Bodcast by Practice Plan

In this episode of The Business of Dentistry Podcast, Hazel Dockery is joined by HR and employment law expert Sarah Buxton to discuss the often-overlooked topic of pregnancy and family-related issues in dental practices. What you'll hear: The legal gaps around miscarriage and IVF Recent legislative changes affecting parental leave and bereavement Advice on how to support your team while staying compliant.

Nigel Jones catches up with Stephen Henderson, Independent Dental Adviser, to explore what really happens when things go wrong in dentistry. They talk about the pressures dentists face, how the regulatory landscape is changing and what support is out there if it feels too much. What you'll hear: What it's like to be investigated by the GDC and how the process has changed The emotional toll of complaints and regulatory scrutiny What goes on behind the scenes of a fitness to practice investigation Where dentists can turn for support if they're feeling overwhelmed.

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan catches up with Lisa Bainham, Practice Manager and Chair of ADAM (Association of Dental Administrators and Managers), to hear her advice on how to handle difficult conversations in practice. What you'll hear: • The importance of giving staff the confidence to handle difficult conversations through training • Ways to take the heat out of a challenging situation • Why emotional intelligence is a superpower. Find out more at https://practicemanagementmatters.co.uk/  

Nigel Jones, Director at Practice Plan, is joined by Dr Lauren Harrhy, Principal Dentist and member for Wales on the BDA's Principal Executive Committee, to discuss the latest proposals for changes to NHS dentistry in Wales and what it means for practices. What you'll hear: Overview of current dental landscape in Wales and recent updates Centralised patient waiting lists and continuity of care Possibility of practices handing contracts back Patient charge revenue Laurens thoughts on what might happen next

Amy Hansford, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan catches up with Ulrika Skalberg, Dentist and Practice Owner at Teeth on the Heath, to talk about the growth in plan membership at the practice and the benefits. What you'll hear: How the practice have grown their plan patients over the years How to get all the team involved The role each team member has in promoting the plan The importance of having the right culture in your practice Support from Practice Plan

Hazel Dockery sits down with Gemma Starkey, better known as Miss Social, to dive into the world of TikTok, explore why dental practices should be on the platform, and uncover the most effective ways to create and share content. What you'll hear: Gemmas background in dentistry Why practices should use TikTok Types of content to post Following different accounts and syncing contacts Benefits of TikTok vs other social platforms.

Nigel Jones, Director at Practice Plan Group, is joined by Andy Acton, Director at Frank Taylor and Associates to talk about some of the challenges of being an independent practice owner and how to make owning a practice more enjoyable and ultimately successful. What you'll hear: Current challenges of running a dental practice Opportunities for practice owners What does an optimised practice look like Importance of monitoring KPI's

Fern Jackson is joined by Nina Farmer, a dental therapist and nutritionist, to explore the transformative power of nutrition and share practical tips for enhancing overall health. What you'll hear: How does nutrition affect our overall health Common nutritional deficiencies Preventative measures for maintaining good oral health Simple dietary changes to improve overall health.   For more information from Nina visit her instagram @Nina.integratedhealth  

Hazel Dockery catches up with Gemma Starkey, otherwise known as Miss Social, to talk about LinkedIn and how to best use the platform. What you'll hear: Benefits of LinkedIn Building a presence on the platform Producing newsletters Types of content to share and repost How regularly to post. To find out more visit https://www.misssocial.co.uk/  

Nigel Jones, Director at Practice Plan Group, is joined by Mike Blenkharn, Partner and Head of Dental at UNW LLP, to discuss the rising costs for dental practices and improving profitability. What you'll hear: Impact of latest budget on NHS and private dental practices Impact on staff and recruitment Exit strategies Benchmarking and financial performance Increasing revenue.

Katrina James, Area Manager at Practice Plan, is joined by Louise Anderson, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan, to look at the current dental landscape in Wales and common issues practices are facing. What you'll hear: Overview of the current landscape How NHS dentistry operates in Wales Knock on effects of trying to reach targets Recruitment and retention issues Conditions for 6% pay uplift for NHS dentists Additional costs to staffing Increase in partial conversions to Private dentistry.

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan is joined by Hannah Burrow and Jay Shah, Founders of Kiroku, to discuss the ethical side of AI and what to consider when implementing it into your business. What you'll hear: What defines Ai Some of the biggest misconceptions How Ai has improved efficiency or decision making in practice The ethical challenges around Ai How can practices ensure their data practices are secure and responsible Thoughts on future technologies or advancements.   To find out more visit https://www.trykiroku.com/

Donna Hall, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan shares her top tips for attracting new and existing patients to your membership plan. What you'll hear: How to communicate plan benefits to new and existing patients Common concerns from patients about joining a plan Importance of the patient journey and involving the clinicians. 

