Why It Is Important To Visit The Hygienist

Regular visits to the dental hygienist are equally as important as your routine check-ups with your dentist but often get overlooked. A dental hygienist's role is very different from that of a dentist.
 
 
Dental Hygienist
The dental hygienist helps patients maintain their oral health by promoting good oral hygiene as well as preventing and treating periodontal disease. Periodontal disease (gum disease) affects 75% of adults in the U.K and is the biggest cause of tooth loss.

Role Of The Hygienist :
• Dental clean – scale and polish
• Remove plaque and tartar
• Remove stains
• Dietary advice
• Brushing and interdental cleaning advice

Dentist
Dentists are like a GP but for teeth, unlike the hygienist who specialises in gum health, their skill set is broad and focused more on preventing and treating oral diseases such as dental decay.

Role Of The Dentist:
• Perform dental check-ups
• Diagnose dental decay
• Promote good oral hygiene
• Give dietary advice
• Take X-rays
• Treat dental diseases - fillings, root canal treatments, dental extractions
• Check for signs of oral cancer
• Prescriptions

Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work which improves the aesthetics of the teeth. It usually focuses on the position, shape, size and colour of the teeth. A cosmetic dentist will not carry out any cosmetic dental procedures on anyone with periodontal issues and will always recommend seeing a dental hygienist.

Role Of A Cosmetic Dentist:
• Smile Makeovers
• Teeth Straightening, (orthodontics) using clear aligners or fixed braces
• Composite Veneers (composite bonding or composite contouring)
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Implants

Some dentists may also be trained in facial aesthetic treatments such as -
• Anti-Wrinkle Injections
• Dermal Fillers
• Chemical Peels
• Profhilo

Our hygienist recommends patients attend the hygienist every 6 months to keep their gums in tip-top condition and to prevent tooth loss. She also recommends brushing twice daily with an electric toothbrush and cleaning interdentally at least once a day (before brushing your teeth).


If you would like to know more about any of the treatments we offer we would love to hear from you.

Contact Details -

Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex - hh@s3dental.co.uk

Hinchley Wood, Surrey - hw@s3dental.co.uk

Eltham, London - eltham@s3dental.co.uk

What To Expect At Your Cosmetic Dental Consultation

According to a recent survey, a whopping 71% of British adults don’t like showing their teeth when having a photograph taken, 48% said they wanted to improve their smile and two-thirds didn’t like the colour of their teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. Many refer to it as a smile makeover. The most common procedures here at S3 Dental are teeth straightening (orthodontics), teeth whitening, composite veneers (composite bonding), porcelain veneers and dental implants.

Before a dentist can start any cosmetic work on your teeth they will need to carry out an extensive consultation. At your consultation the dentist will examine your teeth and gums to gain a clear understanding of your oral health.  This will include an intra-oral scan as well as dental x-rays. It might be necessary to undergo some restorative dental treatment if there is decay and you will also be advised to visit the hygienist before treatment can proceed. Your dentist will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Once the dentist has all the information needed, they will formulate a treatment plan which will outline the treatment options, costs or treatment and the necessary steps to get the you your dream smile.

Questions To Ask At Your Cosmetic Dental Consultation.

Am I a suitable candidate for this treatment?  Unfortunately not every cosmetic dental treatment is suitable for every patient. Ask your dentist to suggest the most suitable treatment options for you.

What are the risks/disadvantages of this treatment? It’s important to make sure you are aware of all the risks and disadvantages before you go ahead with any treatment especially if it is invasive.

Can I see examples of your previous work? Most dentists now have social media accounts which show previous cases and treatments they have completed. This is a great resource for you and will help you decide if they are the right professional to carry out your treatment.

What is the upkeep after my treatment? Unfortunately, all cosmetic dental treatment will need replacing/re-doing at some point, it is important to make sure you take this into account when considering a smile makeover.

How To Prepare For Your Consultation

Get on top of your oral hygiene - Whether it’s dental veneers you are interested in or teeth straightening, your oral health needs to be in tip-top condition to achieve the best results.

Find inspiration online - Taking pictures with you to your consultation will help your dentist gain a deeper insight and understanding into what you are looking to achieve.

Research costs and plan finances - It’s important to make sure you have a rough idea of the cost of treatment and how you plan to pay for the treatment before you attend your consultation. Dentists will charge different prices for treatments depending on experience and expertise. Make sure you are aware of exactly what is included in your package to avoid hidden charges, remember prices that seem too good to be true usually are.

