Are you being served?

Overheard in a local public house this week (a gloriously sunny half term week here in our corner of the world), the manager of the establishment whispered to the barman (in a stage whisper loud enough for those of us stood at the bar to hear) "Check with me before you seat anyone else for food - sometimes it's just easier to send them somewhere else rather than explain there is a wait for food"...........

I was more than a little shocked - why would they want to turn away their customers, in one of the busiest weeks of the year? And then it dawned on me, as I watched several people run around like headless chickens - they were completely unprepared, the Bank Holiday and subsequent half term week had obviously taken these people in the "hospitality" industry by surprise!!!! So, as I watched they turned away their potential customers...... Where did they go? Would they ever return? No one will ever know, and I think I was the only one who cared!

It started me thinking - do we look after our patients well enough - are we we prepared enough for our patients, and I had to think - yes, we are! We always allow time in our appointment books each day to see emergencies, allowing more time after bank holidays or clinicians holidays. We know that any dental emergency from severe pain to a lost crown can be disturbing, and we want our patients to know, that we have a provision to take care of you that same day. We know our patients well and know the patients who might need slightly longer appointment times, and allow for this.

We know which patients need to update important paperwork and we are prepared for this when they arrive; we make it our responsibility to know who is due into the practice and their treatment needs, before they even arrive through the door. Patients who arrive without appointments but need to be seen are accommodated to the best of our abilities - they are not told there is no room at the inn! If we're busy we see it as a real positive - people want to visit us at Absolute, we won't turn you away, we just hope that you understand we will slot you in just as soon as we can.

At Absolute Dental we like all of our patients to feel important, we want you to feel looked after so that we can enjoy seeing you for many years to come.

Written by Diane

A Day at the Races

The team and their partners had an exciting day at Newton Abbot races on Ladies Day. It was a beautiful day the sun shone for us although Lady Luck didn't for most of us!

It was a great excuse for us all to get together out of work, and spend some quality time (which we don't often get chance to do on a busy day in the practice), sharing hints and tips on the horses and just having a good old catch up. I must admit my theory of picking the horses by their amusing names or interesting shirts didn't pay off!!

The next time we get together as a team might be a little more challenging depending what Emma has up her sleeve for us!!
Watch this space.

Written by Denise

Royal bride - Kate Middleton paid a visit to the dentist to make sure her teeth looked great on the big day, reported the Daily Mail.

The princess is said to have seen orthodontist Dr Didier Fillion on London's Wimpole Street for a makeover in time for her engagement announcement. And the newspaper reported that her teeth looked whiter and straighter than ever. The gap between her front teeth which remained after dental work she had done as a child had also disappeared. Dr Fillion specialises in fitting braces behind the teeth and using 3D technology in a process which cuts the time a patient would normally have to wear one by three to six months.

Orthodontics is not the only way to correct misaligned teeth or small space in between teeth, these can sometimes be corrected with veneers, both in composite resin or porcelain. Rhodri John has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics from simple crowns, veneers to complex smile makeovers, our patient testimonials speak volumes and are well worth a read.

Customer Care at Absolute – Going the extra mile
One thing we pride ourselves in here at Absolute Dental is our exceptional customer care. It’s our aim to ensure that every patient is treated as an individual and has the best experience possible.
We are very conscious of the well being of every person that walks through the door and we will do whatever we can to help, even if it doesn’t involve dentistry!
An example of such an occasion was just the other day when an elderly gentleman arrived for his appointment, but his wife was not where he had arranged to meet her and he was very worried about her. After getting a description of what she was wearing two of our team went out into Kingsbridge to try and locate her. Fortunately she was located fit and well in one of the local shops and had just lost track of time! The gentleman was very grateful and was much more relaxed once his mind was at rest.
We provide multiple facilities in order to achieve this, including freshly brewed coffee and films to entertain the children.If you have yet to experience our outstanding customer care please feel free to call in and see if we can help improve things for you.


Written by Kelly

Smiles top attractiveness poll

A ‘smile’ has topped a poll of the most important physical features when it comes to attraction between men and women. A smile was rated highly by 56 per cent of respondents, closely followed by faces (53 per cent) and eyes (51 per cent). Dress sense, body shape, hair and height were also measured, with the latter bringing up the rear on 25 per cent. Interestingly, it was a non-physical attribute – personality – which was the clear winner of the survey. Ninety per cent of respondents rated this human attribute most important when it comes to attraction.The results have been published as part of the British Dental Health Foundation’s annual campaign – National Smile Month – now in its 35th year.

This year the theme is ‘The Smile Factor’, which aims to remind people that their mouth, teeth and smile is fundamental to all aspects of their life – whether career, personality, relationships, attraction or all-round good health. Despite the importance of smiles and teeth to everyday life, many people appear to have a poor image of the nation’s ‘Smile Factor’. The survey reveals that only 23 per cent believed that the nation had ‘good teeth’, and approaching half the population were not happy with their smile or teeth - stained or yellow teeth being the most common concern (37 per cent).

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: “As a nation we probably spend more time and money looking after our hair and the clothes we wear, rather than caring for our teeth. The survey is a great reminder that we should be giving greater attention to our teeth – not just because it improves oral health – but because it gives us the confidence to smile, which makes a major difference to our relationships, careers and overall image.“During National Smile Month, we hope everyone will consider what they can do to improve their Smile Factor. Hundreds of dental practices across the UK will be supporting the campaign and it’s an excellent time to seek their help and advice.“It’s really important to get the basics right at home as well. We recommend brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks, and visiting your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend. Adopting this good oral health regime can make a huge difference to a confident smile and many aspects of everyday life”, advised Dr Carter.

Forget the X Factor get the Smile Factor

National Smile Month May 15th and June 15th is a key factor in the British Dental Health Foundation’s success in taking simple, practical oral health advice to millions of people nationwide.
Clinical research has found that, on average, people only brush for about 45 seconds and this is barely enough to skim across all of the teeth.
A good education, thorough brushing routine and a healthy eating lifestyle will not only help fight problems like tooth decay, bad breath and stained teeth it will also reduce the chances of developing gum disease – which has been linked to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and low birth weight babies.
This is the message we at Absolute Dental promote on a daily basis, educating children from a very early age and carrying this through also to our adult patients.
We all take the simple things in life for granted, we are all expected to know how to brush our teeth, but to get the best from our brushing needs a little directional guidance. Ineffective brushing to remove the plaque and debris on a daily basis can not only lead to gum disease but also decay. We encourage our patients to bring their toothbrushes to hygienist and oral health education appointments to ensure that the best techniques are being applied.

Hello, my name is Rachael Bristow I am from Paignton where I live with my dog Gypsy and Husband to be Simon. My horse Princess lives at a farm in Torquay and is a very important part of my free time!
I am a qualified Dental Hygienist but also a Dental Therapist, this is a role that people are sometimes unaware exists!

I will be looking after Nicky's patients whilst she is taking time out on maternity leave with her new baby, Emma.
It involves me carrying out dental treatments under the instruction of a dentist, I can carry out a range of fillings large and small using dental anaesthetic on adults and children, also giving advice and handy tips on healthy gums and preventing decay, I can take x-rays and dental impression and carry out children’s extractions among other treatments. I have a good sense of humour coupled with a caring and compassionate nature, and look forward to seeing you soon!

Written by Rachael Bristow