No matter what stage you have reached in your career, there are many benefits to be enjoyed when relocating to work in a new practice. Especially in Scotland, such a move can afford a completely new type of lifestyle and give you access to some of the most beautiful natural environments in the UK.

Take the archipelago Orkney as a prime example. A hidden gem in northern Scotland, this part of the world boasts a stunningly rugged landscape with rolling hills and pristine sandy beaches. Whether you love hiking, photography and art, wildlife watching, history and archaeology, diving, kayaking, cycling, sampling fresh local food or relaxing on the beach, Orkney has it all! The town also boosts a vibrant culture with a thriving music scene, cosy pubs and various festivals to get involved with throughout the year. The laid-back island lifestyle means it’s like being on holiday all the time!

Orkney is also more accessible than many people think. A short ferry or flight gets to you the mainland, with public transport and road links to popular places like Aberdeen and Dundee. 

In addition, the island life can be hugely beneficial for your clinical advancement too. Particularly important for dentists and dental therapists earlier on in their careers, working in a more remote location means you will develop a broad array of skills, care for patients with a comprehensive range of needs and be exposed to a phenomenal breadth of clinical situations. You will work alongside and learn from exceptional practitioners who know what it takes to be an excellent all-round clinician, with outstanding support available from other team members as well.

For practices in locations such as Orkney, we offer a fixed-term opportunity for associate dentists and dental therapists to experience island life for 12 or 24 months, as well as permanent positions. This gives you the flexibility to try different rural locations to find the right place for you and your family.

Completing this term also qualifies most professionals for the NHS one-off bonus of £25k (T&Cs apply). In addition, there is a £9k remote and rural annual payment for professionals who relocate to such regions. Further support is also available from Clyde Munro, including help finding accommodation and settling in with access to our established network of people and resources.

So, if you’re looking for a change of pace while gaining unique opportunities to advance and broaden your clinical skills, consider working in Clyde Munro’s Orkney locations. Breath-taking scenery, copious outdoor pursuits, gorgeous sandy beaches and a whole new lifestyle await you!

Rural or city location? Experience it all with Clyde Munro!

Are you looking for a change of pace? Would you like to live and work in a place that gives you pure joy every time you go outside or look out the window? Are you struggling to choose between green landscapes or a more urban environment?

Now you don’t have to with our exciting new Explorer Programme!

This innovative scheme gives dentists an opportunity to experience working and living in different stunning locations across Scotland, without compromising job stability. Think of it like a try before you buy arrangement ­– you can work in a practice on a beautiful remote island for 6 months and then relocate to a city for the next 6 months to see which you enjoy more. The scheme operates with short fixed-term contracts, providing the right mix of stability and opportunity for change.

At Clyde Munro, we appreciate just how much it takes to relocate for work and so designed this programme as a way for clinicians and their families to get a taster of the life they are considering. You can see exactly what it would be like to move, with far fewer risks. If you don’t like a location, or it doesn’t suit your family for whatever reasons, you can try somewhere else. Alternatively, if you fall in love with the practice and/or town you are trialling, you can stay indefinitely and begin the process of permanently moving, confident in the knowledge that you are making the right decision for you.

The Clyde Munro Explorer Programme is also a fantastic way to experience first-hand the huge diversity that Scotland has to offer. Want to go hiking in the mountains every week? Interested in exciting new mountain bike trails? Looking to ski or snowboard all winter? Maybe you’re interested in living amongst the beauty of a Scottish city steeped in history? Or perhaps you would like an eclectic music scene or sandy beaches on your doorstep? Scotland has all of this and more, so all your hobbies and interests, old and new, are well and truly covered!

Of course, the opportunity to work in various practices and with different patients means you can broaden and expand your clinical experience too. You will also have the chance to work alongside new clinical and non-clinical staff, making new friends while continuing to operate within the familiar Clyde Munro workflows utilised across all locations.

Whether you take a sabbatical from your current job, or are already looking to move to Scotland and just haven’t decided where, you can experience everything that Scotland and Clyde Munro have to offer with the exciting new Explorer Programme. No matter what kind of lifestyle you dream of, now you can bring the vision to life. Your clinical skills are a passport around Scotland, it’s time to use it!

To express interest in this programme, fill up this form.

The dental therapist is a crucial member of the practice team today. There are several factors that need to be considered for individuals to fulfil their potential and build a long and successful career. These include properly utilising their full scope of practice, being valued for their skills across the practice team and having access to first-class education and training. We all have a part to play in increasing awareness of the dental therapist’s role among the professional team, ultimately improving patient care, enhancing skill mix in practices and boosting job satisfaction for individuals in this role. 

