Australia’s leading dental magazine

OCTOBER 2015 $5.95 INC. GST

FILLING THE GAP Our guide to dental implants

The young ones Good oral health starts early

Dr Susan Cartwright aims to find the common ground between dentistry and general medicine

The great divide

Going bush How to expand your skills and

support rural communities

CONTENTS

Evolved The new A-dec 300

Designed as a modular solution, A-dec 300 is a whole system that

lets you pick and choose the features you want, within the

price point you need. And we didn’t skimp on comfort.

With pressure mapped, contoured surfaces and virtual

pivot back, patients are relaxed and supported.

Ergonomic and economic just got better.

BOOK A VISIT TO AN

A-DEC SHOWROOM TO VIEW AN EXTENSIVE

RANGE OF INTERACTIVE SURGERY

CONFIGURATIONS 1800 225 010

ChairsDelivery SystemsLightsMonitor MountsCabinetsHandpiecesMaintenanceSterilisationImaging

For more information Email: a-dec@a-dec.com.au Phone: 1800 225 010 Visit: www.a-dec.com.au Follow us on Twitter: @A_decAust

Sydney Unit 8, 5-9 Ricketty St MASCOTNEW Melbourne Suite 1, 260 Auburn Rd HAWTHORN NEW Brisbane 298 Gilchrist Ave HERSTON

Showroom locations:

© 2015 A-dec Inc. All rights reserved. INK2286-30

2286-30_AA_A-dec300_Evolved_Update_BITE_2A.indd 1 28/05/2015 2:46 pm

COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFECONTENTS

ContentsNEWSThe dentistry profession unlocked 4A dental caries breakthrough, beavers point the way for dental decay prevention, Victoria’s Wellbeing Plan revealed, and more.

YOUR WORLDPrevention is the cure 16With standards of oral health declining, targeting the youth population is key to a longer-term solution.

YOUR BUSINESSRural round-up 20A guide to the programs assisting with rural relocation and their respective application processes and dates.

Bend and stretch 24Dentists are often plagued by pain, but there are exercises available for permanent relief.

Great expectations 32Orthodontics is one of the fastest growing areas of dentistry, but it’s one fraught by undertraining and up-selling.

YOUR TOOLSNew products 15The best and brightest for your practice.

Product guide 37Bite presents the latest in dental implant equipment and tools.

Tools of the trade 50Peer-reviewed professional equipment.

YOUR LIFEThe food dream 54Dr Matthew Hopcraft traded dentistry for dinner with a spot on hit television program MasterChef.

October 2015

9,502 - CAB Audited as at March 2015

For all editorial or advertising enquiries:Phone (02) 9660 6995 Fax (02) 9518 5600 info@bitemagazine.com.au

Bite magazine is published 11 times a year by Engage Media, Suite 4.17, 55 Miller Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009. ABN 50 115 977 421. Views expressed in Bite magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Engage Media. Printed by Webstar.

Editorial Director Rob Johnson

Sub-editor Kerryn Ramsey

Editor Mitchell Oakley Smith

Art Director Lucy Glover

Commercial Director Mark Brown

Sales Director Andrew Gray

Digital Director Ann Gordon

20

16

3224

ON THE COVERThe great disconnect As a member of the Oral Health

Advisory Panel, Dr Susan Cartwright is helping to bridge the gap between

dentistry and general medicine.

28Evolved The new A-dec 300

Designed as a modular solution, A-dec 300 is a whole system that

lets you pick and choose the features you want, within the

price point you need. And we didn’t skimp on comfort.

With pressure mapped, contoured surfaces and virtual

pivot back, patients are relaxed and supported.

Ergonomic and economic just got better.

BOOK A VISIT TO AN

A-DEC SHOWROOM TO VIEW AN EXTENSIVE

RANGE OF INTERACTIVE SURGERY

CONFIGURATIONS 1800 225 010

ChairsDelivery SystemsLightsMonitor MountsCabinetsHandpiecesMaintenanceSterilisationImaging

For more information Email: a-dec@a-dec.com.au Phone: 1800 225 010 Visit: www.a-dec.com.au Follow us on Twitter: @A_decAust

Sydney Unit 8, 5-9 Ricketty St MASCOTNEW Melbourne Suite 1, 260 Auburn Rd HAWTHORN NEW Brisbane 298 Gilchrist Ave HERSTON

Showroom locations:

© 2015 A-dec Inc. All rights reserved. INK2286-30

2286-30_AA_A-dec300_Evolved_Update_BITE_2A.indd 1 28/05/2015 2:46 pm

COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFENEWS & EVENTS

4 Bite magazine

According to data released by Queensland Health, the highest number of graduates working in

rural and remote areas are from James Cook University’s dental school, more than any other of the State’s three universities. There are currently 18 James Cook University graduates working in rural and remote areas, more than three times any other school.

The result is due to the way the university’s dental and medical schools have been set up, with an ethos encouraging graduates to gain experience by working in rural and remote settings.

“It’s commonly said that there are too many dentists in Australia, but they are completely maldistributed,” said Professor Neil Meredith, James Cook University’s head of dentistry. “There is a chronic shortage in rural and remote areas.”

In increasing its number of graduates in rural and remote areas, the university favours local candidates during the academic

selection process, and places emphasis on the importance of placement in small communities throughout the course of study. “This is important because the students of today are the healthcare providers of tomorrow and an awareness of the special needs of patients in remote areas helps to create a lifetime of passion and enthusiasm,” added Professor Meredith.

The announcement comes as the Royal Flying Doctor Service [RFDS] reports that residents in remote and rural Australia have poorer oral health than residents of major cities, with 37 per cent of adults living with untreated tooth decay in comparison to 23 per cent of those in major cities.

When it comes to Indigenous Australians, the statistic is even higher, with 57 per cent of teeth affected by decay. “The level of tooth decay I’ve seen in remote communities is a lot greater than I expected—worse than in some developing countries,” wrote Dr Hendrik Lai, an RFDS dentist, in the RFDS report.

James Cook University leads in number of remote dentists

Dental caries breakthrough

The chemistry department and dental school of the University of Otago, New Zealand, have together developed a new

way to preserve teeth infected by dental caries and to prolong the life of dental fillings. The new technology uses specially formulated, non-staining silver nanoparticles which serve to arrest caries and make teeth more resistant to resultant decay. The product is applied by a dentist after removing decay but before filling, diffusing into the tooth where it eliminates any remaining bacteria.

What makes the University of Otago’s breakthrough particularly unique is that it doesn’t discolour teeth, contrasting from other products that similarly use silver to arrest caries and have reportedly turned teeth black. “We believe that our non-staining formula will be an important step forward for oral care and public health,” said Dr Don Schwass, a senior lecturer and prosthodontist in the university’s department of oral rehabilitation.

“The result will be that recurrent caries will be significantly reduced and dental fillings will last longer, providing both economic and health benefits,” said Dr Schwass.

Dr Carla Meledandri, a lecturer in the department of chemistry, added, “Our contribution has been to create stabilised nanoparticles of a certain size, using a unique method of production so the end result is a clear, stain-free product.”

Otago Innovation has recently licensed the rights to this invention to a global dental materials manufacturer for subsequent development.

Graduates of James Cook University are most present in

remote areas of Queensland.

NEWS & EVENTS

Continueyour professionaldevelopment in dentistry

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Continueyour professionaldevelopment in dentistry

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We are a leading provider of CPD courses for the whole dental team, with programs available throughout the year. Life-long learning with the University of Sydney is maintained through the provision of independent, clinical/scientific and evidence-based courses.

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COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFENEWS & EVENTS

6 Bite magazine

REVIEWERS WANTEDWe want you to write for Bite!

Every issue, we’re asking dentists to review their tools—telling us in a couple of paragraphs what they love about them and what they don’t like. Check out the reviews starting on page 50.

There’s only two rules—you have to be a practising dentist, and it has to be something you use. The whole idea is to start a conversation between our readers. We don’t want to tell you what to buy. We want your peers—the people actually using the equipment—to guide you to what’s good and what isn’t.

If you’d like to write a review, email the Editor at info@engagemedia.com.au, and he’ll tell you what’s involved.

Look For This Logo When Selecting Your Supplier Of

Products Or Services

Meet The Leading Suppliers AtADX16 Sydney – 18-20 March 2016Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Islandwww.adx.org.au

Forensic biomedical scientists from Belgian university KU Leuven have developed a test to determine a person’s age

on the basis of blood or teeth samples, according to a new paper published in Epigenetics journal. It is, as the paper suggests, particularly useful for the police force, as it can assist in the tracking down of criminals or to identify human remains.

Until now, forensic examiners have been able to use blood found at a crime scene to identify a criminal through DNA testing, but this new research development additionally provides the criminal’s age, assisting in the process.

As human tissue and organs change as we grow older, the team of researchers are the first to have

successfully used this ageing process, embedded in our individual DNA, to predict an individual’s age. “The

behaviour of our organs and tissues depends on which of our genes are activated,” explained Professor Bram Bekaert of the university’s forensic biomedical sciences unit. “We grow older, some genes are switched on,

while others are switched off. This process is partly regulated

by methylation, whereby methyl groups are added

to our DNA. In specific locations, genes with high methylation levels are deactivated.”

Professor Bekaert and his team employ a set of

four age-associated DNA methylation markers to

predict an individual’s age, with the markets providing

highly accurate predictions with an error margin or merely 3.75

years for blood samples and 4.86 years for teeth.

A forensic breakthrough

NEWS & EVENTS

Dental Corporation has provided our practice with the necessary support to realise our full potential whilst still allowing us to operate independently.

Their experienced teams are just a phone call away and have provided us services which have allowed us to streamline our business operations and increase our productivity.

Dr Gordon McLeanPractice Principal at Southern Dental Centre

Interested to know more about how a partnership with Dental Corporation can reward you?

AU: 1300 408 561 | NZ: 0800 449 751www.dentalcorp.com.au/worklife

BEING PROGRESSIVE AND REALISING MY DREAMS

COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFENEWS & EVENTS

8 Bite magazine

fax 08 8352 6211email info@curaden.com.au

Intensiv Australiaphone 1800 079 995Call today for details of a sales rep near you.

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Victoria’s Wellbeing Plan

The plan’s six key focus areas are: • Healthier eating and active living• Tobacco-free living• Reducing harmful alcohol and drug use• Improving mental health• Preventing violence and injury• Improving sexual health and reproductive health.

The Victorian State Government has this week released its Wellbeing Plan 2015-2019, outlining key priorities over the next four years

to help improve the health and wellbeing of Victorians with a particular focus on the disadvantaged.

After extensive consultation with health organisations and providers, the plan is broken up into various sections and, for the most part, promotes preventative care, with Jill Hennessy, Victoria’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, noting that, “We must do more to reduce the number of people who are being admitted to hospital

for conditions that could have been avoided.” The plan also identifies the importance of

addressing climate change because of its impacts on health and wellbeing, including through heatwaves, fire and long-term challenges to food security. Oral health, too, is highlighted in the plan, which notes that the costs and burden associated with poor oral health are well known. Oral disease is a key marker of disadvantage, with greater levels experienced by people on low income, dependent older people, Aboriginal people, people in rural areas, people with a disability, and immigrant groups from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (particularly refugees).

“Poor diet and consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks are important contributors to poor oral health. In addition to addressing the broader determinants of health, improving oral health requires access to fluoride (in water and toothpaste), good dental hygiene and regular access to preventive dental care.”

NEWS & EVENTS

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COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFENEWS & EVENTS

10 Bite magazine

The Australian Dental Industry Association [ADIA] has criticised the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s [TGA] reduced regulation of medical devices, leading to a decreased number of products available in the Australian

market. “Businesses across the dental industry are withdrawing products from the market as a result of the TGA’s new fee regime that was introduced this financial year,” said Troy Williams, chief executive officer of ADIA.

The adverse outcome of the new structure, the ADIA outlines, is a result of charges businesses pay to place product on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods [ARTG], maintained by the TGA, and is a list of medicines and medical devices that can be lawfully supplied in the country. “The result of the TGA’s changes is reduced competition in the sector with dental professionals having a diminished range of products to choose from, which means reduced patient care options,” said Williams.

