Dental negligence claims are on the rise and there are solicitors actively encouraging patients to make a claim against their dental professional. Periodontal disease, according to Dental Protection, accounts for 47% of claims made, the highest total value of claims (Figure 1). Why then do a significant proportion of clinicians still not attach greater importance to carrying out CPD in periodontal disease?

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Top 20 UK dental negligence claims by value

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Credit: ©Doug Ross/Imagezoo/Getty Images Plus

In a poll I carried out on a dental forum, 28% of clinicians said they haven’t been on a perio specific course in the last 3 years and have no immediate plans to do so. A further 28% hadn’t been on a perio specific course but wanted to, they simply didn’t know which one to attend. With recent changes in periodontal and peri implant disease classifications we should now more than ever be trying to get our heads around how to best treat these conditions so we are singing off the same song sheet as a profession and protecting ourselves as individuals.

A dentist I know asked recently: ‘Why do I need to go on a perio course when I have a hygienist working with me’? My answer is we are all responsible for our own registration and the treatment of periodontal disease and peri implant diseases is part of general dentistry. Isn’t it much better that we are all giving our patients the same consistent advice? And what if the patient chooses to have treatment with the dentist and not the hygienist/therapist? The treatment should be the same, whoever provides it.

So, in the interest of the 28% of people who haven’t been on a perio specific course in the last 3 years, but expressed an interest in wanting to, these are my thoughts on the Masterclass in Perio run by Deepak Simkhada. I’d heard that his was a good course but I didn’t know what the 3 days entailed. I approached Deepak to see if I could critically review the course. It enhanced the value of my investment to know I could help inform colleagues looking for a good clinical update.

Before attending I believed that this course was developed by a hygienist for hygienists. Although it is perfect for myself and my colleagues, it is open for dentists to attend too. It’s a ‘must’ if you want to see your business grow generally, but in particular on the periodontal front. Not only will patients benefit greatly from the way you will go about treating their periodontal issues, you will have a happier hygienist and a more profitable periodontal treatment plan (and that is just an incidental bonus as a consequence of treating perio more effectively). It is a win win.

Day 1 is an intense day of research, studies and all the information that will set you up for days 2 and 3. Don’t let this put you off though. It was all very interesting stuff and a re-cap on a lot of things you will have learnt at Uni. It gives you a base for why perio is taught the way it is. You will delve into studies so you can apply evidence based treatment for your patients, focusing on why they are in control of treatment outcomes and how to get this across to them.

Day 2 is a hands on day. This is a brilliant opportunity for clinicians to learn about all the different instruments that can be used in the non surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) phase of treatment and representatives from Swallows dental suppliers are on hand to help with advice on sharpening instruments and general maintenance and care. Deepak provided us with quail’s eggs which are small and delicate. We had to make sure we applied just the right amount of pressure using the scalers in order to scale the eggs without causing any damage.

We were exposed to different ultrasonic scaling units and taught how to adapt the settings in order to suit the kind of treatment we carry out. Think you know how to do all of this well? I did before I went, but I have taken away so much that will further improve my skills.

Day 3 is the game changer. How to treat perio in the NHS was broken down and we learned the best way to treat perio privately, which could incidentally also improve profitability greatly. Deepak explained how to refer patients to your hygienist and how to appropriately sell the private hygienist treatment as an option. Periodontal disease cases in front of the GDC were discussed and then followed by advice on how to best protect yourself against these claims. Since completing the course I am managing my patients in a much better way. As a result, I am earning more while treating and managing perio better! I came back to work and asked for a business meeting with my boss, who after hearing all I had to say has changed the way we run things and the business in general is seeing results.

As a profession we are seeing more and more claims against perio and peri implant diseases, so we should be putting more emphasis on increasing our knowledge in this treatment area. We should be striving to make sure we are all working effectively so as to protect ourselves and help our patients. I know I am just one hygienist trying to change your mindset, but if I have swayed you into thinking that in 2019 you are wanting to choose a course to embark on, please consider a perio one and better still, choose perio with Deepak.

https://www.periowithdeepak.com

Claire qualified as a Dental Hygienist in 2009, training with the Army. She now works in practices in Doncaster and York.