The Toughest Challenges of Being a Dentist

Dentistry is a noble profession dedicated to improving oral health and enhancing smiles. While it offers immense satisfaction, being a dentist comes with its unique set of challenges. In this candid exploration, we'll delve into the toughest aspects of life in the dental chair and behind the scenes.

The Constant Learning Curve

The world of dentistry is ever-evolving. New techniques, technologies, and materials emerge regularly. Dentists must commit to lifelong learning to stay at the forefront of their field. This continuous education, though rewarding, can also be demanding.

Balancing Clinical and Business Demands

Running a dental practice involves more than just clinical expertise. Dentists are also business owners, managing everything from finances to staff to patient scheduling. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between providing quality patient care and running a successful business.

The Pressure of Perfection

Dentists strive for perfection with every procedure. The pressure to deliver precise and flawless outcomes can be mentally taxing. The quest for perfection can lead to sleepless nights and self-imposed stress.

Coping with Patient Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a common issue among patients. Dentists must navigate these fears, providing gentle and empathetic care. Managing patient anxiety while delivering effective treatment is a delicate balancing act.

Physical Toll of Clinical Work

Dentistry involves long hours of precise, detailed work in a confined space. Dentists often face physical strain, including back, neck, and shoulder pain. Ergonomic challenges are real, and dentists must take measures to protect their own health.

Dealing with Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can occur at any time. Dentists must be prepared to handle urgent cases, even outside regular working hours. The unpredictability of emergencies can disrupt personal plans and work-life balance.

Regulatory and Administrative Burden

Dentists face a myriad of regulations and administrative tasks, from insurance claims to compliance with healthcare laws. The administrative burden can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

Managing Patient Expectations

Patients often come with high expectations, especially in cosmetic dentistry. Managing these expectations while ensuring patients are well-informed can be challenging. Dentists must communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings.

Staying Calm in Stressful Situations

Dentists encounter a range of patients, including those with dental phobias or complex medical histories. Staying calm and composed in challenging situations is essential for delivering the best possible care.

Coping with Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

Dentists must navigate legal and ethical dilemmas, including patient confidentiality and informed consent. The decisions made can have profound implications for both the patient and the practitioner.

Conclusion: The Resilience of Dentists

Despite these formidable challenges, dentists remain dedicated to their profession. Their commitment to patient health and well-being shines through the toughest moments. The dental community is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unwavering compassion.

Whether you're a dentist or a dental patient, understanding these challenges fosters appreciation for the profession's dedication. Dentists, like their patients' smiles, endure and shine even through the toughest times.

Discover Your Perfect Smile with Invisalign - Is it the Right Choice for You?

Could Invisalign treatment be right for me? 

If you're seeking an inconspicuous way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign treatment could be the perfect solution for you. This orthodontic option offers a virtually invisible way to fix common teeth-straightening and bite issues, from simple to complex. The best part? It won't interrupt your busy lifestyle. In addition, Invisalign aligners for teens come with a discreet blue dot on the outside, ensuring parents can be certain their child is wearing their clear aligners enough. We are proud to offer Invisalign treatment as a comfortable and effective alternative to traditional braces.

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Are you considering Invisalign treatment to transform your smile?

Here's what you can expect during the treatment process:

1. Consultation with an Invisalign-trained doctor: Your doctor will evaluate your smile and create a customised digital treatment plan that maps out the step-by-step transformation of your smile.

2. Creation of unique aligners: Once you approve your treatment plan, your aligners will be created. You'll wear each set of aligners for 20-22 hours a day, switching to a new set every 1-2 weeks as directed by your Invisalign Doctor.

3. Gradual shifting of teeth: Each set of aligners will gently and gradually shift your teeth into place, according to your treatment plan, until you achieve your beautiful new smile.

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Getting started with Invisalign treatment is easy. Book your free virtual consultation with us today by clicking the link at the bottom of this blog. It's important to find an Invisalign Doctor who makes you feel comfortable and has the experience you're looking for.

During your consultation, your Invisalign Doctor will discuss your teeth-straightening goals with you and examine your smile to determine your specific needs. You'll also receive information on treatment duration and cost.

Before starting Invisalign treatment, your Invisalign Doctor will likely recommend a dental check-up and cleaning to ensure your teeth and gums are in top health. Don't hesitate to bring any questions or information about your dental history to your consultation.

Get ready to transform your smile with Invisalign treatment. Book your consultation with us today!

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How long will the treatment take?

The length of your treatment depends on multiple factors, such as the complexity of your case and how often you wear your aligners. Your Invisalign Doctor will determine the exact duration of your treatment based on your specific needs. On average, Invisalign treatment time ranges from 6 to 18 months, though you can start seeing results in a matter of weeks.

How often will I need to change my Invisalign aligners?

Your Invisalign Doctor will inform you of how frequently you should change to new Invisalign aligners, which can vary based on your individual treatment plan. Many Invisalign Doctors recommend changing Invisalign clear aligners weekly or every other week.

How many hours per day should I wear my Invisalign aligners?

For the best results, it is recommended to wear your Invisalign clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out only for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.

How often will I need to visit my Invisalign Doctor?

Your Invisalign Doctor will schedule regular appointments, usually about once every four to six weeks, to ensure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned.

What are "attachments," and why would I need them for my Invisalign treatment?