One thing to take into consideration when searching for a dentist to carry out your treatment is their location. You may need multiple visits to the dentist to complete your treatment so we do advise you take into account how easy it is for you to get to and from the surgery. We have surgeries in Sussex, Surrey and London who all have availability to see new patients for cosmetic dental consultations.

Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex - hh@s3dental.co.uk

Hinchley Wood, Surrey - hw@s3dental.co.uk

Eltham, London - eltham@s3dental.co.uk

Everything You Need To Know About Teeth Straightening

We all know that misaligned teeth can negatively affect your self-esteem and confidence, but did you know they can also affect your physical health?

Straighter teeth make cleaning your teeth and gums easier as there are fewer cracks and crevices for the plaque to build up, which helps to reduce the risk of dental decay.

By correcting the alignment of your bite, the muscles around your jaw function better, making things like biting and chewing easier, which helps relieve jaw pain and strains.

Straight teeth make chewing easier and more effective, this helps reduce digestive problems such as indigestion.

Straight teeth can cause sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and bruxism (teeth grinding). Fixing bite issues and getting the jaws aligned can help keep your airways clear and relieve the stress on the jaw.

Types of braces
Clear Aligners - A removable, discreet, custom-made appliance that fits over your teeth a bit like a mouth guard only much thinner. They are worn for 22 hours a day only to be removed for eating and drinking. After 2 weeks they are replaced with a new set of aligners to gradually shift your teeth into place.

Fixed Braces (AKA Train tracks) - A metal or ceramic bracket is attached to each tooth and joined with a wire. The wire is regularly changed to align the teeth over time. Metal braces are very versatile and are suitable for almost every patient.

Lingual braces - The same as conventional braces however they are fixed to the inside of your teeth rather than the outside. This positioning helps to keep them nearly invisible.

How long does teeth straightening take?
On average clear aligners tend to take about 12 months to align your teeth, metal fixed braces are a bit quicker, around 9 months.

Is there an age limit on teeth straightening?
No there is no age limit on any cosmetic dental procedure. Our teeth are indeed easier to guide into place when we are younger however your teeth will still respond to orthodontic treatment whatever your age.

Will braces affect my dental health?
Neither clear aligners nor fixed braces will affect your dental health, however, one thing to note if you are considering fixed braces is that you will need to allow more time to clean your teeth as they will need extra attention to clean around the appliance.

Can I have my teeth straightened on the NHS?
Unfortunately, teeth straightening is a cosmetic dental procedure, which means you will have to use a private dentist to perform your treatment.

Are you having any more open days?
Yes, we have a teeth straightening open day on the 13th of May in our Haywards Heath practice. For more info DM our Instagram @s3dentalhh

What other cosmetic dental treatments do you offer-
Teeth Whitening
Composite Veneers
Composite Bonding
Dental Implants
All On Four Dental Implant Solution
Veneers
Smile Makeovers
Dental Hygienist

S3 Dental is proud to be one of the top ClearCorrect clear aligners providers in the UK and we have completed hundreds of teeth straightening cases in the last few years.

If you would like more information on any of our cosmetic dental treatments WhatsApp us.

Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex - 01444 440123

Eltham, South East London - 0208 850 9836

Hincley Wood, Surrey - 0208 398 6322

How Smiling Affects Your Mental Health

There’s no denying smiling makes you feel good, children smile and laugh all the time but as we age, we seem to smile less often.

When you smile your body releases endorphins, which have surprising health benefits such as boosting your immune system, reducing stress levels, relieving pain, reducing blood pressure, elevating your mood, and even making you live longer.

When you are embarrassed by your smile, it’s harder to build relationships with the people around you. Studies have also shown that people who smile more are more confident, sociable, and even more productive at work.

How we can help you smile more.

Teeth Straightening - Misaligned teeth can keep you from smiling and feeling good about yourself. They are also harder to clean, floss and care for. Poor oral hygiene often leads to gum disease, tooth decay and eventually tooth loss. Straightening your teeth will not only give you a beautiful healthy smile but also a huge boost in your self-confidence.