Wesleyan Financial Services Regional Manager for Dental, Simon Cosgrove, talks to Chris Nicholson, Regional Support Manager for Practice Plan about the impact of the October 2024 budget and how practices can mitigate rising costs by reviewing their plan fees. This podcast is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please bear in mind that advice in relation to inheritance tax planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future. Bear in mind that the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Practice Plan Limited is an introducer appointed representative of Wesleyan Financial Services Limited. Practice Plan Limited (Registered in England and Wales No. 03089948) is a part of the Wesleyan Group. Registered office: Cambrian Works, Gobowen Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1HS Telephone number: 01691 684120. Website: www.practiceplan.co.uk. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. Charges may apply. Learn more about our charges at Wesleyan.co.uk/charges.

In the second episode of our brand-new series, “In the Loupe”, Nigel Jones, Director at Practice Plan Group sits down with Paul Graham, Managing Director of Medical team at Christie & Co, to discuss the current state of the dental practice sales market. What you'll hear: Trends over the last few years  Growth in smaller corporate groups Focus on quality of sites rather than quantity The impact of the National Insurance hike for employers Rising costs and other challenges Valuations of practices with NHS contracts.

Hazel Dockery catches up with Gemma Starkey, otherwise known as Miss Social, to talk about Instagram and how to best use the social media platform. What you'll hear: Introduction to Gemma Benefits of Instagram and its demographics Follow local accounts and attractions Potential pitfalls Different types of content Benefits of having an annual content calendar. To find out more visit https://www.misssocial.co.uk/

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan catches up with Fiona Elwood, Executive Director at the Society of British Dental Nurses, to discuss feeling safe at work and ways to improve psychological safety in practice. What you'll hear: Overview of Fiona's career Definition of psychological safety and the benefits How to implement in practice Having a psychological safety champion Consequences of low psychological safety Impact on the business and the team Active listening.

Donna Hall, Regional Support Manager at Practice plan is joined by Jane Mead, Finance Director at Elegant Smiles, to discuss their journey of multiple NHS conversions and the benefits of moving their group of practices to one plan provider. What you'll hear: Elegant Smiles' conversion journey Transitioning four practices from NHS to private The benefits for the business, team and patients Life in practice now.

Introducing our brand-new series, “In the Loupe.” In this first episode, Nigel Jones, Director at Practice Plan Group sits down with Eddie Crouch, Chair of the BDA, to explore predictions for the future of dentistry in 2025. What you'll hear: Key milestones for 2025 Workforce problems NHS dentistry tie-in for graduates.  

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan is joined by John Greenshaw, Owner and Director of Merlin Telecommunications Ltd, to discuss the upcoming changes to UK telecoms systems, how it will impact dental practices and action to take. What you'll hear: What is the big switch off? Action to take now New opportunities for practices The benefits of the new systems.

In this latest Bodcast, Deborah Bell, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan, shares an effective questioning technique that many of her practices have found beneficial when communicating and building rapport with patients. What you'll hear: Importance of asking open questions Different uses in practice Building rapport with patients Patient testimonials.

Les Jones, Creative Director at Practice Plan shares his top tips for boosting creativity at home and in the workplace. What you'll hear: What is creativity? Stimulate ideas by challenging and alternatives Quantity vs quality Setting stretch goals Creativity in practice Having creative hobbies Benefits of journalling.

Wesleyan Financial Services Specialist Financial Adviser Karen Watson-Brown talks to Monica Pacult about retirement planning for dentists, in particular looking at the option of partial retirement versus retiring, then returning to work and how both options will impact pensions. For more information go to https://www.wesleyan.co.uk. This podcast is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.  Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you.

In this latest episode of Bodcast, host Laura Hills from Practice Plan is joined by Hannah Whitworth, Dental Nurse Development Manager, to talk about the diverse career paths available for dental nurses and how to unlock a world of possibilities in the dental industry. What you'll hear: Hannah's own journey in dentistry The challenges dental nurses face, particularly the lack of progression opportunities Stepping out of your comfort zone Obtaining qualifications and registering with the General Dental Council Networking and building supportive professional relationships.

