The year ahead
DR STEPHEN JACOBS, CLINICAL DIRECTOR AND
PRINCIPAL DENTIST, DENTAL FX
Q How will the dental landscape change in 2011? I think that the profession is in for a really tough year, especially those in the higher-end private sector. There is no doubt that patients are not committing to elective treatment in the same way, and in particular, with the big ticket items.
Speaking to friends and colleagues in the West End of London, things are getting stretched there, and while it is never quite as bad north of the border, it is a good barometer. People who are highly geared will especially feel the pinch, with interest rates set to increase and taxation already rising, I would not like to be the one with the large mortgage and pratice loans.
Q What would
change/improve your (professional) life? We are constantly trying to enhance and further streamline our systems within the practice, both to optimise the patient journey and to improve the communication lines with our referring dentists. By this, I mean developing systems within our website where the dentist can track the stages of treatment that their patients have completed and reached. We are already working on this.
Q What will give you sleepless nights?
Hopefully nothing, in that we will have intercepted the problem before it gets to that stage. Although, with my eldest children being two teenage daughters, I guess it will be waiting for them to arrive home after parties and nights out with friends... that seriously does keep me awake!
Q What would get you crack- ing the champagne open? Seeing the economy starting to
improve and the country making its recovery, so that our patients will feel more confident about the future and especially giving them confidence to seek the dental treatment that they really wish for. On a personal note, seeing my eldest achieve the A-level grades that she needs in order to follow her dream of studying medicine... that would be worth a bottle of Cristal.
Q Who’s the ‘player’ to watch this year?
Based on my previous musings, I would have to say George Osborne, backed up by David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
Q What’s your New Year’s resolution?
The old cliche "I never make resolutions", holds true with me as I do not seem to be able to keep them. But, if I was being pushed to make some, it would be to get a bit fitter, lose a little weight and make some more time to try and get my golf handicap moving in the opposite direction than it is currently going.
Scottish Dental magazine 19
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