The Dental Technician Magazine and Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group

THE DENTAL TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE AND DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN FACEBOOK GROUP

From all of The Dental Technician Magazine

The merger of the Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook group, with The Dental Technician Magazine took place in February last year. A very natural and fitting joining of like-minded professionals to provide the ultimate forum for Dental Technicians across the UK.

Founder Alan Wright of Blueprint Dental and the admin and moderator team have taken the Facebook group to be the most active and popular forum for authentic Dental Technicians in the UK. Started in 2008 it was created to benefit all levels of dental technicians with the UK industry to interact and share “tips and tricks and general encouragement” that has helped many through their working days.

It is testament to the excellent work of Alan and his team that a handful of publications were interested in joining forces; The Dental Technician Magazine is proud to have been given the chance. It was clear from the initial conversations that we both share the same vision to provide all Dental Technicians their voice.

We at The Dental Technician Magazine respect the integrity of the group and have made it our mission to work closely with DTGB to maintain that. So far, we have helped with bringing new innovative ideas and products to the group that are integral to all Dental Technicians development. Whilst we work with some of the biggest suppliers in the industry we have been careful with what promotional material is shared.

Dental Technicians Great Britain has proved its popularity with so many technicians interacting; offering opinions, asking questions in order to be heard. Its accessibility and the potential speed of the response from other professionals is its biggest attraction. Popular topics are raised frequently and we have been showcasing these issues in previous editions of The Dental Technician Magazine. This gives us an opportunity to reach many more technicians and hopefully encourage them to speak out and where appropriate be published in the magazine.

The previous editor of The Dental Technician Magazine; the late Larry Brown once said: “Speaking with one voice can and

ISSUE NO. 2 TECHNICIANS MERIT AWARDS SEPTEMBER SCHEME NEWSLETTER

BEST PROSTHETIC TECHNICIAN JUDGED BY CHRIS WIBBERLEY AND SPONSORED BY BREDENT UK LTD

CHRIS WIBBERLEY RDT (Dip CDT) GDC: 182605

n Chris is a Clinical Dental Technician based in Saddleworth, Oldham. He qualified as a Dental Technician from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2009. In 2011, he was part of the first cohort of students to enrol onto the Clinical Dental Technology Course at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), and graduated in 2013 as one of the youngest CDTs in the UK.

His passion for working as a CDT saw him working for an NHS Domiciliary Service in the Huddersfield area along with running a clinic twice a week at a private Dental practice in Saddleworth.

Chris now runs a bespoke Denture clinic called CW Dentures, and in recognition of the work he has done at his clinic, became the recipient of the BACDTs highest award, Member of the Year - 2018.

Chris has lectured on some of the largest stages in Dental Technology, including the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne and at the Dental Technology Showcase (DTS), in Birmingham. He has gained a reputation for achieving extremely natural looking Denture Aesthetics for his patients and regularly runs training courses on how to achieve these results.

In his spare time Chris has numerous interests away from dentistry, which include road cycling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He’s a keen spectator of Rugby Union (because he’s now too old and injury prone to play) and loves to spend time walking with his Labrador, Ralph and young family in the Saddleworth Countryside (especially when it involves a pit-stop at the pub).

l l l CASE STUDY

In this issue of the TMA newsletter, I thought I would write about a subject I get asked about an awful lot. It is related to Denture aesthetics, and how to make the borders of a full denture look like natural gingiva. It involves the use of composite material (and in this case I have used a number of pastes and stains from various companies/ suppliers), and the inclusion of a very important PMMA/Composite primer that binds this material together. That primer is known as visio.link (Bredent).

Before I explain how to apply the materials, it is very important to understand what we need to know about natural gingiva and it’s landmarks. When applying pink composite to a denture base, it is important to remember 5 gingival landmarks:

1. ALVEOLAR MUCOSA

As shown in figure 1.1, the Alveolar Mucosa is a thin, soft and fragile continuation of the mucous membrane of the cheeks, lips and floor of the mouth. It is deep red in colour and smooth, with many visible blood vessels.

Fig 1.1 2. MUCOGINGIVAL JUNCTION

The meeting point of the freely moveable tissue of the Alveolar mucosa and the firm tissue of the attached gingiva as shown in figure 1.2. It can be defined as the point where the firm tissue attaches to the underlying bone.

