Ideal time to bring children to the dentist

With summer here and children getting off school, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring them to the dentist whether for their first visit, a regular check-up or an orthodontic consultation

It can be hard to get your children to the dentist at the best of times, but when they’re at school, it can be even more difficult for busy parents to organise. So when summer arrives, it is often easier for all concerned to make the time for a vital check-up.

First visit

It is recommended that infants should first be brought to the dentist when their first tooth appears which is generally when they are about six months old. It is good to get them used to the idea of a dentist from an early age. Dentists will also be able to advise you on how best to look after your young children’s baby teeth. They will also be able to spot the beginnings of any problems that may occur later.

We have written in the past about how to ensure your child’s first dental visit is a success and we believe it is crucial that children should feel comfortable and relaxed so that subsequent visits are also stress-free.

School children

Most national or primary level school children finish up at the end of June. You may then be going on holidays or they may be doing summer camps, so it is worth booking them in for a check-up before those things happen. That way, you won’t have to worry about it for the rest of the summer or be under pressure when school begins again in late August.

Ideally, of course, there would be regular free check-ups during school and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has consistently urged to government to introduce more frequent dental screenings in Irish schools. The Health Service Executive (HSE) does operate the Schools Screening Services which aims to screen children in second, fourth and sixth class. However, the IDA points out that “due to restrictions in the public service, these target classes are not always reached”.

So it is worthwhile bringing your children yourself. Your dentist will then get an opportunity to assess what treatment is needed, if any, including fissure sealants or fillings. They will also be able to advise you and your child on how best to look after their first teeth, including what food and drink to avoid and how to brush properly. Often, children need to hear this not just from you as parents but from a professional.

As with most health issues, prevention is better than cure, so regular visits will allow dentists to spot potential problems and deal with them as early as possible. At this age – from four to 12 – regular dentists will also be able to monitor how your child’s mouth is developing and when – or if – they will need to see an orthodontist.

Teenagers

If your children have been used to going to the dentist regularly from an early age, it will generally be easier to get them to go when they become teenagers. However, as any parent will tell you, bad habits can begin to slip in when your children hit their teens.

It is up to you to encourage good dental habits, such as brushing regularly, flossing and having the right diet (as much as possible). It is also worth encouraging them to be independent and take care of themselves, which means going to the dentist for a check-up or to see a hygienist. However, as we all know, ‘ordering’ teens to do anything, let alone go to the dentist, can be counter-productive.

Teenagers, like the rest of us, care about their health and their appearance so will want to have strong, healthy teeth. So help them to achieve this by allowing them to make their own appointments with the dentist and taking responsibility for their own wellbeing.

However, you can also make an appointment for them and bring them to the dentist if that’s easier for all concerned. The important thing is to make sure they are getting regular check-ups.

Orthodontics

As well as good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, orthodontic treatment will probably be the biggest dental treatment your children will need. A majority of young people need to get braces fitted and the best time to do it is usually between the ages of 10 and 13, though it will depend on the child.

While braces were once unwieldy and sometimes uncomfortable, nowadays they are much easier to fit and to wear. Thanks to modern technology, people can now choose from traditional braces, tooth-coloured ceramic ones or clear Invisalign types which are custom-made for patients’ mouths and which blend in naturally so that they are not unsightly. We use all three kinds in Dental Care Ireland practices and we work with our patients – and their parents – to choose the most suitable type.

For more on the range of treatments available in Dental Care Ireland practices around the country, click here. To find a practice nearest you, visit our website here: https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/

Whitening treatments for a super summer smile

Whitening treatments are in demand as summer approaches and we have a very special offer just for you

No matter how well we look after our teeth, they are not, by nature, perfectly white, so patients often opt for whitening treatments. Also, because of the different foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis, they can become stained. For example, tea, coffee and red wine are all known to stain teeth as, of course, does smoking. This is why teeth whitening is an increasingly popular option for people of all ages.

And as summer is approaching, all Dental Care Ireland practices are offering 20 per cent off teeth whitening for May and June, so get in touch now!

We all want to have teeth that look good. However, as well as doing a whitening treatment with your local Dental Care Ireland dentist, it is also really important to keep your teeth clean through brushing and flossing as well as regular visits to a dental hygienist.

Obviously, as you get older, your teeth will also become naturally discoloured, but people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s also want to have white teeth and a bright smile, particularly as summer approaches.

There are lots of whitening toothpastes and treatments available in pharmacies but getting it done through a professional dentist is by far the safest, most effective and best value way to do it.

So what does teeth whitening actually entail? Here are the simple steps to a brighter, whiter smile with Dental Care Ireland . . .

Consultation

The first step is to book a consultation with your dentist to make sure your teeth are suitable for a professional whitening treatment. Your dentist will then perform a thorough examination of your teeth. Issues such as gum disease, tooth decay or hypersensitivity may determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for whitening.

Also, whitening only works on natural teeth, so you may have to get crowns, veneers or fillings replaced after whitening to ensure they remain the same shade as your newly whitened teeth.

Impressions

Once the examination is complete, your dentist will take ‘impressions’ of your teeth so whitening trays can be created just for your teeth. He or she will also discuss what shade of white you would like to achieve through the treatment.

Home kit

When your trays have been made, you will be asked to return to your local practice. The Dental Care Ireland team will then provide you with these trays and the whitening kit, which includes tubes of whitening gel for you to use at home.

