Blog
What makes Clyde Munro the Leading Digital Dental Group in Europe
Blog
What makes Clyde Munro the Leading Digital Dental Group in Europe
Blog
17 Jul, 2024

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.

You might be interested in

Living in Scotland | Clyde Munro Dentists | Careers

Living the Scottish Dream

No matter how long you have worked in dentistry, where you studied, how you have developed your skills or what your future ambitions are, it is essential to ensure your own wellbeing throughout your career. Where you chose to live will have an impact on your happiness and quality of life. In particular, it is important for your home environment to meet your social, physical and mental needs, which in turn will influence your health and wellbeing at any stage of life.  For many people, living in Scotland affords all manner of benefits, making this a fantastic place for dental professionals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs and aspirations. If you’re looking for a change, or ready for the next phase of your career, Scotland could provide the answers you need. There’s also the benefit of excellent healthcare and education, as well as a potentially lower cost of living compared to other parts of the UK.  An unparalleled landscape When thoughts turn to Scotland, the immediate image is often one of rolling hills, luscious greenery, mountainous terrain and historic stone buildings. Indeed, the Highlands are a globally-renowned destination for hiking, mountain climbing and wildlife watching, with thousands of people flocking to these stunning open spaces every year to enjoy the great outdoors. Plus, with more than 550 golf courses to choose from, beautifully unspoiled beaches along the coastline and hundreds of islands to visit, the country offers a diverse and charming backdrop to daily life. Culture and history The vibrant culture is a major part of life for the Scottish people, who proudly celebrate their heritage through food and drink, festivals and music, and the traditional kilts in the tartan of their families, of course! Few will have visited the country without trying the famous haggis dish or a glass of whisky. As such, Scotland is widely regarded as a friendly and welcoming place to be. For those with an interest in history, the region boasts the remnants of fascinating tales from Roman soldiers, Vikings, noble clansmen, ruling monarchs and more. World heritage sites include the Antonine Wall, New Lanark cotton mill and the Fourth Forth Bridge, amongst many other landmarks that are well-worth a visit. Job Opportunities Despite the challenges experienced worldwide in recent years, the Scottish economy seems to be bouncing back strongly. GDP growth was 4.9% in 2022, higher than the UK average of 4.1%. Among the top industries demonstrating positive growth have been creative markets, energy (especially renewable), food and drink, life sciences, space, and technology and advanced engineering – ensuring diverse job opportunities for all the family to take advantage of! The dental profession has also been developed significantly, with a 39% increase in high-street dentists between 2007 and 2021. That said, there is still plenty of scope for expansion, which means several opportunities for dentists and dental professionals to make the most of everything that living and working in Scotland can offer.  Aside from the many advantages of Scottish life, Clyde Munro offers an array of benefits for all members of their practice teams across the country. These include dedicated career development pathways and educational schemes, competitive salaries, paid GDC fees, enhanced family-friendly policies, ‘you days’ (for moving house, getting married etc.), an extensive support network and help developing in your digital dental journey. Hiker on the summit of Ben A'an, Scottish Highlands at sunset Making the move The decision to relocate is never made lightly and there are various factors to consider very carefully before making the move. However, when the time is right, the change is made for all the right reasons and the necessary support is enlisted, a relocation can afford countless advantages. Scotland has much to offer individuals, couples and families – why not see what’s available to you? Want to find out more about the career opportunities and vacancies available with Clyde Munro? Get in touch today! joinus@clydemunrodental.com
Helping Newly Qualified Dentists | Clyde Munro Dental Group | Careers