Your Invisalign treatment may require SmartForce attachments, which are small tooth-colored shapes that are attached to your teeth. These shapes serve as handles, providing the aligners with something to gently push on to move your teeth with the right amount of force. They make complex tooth movements possible without braces, and Invisalign clear aligners fit smoothly and tightly around them, making them barely noticeable. While not everyone who uses Invisalign clear aligners needs SmartForce attachments, if you do, your Invisalign Doctor will attach them to your teeth at the start of or during your treatment and remove them when they are no longer necessary

FREE VIRTUAL CONSULTATION WITH DR LORD BELOW.

Battle of the Teeth Titans: Invisalign vs Braces - Which One Reigns Supreme?

Braces or Invisalign: Which is the Best Choice for You?"

If you're thinking of getting orthodontic treatment, you probably have many questions. Which one is more effective, affordable, and suits your lifestyle? While metal braces and Invisalign are the most common options, do you know which one is right for you?

Let's explore the key differences between the two and help you make the best choice for your smile.

At Smile by Sia, we prioritize patient education in the treatment process. We create customized treatment plans that cater to your unique needs and lifestyle. Curious about the difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign? We’ve got you covered! Learn more and take the first step towards achieving your dream smile.

Treatment Basics:

Braces and Invisalign are designed to straighten teeth and improve overall oral health. Metal braces consist of a bracket adhered to each tooth, connected by a wire that gradually adjusts each tooth into its proper place. Small rubber bands, available in various colors, hold the wire in place.

Invisalign uses a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners to straighten teeth without wires or brackets. Although it has been around for only a little over fifteen years, the Invisalign system is highly effective.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most commonly used form of braces. The most significant difference between braces and Invisalign is that braces are not removable. However, they are highly efficient at fixing complex issues and usually work faster than Invisalign.

Although treatment time varies, braces typically take between 12 months to 3 years. Nevertheless, patients can experience early signs of improvement, which can boost their self-confidence and encourage them to continue.

Some people avoid braces because of the maintenance required. They need to avoid certain foods, the brackets and wires need regular adjustments, and they can be challenging to floss around. Fortunately, there are accessories available to make oral hygiene routines easier, and most issues can be resolved at home.

Follow-up visits for traditional braces occur every 4-8 weeks. During these appointments, the bands that attach to the brackets are changed, and the wire is tightened or replaced. Generally, appointments last around half an hour.

Some residual soreness may occur after each appointment, but it should subside within a day or two. Skipping crucial appointments can prolong the treatment plan, so it's highly important not to miss them.

Invisalign

What makes Invisalign such a popular treatment option is its removability and invisibility. This means you can take the aligners out to eat, brush, and floss, or for special occasions when you don't want your treatment to impact your lifestyle. As these aligners are removable, you can enjoy your favorite food and drink without worrying about breaking brackets or wires.

The comfortable plastic trays are almost invisible and your treatment may include as few as 14 or as many as 48 trays, depending on your plan. We'll provide you with instructions on how and when to use them. The average treatment time is 6 to 18 months, but it can vary from patient to patient based on their commitment to wearing the aligner for 20-22 hours a day. Deviating from this can prolong the treatment.

For Invisalign users, office visits occur every 4-6 weeks to track progress towards your desired smile. Patients switch out aligners every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movement of teeth, which is crucial to the straightening process. Skipping appointments or not changing out aligners when needed can prolong treatment time

Let Us help you decide

Whichever treatment option you choose, it's not just about improving your smile, but also enhancing your overall oral health. Therefore, it's crucial to choose a provider like Dr. Lord who is experienced with both braces and Invisalign. Our team has extensive experience working with both treatments, and we'll work with you to determine which method will best perfect your smile and teeth. At Smile by Sia, we believe in active patient involvement and will ensure you're part of the treatment plan we design.

If you're in South Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and considering orthodontic treatment, contact us today! Dr. Lord recognises that excellent dental and orthodontic care starts with world-class communication, and we excel in making our patients feel at home. Let us help you achieve your very best smile!

What is the Core Principle of Success?

What is underlying reason to any successful living. It’s your ,Your Why,?

According to studies carried out by psychologists we humans find it hard to answer three questions about the same subject. 

Take our profession for example. 

We can answer ‘what we are doing’ with ease as if it was recorded or premeditated answer. There usually isn’t any difficulty in answering this question. 

When asked ‘How do you do what we do?’, we tend to still be able to answer the question but with a little more difficulty to ensure we represent ourselves well.  This is because we still want to feel accepted and respected by others. 

However, when asked ‘Why do we do what we do... ‘ majority of us find it hard to answer this question. This question is usually answered by the following answers: 

• Because I want to make a great living

• Because I want to provide for my kids

• Because I want to help people

• Because it’s what I know 

• Because I want to have a fruitful life 

As somewhat ‘valid’ as these answers are it still does answer the really ‘why’ of why YOU are doing what YOU are doing. 

Let’s face it, you can make a living through any career or vocation, you can provide for you kids through any job and you can help people through any way. Doesn’t have to be your job or career.

No, the real reason is you got comfortable. 

Answer for yourself these following questions

• Am I happy living the way I am living right now?

• Is this how I intended to live when I was growing up? 

• Can I see myself doing this for another 20/30/40/50 years? 

• Do I have job satisfaction? 

If you’re part of the lucky bunch and you answer yes to those then I’m happy for you and I’m glad you’re happy. But chances are majority of people aren’t in the same boat. 

Your why should be that’s it makes you happy and gives you a satisfying purpose  in life. 