Promoting a team approach

To ensure dental therapists feel valued and able to fulfil their potential, it’s important that dentists understand their clinical remit. Not only do they need to know which treatments dental therapists can provide directly to patients, but they also need to consider how they may work in tandem with dental associates. Effective collaboration between team members can facilitate smoother daily workflows, create a more clinically diverse working day and ensure a less isolated working environment for other clinicians. It can also streamline emergency appointments and free up precious time for dentists to focus on other areas of dentistry such as implantology or endodontics.

Of course, is it just as relevant to consider how dental therapists can impact the patient experience. For a start, improved teamwork among all practice practitioners means faster, more efficient and often more effective dental care for patients. The majority of patients are already happy to see the dental therapist for a simple restoration, so there should be few barriers from them as a practice increases their dental therapy services. Patient satisfaction with treatment provided by dental therapists has been positive as well. Many of the same factors apply as would impact patient satisfaction with care from a dentist ­– with trust and familiarity proving essential. These can be established and developed through professional behaviours and attitudes, good communication and smooth continuity of care. 

Once dentists and other colleagues really understand how the dental therapist works, they can all operate within a workable business model that enhances patient care and boosts business profitability.

Although there has historically been a lack of understanding in the field, perceptions are gradually evolving. Regulatory changes are also being implemented that broaden the scope for both dental hygienists and therapists, who may now supply and administer specific medicines without a prescription from a dentist, once they have sufficient training and experience.

Being the change we want to see

In order for dental therapists to use their entire scope of practice, they must be confident and competent in their skills. For those who are new to the profession, or who have been unable to practise dental therapy in recent years, it can be difficult to adjust. That’s why it’s beneficial to access tailored training and support that will consolidate, develop and refresh your capabilities in a positive environment.

At Clyde Munro, we strive to be the change we want to see in the profession. We understand the importance of the dental therapist role and aim to remove barriers so that professionals may fully utilise their expertise. Our dedicated Therapist Support Programme has been designed specifically to help dental therapists to consolidate and expand their skills, covering a broad range of topics in training sessions and offering hands-on assistance from a clinical support team.

Skill, confidence and success

For many dental therapists, the chance to fully utilise their skills is important. Not only is job satisfaction improved, so too is the quality of patient care that can be delivered by the whole practice team. If you are feeling under-utilised, now is the time to make a change. Reach out to joinus@clydemunrodental.com and start your new journey today!

There are many advantages afforded by digital dentistry for clinicians, team members and patients. The most important of these for the profession team is the ability of modern technology to streamline and simplify treatment workflows, increasing operational efficiency and enabling individuals to perform at their very best. The result is greater job satisfaction, improved collaboration between team members (and patients), and enhanced practice environments in which to work.

Digital solutions also increase the predictability and quality of clinical treatment delivered, which means improved outcomes and happier patients too!

Optimising digital workflows

In order to really harness the advantages of digital dentistry, at Clyde Munro we understand that our dentists need the right education and support. That’s why we provide various training opportunities to introduce our clinicians to new technology and help them become familiar with all equipment functionalities.

For early careers dentists, our Best Foot Forward and Flying Start programmes both cover digital dentistry. The dedicated training days introduce dentists in their initial years post-qualification to the world of digital dentistry in a practical and supported way. Our purpose-built Advanced Dentistry & Clinical Skills Centre also presents digital-focused training to dentists at all stages of their careers who are interested in updating and diversifying their treatment workflows with digital solutions.

Broad digital capabilities

To help our dentists meet the needs of all our patients, we provide and facilitate access to a wide range of technologies across the group. We continuously invest in our dentists, our practices and our patients, industry-leading, evidence-based technologies installed across our business. These include:

IOS

Intraoral scanning is becoming a staple in dental practices around the globe. We have introduced leading brands of solutions into our practices, optimising the treatment they can deliver while improving the professional workflow. We work with leading provider in the field, Dentsply Sirona, providing cutting-edge intraoral scanners for many of our dentists to utilise in every day dentistry. The Primescan is designed to be lightweight and ergonomic for easy handling, it facilitates versatile workflows, promotes optimal hygiene and ensures patient comfort.

CBCT

For dentists involved with more complex and multidisciplinary patient care, access to a CBCT scanner can be essential. We have the state-of-the-art machines located across our network, enabling our dentists to obtain the diagnostic information they need for enhanced anatomical visualisation and exceptional treatment planning and execution in a range of clinical indications.

