DTUK1210

PUBLISHED IN LONDON A dental chain is to open a string of surgeries in optician practices across Yorkshire, in what is thought to be one of the first partnerships of its kind. Ideal Dental Care has signed an agreement with Premier Vi- sion Opticians to open four new joint venture dental surgeries in opticians in Castleford, Hudders- field, Bradford and Wakefield. The first is expected to open in Huddersfield in July, and the remaining three are scheduled to open by the end of the year. The practices will be branded Ideal Dental Care and will oper- ate on a joint venture partnership basis within the opticians. Both Ideal Dental Care and Premier Vision Opticians see a synergy between dentistry and optometry and want to create a one-stop shop on the high street for patients. It is a new venture for both parties, according to Ideal Dental Care’s managing part- ner, Peter Thompson, and one which is centred on delivering a value for money, patient- orientated experience. “This can only be a good thing for consumers because they can access care for their eyes and teeth under one roof. Both com- panies have a remarkably similar outlook on business and the way we want to deliver service and treatment,” said Mr Thompson. He added: “We are commit- ted to delivering the very highest standards of care which represent excellent value for money and having this proposition on promi- nent high-street locations mak- es it very accessible for customers to choose to seek a range of treat- ment under one roof.” Premier Vision manag- ing director, Steve Keough, said he had been looking to develop his business mod- el and saw dentistry as the perfect partner for his opticians. “Ideal Dental Care were the first people I came across that were serious about joint venture partnerships and had a well- developed and robust franc- hising model,” said Mr Keough, a former operations director with Specsavers. “I know that in the conception of Ideal Dental Care, Peter Thom- pson studied the Specsavers mod- el in great detail and this goes a long way in explaining how he has created a business model which resonates with the way I run my business,” he added. Both Mr Thompson and Mr Keough said they are delighted to have reached an agreement and are excited about rolling out the dental-optical proposition and developing a niche in the market. Ideal Dental Care already has practices in Lancashire, London and South Yorkshire. DT Map of Yorkshire showing where new dental chain will open it’s surgeries in opticians J333-05-10KE.psd May 3-9, 2010 VOL. 4 NO. 12 Meet the GDC Dental professionals will have the chance to speak directly to General Dental Council staff at this year’s British Dental Conference. The British Dental Associa- tion’s British Dental Confer- ence and Exhibition is being held at the Arena and Con- vention Centre in Liverpool from Thursday 20 May to Sat- urday 22 May 2010. Delegates will be able to speak directly to GDC staff throughout the three days by visiting Stand A54 in the exhibition hall. In a seminar session on Friday 21 May entitled ‘Update from the GDC’, registrants can find out more about the role of the regulator, how it is funded and how registrant activity impacts on the costs of reg- ulation. There will also be updates on the latest think- ing on revalidation and other policy developments. Professional development A total of 36 dentists have still not complied with their Con- tinuing Professional Develop- ment (CPD) requirements. At the end of March, 1,353 dentists were sent an end-of- cycle declaration by the Gen- eral Dental Council (GDC) asking them to add or amend their declared CPD hours for the years 2005 to 2008 and to advise the GDC of the hours they have completed for 2009. The deadline for the response was 30 March. Following the expiry of the deadline, 36 dentists have not complied with their CPD requirements. The GDC will now write to the dentists to advise them that within 28 day’s they need to respond to it’s letter and ei- ther request a grace period or provide compliant CPD evi- dence. Those who do not re- spond within 28 days will be written to again and advised that they will be removed from the register in a further 28 days time unless they want to appeal. GDC registered dentists The total number of regis- tered dentists stands at 36,413 and the total number of dental care professionals (DCPs) is 58,386. Approximately 1,000 dentists are likely to join the register before the end of July. The transitional period for applications to join the Special Care Dentistry list on the basis of demonstrating relevant specialist training, qualifications and experience closes on 30 September 2010. To date, 120 applicants have beenadded to the list since the start of transitional arrange- ments in October 2008. www.dental-tribune.co.uk Safety first Dental Protection has recently published its 2010 Annual Review ‘In Safe Hands’ Ahead of the game To meet patient demand, it’s ess- ential that you keep up with new trends and technology urge Endo vs implants Dr Michael Sultan weighs up the pros and cons of endodontic treatment versus implants News in Brief Lab Tribune EducationNewsNews Breaking the habit More smokers are managing to give up smoking, according to a new national survey page 2 page 6 pages 18-20 page 24 Eye-opening dental venture across Yorkshire Dental chain to open surgeries in opticians across Yorkshire in innovative joint venture, which is first of its kind

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