Don’t panic!! There’s still hope.

If you’re not enjoying your life you have two options ...

A) Re-kindle your fire and passion for your profession ( Read our next blog)

Or 

B) Learn to let go and follow your new passion and dream. 

What I can promise is that if your why isn’t strong enough, no matter what walk of life you’re in, you’ll just sink into the same quicksand. 

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

Don’t blink today, only to find yourself at an old age full of regrets of not following the path to what makes you smile. And for those who have kids and say I have kids to worry about... what better lesson could you teach your children than to lead by example and having the courage to follow what makes you happy, and achieving your dreams.

Your why is important. YOUR WHY IS EVERYTHING. 

It's not about you!

As human being we have an extraordinary skill that we could use more and better when we are practicing: communication.

Why do many dentists fail to achieve their potential? Why is it that many dentists never get a chance to create a long-lasting success they want?  And why is it, that only a handful of people, truly understand what it takes to create a happy life through dentistry?

The answer is simple. They understand the secret. By the end of this post, I hope to share with you that secret and give you ideas that will help you on your journey to success.

As dentists we are highly educated and trained to be clinically competent.  We have spent many hours beating on our craft, to deliver outstanding care.  But yet, we are poorly trained in the art of communication.  Furthermore, we somehow have failed to grasp the simple concept that creates trusting relationships between ourselves and our patients.

On average, clinicians tend to interrupt their patients within 15 seconds. Seldom do we listen attentively. As human beings, we often tend to jump to conclusions and we feel that we may know the answer to a given problem within a few seconds of information. But what if I told you, success was only a conversation away?

Every day we have a slogan that we repeat to our patient as they are welcomed into our facilities. We openly express to them that ‘the day is about them’. And to convey this message, before starting my consultations, I often invite my patients to have a pre-clinical interview with myself. This is a sacred time, in which I get to know my patients more personally.  The theme here is simple. It is not about me, it’s about them.

The language you should be using to approach this conversion is simple and clear. The aim is to create a comfortable experience, so with that in mind, be patient and speak in a calm lower tone voice. Smiling is encouraged. I would recommend asking questions about their lives, their values, their goals and their expectations.

There should be no interruption while they speak. I simply sit back and smile and let the patient feel comfortable to share. And if I must speak, I make sure that I only asked questions related to what they have just disclosed. I make the effort to ask 5 questions about what they are discussing. Under no circumstances do I avoid this process.

This shows that you listened to understand, and not simply to respond. The patient feels valued and accepted. A bridge of trust is built between them and yourself. And as a dentist, you will be able to discover countless information that will help you recommend the correct and most appropriate treatment for your patients.

It’s worth noting that patients associate discomfort and pain with visiting the dentist. By taking the time to make them feel heard, you disassociate impersonality from your care. Your reassurance will be perceived much more effectively. Very quickly you will become the dentist who listens and cares. This is what sets you apart. This is how patients will trust to accept your recommended treatments. This is how you create a long-lasting relationship and thus success through dentistry.

I urge you to apply this to your personal life. Next time you find yourself in a conversation, take a moment and remind yourself that it’s not about you.  Ask questions about what the other person is discussing.  It won’t be long until you realise that people will enjoy speaking with you and sharing information with you. Information is valuable and the opportunities are embedded in the information. Now you see that success is only a conversation away. 

Your True Self

Do you want to know where the richest place in the world is? The graveyard. 

I know… I know, this isn’t your usual start to a  blog but hear me out. The reason why the graveyard is the richest place in the world is that it is a place of unfulfilled dreams, not actioned ideas, forgotten wealth and knowledge. You see the reason why these ideas never came to life was because of one thing: failing to be who you really want to be! Some people call this authenticity. I call this true happiness. 

“It is those Who’s days are numbered that will give you the secret of true happiness”

Somewhere along the line, from the sweet age of childhood where social indications were not crippling our decision-making abilities, we lost our courage. We became bound to this idea of social acceptability. We now give more care about what people think of us then what we really think of ourselves. Albeit, some of you who read this may be in a place where you are truly free of caring about what others think of you, 95% of those who are reading however are still trapped. 

I urge you to do one thing that could enrich your life with wisdom beyond what you can imagine; talk to the terminally ill and ask for their advice. It is those Who’s days are numbered that will give you the secret of true happiness. Be who you are born to be. 

What makes humans is the freedom of speech and decision. Take those two basic needs away and we are nothing but prisoners in this world.  Life is much shorter than you can imagine. Do not concentrate on the future forgetting to live today. Understand what it is that makes you truly happy. Understand who you are and how you want to live. 

Professionalism is an abstract idea that was created by one person and passed on to another. Professionalism is to provide outstanding care, not to suppress your true personality. 

Let me give you an example. I enjoy singing and dancing. I have somewhat of a boisterous personality which to many it would be classed as ‘unprofessional’.  The only problem is that they do not look after my patients like I do. And my patients love me for who I am and how I look after them. They forget that they are at a dentists and feel like they’re visiting a friend. And to be honest i attract  patients who’s personality and values align with mine. For that I am simply grateful. But this means that I am happy every morning to open my doors and I go to sleep with a clear conscience every night. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t be scared of portraying who you really are. Don’t trying to bend to the social norm. Don’t mask yourself with a false image and personality that imprisons you and your happiness.  No matter what walk of life you are and you will realise that being yourself, embracing who you are and being authentic brings you happiness. 