“Faced with paying higher TGA fees, businesses across the dental industry are taking products off the ARTG with the result that the products cannot be lawfully supplied by these businesses in Australia. This is not the preferred course of action by these businesses, but the TGA’s higher fees now means that it is not commercially viable to keep supplying these products to dentists.”

The ADIA has begun a dialogue with the Assistant Minister for Health seeking an independent review of the TGA’s new charges, hoping to use the review as the basis for a more equitable TGA charges framework in the next financial year. “The TGA has stated that its new fee structure was intended to reduce business compliance costs, yet the experience of businesses across the dental industry is very different,” said Williams.

ADIA criticises TGA’s revised regulation of medical devices

A pplications have this week opened for the next round of Dental Relocation and Infrastructure Support Scheme [DRISS] funding.

Announced as part of the 2012-13 Budget, DRISS provides $77.7 million over four years to strengthen dental services in regional, rural and remote areas by supporting the relocation costs of dentists. DRISS offers relocation grants of $15,000 to $120,000, and relocation and infrastructure grants, assisting with the purchase and fit-out of dental facilities, of up to $370,000.

An important component of the application criteria is that the dentist has any pre-approved loans in plans, as well as a two-year cash flow budget as part of the practice’s business and financial plan. According to BOQ Specialist, a financial service specific to the dental profession, the emergence of technology and competitive pressures means the investment required to set up a practice has increased steeply over the past decade.

“The cost to set up a practice is one thing but there are also additional living costs to consider,” said Stafford Hamilton, a BOQ Specialist consultant. “To ensure a smooth transition, we encourage practitioners to ensure they have sufficient funding in place to support both their work life and home life.”

DRISS is administered and managed by Rural Health Workforce Australia [RHWA]. Application information can be obtained from the RHWA website.

DRISS applications now open

NEWS & EVENTS

Micro SMARTFlexible. Scalable. Smart.

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The Cattani Micro SMART is not only the ideal suction system for up to two surgeries, but also a system that can grow as your clinic does. A second and even third Micro SMART can be installed in parallel with the original unit, providing suction for up to four or six surgeries, and giving your clinic built-in back-up.

Micro SMART – for up to 2 surgeries, Tandem Micro SMART – for 3-4 surgeries, Triple Micro SMART – for 5-6 surgeries.

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COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFENEWS & EVENTS

12 Bite magazine

Following the recent release of the Productivity Commission’s [PC] Mutual Recognition Schemes Research Report, the Australian

Dental Association [ADA] has raised serious concerns about the lack of attention afforded to what it sees as two major issues. The first is the potential health and safety risks from the different examination standards that the New Zealand profession can now apply to overseas qualified dental practitioners.

“The PC report makes the assertion that mutual recognition schemes between Australia and New Zealand are working well but this is not the case when it comes to dentistry,” said ADA president Dr Rick Olive. The lack of enforcement, the ADA said, essentially means that overseas dental practitioners can register in New Zealand —where, Dr Olive said, requirements are less stringent—and then employ the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement to practise in Australia. The ADA is concerned that this “shopping and hopping” approach will compromise the quality of dental care in Australia over time.

The ADA has additionally noted that the report contradicts an earlier government report about the dental workforce oversupply. A comprehensive analysis conducted by Health Workforce Australia concluded that the oversupply is set to last until at least 2025, a figure which saw the Assistant Minister for Immigration remove dentistry from the Skilled Occupation List, effectively closing the migratory pathway to employ overseas trained dentists.

“It makes no sense for the PC, another government agency, to ignore the policy decisions of the Education Minister,” said Dr Olive. “So-called productivity improvement should not be at a cost of compromised and inferior care being able to be delivered to Australians by overseas practitioners. Rather than provide findings that support the efficient operation of the dental health sector, the PC report, as it stands, does nothing to address the consequences of this gross labour market imbalance.”

‘Shopping and hopping’ concern

The Australian Dental Association [ADA], the country’s peak representative body for the dental profession, has come out in support of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s new documentary, Jamie’s Sugar Rush, which aired late last month in Australia

on Network Ten and advocates for a tax on sugar. Detailing the incredibly large role that sugar plays in rising global health problems, the documentary tracks Oliver’s lobbying of the British Government to commit to positive changes to the food and drinks industry in the interest of improved public health.

“Unfortunately, the story of Mario who needed six teeth removed because of decay is something that many Australian dentists can relate to,” said Dr Peter Alldritt, chair of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee. “Tooth decay in children is rising, with more than half of six-year-olds experiencing tooth decay in their baby teeth, and by the time they reach 12 years, almost half have experienced decay in their permanent teeth.”

Beyond tooth decay, excess sugar has been proven to be as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco, contributing to a steep rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. “Our message is that foods that are high in sugar should only be consumed in moderation,” added Dr Alldritt. “We are also warning consumers to be aware that many snacks marketed as healthy may be low in fat but are actually high in sugar.” These include dried fruit, biscuits, fruit juice, muesli bars, flavoured popcorn and banana bread.

Internationally, Mexico placed a 10 per cent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in 2014, while Berkeley, a city in California, recently passed a similar tax. As Shu Wen Ng, a health economist at the University of North Carolina, USA, recently said in an interview with Wired magazine, “Very few countries have done a tax of this size.”

The magazine reports on Ng’s research—for which she worked with a team at Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health—which saw a decrease of around six per cent in sugar-sweetened beverages since the implementation of the tax in the first year, taking into account a pre-existing downward trend in soda purchases, and which accelerated to 12 per cent after the first year.

As Dr Alldritt added, “While all of us as consumers can be more vigilant when it comes to how often we consume sugar foods, broader action must be taken by industry and government.”

ADA proposes sugar tax

Celebrity chef and health advocate

Jamie Oliver.

NEWS & EVENTS

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Premium. Australian.

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competitively priced and with fast turnaround.

Learn more at scdlab.com/quest or call us today on (02) 8062 9800

Quest VITA SUPRINITY®- Glass Ceramic. Revolutionised.Outstanding strength and excellent aesthetics.

At an exclusive price you can’t resist.

VITA SUPRINITY® is the world’s first new generation of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass ceramic. Excellent translucency yields superior aesthetics.

Ideally suited for anterior, posterior and implant crowns and veneers.

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Twelve months ago, Dr Luke Cronin made one of the best business decisions he ever made. He decided to narrow the scope of his practice. It seems counter-intuitive at first—to effectively shrink your business in order to grow it—but the results speak for themselves.

Dr Cronin, the owner and principal dentist at Quality Dental in North Sydney, chose to focus his practice solely on cosmetic dentistry. The decision was driven by market forces, he admits. “There are hundreds of dentists in North Sydney, and the number is growing all the time.”

So Dr Cronin set out to drive more cosmetic work into the practice. A key part of that process was becoming an Invisalign provider. “From my point of view, doing orthodontics prior to any other cosmetic work is far more conservative than doing cosmetic work without doing orthodontics,” he says. “And given my patients are seeking cosmetic solutions, then they’re more than likely not going to be interested in traditional braces, given their endgame is they want a cosmetic solution.”

He points out that setting yourself up to provide Invisalign is not something you can just do on a whim. “Like anything else, if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s not going to work very well. And depending on how far you want to take it, I think you need some pretty significant orthodontic information and orthodontic background to do it properly.”

However, the rewards more than make up for that in terms of running a practice that attracts patients who are interested in, and proactive about, their own oral health, and keen to make the most of Dr Cronin’s skills to get the best smile they can.

Revenues have grown significantly, aided by the well-established consumer-facing marketing program Invisalign has been doing for years. “They’re one of the best direct-to-market groups that there is,” he says. “I think a lot of other companies can learn a lot from them. Essentially, their marketing dollars save me from spending mine. They’ve got brand awareness already. People are looking for the product, they’re just looking for the place they want to get it done, which makes my business significantly easier.”

By being a specialist cosmetic provider, Dr Cronin has made his practice stand out in an overcrowded market. He believes there’s room for more growth, however. “I think we’re still only at 50 per cent capacity,” he says. “I think we’ll develop that which I think will take two or three years. We’ll manage that by continuing to concentrate on the things that we do best and do most of, which is aligning and veneers.”

And with a partner like Invisalign, the future is looking bright.

For more information visit www.invisalign.com.au/doctor or call us on 1800 468 472 to find out how you can incorporate Invisalign into your practice.

ADVERTORIAL

How Invisalign can help your practice

Technology is revolutionising the way we do things - the way we straighten teeth is no exception.

Invisalign is taking things to the next level by integrating the latest intra-oral scanning

techniques into the Invisalign treatment process with the iTero digital scanner.

This ground-breaking technology provides an efficient alternative to messy PVS impressions.

The iTero intra-oral scanner delivers high tech dental records with superior

detail, unmatched onscreen visualisation and gives doctors

real time feedback for immediate adjustments. More

accurate records result in better fitting aligners

and better clinical outcomes for your patients.

For more information visit www.aligntechinstitute.com or call us on 1800 468 472 to find out how you can incorporate Invisalign into your practice.

ScIence In every SmIle

BM113_AD Invisalign.indd 25 6/08/2015 10:41 am

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFE NEW PRODUCTS

New products

Twelve months ago, Dr Luke Cronin made one of the best business decisions he ever made. He decided to narrow the scope of his practice. It seems counter-intuitive at first—to effectively shrink your business in order to grow it—but the results speak for themselves.

Dr Cronin, the owner and principal dentist at Quality Dental in North Sydney, chose to focus his practice solely on cosmetic dentistry. The decision was driven by market forces, he admits. “There are hundreds of dentists in North Sydney, and the number is growing all the time.”

So Dr Cronin set out to drive more cosmetic work into the practice. A key part of that process was becoming an Invisalign provider. “From my point of view, doing orthodontics prior to any other cosmetic work is far more conservative than doing cosmetic work without doing orthodontics,” he says. “And given my patients are seeking cosmetic solutions, then they’re more than likely not going to be interested in traditional braces, given their endgame is they want a cosmetic solution.”

He points out that setting yourself up to provide Invisalign is not something you can just do on a whim. “Like anything else, if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s not going to work very well. And depending on how far you want to take it, I think you need some pretty significant orthodontic information and orthodontic background to do it properly.”

However, the rewards more than make up for that in terms of running a practice that attracts patients who are interested in, and proactive about, their own oral health, and keen to make the most of Dr Cronin’s skills to get the best smile they can.

Revenues have grown significantly, aided by the well-established consumer-facing marketing program Invisalign has been doing for years. “They’re one of the best direct-to-market groups that there is,” he says. “I think a lot of other companies can learn a lot from them. Essentially, their marketing dollars save me from spending mine. They’ve got brand awareness already. People are looking for the product, they’re just looking for the place they want to get it done, which makes my business significantly easier.”

By being a specialist cosmetic provider, Dr Cronin has made his practice stand out in an overcrowded market. He believes there’s room for more growth, however. “I think we’re still only at 50 per cent capacity,” he says. “I think we’ll develop that which I think will take two or three years. We’ll manage that by continuing to concentrate on the things that we do best and do most of, which is aligning and veneers.”

And with a partner like Invisalign, the future is looking bright.

For more information visit www.invisalign.com.au/doctor or call us on 1800 468 472 to find out how you can incorporate Invisalign into your practice.

ADVERTORIAL

How Invisalign can help your practice

Technology is revolutionising the way we do things - the way we straighten teeth is no exception.

Invisalign is taking things to the next level by integrating the latest intra-oral scanning

techniques into the Invisalign treatment process with the iTero digital scanner.

This ground-breaking technology provides an efficient alternative to messy PVS impressions.

The iTero intra-oral scanner delivers high tech dental records with superior

detail, unmatched onscreen visualisation and gives doctors

real time feedback for immediate adjustments. More

accurate records result in better fitting aligners

and better clinical outcomes for your patients.

For more information visit www.aligntechinstitute.com or call us on 1800 468 472 to find out how you can incorporate Invisalign into your practice.

ScIence In every SmIle

BM113_AD Invisalign.indd 25 6/08/2015 10:41 am

Carestream Dental is proud to announce the CS 8100SC, the latest evolution of the award-winning CS 8100 platform.

