Celebrating a Quarter of a Century of Dental Care
By Steven Burchell – Practice Principal
This year marks 25 years of caring for patients in Dudley and I’m grateful to every one of them. Their dental needs have stretched me professionally, inspired me to be on a daily journey of learning and, not least, to remain grateful they trusted me to deliver clinical solutions.
In those early days, I was branded by the Press as the ‘smile mechanic’ as I began setting the bar higher and higher with denture provision. That media exposure saw people turn up from the North East, Wales, South Coast and from all over the Black Country.
I knew some people had bad experiences with dentures, but the scale of response and scope of clinical issues that presented at the clinic made me realise the extent of a national problem.
My journey with dentistry became more and more complex as different specialisms were brought into the practice to address patients’ requirements. Implant work, cosmetic dentistry, ‘invisible’ recontouring (orthodontics), full mouth reconstructions and periodontology (treatment of gums) became regular bedfellows.
Time, it seems, is a magician: As I reflect, it seems such a short time, the years vanishing before my eyes.
Practice Principal Steven Burchell
Advances in dentistry
The evolution of dentistry over the last 25 years has seen transformations in its restorative abilities and its accessibility beyond anything I could ever have imagined as a fresh-out-of-school dental lab student. Who would have believed ‘Hollywood smiles’ could be found in Dudley?
But dentistry has always been innovative . . . wooden dentures were popular in Japan from the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century and two hundred years later typical denture materials in Europe included human, animal teeth, and ivory.
Shifts towards modern dentistry, though, have historically been slow emerging. However, under my watch in North Street, industry developments have tumbled exceptionally speedily into our surgeries.
Perhaps the most significant clinical advancement is the use of dental implants to support individual or multiple teeth.
But supporting technology has advanced at a strident pace too. The shift from analogue to digital has enabled instant appraisals of radiographs, on-site CT scanning, intraoral digital impressions for prosthetics and computer aided tools. Clever!
Simply, the technology allows us to see more that we could with the naked eye, enabling a ‘do more’ response if needed and to map comprehensive treatment models that head off emerging problems.
Whist I cannot underestimate the immense value of this beautiful fusion of science and dental artistry, it’s been a ‘team thing’ that’s fired the ongoing success of my practice.
Effective teamwork
Daily, I work alongside some incredible talent.
Effective teamwork, where clinical and management streams come together have resolved some of the most challenging cases where previous attempts have failed.
Within team, we all better understand our patients and they, us. It’s for their benefit, as well as our own, each of us comes to work.
Enhancing teamwork and multi-disciplinary assessments of the oral issues that present is not new. But working towards each other’s strengths, learning from each other and navigating wisely the trade-offs between the skills of clinicians and technicians, demands a top-down leadership approach and education.
For a quarter of a century, we’ve been doing just that and have, for most, managed to bring together in my opinion, some excellent staff, who understand our ethos.
Excellent care for patients must be structured and each professional needs to be aware of their own individual roles, whilst simultaneously being mindful of the roles of the rest of the team. None of that happens without a commitment to training and a willingness to be part of team. It’s that historic investment to our staff at North Street Dental that I’m convinced has helped us to this point in time.
A collaborative approach certainly improves communication between staff and those improved working relationships should enhance patients’ treatment experiences with us. Involving the patient in the clinical options of treatment is equally important as the team training and we’re big on that.
Our patients see very little of our investment to team, but we genuinely lose count of the happy clinical outcomes they post with five-star reviews for Google. Do people love ‘going to the dentists?’ Of course they don’t. So, we must ever strive to remove the rational and irrational fears.
If I could genuinely articulate that clever ingredient of ‘team’ that works here, I’d tell you. But some things are not so easily defined. It’s definitely not magic, but sometimes it feels like it.
As we celebrate this landmark year, special thanks must go to Lead Dental Nurse Ann Hart GDC 11784 (UK) – a ‘fixture’ at the North Street practice, who has worked under three different owners at our site. She’s solid, reliable and the patients love her.
And thank you to our Clinical Lead Dr Owain Rees BDS, DGDP (UK), Dip Imp Dent (UCL), GDC 61576 (UK) – in the vanguard of implant dentistry, he brings his unique genius. I couldn’t have done this journey without you.
To Sophie Mae Alani, Dental Therapist GDC 264333 (UK), ten years with us (where has the time gone?) – an essential talent. Grateful you’re here.
Phil Willetts, Dental Technician GDC 274216 (UK) – the man of one-liners, who makes us smile and creates miles of smiles for patents. Thank you.
Lydia Zare, Dental Nurse GDC 255082 (UK) – my dental surgery nurse. You arrived here 12 years ago and stayed. Thank you for all your help.
Demi Carter, Dental Nurse and Radiographer GDC 267432 (UK) – your North Street role is invaluable. Thank you.
Rebecca Price, Practice Manager GDC 276281 (UK) – welcome to your new role here. It’s good to have you with us. Looking forward to the next chapter of North Street as you bring your own ideas of development.
Diane Allen, Office Manager – New Year, new job. Thanks for joining the team. I’m sure you have a wealth of experience to share with us.
Charlotte South, Dental Nurse GDC 149133 (UK) – Owain’s dental nurse and with 22 years of experience, you’re a great asset, Charlotte.
Sophie Agnew, Apprentice Dental Nurse – with so much dental diversity and clinical talent, North Street Dental is a great place to establish a career in dentistry.
To our Receptionists, Kelly Williamson and Sandra Hickinbottom – thank you for your skills on the desk, smiles and the work you do to keep the clinic running smoothly.
And finally, to Dr McEvoy – you gave me space to grow, sharing your knowledge along the way. Thank you.
