News & Comment

The journey to work is a common experience for us all but does it always reflect what we might expect from our team members? Stephen Hancocks watches the door as opening time approaches.

For the uninitiated or the newbie in the practice the maze of instruments and equipment is a bewilderment...Why are there so many names to remember? Stephen Hancocks investigates.

Does a member of your dental team deserve a break? Do you feel that your colleague has made an outstanding contribution to your team, has gone beyond the call of duty, pioneered an innovative new scheme in your practice, raised awareness of an overlooked issue or topic, or just generally been a superstar?

No one likes waiting, especially for dental or medical treatment, so how can we best keep our patients entertained? Stephen Hancocks considers.

Health and fitness expert Dean Hodgkin says that the pathway to fitness needs a personal trainer's approach.

What are the pitfalls of eating alfresco? asks Stephen Hancocks.

Continuing professional development might be one of those conspiracy theories. Stephen Hancocks reassuringly lifts the lid on living with lifelong learning.

Probably one of the most frequent, negative comments that patients make about going to the dentist is the noise – usually of the ‘the drill’ – so what can we do to help out? Stephen Hancocks investigates.

We probably spend more of our waking hours with our work colleagues than we do with our partners and loved ones, but how much do we really know about them … and how much do they know about us? Stephen Hancocks ponders.

What does customer care really mean, asks Stephen Hancocks, and how can we apply it to the practice?

What do you wear when you go to the dentist as a patient? What do your patients wear to come to see you and what does that say about your practice? asks Stephen Hancocks.

The current craze for flogging bits and pieces that are no longer of use to us has spawned a whole raft of TV programmes and car boot sales. Is there any mileage here for dental practices? Stephen Hancocks rummages under the stairs.

Writing postcards used to be such a ritual but how many of us bother anymore, and are they still relevant?

We all see patients every working day, and they see us too. That's all fine and dandy in the practice setting, but what happens outside the four walls of work? Stephen Hancocks reflects.

Longer hours of daylight, lighter evenings and the growing number of hints that spring is in the air… Stephen Hancocks anticipates getting home from the practice and venturing outside to the garden.

As we plunge headlong into the darker days of winter there are not just the long evenings to contend with but also the change in the weather. In the practice that means raincoats for example, and hats, and boots and … umbrellas… Stephen Hancocks dodges the drips.

At first glance there seems little in common between food and dentistry except dietary advice to patients. However, Stephen Hancocks delves deeper into the practice pantry.

As the summer holidays approach Stephen Hancocks gives a thought to what we might bring back with us to share with the team.