Combining panoramic and cephalometric imaging into one ultra-compact system, the CS 8100SC makes image acquisition and analysis fast and effortless. With the fastest scanning ceph in the world,

state-of-the-art image quality, two built-in sensors, and automatic tracing features, the CS 8100SC is an ideal choice for everyday orthodontics, oral surgeries, and general practice needs.

For further information, visit carestreamdental.com or phone 1800 223 603.

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NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFEYOUR WORLD

Prevention is the cure

16 Bite magazine

of dental disease than ever before.” Of course, preventing tooth decay

can be as simple as reducing the consumption of sugary or acidic foods and drinks and maintaining healthy oral hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. The challenge for the dental profession is to help raise awareness, increase

Jessica Chasen, Henry Schein Halas

“By preventing a problem occurring in the first place, the patient will avoid what potentially can become a painful and chronic situation in later life.”

Quote

In an attempt to create a preventive oral health culture, the dental profession is supporting

the development of new oral health initiatives targeting children, writes Belinda Crestani.

knowledge, and change attitudes. In the US, several educational

initiatives have been implemented. In 2003, the American Dental Association launched the largely successful program, Give Kids A Smile, encouraging dentists and dental team members to work together in providing vital oral health care to underserved children. What started as a one-day event quickly grew into a year-round effort, with more than five million children receiving valuable oral health care and education since its launch.

“When oral hygiene talks and screenings are taken into schools and child care centres, we ensure the education needs for brushing and flossing are reinforced,” says Chasen.

To date, the world’s largest provider

“When it comes to oral health, prevention is better than cure,” says Jessica

Chasen, a spokesperson for dental supplies provider Henry Schein Halas. “By preventing a problem occurring in the first place, the patient will avoid what potentially can become a painful and chronic situation in later life.” Current dentistry shows that the key to changing the way children view the dentist is through better education, in turn helping to stem the tide of poor oral health.

According to the latest research to come out of the Australian Dental Association [ADA], 50 per cent of children and three out of 10 adults have untreated tooth decay in Australia. These statistics are concerning given that 90 per cent of all dental disease is preventable.

Dr Peter Aldritt, the chair of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee, confirms that over the past few decades, the oral health of Australians has begun to deteriorate. “In particular, we are seeing higher levels

Reducing sugary and acidic drinks can help prevent tooth decay.

Bite magazine 17

YOUR WORLD

18 Bite magazine

health professionals to achieve optimal oral health for infants and children.”

This Government-run initiative is part of a plan to eliminate common dental issues which are seen in children. Early childhood caries [ECC] is the number-one chronic disease affecting young children today. This dental decay disease is also completely preventable. “The ECC is a dental decay disease that crosses all socioeconomic boundaries with high prevalence and a significant health burden in Australia and globally, even though it is preventable. It is an infectious disease that is modified by diet. ECC has significant consequences, and hence children are a key priority population for this framework.”

These initiatives highlight how important healthy teeth and gums are to a child’s general health and wellbeing, and that prevention is better than cure. “If the first contact a child has with a dentist is a positive experience, the first hurdle is already crossed,” says Chasen. “Failing that, if their first encounter is for a problem, they will always associate the dentist with the pain the problem caused. By seeing them early, the dental staff can educate the child to practise good oral hygiene preventing these problems from occurring.”

Oral Health 2020 Strategic Framework

“Early childhood caries is a dental decay disease that crosses all socieconomic boundaries with high prevalance.”

Quote

of health care products and services, Henry Schein Inc, and its supplier partners have donated products and services valued at more than $13 million to the Give Kids A Smile program. Henry Schein Halas, the corporation’s local arm, plans to bring the Give Kids A Smile initiative to Australia in the near future, although several other programs are already helping to make headway locally.

Chompers Kids Zone is a Dental Care Network initiative aimed at educating children about caring for their teeth. As part of the program, children are shown how improper care from a young age can lead to nasty plaque and germ build-up, rotting teeth and even tooth loss later in life through various games [Plaque Patrol, for example], activities and educational printed material.

Another new Australian initiative is the Early Childhood Oral Health (ECOH) program which, since its launch in 2013,

has focused on oral health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment. Through this program, the Centre for Oral Health Strategy NSW, which is part of the Population Health Division of the NSW Ministry of Health, is working on changing the way parents and children prioritise oral health.

“The ECOH is a community-based, early intervention program, built on the principles of integrated service delivery,” reads the Oral Health 2020 Strategic Framework. “It focuses on effective partnerships between families, oral health professionals, and general child

Several new initiatives are changing the oral health culture

from responsive to preventive.

Encouraging children to

brush and floss is incredibly

important.

Early childhood caries is the number one chronic disease affecting young children today.

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NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEYOUR TOOLS

20 Bite magazine

Relocating to a rural community to replace a retiring dentist, support an expanding practice, start a new practice or work with a public or private regional

dental program is an increasingly common experience for Australian dentists. Swapping a suburban surgery for a remote practice offers a host of professional, business and lifestyle benefits for dentists—not to mention the paybacks offered to local communities.

Many dentists receive assistance from a government grant or work as part of a dental program to realise their rural ambitions. Two of the profession’s most well-known schemes, the Dental Relocation and Infrastructure Support

round-upRural

Going bush is an increasingly popular choice for Australian dentists, but it can be difficult to keep up with the various schemes that help make it happen. Angela Tufvesson looks at the status of Australia’s two most popular rural dental programs.

Scheme [DRISS] and The Outback Oral Treatment and Health [TOOTH] program run by the Royal Flying Doctor Service [RFDS], have helped to transplant a new generation of city dentists to the bush. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of these programs on local communities, opportunities to get involved and how to side-step funding changes and uncertainty.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCEDRISS is a Federal Government initiative supporting dentists to take up work in private practices in rural, regional and remote areas. It offers relocation grants of between $15,000 and $120,000 and infrastructure grants of up to $250,000 to assist with the opening

Bite magazine 21

of a new practice or expanding an existing practice. So far, 126 DRISS grants have been offered for dentists to move to places such as Parkes in New South Wales, Merredin in Western Australia, and Goolwa in South Australia

Jo-Anne Chapman, general manager of programs at Rural Health Workforce Australia [RHWA], which administers the program, says the majority of grants are awarded for relocation. “The interesting statistic across the applications and grants offered is that 72 per cent of DRISS applicants so far are relocating to an existing practice,” she says. “That’s either to support succession planning of a retiring or exiting rural dentist or to help expand an existing rural dental practice.”

RHWA surveys all DRISS participants about their involvement with the program and Chapman says more than 88 per cent of dentists report being satisfied with their rural dental experience so far—often because of varied work—and 25 per cent say they plan to stay in their rural community for at least 10 years.

“The DRISS program has been popular in terms of helping raise awareness about a career in rural communities and the importance of

oral health in those communities,” says Chapman. “We’ve had a lot of interest from recent graduates. We’ve also had a lot of interest from established general dentists in the metropolitan areas who have always thought about relocating to or buying into a more rural, regional or remote place in Australia.”

The program typically offers two funding rounds each year, but Chapman says contrary to popular perception, there isn’t a set amount of money available in

Michael Marler, Advisori

“The DRISS program has been popular in terms of helping raise awareness about a career in rural communities and the importance of oral health.”

Quote Jo-Anne Chapman, Rural Health Workforce Australia

YOUR BUSINESS

22 Bite magazine

each round. “It’s an open, merit-based, competitive grants process so there’s money allocated annually and people are required to meet the requirements of the application and the guidelines and that determines the successful applications.”

In this year’s Budget, the Federal Government indicated that DRISS will undergo a review to ensure that the program is delivering on its objectives, reports the Australian Dental Association [ADA]. Chapman says this is an important process because the two-year-old program is still in its infancy, and expects any changes to be outlined in the coming six to eight months in time for the next financial year. In the meantime, dentists are encouraged to apply for DRISS grants during the February and March funding rounds.

FLYING IN TO HELPTOOTH launched three years ago in an effort to address the poor and deteriorating oral health in the north-west NSW communities of Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri and Goodooga. Dentists fly into these remote towns once or twice a week to administer treatment—mostly to people who have had very little dental care.

Since its inception, TOOTH has set up 752 clinics, treated 5352 patients and

provided dental treatment valued at a whopping $1,081,461. Unsurprisingly, the program has improved the overall oral health of the communities and made significant progress in training a new generation of rural dentists.

The $2.5 million pilot program—which included $1.4 million in funding from the Gonski and Investec Foundations—has concluded and the RFDS is continuing discussions with potential corporate, charity and community partners, as well as the State and Federal Governments, to secure ongoing funding.

But the TOOTH program will not be closing in the interim and will continue to operate clinic services as normal, says Dr Lyn Mayne, a senior dentist at the RFDS South Eastern Section. “The service will be continuing,” she says. “We’ll still be using benevolent funding and that will be allocated as needed.”

In fact, Dr Mayne says the RFDS is looking to provide additional services as part of the program—and plans to hire more staff. “In the future, we’re

looking at expanding the services across our network; it’s increasing rather than decreasing. We’re working on additional services and providing those across the network. We’ll be looking at recruiting another dentist at least, and some dental assistants so we can provide additional services in the locations we have, and we’ll also be looking at other locations.”

Dr Mayne says the RFDS will be looking to recruit dental professionals who are flexible, open-minded, enjoy mentoring students—TOOTH serves as a mentoring program for students from Charles Sturt University—and thrive working as part of a team.

“We work with mobile equipment and in set clinics, so the opportunity is just amazing and gives you the opportunity to work in a different office every day, as well as the added challenges of people who haven’t seen a dentist before,” she says. “You get to experience a broad range of dentistry and you get to provide it in areas that are most needed to people who are really grateful.”

Dr Lyn Mayne, Royal Flying Doctor Service

“In the future, we’re looking at expanding the services across our network; it’s increasing rather than decreasing.”

Quote

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NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEYOUR TOOLS

24 Bite magazine

Dental professionals are plagued by bad backs, sore necks and aching shoulders, but Frank Leggett discovers there are effective

ways to gain relief and prevent pain.

Seven years ago, Melbourne dentist Dr Anikó Ball was at the end of her tether. For the previous 30 years, she had endured chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. She lost

sensation in her left hand for a period of months and frequently suffered from hip pain and sciatica. Despite her passion for practising periodontics and dental sleep medicine, she was seriously considering leaving the profession.

Dr Ball had tried traditional and complementary medical therapies in an attempt to find a cure but her problems continued to worsen. A range of seemingly untreatable musculoskeletal disorders was about to force another dentist into early retirement.

While Dr Ball’s symptoms were at the severe end of the spectrum, musculoskeletal pain is a common complaint right across the dental profession. One study found that over 87 per cent of dentists reported at least one symptom of musculoskeletal disease in the past 12 months. Another study in Greece showed that 62 per cent of dentists reported at least one musculoskeletal complaint while 30 per cent had chronic complaints.

Dr Ball recalls, “I spent 30-odd years trying to get help. I went to specialists, physiotherapists, masseuses, but nothing gave me long-term relief.”

A stroke of luck saw her visit a bookstore where she stumbled upon a book about the Alexander technique. It gave her hope of pain relief and within

stretchBendand

Bite magazine 25

at the Melbourne Alexander School and founded Optimum Dental Posture to help other dental professionals. In March this year, she addressed the 36th Australian Dental Congress about overcoming musculoskeletal disorders.

Meanwhile, Dr Fern White, a dental surgeon and principal of Beacon Cove Dental in Port Melbourne, was another dentist suffering from a bad back and constant neck pain. “Dentistry requires you to sit in a sustained posture for long periods of time,” says Dr White.

“If you’re right-handed, you’re always going to favour and twist the body to that side. Then there is the stress associated with dentistry. Most patients come in with some anxiety and it’s not unusual for the dentist to absorb that. As you’re trying to put the patient at ease, you’re worrying about the upcoming procedure. The cumulative effect results in a sore back and shoulders. It’s rife across the dental industry.”

Dr White found the solution to her back problems with yoga. The movement helped the physical issues while mindfulness and stillness allowed her anxiety to be remedied. “It’s just letting all that energy of the day—all the anxiety and negativity—fall away,” says Dr White. “It’s your time to come back into yourself, meditate and just be mindful.”