Teeth Whitening - Stained, dull and discoloured teeth can have a negative effect on your self-esteem. Whitening your teeth will enhance your appearance, make you look younger and feel better about yourself. The increase in your self-esteem will make you more approachable which will help you form new friendships, improve relationships, and be more successful at work.

Dental Implants - A missing tooth can have a very negative effect on your self-confidence. Dental Implants can completely transform the appearance of your smile by replacing the missing teeth and adding facial structure which gives a more youthful appearance.

Composite Veneers - Composite Veneers can make your teeth, bigger, whiter and even improve the appearance of crooked teeth. A healthy-looking bright smile will make you look younger, more attractive and more approachable.

Veneers - Veneers can drastically improve the appearance of discoloured, chipped and crooked teeth. They will instantly improve your appearance and boost your confidence.

Scale and Polish - A simple visit to the Dental Hygienists can give you just as much of a confidence boost as cosmetic dentistry procedures. Coffee, red wine or smoking are daily habits for many people which will stain and affect the appearance of your teeth. During a hygiene appointment, the dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar and this staining too. Leaving you with a fresh, clean smile that you will want to show off.

If you would like to know more about your options, send us a WhatsApp and we will be happy to get you booked in for a consultation.

S3 DENTAL ELTHAM
WhatsApp - 0208 850 9836 or Email - Eltham@s3dental.co.uk

S3 DENTAL HAYWARDS HEATH
WhatsApp - 01444 440 123 or Email HH@s3dental.co.uk

S3 DENTAL HINCHLEY WOOD
WhatsApp - 0208 398 6322 or Email - HW@s3dental.co.uk

10 Mistakes When Brushing Your Teeth

Is brushing your teeth twice a day all you need to do to keep your mouth healthy? Unfortunately, no merely brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your mouth in tip-top condition. Here are 10 common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth.

1. Using mouthwash instead of flossing or interdental cleaning - Unfortunately swishing your mouth with mouthwash does not accomplish the same results as cleaning between your teeth. Even though many mouthwash companies claim their products remove 99% of bacteria, mouthwash is unable to scrape the plaque away from the teeth the way floss or interdental brushes can. Interdental cleaning should be part of your daily routine (preferably at the end of the day) especially if you have restorations such as dental veneers or dental crowns.

2. Only flossing the front teeth - It is important to floss all your teeth, including the hard to reach ones. Flossing removes the plaque and biofilms that cause dental decay and gum disease. Molars and premolars require the same care as the anterior teeth to prevent tooth loss.

3. Brushing too hard - Brushing hard will not make your teeth cleaner, bad technique can cause wear on your teeth and receding gums. Most electric toothbrushes have sensors that will warn you when you are brushing too hard. If you feel you could benefit from some tooth brushing advice speak to your dentist or hygienist at your next dental appointment.

4. Not using an electric toothbrush - Manual toothbrushes are great if you are one of the few people that have an excellent brushing technique however most people will benefit from an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have their own brushing technique, timers and smaller heads so it is easier to get into the hard to reach areas. Recent studies have shown that people who use an electric toothbrush are less likely to have decay, gum disease and keep their teeth for longer.

5. Not replacing your toothbrush/toothbrush head regularly - Your brush won’t be as effective at removing plaque along the gum line if the bristles are worn. Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 months or if you have been unwell.

6. Brushing straight away after eating - When you eat or drink something acidic it removes the protective layer of saliva from your teeth. We recommend you wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing so as not to remove the tooth’s enamel.

7. Only brushing once a day - A recent study showed 28% of people in the UK only brush once a day. Brushing twice a day is vital to keep your mouth healthy. The night-time brush is the most important, during the day the things you eat and drink build up on your teeth. Saliva neutralises the acid in the mouth and also has natural antibacterial properties. However when you sleep the levels of saliva in your mouth drop. By not removing the debris, bacteria and plaque can build up quickly.

8. Using fluoride-free toothpaste - Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel and prevent decay. Children especially need to use fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen their developing teeth. Adult toothpaste should contain 1400ppm of fluoride and a child’s toothpaste 1000ppm.

9. Rinsing your mouth after brushing - ‘Spit don’t rinse’. It is important to spit out the remaining toothpaste after brushing your teeth but do not rinse your mouth. Toothpaste has lots of important minerals which help to strengthen your teeth, if you rinse your mouth after brushing you are washing away these minerals.

