News

Last year approximately 1.5 million people invested in non-surgical cosmetic treatments and this number is steadily increasing every year.

With people striving to preserve their looks it is not surprising that rogue practitioners are attempting to attract people with cut-price services and treatments. However, some are not medically trained and do not have the appropriate qualifications or insurance. As a result, Queensway
Dental Clinic, which offers non-surgical aesthetic treatments from its practices in Billingham and Darlington, is lobbying to make the public aware of
the dangers.

Following a clamp down from professional bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which ensures that only qualified practitioners whom agree to strict protocols and codes of conduct can be insured and the introduction of the Treatments You Can Trust (TYCT) register in 2010, which is backed by the UK government (an online register of practitioners who are medically certified to administer injectable cosmetic treatments such as botulinum toxin and fillers), Queensway Dental Clinic is stressing the importance of thorough research and reiterating the key message that visiting a rogue practitioner who has no insurance is dangerous for patients, as they have no protection before, during and after treatment.

Those people seeking a cheaper alternative or those who simply haven’t researched their practitioner thoroughly are already suffering across the region.
Queensway Dental Clinic’s qualified team have had to correct a number of treatments as a result of procedures being performed by untrained individuals
promoting themselves as qualified practitioners.

Botched non-surgical procedures are one of the biggest offenders with many people complaining that the treatment has worn off too quickly or has spread to other areas producing undesirable side effects such as a droopy eyelid or a flat, expressionless face. This can happen if the product is over- diluted or inappropriately placed by a practitioner with little or no training.

Rebecca Hierons, a specialist oral surgeon with a special interest in facial aesthetics at Queensway Dental Clinic, commented: “Facial aesthetics are medical treatments and as such involve certain risks. Therefore we firmly believe that you should not be able to provide this service without thorough education, training and experience. There are ‘cowboys’ in every industry, but in this case it can seriously compromise the health and safety of the patient.

“Non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as botulinum toxin and fillers have been practised successfully for many years by trained professionals in a
safe environment. But rogue practitioners are threatening the reputation of the industry and more importantly may harm those patients who are relying on their supposed expertise. Astonishingly, people are still willing to accept a medical procedure in their own home or at a party.

“The number of people opting for aesthetic treatments shows just how safe and effective procedures are when administered by trained practitioners. Selecting a practitioner is a very important choice and I recommend that anyone thinking of having an aesthetic treatment researches it thoroughly and meets with a reputable professional for advice before making any decisions. Cost should never come before safety and peace of mind.”

Queensway Dental Clinic is offering free one-to-one consultations with Rebecca Hierons for facial aesthetics. Please call 01642 554667 or book a free consultation online.

In a survey recently launched by Queensway Dental Clinic, 179 patients were asked to choose their preferred celebrity smile with 48 per cent voting the Newcastle born singer’s the most desirable. Julia Roberts’ wall-to-wall smile ranked second receiving 16 per cent of the vote and Vanessa Paradis’ quirky gap-toothed smile garnered 13 per cent.

The findings were unveiled by the clinic to discover what it is that makes a smile so important and how this influences a patient’s decision for cosmetic dentistry. In the survey the most important factor for the perfect look was a natural smile, while the next most desired feature was beautiful white teeth.

Queensway Partner Dr. Ian Lane says: “Smile makeovers are increasing in popularity with people wanting straighter, whiter teeth and are being influenced by celebrities such as Cheryl Cole.  This is understandable as a smile is important to a person’s confidence and self-image and as a result, can have a direct impact on their quality of life. Over the last few years we have noticed that patients are much more aware of what can be achieved with modern cosmetics and aesthetic dentistry. However, it is important that any cosmetic option is only considered after the underlying health of the gums and teeth is stabilised. This can be achieved with a thorough oral health assessment, which is provided for free for all new patients visiting Queensway. There are a range of options to improve the appearance of our patient’s main concerns, and then formulate a plan that is right for the individual.”

Queensway Specialist Orthodontist Dr. Guy Deeming says: “We are doing more and more orthodontic treatment for adults and children who want to improve their smile but do not want healthy teeth prepared for crowns or veneers, so orthodontics is becoming the perfect solution. This is becoming an even more popular option with better looking and even invisible appliances available. When orthodontic treatment is combined with some gentle tooth whitening a natural, tooth friendly result is achievable.”

The survey also showed that while 59 per cent of participants visit their dentist for their recommended number of check ups a year, only 27 per cent visit when they have a problem.

Dr. Lane adds: “Some of the results have been surprising, such as the 70 per cent of people who have admitted to not flossing regularly and those who are not visiting their dentist for their routine check-ups. Visiting the dentist regularly is extremely important to ensure good oral health and to identify any issues so they can be managed quickly and with minimal inconvenience to the patient.”

Sarah Dale from the Evening Gazette talks to Dr Paul Averley and his journey through dentistry. Dr Paul Averley Business Interview.