The improvement yoga has made in Dr White’s career and personal life inspired her to become a qualified yoga and meditation teacher. She has some good advice for those contemplating giving yoga a try.

“A lot of people think yoga is a little airy-fairy or non-scientific based. They believe they have to go into a huge session and mediate under a yogi. Nothing could be further from the truth. People get into yoga because of the physical benefits. Then they start to realise that it’s actually quite relaxing and provides a bit of mindfulness and stillness at the end of the day.”

Dr White recommends Hatha yoga as the best place for dental professionals to start. “Find a good teacher who can tailor classes depending on what type of injuries are present. Ultimately, you want to do full-body incorporation, because although we think it’s just the shoulder, neck and head that’s involved, some of the issues can stem from not having enough core or leg strength to support the body.”

Dr Prue King is the owner of Lotus Dental on Sydney’s lower north shore and is also a practising yoga teacher. She believes that yoga has many tools for helping dentists relieve musculoskeletal pain and stress. “Yoga

Dr Anikó Ball, Optimum Dental Posture

“In my second Alexander lesson, I learnt to release the tightness in my neck so my head could turn. I knew I was onto something good here.”

Quote

two weeks she was having an Alexander lesson. “I had severe neck problems from the time I was a dental student,” says Dr Ball. “In my second Alexander lesson, I learnt to release the tightness in my neck so my head could turn. I knew I was onto something good here.”

So, what’s the Alexander technique? Basically, it teaches posture and movement the way nature intended. Dr Ball explains, “The body has a specific biomechanical design but unfortunately, we don’t get a user guide when we’re born. We tend to pick up harmful posture and movement habits that we keep repeating and therefore damage our muscles, joints and spine.”

When people know where their joints are located and learn to release excessive muscle tension, the benefits are felt quickly. There’s a way of turning on your inner ergonomics so you engage the right muscles to support you against gravity without compressing the spine.

“Previously, whatever therapy I tried only helped me for a short time,” says Dr Ball. “I would feel good for a day or so but when you repeat faulty movement and posture patterns, the pain soon returns. The evidence-based Alexander technique deals with the cause, not just the symptoms.”

The Alexander technique, named after Frederick Matthias Alexander [1869-1955], allowed Dr Ball to continue dental practice. The quality of her life, both professional and private, had so dramatically improved that she also undertook a 1600-hour course

YOUR BUSINESS

26 Bite magazine

can help dental professionals relax at the end of the day and release the strain on the body created by being in one position for extended periods of time,” she says.

“While a lot of strain is put on the neck, shoulders and lower back, the hands and wrists can also suffer repetitive strain injury. Specific yoga exercises can be developed depending on the area where the strain is felt. Good relaxation and deep breathing will help dissipate accumulated stress.”

If you want to try yoga to alleviate a musculoskeletal injury, it’s advisable to find a qualified teacher and start with one-on-one instruction. “When working on an injured area, you don’t want to strengthen it too much until you have some flexibility and movement,” Dr King says.

The Alexander technique and yoga are two ways to address musculoskeletal pain that’s so common among dentists,

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DR PRUE KING’S SIMPLE RELAXATION SESSIONn At the end of the day, lie on

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n Take 20 slow deep breaths, focusing on a long exhale.

n Place your feet on the floor with knees bent and arms wide.

n Drop knees to one side then the other in a gentle twist, six to eight times.

n Draw knees to chest on exhale, with feet off the floor.

n As you inhale, straighten your legs perpendicular to torso and take your arms above your head. Exhale and return knees to chest. Repeat six to eight times.

n Relax lying on the floor or with legs elevated for 20 breaths.

dental nurses and hygienists. Not only can it make your working life more enjoyable, it can improve you general quality of life. “Staying flexible as you get older is something we should all strive for,” says Dr King. “After all, you’re only as young as your spine.”

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NEWS & EVENTS YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFECOVER STORY

28 Bite magazine

The great disconnect

Bite magazine 29

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Perception meets reality“There is quite a lot of literature coming out about how oral diseases relate to systemic diseases,” Dr Cartwright says. “The associations between heart disease, diabetes and so on have highlighted these sorts of issues. Then there is the fact that some lifestyle diseases are connected to sugar, and of course tooth decay is connected to sugar. There are common risk factors for some systemic diseases that also apply to oral disease. But traditionally, oral health has been left out of the equation when people are talking about these lifestyle issues.”

The actual connections between oral health and broader medical health are just part of the issue. Public opinion and political viewpoints towards oral health, which hold powerful sway over physical outcomes and political regulations, are affected by historical attitudes around the topic.

So, despite the fact that tooth decay is largely preventable, Dr Cartwright says, 58 per cent of people believe cavities are inevitable. And according to the WHO, almost 100 per cent of adults have experienced tooth decay, which is perhaps unsurprising as further research has revealed that 49 per cent of Australians forget to brush their teeth—and furthermore to floss—before going to bed.

“It appears that many people do not believe they can prevent tooth decay, but in fact it is almost entirely preventable,” Dr Cartwright says. “Usually, gum disease is not painful, so people feel they can ignore it. And maybe they are not too concerned about losing their back teeth—certainly in the past that was not a great concern. But now there needs to be a little bit more expectation on behalf of the public to be able to keep their teeth and to be able to keep them without requiring fillings.”

In an environment in which there is a disconnect between oral health and other medical outcomes, political and regulatory

Dr Susan Cartwright, Oral Health Advisory Panel

“There needs to be a little bit more expectation on behalf of the public to be able to keep their teeth and to be able to keep them without requiring fillings.”

Quote

The great disconnect

A powerful new report

highlights the vital connection between good

oral health and broader

physical, mental and emotional

wellbeing. Chris Sheedy delves into its details

to discover its practical implications.

Dr Susan Cartwright has a theory that is very likely close to the truth about why there is such a disconnect between medicine and dentistry. The scientific

affairs manager for Colgate Oral Care explains that in past generations, people simply expected to lose their teeth. Once the teeth were gone, the health of the mouth seemed of little importance. This informed the way that several generations felt about the practice and importance of dentistry, and possibly also influenced the politics around the topic. It is now clearer than ever that all of this needs to change.

Dr Cartwright is a member of the Oral Health Advisory Panel, a body of academics, dentists, dental therapists and hygienists, industry experts and health professionals established in 2013 to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health, and of its impact on general wellbeing. The panel’s report, titled Oral health and general health in Australia: The great disconnect, outlines why a complete re-education around the topic has become so necessary.

The report details that sugar consumption is on a steady rise globally. The World Health Organization [WHO] has issued recommendations on sugar consumption to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases in adults and children, with a specific focus on tooth decay and obesity. Thanks to tooth decay, WHO says, dental care costs between five and 10 per cent of the health budget in industrialised countries. “Despite the fact this is largely preventable,” the paper says, “tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Worldwide, 60 to 90 per cent of school children have cavities.”

Perhaps most worrying, considering the prevalence of the issue in our children, is the fact that tooth decay in early childhood is a significant predictor of long-term dental health problems.

Dr Susan Cartwright of

the Oral Health Advisory Panel.

30 Bite magazine

decisions can further exacerbate the problem. Once those regulatory decisions are made, dentists can find they are being rewarded for carrying out procedures rather than educating patients about lifestyle issues and preventive measures.

“Today’s dentist is rewarded for filling teeth,” Dr Cartwright says. “Preventive practices are much more difficult to assess and support from the government and insurance company perspective. With chronic diseases, it is recognised that in the end it is much more economical for governments to support prevention than to have to pay for the consequences of disease. So it does make sense to do that; it is just a hard thing to put in place.”

Oral health and adult wellbeingAs is well known, a large percentage of children suffer tooth decay, which in itself is a predictor of long-term dental health problems. What makes this more of a concern is that long-term dental health problems can have major and detrimental effects on people’s lives.

COVER STORY

identity,” the paper’s authors wrote.“For adults, self-consciousness and

the avoidance of smiling can affect your performance in job interviews and your ability to get a job,” Dr Cartwright says. “That is a reality for some people, and as a result, the sad reality is that it affects every part of their life.”

Practical implicationsOne in six Australian adults avoid eating certain foods because of problems with their teeth, the Oral Health Advisory Panel report says. A quarter of Australians over the age of 15 report feeling uncomfortable about their dental appearance. And despite improving dental technology and greater awareness and vigilance around health and appearance, the severity and prevalence of tooth decay has been increasing, in Australian children and adults, since the mid-1990s.

What does all of this mean? How can such trends, fuelled by generations of beliefs and attitudes, be turned around? How do you re-educate an entire society that appears newly concerned with the whiteness and straightness of their teeth but unconcerned with their underlying oral health?

“I saw a funny video the other day containing cartoon characters,” Dr Cartwright says. “The character went to the dentist and said they wanted straight,

Over half of those who experience depression also suffer oral health problems that affect their daily lives, the report says. Of course, this could mean depression causes oral health problems, rather than things being the other way around. And in some cases, this could be correct. But the report points out some important facts, all backed up by academic research, around this matter.

Poor oral health in children is related to reduced school attendance and inattention in class, it says. It is also linked to problems with speech, eating, poor self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness. As those youngsters grow into adults, oral health problems can translate to self-consciousness, avoidance of social contact, avoidance of smiling and laughing, reduced quality of life and depression and anxiety.

“These problems can affect important experiences, such as the confidence with which children and adults socialise with peers and approach new challenges, and these help to shape our developing

Dr Susan Cartwright, Oral Health Advisory Panel

“Self-consciousness and the avoidance of smiling can affect your performance in job interviews and your ability to get a job.”

Quote

The Oral Health Advisory Panel has released a report

on the importance of good oral health and its impact

on general wellbeing.

Dr Cartwright hopes to create

a connection between

medicine and dentistry.

white teeth and the dentist said, ‘But you have terrible oral disease and you need to get that fixed before you have your teeth whitened.’ The person responded with, ‘No, I just want white teeth. Give me white teeth!’ And the dentist was saying, ‘But your breath really stinks! I can tell that you have disease in your mouth.’ It was very funny, but actually that is quite often the mindset. Even the people who care about the appearance of their teeth often don’t feel the same way about what is going on at the back of their mouth. It’s all about the front teeth.”

So, how is it fixed? This battle can’t just be fought on one front, Dr Cartwright says. She recommends a three-pronged approach in order to bring about a change in attitude and a re-connection between medicine and dentistry. “First of all, there needs to be a change in dental education to ensure practitioners are practising the best prevention they can. They need to be putting extra effort into promoting preventive practices to their patients and being rewarded for doing this,” she says.

“Then, I think, members of the public need to understand that they can have perfect teeth and that, in fact, it is not that hard. I’m not necessarily talking about straight teeth—that is harder and more expensive—but from a disease perspective, they can have a really good outcome with their teeth. They don’t have to have fillings and they don’t have to suffer decay. That sort of education needs to be had as well.

“Finally, it needs to be a topic discussed in a new light in the political and regulatory forum. Shouldn’t there be some sort of system that recognises dentistry within medicine? Should discussions be had that are led by agendas around insurance payments and government support and that sort of thing? These are the three fronts on which I think this needs to be fought. If one does not succeed then the rest will fall over. It is not an easy task but the more we do to raise awareness, the closer we come to changing those all-important mindsets.”

A recently commissioned report, the 2014 Lonergan Study, said many Australians wished they had taken better care of their teeth and agree that ‘nothing looks worse than bad teeth’. If they had been offered the right advice and had understood the simple processes involved in looking after their oral health, they would probably not have such regrets. The next generation, Dr Cartwright says, doesn’t need to feel the same way.

Bite magazine 31

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEYOUR TOOLS

32 Bite magazine

The trend of dentists performing specialised orthodontic work has undergone a dramatic increase. However, not everyone—from patients to dental boards—is happy with the results. John Burfitt reports.