If you want to be successful in life, learn to stop caring about what others think of you, and start doing what makes you happy. Sure there’s going to be tough times but I promise you that the sweet taste of freedom far outweighs the struggles that you initially endure. There are going to be people who will want to atop you from being who you are because of jealousy. They’re just trying to exert they’re unhappiness onto others. Their opinions do not matter. Live on this earth as if to leave a foot print on the sands of time.  

When asked ‘what do you regret the most?’, those who lay on their deathbed have said the following:

1- I wish I worked less and spend more time with my friends and family

2- I wish that I did not care about what others thought of me

3- I wish that I pursued my dreams

It really puts everything into perspective doesn’t it. 

Be yourself, Be free. Be happy.

Inspire those around you to be free. 

4 WAYS DENTAL BONDING CAN SOLVE YOUR SMILE BLUES

Our teeth endure a lot of hardships as time goes by, and it's no secret. Discoloration, staining, chipping, and wear and tear are just a few of the common issues that can plague our pearly whites. These dental woes can rob us of our once-beautiful smile and lead to feelings of insecurity and self-consciousness. But fear not, for there are solutions available to restore the confidence and radiance of your grin.

We have good news!

The good news is that Dr. Lord, offers dental bonding as a fast, effective, and affordable solution to minor cosmetic issues. Here are some of the ways dental bonding can improve your smile.

1. Eliminate Chips and Fractures

It is quite common for our teeth to sustain small chips and fractures since they are subjected to powerful biting forces multiple times a day. If you tend to clench or grind your teeth at night, your teeth may also suffer from wear, which can alter their shape and appearance.

Dental bonding utilizes composite resin bonded to your teeth to eliminate chips, fractures, and wear. The composite can also be shaded to blend in perfectly with your teeth and enhance your smile.

2. Filling in the Gaps

Do you live with gaps or spaces between your teeth? Composite resin can be directly bonded to your teeth to change their size and shape, eliminating the gaps. This can be done without any injections or drilling of your tooth tissue, so there is no pain involved.

3. Stains and Discoloration

he foods we eat and beverages we drink take their toll on our teeth over time. Thanks to coffee, tea, and red wine, your teeth may appear dull or discolored. Dental bonding allows composite to cover your teeth so staining and discoloration are no longer visible, giving you back your beautiful smile

4. Give your teeth some length and body.

You may feel that your teeth are too small for you face and that you do not have that jaw dropping smile that turns heads. Fear no more, as cosmetic bonding can be used to help you lengthen and give body to your teeth to give you a fuller, more natural and youthful smile.

Would you like to learn more about bonding and determine if it might be right for your needs?

Contact Dr Sia Lord Dentistry to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sia Lord to learn more about your options for cosmetic dentistry.

Do Looks Matter?

Do looks matter?

Well if you are a model then the answer is a clear yes. But what about dentistry? Does looks matter? Does appearance matter?

As humans we tend to judge each other and our environment. No matter how much you say you don’t judge, everyone judges on a subconscious level. In fact we judge people quicker than you think. Six seconds is all it takes for us to make our minds up about another human being, the environment we are in and our expectations from our experience before we have even lived it.

So, do me a favour? Have a look at yourself at work, your environment?  How would you judge you if you were the patient in 6 seconds. Does it show you to your true potential? 

Lets face it… we are never perfect and we are never going to be. But we can present ourselves with a certain imagine in which we, firstly, feel comfortable in but secondly, project confidence for our patients to have within us as a professional and a human being. We, therefore, build value for our clients.

Picture this…

You are about to buy a car from an independent dealership. From the outside the dealership looks average, no decorations or reasons that it stands out. When you enter you are not greeted immediately and in fact you stand at the concierge desk for 3 minutes before the concierge even looks up to look at you to greet you with a heart warming “one minute” before looking down again. Then you sit in a mediocre client room and look around cars that are not as clean as they should be. I mean its a showroom for goodness sake! Then you are welcomed by a salesman, who doesn’t look presentable, shirt and suit which is not clean, creased and even displays stains. What is your impression so far? Do you have much trust In this dealership? Do you think they give good customer service and journey? Would you buy a car from that dealership?

Maybe now you understand the importance. Face it, at the end of the day you are business (even if you are an associate).  When a client walks in to your dental clinic and is greeted with a smile by a presentable receptionist, to a clean and modern waiting room with modern technology, they automatically come to a conclusion that there is a certain standards to be followed in order to be seen in this practice. 

Then they are greeted personally by the dentist who walks out and shakes the clients hand with a warming smile, while looking presentable with good manners before they even sit in the dental chair. 6 seconds has gone past… what do you think that the client thinks now? 

So let me ask you again…does looks matter?

I’ll let you think that over.

Social Media Dentistry: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

We are in an era where social media presence is inadvertently a daily norm. And whats more, is that as a younger generation of dentists, we see more and more exposure of dentistry on social media platforms such as Instagram, facebook, Twitter and more.

But is it a good thing?

Well, if you ask me there are 3 sides to Dentistry on social media…

The good, The bad and The Ugly.

THE GOOD

Personally, I have found that in general the cases that are posted and the discussions that are held by my peers, colleagues, professionals and mentors have been in the light of improving our careers and professional life as a whole. There seem to be an abundance of relatable cases and experiences followed by an even more abundant volume of comments, advice and guidance. There are numerous videos of techniques being broadcasted free of charge with content giveaways that are helpful in everyday dentistry.  These are spread out over instagram, facebook, tweeter and Pinterest.  So if you are looking at this in a positive way, (which I’d like to think I am), this is a great movement both for us as dentists and patients. After all if the patient is more sure about the results that they want, it is easier if we can say they can achieve it and how.

