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course structure
PBL, student-led research & flipped classroom (introduced to content at home & practice at school) supported by lectures
- peer observation, simulated patients & real
- Student supported by learning technology systems = personalised developmental progress info = tailored learning needs
- enables students to have early access to patients in 1st yr, so developing skills can be integrated into real-world
NHS values
Working together for patients
Respect and dignity
Commitment to quality of care
Compassion
Improving lives
Everyone counts
what attracts me to liverpool
1. Share three years with dental therapy students where learning and collaborating in teams builds mutual respect and understanding of roles
2. Early access to patients
3. Good personal support -As an undergraduate you'll have your own personal tutor from day one and we've a unique online assessment system that lets you plan your study, get detailed feedback and create your own detailed e-portfolio of work.
4. Research led learning environment
5. Gold rating for Liverpool
Rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). This award, a national scheme run by the Office for Students, recognises that an excellent student experience is delivered for undergraduate students across wide range of courses and subjects.
The rating reflects our excellence in research, innovation and professional practice.
6.Specifically for dentistry - Professor Barry Quinn has been recognised for the outstanding contribution he has made to the staff and student experience at the University of Liverpool.
Barry has played a leading role in pioneering new approaches to teaching clinical skills which are effective in supporting students’ surgical abilities and confidence.
Developed haptically-enabled virtual reality simulation for surgical skills development and surgery rehearsal for dental students as well as qualified dentists.
Edu driven by CPD ethos = continually adapt to challenges
- shares 3yr Collaborative Learning Core (CLC) w/ DT students = builds understanding of roles
- diff dental disciplines opp to work side-by-side
- 100% employed/in further study within 6m of graduating (2016/17)
- PBL
- Sports = Women's hockey 1st team = Northern Premier League
- Societies = Art society, feminist society
- Opps to develop skills in primary care setting, engaging w/ community.
- Early access to patients in 1st yr = skills can be integrated into real-world
opps to engage with the community → which i have seen thru the outreach servuces - e.g smile squad with LFC → i would wanna do that
exchange programmes → with japan
Explain to us one aspect of your application that you would like us to overlook?”
the breath book
how an elderly patient can access good dental care and what the issues involved were
There are issues dealing with physical mobility, cognitive limitations, communication issues, including consent. As we are dealing with an ageing population increasingly it is important to know how dental care is adjusting to the ageing population.
comorbities
With the elderly there are physical limitations such as having arthritis which may make the oral hygiene procedures such as tooth brushing and flossing very, very difficult. Also, once a patient actually does come to your practice, it may be that they have difficulty manoeuvring in and out of the dental chair, including lying back.
Can you convince me that you will be able to cope with the high workload during your five year course at dental school?
Tell me about a mistake that you made and how you dealt with it.
What are your strengths and weaknesses that you can describe?
What do you feel will be a challenging part of your dental training course here at Liverpool?
What can you tell us about the course curriculum at Liverpool?
Tell us why you have chosen to attend Liverpool.
Tell us how you worked well in a team and the challenges that you faced.
being aware of the workload; balancing job with studies - adaptability+responsibility; motivation - e.g. setting goals
course curriculum:
1st:human anatomy - in the HARC; teaching in personal development, wellbeing, equality, diversity,management of medical emergencies, infection control, preventive care, and periodontal health, and patient care provision. tudents develop their clinical skills via blended and simulation learning before attending clinic to deliver care to patients. Students observe and assist students in senior years in order to enhance their communication skills and prepare them for learning that lies ahead.
2nd:tudents will expand upon their experience and skills to enable them to deliver a more diverse range of restorative care for child and adult patients. In addition to working within Restorative Care, they attend Paediatric, Oral Diseases, and Radiology clinics to develop further clinical and diagnostic skills, and to understand a range of acute systemic conditions with oral features that may present to the dental team.
3rd:In year three, students will develop skills in extraction of primary teeth, safeguarding, management of patient anxiety, dental trauma, management of pain, health promotion, quality improvement activity and in understanding clinical research. Students will attend placement in the General Dental Services. Teaching continues to enable students to apply the basic sciences in order to understand clinical practice, to safely manage medical emergencies, and to support their personal development and wellbeing.
4th: In year four, students will expand their restorative and surgical skills to fulfil the complete remit of a dentist. This activity includes the extraction and pulpal management of permanent teeth, the replacement of missing teeth, and the restoration of teeth using laboratory made crowns and bridges. Students will attend placement in the Community Dental Services.
The final year is spent consolidating knowledge and gaining further clinical experience. Students will attend placement in the General Dental Services, in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Aintree University Hospital, and in Paediatric Dentistry at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Students will gain knowledge and skills in clinical governance, implant dentistry, whilst engaging with activities designed to prepare them to graduate to practice as a safe beginner with a career in dentistry. (PLACEMENT AT ALDERHEY WILL B GOOD)
Each student is assigned an Academic Advisor to support their leadership development, self-reflection skills and their ability to set achievable goals. Students have the opportunity to stand for election to leadership roles within the School and to work with the Staff Student Liaison Committee to ensure the voice of the student is heard and to work with teaching colleagues to inform positive change. The School has a novel personal development and wellbeing module to further support this learning.
liverpool key skills
Commitment to Dentistry
Suitability for the course
NHS values and news
Personal skills and qualities
Ethics
Personal statement
Knowledge
recent news
dentures with octopus suckers an idea from kings college researchers - gives improved grip and comfort - gives twice the amount of retention
A lot of patients don’t like denture adhesive because it changes the taste of the food, it changes the perception of how to use a denture. It’s also not hygienic, and cleaning the denture becomes very difficult due to the denture adhesive.
They could also impact some patients who had cancer or who are not in a financial position to afford implants. For example, some cancer patients may not be suitable for implants because of radiotherapy or due to the nature of their medical condition.
These dentures rely on the use of 3D printing technology that we have available nowadays. We currently have a lot of 3D printing capability, and dentists have access to these printing facilities, but with time, 3D printers will get even better in resolution. As they get better in resolution, the dentures will improve even more because the suckers will get smaller, have higher density on the surface, and potentially become more beneficial. This means we can add more suckers onto the surface to make it even more retentive, so it’s only going to improve in the future.
people who both smoke and vape are less likely to quit
fraser guidelines and gillick competence
Both Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines refer to a legal case from the 1980s which looked at whether doctors should be able to give contraceptive advice or treatment to young people under 16-years-old without parental consent.
The Fraser guidelines still apply to advice and treatment relating to contraception and sexual health. But Gillick competency is often used in a wider context to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions.
child should always be encouraged to tell their parents
gillick competence:
Medical professionals need to consider Gillick competency if a young person under the age of 16 wishes to receive treatment without their parents' or carers' consent or, in some cases, knowledge.
need to consider these factors:
the child's age, maturity and mental capacity
their understanding of the issue and what it involves - including advantages, disadvantages and potential long-term impact
their understanding of the risks, implications and consequences that may arise from their decision
how well they understand any advice or information they have been given
their understanding of any alternative options, if available
their ability to explain a rationale around their reasoning and decision making.
Gillick competency can be used when young people wish to refuse medical treatment.
However, if a young person refuses treatment which may lead to their death or severe permanent harm, their decision can be overruled.
The Fraser guidelines apply specifically to advice and treatment about contraception and sexual health. They may be used by a range of healthcare professionals working with under 16-year-olds, including doctors and nurse practitioners.
Practitioners using the Fraser guidelines should be satisfied of the following:
the young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or carers that they are seeking this advice or treatment (or to allow the practitioner to inform their parents or carers).
the young person understands the advice being given.
the young person's physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment.
it is in the young person's best interests to receive the advice, treatment or both without their parents' or carers' consent.
the young person is very likely to continue having sex with or without contraceptive treatment.
When using Fraser guidelines for issues relating to sexual health, you should always consider any potential child protection concerns:
Underage sexual activity is a possible indicator of child sexual exploitation and children who have been groomed may not realise they are being abused.
Sexual activity with a child under 13 should always result in a child protection referral.
If a young person presents repeatedly about sexually transmitted infections or the termination of pregnancy this may be an indicator of child sexual abuse or exploitation.
what do u do if a 14yo girl asks for birth control - she doesnt want her parents to know
main considerations:
respecting automony if she is gillick competent
putting patient first
beenficience + non maleficence
issues of child safety
important to ask questions:
what do you know about birth control - why do you want this?
questions related to sexual health and her potential sexual exploitation
why dont u wanna tell ur parents
A 20-year-old patient with Down syndrome has become pregnant. The patient does not want an abortion, but her mother and father want the patient to have an abortion. What should you do as the physician taking care of this patient?
where do u see urself in 10 years
"In 10 years, I see myself as a dedicated and skilled dentist, making a positive impact on my patients' lives. Professionally, I aim to be working in a practice or clinic where I can provide high-quality, patient-centered care, potentially in a specialized field like orthodontics or restorative dentistry, depending on my interests as they develop during my time at Liverpool Dental School. I’m also passionate about giving back, so I hope to be involved in community outreach, raising awareness about the importance of oral health.
On a personal level, I aspire to have a balanced and fulfilling life. I’d love to be settled in a community where I feel connected, maybe raising a family or pursuing hobbies like travel and outdoor activities that help me stay grounded. Building strong relationships with my patients and contributing to my local community would be a source of personal satisfaction. I believe achieving this balance will enhance my ability to empathize with patients and build trusting relationships, which are essential qualities in a dentist."
Key Personal Elements to Mention
Work-Life Balance: Show that you value maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Hobbies or Interests: Briefly mention hobbies that show your character (e.g., travel, music, sports, volunteering).
Family or Community Goals: If appropriate, talk about wanting to contribute to or grow within a supportive community or family.
Personal Growth: Emphasize aspirations for personal development, such as building resilience, empathy, or cultural awareness.
You are a third-year medical student doing your rotation in OBGYN. You notice that a fellow classmate, Michael, often shows up late or slightly hungover. One day you find him in the break room alone. You decide that you want to talk to Michael about this. Please enter the break room.
The night after college graduation, you attend a party with your best friend Julia and some other friends. Midway through the night, you see her leaving the party with a group. The next morning, Julia calls you and reveals that she drove home despite drinking that night. Enter the room and talk to Julia.
You are an emergency room physician taking care of a patient who has come in requesting painkillers for his back. After a physical examination, you find no injuries or other causes of pain. You review his medical chart and realize that he frequently comes to the hospital requesting painkillers. You politely tell the patient that you cannot provide painkillers. He tells you that he will inject himself with heroin if he does not get the painkillers. What do you do? Enter the room and proceed with the conversation.
You are a student working in a free clinic. After going through the scheduling, you notice that some appointment times are double-booked. Enter the room to talk to the receptionist about this.
You are a physician taking care of a male patient. After a complete physical exam and workup, you discover he has HIV. He tells you that he doesn’t want his girlfriend to know about this diagnosis in fear that she will leave him. Enter the room and have a discussion with the patient.
You are a family doctor taking care of a child with flu-like symptoms. Upon physical examination, you notice a pattern of bruises on the boy's torso. You being to worry that his may be a case of physical abuse. You ask the mother where the bruises came from but she speaks minimal English. When you touch the boy's chest with your stethoscope, he winces in pain from the bruises. What should you do?
You are seeing a patient with kidney failure who refuses dialysis, a life-prolonging procedure. He tells you that he is tired of this procedure and would rather die. His family members request that you dialyze him immediately. Enter the room and talk to the family members.
A 13-year-old girl is diagnosed with early stage lymphoma and has a great chance of survival due to advancements in cancer therapies. When you tell her parents about the treatment, they refuse and tell you that they are planning to travel out of the country for alternative, experimental therapies. Enter the room and talk to the parents.
A chronically ill patient has requested that she would like to have her code status changed to DNR. As she is eating dinner, she suddenly enters cardiac arrest and her daughter who is visiting requests CPR to resuscitate her mother. Enter the room.
You have a non-English speaking patient who has recently suffered a stroke and is currently not allowed to eat or drink. You hear from the nurses that there are currently family members feeding him. What do you do? Enter the room.
A man brings his elderly mother to you because he is concerned about her driving. She insists that she is fine. After examining the woman, you agree that it is no longer safe for her to drive. However, you don’t want to breach doctor-patient confidentiality by talking to her son. Enter the room and talk to the woman.
Your niece cut class to see a movie and missed an important test. She calls you asking if you can write her a doctor’s note explaining that she was absent due to illness; otherwise, she will fail the class. Enter the room and talk to your niece.
Your next-door neighbor frequently asks you for medical advice or to “have a quick look” at his ailments. While you want to be helpful to your neighbor, you are tired of working for free. You decide to address the issue the next time he asks you for advice. Enter the room and speak with your neighbor.