Great expectations

It’s the issue right now causing some concern among specialists and dental boards, especially as it has fuelled a rise in the number of complaints in the industry. The issue is about general practice dentists

who, instead of referring patients to a specialist, embark on orthodontic procedures with either little or no additional training to do so. This trend is, according to the Australian Society of Orthodontists and the Queensland branch of the Australian Dental Association [ADAQ], becoming more widespread. And as it does, it is in some cases creating a wide range of problems.

Dr Vas Srinivasan of Invisible Orthodontics on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has a medical analogy for the malpractice. “Imagine a dentist went to their GP with intense heart pains, and the GP responded, ‘I have done a few weekend workshops on cardiology—hop

Bite magazine 33

of education. Unless you know how to identify a problem and the variable effects of treatment in orthodontics, you won’t see it. That is one of the key things with the people who get into trouble as they have not been taught properly to identify what is going on, particularly when treatment effects deviated from the expected path.”

As for reasons behind this emerging trend, Dr Srinivasan believes it is one of the results of the oversupply of dentists Australia has experienced in recent years. He says some dentists have expanded into attempting procedures they would once have referred patients on for due to sheer desperation for more and more business.

“This is not about greed, but all about survival as some businesses are just trying to keep their heads above water,” Dr Srinivasan says.

“I have few dentists who practise orthodontics and do it well, but are also well aware of their limits. But many new dentists do not want to refer on; they just want to treat every patient who comes through the door as it is all about business. I had a call from a dental colleague who asked if he could observe me in the clinic. He said he needed to learn orthodontics fast, as all the dentists around him were doing it and he felt he was going to be left behind.”

That conversation, Dr Srinivasan recalls, proved a valuable insight into the number of cases of dentists being disciplined for unprofessional behaviour. “I had been reading about the increased incidents of dentists being reprimanded and suspended from practising by doing orthodontic work they should never have attempted,” he says.

“I also saw an advertisement recently advising dentists to stop referring on

that as a GP dentist you cannot advertise or give patients the perception that you specialise in a service unless you are registered as such by the Dental Board of Australia [DBA].”

The DBA has been active in outlining competencies that define specialist practice as a routine process, mindful of the issue of dentists who attempt to extend their scope of practice. Dr Mithran Goonewardene of the Australian Society of Orthodontists and the University of Western Australia has been working with the DBA on a project that outlines competencies for specialists.

“The dental board has been taking a new look at establishing some consistencies in what competencies graduates emerge with when they complete their studies, and this project is establishing what those key competencies are,” he says. “We are looking at how we distinguish specialist skills from general competency skills. There is no doubt there has been an increase in orthodontic complaints, and that is directly related to some of these people expanding their scope beyond what they have previously been exposed to.”

Concern has been raised about the way some short-term courses promise to equip general practitioners with the same orthodontic skills within only a few weeks that took a specialist a number of additional years of study to develop.

While some dentists are indeed competent to deal with simple alignment issues, not all practitioners have the same experience.

“There are things that cannot be delivered or evaluated in a few short-term courses,” Dr Goonewardene says. “What this current issue highlights is that you do need an extended period

“The dental board has been taking a new look at establishing some consistencies in what competencies graduates emerge with.”

Quote Dr Mithran Goonewardene, Australian Society of Orthodontics

up on the table and I will open you up and have a look. And I will be so much cheaper.’ You would be out of that surgery within minutes. Dentistry is going through this phase where inadequately trained dentists are taking up work beyond their clinical and academic means. There is scope to expand their practice by spending quality time on accredited university-based courses which emphasise more about the don’ts.”

It was ADAQ president Dr Ralph Kelsey who put the issue on the agenda in the March issue of the ADAQ newsletter. In his article, Dr Kelsey wrote, “Do not fall into the trap of attending abbreviated courses which you believe will equip you with the skills to perform treatment that should have been referred. Orthodontic services being provided by general practitioners are becoming prominent as a source of complaints. Adhere to the requirement

YOUR BUSINESS

34 Bite magazine

NEW

Order online at www.arkhealth.com.au Phone: 1800 422 227 P (02) 9477 4610 F (02) 9987 1248 E sales@arkhealth.com.au

Price and offer valid until 30th October 2015.

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STANDARD IMPLANT KIT STERILE

“The [Dental Board of Australia] is now looking at ways of analysing this data and using the knowledge to regulate effectively.”

Quote

Dental Relocation and Infrastructure Support Scheme is funded by the Australian Government and administered by Rural Health Workforce Australia.

Government grants are available for registered general dentists who want to work in private practice in a location more regional, rural or remote than their current location.

Look what’s on offer:

• Relocation grants of $15,000 to $120,000

• Infrastructure grants up to $250,000

The 2016 Funding Round is: • 22 February–24 March 2016

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

Open to opportunities in rural Australia?

To see if you’re eligible:Visit: www.rhwa.org.au/DRISSEmail: DRISS@rhwa.org.auFreecall: 1800 475 433

their patients, and how much money they could make as a result. That stopped me in my tracks. What we do cannot be about the money—it has to be about the need of the patient and who is the best skilled to treat them most appropriately.”

The issue is not just confined to Australia. In February 2013, the British Orthodontic Society ran a public service announcement article in The Guardian newspaper featuring the headline, ‘Considering straightening your teeth? Don’t be misled by the promise of a quick fix’. The announcement was in response to a growing number of complaints about teeth straightening by some cosmetic dentists. The issue was taken up recently by the University of Manchester’s Professor Kevin O’Brien in his popular blog. Dr O’Brien posted a piece titled, Should General Dentists Provide Orthodontic Treatment?, in which he reached the conclusion that “practitioners and specialists need to work within their competencies”.

The DBA research project Dr Goonewardene has been working on is expected to be open for national discussion in the coming months, and it is then planned that the board will release a set of new guidelines. It has to date already published a Scope of Practice registration standard, guidelines and a Code of Conduct, both of which make expectations clear. The DBA holds all registered dental practitioners to account against these standards. The creation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme five years ago also created opportunities to collate and analyse national data about notifications.

“The board is now looking at ways of analysing this data and using this knowledge to regulate effectively and proportionately,” a DBA spokesperson stated. “As it becomes available, more detailed and specific data will enable the board to identify and monitor trends in notifications and target its regulatory effort at issues as they arise.”

It is important that specialised orthdontic work is practised only by trained professionals rather than general dentists.

Dental Board of Australia spokesperson

YOUR PATIENTS MOVE FAST, SO WE SCAN FASTER

CS 8100SC 3 SECONDS IS ALL IT TAKES TO ACQUIRE HIGH-QUALITY CEPHALOMETRIC IMAGES

The new CS 8100SC delivers both panoramic and cephalometric high-quality images in one fast and ultra-compact system. Shorter scanning time reduces dose and risk of motion blur while optimizing patient comfort.

• Scanning in record time – fastest ceph scanning in the world*• Exclusive automatic tracing software – full tracing within 90 seconds**• CS Adapt module – for impressive image clarity and customizable look and feel

LET’S REDEFINE EXPERTISE The CS 8100SC is just one way we redefine imaging. Discover more at www.carestreamdental.com or call us at

© Carestream Health, Inc. 2015. 12909 OR CS 8100SC AD 0815For pediatric examinations, refer to the safety instructions in the user manuals.*18 x 24 cm image in quick mode ** 18 x 24 cm image

AUTOMATIC

TRACING

EXCLUSIVE

YOUR PATIENTS MOVE FAST, SO WE SCAN FASTER

CS 8100SC 3 SECONDS IS ALL IT TAKES TO ACQUIRE HIGH-QUALITY CEPHALOMETRIC IMAGES

The new CS 8100SC delivers both panoramic and cephalometric high-quality images in one fast and ultra-compact system. Shorter scanning time reduces dose and risk of motion blur while optimizing patient comfort.

• Scanning in record time – fastest ceph scanning in the world*• Exclusive automatic tracing software – full tracing within 90 seconds**• CS Adapt module – for impressive image clarity and customizable look and feel

LET’S REDEFINE EXPERTISE The CS 8100SC is just one way we redefine imaging. Discover more at www.carestreamdental.com or call us at

© Carestream Health, Inc. 2015. 12909 OR CS 8100SC AD 0815For pediatric examinations, refer to the safety instructions in the user manuals.*18 x 24 cm image in quick mode ** 18 x 24 cm image

AUTOMATIC

TRACING

EXCLUSIVE

Dental Board of Australia spokesperson

Healthy soft-tissue around your implant

Visit us at AOS 10th Biennial Conference # 18Canberra 14 - 17 October 2015

Natural colour and texture

Dr Todd Scheyer AOS Canberra 14 October 2015www.aosconference.com.au/index.php/program

Dr Jonathan Leichter Brisbane 16 | Sydney 18 | Perth 20 | Auckland 27 November 2015 www.geistlich.com.au/cpd

Upcoming Hard and Soft Tissue Lectures with Hands-On

6 CPD Hours3.5 CPD Hours

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NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

Healthy soft-tissue around your implant

Visit us at AOS 10th Biennial Conference # 18Canberra 14 - 17 October 2015

Natural colour and texture

Dr Todd Scheyer AOS Canberra 14 October 2015www.aosconference.com.au/index.php/program

Dr Jonathan Leichter Brisbane 16 | Sydney 18 | Perth 20 | Auckland 27 November 2015 www.geistlich.com.au/cpd

Upcoming Hard and Soft Tissue Lectures with Hands-On

6 CPD Hours3.5 CPD Hours

th th th th th

Filling the gap

As a fast-growing and important area of dentistry,

Bite magazine highlights innovative implant tools

and treatments.

Bite magazine 37

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Implant Product guide

38 Bite magazine

With the heightened scrutiny of dental surgeries infection control procedures,

implementing the use of pre-made sterile kits offers sterility assurance, time efficiencies with the resultant cost savings. An Association of British Healthcare Industries case study on the use of procedure packs in Government Health Facilities found procedure packs deliver the right components, in the right configuration, in the right place, at the right time.

Adopting the use of pre-made sterile kits eliminates the need to prepare all the necessary components prior to surgery. This improves asepsis leaving patients less exposed to clinic acquired infections. There is a marked increase in efficiency and quality of service with a better flow of patients and less waiting time. In addition, with all the items in one pack batch traceability is simplified, reducing sterilisation time and costs, and the burden of administration.

With a variety of kits available practices can determine which items they require for their surgery. Also, pre-made packs simplify stock control by reducing the number of individual items purchased and need monitoring. By incorporating items such as gowns, masks, tubing and drapes into one conveniently packed kit there is very little setup time as the enclosed drape opens up to create the sterile field.

Customised kits are also available for greater efficiencies allowing the practice to tailor kits to their needs with a wide range of disposable components on offer.

The new sterile Standard Implant Kit from Ongard supplies a wide range of components in one convenient pack incorporating: • 2 x Surgical Gown 60gsm AAMI

Level 2• 4 x Hand Towel (36cm x 60cm)• 1 x Patient Drape / U Drape with

Adhesive + Tube holders (180cm x 270cm)

• 1 x Mayo Stand Cover (140cm x 60cm)

• 1 x Head Bar Drape with Adhesive (80cm x 100cm)

• 3 x Adhesive Film - Blue (20cm x 20cm)

• 1 x Fine Aspiration Handle and Tip with Control Vent 2.8mm ID

• 1 x Blue Adaptor• 2 x Quick Drill Sleeve with Applicator

(140cm x 6cm)• 10 x Gauze X-Ray Detectable 8ply

(10cm x 10cm)• 1 x Saliva Ejector• 1 x Tubing Adaptor / Connector• 1 x Suction Tube with Connectors

(3m)• 1 x Trolley/Back Table Cover (180cm

x 140cm)

For more information on the Ongard Standard Implant Sterile kit or customised kits contact Ark Health on 1800 422 227

Pre-made sterile kits offer efficiency and assurance

STANDARD IMPLANT KIT STERILE

CONTENTS

2 x Surgical Gown 60gsm AAMI Level 2

4 x Hand Towel (36cm x 60cm)

1 x Patient Drape / U Drape with Adhesive + Tube holders (180cm x 270cm)

1 x Mayo Stand Cover (140cm x 60cm)

1 x Head Bar Drape with Adhesive (80cm x 100cm)

3 x Adhesive Film - Blue (20cm x 20cm)

1 x Fine Aspiration Handle and Tip with Control Vent 2.8mm ID

1 x Blue Adaptor

2 x Quick Drill Sleeve with Applicator (140cm x 6cm)

10 x Gauze X-Ray Detectable 8ply (10cm x 10cm)

1 x Saliva Ejector

1 x Tubing Adaptor / Connector

1 x Suction Tube with Connectors (3m)

1 x Trolley/Back Table Cover (180cm x 140cm)

Order online at www.arkhealth.com.au Phone: 1800 422 227 P (02) 9477 4610 F (02) 9987 1248 E sales@arkhealth.com.au

Price and offer valid until 30th October 2015.

