivery but Im sure with practice, I will be fine!

So if do approach you in surgery for a testimonial please be gentle with me as it is all very much a work in progress. I just need to learn from each experience and improve. Although you can definitely laugh with me as I bumble along!

Thank you for reading

Fiona

 

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Two of our team, went on a course yesterday, to get to make our business more cost efficient, and really get to grips on the day to day running costs.

 

I often find I am torn with the cost of treatment and the care aspect of my practice,In dental school we are taught the clinical aspects of dentistry, not the business side, or even the psychology aspects required to become and an effective and compassionate yet cost effective clinician. After all my team and all the suppliers we use are reliant on me being so.

 

So even after 20 years of running a successful dental practice, I am still learning. We all bounce of each other and our wonderful patients, who over the years have taught us a thing or two.

So as we are officially in spring, a time to start a fresh and set new goals, and to prepare for the future, Im looking forward to continuing to learn from the people around me and hopefully make me a better person/ dentist

 

Roma

 

So we are in the Easter Holidays now

So we have all been good for Lent, and been giving up our vices such as chocolate.

But I haven’t given up my running despite being away with my children in sunnier climes. So instead I have been getting  up early to miss the heat of the day.

What motivates me?

Being healthy. Currently I’m in a resort which has all sorts of nationalities, and all of various shapes and sizes. They all take pride in their appearance, and follow the etiquette of the hotel. But is their smile part of it….  I still think as a dental profession we need to convey the importance of good oral health too, and not just that “Hollywood smile”.

To focus on the body and health and not just the aesthetics.

 

Roma

 

The other day I was treating a nervous patient, who hadn’t been to see a dentist in many years, due to a bad experience as a child. But now they felt, they had lost their confidence, because in all their photos, they didn’t smile.

Today of digital photography, selfies, personal image is making more of an impact in our daily lives. We are exercising, dieting, and trying to lead a healthier lifestyle more than ever before.

 

Every other advert we see, promotes this. So, we all aspire to have that perfect image. But we are all not perfect.

I get young patients asking for veneers, so they can have that “Hollywood smile”. I get requests to do Botox(™) to prevent wrinkles.  But once I explain the pros and cons, and the life-long maintenance required. I find that many either revise their decision, or go for a more conservative approach, such as tooth whitening, or braces; Instead of full porcelain veneers. I try to make them see what they already have and point out the best parts of their smile/ face and how we can enhance rather than change.

So when they leave, I often get told “thank you for your honesty and making me feel good about myself”.

So hopefully I have laid a foundation for a long-term professional relationship.

Thank you for reading

Roma