Your dentist will then talk you through how, when and for how long to use the gel. It is very simple and the whole process has been designed to have minimum impact on your daily life. You will also be provided with detailed written instructions and if you have any questions, the team will be only too happy to answer them.

Treatment

We generally recommend that the teeth whitening trays are used at home for at least an hour a day for between 7 and 14 days to achieve the result you want, though your dentist may have different recommendations for you.

The whitening gel can also cause some discomfort to patients with sensitive teeth, but you needn’t worry about this as it is perfectly normal. It will go away after your treatment is finished. Your dentist can also provide you with specialist sensitive toothpaste to use during your home treatment.

After the initial treatment, we will also make sure you have enough whitening gel so you can do your own ‘top-ups’ if and when desired.

After your whitening treatment, we also recommend that you keep brushing and flossing regularly to help them to stay white. Regular visits to see a dental hygienist will also help.

You can read about the Irish Dental Association’s guidelines on teeth whitening here.

All Dental Care Ireland practices currently offer dental whitening services with a special summer discount of 20 per cent for May and June 2019, so click on the practice nearest you to find out more and to book an appointment: Whitening Ashbourne, Whitening Cabinteely, Whitening Callan Dental, Whitening Carlow, Whitening Castlebar, Whitening Claregalway, Whitening Greystones, Whitening Kells, Whitening Knocklyon, Whitening Navan, Whitening Swords, Whitening Tullamore.

For more on whitening at Dental Care Ireland practices around the country, visit our website here: https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/treatment/teeth-whitening/

Supporting local dentists around the country

In May 2017, Colm Davitt, chief executive of Dental Care Ireland, talked to Irish Dentistry magazine about our network of local dentists across the country and his ambitions to support dentists’ businesses.

What exactly is Dental Care Ireland?

Dental Care Ireland is a new Irish-owned dental group. We set up two years ago, and to date, we have a network of 11 general and specialist practices across the country.

Essentially, we acquire long-established, high quality practices in local communities, with a view to helping them reach their full potential. Our aim is to free principal dentists from administrative burden, allowing them to focus on clinical dentistry.

We invest in upgrading the practices with the latest facilities and technology, as well as providing support in areas such as operations, finance, quality and compliance, IT, HR and marketing. Our vision at Dental Care Ireland is to provide a network of quality dental practices in every single county over the next five to 10 years.

How do you differ from other corporate practices?

Apart from being Irish-owned and -managed, our model is a new concept for dentistry in Ireland. What sets us apart is the fact that all of our dentists are established, local practitioners with a loyal patient base. We work closely with the incumbent dentists to build on the traditions of each individual practice, while ensuring a consistent service for patients across the entire network.

The Irish dental market is very different to the UK and other countries, and we believe that our combined experience and relationships give us a unique understanding of the sensitivities that exist in this country.

What can dentists and their teams expect when they sign up with Dental Care Ireland?

We work with dentists at various life stages and with different career ambitions. By joining Dental Care Ireland, they can expect to be valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their goals.

We basically reduce the management and administrative side of running a business significantly, and give dentists the clinical freedom to focus on their patients. In some cases, we also work with dentists who are seeking to reduce their clinical time commitment.

Each practice is upgraded, depending on individual practice requirements, to include new, state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology. We also support the development of new services and treatments, education and training for staff, as well as more convenient opening hours for patients. We are very sensitive to clinical freedom and to the individuality of each practice and location.

How did you get involved in the dental industry?

I was previously CEO of a leading diagnostic imaging group called Euromedic Ireland (now Affidea), where I gained particular expertise in acquisition through a ‘buy and build’ strategy. This background also gave me a good understanding of the sensitivities involved in running a healthcare organisation and working with healthcare professionals.

My brother and business partner, Kieran, is a dentist based in Galway. Together, we came up with the Dental Care Ireland concept, which would combine Kieran’s clinical expertise and my track record in business development and healthcare management. The balance of both these skillsets has been pivotal to our success.

So where did the idea for Dental Care Ireland come from?

We first looked at international trends towards group dentistry elsewhere. We also explored the challenges facing younger dentists with regards to setting up, such as prohibitive costs and increased compliance.

Since the majority of practices in Ireland are independently owned, we saw an opportunity for a new model here. The model that we developed is very much focused on high quality clinical care, based in the local community. Our marketing tagline is ‘your local practice’.

What kind of practices do you look out for or like to work with?

All of our practices have a long-standing reputation and loyal patient base in their local area. We look for dentists who are committed to remaining with the practice for at least the medium-term, and generally, our practices have a minimum of three chairs.

Our dentists join Dental Care Ireland for a variety of reasons. For some, it is part of a managed retirement plan. For others, they just want to focus on their patients rather than the business, and others have career or family commitments that prohibit them from managing the business side of the practice.

We want to have a national network right across the country, so we are open to considering all locations if the opportunity is right.

What do you hope for the future of Irish dentistry?

I hope that younger dentists will be supported to pursue their career ambitions and that all patients will have access to high quality, convenient dental services.

The restoration of some publicly funded benefits would greatly help many patients across the country and improve the oral health of the nation. I would like to see Dental Care Ireland at the centre of positive developments in the sector in the years ahead.

Note: This article first appeared in the May 2017 issue of Irish Dentistry. It is reprinted here with kind permission