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Standard Implant Kit Sterile A4 ad.indd 1 29/09/2015 2:14 pm

STANDARD IMPLANT KIT STERILE

CONTENTS

2 x Surgical Gown 60gsm AAMI Level 2

4 x Hand Towel (36cm x 60cm)

1 x Patient Drape / U Drape with Adhesive + Tube holders (180cm x 270cm)

1 x Mayo Stand Cover (140cm x 60cm)

1 x Head Bar Drape with Adhesive (80cm x 100cm)

3 x Adhesive Film - Blue (20cm x 20cm)

1 x Fine Aspiration Handle and Tip with Control Vent 2.8mm ID

1 x Blue Adaptor

2 x Quick Drill Sleeve with Applicator (140cm x 6cm)

10 x Gauze X-Ray Detectable 8ply (10cm x 10cm)

1 x Saliva Ejector

1 x Tubing Adaptor / Connector

1 x Suction Tube with Connectors (3m)

1 x Trolley/Back Table Cover (180cm x 140cm)

Order online at www.arkhealth.com.au Phone: 1800 422 227 P (02) 9477 4610 F (02) 9987 1248 E sales@arkhealth.com.au

Price and offer valid until 30th October 2015.

NEW

$66

50% OPTIONAL DISCOUNT1 Box Ansell Gammex PF Sterile Latex Gloves (Disc. $53.79)When you buy 2 Boxes (6 Kits) Ongard Standard Implant KitsFREIGHT FREE

perkit

(3 kits per box)

Standard Implant Kit Sterile A4 ad.indd 1 29/09/2015 2:14 pm

STANDARD IMPLANT KIT STERILE

CONTENTS

2 x Surgical Gown 60gsm AAMI Level 2

4 x Hand Towel (36cm x 60cm)

1 x Patient Drape / U Drape with Adhesive + Tube holders (180cm x 270cm)

1 x Mayo Stand Cover (140cm x 60cm)

1 x Head Bar Drape with Adhesive (80cm x 100cm)

3 x Adhesive Film - Blue (20cm x 20cm)

1 x Fine Aspiration Handle and Tip with Control Vent 2.8mm ID

1 x Blue Adaptor

2 x Quick Drill Sleeve with Applicator (140cm x 6cm)

10 x Gauze X-Ray Detectable 8ply (10cm x 10cm)

1 x Saliva Ejector

1 x Tubing Adaptor / Connector

1 x Suction Tube with Connectors (3m)

1 x Trolley/Back Table Cover (180cm x 140cm)

Order online at www.arkhealth.com.au Phone: 1800 422 227 P (02) 9477 4610 F (02) 9987 1248 E sales@arkhealth.com.au

Price and offer valid until 30th October 2015.

NEW

$66

50% OPTIONAL DISCOUNT1 Box Ansell Gammex PF Sterile Latex Gloves (Disc. $53.79)When you buy 2 Boxes (6 Kits) Ongard Standard Implant KitsFREIGHT FREE

perkit

(3 kits per box)

Standard Implant Kit Sterile A4 ad.indd 1 29/09/2015 2:14 pm

STANDARD IMPLANT KIT STERILE

CONTENTS

2 x Surgical Gown 60gsm AAMI Level 2

4 x Hand Towel (36cm x 60cm)

1 x Patient Drape / U Drape with Adhesive + Tube holders (180cm x 270cm)

1 x Mayo Stand Cover (140cm x 60cm)

1 x Head Bar Drape with Adhesive (80cm x 100cm)

3 x Adhesive Film - Blue (20cm x 20cm)

1 x Fine Aspiration Handle and Tip with Control Vent 2.8mm ID

1 x Blue Adaptor

2 x Quick Drill Sleeve with Applicator (140cm x 6cm)

10 x Gauze X-Ray Detectable 8ply (10cm x 10cm)

1 x Saliva Ejector

1 x Tubing Adaptor / Connector

1 x Suction Tube with Connectors (3m)

1 x Trolley/Back Table Cover (180cm x 140cm)

Order online at www.arkhealth.com.au Phone: 1800 422 227 P (02) 9477 4610 F (02) 9987 1248 E sales@arkhealth.com.au

Price and offer valid until 30th October 2015.

NEW

$6650% OPTIONAL DISCOUNT1 Box Ansell Gammex PF Sterile Latex Gloves (Disc. $53.79)When you buy 2 Boxes (6 Kits) Ongard Standard Implant KitsFREIGHT FREE

perkit

(3 kits per box)

Standard Implant Kit Sterile A4 ad.indd 1 29/09/2015 2:14 pm

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Implant Product guide

40 Bite magazine

“It was like jumping from a Holden to a Mercedes-Benz,” says Professor Dan

Brener of switching to NSK’s implant motor systems. “That’s in terms of the quality, the technology, the reliability. I’d used American, German, Japanese handpieces and motors previously, but NSK’s implant motors are the only ones on the market that are accurate. They’re very precise tools, and the greater precision, the less chance you’re going to slip and cause damage to your patients.”

It’s an ambitious claim, but one weighted by Professor Brener’s years of experience and command of professional respect. As the namesake founder and director of the Brener Implant Institute, located in North Sydney, Professor Brener is a leader in dental implant and prosthodontic education and research. The institute’s training programs and courses focus on the most current, evidence-based and state-of-the-art dental implant and bone grafting procedures. He additionally serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Sydney, where he originally studied.

Professor Brener began working with NSK products two years ago and currently uses both its Surgic Pro oral surgery and implant micromotor and Variosurg3 ultrasonic bone surgery systems, which can both be linked with a single foot control and common interface.

With its compact and lightweight format and powerful nature, the NSK Surgic Pro delivers the reliability and accuracy required in today’s competitive market, in which implants are becoming increasingly common.

Its advanced handpiece calibration [AHC] ensures the correct torque value required for specific treatments, avoiding the small misalignments and upward deviation typical between pre-set and actual torque values as a result of the friction between bearings and contra-angle tools.

The most recent iteration of Surgic Pro, SGL70M, the fifth generation surgical micromotor from NSK, was developed based on feedback from clinicians, ensuring it satisfies professional requirements. Features include LED optics, durability for high temperature sterilisation, and lighter weight, reducing strain on clinicians. Its control unit features LCD display panel, advanced irrigation pump, and data log and management functions.

These details result in a superior product attuned to the safety and comfort of patients and the success of procedures. “Often when we teach dentists [how to use these tools] we test them on a block of bone of a pig,” explains Professor Brener. “What’s interesting is that it will cut right through the bone, but if you try it on the eye it won’t cut it at all. It means that it responds to bone, not nerve, so

even if you hit one accidentally in the upper jaw, it won’t create any damage.” He adds that when using burs to gain entry to the sinus you run the risk of cutting the sinus membrane, whereas with the NSK tools you give your sinus graft a greater chance of success. The reliability of the handpieces and motors is just fantastic.”

For more product and technical information contact NSK. Telephone: 1300 443 321 Email: info@nskoceania.com.auWeb: nskoceania.com.au

Precision and reliability —NSK leads the way

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Over the past few months, National Dental Care, (NDC), has made a number of significant

investments in their network of practices across Australia, including a multi-million dollar upgrade in clinical technology and refits. As part of this investment, the company has recently purchased a significant number of CEREC Omnicams, Intra-oral cameras, Diagnocams, and OPGs.

In parallel with this investment in equipment, NDC has embarked on the largest dentist training and development program in its history. The focus on training is something which NDC’s CEO, Gordon Towell, says is key to the company’s way of doing business.

“We strongly believe in investing in all our people; not just those driving day-to-day operations in our practices, but most importantly, our Lead Dentists, Associate Dentists and clinical staff.”

Towell added “We’ve designed graduate programs, as well as large, multi-faceted training programs for senior dentists and their practice managers, and will continue to implement programs that help dentists provide better patient outcomes and service.”

Most recently, 8 NDC dentists were enrolled into dental implant courses through the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry, (ASID), with a further 10 dentists enrolled into new Invisalign training courses. The ASID course educates general dentists taking them to a level where they can commence placing and restoring implants safely and successfully. Dr Joseph Hidegh

attended the course, “Probably the most intensive, hands-on dental course I have ever attended, and experiencing it with a large group of NDC dentists we also managed to have some fun!”, he said.

Dr Rob Dewhurst, NDC Clinical Oversight Committee member commented “On the weekend of the 18th of September, I had the pleasure of welcoming a number of our NDC dentists to Armidale to participate in a dissection course, including placement of implants in human cadavers. It was a fantastic weekend with dentists being able to plan, x-ray, place implants and do further dissection to see the quality of the placement. The comradery

developed by working together was fantastic in an incredible learning environment.” The NDC candidates who are successful in all three modules will receive a Certificate of Accreditation from the Society.

In addition to clinical training, NDC has a strong focus on

developing their dentists commercial and management skill sets.

“Dentists are good at their clinical trade, but when it comes to managing a business, there are challenges,” says Towell.

“In most businesses, the leaders or supervisors are given management training. Dentists often don’t have this benefit, so they are often learning through their mistakes,” he says.

To address this significant issue, NDC has engaged a leading practice management consultancy to create targeted, year-long training programs for both dentists and practice managers. These popular programs,

(funded entirely by NDC), have seen both lead and associate dentists skilling up in areas like patient care, practice systems, communications and leadership skills.

“Through being proficient with these skills, the patient takes responsibility for what is going on in their mouth. Rather than dentists spending a lot of time convincing patients to take important treatments, these skills assist them to spend time with a patient so they understand the health benefits,” says Towell.

While NDC dentists are learning better techniques for patient care, their Practice Managers taking National Dental Care’s 12-month “Excellence in Practice Management course” discover the program’s strong focus on leadership skills. This is a valuable addition to clinics, given that the success of a dental practice relies heavily on the skills and commitment of these professionals.

National Dental Care is the fastest growing dental network in Australia. For more information please call 07 3512 5410 or visit the website nationaldentalcare.com.au

Implant Product guide

42 Bite magazine

Expand both your services and your patient careTraining is key to the future success of National Dental Care.

Rob Dewhurst

Gordon Towell

nationaldentalcare.com.au

For a confidential discussion call Christina King, Human Resources Manager on +61 7 3512 5418 or emailcareers@nationaldentalcare.com.au

and much much more...

Reasons why you should join National Dental Care

• Generous commission structure.• First class bonus payments for

lead dentists.

Financial Incentives• From city to country, there’s

opportunity for everyone, everywhere.

• Let your aspirations drive your career whether you are an associate, senior associate or lead dentist.

Career Opportunities

• Excellent professional development & training programs.

• Most training programs paid for by NDC, including implant, Invisliagn and Prime Practice training.

Training Advantage• Collaborative approach with our Clinical

Oversight Committee (COC) on clinical engagement, ongoing education, best practice systems and more.

• Business decisions are driven by the COC, separating patient health from company health.

Clinical Oversight Committee

Thinking of a career move?

nationaldentalcare.com.au

For a confidential discussion call Christina King, Human Resources Manager on +61 7 3512 5418 or emailcareers@nationaldentalcare.com.au

and much much more...

Reasons why you should join National Dental Care

• Generous commission structure.• First class bonus payments for

lead dentists.

Financial Incentives• From city to country, there’s

opportunity for everyone, everywhere.

• Let your aspirations drive your career whether you are an associate, senior associate or lead dentist.

Career Opportunities

• Excellent professional development & training programs.

• Most training programs paid for by NDC, including implant, Invisliagn and Prime Practice training.

Training Advantage• Collaborative approach with our Clinical

Oversight Committee (COC) on clinical engagement, ongoing education, best practice systems and more.