10. Not brushing for long enough - The average person brushes for 48 seconds. To remove all the plaque and build-up on your teeth, we recommend you brush for at least 2 minutes, twice a day. Most electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer, if yours doesn’t or you use a manual brush put the radio on and brush to the length of a song.

Our dentists recommended regular visits to the hygienist to help keep your mouth healthy.

S3 Dental is currently taking on new private patients in all 3 of our practices which are located in Haywards Heath Mid- Sussex, Hincley Wood Surrey and Eltham South East London.

If you would like more information or to register at one of our practices please get in contact.

New Year, New Smile?

They say the best accessory is your smile, so if that is true, are you happy with yours?

Most people at some point in their adult life have thought about changes they would make to their smile. Maybe you would like your teeth to be whiter? Maybe straighter? Maybe you have a missing tooth you would like replaced? What options do you have to achieve that dream smile?

Teeth Whitening
Tea, coffee, red wine, smoking, and ageing will dull your teeth over time. With the Boutique Whitening System, you can erase years’ worth of staining to your teeth in just a couple of weeks.
Procedure - The whitening solution is placed in the custom-made trays and worn for either 1 hour or 4 hours depending on the solution used. This is repeated every day for 2 weeks.

Composite Bonding / Composite Veneers
Composite Bonding / Composite Veneers can help improve the appearance of crooked teeth, close small gaps between the teeth, repair cracked, discoloured and decayed teeth and even increase the size of the teeth.
Procedure - Tooth coloured composite resin is placed directly on the tooth and sculpted to create a natural-looking tooth. Unlike when preparing a tooth for porcelain veneers the natural tooth only needs to be roughed slightly before the composite can be placed.

Crowns and Veneers
Crowns and veneers are custom-made shells of porcelain that are cemented to your teeth, they are a fast and effective way to improve your smile.
Procedure - A small piece of dental enamel is removed from the teeth to make space for the crowns or veneers, The dentist will take an intra-oral scan which will be sent to our in-house lab. Whilst the laboratory is creating the prosthesis, temporary crowns/veneers will be placed on the teeth. Once the permanent ones are ready they will be cemented to the patient's teeth.

Teeth Straightening
Straightening your teeth is not just about achieving that perfect smile, there are many other benefits including easier to clean, easier to chew, as well as preventing jaw strain and pain.
Procedure - Custom-made aligners are worn for a minimum of 22 hours and day only to be removed for eating and drinking. After 2 weeks of wear, they are replaced with a new aligner. Treatment can take anywhere between 6 weeks and 2 years depending on the severity of the case.

Missing Teeth
Whether you are missing teeth due to gum disease, dental decay or an injury there are serval options to fill the gap.

Dental Implants
Dental Implants are a long-term solution to replacing a missing tooth. They are widely recognised as the next best thing to your natural tooth.
Procedure - A titanium screw is placed directly into the jaw bone to replace the missing root. A Crown or Denture is then fitted on top of the implant. Providing that they are well cared for Dental Implants can last 20+ years.

Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a false tooth that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side. Dental Bridges are permanently fixed in place, unlike dentures they do not require removing when eating or cleaning.
Procedure - When preparing the teeth for a dental bridge it is sometimes necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from the adjacent teeth, a 3D intra-oral scan will then be taken and sent to the dental laboratory. Once the permanent bridge is ready it will be cemented to the teeth.

Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances made of either acrylic, metal or rubber to replace the missing teeth.
Procedure - Dentures are usually made over 4 appointments. Impressions are taken, the bite is checked, a wax try-in denture is created so the patient can see what the finished product will look and feel like, during the last appointment any final adjustments are made and the patient leaves with their finished Dentures.

If you would like to know more about your options, give us a call and we will be happy to get you booked in for a consultation. Alternatively, you can book in via our online booking page.

The Digital Scanner Is Making A Great First Impression

Ask anyone of our dentists here at S3 Dental what their favourite piece of equipment is and the answer will be unanimous - The TRIOS Intra-Oral Scanner and it is easy to see why. This award winning, hand held intra-oral scanner has completely revolutionised the way we perform dentistry.

What Is The TRIOS Intra-Oral Scanner?

The TRIOS Intra-Oral Scanner is a very sophisticated camera used to capture optical impressions in dentistry. Rather than using the traditional messy methods of impression taking, the scanner projects light onto an area, the image is captured by the imaging sensors and a 3D model is produced by the scanning software.