You’re spending time with your sister and her four-year-old daughter. Your niece is misbehaving, causing your sister to become frustrated and hit her daughter. Your sister becomes deeply upset and tells you this has never happened before. Enter the room and talk to your sister.
A pregnant patient and her husband have learned that their child will be born with Down syndrome. They have decided that they do not have the financial resources to care for a child with disabilities and want to seek out an abortion. Enter the room and talk to the couple.
A terminally ill patient calls you to say goodbye because she is planning to take a lethal dose of painkillers. Enter the room and speak to the patient.
You have a five-year-old patient with severe autism. His father plans to take him overseas to receive a stell cem treatment not offered in the U.S. Enter the room and speak to the father.
You are a medical student doing clinical rotations. One day in the hospital you walk in on a fellow student putting medical equipment in his bag. Enter the room and talk to the student.
Non-acting
Your best friend confesses to you that she hit a person a month ago while driving under the influence. She tells you that she kept driving because she was scared and feels really guilty about this incident. How would your respond?
You witness two girls hitting a homeless woman and taking items that belong to her. The victim’s nose is bleeding. You approach her after the incident. She tells you that she is fine, and that the same girls have done this before. She promises it is no big deal and not to worry about her. What do you do?
A patient has just been diagnosed with stage IV cancer with a terrible prognosis. You know that he will most likely die within 9 months regardless of course of treatment. The patient is visibly upset and concern for his future. What do you tell the patient? How do you go about this difficult situation?
Your older sister tells you that she wants to have an IVF and have her child implanted into a surrogate mother for $3,000 through a company. Your mother is opposed to this idea whereas your father supports her decision. Your sister asks for your support. How would you respond to your sister?
You are a physician taking care of a patient with gastric cancer. You realize that your patient has occasionally been missing their chemotherapy and radiation appointments. You talk to the patient during your next appointment and realize that they’ve been seeing an alternative medicine practitioner who has recommend they stop their treatment. How would you respond?
A man has been taking care of his wife, who is in a vegetative state, for three years after she suffered severe brain damage due to cardiac arrest. She can breathe on her own but that is the extent of her abilities. He requests that her feeding tube be removed. What should you do as her physician?
Mrs. Miller is found brain dead and is determined to be a perfect candidate for organ transplants. The physician contacts her husband and son but is met with stern objection upon asking for consent. What would you do?
An 18-year-old female arrives in the emergency room with severe blood loss due to injuries she sustained in a car accident. As the physician, you decide that a blood transfusion is required immediately if she is to survive. You then realize that there is a card from Jehovah’s Witnesses Church in her purse that refuses blood transfusions You cannot ask her any questions because she is in a coma. What do you do?
You are on call as the attending physician in the emergency room. At 1:00am, a 3-year-old girl is brought in. You realize that she has lost a lot of blood and a blood transfusion is her only chance of survival; however, Jehovah’s Witness parents are adamantly against it. How would you react?
Your maternal grandfather is 65 years old and has been diagnosed with a slow developing cancer that will kill him within the next few years. There is a procedure that will remove the tumor with no long-term side effects or problems, but the procedure has a 25% mortality rate. He wants to have the surgery, but your mother is worried and would rather he forgo the surgery. How will you solve this problem?
You are notified that the hand sanitizer at the hospital has been running out more frequently than it should be. A week later, you are in the emergency room treating a patient for acute alcohol-related poisoning. Two days later, you notice that the same man is consuming hand sanitizer throughout the hospital. What do you do?
An 21-year-old female presents to the emergency room with vomiting, fever, and headaches. You realize that this is not the common flu but is likely bacterial meningitis. She doesn’t believe you as her symptoms have gotten better after resting for a bit. She refuses treatment and decides that she going back to her college dormitory. What should you do as the physician in this situation, knowing that bacterial meningitis can lead to death or permanent disability?
An individual requests needles and syringes at their local pharmacy. They do not present with a prescription, and based on the records you can access, they are not receiving treatment for diabetes. When you refuse to sell him needles, he threatens that he will go do heroin with needles he found. What do you do?
You are working in a clinic for street youth when a 17-year-old girl comes in seeking pain medication. After a physical exam and thorough past medical history, you determine that she doesn’t need them. She says she will see another doctor if you do not prescribe them. What would you do?
You are a physician who has just finished your long day at work and are finally able to go home at an appropriate time for the first time in weeks. You have already promised to meet your family for dinner. You suddenly receive a phone call from Mrs. Johnson, an 87-year-old patient in a nursing home who has been a patient of yours for 20 years. She’s in need of medical attention, but refuses to see another doctor. How would you approach this situation?
A 14-year-old girl is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her parents insist that you do not inform her of the prognosis. What is the appropriate response in this situation?
You have a patient with CF, a terrible autosomal recessive disease. As a geneticist, you have decided to do a DNA screen of the mother, father, and child to determine which genes are mutated and assess risk chances. Upon screening, you realize that the father does not have any mutations that could cause CF – the husband is not the boy’s biological father. What do you do as the physician?
You have two patients who desperately need an organ transplant but there is only one organ available. One is a 18-year-old male who has been admitted to the emergency room multiple times due to overdose. The second patient is a 60-year-old female who is an outstanding member of the community, volunteering her time to the poor and needy. Who do you give the transplant to and why?
As a physician, you are caring for a high-risk pregnant woman. The child’s life is in jeopardy and delivery is urgently needed, but the husband won’t agree to the procedure because there is a 10% mortality rate. What do you do?
You are a primary care physician who has cared for Mrs. Carter for over 40 years. She has been diagnosed with a terminal disease and comes into your office asking for pills she can take when she is ready to die. What do you do?
Mr. Anderson is currently dying and is in tremendous pain. You want to give him morphine, but the medication will likely lower his blood pressure and hasten his death. Mr. Anderson is still in pain and wants you to end his life. You’ve exhausted all your options. What do you do?
During a physical examination, you notice that your 12-year-old patient has been physically abused, showing signs of scar tissue and long-term bruising. When you ask the child, you see that he tenses up. Both of his parents are in the waiting room. What would you do in this situation?
A 9-year-old boy has presented to your emergency department for the sixth time this month for seizures. Upon questioning you find out his mother has been neglecting to give him his anti-epileptic medications. What do you do?
An elderly woman shows signs of abuse. You believe that she is sustaining these injuries from her husband, her primary caregiver. This is confirmed upon questioning, but she begs you to not tell anyone. How would you handle this situation?
As a medical student, you are asked to obtain consent from an elderly woman for a hernia repair. You notice that she is hard of hearing and doesn’t really understand what you are telling her but nods her head as you speak. When you exit the room and tell the resident of this problem, she replies, “Just get it done.” How do you react?
Would you ever undertreat a patient’s pain if you are concerned about addicted?
The mother of a-12-month-old believes that vaccines cause autism and that she believes that immunity should be all natural. Her child is currently unvaccinated and is at risk for diseases that are otherwise nonexistent for the vaccinated community. Can parents refuse to immunize their children? What do you do as the physician?
A Native American man has broken his arm while working. Even in pain, the man asks for a medicine man and refuses treatment until then. What do you do?
You are certain a 5-year-old child has meningitis. When you discuss the need for an immediate antibiotic treatment, the parents refuse, saying, “We’ll take him home and pray over him instead.” What do you do?
A teenager has been in a vegetative state for over a year after a horrible skating accident. Even now, family members insist that “everything possible” be done to keep the patient alive. What are your thoughts?
Should a doctor's primary aim be to change behavior to prevent disease or treat existing disease? What are your thoughts on upstream and downstream care?
When is physician-assisted suicide appropriate? Please explain your reasoning.
You are the emergency doctor on duty when two patients are rushed in at the same time. Both need a heart transplant. You only have one donor organ available, but both patients are a match and are equally medically fit for the operation. One patient is a 35-year-old single dad with 3 children, while the other is a 35-year-old single male, who’s an Olympic Gold medalist. Who would you give the heart to and why?
You are currently taking care of an 80-year-old woman after she fell walking down the stairs. As you enter the room to tell her the diagnosis, her son stops you and asks that you do not tell her. He is worried that it will upset his mom and make her recovery more difficult
The son of a patient is a physician and calls you to discuss his father’s case. What do you do? What do you say?
You are taking care of a 15-year-old for treatment of severe burns on his arms and hands in the emergency department. Further examination shows that he has bruises on his chest and abdomen. After working with the patient for a week, you ask about the other marks on the patient's body, and he admits to being abused by his parents. He begs you not to tell anyone. What do you do?
A physician colleague of yours has started dating one of her patients. The patient initiated the romantic relationship. Is it ethically sound for a physician to become romantically or sexually involved with a patient?
A man is rushed to the ER in need of an appendectomy. When it becomes clear to him that he needs surgery, he says he doesn’t want the procedure because he is uninsured. What would you do?
A colleague of yours has made a medical mistake and doesn’t want to tell the patient. What would you do?
You go to meet a new patient in the hospital. Later you learn that the patient has requested a different doctor because they would prefer a doctor of their same ethnicity. How would you respond?
Your employer is forcing you to work under unsafe conditions. Would you consider striking?
A 17-year-old girl is married, has a child, and lives independent from her parents. She wants to participate in a medical research study. Does she need her parents’ permission?
A primary care doctor went on a three-week vacation and did not get another physician to cover her practice. During that time, a patient developed shortness of breath but did not seek out care because he already had an appointment scheduled with the doctor as soon as she returned. The patient suddenly dies of a fatal arrhythmia. Is the doctor responsible?
A cyclist is injured in a hit-and-run accident. A physician drives by and, determining that the cyclist’s condition is critical, drives her to the ER rather than wait for an ambulance to arrive. In the hospital, the cyclist is revealed to be paralyzed. Is the physician at fault?
A 16-year-old girl is feeling unwell and is brought to see you by her mother. A urine test reveals that she is pregnant. She begs you to not tell her mother because she wants to have an abortion. The mother believes abortion is wrong. What should you do?
A patient sends you a friend request on Facebook. After a few days, he follows up with requests on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. He also has an appointment coming up in a few days. What would you do?
An elderly patient has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The patient is not close with her son, who has a history of taking advantage of her financially. Nevertheless, he wants to be designated as her surrogate decision maker. How do you handle this?
Your sister is hiring an employee for her business. You’re at her house and happen to see the stack of resumes. You notice that the top resume belongs to a patient of yours who has a history of schizophrenia. Would you say anything to your sister?
Is it ethical for doctors to take part in behaviors that they advise patients to abstain from, such as smoking cigarettes or eating junk food? Should doctors be regarded as role models?
A patient desperately needs a kidney transplant and is low on the transplant waiting list. He wants to fly to a third-world country where he can buy a kidney from a willing seller. There is a good chance that otherwise he may die waiting. Discuss the ethics of this situation.
Your patient struggles with alcohol dependence and needs a liver transplant. Would you add this patient to the transplant waiting list?
What is your greatest weakness?
What is your greatest strength?
Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
Describe a time you have failed at something in a non-academic setting.
Describe a time you have failed at something in an academic setting.
Tell me about a time when you faced a conflict with another individual.
Describe a time when you worked with someone who did not pull his or her weight.
Give me an example of a time when you were on a team and it didn’t work out. What would you do differently?
Describe a time you displayed leadership.
Describe a time you needed to ask for help.
Tell me about a time you had to assert yourself.
What challenges do you expect to encounter as a physician?
What personal challenges do you think you'll face as a physician?
What are some of the challenges you foresee in your career?
Can you tell me about a significant challenge you had to overcome? How did you handle it?
Tell me about a time when you handled a stressful situation poorly.
Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
Tell me about a time where you experienced conflict with a colleague.
Tell me about a time when someone criticized you.
Tell me about your greatest academic achievement and why.
Tell me about your greatest non-academic achievement and why.
How do you define “success”?
Tell me about a time when you had to build rapport quickly with someone under difficult conditions.
Tell me about a time you felt out of place.
How will you approach working with or caring for people who are different from you?
Tell me about a time when others working with you disagreed with your ideas. How did you handle it?
Tell me about a time when you had a difficult communication problem.
Tell me about a time you demonstrated empathy.
Tell me about a time someone demonstrated empathy towards you.
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get the job done.
Tell me about a time you had to think outside of the box in order to find a solution.
Give an example of a time you changed your position on a topic. Why?
Discuss a time when you went against the orders of your superiors.
Describe a time you faced a moral conflict.
How will you handle the stress of medical school?
From what you understand of medical school, what part of the program will be most difficult for you?
What do you think the downsides are to being a doctor?
