Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Paul A. Tipton B.D.S., M.Sc., D.G.D.P., U.K. Specialist in Prosthodontics.President, British Academy of Restorative Dentistry. DELIVER TO YOUR PATIENT’S EXPECTATIONS... EXCEED YOUR OWN @tiptontraining /tiptontraining 12 days, approx one day per month. 6 Hrs CPD per day. COSMETIC & AESTHETIC DENTISTRY COURSE Starts 26 March 2013 in Manchester PDS Dental Laboratory Sponsored by: Scan the code to register now A Certi cate Course which can lead to a P.G. Dip Aest Dent with the British Academy of Restorative Dentistry (BARD) www.futureveneers.com Manchester £449 + VAT per day Registration Fee £538.80 enquiries@tiptontraining.co.uk www.tiptontraining.co.uk0161 348 7848 The Aesthetic course has opened my eyes to a whole new revenue stream within the practice and increased my knowledge and con dence in everyday dentistry also” Lab Communication Bleaching Aesthetic Perio Occlusion Veneer Preparation Facial Aesthetics Veneer Fit Commercial Best Practice Topics covered include: Course Price: Smile Design Cosmetic Imaging Shade Taking Anterior Tooth Anatomy Orthodontics Composite Veneers Componeers Posterior Aesthetics O er more complex cosmetic treatment options Restore teeth with porcelain veneers & crowns Keep more, high fee generating, work in-house Learn modern cosmetic techniques & materials usage Improve your job prospects for a career in private practice Improve treatment results and earn more for your work - A Rees 17FeatureFebruary 11-17, 2013United Kingdom Edition and they strive towards top quality treatment that is suit- ed to each individual patient’s need. However, some particu- lar treatments, such as ortho- dontics and implant work, can require particular expertise, and often expensive, special- ised equipment. In order to provide this service, which is tailored to the unique requirements of their patient, there is the op- tion for dentists to refer some or all of the work to a more suitably trained and equipped practice. This not only pro- vides the ideal outcome for patients, it also expands the range of services the dentist can offer. Offering alternatives These referral practices are able to break down quite diffi- cult or complex cases, provide second opinions or further ad- vice, and often offer alterna- tive or simpler treatments the referring dentist may not have even been aware of. Dentists new to this course of action should not con- sider this step an admission of defeat; rather it should be viewed as a positive move. Patients will see the referral as a demonstration, by their practitioner, that their best in- terests are being served, and show more trust and apprecia- tion. This enhanced loyalty to the practice is likely to encour- age some referral patients to agree to subsequent work by their own dentist. Treatments such as teeth whitening would not have been especially ap- pealing to patients with se- verely crooked teeth. How- ever, having been referred to a specialist orthodontist, they may be more than happy to draw attention to their newly straightened teeth. Choose carefully Referring a patient to another practice, however, is not to be taken lightly: it is important to choose the right clinic to care for your patient and this means contacting the prac- tice, asking to see the prem- ises and establishing whether or not you will all work well together. The referral practice you choose needs to behave as if it were an extension of your own practice, and work as part of your team. Leading referral practices understand the importance of your decision to refer and will be happy to provide more information or dispel any con- cerns you may have. They will seek to understand all your requirements for your pa- tient and any future work you may be performing. You will also be kept informed throughout the treatment, and your approval and con- sent sought at every stage. In fact, the very best referral practices even provide models that you can send to your own ceramist. For orthodontic proce- dures, the referral prac- tice should work with you to your restorative plan and you would be required to sign off the treatment before the braces are removed. In the case of implants, you would expect the referral practice to be adaptable, ei- ther providing the whole re- storative implant treatment or making sure communication is open with you to provide the restoration. The referral process is un- doubtedly a win-win scenario for all involved. The patient receives the best possible treatmentfromhighlyqualified and experienced profession- als, while the referring dentist has a delighted patient who takes a greater interest in their smile and greater care to preserve it. DT About the author Dr Tim Brad- stock-Smith is principal of the London Smile Clinic, an award- winning centre of excellence in den- tistry that is based in Central London. The Clinic offers an extensive range of services, which include specialist orthodontics, im- plant dentistry and dentures. For more information, please contact 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londons- mile.co.uk/refer Particular treatments sometimes need special expertise