Fig 1.2

THE DENTAL TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE AND DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

FOCUS SOME OF THE POSTINGS DURING THIS MONTH. IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ANY OF THE CONVERSATIONS,GO ON LINE AT THE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DENTAL TECHNICIANS GB.

SOME OF THE FEATURED POSTS FROM MEMBERS ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE. IF YOU HAVEN´T SEEN IT TUNE IN NOW!!

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DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

THE MERIT AWARDS

ARE LOOKING GOOD By Larry Browne I Editor

lWe have had a good response to the merit awards, especially in the Prosthetics and Ceramic Crown and Bridge. It would be nice to get a few more examples for Maxillo-Facial and Orthodontics but I do believe that as we show the wonderful work and ability of the UK and Ireland technicians it should stir those who are a bit reticent to shine a light on their own talent. I think you will all be very impressed with the standard of the first entries, selected by the technician judges and I am sure some of you will believe you can do as well if not better. But we won’t know that unless you send your examples to us as entries for the Awards.

The sponsors who are sharing in the project are indeed well known to all of you and we cannot thank them enough for recognising that this really is a technician based, competition judged by technicians for technicians. I know we have had a few overseas entries but at this stage we are limiting our assessments to UK and Ireland. I do think there will be scope for overseas entries sometime in the near future, but I am anxious to show the excellence we produce here in these Islands. With the curse of the NHS pricing formulae it is often difficult for commercial technicians to break free from the daily pressures from those who don’t really understand the nuances of true quality Laboratory work. I know that even under great daily pressure there are technicians out there who just want the chance to be recognised as able and Talented. The Merit Award is a great platform to take a little time to wave the flag for technical dentistry within our Islands.

Inspire the next generation and commit to making Teeth both beautiful and as the patients need them. Let us see the remarkable restorations taking place in the Maxillo-Facial department of our hospitals and the amazing quality all the hospital Technicians are committed to maintaining. A great big thank you to the Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group for supporting and promoting, online, the whole scheme. In recent times I have been amazed at how little some young technicians know about the specialities. I suppose it is because they have chosen to follow one or other path for their future work, but it would be nice to shine a light on some of the lesser known areas. Maxillo-Facial is so little mentioned in the general dental magazines, but it really is worth knowing something about the processes. Orthodontics features very little in the DT magazine and many others but is really in demand across the population. Whether it is for the traditional ortho treatments or indeed in preparation for reconstruction with bridge and crown work. There are some very clever and talented technicians involved daily in these pursuits. I do think we would all like to see more. So if you have any potential to influence the technicians involved to publish one or two pieces, please do.

So far the initial entries are really quite impressive with lots of good examples in prosthetics and crown and bridge. So, read on and hopefully be impressed.

The awards scheme is running until December this year and we want as many of you to participate! It couldn't be simpler to submit your entry. If you are a dental technician in the UK, Join Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group and post pictures, a video or anything that showcases your work or talents to be considered by our judging panel. Alternatively you can send to awards@dentaltechnician.org.uk

We want to see what you have to offer. A nomination for each category will be chosen every three months to be shortlisted for the winner in December. GOOD LUCK!

www.dentaltechnician.org.uk

THE TECHNICIANS MERIT AWARDS SCHEME

FROM DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN FACEBOOK GROUP AND THE DENTAL

TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE

lChris Trowbridge, our marketing manager has done a sterling job in contacting and listening to those of you who have thrown your hats in the ring, to form and build an organisation which can create an interesting and worthwhile Awards Scheme which recognises the skill and ingenuity of technicians for a truly well-earned award, from those of us engaged in technical dentistry.

I am delighted to confirm the following judges representing these awards categories as part of the brand new “The Technicians Merit

Award Scheme.”

Best Ceramics/Crown and Bridge Technician - Judged by Glenn Harger (Bucks Oral Design)

Best Prosthetics Technician - Judged by Chris Wibberley (CW Dentures)

Best Orthodontics Technician - Judged by Andrea Johnson (OTA and Den-Tech)

Best Chrome Technician - Judged by Dave Smith (Phoenix Dental Castings)

Best Hospital Tech/Maxfac - Judged by Iain Mur-Nelson (St George’s University)

Best Innovative Technician - Judged by Magnus Underhay (MJ Underhay Dental Lab)

Head Judge is Bill Sharpling (LonDEC, King’s College London)

A winner from each of the above categories will be chosen by you, our readers and the Facebook group members from nominees chosen by our judges on a quarterly basis!