If you didn’t get into medical school, what would you do?
Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
How do you think your role as a physician fits in with your role as a member of the community?
What does the doctor-patient relationship mean to you?
What makes a good physician and where do you fit in that category?
In an operating room, you’ll find many people: the surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, techs, etc. Who is the most important person in this room?
If your best friends were asked to describe you, what would they say?
Think about someone who doesn’t like you. What would they say about you?
What are you doing now to better yourself?
Who is someone you admire and why?
What aspects of your life’s experiences do you think make you a good candidate for medical school?
What does “professionalism” mean to you?
What does “integrity” mean to you?
Acting
You have promised your best friend that you would attend their wedding; however, the day before the wedding, your dad has a stroke and is hospitalized. Enter the room and talk to your friend.
Your patient is getting ready for surgery but is extremely anxious and nervous. Enter the room and talk to Maddie.
A close co-worker has recently lost their child due to a car accident. Enter the room and talk to your co-worker.
Your friend Jonathan hasn't come to class for a few days. He usually doesn’t miss class so you’re worried. You decided to pay him a visit after your classes. Enter the room and talk to Jonathan.
You and your best friend try out for the varsity soccer team. You find out you got in, but your friend was rejected for the second time. Enter the room and talk to your friend.
You are late to work. As you reverse your car in the driveway, you feel a bump. After getting out of your car, you realize that you have accidentally run over your next-door neighbor’s outdoor cat. You decide to go over to their house to break the news. Enter the room.
Your family is worried about Tim, your favorite uncle, who has been recently been drinking and smoking heavily after his recent divorce. As the medical student in your extended family, people have asked you to have conversation with Tim so that he can change his ways before it is too late. Enter the room and talk to Tim.
You are a first-year medical student and you have just failed your first block final. The school’s academic advisor wants to talk to you about this. Enter the room and talk to the advisor.
Your medical school roommate is feeling overwhelmed with the amount of material that is being covered. He tells you that he has failed his last block final, the midterm from last week, and is thinking about dropping out. Enter the room and talk to your roommate.
You are a cardiologist who has just finished your shift, and you need to run over to your daughter’s high school graduation ceremony. As you are leaving the hospital, Jennifer, a patient who knew you well, sees you from the waiting room and grabs your attention. Enter the waiting room and talk to Jennifer.
You are a manager of a tech company and have a very busy schedule ahead of you, filled with meetings and important deadlines. As you drive to work, you get a call from the office saying that there has been an incident in the parking lot involving two of your employees, Kate and Amanda. Tensions run high between the two. You ask that they be put in a room together so that you can talk them when you enter the office. After you enter the office, you take a deep breath. Enter the room where Kate and Amanda are waiting for you.
You are a supervisor at a fast food restaurant and have received multiple complaints about the hamburgers being poorly cooked since the shift change. There are two people (one male, one female both 18 years old) who have been cooking the meat for the past hour. The female is the storeowner’s daughter. How would you handle the situation? Enter the room to talk to them.
You are taking a history class in college with Jessica, a close friend. You are partners for a group project but notice that she hasn’t been coming to class or helping out with the project. Enter the room and talk to Jessica.
You tell your close friend Kevin a secret that’s been weighing you down and ask him to keep it confidential. However, later that week, another one of your friends tells you that Kevin told them your secret. You ask Kevin to talk. Enter the room.
You are the captain of your competitive basketball team. Your team has one last chance of tying the game, but your teammate loses the ball and your team ends up losing the game. You enter the locker room after the game and see your teammate who cost your team the championship. Enter the room.
You are with your co-worker, Tom, on an important business meeting. When you get to the meeting, you learn you have to go to the 35th floor. Tom has a severe fear of heights and refuses to get in the elevator. Enter the room and talk to Tom.
A patient has terminal cancer and will only live for three more months. Enter the room and deliver the prognosis.
You get to work early and notice that your employee, Sally, has been sleeping in her office. Based on other evidence, you realize that Sally has been sleeping in her office every night this week. Sleeping at work is prohibited by your office building’s management. Enter the room and talk to Sally.
You’re grabbing food with a friend during your lunch break. You’ve had a hard morning and are venting about your boss. Suddenly you realize your boss is also in the restaurant and has heard everything you said. When you get back to work, you ask your boss if you can have a word. Enter the room and talk to your boss.
You overhear two of your male co-workers making degrading comments about a female co-worker’s appearance. Enter the room and talk to your co-workers.
You invite your friend to dine with you at an expensive restaurant but she declines and says she’s trying to save money. You offer to pay, which leads her to reveal that the real reason she doesn’t want to go is that she feels out of place. Enter the room and talk to your friend.
You are working the reception desk in an emergency room. A seven-year-old boy is waiting to be seen after falling off his bicycle. His mother becomes angry because they have been waiting for a long time. Enter the room and talk to the mother.
A patient leaves a bad rating for your medical office on a reviews website due to the high cost of their bill. Enter the room and talk to the patient.
Please describe to your partner what you see on the piece of paper on the desk. Your partner will be drawing images on a blank piece of paper based on your directions. You will not be able to see your partner during this exercise.
Upon entering the room, only you will be able to see a 3-D design made with Jenga blocks. Please work with your partner to recreate this design as exactly as possible. You will be given 6 minutes to complete this design.
You will be giving your partner instructions to finish a project. You are not allowed to use shapes to describe anything that you see in front of you. You will stand back-to-back with your partner.
In front of you are Lego blocks forming a structure, which you can see but your partner cannot. Your goal is to guide your partner verbally to help them recreate this design with their own set of Legos. You will not be able to see each other or refer to color.
You are sitting at a desk in front of the interviewer with a screen between you. There will be a set of blocks in front of you that must be arranged in a certain manner. The interviewer knows the solution but can only answer yes or no to any of your questions. Correctly assemble the blocks.
In front of you is a sheet of paper with instructions on how to fold a piece of origami. Your partner cannot see you and is sitting on the other side of the room with a blank piece of origami paper. Using verbal instructions, guide your partner through folding the piece of origami correctly.
You have a map of a college campus. Give your instructor directions to get from Building A to Building B.
Explain to your instructor how to tie shoelaces using only verbal instructions.
In front of you are the following objects: a ukulele, wrapping paper, tape, and a ribbon. Guide the instructor through wrapping the ukulele.
autonomy goes against medical advice
ethical pillars (autonomy, non malefience and beneficience)
document ur decisions
involve colleagues
why liverpool (research opps)
great research opportunities - specific focus on the oral heath of children → which is something i would be interested in learning about - considering my interest in childrens oral health (the statistic about 5-9 yos)
current research projects at the uni: Oral health parent champion programme evaluation PROTECT - one of the professors emphasises ‘addressing health inequalities’ which resonates strongly with me
also involved in teh CHOICE trial (changing habits to prevent child caries) - also relates to the stat that i heard
this professor worked on “Paediatric Dental attendances to Emergency Departments. Collaboration to understand and reduce unnecessary dental attendances to ED.” which is smth i enjoy researching (Sondos Albadri)
ai in dentistry article
chairsyde can help with personalisation - for treatment and approach towards the patient. magine being able to automatically follow up with patients at the perfect time, offering targeted reminders, promotions, or post-care instructions based on their individual treatment journeys. This sort of hyper-targeted marketing has been shown to improve patient retention by as much as 30%, which directly translates to higher lifetime value per patient.
for scheduling to improve efficiency
AI assistants to help with data imput. One example: chatbots equipped with natural language processing (NLP) can manage patient queries, book appointments, and help with follow-up care instructions – all while your real staff focuses on high-value, high-touch tasks. It’s the perfect marriage of convenience and productivity, giving you back hours each week and eliminating the headache of administrative overload.
for marketing
better diagnosis - pearl AI Pearl AI has helped me towards more accurate diagnoses, fewer mistakes, and better treatment plans that increase patient satisfaction and, ultimately, my practice’s revenue.
When patients feel that their care is cutting-edge, they’re more likely to return, recommend your practice, and opt for higher-value treatments, let alone the trust fostered through our co-diagnosis. - so ai is used in order to detect issues sooner - therefore leading to more minimally invasive dentistry - less expenisve/more comfyshows areas of concern using images
avoid mistakes
acts as a backup - to avoid mistakes
they get more understanding - translates to patient trust
diagnostic constistency maintained
key public health campaigns
mouth cancer action month — 1st-30th Nov - by mouth cancer foundation
raises awareness about HPV
an important 2 minute check to screen for mouth cancer
many posters - offers to speak at schools
marathon runners campaigning for the cause
new provisions for older ppl with dental issues
signposted care in essex car homes
dentists come into crae homes
in liverpool
Professor Matt Ashton told a council meeting that oral health in the city is "not in a good situation".
Nearly half of five-year-olds across the city have "visually obvious dental decay" according to the latest figures released by Liverpool City Council.
Since 2019 there has been a 37% increase in "obvious dental decay" for children.
According to a dental epidemiology survey carried out by Public Health England last year, a fifth of Year 6 children in the city also had visually obvious dental decay.
This is higher than the national average and the average for north-west England.
Tooth extraction is still the most common hospital procedure for Liverpool's five to nine-year-olds.
Almost nine out of 10 hospital tooth extractions among children aged up to five are due to preventable tooth decay.
Because of this, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool earlier this year to talk about his plans to introduce teeth brushing in schools.
Ian Ashworth, director of population health at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said that poor oral health was linked to deprivation.
He said being able to access a dentist was also a challenge for many families.
He said his team were working to deliver oral health packs to children in deprived parts of Merseyside and Cheshire alongside other services their parents might access, such as foodbanks.
He said reducing sugar intake and encouraging healthy eating was also important.
In the year to June this year, almost 60% of children in Liverpool had been seen by a dentist in the previous 12 months and 36% of the adult population were seen in the previous 24 months.
The numbers of people contacting Healthwatch Liverpool, an independent advocacy group for people who use health and social care services, about their difficulty getting dental treatments also increased by 354% between April 2021 and March 2022.
Prof Ashton admitted access to dental services "isn't great" but said work was being carried out locally including providing toothbrush and toothpaste packs for the most deprived communities, as well as supervised toothbrushing schemes and dental screening in 10 schools across Liverpool and Knowsley each year.
Last month children across Liverpool took part in Sugar Awareness Week, and pupils received Save Kids From Sugar water bottles, to encourage them to drink water.
Other measures include fluoride varnish being applied to all children twice a year when visiting the dentist, which increased to three times for those deemed high risk.
However, this relies on the child attending the dentist in the first place.
Prof Ashton said: "There are things we can and are doing locally, there are also things that need to happen in terms of more general NHS dental contract reform but we're not going to sit back and let the unacceptable situation in dental health apply to our citizens so we're going to work really, really hard to address this situation."
pros and cons of digital dentistry
Overall advantages
Accuracy
Comfort
Patient function
Time-saving
Cost effective
Environmentally friendly
Able to produce second set
Patient communication
Expectation management of patient
Cleaner environment for technicians
Can open doors with new clients on the same journey.
Potential pitfalls
Expensive to set up
Frustrating for both beginners and the more experienced
Time-consuming early on
Scary! At least for me it was
Limits people you can work with – clinicians and technicians need to be on the same page
german article amalgam
The fear was that the toxic metal could cause neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or dementia, chronic inflammation or allergies. But these assumptions have been refuted by numerous studies
mercury contamination from breathing air
People in industrialized countries absorb a large part of their mercury exposure through the air they breathe. It comes from burning coal to generate electricity. Another source of mercury is the consumption of fish. Predatory fish at the top of the food chain, such as tuna, in particular, contain significant amounts of mercury. On average, only 0.2 percent of mercury exposure comes from dental applications. So why is amalgam banned in dentists' offices?
Environmental hazards caused by amalgam: in the crematorium
Wilfried Woop explains that "there is a worldwide convention to minimize the release of mercury into the environment. And ultimately, this also includes the material amalgam." But what exactly is the environmental danger posed by medical amalgam? It is about the operation of crematoria. When the deceased are cremated, dental fillings evaporate and mercury is released, which cannot be fully captured by the crematoria's filters.
