Clinical
for implant impressions or crown fit. The next part of the evening involves a practical session where attendees get their gloves dirty with impression copings and trays, and actually take an implant impression on a model. Finally, it is back to the seminar room for a recap and questions. The capital outlay to the practi-
tioner in getting involved in restoring implants is nil, while the typical profit per implant crown is £500. Attend- ance at the R£LAX evenings at Vermilion is free (including 2.5 hours of CPD), and once the GDP makes their first referral, they will receive an implant prosthetics kit from Dentsply worth £605, which contains everything they need to restore Ankylos implants. Their first case can be carried out at their own prac- tice with the Ankylos representative, or if preferred, at Vermilion under the watchful eye of prosthodontist Grant Mathieson. It is of paramount importance
that these single-tooth cases are carefully vetted as to their suit- ability for implant novices to treat. Through the Vermilion refer and restore programme, David and Grant work very closely with refer- ring colleagues to ensure they are tackling suitable cases. However, in many instances, where the patient is missing a tooth or has a failing post crown, for example an upper premolar, it is perfectly within the reach of dentists who take complex impressions every day for conven-
tional crowns and bridges, to restore a successfully integrated dental implant. A simple poster from Ankylos in
the waiting room, or at the foot of the dental chair, is often all that is required to alert patients to the fact that implant treatment is now avail- able at the practice. Patients are often delighted that their dentist, whom they like and trust, can offer implant restoration, and where the practice is some distance from the referral hub, it is a fantastic service for GDPs to be able to offer this treatment locally. The evidence from Vermilion, and
from a number of referral practices in England where the R£LAX concept has taken root, is that restoring implants is a highly effective initiative in the middle of a reces- sion, particularly as it is bringing in new revenue streams for practices which hitherto had no income from dental implants. One dentist who has benefited
from the R£LAX programme is Louise Henvey from St John’s Road Dental Practice, which is located just five minutes along the road from Vermilion. Louise said: “I have found the R£LAX evenings at Vermilion to be both enjoyable and informative. David and Grant have created an environment that is not only conducive to learning but also interesting and fun.” She added: “My knowledge of
implants prior to this programme was mainly theoretical, having had the basic undergraduate training of what implants are, materials available and the indications and contraindications for their use. My postgraduate training involved assisting in the placement of implants, mainly for the edentulous lower ridge to aid denture wear, but was in a surgical setting rather than the restorative side.” As a GDP, Louise finds her main
focus is restoring and preventing dental disease. With an aging popu- lation and patients retaining teeth for longer, it is often difficult ‘keeping things going’ when you know that dentures are just round the corner. When she found out about Vermilion and the refer and restore initiative, it opened a new and attractive pros- pect for both Louise herself as well as her patients. She adds: “For me, it allows new
skills to be learnt in a supportive environment and for these skills to
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr David Offord, BDS MFDS Dip.
Con.Sed.
Specialist in Oral Surgery
be honed under close supervision. For my patients, they feel at ease knowing that their GDP is involved in the treatment, whether it is in the planning stages of more complex cases or when restoring single implants.” Louise also revealed the close
Dr Offord gradu- ated from the University of Edin- burgh in 1994, and is a registered specialist in oral surgery. In June 2011, Dr Offord launched Vermilion – The Smile Experts, a specialist referral clinic located in west Edinburgh where he operates in collaboration with his specialist colleagues within Vermilion, as well as referring dental practitioners throughout Scotland.
Vermilion – The Smile Experts, 24 St John’s Road, Edinburgh EH12 6NZ, 0131 334 1802, www.
vermilion.co.uk
proximity of Vermilion to her prac- tice is an added bonus. However, David and Grant are always at the end of the phone when needed, and generally there is a great emphasis on communication with the GDP at each stage. Louise continued: “This is impor-
tant as it keeps me in the loop after the referral is made, right through to treatment completion. I feel that the hands-on experience at the R£LAX evenings has prepared me well for my first case, which is later this month. Using the implant kit and seeing how each component part fits together really helps to demon- strate the process of how to take the impression and fit the implant crown. “At one of the evenings, there was
a live demonstration of fitting the implant crown on a patient. I have been reassured that it is simpler than fitting a conventional crown, and additionally, a representative from Dentsply is on hand to come along to the practice at the impression and fit appointments, just to ensure everything goes to plan.” Louise feels the refer and restore
Dr Louise Henvey, BDS MFDS Dr Henvey
graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2004, and later gained her MFDS from the Royal College of Surgeons,
Edinburgh in 2006. Dr Henvey joined St John’s Road Dental Practice as a GDP in 2006 and has a particular interest in restora- tive and cosmetic dentistry.
St John’s Road Dental Practice, 176-178 St John’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8BE, 0131 334 2704, www. stjohnsroadden-
tist.com
approach offers something new for her whole practice, both in terms of a new source of revenue, as well as attaining new knowledge and skills for the whole team. The ability to restore in the practice often appeals to the patient who may feel more comfortable in a known dental environment, having attended for routine examinations for many years previously, and having built up a trustworthy relationship with their dentist. Financially, Louise also feels there is flexibility in the setting of fees which means it can be more cost- effective for the patient to have the implant restored in the practice while ensuring a healthy profit margin. She said: “To be able to offer
restoration of implants in practice has advantages for both the patient and the dental team and it gives the opportunity to become more involved in the treatment planning.”
Scottish Dental magazine 45 Continued »
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88