Dentsply Implants is promoting a programme of free local events at implant treatment clinics throughout the UK. The ‘R£LAX’ package includes ongoing support and a mini prosthetics kit.
Increasing numbers of general practitioners are recognising that dental implants should be the preferred option to replace missing teeth. The training provided within the ‘R£LAX’ programme gives clinicians more confidence to discuss this treatment option with their patients. Attendees see for themselves how simple and profitable it is to restore the most common implant cases.
Wendy Fidoe of Blyburgate Dental, Beccles, Suffolk recently attended a ‘R£LAX’ event held by Hamed Karimi at Norfolk Dental Specialists in Norwich. Wendy explains, “I have since referred a patient for a single anterior implant, which I then restored myself. I found this quite straightforward. I am now able to discuss this treatment option in more detail with my patients. It is a real benefit to be able to tell them that I can restore implant cases in-house.”
The ‘R£LAX’ initiative is helping dentists develop their practices and accelerate the growth of dental implantology in the UK. Matthew Holyoak of Woodlands Dental Practice, Lytham St Annes, describes how working in partnership with the implant dentist is good for both his practice and his patients, “Restoring implants increases the available treatment options and gives me credibility with my patients. Completing a single implant case is like restoring a post crown, only far more predictable. I plan the treatment and we work as a team to provide the best outcome for the patient.”
For the general practitioner, completing the restorative phase of dental implant treatment makes good business sense. It improves clinical outcomes for patients and expands income options for their dentist. The practice reputation is enhanced and the patient stays with their own dentist for long-term care. Tim Earl enthuses, “The financial rewards are great. Offering dental implants to my patients gives them the full spectrum of treatment options. This enables me to present a complete, rounded treatment plan. I maintain overall control, which gives the patient confidence.”
Dentsply Implants is committed to improving patient access to implant treatment, by helping their customers to grow their practices. Kevin Gibney of St Paul’s Dental Care and Implant Centre, Stockport says, “Through the ‘R£LAX’ programme, Dentsply Implants is providing me with good support for developing my referral network.” Hamed Karimi adds, “The main benefit for my practice has been the strengthening of the relationship with the referring dentists. They feel much more comfortable sending their patients to me for implant placement.”
The Implant Centre, Haywards Heath, has a network of several hundred referring dentists, more and more of whom are restoring implants themselves. Mr Bill Schaeffer, one of the founders of The Implant Centre, explains, “Many more local dentists are enjoying the excitement and satisfaction of restoring dental implants, and are finding them to be an easy, fun and profitable part of their practices.”