"Amalgam is easy to process, is not sensitive to moisture and, thanks to its antibacterial effect, also prevents tooth decay," explains the dentist
"For example, in the treatment of mentally handicapped people who cannot help to manage the moisture in their mouth. Modern composite plastics cannot be processed under these conditions, but amalgam can," explains dentist Woop. Amalgam was previously the only filling material that did not require a co-payment. Following the ban on amalgam, some filling materials made of composite plastics will now also be available without a co-payment.
curriculum style liverpool
see patietns in first year
spiral curriculum - dont forget stuff
team working on the liverpool form
lifeguard - supporting children’s swimming lessons and emphasising safety, throughout robust training, effective communication and vigilance. - qualities needed for a dentist - supporting anxious patients and creating a comfortable environment.
teamwork within rescue scenarios: quick signals and clear body language is something that i have built over time during my role as a lifeguard - especially important during operations/surgery wherein communication with nurse/therapist is crucial
non verbal cues within communication with patients to determine their emotions and possibly recognise signs of abuse
within football: until academy level - captaining teams - important to be able to adapt to changing teams/injuries/gameplans - all of which corresponds to the adaptability needed within dental field
the number of dentists in the UK has increased by 3% since last year, the number who didnt renew their registration
The registration numbers have been increasing steadily for the past five years. Each year, the number of registered dentists stood at:
2021 – 41,863
2022 – 42,215
2023 – 43,130
2024 – 44,209
2025 – 45,580.
sadiq khan urged to fluoridate the water in london
itled Decay and delay: The state of dentistry and oral health in London, the City Hall investigation put forward a series of recommendations after looking at the state of dentistry and oral health in London.
These include:
Lobby the government to start reforming the dental contract
London’s Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to carry out assessment of dental needs in their area
Introduce a supervised brushing scheme for three- to five-year-olds
Prioritise the oral health of Londoners in the next Health Inequalities Strategy Implementation Plan.
Statistics suggest that one quarter of five-year-old children in London have experience of tooth decay. On top of this, 25.8% of five-year-olds in London experienced tooth decay in 2021-22 – which is higher than the English average of 23.7%.
‘The evidence base around water fluoridation is that it successfully reduces caries prevalence in all sectors of society, irrelevant of age, and most importantly it does not require a sustained behavioural change at an individual level.
‘As with all community-based oral health interventions, it benefits those individuals from more deprived backgrounds and therefore does reduce health inequalities and oral health inequalities. However, we need to think that water fluoridation alone will not eliminate dentinal decay but would be part of a suite of interventions and preventative strategies.’
NHS dental contract ‘disincentivises’
The report also highlighted the importance of pushing for NHS contract reform.
It read: ‘The current NHS dental contract is severely flawed and needs fundamental reform. As well as disincentivising dental professionals from taking on NHS work, the evidence received by the committee suggests that the contract disincentivises them from targeting work towards those with the highest needs and is not designed to focus on prevention.
‘Funding for NHS dentistry has not kept pace with inflation. There is currently not sufficient commissioned NHS activity to meet the needs of London’s population.’
The British Dental Association (BDA) contributed to the findings, calling for the mayor to support London’s ICBs ‘to work creatively and collaboratively with dental providers through greater use of flexible commissioning approaches’.
BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘Sadiq Khan has a powerful voice. On free school meals the mayor has already gone further and faster than the UK government.
‘By using his powers and his influence he can do the same to ease London’s dental crisis.’
importance of dental therapy
as a potential solution to the increased demands and operational costs that are associated with practice ownership
may be anbiguity amongst the therapists responsibilities
dental therapy as a profession within its infancy
inform patients abt each clinicians roles
cleft palate combatting
Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft lip or palate somewhere in the world – that’s one in every 500-700 births. Without surgery, nine out of 10 of the children would die before their first birthday. Those who do survive often face challenges with eating, speaking and breathing.
In countries where there are developed healthcare systems, babies with cleft lip and cleft palate are usually identified in-utero during pre-natal scans. They are operated on in the first three to six months after birth and receive ongoing dental, maxillofacial care and speech therapy. By contrast, in many countries where medical resources are scarce, the cost of cleft treatment – if available – is prohibitive. An operation could cost as much as a year’s salary.
In fact, in some countries children with cleft conditions are shunned by their communities. Many avoid school and social interaction because of bullying, which is why raising awareness of cleft conditions is of prime importance.
Children with a cleft palate are also vulnerable to malnutrition as it can be difficult for them to feed properly, so nutritional support is another key part of the care Operation Smile provides.
dangers of bad science in dentistry
e.g. michael mew (strcuk off gdc) - and has orthotropic methods to define jawlines and appear facial strcuture
dr victoria sampson - ‘functional dentist’ who claims to be known for her work in developing salivary diagnostics, microbiome testing and incorporating artificial intelligence into everyday care. went on a podcast suggesting links between oral microbiome and fertility issues in men and women - however there may be conflict of interest issues and unsubstaniable claims
they have not been able to substantiate these claims - may cause loss of trust in the profession
the use of NHS data within AI training by private companies
As part of these plans, a new National Data Library will be created to ‘safely and securely unlock the value of public data and support AI development’. This would allow private companies to use anonymised NHS data to train AI models and develop new treatments and tools.
However, experts have expressed concerns about the use of patient information for these purposes. For example Andrew Duncan, director of foundational AI at the Alan Turing Institute, questioned the feasibility of keeping data anonymous.
Speaking to The Guardian, he said: ‘Once you start to narrow things down you can start to re-identify people easily.’
Anonymised data is not covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), meaning the government can legally share the NHS data. The government has not confirmed whether the 6% of patients who have opted out their of their data being used for research and planning will be included within health data sets.
Keir Starmer acknowledged concerns around data privacy. He said: ‘It is important that we keep control of that data. I completely accept that challenge, and we will also do so, but I don’t think that we should have a defensive stance here that will inhibit the sort of breakthroughs that we need.’
mouth cancer referals inscotland
spokesperson Paul Sweeney said: ‘Dentist checks have a life-saving role to play in the screening programmes that help us identify cancer early and treat it.
‘There are too many cases of late cancer diagnosis and delays in starting treatment that are causing preventable and premature deaths. This is why it’s all the more worrying that one in three Scots are struggling to access dentists, especially in the poorest areas.’
He added that Scottish Labour would ‘end the postcode lottery in access to NHS dentistry’ by incentivising newly-qualified dentists to work in the areas with the highest demand.
‘Being registered with a dentist is no measure of accessibility’
This comes as data released by Public Health Scotland shows almost 40% of Scottish people registered with a dentist have not had an appointment in more than two years.
Ministers have previously noted that 95% of Scottish people are registered with a dentist. However the figures suggest the proportion who have visited their dentist is much lower. Of those registered, 177,318 children and 1.8 million adults had not had a dental appointment in the past two years. This was 39.5% of the total.
‘An astonishing number of children and adults haven’t had recent dental check-ups or appointments. On the SNP’s watch, more than a quarter of P1 pupils are suffering from tooth decay and people are resorting to drastic measures like DIY dentistry, purchasing tools off Amazon to do the job themselves.’
A spokesperson for the Scottish government responded to the criticism of its approach to NHS dentistry. They said: ‘Almost 95% of the population are registered with an NHS dentist and 60% of those – 3.1 million people – have seen a dentist in the last two years.
qualities of practice of the year
1. Teamwork
Building an exceptional practice begins with creating a culture where every team member is valued and motivated. A collaborative environment, driven by open communication and problem-solving, ensures the entire team works toward delivering the highest standard of patient care.
Recognising the vital role of each team member, we prioritise teamwork and promoting continuous professional development to ensure that everyone is aligned with the practice’s mission.
Key elements of a strong team:
Patient-centred care: a commitment to personalised care that caters to individual needs
Collaborative practice meetings: monthly discussions to review cases, reflect on challenges, celebrate successes, ensuring constant practice improvement
Continual learning and development: our dedication to ongoing education keeps our team at the forefront of dental advancements, allowing us to provide the highest quality care to our patients
Community engagement: active participation in community health initiatives, such as dental health awareness programs, not only supports local health but also fosters goodwill and trust
Team building and wellbeing initiatives: we place immense value on the health and wellbeing of our team recognising that a happy and cohesive team is integral to providing exceptional care to our patients.
2. Patient-centric care
At Dental Art Beaconsfield, the patient experience is at the heart of our practice, and as a father-daughter run clinic, we treat every patient as an extension of our own family. We believe that every interaction – from booking an appointment to follow-up care – shapes the overall experience.
Our personal approach ensures that patients feel genuinely cared for, respected, and valued at every stage of their journey with us. Delivering exceptional patient care goes beyond good service; it’s about creating a warm, welcoming environment where each patient’s wellbeing is our top priority.
Key aspects of an exceptional patient experience:
Accessibility and inclusivity: accessibility is a core value at Dental Art. We strive to make our practice welcoming for everyone, with facilities that accommodate individuals with mobility challenges, hearing or visual impairments, and other needs. Flexible appointment times support patients with busy schedules, while interest-free payment plans make high-quality care accessible to all. This commitment to inclusivity empowers patients to take charge of their long-term oral health with confidence and comfort
Enhanced comfort and environment: Dental Art showcases vibrant colours and original artwork from local artists. This creates an inviting and uplifting atmosphere that eases patient anxiety, making each visit both memorable and enjoyable
Comprehensive patient education: empowering patients through education is key to their satisfaction and long-term health. We take time to explain procedures, preventive care, and oral health tips in easy-to-understand language, helping patients make informed decisions and take an active role in their care. Digital tools and visual aids also help clarify complex information, leaving patients feeling confident about their treatment plans.
3. Technology
Dental Art stands out with its commitment to cutting-edge dental technology, utilising digital radiography, 3D imaging, and intraoral cameras for precise diagnostics and tailored treatment planning.
With advanced CEREC technology, patients can receive same-day crowns, eliminating the need for multiple appointments and enhancing convenience.
By investing in these advancements, Dental Art not only elevates patient satisfaction and confidence but also empowers them to take an active role in their oral health.
Through education and transparency, patients gain a deeper understanding of their treatments and are motivated to maintain their long-term oral health.
Understanding the patient perspective
To increase case acceptance, it’s crucial to view treatment from the patient’s perspective. Many patients seek smile makeovers to enhance their confidence and self-esteem, but they often feel overwhelmed by clinical terminology and treatment options.
I mean, if you weren’t in dentistry would you know what ‘composite bonding’ or ‘feldspathic porcelain veneers’ are? Simplifying complex procedures or terminology into relatable concepts can greatly enhance their understanding. A good starting point is to actively listen to patients’ concerns about their smiles.
Before presenting treatment plans, building a strong relationship with the patient is essential. This can be achieved through genuine conversation and empathy. Topics to converse on can be on what hobbies they have, what they do for work, why they decided to come in today for treatment.
Not only will these questions help you understand what budget they may have, what their pain points are, where they spend their time in social settings but also help you build a bond with a patient and may give you topics where you can connect with them. By establishing a connection, dentists create an environment where patients feel valued and understood, laying the groundwork for successful persuasion.
The power of storytelling
Once rapport is established, storytelling can be an effective tool for persuasion.
Sharing relatable success stories of previous patients who underwent smile makeovers can illustrate the positive outcomes of treatments. This approach aligns with the idea of selling the sizzle, as it emphasises the benefits of treatment rather than the technical details.
By framing treatment options within the context of real-life experiences, dentists can make the benefits more tangible for their patients.
Logic and emotion: the key to persuasion
In dentistry, combining logic with emotion is crucial for effective communication. The phrase, ‘sell the sizzle, not the steak.’ Means patients need to understand not only the features of treatments like composite bonding or porcelain veneers but also the benefits these features provide.
By mixing logical benefits such as improved aesthetics and functionality with emotional appeals like increased confidence you create a compelling case for patients to accept treatment.
Clear and visual communication
Visual aids can significantly enhance a patient’s understanding of proposed smile makeover treatments. Utilising before-and-after photos, digital smile design simulations, or models can help break down procedures. When presenting a treatment plan, consider saying:
‘Here’s some photos of what we can achieve with composite bonding or porcelain veneers. This image shows the transformation we can create, so you know exactly what to expect. You can see how these treatments can make a positive difference in your smile and overall confidence.’ Photos and videos not only clarify complex information but also engage patients in a way that words alone may not.
Demonstrating value
One of the key aspects of better case acceptance is demonstrating the value of investing in their dental health. It’s important to highlight the long-term benefits and potential savings that come from proactive care versus reactive treatment.
Even with cosmetic treatments such as Invisalign, there are many health benefits from the treatment as well as aesthetic.
Addressing objections
Patients may have concerns or objections that prevent them from accepting treatment. Addressing these hesitations openly and respectfully is crucial. An effective way to approach objections is through the ‘feel-felt-found’ method:
‘I understand how you feel about the cost of these treatments. Many patients have felt the same way initially. However, they found that the benefits – like straight teeth, better gum health and boosted confidence – far outweighed their concerns once they experienced the results.’
This technique validates the patient’s feelings while guiding them toward a positive conclusion.
