To help improve the teeth4life App, I have had the support from Design for Growth. I need to ask the public and the profession what they want. It's not as easy as it sounds, but a couple of articles I came across this weekend. One from 2004
A pilot study of patients' views of an oral health scoring system
And this comment

Of respondents, 97% considered that the OHS gave them a better understanding of the condition of their mouth and 98% considered that the OHS was a good method for communication between dentist and patient.

As it was before we had smart phones, so perhaps a free App could help?
The other much larger article was eighteen years later, this is the LINK and this 
is part of the conclusion.....

Of these, psychological and emotional factors such as control, shame and trust are very important.

Our patients trust us, and we have to encourage them to keep themselves healthy, and so recommending your App by sending an email, as well as physically handing over a card specifically about the good and poor aspects of their teeth has a minimal cost, but a big benefit saving both you and your patient time, and improving both your financial wellbeing. 

Getting support for the App has been an interesting experience, and why would you "trust" the App and its contents? Well it could be if it was endorsed by the NHS, which was my approach last year. It failed like many health innovations, and the reason is below. But if it was endorsed by the profession, or part of it. All these like the App, BDA, BSDHT, BSDT, FGDP, BADN. but will any of you endorse it? If there is an element that you don't approve of, please add in the feedback section on this website, or DM.

​The teeth4life App has a traffic light scoring system, and to help promote the App for the public and the profession, I wanted it to be endorsed by the NHS. I paid for an Orcha review and the necessary changes in the App structure to get it on the NHS App library. At a later discussion, they advised that it was in a tier 3 status because of the traffic light scoring, and I needed to carry out an RCT. I couldn't use any current evidence-based research; I had to do my own. I couldn't afford the RCT, and their suggestion was to remove the scoring, and it would get approval as a tier 2 App, like Brush DJ. 
However, it will be of less value for the user and not encourage them to take ownership of their health. It would be a mobile webpage, not an App. 
How did the scoring system work in the pilot studies? If the scoring system is the same as the pilot scheme, the App may get NHS approval, as all the videos on prevention in the App follow the government's guidelines on delivering better oral health. 

Please get in touch, and we could discuss how your experience could be used to improve the content of the current App,  and for a future premium version of the App. All AHSNs I have spoken to like the App, but say it needs funding- but not by them. When it is self-funding, the NHS may be interested. But if the profession funds it, we should take the credit.

I came across this Instagram site via Linkedin today.
​The Brain Doctor, so much useful support and advice for ourselves and our patients. Click on the pictures to her site with excellent advice, as well as enthusiasm for her work. Click on the picture for a link to her site.

I was a trainer for twenty years, and really enjoyed the training, but was aware that our VTs, VDPs, then FDs were fully aware of the real stresses in running a practice committed to the NHS. Our patients trust us, but the NHS doesn't. To provide the best treatment you should not work stressed. Click on image for engaging talk from 12 years ago. The post below is from a discussion on GDPUK forum, and may help our way forward. 

Re: Time to stand up and be counted
 30 Dec 2021, 11:39 
There were a number of reasons for my post:
1. To try to get senior dentists to look in the mirror and admit that, by and large, THEY have caused/allowed the system to continue because THEY prop it up. I first converted one of my practices in 1991. Back then the system abused dentists but, as Keith alluded to, dentists abused it back. The Area Teams knew this but also knew it was the only way to keep the system going. Nowadays the Area Teams/NHSE are out to get anyone who "tries to play the system". Senior dentists sit in a comfort zone and, by and large, are blissfully unaware of how younger dentists are suffering.
2. I have done it before and I am doing it again. I paid over £1,000,000 for an NHS practice + property 3 years ago. The loan is personally guaranteed. But I am giving the contract back. Not selling it. I am doing the right thing for my patients and staff and sending a strong message to others.
3. In the last 30 years, I do not know one single practice that has ever transitioned from NHS to private that has regretted it. As has happened, in some posts, I want more people who have done it to come out encourage others to do it. Perhaps the BDA should start to create a database of all those that have done it as an example for others.
4. I want to introduce the concept of an abusive relationship which needs to be called out. I want dentists to sit back and actually analyse what kind of relationship they are in with NHSE/the Treasury.
5. I wanted to call out everybody who works in an admin role supporting NHS Dentistry to ask themselves whether they are supporting an abusive relationship. This includes the OCDO, LDCs, Deaneries, DF Trainers......

I remain furious with the profession that rather than disengaging from NHS Dentistry, by continuing to engage, they are supporting the abuse of younger colleagues and patients. Patients think, "It's the NHS, it must be good". It is not and under the current system, it never will be.

Tinkering and trying to "make it work" will never work. NHS General Dental Practice needs to be chucked on a bonfire so that a new fit-for-purpose system is designed from the bottom up but will probably only be an emergency and/or children-only service.

Happy New Year.
Dr Simon Gallier BDS

Future Health Partnership

http://www.futurehealthpartnership.co.uk