The response from the above names to being invited to participate has been extremely positive, some even overwhelmed and very flattered!! Bill Sharpling is undoubtedly the best qualified to act as Head Judge and as a reference point for any judges wishing to seek advice etc.

Essentially the idea behind creating this Awards Scheme is to encourage many dental technicians across the UK to showcase their work and achieve recognition by so doing.

All dental technicians can submit their entries to Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group (if you are not a member join now!) or by post to The Dental Technician Magazine.

A website page will also be created on The Dental Technician Magazine website with key information regarding the scheme along with the rules and regulations.

There will also be two other awards that will be voted for at the end of the year rather than on a quarterly basis:

Best Sales Representative

Best Supplier

We will be creating a monthly newsletter that will appear in The Dental Technician Magazine and sent out to our email database offering key updates on entries, judges’ feedback, nominees and general news on the awards scheme.

This is a very exciting time and we look forward to seeing all of what you have to offer!

www.dentaltechnician.org.uk

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FOCUS

DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

TECHNICIAN MERIT AWARDS FIRST ROUND NOMINATIONS

HEAD JUDGE : BILL SHARPLING ( LONDEC, KING’S COLLEGE LONDON )

Best Orthodontics Technician Nomination is David Baldry of Atomic Dental Laboratory for the Clarke Twin Block Appliance

Sponsored by WHW Plastics

CLARKE TWIN BLOCK CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

David Baldry Atomic Dental Lab E: David@Atomic-Dental.com T: 07810 673 831

lThe following detailed procedure is the technique that I use to manufacture Clarke Twin Block appliances in the most efficient way possible, whilst maintaining consistency and quality. Some steps that are obvious or not adding value have been skipped. To manufacture a Twin Block appliance, a prescription, upper & lower impressions and protrusive bite are required. The procedure starts after the Lab infection control measures have been followed and after the models have been cast, passed QC and articulated.

Remove the wax bite and if the bite is excessively open or closed, then adjust the articulator so the space between the posterior teeth is approximately 4-5mm.

Follow the prescription for construction of the retention components. In this case its Adams cribs on the upper and lower 6’s & 4’s with ball ended clasps on the lower anteriors. Wax the components into place and wax out the interdental wires so that the cribs can be adjusted by the clinician if required.

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Using a sheet of pink wax, create angled shuttering and attach to the lower model. The posterior angle of the wax should be u

p30

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does open doors and can allow our voices to be heard by those we target” Larry was a driving forces behind the exciting connection between Dental Technicians Great Britain and the magazine. “Both platforms started because technicians wanted to exchange knowledge

3. ATTACHED GINGIVA

The firm, resilient, keratinised tissue that lies between the mucogingival junction and the free gingiva that surrounds the necks of the teeth (figure 1.3). This tissue is tightly bound to the underlying bone. When healthy it is an opaque, coral colour with fewer visible blood vessels than that of the alveolar mucosa.

Fig 1.3

THE BUILD UP

Now we understand the important landmarks of natural gingiva, we have an idea of where to start and with what colours when layering composite onto the denture base. First, we must prep the denture base after it has been processed. As you can see in figure 2.1 the wax up has been cut back prior to processing, thus exposing the necks of the teeth. This gives us enough room for our stains and pastes. The dentures are deflated and trimmed. They are then sandblasted, with pink wax covering the majority of the tooth surfaces.

4. FREE GINGIVA

As shown in figure 1.4, the free gingiva surrounds the tooth, creating a collar of tissue. It is not attached to the underlying bone or tooth surface. It usually measures from the margin of the attached gingiva to the crown of the tooth.

Fig 1.4 Fig 2.1

Using a microbrush, the denture base is then covered (with a VERY thin layer) using visio.link PMMA/Composite primer. This is then left for 3 mins, so the primer can soak into the denture base, followed by 3 mins of light curing (figure 2.2).

5. FREE GINGIVAL GROOVE

A shallow line on the surface at the junction of the free gingiva and attached gingiva. It is formed due to the change in shape/profile of the tooth at the CEJ (cemento-enamel junction) as shown in figure 1.5.