Follow-up and reinforcement
After the initial discussion of treatment plans, follow-up communication can reinforce the value of the proposed care. This could involve sending a personalised document that recaps the diagnosis, the treatment options and key benefits and drawbacks for each option, along with additional resources and testimonials from satisfied patients.
Conclusion
Improving case acceptance rates in dentistry, particularly for smile makeovers, involves more than just presenting treatment plans; it requires a strategic approach. By building strong relationships, employing storytelling, using visual aids, demonstrating value and addressing objections, dentists can effectively communicate the importance of treatment options to their patients.
In this way, practitioners can truly ensure that patients understand not just the procedures, but the profound benefits they bring to their lives. Ultimately, this approach fosters a collaborative relationship between dentist and patient, leading to improved health outcomes and practice success.
lack of dental care in north wales calls for new dental school
only 36% of people receive dental treatment through the NHS in north Wales – significantly lower than the 44% across Wales as a whole.
Another issue highlighted was the difficulty of recruiting dentists, with 41% of practices in the Betsi area advertising vacancies.
Gwenllian said there was an ‘opportunity to fill the gaps’ by training more dentists and dental care professionals. There is currently only one dental school in Wales, at Cardiff University. The new proposal would establish a dentistry course at Bangor University, where a medical school was opened in September 2024.
pay increase for NHS dentists
A pay uplift of 4.64% for NHS dentists in England has been confirmed, as experts warn that this represents a ‘pay cut’ in real terms.
This is despite the recommendation of a 6% increase by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body last year. The pay rise will be backdated to April 2024.
The British Dental Association (BDA) said this would amount to a ‘significant funding cut’ as rising costs had not been accounted for. The association described the 1.68% allocated to practice expenses as ‘inadequate’ when compared to an estimated 9.2% dental inflation rate. Utilities were estimated to have increased by 10% since last year, with laboratory and staffing costs also rising by 16.5% and 15% respectively.
This week, a petition with more than 250,000 signatures called for reform of NHS dentistry. Health secretary Wes Streeting pledged to improve dental access, telling MPs: ‘NHS dentistry is at death’s door.’
lack of dentists in scotland; Almost 40% of Scottish people who are registered with a dentist have not had an appointment in more than two years, according to Public Health Scotland.
Of those registered, 177,318 children and 1.8 million adults had not seen a dentist in the past two years. This was 39.5% of the total.
More than 80,000 registered children had not seen a dentist within five years. Nearly one in three (28.8%) of the registered adults had also not had a dental appointment in five years. More than 500,000 adults had not seen a dentist in the last decade.
more than a quarter of P1 pupils are suffering from tooth decay and people are resorting to drastic measures like DIY dentistry, purchasing tools off Amazon to do the job themselves.
benefits of digital xrays
Like traditional X-rays, digital dental X-rays use electromagnetic waves, which pass through human tissue and are detected by a receptor behind it.
But rather than using photographic film to record the image, digital X-rays use digital sensors that feed the image into a computer. The image is then immediately available for review, without need for developing.
What are the benefits of digital dental radiography?
There are numerous reasons for moving towards digital dental X-rays for you and your patients.
Higher quality images: image resolution is typically higher for digital dental X-rays, thanks to the sensors they use. This allows images to be enlarged and otherwise manipulated to a far greater extent
Fewer waste products: chemicals used in traditional X-ray process can cause environmental damage, as can discarded film. Digital X-ray technology uses neither, making it far more sustainable
Less radiation: digital dental X-rays can use just 10% of the radiation of traditional X-rays. This makes them far less harmful for patients and practitioners
Image manipulation: dental digital radiography allows dentists to alter images’ brightness, contrast and other variables. This can make it easier to see elements of the image
Storage: traditional dental X-rays demand a large amount of space. Physical X-ray images need to be kept somewhere. However, digital radiography images can be saved to a hard drive, network or on the cloud. They can also be reproduced and transmitted to other medical professionals with ease
Costs: digital dental X-ray machines can cost tens of thousands of pounds. It might therefore seem counterintuitive to suggest that they are cheaper than traditional X-rays. However, there are long-term savings to be made, such as the costs involved with developing film. The speed and efficiency of modern digital X-ray machines also mean faster treatments, allowing you to see more patients.
role of non verbal communication in dentistry
Non-verbal communication encompasses all the messages sent without words and plays a crucial role in how information is conveyed and received in dental settings. This form of communication includes elements such as facial expressions, gestures, body posture, tone of voice, eye contact, physical proximity, and touch. Each of these components can significantly influence the patient experience and the overall effectiveness of communication in a clinical environment.
In a dental setting, patients often arrive anxious or uncertain, and non-verbal cues can speak louder than words. A reassuring smile, gentle tone, or open posture can quickly put a patient at ease.
Similarly, non-verbal signals like clenched fists or tense posture may reveal discomfort, guiding the clinician to adjust their approach for the patient’s comfort.
His findings indicate that a substantial portion of interpersonal communication is non-verbal, with only 7% attributed to verbal content.
Specifically, his model suggests that 93% of communication is non-verbal, composed of 38% vocal elements (including tone, pitch, and volume) and 55% body language.
In dental care, this research is particularly relevant. The way something is communicated often matters more than the words themselves.
For example, when explaining a procedure, the clinician can actively use facial expressions, eye contact, and tone of voice to create a calming environment, helping the patient feel secure. Conversely, a hurried or distracted tone – even if the words are reassuring – may increase a patient’s anxiety. Body language, such as keeping an open posture and ensuring appropriate physical proximity, can communicate attentiveness and empathy.
Patients may not always articulate their anxieties, fears, or concerns, but their body language and facial expressions often reveal their emotional state.
Emotional awareness sharpens a clinician’s ability to read these cues, ensuring that care is tailored not only to the physical problem but also to the emotional needs of the patient.
For example, a patient fidgeting, gripping the armrest, or avoiding eye contact may indicate nervousness or discomfort. Dental professionals must recognise these signs and adjust their approach, whether by offering reassurance, explaining procedures further, or providing a moment of comfort. In some cases, treatment may need to be postponed until the patient is in a better emotional state.
Enhancing patient trust through empathy
When a clinician can read and respond to a patient’s emotional state, it reassures the patient that they are in safe, empathetic hands. This emotional connection is vital for building long-term trust, which in turn increases the likelihood that patients will follow through with their treatment and return for future visits.
A patient who feels understood on an emotional level is more inclined to develop loyalty to the practice, knowing that their concerns are recognised and addressed.
This trust is not only critical for immediate patient satisfaction but also for treatment outcomes. A patient who feels at ease is more likely to communicate openly about their symptoms and concerns, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment planning.
Additionally, reducing patient anxiety can result in smoother procedures and quicker recovery times, as the body is less likely to respond with stress-induced complications.
key ways to improve patient care
Practical applications in dental careEach aspect of non-verbal communication serves a different purpose within the clinical environment:
Facial expressions: a warm smile can create an inviting atmosphere and alleviate tension, while a concerned or furrowed brow signals attentiveness to the patient’s needs. Dental professionals should be mindful of how their expressions might be interpreted, ensuring they are calm and reassuring even during complex procedures
Eye contact: maintaining steady eye contact shows engagement, builds trust, and reassures the patient that their concerns are being taken seriously. Avoiding eye contact or shifting focus too quickly may give the impression of disinterest or lack of confidence
Tone of voice: a soft, calm voice can reduce patient anxiety, while an upbeat and positive tone can make routine visits feel more pleasant. In contrast, a rushed or monotonous voice may convey stress, disinterest, or lack of empathy, causing patients to feel uneasy
Body language: open, relaxed body language communicates comfort and confidence. Standing with crossed arms, sitting rigidly, or leaning too far away can create a psychological barrier between the clinician and the patient. Instead, leaning slightly forward, with arms relaxed, signals that the clinician is engaged and approachable
Gestures: subtle hand gestures, like nodding when listening, can affirm that the clinician understands the patient’s concerns. On the other hand, abrupt or excessive gestures may signal impatience or frustration, which can heighten a patient’s nervousness
Space/proximity: maintaining an appropriate physical distance is key in creating a comfortable environment. Standing too far may feel distant and disengaged, while being too close can invade personal space and increase anxiety. Adjusting proximity based on the patient’s comfort level – whether they need more space or reassuring closeness – is essential for effective care
Touch: gentle, reassuring touch, such as a light hand on the shoulder or arm, can provide comfort and reduce fear, particularly in nervous patients. However, clinicians must remain mindful of personal boundaries and preferences, adjusting to the patient’s cultural background and comfort level with physical contact
Pacing and timing: the speed at which a dental professional moves or speaks can convey a lot. Rushing through explanations or procedures can leave patients feeling anxious or overwhelmed, while a more measured pace fosters a sense of calm and control. This approach gives patients the time to absorb the information, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding, ultimately leading to informed consent
Active listening cues: Nods, brief verbal affirmations (like ‘I understand’), and other subtle gestures can signal active listening. These cues reassure the patient that their concerns are being heard and taken seriously.
Cultural sensitivity
Non-verbal communication is also deeply influenced by cultural factors. What is considered appropriate body language, eye contact, or personal space can vary across cultures.
In some cultures, direct eye contact is seen as a sign of confidence and honesty, while in others, it may be perceived as disrespectful or confrontational. Similarly, the use of physical touch may be more accepted in certain cultures and seen as intrusive in others.
Dental professionals need to be culturally competent and sensitive to these differences. Understanding and respecting cultural variations in non-verbal communication can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that patients from diverse backgrounds feel respected and understood
A study exploring the health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists found that one in four (40.8%) were experiencing emotional exhaustion.
More than one quarter (27%) were considered to be exhibiting the symptoms of depression. A further 28% said they were suffering from depersonalisation – a feeling of disconnection from their bodies and feelings.
Around one third (32%) of the administrators reported a low sense of personal accomplishment, defined as feelings of competence and achievement at work. Roughly 8% were displaying signs of burnout.
One in four (25%) of the practice managers and receptionists were found to have above normal levels of post-traumatic stress. The study said this is possibly due to ‘residual trauma from the pandemic and the subsequent impact on dental provision’.
An administrator from Northern Ireland emphasised the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They said: ‘The backlog still from COVID means lists aren’t being cleared and patients take out their anger over lack of appointments on the reception staff.’
The survey also revealed that many of the administrators felt their roles were not valued highly enough. One response said: ‘In my opinion, admin seems to be the least important members of staff in the department. I often feel like we are not given the same considerations as higher-grade staff. But we should be as we play a very important role.
‘Sometimes automatically lower bands are seen this way but do a great amount of work which supports and makes higher grade jobs easier for them.’
Pay and benefits were also identified as points of dissatisfaction. One administrator said: ‘What’s even more disgusting is staff carrying out full NHS work do not get any NHS perks! Doctors’ staff get it – it’s time dental staff are recognised as NHS staff. If practices do 40% NHS then the staff should receive 40% NHS banding salary, pension and so on.’
increasing sustainability within dentistry
The global healthcare sector is responsible for around 5% of greenhouse gas emissions (Seppänen, 2024). With the increasing demand for care from patients, it is predicted that this figure will continue to grow unless there is a significant change in how healthcare providers operate. As a result of this figure, many dental professionals are consciously looking for solutions to better their environmental footprint.
Promoting the adoption of reusable and/or biodegradable products is a vital step to improving sustainability in a dental practice. Although it is not always possible to find such dental products that remain suitable for use in clinic, TePe encourages all healthcare professionals to educate patients on how they can select and use sustainable dental products at home.
TePe offer a range of dental products that afford customers multiple-use and/or sustainably sourced cleaning solutions. These products include, but are not limited to:
TePe Interdental Brushes have been manufactured using high-quality, traceable bio-resin, allowing for these products to last through multiple cleaning sessions at home (provided the product has been correctly used and cleaned between each use)*
The TePe Choice Toothbrush allows customers to replace the plastic brush head, rather than purchasing a new toothbrush every three to four months. The handle, on the other hand, is made from Swedish-grown beechwood and ISCC-certified plant-based material. By encouraging patients to opt for a sustainable toothbrush, such as TePe Choice, plastic waste is reduced by 80% compared to the average plastic toothbrush
TePe GOOD Brushes offer patients a selection of brush heads – either regular soft, compact or mini. These toothbrushes are made from 96% bio-based plastic, which offers an alternative to other plastic-based brushes available on the market. The filaments are made from bio-based polyamide, meaning they are made from renewable resources, in this case, castor oil.
Preventative care at home
One of the most effective ways to reduce emissions is by encouraging effective at-home-care methods and solutions to patients. Not only will this benefit the individual patient in terms of cost, and physical (and mental) wellbeing, but it will also strengthen community and patient engagement (whilst also raising the ecological profile of the clinic). By reducing the need to visit the clinic for emergency procedures, less fuel will be used to travel to and from the clinic and less energy used within the clinic itself.