THE BAD

They say that the bad can overwhelm the good. This seems to be the debatable topic when it comes to dentistry on social media. I have found that facebook forums for Dentists seem to be full of interesting cases but somehow, the peers on such groups can have an over whelming  critique-esk approach. This is less so on social media such as instagram or Pinterest in comparison. This almost leads the younger generations to be put off to post any cases in the fear (shall we say) of being criticised at the cost of their self confidence in their level of skill. 

Is this fixable? Perhaps… We just need to realise that even the greatest clinician started as a new kid on the block and made mistakes and learnt from them to be where they are now.

THE UGLY

Then theres always one. I suppose the ugliest thing on social media is that it is beautiful. Let me elaborate. The cases and the dentistry you see on social media, specially Instagram, appears to be the perfect cases in dentistry. Whether real or fake (Ill come to this in a moment). So it seems that all the cases on social media appear to be the cases that have gone right and look perfect.

BUT where are the ugly cases? The cases where things don’t look perfect? The cases where there were failures? Surely, We learn from these more?

Unfortunately, the world of social media promotes the perfect life, the perfect world where luxury is common and flaws are too far and in between. Thanks to photoshop. We can tell that faces and bodies have been photoshopped and airbrushed to look more appealing but dentistry too? If you think that people do not photoshop cases then you my friend need to wake up and smell the coffee. 

Should I just quit social media?

Well the short version of this answer is no. Should you want to grow as a clinician and become a better dentist by staying up to date then it is always good to have multiple sources of wisdom and knowledge around you and social media is a huge one at that. My advice is to be a positive contributor and avoid negative comments or even replying to negative comments. Practice makes perfect and skills comes with time. So be patient but be eager to progress. 

The real question here should be…where is it going to lead to?

4 Levels Of Communication And How to Improve them!

Now let's stop for a moment and ask yourself one question. Can other people understand us clearly? Are we putting or points across and having our voices heard?

As humans we have this fundamental need to be able to interact with one another and be able to communicate our thoughts, opinions and feelings. And by not being able to interact and share with one another, we increased the chances of developing mental health issues and depression.

Now that being said I am aware that there are different personality types. Introverts for example enjoy their own company and get energized by spending times with themselves, however even introverts require interaction between other people as part of their daily routine. And equally, extroverts thrive on interaction with others and are energized by socialising and communicating.

So how do we improve our communication?

Communication is a highly valued topic that is taught across many platforms. It is the most valued asset of any fully functioning and thriving business, not to mention a fundamental part of a functioning relationship. Yet, not many people take advantage of all this free content online to be able to improve themselves and self invest into enhancing their communication.

Here are 4 levels of communication.

1. Verbal

2. physical

3. auditory

4. emotional

Verbal Communication

A study done in UCLA showed that only 7% of our communication is verbal. Meaning that if you enhance what you say you all the increasing the quality of your 7%. Verbal communication is crucial to be able to deliver your message concisely without any distractions.

Tip on how to improve your verbal communication:

- say the sentence you're about to say to somebody in your head first, if it makes sense you may now repeat it to the person. Don't be afraid of a few second of Silence as it can help you save minutes or hours of explaining. Try to use the right words within the correct context to be able to show that you are respectful of other people's opinions, beliefs and circumstances.

Physical Communication

Non-verbal communication makes up 93% of our communication. Of this 93%, 55% is related to Body Language. Physical communication falls in the category of body language.

Visual Cues like eye contact, movements, the way we Stand or sit, posture, gestures and even facial expressions influence how we communicate and how we make the receiver feel during our exchange.

For example, by being at the same eye level, with upright posture and open arms, maintaining eye contact and smiling and listening attentively we create an aura that communication is important and that we are listening to the other individual. This makes both parties feel at ease and valued in the episode.

tips on how to improve you physical communication:

Practice sitting up straight, maintain enough eye contact to be able to tell the colour of the other person's eyes, listen attentively and nod positively. Create an open posture where you are not closed off or your arms are crossed.

Auditory Communication

Auditory communication includes the Range, volume, speed and the tone of our voice. According to the study done in UCLA 38% of our communication is dependent on our auditory communication. For instance those who speak quickly, will find benefit in slowing their speech down and conveying the message more concisely. And vice versa.

If you were to observe a handful of successful ceos, you knows that they speak at a moderate speed, pronounce the words thoroughly and correctly while keeping a low tone voice rather than a high pitch. This shows authority and enhances leadership skills through effective communication.

Top Tips for improving you auditory communication:

- in the morning start by doing mouth stretchers. Also it is important to warm up your voice with a warm glass of drink such as water, milk or tea or coffee. Then practice slowing your sentences down. You can use your spouse or your family member or your friend as a guide.

Emotional communication

Not a lot of people appreciated how our emotional States truly effects how we communicate and how the message is interpreted by the recipient.

A Study in UCLA showed that people who portray themselves as positive and life-affirming are far more likely to be able to hold a longer conversation and communicate more effectively with others, in comparison to those who are negative and critical.

As humans we thrive on positivity and being able to progress and achieve. So it comes naturally to like and prefer to communicate with someone who inherit positive traits and is more open minded in conversation.