Fig 1.5 Fig 2.2

As shown in figure 2.3, once the denture base has been light cured, red and blue stains are added. The stains shown on this case are from the Schottlander enigma composite kit. Notice they are positioned mainly in the alveolar mucosa region, where natural gingiva is deep red in colour. To represent underlying bone to which the attached gingiva is closely bound to, figure 2.4 shows dentine colours (from Ivoclar’s nexco range) layered beneath the necks of the teeth. This ‘boney’ coloured composite paste provides the underlying base colour for the healthy, coral coloured attached gingiva on the surface.

Fig 2.4

The final composite layer (figure 2.5) in this particular case is the ‘flamingo pink’ paste from the Schottlander enigma pink composite kit. It provides a covering layer that tones down the intense reds/blues and dentine that were first layered onto the denture base.

Fig 2.5

Using a small art brush, the material is very easy to manipulate into position around the necks of the teeth and across the borders of the denture base. This is shown in figure 2.6.

Fig 2.3 Fig 2.6

u

THE DENTAL TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE AND DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

Happy New Year to all The Dental Technician Magazine subscribers and Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook group members!

lThere have been many positives to take from the last year of the decade!! The joining of forces between The Dental Technician Magazine and Dental Technicians Great Britain has brought around many exciting opportunities. It had become clear over the years that we both share the same vision; to be a trusted support system when it comes to all things technical in the dentistry world (but most importantly here in the UK!) The Dental Technician Magazine has always respected the integrity of a very carefully run Facebook group that is Dental Technicians Great Britain; we strive to provide the content that will engage and inform its members to really help with improving as many aspects of technicians work.

Here are some examples of supplier content featured on the group. If you want to feature your business email: sales@dentaltechnician.org.uk One of the most prominent ideas for this was the creation of "The Technicians Merit Award Scheme"

lAn awards scheme like no other to allow dental technicians to showcase their talents by submitting entries be it a picture, video, case study or even articles of interest. We selected a judging panel for six different categories made up of some of the most respected technicians around:

Best Ceramics/Crown and Bridge Technician

Judged by Andrew Wheeler (Precision Ceramics) Sponsored by Ivoclar Vivadent

Best Prosthetics Technician

Judged by Chris Wibberley (CW Dentures) Sponsored by Bredent

Best Orthodontics Technician

Judged by Andrea Johnson (OTA and Den-Tech) Sponsored by WHW Plastics

Best Chrome Technician

Judged by Dave Smith (Phoenix Dental Castings) Sponsored by Blueprint Dental

Best Hospital Tech/Maxfac

Judged by Iain Mur-Nelson (St George’s University) Sponsored by 3Shape

Best Innovative Technician

Judged by Magnus Underhay (MJ Underhay Dental Lab)

Head Judge is Bill Sharpling (LonDEC, King’s College London)

The awards scheme is running until December 2020 and we want as many of you to participate! It couldn't be simpler. If you are a dental technician in the UK, Join Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group and post pictures, a video or anything that showcases your work or talents to be considered by our judging panel. Alternatively you can send to:

awards@dentaltechnician.org.uk

We want to see what you have to offer. A nomination for each category will be chosen every three months to be shortlisted for the winner in December!

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES: DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

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DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

THE MERIT AWARDS

GET OFF TO A GOOD START By Larry Browne I Editor

lThe merit awards scheme has started well and with some impressive examples of the talent within UK and Ireland. Many of you may have been wondering what exactly would be needed to send in your own examples of technical work and now you can see clearly what is required.

In last month’s journal we featured the first batch of submissions. Very Impressive examples of what is required. Now you have seen these perhaps you will feel like submitting your own examples of your work.

The aim of the Awards scheme is to have technicians judging technicians, not some commercialisation for extra sales or for the submissions to be encouraged by a particular manufacturer or agent for a particular material. All materials and every mixture you decide is needed for the case should qualify.

So now there may be a time of things getting a little quiet, coming up, perhaps it is a good opportunity to show what you are made of. Prosthetics, Ceramics, Crown and Bridge, Max Fac. and Orthodontics are all equally included and will be judged by a recognised expert in the field.

You may be curious about what the general standard is, you may want to see what is judged to be the best in your own area of interest, you may just want of show the world of dentistry how good you can be, but whatever the reason you will know it will be judged fairly by experts. The following are chosen as the first batch of winners, which will be added to until it is time to announce the overall winners in each category. There is still plenty of time to add your own examples. I think you will agree that those who have already submitted have set a high standard. Why not show you can fit into this quality of excellence with yourown examples. We are looking forward to seeing quite a lot more submissions before the final date and we intend to continue with the Merit Awards every year. Perhaps it is time to be recognised as one of the elite and able technicians in these Islands.