Helping newly qualified dentists thrive

How Clyde Munro is easing the transition from dental school to practice  Making the transition from dental school to practice can be challenging. As Stuart Collier, who qualified in 2022, points out: “At university, you’re not really used to seeing as many patients throughout the day and there are much longer appointment times. In NHS practices, things are done a lot quicker. In addition, there is extra pressure on you – I am now very aware patients are paying for my services so I really want to do a good job for them!” Stuart completed his Vocational Training (VT) year under the supervision of Alloway Place Dental Care in Ayr, part of leading Scottish dental group, Clyde Munro. He has utilised Clyde Munro’s Best Foot Forward programme as a way of accessing support specifically tailored to newly qualified dentists in their vocational training year. It consists of multiple educational sessions to support Clyde Munro VT dentists.  The support Stuart received was invaluable. Aside from the networking opportunities available with fellow VTs, it also enables individuals to meet with other, more experienced dentists. The first part of the programme explained how the NHS SDR payments system works in Scotland together with an introduction to implementing digital dentistry into their practice. Digital dentistry is an area that is ever growing throughout the profession, and something Clyde Munro are heavily investing in.   Stuart commented: “The programme bridges the gap between studying at university and working in practice. It offers training on topics that aren’t taught in the undergraduate curriculum, for example, I didn’t know how the payment system worked and I’d not used an intraoral scanner. The digital dentistry aspect was particularly interesting for me. Almost all Clyde Munro practices have digital 3D intraoral scanners and following the training I’ve received I now use it for various aspects of the day-to-day job. The training is very good in this respect.” Stuart is looking forward to future learning opportunities at surgical training days and further updates on the NHS payment system in light of the changes implemented in Scotland as of November 2023. His advice for recently qualified colleagues is to be bold. “Just get stuck in!” he says. “Don’t be afraid to try things. You have the safety net of a salary and a team around you to help. Don’t rush, build your skills. Make the most of the courses available and network – dentistry is a small world and the more people you know the better.” Having studied at University of Glasgow, Stuart returned to his hometown of Ayr to join Clyde Munro following a personal recommendation. He believes he’s made a good decision, adding: “The Best Foot Forward and Flying Start programmes [a career development programme for dentists who have qualified in the last five years] that are only offered for Clyde Munro dentists are great, and are only going to get better. Clyde Munro is very supportive of young, newly qualified dentists by offering the added training sessions which help grow and develop your skills.” For further information about Clyde Munro and the career opportunities available, contact joinus@clydemunrodental.com
Best Foot Forward Programme | Bronagh | Clyde Munro Dental Group | Careers

How Clyde Munro’s Best Foot Forward programme supports newly qualified dentists

Dental therapist turned dentist, Bronagh Wishart, is currently working at M&S Dental Care in Fort William, which is part of leading Scottish dental group, Clyde Munro. Bronagh is full of praise for the group’s Best Foot Forward programme following her change in role a year ago.  “I had to get used to a much wider scope of treatments after retraining as a dentist. I had also previously worked mostly in private dentistry, so I needed to learn how the NHS system operates as well” she says. “It was pretty challenging!” The Best Foot Forward programme consists of three educational sessions to support Clyde Munro Vocational Training Dentists (VTDs).  Bronagh has enjoyed the network opportunities it has presented so far, saying: “It was good to have a day in Stirling and connect with people in the exact same position as myself. To hear more about the company and the investments it makes in new graduates was great!” The lecture day proved extremely useful too, as Bronagh continues: “It offered a refresh on a lot of topics and it was great to hear from John Cameron who taught me at Aberdeen University. He was very informative and it was good to get his advice on what I have to do moving forward as an associate.”  For the future, Bronagh is looking forward to developing her skills and confidence in aesthetic dentistry, while also elevating her treatment planning capabilities.  For now, Bronagh cannot speak too highly of the programme and Clyde Munro: “It’s really supportive and the staff here are great. I knew going in that I would be supported, but it’s been better than I expected. I really feel like a valued member of the team. Clyde Munro’s investment in technology and equipment is just as evident in the practice. I’m glad to be part of such a progressive company.“I think working for an organisation like Clyde Munro is a huge advantage when starting out as a dentist. Having spoken to colleagues who work in smaller independent practices, I seem to have more of a cushion and a larger support structure available to me. There’s also less pressure on me from the business side to see a high number of patients every day or meet certain targets. I’m not thrown in at the deep-end from the get-go and I appreciate the introduction that this affords to dentistry.” To find out more about the Best Foot Forward and other programmes available at Clyde Munro for dentists in their early career years, contact the team today! For further information on the Best Foot Forward programme, reach out to joinus@clydemunrodental.com
Flying Start Programme | Clyde Munro Dental Group | Careers | Recruitment