Tips on how to improve your emotional communication:

- my advice is to research into emotional intelligence. Read books on how to strengthen and enhance yourself emotionally and how to deal with others by being able to interpret through emotions through conversations.

I also recommend reading this book to help you improve

https://amzn.to/2P5cJPw

Bringing all these aspects together.

I hope by reading this you find the interest to look into communication skills further. As a dentist it is the most important part of my profession. As a businessman, it is also the key to Success. Building relationships is one thing but to be able to sustain a full healthy functional relationship is a challenge. This goes in both personal and professional life. And the fundamentals are easy... Communicate clearly and effectively.

In lights that you may want to further educate yourself here is a list of books I would recommend.

What does it take to be successful in Dentistry? - 'Dental Success Stories' Book Review

Want to be successful in Dentistry?

Now if you're anything like me, you're probably ambitious and want to succeed in the world of dentistry. You may have plans to create your own business and make your own mark in this field. I'm a true believer that impossible is nothing and you will truly achieve whatever you put your mind and soul into. But that being said, it is always wise to learn from the Journey of those who have also succeeded in the past.

Enter ‘Dental success stories’.

This book that was given to me by a friend and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to combine the life lessons that these clinician have told within this book, so you can get an understanding for what concludes success. I must urge you to get this book and read the full stories as I'm sure it will encourage you as much as a has motivated me.

https://amzn.to/2PY92Az

There are many households names in this book, many clinicians of which we have heard of and actually we are friends with. Combining they're experience and stories may provide an answer to what is success and their top tips for Success.

I have took the liberty to summarise some key points to what is success and their top tips for Success.

What is Success?

1. Success is a measure of personal happiness and ability to be able to sleep at night stress-free knowing that you have achieved something great.

2. Success is managing to get a good work and life balance whilst making a difference in people's life in a good way.

3. Success is when you love what you do everyday.

4. Success is knowing your values and sticking to them, and knowing that you've done your best with every opportunity that has come your way

5. Success is freedom... Freedom from financial pressure and time constraints.

6. Happiness comes from within, and true internal happiness is success.

7. Success is to maximize and live up to your potential

8. Success is not competing with anyone else but only with yourself. If you aim to beat the quality of work of yourself from yesterday you will improve everyday

9. Success is a making a difference in the profession and creating more passion for the younger generation.

10. Success is being yourself. No one in the world is you. You are truly unique.

Top tips for Success?

1. Be patient

2. Be persistent

3. Treat others as you like to be treated ( treat your patients as if it was your mouth that you are treating)

4. Recognise and every human being you meet another person just like you who loves and laughed and has feelings, so treat them with respect and let their voice be heard.

5. Being positive and be curious

6. Love your team and look after them as if they were your family.

7. Communication is key not just in dentistry but in life. So improve your communication.

8. Improve your time management. This is critical for Success.

9. Never ever stop learning. You are your biggest investment and asset.

10. Set yourself clear goals and write them down so you are held accountable for them. Then planned for it and work for it.

Dentistry is a competitive field. But I think the most beautiful thing in any profession is the ability to be able to help others without expecting anything back. Now that is rare in this day and age.

I wish you all the best of luck in the future, and I truly am happy to help anyone who needs it within my capabilities.

Like always please subscribe if you like the article and you are willing to read more about success and improving yourself.

**Credit: Massive Thanks to Dr Shakir and Nafisa Mughal for publishing this book.

12 tips on how to get a good night's sleep

In my previous blog ‘Why We Sleep- A book review’ I revealed a summary of all the reasons that Mathew Walker explained in his Book ‘Why we Sleep’ and how sleep benefits us in both emotional, physical and psychological ways.

But the big question is…

‘HOW DO YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP?’.

Lets face it…

We’ve all been there. You have a busy day at work and not to mention you have either kids or pets waiting on you to come home to, and whats more is that you know your evening is far from relaxing. You have to make sure that food is ready, all chores are done and to top it off everyone is ready for tomorrow morning. Or as for the younger generation who are proactive in their life (so to speak), you spend your day in college or university or at work, only to finish and visit the gym to get that body you saw on Instagram or Facebook and coming home to cook (for some) and eat. Then if that wasn’t enough you sit on your sofa or bed and watch your beloved series on Netflix.

The problem, is next thing you know, its 11:30p.m. or for all the Netflix’ers 1:30 a.m. / 2 a.m. and you realise that you’re not asleep intact your are far from it.

Well no need to panic. Here are 12 steps that were mentioned in the Book ‘Why We Sleep’ by Mathew walker, that you can follow to improve your quality of sleep to gain all the benefits sleeping has to offer.

1. stick to a sleep schedule.

Humans are a creature of habit, so we find it difficult to adjust to different sleeping patterns within a week. It's a myth that by Sleeping later on the weekends, it makes up for the lack of sleep during the week. In fact, it makes it harder for the body to adjust to the desire sleeping pattern. Try setting an alarm for when you want to go to sleep as well as setting one for when you want to wake up. Remember, an alarm is in just for waking up.

This alarm clock has been a game changer for me. It sets the light to dim and slowly turns It off and it brightens the light to wake my body up in synch with the alarm.

https://amzn.to/2ORkoG0

2. Don't exercise too late and close to your sleeping time.

We all know that exercise is great and it's what we all require to keep in shape and make sure that our internal organs are functioning optimally. But to avoid restlessness in bed ,try not to exercise within 2 hours of your bed time. The reason for this is that when you exercise you release endorphins and adrenaline, which in turn keeps your heart and mind occupied and racing.