Make your statement with a piece of technical magic to impress the judges.

ALAN WRIGHT - DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN FACEBOOK GROUP

lWell the first nominations were announced in the various skill sets and some fantastic work on show from all those nominated. Thank you to our judges who take the time to go through the various cases that members profile in the group and please keep sharing that’s what it’s all about, we all learn from each other, ask questions, there are never any stupid questions, if you don’t know ask, we are fortunate to have some world renowned techs as members of our group, but I am sure they will all empathise with the fact that they didn’t get to where they are with their skills without watching others, asking questions, and trying things time and time again to improve what they are able to produce. We all start somewhere, so show your work off, take pride in the knowledge that in this Country we have some of the best Dental technologists in the world, strive to be the next one passing on your skills. Bang the Drum of British Dental Technicians. Stay safe all.

Alan Wright

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www.dentaltechnician.org.uk “WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN TO SUPPORT YOU ALL FOR 2020 AND THE FUTURE” CHRIS TROWBRIDGE

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Best Ceramics/Crown and Bridge Technician Nomination Sylwia Arizpe Dtg for emax Crowns

Best Cobalt Chrome Technician Nomination Dan James - Dentacast

DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN

Best Hospital Tech/Maxfac Nomination Dhrumil Shah - Harcourt House Dental Studios Best Prosthetics Technician Nomination Leon Paul Zanre - Elite Dental Restorations

Best Innovative Technician Nomination Jamie Scarborough Best Orthodontics Technician Nomination David Baldry - Atomic Dental Laboratory for the Clarke Twin Block Appliance

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and opinions and learn from each other. Our aims are the same and it makes very logical sense to continue combining our efforts and by so doing increase all our knowledge and understanding of the craft and the world in which we need to live”

We launched “The Technicians Merit Award Scheme” which was designed to shine the light on the fantastic work of all Dental Technicians by submitting entries via the Facebook group or the magazine by means of a picture or video of their work. A very knowledgeable panel of judges, made up of Dental Technicians, was assigned to choose nominations for six different categories on a quarterly basis.

These nominations are then put back to the audiences of The Dental Technician Magazine and DTGB to choose the overall winners. The uptake with submissions has been inspiring and wonderful to see. Of course, there has been a pause of late but we are in the process of re-launching the scheme for the second round of nomination soon. This awards scheme would not have been possible without the interaction from skilled dental technicians on the Facebook group. We can’t wait to see more!

The Dental Technician Magazine also offered its FREE ECPD scheme to all Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook group members. One of the main reasons for the joining of forces was to assist with continual development, making it

easily accessible, and free for all members! We are happy to say a new online learning section of The Dental Technician Magazine website will be launching soon and will play a vital part in ECPD points for all technicians.

Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook group proudly supports charity Den-Tech and its project Veterans Bite Back both founded by Andrea Johnson who is a Dental Technician Magazine editorial board member and Technicians Merit Award Scheme judge. The charity was set up to provide the much needed support to those less fortunate in the UK and enlisted a board of trustees who are equally passionate about using their skills and experience to help. Vets Bite Back is an initiative to offer free dental care for homeless veterans and used the Southampton Veterans Drop in Centre to form the first Vets Bite Back surgery. The clinical equipment has been supplied and fitted by Blueprint Dental with continued and highly valued support from Alan Wright. The Dental Technician Magazine is proud to make quarterly donations to these excellent causes and we want to continue highlighting the fantastic work from all involved.

Our vision for the magazine is to encourage more of the Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook group members come forward with contributions and suggestions for the magazine. The most recent months have seen some fantastic new features that have received very positive feedback from our readers. We want to expand on this. If you have any budding young Technicians that would like to write about their career pathway, or you are a retiring Technician who would like to share your exiting stories with us, we would really encourage you to submit your stories, technical walk-throughs and ideas with the new editorial team. This magazine and forum is yours, together we are better, together we are stronger and together we can continue to grow.

If you are not a member of Dental Technicians Great Britain you can join for free today! Simply find the group on Facebook, apply to join, and answer the screening questions to become a member of the closed group and join 1700 authentic Dental Technicians to help each grow. Best wishes to you from all of The Dental Technician Magazine Team.