As with so many things in life Dentistry is a Team Game!

At Absolute Dental we have sought the best dental technicians to be on our side.

They are highly skilled, trained and talented artists who help create beautiful natural smiles for our patients.

Working closely with my fantastic technicians gives me the confidence to know that together we can achieve a beautiful predictable result for our patients.

By involving Sue @ Oral Concept & Julian and Co @ Kingsbridge Dental Lab- from the beginning, we can plan each stage and interpret our patients wishes to become a reality.

No job is too big or small!

Whether it is building a bridge to fill a gap or fitting a beautiful natural ceramic crown- some veneer to make you smile or designing a lovely RPD which is a modern design of denture to fill in lots of spaces.

Increasingly at Absolute Dental Implants are a first consideration too...........

The technician will sometimes join us at Absolute to meet the patient and imagine the smile........

Recording with photos

Matching colour and shapes

Or our patients can visit the laboratory where they are invariably surprised by what they see- the art, science and technology that combines to produce the final result- which become part of them!

The technical side of dentistry and development of materials progress rapidly............

There is always a new choice to be made.

But never to the detriment of the personal side of things.

Communication and understand is vital for everyone at every stage.

I always feel happier and more confident to know my trusted Absolute technician is sharing the experience.

"Like so many other patients, my first visit to the practice was a very nervouse one. I'd read other testimonials prior to my inital appointment and thought "all those people can't be wrong!"

I neednt have worried- Ruth and the rest of the team have a great "bedside manner" and i felt quite cossetted and safe.

My first major treatment was a maryland bridge; The result of which was a prefet match. The second treatment was the fitting of a porcelian crown- again the procedure whilst not easy was completely pain free. The end result for me was being able to smile with confidence- in fact, I think I probably smile too much now!"

Sandra- Taunton

Ruth

Accountability

This week has seen a huge turnaround for Rhod and I in our focus, drive, ambition and direction for Absolute Dental and its people.

Why? Because we once more became clients of Chris Barrow

http://www.coachbarrow.com

Chris has already once again made us accountable, measured our performance and encouraged us to reconsider the vision. It so often becomes blurry whilst we are all so busy doing "stuff". Who do you have that will encourage you to look at the big picture, question your failures and put positivity back to the fore front of your mind?

I spend a huge amount of my time and energy focusing on other peoples practices and the people that are working in them and am truly proud of the achievements they then make. However I must not forget myself and the Absolute team, they play far too big a part of my life to brush over. So team be ready for the next Absolute adventure, I am getting fired up...

On a Course!

When I say "I'm of on a course" it doesn't necessarily mean I'm off studying for the ever important Continuous Postgraduate Development (CPD), it's more likely I'm trying to lower my handicap on the local Golf course!

My other passion though is sailing. When I set course around the beautiful South Devon coastline, it gives me ample opportunity- apart from spotting dolphins and basking sharks- to catch up on my CPD.

Many hours of continuous study are needed to ensure that I keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in Dentistry to continue to be able to provide the high standard of Dental Care we pride ourselves on at Absolute Dental. We invest hugely in training specific to the needs of our team and the ever developing business.

I find cruising along on a calm day the best environment to do this.

Watch this space for summer sailing photos.........................Steve

Toothbrush Amnesty Update

National Smile Month's 'Toothbrush Amnesty' has been a great success. It has highlighted a problem with patients using a toothbrush that is far too big and with bristles so worn and flattened, this is despite our constant reinforcement to patient at Hygienist and examination appointments of the need to be using the correct size tools for effective cleaning.

The amnesty has given us the opportunity to reinforce this message again.

We have decided as a result to routinely ask patients to bring their toothbrushes along with them to their appointments, especially with the Hygienist and Oral Heath Educator, allowing us to check the size and quality of the bristles.

It was surprising to see the extent of the wear of the bristles on many of the brushes, and to think that the patients were still using it!

Approximately 90% of the brushes handed in were typical of the ones found in supermarkets and chemists, our patients commented that these were the only sizes available unless they made a special trip to the practice.

Our Toothbrush Amnesty made the local News- Denise was pictured in action spreading the word to ensure that all our patients use the correct size toothbrush.

Expect the unexpected

When my good friend Chris Barrow alerted me ( in his usual early morning email) to the existence of Absolute Dental in Co Carlow, Ireland I was naturally curious but totally unprepared for what I was about to discover- for, as it turned out, they had been equally curious about us.

Clearly liking what they saw, they have made minor adjustments to our logo and brand and used it for themselves without even mentioning our wonderful designer Sandra Tate.














Astonished? Yes
Angry? Yes
Over it? Getting there

It is hard to believe that there are those in our industry who would so blatantly take from others.

Chris has since aired the subject in his recent Confidence Club ezine dated 26th May 2009 and his wise words have helped a great deal.

The whole incident has reminded me to expect the unexpected, just when you think everything is perfect something comes from out of the blue and the more surrounded you are by great people the easier it is to deal with.

I hope the practice in Ireland do come to find their own identity and do the honourable thing however I will simply have the adopt a philosophical attitude in the meantime, and remind myself that imitation is the best flattery

Emma