• Business decisions are driven by the COC, separating patient health from company health.

Clinical Oversight Committee

Thinking of a career move?

nationaldentalcare.com.au

For a confidential discussion call Christina King, Human Resources Manager on +61 7 3512 5418 or emailcareers@nationaldentalcare.com.au

and much much more...

Reasons why you should join National Dental Care

• Generous commission structure.• First class bonus payments for

lead dentists.

Financial Incentives• From city to country, there’s

opportunity for everyone, everywhere.

• Let your aspirations drive your career whether you are an associate, senior associate or lead dentist.

Career Opportunities

• Excellent professional development & training programs.

• Most training programs paid for by NDC, including implant, Invisliagn and Prime Practice training.

Training Advantage• Collaborative approach with our Clinical

Oversight Committee (COC) on clinical engagement, ongoing education, best practice systems and more.

• Business decisions are driven by the COC, separating patient health from company health.

Clinical Oversight Committee

Thinking of a career move?

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Implant Product guide

44 Bite magazine

Anthos Classe L9 and Classe A7 series with in-built implantology mode is an outstanding addition to

your practice.Via the cutting-edge control

electronics, both the L9 and A7 Classes are ready to incorporate all of today’s Anthos instruments—and tomorrow’s.

The software has been developed for conservative, endodontic and oral surgery tasks and allows precise intuitive parameter control.

In implantology mode the motor can, depending on the selected contra-angle, reach a torque value of up to 70 Ncm. Seven different personalised settings can be made to help the dentist complete all the treatment stages leading to implantation.

The peristaltic pump is able to be installed as a supplementary application on the dentist element modules. This allows for treatment requiring aseptic conditions, where sterile irrigation liquids can be used during oral surgery or implant operations.

The full touch interface screen makes the advanced features of the

implantology mode simple and efficient. Activation is via light touch and enables:• Speed adjustable from 5cm to 2500

rpm with the value always referring to the reductio ratios (20:1 to 1000:1 reduction gears).

• Torque is adjustable from 0.5 to 55.0 Ncm.

• Calibration button during motor rotation.

• Alarm signal when the maximum torque is reached.

The implantology mode is a standard inclusion with all configuration variations of the Classe L9 and Classe A7 with prices starting at $32,600 (+GST=$35,860).

BIEN AIR CHIROPRO SeriesAlso available from Anthos is the Swiss Made industry leading CHIROPRO range from Bien Air.

I CHIROPROThis device is controlled by an iPad and a constantly evolving application, and offers endless new possibilities to facilitate the operation procedures.

The parameters for the major implant manufacturers are directly integrated. Quick and easy import of planning data from the coDiagnostiX™ software (currently available for Straumann implants only). Multiple implant procedures, implant barcode reader for complete traceability.

CHIROPRO LThe Chiropro L incorporates 7 of the leading implant systems on the market with their complete sequences. From preparation of the implant site to implant fastening, the pre-programmed clinical sequence is displayed on the screen. Only a few seconds are needed to define, save or modify your program. The Chiropro L is pre-programmed for the following implant systems: Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Zimmer, Dentsply Friadent, Biomet 3i, AstraTech, Thommen Medical.

Bien Air I CHIROPRO and CHIROPRO L are proudly available from Anthos Australia, 1300 881 617.

Anthos Australia—Implantology solutions

SYDNEY SHOWROOM OPENING

Visit Anthos Now

SYDNEY - Unit 11G - Graphix Row, 160 Bourke Road, Alexandria MELBOURNE - 117 Bouverie Street, Carlton

1300 881 617 | info@anthos.com.au | www.anthos.com.au

ANTHOS Dental Units - Made in Italy - Premium portfolio on displayAnthos Classe A3 - $24,900 NOW $19,900 + GST ($21,890)

Anthos Classe L9 - $49,900 NOW $39,900 + GST ($43,890)

Anthos Sterilizer Class B 17L - $9,900 NOW $8,800 + GST ($9,680)

MyRay Hyperion X5 OPG - $33,900 NOW $24,800 + GST ($27,280)

MyRay Hyperion X9 3D Cone Beam - $108,800 NOW $79,900 + GST ($87,890)

Many more sub $20k options from Bien Air - Switzerland | Edarredo Italy - Cabinetry | Cattani Italy - Plant Solutions

Anthos Australia, the premium supplier of European Dental Equipment is pleased to announce the opening of our new

Sydney showroom in Alexandria.

Opening Month Specials Available NOW

Image may include optional items. Installation and freight not included.Consult with Anthos for full configuration details.Pricing/ Offers valid while stocks last.

Call 1300 881 617 to book an appointment.

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Laser-Lok microchannels is a proprietary dental implant surface treatment developed from over 20

years of research initiated to create the optimal implant surface. Through this research, the unique Laser-Lok surface has been shown to elicit a biologic response that includes the inhibition of epithelial downgrowth and the attachment of connective tissue. This physical attachment produces a biologic seal around the implant that protects and maintains crestal bone health. The Laser-Lok phenomenon has been shown in post-market studies to be more effective than other implant designs in reducing bone loss.

Dr Paul McKay of Smile Artistry has been using Laser-Lok, available through BioHorizons, for close to a decade, and so boasts one of the longest-standing experiences with the treatment in Australia. And while he has “trialed and used four other systems, we have stuck with Laser-Lok because we feel we get better clinical results,” he says. “You don’t get as much bone loss around the implant, and so it’s more stable long-term.”

Smile Artistry is a family-owned practice in Brisbane, and with thanks to Dr McKay’s experience in performing dental implant surgery, is recognised as a leader in the field. Dr Paul McKay has completed the Misch International Implant Institute Surgical Program, is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologist, and a member of The Australian Society of Implant Dentistry and The International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

As he says, “I’ve used other implant systems, all of which have smooth surface around the tissue level, whereas because of Laser-

Lok’s unique surface texture, it really gets a connective tissue attachment. It’s something no one has achieved before, and creates a better seal around the tissue to protect the actual bone and prevent bone loss.” While random surfaces have shown higher osseointegration than machined surfaces, only the Laser-Lok surface has been shown using light microscopy, polarised light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to also be effective for soft tissue attachment.

BioHorizons’ Laser-Lok surface has been shown in several studies to offer a clinical advantage over other implant designs. In a prospective, controlled multi-center study, Laser-Lok implants,

when placed alongside identical implants with a traditional surface, were shown at 37 months post-op to reduce bone loss by 70% (or 1.35mm). In a retrospective, private practice study, Laser-Lok implants placed in a variety of site conditions and followed up

to three years minimized bone loss to 0.46mm.

The establishment of a physical, connective tissue attachment to the Laser-Lok surface has generated an entirely new area of research and development: Laser-Lok applied to abutments. This could provide an opportunity to use Laser-Lok abutments

to create a biologic seal and to establish superior

osseointegration—a solution offering the best of both worlds.

For more information visit biohorizons.com

Implant Product guide

46 Bite magazine

Advantages of Laser-Lok in the implant practice

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEPRODUCT GUIDE

ADVERTORIAL

PRODUCT GUIDE

Surgeons in Australia and around the world are increasingly turning to the latest ‘Implantmed’ surgical

motor from Austrian company, W&H, for simple, safe and reproducible implant surgery.

The key feature that makes Implantmed unique in the implantology world is the automatic thread cutter function, which offers significant benefits to surgeons and patients alike.

According to A-dec’s W&H product manager, Shal Hafiz, this feature allows the surgeon to focus on the job at hand with ultimate precision and safety.

“Cutting or tapping a thread into dense bone before placing the implant prevents excessive compression and inhibits the likelihood of pressure necrosis during the healing phase.

“Implantmed is widely used by specialists to treat periodontitis, advanced bone atrophy and replace diseased, damaged and missing teeth, resulting in greatly improved dental function and aesthetic outcomes for patients,” Mr Hafiz said.

Coupled with a range of precision W&H instruments, Implantmed allows the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to perform sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implantation and other more complex oral surgery and general surgical reconstructive procedures.

International expert in oral implantology, Dr. Christian Dan Pascu of Dusseldorf, Germany, said in the past it had been difficult to predict the results of treatment, however, with the help of tools such as the Implantmed, success rates have improved considerably and the use of implants was now a reliable treatment method.

Dr Dan Pascu has posted a step-by-step complex implantology procedure

on the W&H website with detailed photographs showing the equipment in use. The example involves a 59-year-

old female patient with advanced periodontitis, characterised

by enlarged periodontal

pockets and very advanced bone

atrophy in regions 16 and 14. Teeth 16 and 14 could not be retained,

however the patient rejected a removable solution

in favour of an implant procedure.The W&H Implantmed simplifies the

procedure with programs for all key procedures matching the handpieces and implant devices being used. The surgeon can see the speed and mode with just a quick glance at the large illuminated display. The various modes can be preset beforehand for the surgical protocol and selected during the procedure with the foot control without even looking down at the buttons.

Dr Dan Pascu used a WS-75LG contra angle handpiece, which is fitted with an LED+ light to place the implant. The light increases the contrast and colour rendition in the oral cavity for greatly improved visual perception. The straight handpiece used for the surgical procedures is the W&H S-11. Both are both externally irrigated, which Dr Dan Pascu said is a great advantage, because the saline solution is placed exactly where it’s needed to keep the treatment site cool and clear debris, and the irrigation can also be adjusted if necessary.

In Australia, noted oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Khaled Zoud of Wisdom Centre for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Burwood uses an Implantmed unit and surgical handpieces for the removal of difficult teeth, bone grafting for dental implants, dental implants, exposure and bonding of impacted teeth, oral and maxillofacial trauma, periapical surgery and other surgeries.

Dr Zoud said the Implantmed was intuitive and easy to use, with the preset programs avoiding risk of errors. He added that the irrigation tubing on the surgical handpiece was a very useful feature as it allowed the surgeon to concentrate on job at hand without bone becoming overheated and causing bone necrosis during implants and other surgical procedures.

It also freed up the dental nurse and allowed for better retraction of the soft tissue during surgery. The irrigation clip can be positioned on either side of the handpiece for greater visibility at the treatment site.

The W&H Implantmed and surgical straight and contra angle handpieces with external irrigation are available from A-dec Australia. Phone 1800 225 010 or visit a-dec.com.au for details.

Implant Product guide

48 Bite magazine

Simple, safe and reproducible implant therapy

NEWThe new surgical instrumentsThe new design puts a whole range of advantages at your fingertips: fatigue-free working thanks to optimal ergonomics. Considerably better access to the treatment site thanks to a new neckgeometry with removable spray clips which can be attached on either side. Ideal illumination thanksto the mini LED+ positioned near to the head. The scratch-resistant surface facilitates cleaning.

Everything under control

© 2013 A-dec Inc. All rights reserved. AA827_INK1992-52

ChairsDelivery SystemsLightsMonitor MountsCabinetsHandpiecesMaintenanceSterilisationImaging

For more information Email: a-dec@a-dec.com.au Phone: 1800 225 010 Visit: www.wh.com Follow us on Twitter: @A_decAust

1992-52_AA_W&H_Everything_under_control_Bite_2A.indd 1 20/09/13 2:20 PM

NEWThe new surgical instrumentsThe new design puts a whole range of advantages at your fingertips: fatigue-free working thanks to optimal ergonomics. Considerably better access to the treatment site thanks to a new neckgeometry with removable spray clips which can be attached on either side. Ideal illumination thanksto the mini LED+ positioned near to the head. The scratch-resistant surface facilitates cleaning.

Everything under control

© 2013 A-dec Inc. All rights reserved. AA827_INK1992-52

ChairsDelivery SystemsLightsMonitor MountsCabinetsHandpiecesMaintenanceSterilisationImaging

For more information Email: a-dec@a-dec.com.au Phone: 1800 225 010 Visit: www.wh.com Follow us on Twitter: @A_decAust

1992-52_AA_W&H_Everything_under_control_Bite_2A.indd 1 20/09/13 2:20 PM

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFEYOUR TOOLS

Tools of the tradeExcellent loupes, a unique matrix band system, diverse gingival retraction cords, and more …

IQ Air FlexVacby Dr Murray Orr, Heal Dental Care, Burleigh, QLD

Our dental clinic is holistic in its focus and we often have patients who are concerned about safety issues associated with the removal of their failed mercury amalgam fillings. Sometimes the heightened expectations of these patients can be confronting. As clinicians, we must be empathic towards our patients’ concerns and so my clinic has chosen to use the FlexVac as part of our amalgam removal procedure.

