Impact at the practice

For your guidance we have put together the following questions and answers utilising the experience of the team at the pilot practice.

Questions from the dentist(s)

How would having a smilescool in my practice affect my daily working routine?

Because the smilescool concept and delivery methodology facilitiates the appropriate use, time and skill set of the whole team, dentists will see children for roughly 1 - 4 hours per week, primarily within the centre for Positive Oral Development - POD.

How will smilescool affect my earning potential?

Dentists and associate dentists will get paid the same rate as they currently do for providing check-ups for adult patients.

I am not a qualified 'paediatric' dentist, will I have to care for children all the time - they can be challenging?

A core objective for smilescool is to ensure all 'fear of the dentist is removed' and that the children that attend smilescool are happy, relaxed and confident in the dental practice environment which makes a dentist's life much easier.

In the past I have found it difficult to get parents to convert their children to the private sector as we weren't offering them anything with any perceived value versus the NHS offering, how will smilescool support me?

Implementation of smilescool has dispelled all worries about added value service and also the concerns of parents. All the parents are thrilled that the fears and anxieties they experience as adults won't be relived by their children as they see visiting the dentist as a positive experience.

How will smilescool change my view of childrens dentistry?

Dentists have enjoyed unexpected personal benefits from interacting with children in the POD and the surgery, experiencing how fellow DCP's work, and also benefitting from increasing the number of new adult patients following where the children go. So, it's great a win win situation for everyone concerned.

Questions from the hygienist and therapist

How will smilescool affect my earning potential?

Hygienists and therapists will achieve the same hourly rate for care and treatment of adult and child patients.

What are the personal rewards of working with children at the prevention stage?

Having the opportunity to make a real difference with hands-on early prevention, eduaction and intervention is key. It is rewarding to know you can make a real difference in the early years that will continue right through the patients life - instead of trying to change instilled habits. It is great to see patients that are please to come in, enjoy their visit and look forward to the next one to show how they have improved their skills.

Questions from the dental health educator

What will paticipation in the smilescool programme offer me?

This very important staff group achieve recognistion and additional specialised training and as a result they enjoy increased status within the DCP team. It also opens up the opportunity for career progression, promotion and increased earning potential.

I enjoy being hands-on with patients and families and want to offer a really valuable service, will smilescool support this?

Smilescool offers the perfect environment to utilise the skills dental health educators are trained for - teaching, motivating and empowering. You can really get to know your patient base and share their progression through childhood emcompassing all the key stages along the way.