3. Avoid caffeine and nicotine.

Did you know that caffeine that is contained in your coffee, Coca-Cola, certain teas and even chocolate can take sometimes as long as 8 hours to fully wear off?

Therefore, for a majority of us out there a cup of coffee in a late afternoon can make it so hard for you to fall asleep at night. Same thing goes for nicotine. Often smokers only have very light sleep. Furthermore, nicotine withdrawal can wake the person up really early making them sleep deprived.

4. Avoid alcoholic drinks before bed.

Having a night cap can make you feel relaxed. However, too much will affect your sleep cycle making you a light sleeper. And when the effect of alcohol wears off in the middle of a night, it also tends to wake you up.

5. Avoid large meals before bed.

Realistically it's ok to have a light snack, as long as it is 30 minutes before bed and you brush your teeth before bed. (sorry not sorry I am a dentist after all). But if you have a Big Meal before bed, it sometimes can cause indigestion. And I'm sure many of us remember our mum's telling us to not eat too much food before bed because it's not good for us. Now you know why. Thanks Mum.

6. Don't take naps after 3 p.m..

Naps can help when you are tired. In fact companies like Google, NASA, Nike and Apple, have carried out a research and shown the people who are well rested perform 40% better in general at work. So they have invested in nap pods. But be careful, because napping after 3 p.m. Will make it harder for you to sleep at night. The advice from the book is to have a 30-45 minutes nap before 3 p.m. if you wish.

7. Relax before bed.

Your mind is like a computer. If you run too any applications it will crash. Don't overwhelm your day with tasks that leave you know time to unwind before bed. Meditation is a fantastic way to relax in bed before you sleep. Next time, try guided meditation. Or better yet, why don't you pick up this book and read to relax.

8. Take a hot bath before bed.

Now this one is a double whammy. A hot bath before bed helps you to relax and slow down. And when you come out of a hot bath, the drop-in your body temperature automatically makes you feel sleepy. Making sure that when you sleep you enter a restful healthy cycle of sleep.

9. Dark and cool bedroom.

When we are relaxed our mind searches for anything to keep it distracted. Hence why we have so many thoughts running at the same time when we try to sleep. So any light that is present in the room is not helping us. Try to get curtains that block out light from outside fully. And make sure there is nothing flashing or any lights are on in the room. The temperature of the room is also important. During summer we find it hard to sleep because of the hot weather. A cool temperature in the room lowers your body temperature making you feel sleepier.

10. No gadgets before bed.

The most successful people in the world tell you that nothing will distract their bedtime. Their phones are left on charge in a different room. They do not watch TV before bed nor do they reply to emails on their laptop. So why don't you take a page out of their book. Plus by leaving your phone outside in another room helps you get out of bed in the morning when the alarm goes off, rather than snoozing it. The only gadget should be a pillow mist spray to help you sleep.

11. Don't lie in bed awake.

If you find yourself still awake in bed after 20 minutes, or if you starting to feel anxious or worried, then get up and do some calm yoga stretches. Or better yet meditate. Remember the anxiety from not being able to fall asleep can sometimes make the matter worse.

12. Catch some sunlight.

Research show that people who are exposed to at least 30-60 minutes of sunlight per day 10 to be able to sleep better at night. This is because sunlight helps us regulate our sleeping cycle. And by being exposed to sunlight it acts as a body clock synchroniser.

So there you have it, 12 tips on how to improve your sleep and get a full restful healthy night's 8 hours of sleep.

If you would like to find out the benefits of sleeping and the risk of lack of sleeping then you can always check out my blog 'Why We Sleep'.

Remember…

sleeping is a natural and fundamental process there we all need to be able to live happier and longer. So don't neglect it.

Live life, love life.

Why We Sleep? A break down of the book.

There is an amazing breakthrough!

Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer, enhances your memory and makes you more creative. It will keep you Slim and lowers your food cravings and it protects you from cancer and dementia.

Do you hate cold and flu? well you can say goodbye to these with this treatment.

Not only that but it lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke, not to mention diabetes. It will even make you feel happier, less depressed and less anxious.

Are you interested?

If you haven't guessed it by now and with the title of this article as a give away, the answer is sleep.

Recently I picked up this book called ‘Why we sleep’ by Matthew Walker. Now I love to read and improve my knowledge but this book in particular opened my eyes about the very important and fundamental thing they we neglect as a new generation. And that is our sleep.

Now, there is a lot of information in this book all of which are helpful but I'm going to summarise the key points in this post.

To read more about the scientific findings and the papers that were used to write this book make sure you check out the book whether it's audiobook, paperback or even the Kindle version in the link below.

Alternatively you can check out a video of this blog if you are on the go and would prefer to listen instead. Link will be updated on the blog soon.

What are the risks of lack of sleep?

Did you know that if you sleep less than 6 to 7 hours you are more likely to suffer from reduced immune system response?

You are twice as likely to develop cancer with increased risk of Alzheimer's. And if that doesn't raise your concern, then it also disrupts your blood sugar levels which increases the chance of developing diabetes. To add on to this dreadful list, lack of sleep also increases the chances of having congenital heart failure, not to mention increase chance of getting depression and anxiety.

Within the book it goes to show and explain how exactly lack of sleep contributes to the conditions listed above.

How long should I sleep?