Correct disposal and recycling of dental Materials
Dental practices can vastly improve their environmental impact by recycling wherever possible and correctly disposing of waste. As per common regulations, all dental practices should segregate waste at the source. Hazardous waste, such as amalgam, X-ray chemicals, and ‘sharps’, must always be handled separately from non-hazardous waste. Likewise, practices should identify (in office and clinic), which materials can be recycled and separate them accordingly. These materials include certain plastics, paper, cardboard, and metals.
Amalgam waste
One way to reduce dental pollution is by installing amalgam separators in clinic. Amalgam separators capture mercury and other metals before they enter the wastewater system and risk polluting local waterways.
The captured amalgam should then be stored in airtight containers and sent to a local specialised recycling facility. Partnering with a recycling company that can process amalgam waste ensures that all toxic metals are safely extracted and reused.
X-ray waste management
It is recommended that dental practices using traditional film-based X-rays should consider updating their equipment to digital radiography. By updating X-ray machinery, dental practices will eliminate the need for chemicals and film, which reduces hazardous waste. What’s more, by opting for a modern alternative to traditional X-rays, clinics will reduce spend and energy consumption.*
While it is recommended that clinics update machinery, TePe understands that this may not be possible in all dental practices. As such, those using traditional X-ray film should investigate the option of installing silver recovery units to reclaim any excess silver from X-ray processing chemicals before disposal.
Dental practises should also take care to safely dispose of lead foil as it is considered hazardous waste. Instead, it should be recycled through a permitted facility. Lead foil from radiographic films is extremely toxic and can persist in soil for many years, continuing to exert adverse health effects. Therefore, it is crucial to handle and dispose of it properly to avoid environmental contamination.
*For more information on energy consumption and costs, please refer to your energy provider.
Energy and resource efficiency
While renewable energy sources such as solar panels offer clinics the choice to use renewable energy, it is understood that this is not always a viable option. Nevertheless, there are several sustainable solutions that dental practices can adopt which not only reduce the individual clinic’s environmental footprint but can also lead to cost savings in the long term.
Energy-efficient equipment
Practices looking to reduce their energy consumption should consider replacing older dental equipment with modern, energy-efficient alternatives. These may either use less power during operation or that are simply more energy efficient.*
*Please contact your supplier for the latest Energy Star-rated appliances and devices available to you.
LED lighting
Although fluorescent lighting consumes less energy than incandescent bulbs, it is believed that both lighting choices are less than efficient when it comes to reducing your energy consumption in clinic. It is widely recognised that LED lights offer a longer lifespan and consume up to 90% less energy than CFLs and incandescent bulbs – making them the ideal choice for environmentally-conscious dental practices.
Water conservation
It is recommended that all practices consider updating taps, toilets, and dental chair-side sinks with low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption where possible/needed. Similarly, water recycling systems such as chair-side water lines can be implemented.
Implementing digital records
In the last decade, many dental practices have opted to store files and communicate with patients electronically, but there are still many clinics that prefer to use physical paper filing systems. Although TePe understands that each clinic is different and has unique preferences, it would like to kindly remind healthcare providers of the benefits of digital alternatives.
By transferring from paper to digital records, the need to print, store, or dispose of paper/confidential records is reduced. Not only do digital records reduce the demand for paper – leading to fewer trees being cut down and less energy used in production – they can also offer clinics more physical storage space.
Although TePe understands that some clients may prefer to receive letters via the post, it would recommend encouraging these patients to opt for digital client communications where possible. Digital client communications can include appointment reminders, and invoices via email, phone call, or SMS. TePe also allows professionals to utilise the ‘Tepe Product Recommendation Tool’. As a dental professional, you can use this tool to recommend TePe products and specific cleaning instructions via an interactive email.
does water fluoridation effect IQ in kids
New research found ‘significant inverse associations’ between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ scores, calling the safety of water fluoridation into question.
The study estimates that for every 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, a child’s IQ decreases by 1.63 points. Lead author Kyla Taylor said this is a ‘statistically significant association’ between fluoride exposure and lowered IQ scores.
In August, the same researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences helped to develop a US government report which determined ‘with moderate confidence’ that there is an association between high levels of fluoride exposure and decreased IQ.
The National Toxicology Program report focused on a fluoride concentration twice the recommended limit in water. However the new research suggests that fluoride concentrations below 1.5mg/L (currently considered to be the safe limit by the World Health Organization) may also impact childhood IQ.
It is unclear from the study whether the currently recommended fluoridation level of 0.7mg/L was associated with adverse effects.
Limitations
Several limitations of the study were identified by its authors. For example, they rated 52 of the 74 studies included in the review as ‘low quality’ with a ‘high risk of bias’.
Speaking to AFP, American Dental Association representative Steven Levy said the apparent association was likely caused by ‘confounding factors’ such as coal pollution in China. He said: ‘Almost all of the studies have been done in other settings where there are other contaminants.’
Levy also said that government policies on water fluoridation ‘should not be affected by the study findings’.
Professor Grant McIntyre, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said the study ‘should not be regarded as providing any proof that fluoridation in water is harmful’. He said: ‘On the contrary, there is overwhelming evidence to show that fluoridation has huge public health benefits.’
He continued: ‘Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, food and drink, and also in drinking water supplies that helps restore minerals lost to acid breakdown in teeth, reduces acid production by cavity-causing bacteria, and makes it harder for these bacteria to stick to the teeth.
‘In some parts of England, local geology means the level of fluoride in public water is already at the level (1mg/l) that fluoridation schemes run at. This, one should note, is well below the World Health Organization’s safety limit of 1.5mg/l.
‘Public Health England estimate that if all five-year-olds in England drinking water with 0.2mg/l of fluoride instead received fluoridated water of at least 0.7mg/l, then the number experiencing decay would fall by 17% in the least deprived areas, rising to 28% in the most deprived areas.
‘We are confident that fluoridation is safe and has significant benefits to public health in reducing tooth decay, particularly in more deprived areas. Indeed, a further benefit of water fluoridation over other approaches is that it does not rely on behaviour change, which is particularly important for children and vulnerable groups.’
Will water fluoridation be expanded in the UK?
In February 2024, the former Conservative government’s dental recovery plan included plans for a water fluoridation programme following a consultation. The consultation paper says: ‘On balance there is strong scientific evidence that water fluoridation is an effective public health intervention for reducing the prevalence of tooth decay and improving dental health equality across the UK.’
It also says that ‘the overall weight of evidence and authoritative reviews of a large body of relevant and suitable studies indicates that fluoride, at the levels permitted in drinking water, presents no risks to health’.
The consultation concluded in July 2024. In December, Baronness Gillian Merron confirmed that the Labour government had not made a final decision based on responses.
She said: ‘We are currently considering the responses to this consultation, and a decision on whether to expand the scheme will be announced in due course.’
physcological risks in dentistry
Psychological risks can account for numerous occasions cumulatively leading up to a severe effect on the dentists mental and physical wellbeing. This could be stress over time due to the high workload, time pressure, dealing with anxious and non-cooperative patients and the responsibility of highly precise work – steering towards a ‘burnout’.
There can also be emotional strain from the fear of accidental injuries (being surrounded by potential risks at all times), concerns over cross infection and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Adding on to the emotional strain, there is the constant need for perfectionism and high expectations due to the precision and accuracy dental work demands.
The pressure dentists face knowing that a mistake can have a serious consequence is a huge responsibility that weighs together with the other strains. These can be collective or singular but are all psychological risks due to the effect they can have on the dentist.
. Burnout syndrome often arises from prolonged exposure to these stressors and combined with insufficient support or a lack of effective coping mechanisms.
Factors contributing to burnout syndrome include:
Work-life imbalance: poor work life balance form blurring boundaries between the two can lead to a burnout as ones personnel needs become neglected. This could eventually lead to relationship strains, reduced job satisfaction and lowered resilience
Isolation and lack of peer support: isolation is often overlooked but dentists find themselves to be in a small pool of social support or peer interactions during the day. This can heighten stress and contribute to feelings of loneliness
High expectations and perfectionism: small errors having significant consequences finds dentists self monitoring and having a fear of mistakes constantly. This also can grow a sense of inadequacy, weighing as a constant mental pressure
Emotional toll from patient interactions: anxious, hostile or uncooperative patients require more communication and interaction demands from the dentist to manage these situations, requiring high perseverance. This can lead to emotional exhaustions and irritability – clear signs of a burnout
Repetitive nature of tasks: dental work can be highly repetitive demanding small scale motor tasks and deep focus, a lack of variation in daily routines can feel monotonous and can produce mental fatigue
Demanding workload and time management pressure: tight schedules with back-to-back appointments can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and reduced quality of patient care.
Prevention of psychological risks: Optimise workload and time management
Schedule breaks in between appointments and incorporate buffer times to reduce pressure. Delegate tasks, such as non-clinical duties, and implement time off polices, such as personal days, to prevent mental exhaustion.
Promote supportive work culture
Encourage open communication in an environment where staff members can discuss challenges faced or concerns. Embody a collaborative attitude to reduce the feeling of isolation; having regular team meetings can enhance support. Ensure to recognise and appreciate big and small achievements.
Encourage physical and mental health practices
Provide access to mental health resources among all staff members, and encourage physical wellness by promoting breaks and stretching activities. Also adding ergonomic equipment can help to prevent physical stress and strains.
Set realistic expectations and boundaries
Define the role of staff members clearly and clarify individual responsibilities. It is essential to encourage the work-life balance – limit after-hours communication and make sure team members know to respect personal time.
Prevention of physical risks:
There are also physical risks encountered in the dental profession that can be reduced and avoided with the right practice and awareness.
Musculoskeletal disorders
These are often born from prolonged periods of time sitting in awkward postures and static positions. Carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back strain can be prevented by correct ergonomic adjustments and proper postures. For example by using ergonomically suited chairs and taking frequent breaks and incorporating stretches.
Eye strain and vision problems
These can develop from close up detailed work. They can be reduced with magnifications loupes and taking regular eye breaks to avoid strains and headaches.
Exposure to harsh chemicals
There is often exposure to harsh chemicals in the dental practice from materials such as resins, anaesthetics, disinfectants and other aerosols or debris. These could contribute to respiratory issues, skin irritations and possible chemical burns. Proper ventilations and using personal protective equipment is vital to maintain protection.
Injuries from sharp instruments
Injuries from sharp instruments are frequently faced from instruments such as needles, scalpels and burs, leading to possible pathogen transmission and cross contamination issues. Dentists need to carefully handle instruments with the correct disposal methods and always wear gloves.
Noise induced hearing loss
Noise induced hearing loss can occur form the repeated exposure to high frequency noises from dental drills, procuring gradual loss of hearing or tinnitus. We can prevent this by using sound dampening materials in the practice and noise cancelling barriers.
Radiation exposure
This is a serious risk that occurs from frequent use of X-rays. There are potential long-term health risks if not protected and correct protocols are not followed. It is essential to use lead aprons and thyroid shields for patients, and to stick to the strict protocols for dentists.
Infections
Additionally dentists need to adhere to infection controls and use personal protective equipment, ensuring correct and regular hand hygiene is followed and having all the vaccinations in place for preventable diseases to avoid contracting infections from patients’ bodily fluids, saliva or respiratory droplets.
It is important for us to be aware of these risks to prevent and maintain our health, leading to optimum healthcare for patients.
fears in dent
One significant challenge in dentistry is the pressure to meet targets. For NHS dentists, there are set targets to meet and private dentists also face daily rate targets, understandably as businesses have expenses that they must fulfil. Hitting these targets can be manageable but falling short can be highly stressful. There may be financial implications but, in addition, failure to hit the targets can make the dentist feel inadequate.
It is crucial to seek help and not just hope the situation will improve on its own. Taking a proactive approach, by engaging with colleagues, seeking support and attending relevant courses, can provide valuable assistance in managing these pressures.
Litigation fears
Another major stressor is the fear of litigation. A recent round table discussion with the General Dental Council (GDC) highlighted that only about 2% of cases result in fitness to practice proceedings, which is a very low percentage.
Despite this, the fear of facing such proceedings can lead to overly defensive practices, which can negatively affect patient care. Efforts are underway by collaboration with organisations like the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) to address this issue and shift perceptions.
The introduction of new technology, such as AI-driven note-taking systems, promises to reduce the burden on dentists by accurately recording patient interactions and lowering litigation risks. This, in turn, will reduce the anxiety associated with potential legal challenges.
