Change of Law Prompts Growth at Specialist Dental Practice

PLYMOUTH, U.K. - Sept. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- The River Practice Specialist Dental Centre, based in Castle Street, Truro, has decided to expand its team as a result of both a recent change in law regarding access to dental hygienists and due to a rise in demand for orthodontic treatment.

Alison Brown, a dental hygienist, has recently joined the practice, and the practice is also growing rapidly with the addition of practice manager, Lisa Holmes, and specialist orthodontist, Adrian King, to their permanent team.

To mark Alison joining the team and to coincide with the change in law, an open day, to be held on Saturday 28th September, has been planned so that members of the public can come and meet Alison for a free initial consultation.

The open day will also coincide with Colgate’s Oral Health Month to promote good oral hygiene, and allow Truro residents to overcome any fears they may have over accessing dental care.

Until May 2013, if a patient wanted to make an appointment with a dental hygienist, they would have to see a dentist first for a prescription.  The General Dental Council has now changed this rule, so that patients can now book directly with a hygienist offering a ‘direct access service’.

As a result, The River Practice has decided to grow its team by employing experienced dental hygienist Alison to provide first-class hygienist services alongside their specialist orthodontics, endodontics, implants and periodontics offering.

Jeremy Peak, specialist orthodontist and director of River Practice, explains further: ‘The change in law has meant that we are able to offer a broader service. We understand that some people worry about seeing a dentist. Perhaps they haven’t been for many years and are worried about what a dentist might say, or possibly concerns over cost may be a barrier. Alison’s role will be to provide a very accessible service with a gentle introduction to the benefits of engaging with the dental team. She will be able to provide a dental clean and advice regarding oral health and what modern dentistry has to offer.

‘It is hoped that once patients gain confidence they will be inspired to visit a dentist for a full check up. Although we are a specialist practice, we will be happy to refer patients onto local general practitioners.’

‘Alison is very experienced in terms of dealing with nervous patients and understands that, for some people, this may be their first-ever hygienist appointment.   As a way of introducing Alison to potential patients we will be holding an open day on Saturday 28th September where anyone – whether currently registered with our practice or not – can receive a free consultation lasting up to 20 minutes’.

Further changes are also currently underway at the River Practice to extend and improve their service offering.  After making a significant impact to the efficient running of the practice over the past year, Lisa Holmes, their locum practice manager, decided to make a permanent move to Truro in August, taking up the full-time practice manager role.

Lisa has been a qualified dental nurse for over 20 years, the last 10 of which have been spent as the practice manager in a general dental practice.

Lisa says: ‘I have really enjoyed working at the award-winning River Practice in Truro for the last 12 months.  It is a forward-thinking and innovative practice, and I share its ethos of developing staff and building close relationships with general practitioners across the county.   Now that my family are in a position to move to Cornwall, I am very pleased to be taking on the position of permanent full-time practice manager’.

An additional experienced specialist orthodontist, Adrian King, also joined River Practice to assist Mr Peak in fulfilling the current NHS contract for orthodontic services for children and also offering private orthodontist services to adults.  Adrian will combine his role in the Truro practice with working as a practitioner in the north east of England as well as running his own practice in Oxfordshire.

The hygienist open day will be held on Saturday 28th September at The River Practice, Truro, from 9am to 2pm.  A free initial consultation with dental hygienist, Alison Brown, or one of the team, is available on a first come, first served basis and all attendees who pre-book will receive a free goody bag.  Further information and registration details can be found at www.riverpractice.co.uk/openday.