How does the scanner work?

• The Intra-Oral scanner is placed into the patient’s mouth and moved over the surface of the teeth. The process will take about 90 seconds.

• The dentist will review the image and any adjustments needed will be made.

• The captured images will be displayed on the monitor for both dentist and patient to view and discuss.

• If required the images will then be sent directly to our in-house lab where restorations will be made.

What Is The TRIOS Scanners Used For?

• TRIOS Scanners are so accurate they can be used to fabricate a whole prosthetic restoration such as dental crowns, dental veneers and dental bridges.

• The 3D scan can also be used to make teeth straightening appliances (clear aligner systems such as ClearCorrect or Invisalign) and teeth whitening trays.

• The 3D image can show gum problems such as recession and gum disease, as well as cosmetic problems such as staining and positioning of teeth.

• The latest models are so advanced that they can even detect dental decay.

What are the benefits of using a TRIOS Scanner?

• More Comfortable - Compared to traditional methods of impression taking which can cause discomfort for patients, the scanner is completely pain free and comfortable.

• More Accurate - This camera in the scanner is so advanced that the images produced are much more accurate than dental impressions. If an error is made when scanning, then that section is simply erased and re-done, however with dental impressions if an error is made or the impressions are not clear enough the whole process would need to be repeated.

• More Precise Impressions - This means restorations such as crowns and veneers can be delivered more accurately and with less need for adjustments.

• Improves Dentist to Patient Communication - The images taken from the TRIOS scanners can be immediately displayed as soon as the scan is complete. This means that patients can gain a better understanding when discussing the condition of their teeth.

• Better Patient Monitoring - By scanning our patient’s mouth at every appointment, we are able to track changes and quickly identify potential problems sooner.

At S3 Dental we are committed to providing the best service and treatment possible which is why we now use our Trios Scanners for all our private exams and treatments where possible to do so, at no extra cost to the patient.

Everything You Need To Know About Composite Bonding

The pursuit for the perfect smile is rising across the UK thanks to social media. Composite Bonding in particular has seen a huge increase in popularity over the last few years.

What is Composite Bonding?

Composite Bonding is the application of a tooth coloured resin to the teeth. It can be placed directly on the tooth by a dentist and can be sculpted into many shapes to create a natural looking tooth.

What Is It Used For?

It can be used to repair cracked, discoloured and decayed teeth. It can also be used to fill gaps, increase the size of the teeth and even to give the illusion the teeth have been straightened.

Will The Teeth Need To Be Prepared?

Unlike crowns and veneers which are a more invasive and permanent treatments, Composite Bonding only requires the tooth surface to be roughened slightly but not removed. It is also very quick with the average treatment only taking a few hours and can be carried out in just one appointment.

Is Composite Bonding Expensive?

Compared to the other methods used for a smile makeover Composite Bonding is very cost effective and starts from as little as £1700.

What Is The Procedure?

The dentist uses a special solution to clean the surface of the teeth, the solution is washed off and the composite is placed directly on the teeth and then light cured. Because of the lack of drilling and injections the procedure is usually pain free.

How Long Does Composite Bonding Last?

It is important to remember that composite resin is not as strong as natural tooth, chips may occur and will need repairing. People who smoke or drink a lot of coffee may notice some discolouration. Because the treatment is non-invasive it would only need replacing when the patient decides they are no longer happy with the aesthetics of their teeth.

If you would like more information on Composite Bonding or any of our other treatments please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cold Sores (HSV-1) and Dental Treatment.

Treating a patient with HSV-1 can have devastating consequences for not only the patient but their families, as well as our staff and other patients.

As part of S3 Dental's Infection Control Policy we ask our patients to reschedule any non-urgent dental treatment if they have had a HSV-1 outbreak within the last 2 weeks.

What Are The Symptoms Of HSV-1?

Symptoms of HSV-1 will vary depending on a person’s age. They will range from unpleasant to very serious. The infection is usually associated with a fever, headaches, a feeling of overall weakness as well as Gingivostomatitis which causes swelling of the mouth and gums and lesions to appear in the oral cavity. Gingivostomatitis is particularly severe in children, causing them to feel lethargic, lose their appetite and present a dangerously high temperature.

