"Feel the fear - and do it anyway"
Some people can be very fearful of visiting the dentist - this fear can present itself as mild anxiety through to blinding fear. For some of these people, the fear will have kept them away from the dentist for many years, driven only to attend by severe discomfort, setting up an association between discomfort & visiting the dentist.For others (and we meet many), there has been a "bad experience" with a previous dentist that taints all subsequent visits. An entire generation received relative analgesia through a "rubber mask", and some received treatment after no anaesthetic at all. All of these patients need our help, understanding & empathy. Here at Absolute Dental we want to replace those bad memories or experiences with positive ones. As soon as you walk through our doors we want you to fell that you are amongst friends. We take time to listen to your fears & concerns and work with you to provide you with the care you need at a level you are comfortable with.We have tricks up our sleeves to make all aspects of dental treatment comfortable - but our main weapon in anxiety control is our team. We have a dedicated team of professionals who are there to help. We listen & support you and never underestimate the power of fear. We build trusting relationships with our patients giving them confidence to visit us on a regular basis. Patients who described themselves as "phobic" when they first visited the practice, now tell others how we have helped them to start combating their fears - but don't just take our word for it...
A touching testimonial from one of our converted phobic patients...
...As a child of the Seventies, Dentists held a special place in my mind, usually at the back of it. Anyone reading this that had dental work as a child during the Seventies will understand what I mean, little or no pain relief, being held down whilst the dentist did his best to do his work, crowded and stuffy waiting rooms and the dreaded 'rubber mask', If I close my eyes I can still smell the rubber. So when I reached my teens I simply stopped going to the dentist, if I brushed my teeth twice a day they’d be no problems and no need for dentists. I happily went along for the next 20 years, my teeth getting progressively worse but I could manage it. Then it happened, one toffee too many and my tooth broke. As it was after neglecting my teeth for all those years, I was only able to eat on one side, “The Extra Toffee” why didn’t I stop, I had no choice, and the pain was too much,
I had to go ... To the Dentist…
The first thing that struck me was how much it had changed. I walked through the door, I smelt flowers and scented candles I was greeted by attentive staff who knew who I was, why I was there and who I’d be seeing. The waiting area was light, spacious and relaxing. My dentist, Mr. John talked to me he explained what he’d be doing, why he’d be doing it, what I should do if I needed him to stop. He showed me the instruments of his trade and explained what they did. The dental nurse was on hand, overseeing everything in a calm and efficient manner, no rush, no panic we’ll go at your pace. Absolute Dental help me to manage my teeth, dental hygiene and spreading the cost and over time have restored my faith. Although the smell of the rubber mask is still there, the anxiety is not and for that “I Thank You”

An Absolute warm welcome
My name is Sophie Bain and I am the newest recruit to Absolute Dental. I previously worked in a lovely practice in Plymouth but seven months ago I gave birth to my beautiful daughter Josie and made the decision to search for somewhere closer to home.
I was over the moon when I heard that Absolute Dental needed somebody to join their team, and even more delighted when they offered me the job.
I hope to offer Absolute Dental my experiences of working in a specialist practice. I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my crazy dog Phoebe and the usual girlie things, shopping and fun nights out!

Importance and benefits of routine Dental Radiographs

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are a very important part of comprehensive dental care as they help provide valuable information, which, may not be seen by the dentist on visual examination of the patients teeth.
Radiographic examination may help the dentist see small areas of early decay between the teeth or below existing fillings - this can be treated at an early stage preventing the need for larger, more invasive procedures.
Radiographs also allow for bone loss due to periodontal disease to be recorded and monitored.
Areas of infection may sometimes be seen as well as other oral conditions.
Digital x rays are used at Absolute Dental. The dentist takes digital images using a small digital sensor that is placed in the mouth to capture the image. Importantly - this reduces the amount of radiation required to produce an x ray as compared with conventional film x rays, also eliminates the risk of film processing errors.
The computerised dental radiographs are immediately displayed on the computer monitor.
Images can be enhanced to provide an optimal radiograph and to detect specific problem areas of a tooth.
The images are stored on the computer in the individual patients’ clinical notes, this allows for comparison with future radiographs possible - to monitor for any changes.

So next time your dentist takes a radiograph be assured it is an important part of your overall dental care.

Why offer a treatment coordinator service?

We feel that our patients deserve the best care possible, and feel that providing the treatment coordinator service will give them just that.

From the initial meeting or telephone enquiry a special relationship will be created, patients can rest assured that they have a personal point of contact and one to one care throughout their treatment.

All new patients to the practice have an initial 20 minute consultation with a treatment coordinator to discuss any concerns and possible treatments, models, testimonials, before and after photographs will be used to help with patient understanding of treatments offered. This will preceed a comprehensive assessment by one of our dentists during a consultation which typically takes 30 minutes.

What's on the horizon for 2010

An exciting year ahead...

January - Welcomes Bill Beare, specialist in Implantology, Periodontology and Advanced Restorative Dentistry to our expanding Award Winning team.

Also sees the launch of our Treatment Coordinator service. All new patients to the practice will routinely have an appointment with one of our treatment coordinators to discuss any concerns, and possible treatment options prior to their initial consultation with their appointed/chosen dentist.

April -sees 3 successful years of Absolute Dental, which, we will be celebrating with an open evening, watch this space for more details.

October - A team of 7 'The Absolute Stars' will be doing the 'Marine Commando Challenge' involving an obstacle course, a lot of water, mud, and a 4K fun run. To raise sponsorship for Devon Air Ambulance.

Merry Christmas
The Team at Absolute Dental Have sent you an e-card


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ABSOLUTE DOUBLE SUCCESS

The team from Absolute Dental in Kingsbridge returned triumphant from the 2009 Dentistry Awards held last Friday 4th December with not one but two much coveted winning trophies. The team were recognised as the very best within the South West and Wales as having the best practice and best dental team.
The glamorous ceremony was held at the Athena, Leicester and was attended by dental teams from across the whole of the United Kingdom and is the largest gathering for any dental awards event. The evening has been created to recognise outstanding dental teams and practices that excel and lead the way within the dental profession across the whole of the United Kingdom.
"The judging panel is made up of twelve of the UK's most influential dental professionals and they then merit our practice against their criteria to distinguish a winner" said Rhodri John, Absolute Dentals clinical director. "We are understandably delighted with such an outstanding result".
"I think that everyone at Absolute knows we have a very special “Team” and that our “Practice” is something to be very proud of, and so to receive an award that recognises that we have the best of both of these in the entirety of such a large region (comprising of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and Wales) is a great honour, and I am really privileged to be part of a practice that can consistently maintain award winning standards over many years", said Diane Cox, dental nurseOur team is focused on one common purpose – delivering high quality dentistry together with first class customer service. Because all team members share this common vision, our actions are supportive of each other and therefore one action enhances another.