Katrina James, Area Manager at Practice Plan is joined by Dental consultant Lucie Simic to delve into the significance of culture within a dental practice. They explore how cultivating a positive and defined culture can contribute to the success and sustainability of a dental practice. What you'll hear: The essential role of leadership in defining and driving the practice's culture Engaging with team members to understand their perceptions and involving them in the journey to create a vibrant and inclusive environment Aligning the team's values and goals Addressing conflicts Adapting to changes in the industry.

In this episode of Bodcast, host Fern Jackson from Practice Plan is joined by Dr Leticia Casanova, a periodontist and co-founder of charity Gold for Kids. They talk about the inspiring story behind Gold for Kids and how they transform waste metal from dental practices into significant funds for children's charities. What you'll hear: How Gold for Kids started The process of collecting and melting down precious metals The money raised so far and the charities they work with How dental practices and individuals can get involved. To find out more visit: https://www.goldforkids.org/

Suki Singh, Area manager at Practice plan talks through the five stage process that has helped hundreds of dentists successfully move from NHS to private. What you'll hear: Making an informed decision - Is it the right move? Income replacement calculator and financial review Choosing how to inform your patients Supporting the practice and whole team through the move Help to keep moving forward Practice Plan has been welcoming practices into the family since 1995, helping them to grow profitable businesses through the introduction of practice-branded membership plans. With over 300 years' dental experience in our field team, if you're looking for a provider that has that family feel but knows a thing or two about dentistry… Be Practice Plan and get in touch. Call 01691 684165 or visit www.practiceplan.co.uk/be-practice-plan/

In this latest episode of Bodcast, Natalie Bradley, Chair of the Young Dentist Committee, BDA, and clinical director at Dentaid, amongst many other things, shares her experience and insights as a young dentist. What you'll hear: Introduction to Natalie The importance of having young dentists represented in discussions with key bodies The committee's involvement in significant initiatives, such as supporting junior doctors' strikes and advocating for better pay for dental hospital trainees Natalies reflections on her journey in dental politics How to get involved. To find out more visit https://www.bda.org/about-us/our-structure/representative-committees/young-dentists-committee/

In this episode, Ian Eslick, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan sits down with Ross Martin, a strategic consultant at Hive Business Consultancy, to discuss the essential role of dental specialist accountants and the importance of keeping a tight grip on practice finances. What you'll hear: Current hot topics affecting dental businesses The challenges of maintaining profitability amidst rising costs The impact of poor customer service on patient retention Practical advice on the importance of prompt inquiry responses and effective management of overhead costs. To find out more visit https://hivebusiness.co.uk/

In this episode, Hazel Dockery is joined by Fiona Elwood, Chief Executive of the Society of British Dental Nurses. They discuss why it is so important for dental nurses to learn to value themselves and the impact this has on their profession in doing so. What you'll hear: Why it's important to recognise and celebrate individual achievements How to build a personal portfolio to showcase skills and success Why professional development and self-recognition go hand in hand How to enhance your professional identity and create a more fulfilling career path To find out more visit https://sbdn.org.uk/ SBDN – Society of British Dental Nurses

Katrina James, Area Manager at Practice Plan discusses what you should expect from a dental plan provider as well as outlining the excellent support offered by Practice Plan. What you'll hear about: Working with industry consultants The patient journey Diary zoning Paying associates Working with your team Events. Practice Plan has been welcoming practices into the family since 1995, helping them to grow profitable businesses through the introduction of practice-branded membership plans. With over 300 years' dental experience in our field team, if you're looking for a provider that has that family feel but knows a thing or two about dentistry… Be Practice Plan and get in touch. Call 01691 684165 or visit www.practiceplan.co.uk/be-practice-plan/ If you're looking for a dental plan provider, we're your natural partner! The UK's leading provider of practice-branded dental plans.

Hussein Hassanali, Associate Dentist at Woodthorpe Dental Centre catches up with Dr Ritesh Aggarwal, Dentist and CEO at Psynergy Mental health to discuss the shift in focus on mental health in dentistry and ways to improve our wellbeing. What you'll hear: Why wellbeing is important to practice function and the team Company culture Perfectionism in clinical roles Understanding what's happening in your practice and then acting on it Dealing with change.

Nigel Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at Practice plan, is joined by John Renshaw, Director at Oral Care Consulting and former BDA Chair, to look back at the history of NHS dentistry and discuss what the future might hold. What you'll hear: John's background in dentistry and experience of moving to private Reflections on NHS dentistry over the years Thoughts on past and present Labour governments Workforce and Integrated care board issues Future predictions.

