Great South Run Success

On Sunday October 25th a team from Absolute Dental took part in the Great South Run in Portsmouth. This popular event saw record numbers of 21,000 participants race the 10 mile route around this historic port on a gloriously sunny day.

We had all trained well, but awoke with a certain amount of apprehension on Sunday morning - after a restless nights sleep. We travelled to the race start and were overwhelmed by the sheer number of runners taking part - it was like a rainbow to see all of the brightly coloured running vests representing the many hundreds of national and local charities that these remarkable people were running in support of.

Our chosen charity was Cancer Research UK.The race itself was completed by the elite athletes in a times of 46 minutes for the men, and 52 minutes for the ladies - times that we fully appreciate now as remarkable! Rhod completed the course in 1 hour and 34 mins - this meant he was placed 5,773rd out of the field of 21,000; and the girls team of Emma, Rachel and myself crossed the finish line together, in 2 hours 10 mins & 30 secs - putting us in 13,014th place!!The city was at a standstill as most of the main roads around the city were closed of for the duration of the race - but the streets were lined with supporters for the whole 10 miles!

The atmosphere was incredible, with the crowds cheering you on and encouraging you the whole way around. Towards the end, with approximately 1.5 miles to go, just when our bodies were beginning to weaken, we turned to run along Portsmouth seafront, the wind was whipping at us from the Solent, but the end was in sight! As a team we chattered, sung and encouraged each other around the course - and crossed the finish line to hear Tina Turner on the sound system singing "Simply The Best" - and, do you know what - at that moment (and for a long while afterwards!!) we really thought that we were!!

We challenged our minds and our bodies and accomplished something amazing. We raised over £1000 for Cancer Research UK - a charity that means a great deal to each of us. I hope that our efforts will make a difference in the lives of someone who needs it.

I would like to thank my running team for making a difference in my life on Sunday - without you I might not have made it, but it is true what they say - 'together we are stronger' and at Absolute we are... Simply The Best!

Di

Absolutely fantastic news

We have just had notification that we have been short listed in the regional finals of the prestigious Dentistry Awards 2009.

http://http://www.dentistry.co.uk/awards2009/

As finalists in the categories of South West ‘Best Team’ and ‘Best Practice’ we are all delighted to be recognised in such prestigious awards and are looking forward to the award ceremony in December
Ruth Page commented ‘what fantastic news – even to be short listed is an accolade in the face of stiff competition from other great dental practices’
Now in its third successful year, these national awards, staged by award-winning Dentistry magazine – aim to recognise outstanding individuals, teams and practices in the dental world who are top of their profession.
The competition was of a high standard and Absolute Dental battled against a whole host of other practices in the region to reach the shortlist. Leading Dentists, hygienists and practice managers form the judging panel and will be looking to decide on the regional winner then the overall UK Best!

Absolutes Smiles – Out & About

On Sunday October 18th a team from Absolute Dental attended a wedding fayre held at Holne Park House in Ashburton.

Among our fellow exhibitors were florists, photographers, cake makers, beauticians and chocolate fountains – everyone you would expect to find at such an event.

We appreciate you might not expect to find a dental practice at a wedding fayre – and this is often confirmed by the raised eyebrows that greet our stand when people arrive!
A wedding can often be a very expensive event, with lots of time and effort going into the preparations to make everything absolutely perfect for that special day. Once the day has passed all you have are your memories – and the photographs. We ask one question on our stand – “Can you smile confidently in your wedding photo’s?” The question is aimed at all members of the wedding party and asks them to consider if they would like their smiles to simply be whiter, brighter or straighter or if they have a more ambitious smile makeover in mind. If you consider that in addition to this we can also improve facial aesthetics with either Botox, Juvederm or skin peels – we really are able to offer a package that could improve confidence and help you to cherish the memories of that special day forever!

World Smile Day

It was World Smile Day last Friday 2nd October, and I happened to be sorting through my clinical photographs. This reminded me how much fun and how rewarding it is to change people's outlook on life by enhancing their smile. This can be achieved simply by whitening or may require a full makeover. Often the biggest transformation is when we can replace a missing tooth (or teeth) with implants. Implants are small titanium screws that replace a lost tooth's root, enabling new 'teeth' to be built. The loss of a tooth can be a very traumatic and emotional experience and the ability to replace it, almost like for like, with a permanent solution has a dramatic positive effect on these patients instantly restoring their confidence and self esteem.

One chapter ends another one begins

We said a sad farewell to Fliss last week, Fliss had been with Absolute Dental for 6 years. Although we have lost a valued member of the team, we see it as a triumph, as she has blossomed from being a young trainee dental nurse through to a confident Practice Manager with great ambition and determination. We all wish her luck and success in her new position.

On the other hand we welcome Vickie Adams to the team, Vickie has joined us as a trainee dental nurse, and is already fully in the swing of things and fitting in like one of the family. She is attending the Absolute Dental nurse training course lead by Diane and lots of support from all the practice team.
Vickie is a lovely, smiley girl with lots of enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge – a great attribute for a dental nurse and for a perfect team player at Absolute Dental.