Symptoms usually subside within a few weeks, however the virus never dies, it can be reactivated regularly by illness, stress and even sunlight. The reactivated virus usually starts with an itching, tingling or burning feeling, over the next 48 hours a fluid filled blister will appear, they are usually located around the mouth, however they can appear anywhere on the face. These blisters usually burst and scab over within 48 hours however they will still be contagious until they have fully healed, usually about 14 days later.

Is HSV-1 Really That Dangerous?

For infants under 3 months, HSV-1 can be extremely serious due their immune systems not being fully developed.

The high fevers experienced during an outbreak can be very dangerous.

The virus can infect the eye causing blindness.

The most dangerous complication of Herpes is Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE). HSE is a rare neurological disorder which causes inflammation of the brain.

Why Will A Dentist Not Treat A Patient With HSV-1?

Treating an infected patient can spread the virus, resulting in additional lesions.

The aerosols emitted during the dental treatment can survive on clothing, skin, plastic and other surfaces for hours which means not only the Dentist who performed the treatment but colleagues and other patients could be put at risk.

HSV-1 can be absorbed through the skin meaning even with appropriate PPE the Dentist can still be at risk of contracting the virus. If a dental professional did develop HSV-1 they would be unable to work until they were no longer contagious.

If you are due to have non urgent dental treatment or a visit to our hygienist and develop a cold sore, we would always recommend you ring ahead to rearrange your appointment, as unfortunately we will be unable to treat you.

How To Keep Your Kids Lunchbox Tooth Friendly

After a very wet summer holidays it is time for the kids to go back to school. For a lot of parents this will mean adding lunchboxes to the daily ‘to do’ list.

Most Children enjoy a sugary treat in their lunchbox and as a parent it is nice to know they have something to look forward to when they are at school.

It is really important to remember that what our children eat and drink at school does have an impact on their teeth. Regular sugary snacks lead to bad habits, which in turn lead to dental decay.

We have put together a few tips to help keep your child’s lunchbox healthy and your dentist happy.

• Limit Treats - The occasional treat will not hurt, but it is easy to get into the habit of packing a treat in your kids lunchbox every day. A couple of treats a week is plenty.

• Be Treat Wise - Whenever you eat a sugary snack, the bacteria in your mouth creates acid which attacks the enamel on your teeth. It is the frequency of these attacks which causes decay.

  A slice of cake which is eaten in one sitting will cause a lot less damage to your teeth than a bottle of apple juice which is sipped throughout the day.

• Keep Sandwiches Healthy - Sandwiches are a staple part of a packed lunch. It is important to try and keep them healthy. Avoid white bread if you can and keep fillings savoury where possible. If your child is a fussy eater and prefers jams or something sweet in their sandwiches, use the low sugar varieties.

• ‘Healthy’ Food Isn’t Always Healthy - Dried fruits usually have a higher sugar content than fresh fruit, flavoured yoghurts have more sugar in them than natural yoghurt. Keep an eye out for the hidden sugars.

• Drink water - Choose water over squash and juice, as mentioned earlier sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day increases your risk of dental decay.

Remember habits either make us or break us. Installing good habits in your children now, will give a lifetime of rewards.

NHS or Private Care? It There More To It Than Cost?

NHS Dentistry has been a big part of many of our patients’ lives. For many of us, attending free dental examinations with the school dentist or your parents’ dentist has been a rite of passage in growing up.

This year has highlighted how important the NHS is to us and the wider society, but it is also important to understand how dentistry fits into the NHS Dental service.

Dentistry is one of the few NHS services that patients are required to pay for. You generally do not pay for an appointment with your general medical practitioner and consultant at the hospital, but many of you are accustomed to paying for your dental examination and treatment.

We also understand the financial constraints the NHS is under and a recent survey by the British Dental Association, it found that investment in NHS Dentistry had dropped by 29% from the previous year. This was before the coronavirus pandemic and it is highly likely that less money will be allocated for dentistry.

In support of this, many patients will also notice that the cost of their dental examinations and treatments has also increased over the years with dental charges now accounting for nearly 29% of the national dental budget. This is set to increase further from the middle of December when the cost of dental treatment is to increase. This refers to the national budget that includes hospital-based treatments, so in reality, the patient charges paid for general practice treatments at a lot higher and closer to 80-90% of the treatment.