Fern Jackson from Practice Plan is joined by Natalie Bradley, Chair of the BDA Young Dentist Committee, to share her advice for young dentists and steps to take to prepare for the profession. What you'll hear: Introduction to Natalie Be aware of information being shared on social media Challenge preconceptions Different career paths Specific challenges for young dentists Work/life balance and having boundaries Thoughts for the future. To find out more about Natalie visit http://www.atoothgerm.co.uk/

Hazel Dockery catches up with Fiona Ellwood BEM, Executive Director at the Society of British Dental Nurses, to discuss recent research on inappropriate and unwanted behaviour in dentistry. What you'll hear: Summary of the findings from research Examples of inappropriate behaviour Fiona's personal experience working in practice Standing up and feeling safe to go to work. To find out more visit: https://sbdn.org.uk/speaking-up-and-listening-up/

Hazel Dockery at Practice Plan catches up with Shaenna Loughnane, Chief Executive of Bridge2aid, to talk about the growth of the charity and their recent projects in Tanzania and Malawi. What you'll hear: How the charity has evolved and changed over time Current projects Focusing on localisation and working with the Ministry of Health Training dental therapists and promoting oral health messages How can people get involved and support. To find out more visit: https://bridge2aid.org/

Fern Jackson from Practice Plan is joined by Nicky Thackray, Founder at MyZendays to talk about managing stress and different coping mechanisms. What you'll hear: What is stress and how does it effect us? (mind and body) What are some different coping strategies? Why is self care important? Examples of different ways to practice self care To find out more visit: https://myzendays.kartra.com/page/homepage

Laura Hills from Practice Plan talks to Hannah Burrow and Jay Shah, Founders of Kiroku, about their AI dental notes system and the benefits of AI in dentistry. What you'll hear: How Kiroku started How the system works and its benefits Are people nervous of using AI tools? AI and the positive impact on dentistry. To find out more visit https://www.trykiroku.com/

What are the key things dental practices should consider when looking to introduce private dentistry? Michelle Hardy, Practice Plan Sales Support Manager outlines the essential details needed to be able to make a well-informed decision. What you'll hear: How many patients will you need? Current NHS income Communicating with your team Considering your local area and NHS availability Timelines and three months' notice. Practice Plan has been welcoming practices into the family since 1995, helping them to grow profitable businesses through the introduction of practice-branded membership plans. With over 300 years' dental experience in our field team, if you're looking for a provider that has that family feel but knows a thing or two about dentistry… Be Practice Plan and get in touch. Call 01691 684165 or visit www.practiceplan.co.uk/be-practice-plan/

In this latest Bodcast episode, Michelle Hardy, Sales Support Manager at Practice Plan catches up with Barry Oulton, Dentist and founder of The Confident Dentist to talk about the perfect patient experience and the importance of communication. What you'll hear: The key elements of a perfect patient experience Tips for ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for patients The importance of effective communication for your patients and team Examples of exceptional patient experiences How to personalise the patient experience Staff training and culture.

Katrina James, Area Manager at Practice Plan and Lucie Simic, Dental Business Consultant, discuss how hormones can affect our performance in the workplace. What you'll hear: Types of hormonal cycles  Perimenopause and menopause symptoms How they affect us day to day in the workplace How a workplace can support individuals.

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan is joined by Dr Amit Jilka and Dr Kalpesh Prajapat, Practice Owner and Dentists at Abbey House Dental, to talk about navigating the path to success for dentists with their super associate course. What you'll hear: Overview of the super associate course Kalpesh's experience of being a super associate Benefits for associates and principals What return practices could expect for people doing the training Their plans for future courses To find out more visit https://abbeyhousedental.com/academy/courses/

Hazel Dockery from Practice Plan chats to Business and CSR Coach, Mark Topley, about his new online course, Go Practice Green, aimed at helping your dental practice to become more sustainable. What you'll hear: The benefits of going green Barriers to sustainability in dentistry Reducing carbonfootprint Starting with small changes Details about the course To find out more visit: https://gopracticegreen.com/

Les Jones, Creative Director at Practice Plan Group catches up with Chris Barrow to look at the current dental landscape and share their thoughts and predictions for the future. What you'll hear: What does the current landscape look like? Thoughts on general election and a potential new government The main challenges practices are facing currently Opportunities practices should be looking at/implementing Ai and how this will this play a part in dentistry Thoughts for the future.