Solid foundations for a Prosperous Career

There are many challenges for clinicians in their first few years post-qualification. Not only is it a busy time consolidating and developing clinical skills, but there is also much to learn about how a practice operates and how to manage patients. Though the VT training year introduces newly qualified dentists to the practice environment, the pressure can certainly increase once working more independently as an associate. In order to navigate these early years successfully and lay solid foundations for a long and prosperous career, it is important that newly qualified clinicians have access to support. This may take many different forms, but essentially there should be on-going training available, as well as people to turn to with questions or queries. The result is more capable and confident practitioners, who are able to deliver higher quality dentistry to their patients.  Clyde Munro – the leading dental group in Scotland – understands just how much difference the right support can make to dentists when they’re just starting out. That’s why we provide the Flying Start Programme; a year-long initiative that offers educational and networking benefits to dentists who have qualified in the past few years.  It includes carefully tailored training days that give clinicians an opportunity to advance their skills with leading names in the field, to ask questions and seek bespoke advice from experienced dentists. There is also an important social element to these events, as individuals are able to connect with others in a similar position to them, to share concerns and achievements, and learn from each other. As a clinician in the early years of his career, Dr James Campbell reflects on some of the aspects he found most difficult as he adjusted to life in the practice: “The biggest challenge has been maintaining and improving clinical skills against the backdrop of time pressures, various relationships to manage, and different financial systems to work with. It has been a process to adapt to the juggling act of primary care dentistry! Doing all this in the context of a pandemic and without the mentoring support that was available as a student and vocational trainee made it particularly tricky.”  James is currently participating in Clyde Munro’s Flying Start Programme as a way to seek a little extra support. So far, professionals have had access to a session with renowned ethical sales coach, Ashley Latter, as well as covering tooth wear with Dr Andrew Paterson, digital workflows with Dr Callum Graham and sustainability with the Haleon team. Other events explored smile design with Dr Josh Rowey and managing trauma in practice with Dr Beth Burns. Considering the advantages he has enjoyed to date, James says: “The Flying Start Programme has been integral to my personal and professional development during this difficult period. It means that there is a network of peers and more experienced colleagues to turn to for support whenever I need it.  “The practical advice, help and training received from experts on aesthetic treatment plans and patient communication has been most helpful for me. I also appreciate the very pragmatic approach and readily applicable content that has been shared.  “The Programme has been expertly conceived, organised and delivered. I am extremely grateful to be part of an organisation that is dedicated to supporting colleagues at all stages of their careers in this way.  “It is my hope that the Programme will help me to improve my confidence and capability in addressing patient needs and delivering the treatment they require. I couldn’t recommend this opportunity more highly to any colleagues out there who may be at a similar stage of their career.”  For any clinicians who are in their early years of dentistry and want to make sure they get the very best start, consider speaking to Clyde Munro. We appreciate the importance of supporting all of our colleagues with training and guidance, especially in those crucial first few years. We also endeavour to create the best working environments, with cutting-edge technologies, high-quality materials and the flexibility to achieve a good work/life balance. Find out more today! Find out more about the career opportunities and vacancies available with Clyde Munro today at careers.clydemunrodental.com.

Help us keep Scotland smiling

Whatever part you play in caring for our patients, it’s a job with incredible possibilities. In terms of personal rewards, professional growth and community impact, it’s everything youd expect from a national leader. Join us and make it all part of your future.