National Orthodontic Week

Look out for lots of news about orthodontics next week as the first National Orthodontic Week is celebrated. The idea is to raise awareness of orthodontics and what it involves.

At Wetherby Orthodontics we are holding a full day event. During the day on Thursday 25th March there is the opportunity for a free initial assessment for either adults or children (only a few spaces left!). In the evening from 5.30-7.30 we are holding an open evening where you can come and see the practice, meet the team and find out more about orthodontics. I will be giving a 10-minute talk at 6pm and 7pm. We are holding a free draw all week to win an iPod Touch, open to any visitors to Wetherby Orthodontics during the week and it will be drawn at the open evening. (if you're not booked in for an appointment feel free to call in to take part).

If you would like a free assessment or to attend the open evening please call us on 01937 580510.

What do you do when your teeth are worn down and you want to improve your smile?

This gentleman had exactly that problem. The usual solution was fairly complex dental work including rebuilding the height of the teeth with crowns.

I was contacted by the dentist (Kostas Papadopoulis in Harrogate) who tackled this major rebuild as the crooked lower teeth were complicating the solution. The most crooked tooth was removed and I fitted a fixed brace to straighten the rest and also to make a bit of space for the new crowns.

This is one of an increasing number of cases I am treating where either braces or crowns on their own would compromise the result and a combination treatment is needed. It took about 10 months of orthdontics. Kostas has almost finished the treatment, I understand that the current crowns are not the final ones, but the result is amazing and the patient is getting used to having a full smile again. (These photos are reproduced with permission of the patient)

Its the little things that count

My daughter turned 11 yesterday and her request was to go for a chinese meal. Our favourite place is Sweet Basil near York, and we always have a lovely meal there, plus the staff are friendly and the customer service is always good.

As we arrived they greeted my daughter by name and wished her a happy birthday, and tied a birthday balloon to her chair. They brought a special starter, compliments of the chef, for us all. Once our main course was finished they brought her a pudding (scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce) complete with a sparkler and candle and played happy birthday (to which the rest of the staff and customers joined in!). They even took a photo of her with the cake, printed it, and presented it with a card.

Some lovely touches which made her feel very special. I'm sure not many restaurants go to this extent but it really is a simple thing which can make a big difference (and will envcourage us to go back).

Its made me think about the little ways I can make my patients feel special, I have a few ideas which I hope to bring to the practice soon.

Looks can be deceiving

I've just come back from a week skiing. This year we were somewhere a bit different, not one of the mega-resorts in the Alps but a small French resort in the Massif Central (west of Lyon). There were very few options for lunch and drinks, the first few days we opted for a small, new-looking chalet near the main lift stations. Good value compared to the Alps, and the food was good. But, disappointingly one day we waited ages to order, the drinks did not arrive, the food was slow, and the Plat du Jour that finally did arrive was very different to what we had ordered!

On the last day we lunched at a self-service cafe that looked a bit grubby, and had previously been rejected as an place for lunch. What a shame, as the service was good, the food very tasty, and the proprieter even joked with us (in French).

I do wish the French would insist on higher toilet standards though, a wooden hut at the top of the mountain with a door that doesn't shut (looking out onto the piste!) is not really my idea of great facilities!

Moo

These arrived in the post this morning in a cute little box. Mini-cards from Moo.com. Very easy to make and order, especially when I remember how long it took to make my original business cards (ages and ages!).

I decided to update my business cards and make use of the new staff photos. I'm rather pleased with them and I'm going to order some more with different images on.

First Impressions Count

The recently published Oral-B Smile Report shows just how much a person's smile can affect your first impressions.

Two groups of people were shown the same picture of a woman apart from one had clean teeth and one had stained teeth. They were asked the same questions and the results are certainly eye-opening.

The report reveals that bad teeth can age you by 13 years and 82% will think you earn more if you have healthy teeth. Men also rated a "gorgeous smile" over a "great figure", but 40% of men thought the woman with bad teeth must be single!

Although you may not realise it, people make judgements about you based on your appearance, and this report shows how much the teeth and smile can affect those judgements. Don't let your smile let you down, go and visit your dentist or orthodontist and change it!

I couldn't resist

I couldn't resist the opportunity for a shameless plug to the practice! There's some brilliant versions of this poster, make your own at http://bit.ly/7b4vAk or have a look at some that have already been done http://mydavidcameron.com/