Patients often feel loyalty and a dependency on the NHS, and perhaps even a feeling of having paid for NHS dentistry through the taxes they pay every year. This however is not strictly the case. Since the reform of NHS Dentistry in 2006, the increase in patient charges has not benefited the dentists providing NHS care. What simply has happened is that the amount of money the NHS has contributed to NHS dentistry has decreased as the patient contributes more.

Now again, in certain circumstances, this might seem ok and beneficial, but the picture becomes a little blurred when you start to assess the service for what it offers and the benefits to all involved.

In most professions and walks of life, you would associate a difference in cost with a difference in service. As a customer, looking for new shoes, you can understand why a certain pair of shoes may cost less than a different one. Both aim to provide a purpose but you can understand the difference.

The difference may be the service you receive - the waiting room environment, the clinical environment - comfortable leather chairs and modern equipment, but also the interactions. Time to discuss concerns and options for treatment. NHS dental treatments are categorized into 3 pricing bands, and the expectation that every dental treatment should be possible within this pricing structure with patients funding a large proportion of it should be queried.

The pandemic mandated the closure of dental practices and on reopening in July, it found our clinics to be operating two distinct tiers of dentistry. The Chief Dental Officer whose jurisdiction remains limited to NHS dentistry suspended routine dental care and told NHS practices to limit their dental care to emergencies and provide a few aerosol-generating procedures as possible. With the additional limiting factors such as fallow time, we found ourselves providing very limited dental care.

This was in contrast to Private Dentistry which could provide routine dental examinations and treatments provided appropriate risk assessments and personal protective equipment is worn.

It is an expectation that the current dental restrictions are to be kept in place until April 2021, but no further guidance of what will happen beyond has been given.

Many patients have called our reception teams and asked about their dental examinations, and understandably so, have been frustrated by the limited availability of the NHS service we have been providing. It has not been for a lack of trying, but with current restrictions, a single filling appointment has gone from being 15 minutes to 1 hour due to increased cleaning times. The increase in appointment times has hobbled a service that has slowly been underfunded by the government over the last decade.

S3 Dental remains committed to NHS Dentistry and fully understands how important the service is to our patients, but it also important for patients to realize that the service cannot be a one-stop-shop for all patients. The differing needs and demands of each patient when attending will necessitate options that may not available on the NHS or be the best option for treatment.

Since our reopening in July 2020, we continued to provide routine care to our Denplan and Private patients, and the decision to limit NHS examinations was not our choice but a mandated decision by NHS England.

If you wish to have a dental examination during these times you can consider a private examination, but you can also consider one of our Dental plans - such as Denplan Essentials. Denplan Essentials allows patients to budget and spread the cost of their private dental examinations and hygiene appointments as well as getting discounts on most of the private dental treatments we offer.

If you would like to know more about the options available to you and how becoming a private dental patient will benefit you please give us a call to discuss, drop us a WhatsApp message, or email us to find out how we can help you.

Coronavirus & S3 Dental - A Year In Review

This year has devastated many people’s lives and livelihoods and whilst dentistry is an essential service that has often survived recessions and the impacts of other economic situations, it was impacted heavily during this year.

The mandated closure of dental practices in March this year for nearly two months was shocking. All dental practices overnight had to close doors and figure out what to do with all their patients who were in the middle of treatment or required urgent treatment. The government issued a document stating that all we could do was give advice, prescribe analgesics or antibiotics - the triple AAA. No initial advice on what to do with patients who needed face-to-face treatment was given and we awaited guidance from the Chief Dental Officer of England on how we should proceed. Our dental insurance was restricted to cover the triple AAA only and we set about undoing all the hard work of reducing antibiotic prescribing that we had spent years trying to do.

Our staff continued to work where possible, we reviewed our protocols, we attempted to anticipate what the new guidance may be and we reflected on our clinical philosophy during this time. We took advantage of closed doors and upgraded clinical rooms and did what we believed would benefit our patients when we reopened. The positives of such times were however countered with some negatives.

As many other people faced, work-life and personal lives became very different and difficult overnight. Some reflected on their jobs and considered new possibilities, and we also found these changes amongst us. Long-standing associate dentists decided now may be the time to start their own practice, some to move closer to home and spend time with their family. Whatever the reason, those who left, left on good terms and we give thanks to the many years they provided such excellent care to their patients.

