The Dentist speaks with Ash Parmar about guided biofilm therapy and the difference it has made to his practice.
Why did you choose to bring guided biofilm therapy (GBT) into your practice?
AP: It all started with my dental therapist, Petya, who was using GBT in one of her other practices. She mentioned it to me, and when I came to look at what GBT was all about, I got quite excited about it. That spurred me to invite an EMS rep into the practice, which enabled me to understand the scope of the process properly and it was then I realised it had the ability to help my team provide our patients with the very best standard of care.
What was the GBT training day like for you and your team?
AP: We had GBT expert, Lottie Manahan, come to the practice for a bespoke training day. As a practising hygienist she’s ideally placed to share the practical aspects of GBT, she’s very enthusiastic, and we found her to be a very good teacher.
EMS and Lottie agreed to do the training day on a Saturday so it didn’t interrupt our working week. My whole team attended, because I believe that everyone had to buy into GBT to go forward with it confidently and successfully.
The day was bespoke to our needs, so alongside an introductory presentation on the science behind GBT, we had the opportunity to ask questions, to see demos and experience a hands-on element using quails’ eggs – ideal for practising!
How do you feel about the investment needed to deliver GBT in your practice?
AP: GBT is potentially a large investment, but it can easily be offset by increasing the cost of hygiene care. It doesn’t need to be a huge increase and it can easily be justified to patients when they understand the value of GBT.
The other investment I made, besides the GBT equipment, was to employ a dental nurse to work alongside our hygienist and therapist. Following our training day and after careful discussion, we decided a nurse was necessary because it improves the workflow so much, and the team did want that support.
What do you hope GBT will do for the practice and patients moving forward?
AP: I think one of the important things is that it will help to motivate patients more. Like all dentists, I see people who have had bad experiences with hygienists in the past, finding the cleaning process uncomfortable or even painful, and so there’s some stigma and reticence. With GBT, we can give them the assurance that this is comfortable dental care.
The other thing about GBT that really makes a difference is the staining process; colouring the biofilm in the patient’s mouth. When you take a photo with their phone at the first appointment and then at subsequent appointments and they see the difference – as in the reduction of staining and therefore biofilm – it is a real motivator for patients.
As a practice very much focused on prevention, GBT offers incredible tools that help us support patients in their efforts to maintain gum health and keep their smile looking good.
How have you communicated the advantages of GBT to patients?
AP: We’ve done a number of things. I’ve updated my website and we have a section dedicated to hygiene explaining what GBT is all about – I call it ‘The Hygiene and Fresh Breath Centre’.
We also sent an email via Software of Excellence to all our patients explaining the new GBT concept we’re offering. We’re also using the
EMS brochures that they offer, both the e-version and printed. We have also increased our social media use.
There is growing interest in the links between systemic health and oral health. Do you talk to you patients about that?
AP: Yes, and that is supported by the literature we have got from EMS. Initially, I have what I call a ‘philosophy discussion’ with a patient. That involves a chat where I explain in more detail about what we are doing and where we are heading. I also show them the pictures to support the idea that there’s a lot of scientific evidence indicating various links between biofilm with other health problems. Once they understand that concept and then see the staining of their teeth that’s part of the GBT protocol, it really brings the message home.