Patient complaints
Complaints from patients also significantly impact mental health. Early in my career, I encountered a stressful situation with a patient from a different cultural background, which I later realised was due to the tone in which people of this culture spoke to everyone.
This experience was both intimidating and challenging, particularly because I was still building my confidence in dentistry and patient interactions. Many young dentists might face similar situations without adequate support, leading to increased stress and fear of complaints.
The best approach to handling complaints is to assess if there was something wrong and to strive for improvement. Self reflection and aiming for improvement are better strategies than defensive reactions, such as denying fault. Mentorship and guidance can greatly benefit younger professionals. It is scary when you first start out!
Continuous self improvement helps maintain mental wellbeing and enhances professional development.
Overcoming mental health
Exercise is a key factor in managing stress. The endorphins released during physical activity are beneficial for mental health. Given the sedentary nature of dental work, it is important to get outside and move. Exercise not only alleviates stress but also improves overall mood and wellbeing.
Gender bias
The challenges faced by female business owners in dentistry often intersect with issues of gender bias and imposter syndrome. Historically, fewer women have owned dental practices, though this is changing.
There is still a significant gender bias, with some outdated views suggesting women are less committed due to potential maternity leave.
Such biases need to be addressed to support women in dentistry fully. For instance, I have experienced instances where people expressed reluctance to hire women, assuming they would leave for family reasons.
Overcoming these biases and promoting equality is essential for reducing stress and supporting female practitioners. Transparent conversations about work-life balance and shared responsibilities at home can also help in managing these issues.
Symptoms of stress
Recognising stress and burnout involves looking out for various signs. People under stress might cry, be off sick regularly or show visible unhappiness.
Regular one-on-one meetings and check ins are crucial to identify these issues early. Overworking, lack of breaks, and increased complaints from patients or the team are also indicators that someone may need support.
Providing a supportive environment and addressing these signs can help to manage mental health effectively in the dental profession.
uk spends 55% less on healthcare than germany
The UK spends less public money on healthcare than nine of 14 European countries, according to new analysis of public health spending.
The research compared the UK to the 14 ‘EU14’ countries that were members of the European Union before 2004. The UK’s publicly funded health spend per person was found to be $4,479. This was 55% lower than Germany, which was found to be the highest spending country at $6,930 per person.
The Netherlands had the second highest healthcare spend per person ($5,672), 27% higher than the UK’s. Germany’s GDP per capita is 16% higher than the UK’s, while the Netherlands’ is 29% higher.
They said: ‘Even with a difficult economic position, investing more in health is still possible. It just creates more challenging political and economic trade-offs. France invested 26% more per head than the UK in health, despite their economic performance being similar to the UK’s, with a GDP per capita 1% higher than our own.’
The analysis was published by the Health Foundation based on figures from 2022.
The Health Foundation said than an extra £38 billion a year in public health funding would ‘enable the NHS in England to meet growing demand and improve standards’. This would represent a 17.4% rise in annual spending compared to 2024/25. The increase would put the UK at a similar spending level to Denmark, which was ranked seventh at $5,324 per person.
However the foundation also noted that such an increase would still leave the UK behind several EU countries. It said: ‘As these countries also face cost pressures from the impact of an ageing population, they are all also likely to have increased spending by the end of the decade.’
germany invests the most
use of robots in implant surgery
Robotic dental surgery presents a ‘promising advancement’ in implant dentistry by reducing human error.
This was the conclusion from a team of researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University Hospital of Stomatology in China.
It follows a study that analysed the accuracy of implant placement using a robotic system – called Remebot – compared to freehand surgery.
The robotic system (r-CAIS) used was made up of a primary unit that includes a robotic arm, a display screen and an operating system. Other components were an optical tracking device and a positioning marker.
A total of 95 implants were placed in 65 patients, of which 50 were placed in 35 patients using the Remebot robotic system and 45 implants were placed in 30 patients using freehand surgery.
Regression analysis was chosen to assess implant dimensions and positioning on accuracy.
liverpool interview components
Commitment to Dentistry
Suitability for the course
NHS values and news
Personal skills and qualities
Ethics
Personal statement
Knowledge
Comparison to Medicine
Why Dentistry?
continuity of care - building rapport
specific interest in how ORAL health and how that effects overall health
What you learned +What inspired you on WEX
NEW ROAD
expectations of a general dental practice
importance of teamwork
importance of communication with patients - nervous patient
4 handed dentistry
roles of all ppl
ORTHO
technological advances
importance of communicating directly with the patient
extensive impact of dent on body
BRICKETWOOD
roles of dentists
adapting communication
LAB
importance of accurate bridgework
what procedures:
fillings - with amalgam and composite
root canal
extractions
checkups
whitening
LIFELONG LEARNING + learning abt ppl
NHS values and importance of them
working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do
respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits
commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time
compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need
improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS
everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.
Discuss your response to difficult scenarios
e.g. confronting a colleague, cutting funding, etc.
Could be asked to elaborate on something you mentioned on PS
Knowledge based questions
e.g. tooth decay
how is tooth decay caused?
when plaque and sugars combine in the mouth - acids are formed which coontribute to the wearing down of the enamel and weakening of the tooth
Brown or black spots or holes on the surface of your tooth.
Your tooth is sore or very sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
Tooth decay can be prevented by
Brushing your teeth morning and night with a small, soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Limiting sugary snacks during the day.
Choosing healthy snacks between mealtimes such as fruit, vegetables, reduced salt.
Crackers and reduced-fat dairy foods such as plain yoghurt and cheese.
Swapping sugary drinks for plain tap water.
Chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow and reduce acids in your mouth.
What are the differences between Dentistry and Medicine, and why did you choose Dentistry?
What inspired you during your work experience and why?
What 3 things would you rescue if your house was destroyed and why?
What is the most important NHS value and why?
You know a friend has cheated on their final exams at Dental school.
What would you do?
Your dental surgery is struggling financially so you need to cut down on services.
What would you get rid of and why?
Describe how the patient in this photo may have gotten gum disease.
do my research
dental conditions
tooth decay: dental caries/cavities - bacteria form film of plaque on the surface of the teeth - the bacteria form acids when sugars and plaque mix - the acids eat away at the enamel - then work away the dentin below
Bad breath
Black or brown spots on your teeth
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
gum disease: gingivitis is the early stage
bacterial infection caused by the buildup of plaque - Common symptoms are gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath and sensitive teeth that hurt when you chew.
Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis can become a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. This is when pockets in the gum become infected. This can lead to damage of the bone and tissue that hold the teeth, as these, too, become infected.
It can also lead to
Shrinking and receding gums
Loose permanent teeth
A change in bite
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Persistent bad breath
What's more, periodontitis can trigger an inflammatory response throughout your body.
halitosis:
Bad breath or halitosis is one of the most common dental problems. It is also among the most distressing. Bad breath can be caused by several different factors, including:
Poor oral hygiene
Dry mouth
Medication
Infection
Acid reflux
Cancer
4. Sensitive Teeth
Your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks when the enamel is worn away and the dentin is exposed.
The dentin has tubes that lead to the nerve deeper inside the tooth. Hot or cold substances can travel along the tubes to the nerve and cause intense pain.
Receding gums can be caused by and can lead to other common dental problems. The condition can also lead to more serious issues, such as losing a tooth. This is because the condition exposes the delicate root of the tooth, making it susceptible to damage. Receding gums can be caused by a range of factors, including:
Poor oral hygiene
Brushing your teeth too hard
High blood pressure
Hormonal fluctuations in women
Smoking
Your receding gums might also be genetic, that is, the condition runs in your family. Dental care for receding gums includes a thorough cleaning of your teeth by a dental professional. You may also be shown proper brushing techniques. Severe cases may need to be treated with a gum graft or other form of surgery.
Bruxism is the dental term for when you grind your teeth. Grinding most often occurs while you sleep but can also happen while you are awake. It can damage your teeth, cause you to develop jaw pain, and might even lead to headaches and earaches.
Some dental conditions can lead to grinding. These include:
A new filling or crown that is higher than your other teeth
An abnormal bite
Some persons suffer from bruxism when they have a sleep disorder, are stressed, or are dealing with anxiety. Treating these underlying issues could help to ease or stop your grinding.
What your dentist can do is give you a custom-made mouthguard to use at night. It will help to minimize the grinding and offer some protection to your teeth. It will also help to correct bite issues.
bridge: fixed replacement for missing teeth
crown: cap that completely covers real tooth - Crowns can be fitted where a tooth has broken, decayed or been damaged, or just to make a tooth look better.
To fit a crown, the old tooth will need to be drilled down so it's like a small peg the crown will be fixed on to.
root canal: When the blood or nerve supply of the tooth has become infected, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out if root canal treatment is not carried out.
During treatment, all the infection is removed from inside the root canal system.The root canal is filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown to stop it becoming infected again.
What did you do to find out if dentistry is the right choice for you?
What appeals to you the most and the least in the work of a dentist?
blending practising a scientific field which interests me with being able to educate and help others
being confronted with the reality that ppl may not listen to your advice, which will lead to poorer oral health
Why should we choose you?
Why would you like to study dentistry at Liverpool University?
many reasons:
course structure - spiral curriculum and PBL suits my learning style - emphasis on early clinical exposure is important
the collab learning core was one of the biggest driving factors - building important relationships with the hygiene students allows rapport within the profession to thrive
the location - citys culture
emphasis on research - with the choice trial → important as i have passion for lifelong learning: esp interested in solving the high tooth decay rates in children
What did your work experience teach you about the typical responsibilities of a dentist?
In your personal statement you’ve written that you were able to work closely with the entire dental team. Who can be a part of the dental team and what are the responsibilities of each of the members?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?
What would you like to achieve as a dentist?
How would you explain the new traffic light system to a patient who has only recently moved to the UK and doesn’t know anything about the way dentistry works here?
What do you know about the 2006 Dental Contract? Do you think that it’s introduction had a positive impact on dentistry in the UK?
How did Covid-19 impact dentistry and dental practitioners in the UK?
Tell us about a situation where you showed empathy.
What are your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?
There are a number of qualities and skills that a good dentist should possess. Which of those are you planning to improve in yourself during your time at university?
What do you understand by the term confidentiality? What information should be kept confidential? Do dentists have the duty to keep confidentiality in every situation or are there some cases when confidentiality should be breached?
A young mother comes with their 12-month-old child to your dental practice for a checkup. During the checkup, you discover that the girl’s pulp is severely damaged and infected and recommend root canal treatment. After hearing the name of the procedure the mother nervously takes the child’s hand and says “We don’t want any treatments. Ginny, let’s go home”. Both the mother and the girl are clearly anxious. However, you know that the treatment is necessary. How would you act in such a situation?
Dental Role-play:
Imagine you are a 3rd-year dental student. It’s April and you are studying hard for your final year exams. Your best friend Jake (the interviewer) sees that you are struggling to cover the material and offers you help. He wants to meet with you to show you a PDF with exam questions that he leaked with his Computer Science friends. You know that cheating is strictly prohibited and that anyone involved in the process of sharing exam questions can be kicked out of the university. In the following station, you will meet with Jake (the interviewer) to discuss the issue.
You are a dentist specialising in Oral Surgery. During a complex procedure involving extractions and applying implants, you notice a worrying lump on the inside of a patient’s cheek. After the procedure is done, you wake up the patient to discuss the need for a biopsy. The patient consents but grows very anxious. The results of a biopsy show the lump is cancerous and very advanced. Break the news to the patient (the interviewer) that they have oral cancer. You may offer them a treatment combining surgery, radio- and chemotherapy, but the chances for success are 30-40%
“Explain to us one aspect of your application that you would like us to overlook?”
improving access to practising dentistry for dentistry
priority for booking exams will allow more refugees to practice and try and remove the barriers
do ultra processed food impact jaw development in children
The study analysed the diets of young children, finding that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods had smaller, less developed jaws. The researchers suggest this is because they are generally softer and require less chewing.
Dr Laura Marques Martinez is an expert in paediatric dentistry at the Catholic University of Valencia and a co-author of the study. She said: ‘Chewing plays a crucial role in the proper development of the jaws as it stimulates bone growth, strengthens facial muscles, and promotes proper dental alignment.
‘Chewing solid and fibrous foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or natural proteins, exercises the jaw, helping to prevent issues like malocclusion (misalignment of teeth) and deficiencies in the size and shape of dental arches.
‘On the other hand, diets based on ultra-processed foods, which are soft and require minimal effort to chew, negatively impact jaw development.