AI-powered digital technology

Bringing our digital workflows to the cutting-edge of the profession, Clyde Munro dentists have access to AI-supported technologies for even greater benefits.

We implement Pearl Second Opinion^® within our practices, which provides AI-assisted support for clinicians reporting on radiographs. It highlights potential areas of concern or disease, allowing the clinician to correlate the data with their own findings for a confident diagnosis with nothing missed. It saves the dentist time and the report can be used to communicate with the patient and improve their understanding of their condition or treatment need as well. Patients are blown away by the technology and are typically more engaged with their oral health as a result for increased treatment acceptance.

We also use Dental Monitoring software throughout Clyde Munro practices. This supports orthodontic treatment by enabling or dentists to oversee patient’s treatment and confirm tooth movements remotely. Patients simply upload photos of their teeth throughout their treatment, which the dentist can check against the treatment plan to ensure all is progressing as expected. Any issues or concerns are identified immediately and can be rectified faster than may be possible with the traditional practice appointments. All of this means fewer practice visits for patients and enhanced efficiency for dentists and their teams – who have more time to spend with other patients. 

CHROME GuidedSmile

For dentists with experience within dental implantology, guided surgery can provide an easier and more reproducible approach to treatment. That’s why we introduced CHROME GuidedSmile.

This is patented software from the US that makes digital implant treatment design simpler, quicker and more predictable. It helps clinicians accurately determine the ideal position for a dental implant, improving both the surgical and restorative outcomes. The technology affords unparalleled visualisation of the treatment area, for enhanced treatment planning and minimal risk of complications. This, in turn, also bolsters clinical notes so that the dentist can clearly demonstrate the steps taken to ensure safe and effective treatment, should any questions or concerns arise later down the line. 

3D printing laboratory

To enable clinicians to provide their patients with high-quality restorations as quickly as possible, we have our own 3D printing laboratory.

This is a collaboration between Clyde Munro and OurCrown Dental, based in Glasgow. We provide fully digital solutions for partial and full dentures, mouthguards, whitening splints, occlusal splints, permanent crowns, and provisional bridge work. OurCrown provides the excellent design services, and we then 3D print, finish, and send the finished lab work to our practices. This efficient system enables cliinicians at Clyde Munro to provide the patients with the care they need, when they need it.

For many dentists providing dental implants, the pursuit of skill development often leads them into the field of guided surgery. The approach is touted as a minimally invasive, reproducible technique that reduces the clinical complications associated with implantology. To optimise outcomes while streamlining the professional workflow, it’s important that clinicians implement the right digital technology.

CHROME GuidedSmile is a patented tool from the US that makes digital implant treatment design simpler, quicker and more predictable. Callum Graham, Chief Clinical Officer and Head of Advanced Dentistry at Clyde Munro, says:

“CHROME helps clinicians to more accurately determine the ideal position for dental implants, making both the surgical and restorative processes easier, faster and more stable. It’s a highly robust consultation and planning solution that also allows dentists to demonstrate how they communicated treatment to patients during the consenting process. This affords benefits for both the dentist and their patients.”

For clinicians, this software supports the guided surgical workflow by optimising accuracy of implant placement. Valuable time is saved as fewer patient appointments are required and the risk of complications is reduced. It gives dentists unrivalled visualisation of the patient’s unique anatomy and eliminates the need to blindly drill into the bone as part of the surgical treatment. The restorative stage is also enhanced with the implant ideally positioned to support a highly functional and aesthetic restoration. What’s more, the technology facilitates a logical planning process that ensures all the important aspects of treatment are communicated with patients, including benefits, risks and limitations. As such, it provides an extra layer of medicolegal protection complete peace of mind.

Clyde Munro is a keen advocate for the complete digital workflow, having already made an array of technologies available to dentists across the group. Reflecting on how the CHROME solution integrated within the treatment planning process, Callum comments:

“This software is for clinicians who have at least some experience in dental implants and are looking to advance their skills into the guided surgery field. It fits seamlessly within our wider digital workflow, making life easier and faster for our dentists because it removes a lot of the most time-consuming part of the process. Whether clinicians have been providing dental implants for two years or 20, CHROME helps to minimise the risk of surgical and restorative complications.

“Digital dentistry is a big part of how we work at Clyde Munro. We already have more than 70 intraoral scanners across 56 of our practices, ensuring we facilitate a completely digital workflow. For dental implant treatment, pre-operative scans, CT scans and clinical photographs are all sent digitally to the lab. CHROME can then be used to plan implant treatment and restorative solutions are 3D printed or manufactured using other modern techniques.”