Whilst the government advised that where possible we should work from home, we could not do it. Our clinicians - nurses and dentists embarked on fit testing for new masks to allow them to work, and our reception team figured out ways to help patients with forms and paperwork without being able to see them face to face. All of this in the midst of a hidden enemy that could affect them and their family. I am pleased to say they accepted the risk and took on the challenge to provide care to the patients we see.

What is perhaps overlooked, is what the staff and clinicians have sacrificed during this time. Many continued to work during the national lockdown - manning the phones and helping where possible - many volunteered to help the NHS in any way they could. They dealt with many sad phone calls about patients they knew for many years that passed away during this time and had many difficult conversations with grieving family members of those patients. They also made a commitment to the practice and each other to keep everyone as safe as they could. So when the government relaxed certain rules and the lockdown ended, the team continued to be vigilant and be very strict with their social involvement. Again I give thanks and commend the team members who understood how being safe meant we could stay open and make sure we provided clinical care to those who needed it.

We reopened in early July and set about calling and booking in as many patients as we were allowed to deal with the backlog in clinical treatment needed and have slowly and steadily worked through this. Those patients who have visited us during this time will appreciate that it has not been easy operating under thick plastic layers of PPE and breathing through respirator masks, but we have overcome this challenge and battled on.

The second lockdown was far easier for us. We discovered that our closure during the first lockdown was not for safety reasons - but purely to secure the PPE supply chain for other hospital services. The country simply did not have enough masks and gloves for front-line hospital staff, and it needed to ensure we did not use them for routine dental treatments.

When patients return to see us in the future, they will be met with a few changes - “the new normal” that has been forced upon us. However, this is perhaps not a bad thing. The social distancing measures have sparked a new digital revolution and just as video calls, remote working, and webinars are now part of our lives, we have also found new and exciting technologies being developed that improve the clinical care we offer.

We have successfully introduced our patient portal - the ability to fill in your medical history forms and complete health screenings from your phone has been invaluable to us. The option to bypass the queue at reception and check-in for your appointment is fantastic when it will be implemented fully. Our waiting room area remains closed until further notice as mandated by Public Health England, but with the hope of a vaccine and relaxed social distancing, this will make your patient journey through the practice simple and stress-free.

We introduced more communication pathways for patients to contact us - we now have a WhatsApp service, so patients can drop us a message at a convenient time for them and we can get back to them during the day with information about the service - the best bit - it is associated with our practice telephone number so you do not need to add another number.

We have committed to updating and sending out more information about the services we offer and any changes, and patients can expect to have more engagement with us. Our focus will be to provide information about how to care for your teeth and gums with videos posted on our social media on simple things that make a big difference. If you haven’t already - sign up for our newsletter HERE and follow us on social media.

A final reflection on what we discovered was how we previously provided dental care and the approach. All S3 Dental clinicians have aimed to be proactive in their advice and care, in some situations the best option may have been to wait and see. Whilst we are unlikely to be closed again in the event of a third lockdown, we have found that patients who did wait and see, opted to not have treatment when advised did need and seek more urgent care. We appreciate that dental treatment can sometimes seem expensive or unaffordable, but the cost of dealing with problems when they have advanced is often more expensive and unfortunately likely painful.

Many people have been stressed and worried by the events of this year and have likely incurred some form of damage to their teeth and oral health. A report on the increased sales in comfort foods - cakes, biscuits, and chocolates will likely increase the chances of developing tooth decay, and the pressures of working from home or not working have significantly increased the number of patients attending with broken teeth due to grinding and clenching. With the NHS suspending routine dentistry since March, many patients have not had a routine dental inspection between 8 - 18 months. These risks are real and we will aim to deliver important messages on oral care via our social media platforms but also encourage patients to take care and not ignore any dental problems they may have.

In 2021 we hope for a better year, we expect some normality to return from April 2021 and we hope patients will see the hard work that has gone on during this time to improve clinical care.

You may see a new dentist when you attend, required to fill in more paperwork than normal, perhaps be offered different treatment options, find the cost of dental treatment a little dearer (both NHS and Private dental charges have increased), but I hope you will also see the how we have focused on keeping you safe during your visit, learning and providing new treatments that offer a high success in terms of longevity and outcome and ultimately to remain a service that you can depend upon.

Yours sincerely

Dr Sami Butt - Co Founder Of S3 Dental

Principal Dentist