What’s good about itWhen removing amalgam fillings, we already use conventional techniques including a rubber dam and HVE to protect the patient from swallowing any debris. Although helpful, we believe these practices still don’t adequately protect the patient, assistant or practitioner from mercury vapour released during the removal procedure. High temperatures produced when the drill cuts amalgam fillings liberate mercury into the air. All who are present during the procedure unfortunately breathe in this vapour.

The FlexVac works like a big vacuum attached to four mercury filters. It has a flexible pipe that is positioned as close as possible to the patient’s mouth during treatment. The suction system draws air through the pipe. This evacuates mercury vapour and biological aerosol produced during dental procedures.

When it’s in operation, I have peace of mind that neither the patient nor myself will inhale excessive mercury vapour. Our patients love that we have invested in something that addresses their concerns.

Every patient appreciates the extra care and we’re cognisant of concerns our clients have about their holistic health. If using the FlexVac means there’s even a small reduction in my patients’ exposure to mercury vapour, then I’ve won.

What’s not so goodThe only way it could be improved is if it was a bit smaller—it can be cumbersome to move around. And it goes without saying that the large piped vacuum machine can look a little scary for kids and apprehensive patients.

Where did you get itAir Cleaners Australia (aircleanersaus.com.au).

AutoMatrix by Dentsplyby Dr Alex Bornsztejn, Affordable Dental Care, Cannonvale, QLD

The AutoMatrix is a unique matrix band system used to facilitate the placement of direct multi-surface restorations. There are four different pre-assembled matrix bands available to clinicians. Selection of a suitable matrix band depends on the crown height of the prepared tooth and the amount of interproximal space required to be closed.

What’s good about itThe AutoMatrix system may be used for all multi-surface restorations with a high degree of reliability. Its superiority over other matrix systems is clear when applied to three or more surface direct restorations. The AutoMatrix can deliver a 360-degree isolation of the prepared tooth, ensuring excellent marginal adaptation of restorative material. Minimal supra-gingival tooth structure is required to fit the system.

Heavily broken-down teeth are often only restorable with the AutoMatrix system as other systems fail to produce the same level of marginal isolation and produce a sub-standard result. In addition, these heavily broken-down teeth may be restored with satisfactory contact points, thanks to the assortment of thin gauge matrix bands.

To successfully employ the AutoMatrix system, the Automate III Tightening Device and AutoMatrix Snippers are essential (both are included in the Introductory Kit).

The clinical application has four main steps. Select the appropriate sized band assembly and fit loosely to the prepared tooth, with the auto-lock section of the band against the most intact wall of the tooth. While holding the band in place with firm finger pressure, tighten the AutoMatrix with Automate III Tightening Device by turning handle clockwise until two-to-three clicks are heard. Remove the tightening device by rotating handle counter-clockwise.

What’s not so goodThe perfectly accurate contours achieved with sectional bands are extremely difficult to replicate with AutoMatrix bands. In Class II situations, I always favour a sectional system over the AutoMatrix system. However, when placing complex direct restorations of three or more surfaces, the AutoMatrix is difficult to beat.

Where did you get itDentsply (dentsply.com.au).

50 Bite magazine

YOUR TOOLS

ADX16 Sydney —Australia’s Premier Dental Event

Excitement is building for Australia’s premier dental event, ADX16 Sydney, to be held over 18 - 20 March 2016.

ADX16 Sydney allows you to see more, buy more, and learn more.

Bringing together Australia’s dental community, ADX16 Sydney combines Australia’s largest dental exhibition with a continuing professional development program delivered by local and international opinion leaders.

Visit the exhibition website and start planning your attendance now.

www.adx.org.au

ADX16 on Twitter@AdxSydney

ADX16 on Facebookwww.facebook.com/adx.sydney

ADX16 Sydney is easy for you to

attend with great traveland accommodation

options available via theexhibition website.

ADX16 Sydney will be held at Sydney’s

dedicated exhibitionvenue, the Sydney

Exhibition Centre @Glebe Island.

ADX16 Sydney

See more Buy more Learn more

18 – 20 March 2016

YOUR TOOLS NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR LIFE

Tools of the trade (continued from page 50)

52 Bite magazine

UltraPak gingival retraction cordby Dr David Osie, Dental Loving Care, Pymble, NSW

Even though there are a number of retraction gels on the market, I still prefer to use UltraPak retraction cord. The gels I’ve tried retract well and help control inflammation and bleeding. However, if the tissue is a bit fragile when you rinse away the gel, you risk provoking bleeding again.

What’s good about itUltraPak gingival retraction cord does what it says—it retracts the gum away from the tooth while giving me really good control. Often the gum will be inflamed and bleeding or will have crevicular fluid. With so many of the materials we use being very sensitive to moisture, these will interfere with the bonding process. The cord is an effective way of controlling moisture contamination.

The cord comes in five different sizes. When I’m taking an impression for crown and bridge work, I double pack. I use a triple zero as the initial cord and number zero, one or two as the secondary cord. This is pushed laterally rather than vertically. I remove the second cord—the thicker one—just before the impression is made. It leaves a space for the impression material to flow in readily.

It’s a simple and effective tool that I use any time I want isolation—crown and bridge work, porcelain veneers, composite veneers, subgingival restorations, buccal abrasion lesions. Any time I want that extra bit of control, the cord works extremely well.

What’s not so goodRetraction cord is more painful for the patient than the gel products. However, patients are anaesthetised for nearly every procedure we perform. If I’m worried about the patient feeling discomfort from the placement of the cord, I just use a little surface anaesthetic to numb the area.

Where did you get itHenry Schein Halas (henryschein.com.au).

Orascoptic EyeZoomby Dr Max Patel, Siana Dental, Hampton, VIC

My previous loupes were 3.2X Orascoptics with TTL [through the lens] technology. I used this pair for 16 years. I owned them for so long, they were getting a bit obsolete so I decided to upgrade to the EyeZooms. What a fantastic product—I can’t work without them.

What’s good about itThese loupes allow you to adjust the magnification so they can be used in multiple situations. It’s simply a matter of twisting the barrel of the lens to increase or decrease the degree of magnification. They can be set at 3X, 4X or 5X.

Once you can start using these loupes, the quality of your care goes up, the speed at which you work increases, your posture improves and your fatigue goes down. The benefits are just huge.

I generally set the loupes to one specific magnification for an entire procedure. However, if I’m struggling to see a root canal, then it’s nice to have the adjustable option and I’ll increase magnification all the way up to 5X.

They are very comfortable to wear and newer technology means they’re lighter than my previous pair. They are easy on the eye and if used with good illumination, the results are fantastic. I really can’t understand how any dentist could work without them.

What’s not so goodOrascoptic makes amazing loupes but I’m less than impressed with its headlights. They have square illumination which is rather silly when you have a circular field of view. I have coupled my Orascoptic loupes with a Surgitel Touch-Free LED headlight. It has a round view and the beam is concentrated so it doesn’t blind patients. It can be turned on and off by waving your hand in front of an infrared beam. As there is no need to touch a switch, there’s no chance of cross-infection.

Where did you get itOrascoptic Australia (orascoptic.com); Surgitel (inline.com.au/surgitel).

TrollFoil Simply Unique

Box 500 pcs

$99

• wet surfaces • ceramics• gold • polished surfaces• blue or red

The thinnest foil on the market marks:

Pack 8 pcs

$75

ContacEZ Interproximal Relief (IPR)

1800 064 645 trolldental.compromo code: TFCZ

• IRP Yellow Starter 0.06mm Single-sided, Fine Diamond, Serrated

• IRP Red Opener 0.12mm Double-sided, Medium Diamond

• IRP Dark Blue Widener 0.15mm Double-sided, Coarse Diamond

• IRP Green Extra-Widener 0.20mm Double-sided, Coarse Diamond, Serrated

Autoclavable,

reusable and

time efficient

Valid 30 Jan 2016

available in assorted packs and one size

Ends 31 Dec 2015

Bite A4 AD oct15.indd 1 11/09/2015 3:21:13 PM

TrollFoil Simply Unique

Box 500 pcs

$99

•wet surfaces •ceramics•gold •polished surfaces•blue or red

The thinnest foil on the market marks:

Pack 8 pcs

$75

ContacEZ Interproximal Relief (IPR)

1800 064 645trolldental.compromo code: TFCZ

• IRP Yellow Starter 0.06mm Single-sided, Fine Diamond, Serrated

• IRP Red Opener 0.12mm Double-sided, Medium Diamond

• IRP Dark Blue Widener 0.15mm Double-sided, Coarse Diamond

• IRP Green Extra-Widener 0.20mm Double-sided, Coarse Diamond, Serrated

Autoclavable,

reusable and

time efficient

Valid 30 Jan 2016

available in assorted packs and one size

Ends 31 Dec 2015

Bite A4 AD oct15.indd 111/09/2015 3:21:13 PM

NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY YOUR BUSINESS YOUR TOOLS YOUR LIFE

INTE

RVI

EW: F

RA

NK

LEG

GET

T

Being a contestant on MasterChef was an all-encompassing experience.

You live in a house surrounded by people who love food as much as you do. Everyone is thinking about cooking 24/7 and any down-time is spent practising cooking. All the contestants spend hours discussing food and recipes while attempting to improve their skills in order to beat each other at the next challenge.

“The three judges [Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston] are amazing mentors. On top of that, you get to meet and cook for foodie legends such as Shannon Bennett, Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Maggie Beer—to name just a few!

“One of the hardest things was being away from family. There is limited phone and no internet access in the MasterChef house, and everybody is just totally focused on the show. My kids are 14 and 12 so they were able to handle it pretty well but it was very hard to be away from my family for so long.

“It gets very exciting as you make it further and further through the series. We started with 50 contestants and my initial goal was not to be the first one eliminated. I made it to the top 20, then the top 15, then the top 10. I eventually made it to the top six before I was eliminated. By that time, I had a genuine belief I could go all the way. Equally, every time you cook, you’re up against some amazing dishes

cooked by some very talented people.“Appearing on MasterChef and getting

as far as I did in the competition was a fantastic experience. I would love to do more with food and put into practice what I learnt from the show. Recently, I’ve been running a pop-up restaurant in Melbourne with Jamie Ward and Anna Webster [two other contestants on MasterChef] and it’s been going very well. I’m trying to get experience in a professional kitchen and I’m about to launch a website with some recipes and instructional videos. I’m also doing a bit of dental work to pay the bills.

“People often come up to me and say, ‘Oh, you’re that guy from MasterChef. Can I have a photo?’ The fans are very passionate about the show and cooking in general. They love to talk about all aspects of food and they usually tell me about their favourite contestant on the show. MasterChef really was a fascinating experience.

54 Bite magazine

Dr Matthew Hopcraft’s passion for cooking saw him leave his job with the Australian Dental Council to become a contestant on MasterChef.

The food dream

YOUR LIFE

When a patient sits in your chair, you want them to feel relaxed and comfortable in the knowledge that you are an expert who knows precisely how to take care of them.

When you sit in our chair, we want you to feel exactly the same way.

Like you, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. So, over the last 20 years, we’ve developed a full range of financial services that have been carefully moulded to fit the specific requirements of the dental profession.

So spend some time with us and you’ll be happy to discover that, while dentistry is your business, dentists are our business.

Visit us at boqspecialist.com.au or speak to our financial specialists on 1300 131 141.

Our chair doesn’t recline but sitting in it will improve your smile

Products and services are provided by BOQ Specialist - a division of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 AFSL and Australian credit licence No. 244616. All finance is subject to our credit assessment criteria. Terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

Equipment and fit-out finance / Credit cards / Home loans / Commercial property finance / Car finance / Practice purchase loans SMSF lending and deposits / Transactional banking and overdrafts / Savings and deposits / Foreign exchange

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