For any clinicians wanting to develop their skills in guided implantology, it’s important to first obtain sufficient experience with the traditional workflow. Surgical skills and knowledge are important for dentists to safely and successfully implement guided workflows. From there, Clyde Munro offers an array of training opportunities, as Callum explains:

“It’s a natural transition for dentists to move from single implant cases and small bridges onto multiple unit and full arch cases. Guided surgery supports this progression even further. Clyde Munro is offering a two-day training course for any of our dentists who would like to utilise the new software for their patients. Day one of the course is hands-on and day two is a live surgery. This is the first time this training has been delivered outside the US and Ireland, and the software provider has tailored it specifically for Clyde Munro dentists so it’s a fantastic opportunity for our clinicians. We will also ensure that dentists have access to as many support and mentoring sessions as they require to become totally comfortable with the procedure and workflow. In addition, there are plans to expand the training to include dental nurses as well, ensuring that the entire team is confident in enabling guided implant surgery.”

CHROME GuidedSmile is just one way in which Clyde Munro is investing in digital dentists and supporting high standards of dental care.

Want to join a dental group where digital dentistry is at the forefront of what we do? Explore our career opportunities today!

The jump from university into a practice environment can be daunting for dental students, but having the right support will make a significant difference to their learning experience. This is about more than simply being exposed to the dental system, as well as new patients, and new clinical situations.

Clyde Munro is delighted to be able to support newly graduated dentists whilst they complete their Vocational Training (VT) year. This support is packaged into a structured scheme known as the Best Foot Forward programme, which provides dedicated training events and additional support to help clinicians safely and effectively consolidate and advance their skills. It gives them access to topics that help equip them for joining general practice as an associate, as well as allowing them a chance to network with their colleagues.

The most recent programme was very well attended by Clyde Munro VTs and very positive feedback has been received. The VTs clearly found the topics beneficial, really providing them with a deeper understanding of the opportunities available as they join the dental profession.

Dr Lucy Mason recently completed the Best Foot Forward programme with Clyde Munro, and says:

“It was really good to be involved with the programme and to have the opportunity to attend the events that were put on. These enabled me to learn new information and refresh my existing knowledge, which is helpful as a VT because you’re learning new things all the time.

“What I found most beneficial was having access to the highly knowledgeable speakers. We had a nice small group which allowed us to ask questions and learn from their expertise in an informal and productive way. The session about becoming an associate, talking through finances and the self-employed structure was really helpful as I hadn’t received much information on this previously during the VT year.

“Everyone at Clyde Munro was very supportive and there were always new opportunities to participate in. I’m looking forward to utilising the Flying Start Programme next year as I continue developing my confidence. I would encourage other VTs and young graduates to get involved in order to broaden their skills as much as possible.”

In addition to the topics Lucy mentioned, her fellow VTs also found the session on AI (artificial intelligence) technology and the benefits of using this with radiographs and communication with patients extremely helpful. This topic also showcased Clyde Munro’s investment in innovation and newly qualified dentists, with cutting-edge technology made available to all clinicians in practice.

Nicola Logan, Chief People Officer for Clyde Munro, added:

“The Best Foot Forward programme has been a great success and working with our newly qualified dentists is something that is so important to the group. We want to support the future of dentistry in Scotland and we are keen to listen and improve the programme year on year. This means developing our training within digital technology and promoting the importance of wellbeing for our newly qualified dentists. We are invested in improving the support we provide to clinicians. There is a lot of pressure put on this generation and we need to make sure, as a leader within Scottish dentistry, that we have the right mechanisms in place to help and support our dentists when they need it.”

In November 2024, we will welcome the third cohort of VT dentists joining Clyde Munro’s best Foot Forward programme. It will consist of three educational and networking sessions over the course of the year. This includes training on digital workflows, AI technology and digital 3D printing; insight into the financials of being a self-employed associate; diary management; working with a dental therapist; and an invite to ClydeFest our very own internal group event to celebrate our newly qualified dentists. This is a dedicated networking event with a mixture of VTs from both within and outside of the Clyde Munro group.

We hope by providing this support, we can encourage many of our VT dentists to join the group and begin their career with us. Perhaps even joining us on our second internal programme; the Flying Start programme for early career dentists!

Ultimately, the Best Foot Forward programmes provides newly qualified dentists with an insight into the opportunities and investments they can take advantage of to further their career development. For more details, contact the team today.

To learn more about this programme, visit careers.clydemunrodental.com/best-foot-forward-programme/