VERY IMPORTANT: tackling childhood tooth decay in liverpool
nearly HALF of 5 year olds in liverpool have visually obvious decay
since 2019, nealry 40% increase
last year 1/5 of year 6 kids had obvious dental decay - which is higher than the national average
keir starmer visited alderhey to talk abt this issue - thinking abt introducing tooth brushing in scores
He said his team were working to deliver oral health packs to children in deprived parts of Merseyside and Cheshire alongside other services their parents might access, such as foodbanks.
He said reducing sugar intake and encouraging healthy eating was also important.
many barriers to these families in accessinging dental care
Last month children across Liverpool took part in Sugar Awareness Week, and pupils received Save Kids From Sugar water bottles, to encourage them to drink water. - in nov 2024
Other measures include fluoride varnish being applied to all children twice a year when visiting the dentist, which increased to three times for those deemed high risk.
tooth decay study with liverpool and belfast
awarded 2.6mill to tackle tooth decay in kids
tooth decay is the leading cause of planned hospital admissions for kids under 11 in england and NI
23% of 5 yos had dental decay in england
lots of money spent on extractions - NHS money could be spent on preventing this
CHOICE TRIAL changing habits to prevent child caries
children taking part in the study will have at least one decayed tooth- aim is to work with 40 practices and 900 parents and children over the next 4.5 years
half of the parents will be invited to meet with a trained dental nurse for a 30min meeting - convo abt changing habits, looking at foods+drinks healthier for the teeth
others will continue as normal
very much a psychology led study - helps to address the root causes
between june 2022-june2026
Tell us about your work experience. What stood out to you?
How did you organise your work experience?
Do you feel that your work experience provided you with a sufficient variety of insights into Dentistry?
Tell us about one interesting procedure that you saw during your work experience.
Tell us about a challenging situation that you observed during your work experience.
What would you change about the practice that you shadowed at?
What skills or qualities did you note in the dentists that you observed during your work experience?
What other team members were present during your work experience, beyond dentists or student dentists?
Evidence of a caring attitude and awareness of the values in the NHS Constitution
Tell us about a caring role or volunteering position that you took on.
Tell us about one of the values in the NHS Constitution, its importance and what it means to you.
Tell us about a time when you showed compassion to someone.
Tell us about a time when you dealt with an angry friend or colleague.
Did you have a mentoring role at school? If so, how did you get that role and what did you learn from it?
Evidence of motivation and commitment
Tell us why you want to be a dentist.
Why are you passionate about a career in Dentistry rather than in Medicine or another health profession?
What experiences have you had that have enhanced your desire to become a Dentist?
Are you interested in working in the NHS or privately?
What have you done to prepare for a career in dentistry, beyond your work experience?
What publications, newspapers, books or other sources of information on the world of health and dentistry do you read?
Ethical Station
What is the role of the General Dental Council?
Have you come across any examples of poor professional behaviour from dentists?
Imagine that you are on placement, in your second year of dentistry here at Liverpool. Your tutor is frequently being curt or insolent to patients, refusing to answer their questions and asking them to be quiet if they talk too much. He tells you in between sessions that, ‘patients do have a tendency to talk at you.’ You note that many of the patients seem upset or frustrated by his attitude, understandably. How would you deal with this situation, and what elements of it are most important to consider?
Imagine that you are a newly qualified dentist. One of your patients has severe tooth decay, with signs of infection, and needs treatment immediately. However, they say that they don’t believe they need fillings, and that they expect their teeth to heal naturally. Please role play how you would approach this situation. Your interviewer will play the role of the patient.
Imagine that you are studying Dentistry here. One of your friends is normally hard working, and doing well. However, they have recently begun drinking heavily, not handing in assignments on time, and even showing up to university still drunk. How would you speak to them? Please role play this scenario – your interviewer will play the role of your friend.
green tea for treating oral inflammation
An adhesive derived from green tea has shown promise as a treatment for oral mucositis (inflammation of the mouth) in a new study.
Oral mucositis causes painful inflammation in the mouth which can affect patients’ ability to eat and sleep. It is a common side effect of cancer treatment, affecting 30-40% of patients. Catechins have been shown to neutralise harmful free radicals generated during chemotherapy.
clubs at liverpool
football and politics
1. Why medicine?
2. Why Liverpool?
3. Disadvantages of Problem-based learning? 4. What was the highlight of your work experience?
5. What would be your role in a team? A leader or a follower?
6. Were there any conflicts that arose when I was Head Girl and how I dealt with them?
7. Expand on any ethical scenarios that arise in a hospital and how legal aspects tie in with this?
8. Did you see any ethical scenarios whilst on work experience?
9. Do you have any questions for us?
Motivations for Dentistry:
What made you apply for dentistry and not medicine?
What did you do to find out if dentistry is the right choice for you?
What appeals to you the most and the least in the work of a dentist?
Studying Dentistry at Liverpool Uni:
Why should we choose you?
Why would you like to study dentistry at Liverpool University?
Insight into Dentistry:
What did your work experience teach you about the typical responsibilities of a dentist?
In your personal statement you’ve written that you were able to work closely with the entire dental team. Who can be a part of the dental team and what are the responsibilities of each of the members?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?
What would you like to achieve as a dentist?
NHS & Hot Topics:
How would you explain the new traffic light system to a patient who has only recently moved to the UK and doesn’t know anything about the way dentistry works here?
What do you know about the 2006 Dental Contract? Do you think that it’s introduction had a positive impact on dentistry in the UK?
How did Covid-19 impact dentistry and dental practitioners in the UK?
Personality:
Tell us about a situation where you showed empathy.
What are your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?
There are a number of qualities and skills that a good dentist should possess. Which of those are you planning to improve in yourself during your time at university?
Dental Ethics:
What do you understand by the term confidentiality? What information should be kept confidential? Do dentists have the duty to keep confidentiality in every situation or are there some cases when confidentiality should be breached?
A young mother comes with their 12-month-old child to your dental practice for a checkup. During the checkup, you discover that the girl’s pulp is severely damaged and infected and recommend root canal treatment. After hearing the name of the procedure the mother nervously takes the child’s hand and says “We don’t want any treatments. Ginny, let’s go home”. Both the mother and the girl are clearly anxious. However, you know that the treatment is necessary. How would you act in such a situation?
Dental Role-play:
Imagine you are a 3rd-year dental student. It’s April and you are studying hard for your final year exams. Your best friend Jake (the interviewer) sees that you are struggling to cover the material and offers you help. He wants to meet with you to show you a PDF with exam questions that he leaked with his Computer Science friends. You know that cheating is strictly prohibited and that anyone involved in the process of sharing exam questions can be kicked out of the university. In the following station, you will meet with Jake (the interviewer) to discuss the issue.
You are a dentist specialising in Oral Surgery. During a complex procedure involving extractions and applying implants, you notice a worrying lump on the inside of a patient’s cheek. After the procedure is done, you wake up the patient to discuss the need for a biopsy. The patient consents but grows very anxious. The results of a biopsy show the lump is cancerous and very advanced. Break the news to the patient (the interviewer) that they have oral cancer. You may offer them a treatment combining surgery, radio- and chemotherapy, but the chances for success are 30-40%
dentistry
profession concerned with prevention, detection, management and treatment of oral and dental disease
obesity tax
obesity as a risk factor fro many chronic conditions and illnesses - not only in overall healthcare - but also in dent
tooth decay
gum disease
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:
ethical: non maleficence (aims to prevent harm to population) beneficence (does good by promoting healthy diet) justice (may contribute to increasing the gap between wealth groups) autonomy (infringes on ppls rights to choose and have access to the food they want)
FOR:
deincentivise purchase of sugary drinks/products
in theory - lowers chronic condittions like T2D, obesity, heart disease → two of which link to gum disease
1/5 kids have tooth decay - shows how the issue needs to be tackled
raises revenue for the government to be reinvested in the NHS
led to drop in older kids with obesity → for younger children less effective
AGAINST:
put unneccessary pressure on low income groups
doesnt educate
not only caused by obesity
tax may not have a significant impact
OTHER STRATEGIES:
making/increasing access to healthier fresh produce
educating people abt the correct food choices
rolling out the junk food ads on TV ban (due for october 2025)
most important advancement
MRI - should win nobel prize
plays vital role within detection of different conditions
integral within hospitals
used in mammography
very versatile
find a tumour
find out how big it is and whether it has spread (stage a cancer)
measure blood flow
to check how well treatment is working
how has dentistry developed in comparison to 50 years ago
digitalisation
materials
preventative measures
advancements in cosmetic dent
preservation of the natural teeth
whats the future of dentistry
expansion of preventative dentistry→increase in educative measures-e.g. roll outs of the toothbrushing schemes - hopefully decrease the cases of tooth decay - CHOICE trial would be good to mention - so approach to preventative care in dentistry
changing roles of dentists → with the increasing number of professionals complementary to dentistry - there is likely to be a shift in the role that dentists play - perhaps moving away from routine procedures and focusing on more difficult procedures - preventative care can defo be undertaken by DCP
increasing technology and AI
optimise scheduling
incorperate digital tech
using AI in diagnosis
e.g. chairsyde
aging population - increased no. of older ppl accessing care which may lead to more comorbidities and the issues with ppl getting to appts
essex care homes
inverse care law
those who need care the most are least likely to access it
changes to dent over the last 30years
preventative measures - e.g education, fluoridation
cosmetic dentistry growing in popularity
stopping amalgam
NHS contract change
educational campaigns - e.g. smile squad in liverpool
usage of smart fillings for younger children to prevent lengthy painful procedures that children may not enjoy - non invasive alterantive - Smart fillings represent the cutting edge of dental technology, incorporating materials that do more than just fill cavities. These innovative fillings are designed to release medication, such as fluoride or antimicrobials, to combat bacteria and aid in tooth remineralization. This proactive approach not only treats the current issue but also helps prevent future decay. At Dr. Korol Dental, we're excited about the potential of smart fillings to enhance dental health and offer a more holistic approach to cavity treatment.
NHS charges for dentistry
band 1 - 26.8
band 2 - 73.8
band 3: 319.10
urgent: 26.8
udas 😀
band 1: 1
band 2: 3,5, 7 depending on treatment
band 3: 12
band 4: 1.2
exemptions: children, under 19 in full time education, certain benefits, those pregnant(or had baby in last yr)
issues with mercury conc in amalgam
releases low levels of mercury vapour
absorbed into bloodstream
harm kidneys and brain
reserach shows - even with 15 fillings - vapour too low to cause harm
amalgam best avoided by pregnant women n young kids
potential dental conditions
Bacteria and food debris called dental plaque can cause gum disease.
If left on teeth and gums, plaque hardens to form calculus or tartar. The plaque and calculus irritate the gums around teeth. This is often seen in people who smoke.
The two stages of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.
If periodontitis is not treated, the structures that hold the tooth to the gum can become damaged. Teeth may become loose, fall out by themselves, or a dentist may have to remove them.
Gum disease may be harder to detect. Bleeding gums – usually an indication of gum disease – may not be present as tobacco causes poor blood supply to the gums. Not respond as well to gum treatment (professional dental cleaning) as non-smokers.
levels if decay in children on the isle of man
3% higher than national avg
even after introduction of a supervised tooth brushing scheme (12months ago)
7 principals of the NHS
NHS provides a comprehensive service to all
based on clinical need
aspires to highest standards of excellence and professionalism
patient at the heart of everything the NHS does
nhs works across organisational boundaries
provides best value for taxpayers money
nhs is accountable to people it serves
what does fluoride do
inhibits enzymes in bacteria in plaque - preventing them from metabolising carbs and producing acids that demineralize teeth and cause decay
current amalgam legislation
Dental amalgam must only be used in pre-dosed encapsulated form. The use of mercury in bulk form by dental practitioners is prohibited
Dental amalgam must not be used for the dental treatment of deciduous teeth of children under 15 years, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is except when deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner based on the patient’s specific medical needs
Dental practices must be equipped with an amalgam separator. All separators must retain at least 95% of amalgam particles.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that mercury is toxic to human health. In its liquid form, the metal has limited absorption through skin. But in vapour form, it becomes extremely toxic as absorption through lungs can damage the immune system. It is also particularly dangerous to foetuses.
According to WHO, the health impacts of mercury include kidney problems, nervous system damage and skin problems. In addition, the inhalation, ingestion or dermal exposure of mercury can result in neurological and behavioural disorders.
‘When alternative materials can’t compete, this will add new costs and new uncertainties to practices already on the brink. Without decisive action this could be the straw that breaks the back of NHS dentistry.’
Southern Dental Industries Limited (SDI) is currently one of the world’s leading manufacturers of dental amalgam. This year, the company told investors that it plans to cease production of dental amalgam by around 2028. This begs the question of how many other manufacturers will follow suit, and the impact this could have on UK dentistry.
Note 
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