Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

23DCPsJanuary 23-28, 2012United Kingdom Edition 2012 ENTRY DEADLINE 3rd February 2012 Download your entry brochure at www.dentalrepublic.co.uk or call 01689 899170 we are owed our living without working hard for it. Let leaders be leaders I implore the leaders of our practices and societies and associations to lead by exam- ple and show respect to your fellow professionals regard- less of their role. This profes- sion would be nothing without great decontamination nurses and so they deserve the respect of us all, in the same way one of our academic researchers should be held in revere. A leader needs to provide the vi- sion, communicate that vision and inspire their team to work towards that vision. They have to take responsibility for their actions when things go right and, more importantly, when things go wrong. Remember who the most im- portant team member is When we are feeling the pres- sure and strain of a heavy workload it is understandable that we start to think about our situation and sometimes feel a bit hard done by. We can lose sight of the good things in our day to day jobs and find fault with everyone around us. It is vital that we remember that there is really only one per- son in the team who gets to be more important than the others and must always be supported and cared for. That team member is the patient. Without excellent patient care we are nothing and we all fail in our duty. Focusing on our dental skills and our patient relations will stand each team in good stead for these slightly tougher years. If patients feel valued and value the care you give, they will continue to re- turn and recommend you in the future. Get creative in your thinking andaskyourteamtocontribute Some of the best strategic thinking I have had the pleas- ure of doing recently was with a panel of dental professionals. It was such a great opportuni- ty to see the patient’s journey from so many different per- spectives. Using reflection and working in a respectful manner to everyone on that panel, from the dental nurse to the dentist, we were able to develop suc- cessful strategies. This is just as doable in practice with your team and every member will have something worthwhile to contribute if the leaders of the team can be patient and re- spectful and encourage staff to feel they can contribute. Keep calm and carry on I know this is a soap box mo- ment for me but I am indulging myself as I hope that at least one person will read this and decide to stop talking and act- ing in a negative, disrespectful manner and aim to work in a positive, respectful way. If we all decide to be positive, re- spectful and caring in our na- ture then it is not only the pa- tients who will benefit but the rest of the team and ultimate- ly us ourselves as those that pay it forward, and keep go- ing and work hard tend to talk about the good luck that be- falls them. And in our heart of hearts we know this is not luck but a case of reaping what you so. So let’s get working towards what is going to be a fantastic future in dentist- ry and support each other in the process. DT About the author Mhari Coxon has 20 years experi- ence in dentistry, working as a nurse, receptionist, oral health advi- sor and ultimately hygienist in a va- riety of practice environments. She is passionate about her profession. At present, she works as Senior Profes- sional Relations Manager for Philips Oral Healthcare and clinically as a hygienist in central London. From Chairing the London BSDHT for 3 years, and working as an MD; Mhari excels at motivating and co-ordinat- ing a team and utilising skills, decen- tralising leadership and developing self efficacy in members. Throughout her career Mhari has developed hy- giene protocols and plans in practices which have continued to be used with great success. Mhari is Clinical Di- rector for CPDforDCP Ltd, a training company offering motivational and interactive development courses to the dental team. A keen writer, Mhari is on the Publications Committee of Dental Health, the British Society of Hygienists and Therapists (BSDHT) Journal, has a conversational col- umn in Dental Tribune and writes articles for many other publications and online sites. As a speaker Mhari has presented regionally, nationally and internationally for many groups including Talking Points in Dentistry, the British Orthodontic Society Spe- cialist group, the BSDHT, the BDA, the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene, the dentistry show and many others In 2006 she was the Probe Awards hygienist of the year, and was highly commended in 2010. 2011 saw her placed 15 in the Dentistry Top 50 most influential people in the UK.