In this episode, brought to you by Wesleyan Financial Services, Monica Pacult talks to Wesleyan Financial Services Specialist Financial Adviser Morna Beattie about what life's like for NHS Dentists and their finances in Scotland. They cover the various tax bands in Scotland, the importance of financial planning and some of the main topics dentists are contacting us to talk about. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future. Bear in mind that the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you.

In this latest episode of Bodcast we are joined by Richard Jones, Clinical Lead and National Coordinator at the Dentists Health Support Trust to talk about the organisation and the support they can offer to dental professionals. What you'll hear: How the trust was founded and what the service provides Different factors that could contribute to a mental health crisis in dentistry How many calls they receive in an average month What happens once someone gets in touch and the support they can expect  Tips dental professionals can implement to look after their own mental health Advice for anyone struggling with their mental health and apprehensive about using this helpline For more information and to get in touch with the trust visit https://www.dentistshealthsupporttrust.org/

Nigel Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at Practice Plan Group discusses the Government's Dental Recovery Plan with Lauren Harrhy, Principal Dentist and BDA Principal executive committee member. What you'll hear: What does the plan really mean? Changes in minimum UDA value Rising costs for practices Recruiting overseas dentists Patients' perceptions of NHS and private dentistry Hopes for the future About Lauren: Lauren Harrhy is Principal Dentist and owner of Sparkle Dental Centre. Her focus for the past few years has been on helping to maintain the mental health of dental professionals. She is a founding member and current trustee of Confidental, a helpline providing emotional first aid and signposting to dentists in crisis. In addition to Co- chairing its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, she is also on various other BDA committees as a representative.

Lucie Simic, Dental business consultant, shares her tips for attracting top talent to your dental practice team. What you'll hear: The importance of having the right team members Recruitment issues and the current dental landscape Setting the culture and vision for your practice Optimising your staff environment and facilities Social media and your website Understanding your practice personality. Who should listen: Practice Managers Practice Owners.

Joanne Phillpott, Regional Support Manager at Practice Plan is joined by Dr. Vivak Shah, Dentist and Practice Owner and his children Arjun, 12, and Aryan, 10 to talk about their recent charity trip to Mozambique where they provided dental care for thousands of patients. What you'll hear: An overview of the trip and the reasons for going An example of what a typical day looked like Stand out moments How other dentists can get involved. To find out more information visit https://www.smilestarcharity.com/

Hussein Hassanali, Associate Dentist at Woodthorpe Dental Centre is joined by Dr Ritesh Aggarwal, Dentist and CEO at Psynergy Mental health to talk about the wellbeing of your associate dentists and share their advice on keeping them happy and engaged. What you'll hear: Getting associates more involved with the wider team Creating a sense of belonging and open culture Utilising skills and strengths  Dealing with micromanaging  Clinical autonomy Associates investing in themselves. Who should listen: Practice managers Practice owners Associate dentists. Hussein graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2009 and completed his PG Dip in Restorative Dentistry in 2020 which granted Fellowship of BAARID. He is an Associate Dentist in York with a special interest in ultrasonic restorative dentistry. He has a broad range of experience, having worked in both NHS and private, and both corporate and independent practices. To date, he has over 20 publications to his name, and continues to support the profession through his regular contributions, as well as being on the BDJ Reader Panel and an Editorial Advisory Board Member of Young Dentist Magazine. Dr. Ritesh Aggarwal is a practicing Dentist, Practice Principal and the CEO of Psynergy Mental Health. He has been working within the mental health industry since 2017 and has a strong drive and determination to improve mental health for all. Ritesh wants to improve the dental industry by implementing Psynergy programmes via their digital platform to measure the mental health and wellbeing culture of dental practices, creating action plans for improvement and inspiring positive, long term behaviour change for the benefit of all with the practice. Psynergy is currently trying to shift the paradigm of mental health to a more preventative approach, similar to dentistry, and is working closely with NHS research teams to achieve this. To find out more visit https://www.psynergymentalhealth.com/

In this edition, Iain Stevenson, Wesleyan Financial Services Head of Dental, talks to Steve O'Connor, Associate Director of Christie & Co, a specialist business property adviser to dental professionals. They discuss Christie & Co's recently published Business Outlook and what it means for dentists and their business and personal finances. This podcast is for information only and doesn't provide either financial or business advice. You can find out more about Wesleyan at www.wesleyan.co.uk and listen and subscribe to The Wesleyan Podcast at: Apple Spotify Amazon / Audible Podbean Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you. To find out more about the Business Outlook visit: https://www.christie.com/business-outlook-2024/