In this generation where the corporate industry encourages the younger generation to sleep less and work more in order to earn more money, one vital fundamental necessity has been sacrificed. This will cost the people more in the long run of not just Money... but their health.

It is also a myth that 5-7 hours is sleep a night is adequate to be able to perform at your optimum level. In fact the most successful people in the world who perform at the top level sleep at least 8 hours a night.

So in a nutshell you should try to aim for about 8 hours asleep. Being a busy dentist and an entrepreneur, I have found that actually sleeping at around 10 p.m. at night for 8 hours allows me to wake up at 6 a.m. to concentrate on what I want to do and give me more energy than I used to have before.

Are you lacking sleep?

Now at this point the majority of the readers will be thinking that it is too late. The aim of this article is to shed a light on this book and to tell you that it's not too late. By improving your sleeping pattern and habits you can start to feel the benefits of a well rested body both physically and mentally almost immediately.

Studying for an important exam? or working on a project that you want to execute competently?

Studies have shown that a well rested sleep the night before of you studying or starting a project will increase the level of concentration and your memory gain. Not only that, studies also goes further to show that a good night sleep which consists of 8 hours of sleep, on the night after studying, can also improve your memory storage from the hippocampus in the brain which improves your long-term memory uptake.

If that wasn't enough to get you sleeping, there is also a study to show that not only does sleeping maintain what you've learned but it will recover the memory last of the subjects that was revised earlier.

So I guess the solution here is to sleep early and wake up early to be successful.

It helps in sports too!

An NBA study showed that sleeping 8 hours helps the athletes and the players improve their motor skills. This is done by the mind defragmenting the sequence of the movements learnt earlier overnight, over and over again, allowing the player to execute the correct technique flawlessly.

You want to lose weight?

Did you know that people who sleep at least 8 hours at night lose more fat than those who sleep less? How?

Well there are two ways mainly.

1. When you sleep less you are awake more. Duhhhhhh. Therefore you tend to eat more with less time for digestion. This also increases your blood sugar over time which in turn increases the chance of you developing diabetes.

2. As you sleep 8 hours your body loses weight by breaking down fats cells to produce energy. However if you are sleeping less than that amount then your body essentially becomes stingy by breaking down muscle tissue to produce energy. So for all you gym goers that want to gain muscle mass... Cut down on your late night activities and rest your body.

Don't get angry!

People who sleep less or lack sleep or more emotionally irrational which in turn results in them being one angry individual with a lack in patience. Now I'm a massive believer in the saying that someone's true colour is dictated by how they make others feel about themselves. Someone who is emotionally irrational is more likely to offend, abuse and even worse commit crimes. He goes without saying that an emotionally irrational person is less likely to be successful in life.

At this point in the article many will want to know how they can improve their sleep.

Well the answer is quite simple.

Click on the link to see ‘12 tips on how to get a good night's sleep’.

Well there you have it. You are now more knowledgeable about sleeping and you understand the overwhelming importance of a sweet luxury that we have but we often neglect.

Mathew Walker is a neuroscientist who dedicated his entire career in research of sleeping and is an excellent author who deserves great recognition for his work. You can learn much more in his book ‘Why We Sleep’.

https://amzn.to/2OL7VmZ

Like always if there is anything that you would like to ask me please do not hesitate to contact me by directly emailing me or leave a comment on this post.

Live Life, Love Life.

8 Easy Tips to Prevent Dental Fillings: Your Comprehensive Guide

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We all know that having your teeth fixed at the Dentist is a costly procedure. Not to mention the pain that you go through when you break a tooth or worse when your tooth goes bad.

So what can you do to reduce the chance of your teeth going bad and avoiding avoidable expenditures?

Here are some tips to help you look after your teeth.

1. Brush with Electric Tooth brush at least twice a day.

The best time to brush teeth is in the morning when you wake up and just before you go to bed at night. Many studies show that electric tooth brushes reduce the chance of decay and gum disease more than manual tooth brush. So choose an electric toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth with soft bristles so it’s kinder on your gums.

2. Brush thoroughly.

Brush your teeth for two to three minutes. To make it easier there are now apps that help you time and provide entertainment while you brush,, otherwise just put on your favourite song and brush and dance at the same time.

3. Use fluoridated toothpaste. 

Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and reduces your risk of decay. Nearly all toothpastes now are fluoridated.

4. Water Floss daily.

The importance of using a water flosser cannot be overstated, as it effectively removes plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas, promoting healthier gums and reducing the risk of periodontal disease.
 

5. Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks and fruit juices and Limit sugary foods. 

Acidic food and drinks  soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in the tooth causing holes and decay.  Sugar is food for bacterias in dental plaque which turns sugar into acid. See the link here?
 

6. Protect your teeth from injury.

Many of us have been there and done that. You turn up to a game and through no fault of your own you have an accident and next thing you know you have broken a tooth or worse you have knocked your tooth. Sounds like a nightmare right? Well it doesn’t have to be?  Have a mouth guard made to protect your teeth from breaking and avoid pain. Can save yourself some money too.
 

7. Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food.

If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, then don’t be surprised when your teeth start to break and form cracks. You have tools for those things, so start using them!

8. See your dentist for regular check-ups.

This one is a must. Visit your dentist for a through check up at least twice a year. Just because you’re not in pain doesn’t mean that your teeth are fine. In fact, many problems are painless when they start and they start the hurt when the problem is big or worse un-resolvable.

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Let us know if there is anything else you would like us to cover.