Dental Receptionist

Early next month, we are excited to announce that Lucy will be joining our growing family dental practice. It is likely that Lucy will be the first friendly face that you see when you come into our relaxing reception area at 1 West Mall, as she will be our new dental receptionist!

Previously, Lucy worked with Cornelius and Sheryl at the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital. A self-proclaimed natural organiser and people-person, Lucy has spent her life working in customer-facing roles and is looking forward to this new chapter. “I am looking forward to going above and beyond to deliver an excellent customer experience,” she says.

At CK Dental, we believe in helping people that have a fear of the dentist. And with bags of experience, Lucy will certainly help put any nervous patients at ease when they step into our calm and relaxed reception area.

“I know the importance of putting patients first and providing them with the best customer service possible.”

“I enjoy interacting with people and helping to make them feel content about visiting the dentist instead of feeling nervous,” she adds.

Bristol-born, Lucy has now settled in Clevedon and has a passion for the outdoors and being active. When not looking after her young granddaughter, she enjoys local rambles with friends and recently took up tennis again.

You can find out more about Lucy, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page (here).

Book an appointment with our friendly team by calling 0117 472 1600 or email enquiries@ckdental.co.uk .

Bristol Life Magazine

To celebrate National Smile Month, the team recently visited children at Christ Church C of E Primary School in Clifton to talk about the importance of brushing their teeth. We are also featured in this month’s Bristol Life magazine, with a special 50% off new patient offer.

Brushing for Better Health

The ‘Brushing for Better Health’ campaign is run by the Oral Health Foundation and highlights the importance of starting good oral health habits at an early age.

Principal dentist, Cornelius says, “The most important thing you can do to maintain your child’s oral health is to ensure they are brushing their teeth. Ideally, twice a day. Until the age of seven, children should be supervised while brushing their teeth to ensure it is done correctly. They should brush for two minutes.”

“Until the age of seven, children should be supervised while brushing their teeth to ensure it is done correctly. They should brush for two minutes,” he added.

Take advantage of our offer

For advice on how to care for your children’s teeth, or to take advantage of the family discount, book an appointment with our friendly team by calling 0117 472 1600 or email enquiries@ckdental.co.uk .

More details about our special National Smile Month 50% discount offer can be found here – https://ckdental.co.uk/offers-and-promotions/

Knock out a tooth

Your teeth may be the hardest substance in the human body, but that doesn’t make them invincible. If you fall, or suffer an impact to the jaw, it can knock out a tooth, requiring immediate treatment.

Following Falls Prevention Week, a national awareness campaign that occurs each September, we look at what you can do if you accidentally knock out a tooth.

What to do if you knock out a tooth

Having a tooth knocked out can be a traumatic experience. However, there is a chance the tooth can be saved if you know how to handle it.

If you find the tooth, pick it up by the crown and not the root. If it is dirty, run it under the cold tap for a maximum of 10 seconds. Do not attempt to place it back in the hole if it is a milk tooth. Otherwise, put it in as soon as possible and seek urgent dental help immediately. If it won’t go in easily, place it in milk, or saliva until you can get to the dentist.

If your child has had a tooth knocked out, don’t try to place it back in. Keep the tooth clean, don’t touch the root and store it in milk until you can get to a dentist.

How is a knocked-out tooth treated?

If you have the tooth, your dentist will be able to help you secure it back in place. Splinting is typically used to keep the tooth attached to the teeth at either side. The splint will be left on for a couple of weeks before being removed.

If you couldn’t find the tooth or it is unable to be saved, a dental implant can be used to replace it. They provide a long-lasting solution, helping to hide unsightly gaps, and give you the confidence to smile.

Dental implants are created from titanium, and they are implanted into the jaw. A temporary restoration will be provided for a period of two to four months until the tooth has healed. Over that time, the bone will begin to grow around the implant, keeping it firmly in place.

Preventing a knocked-out tooth

Although it isn’t always possible to prevent an injury, there are some ways to prevent a tooth being knocked out. Mouthguards are especially effective for athletes participating in contact sports.

The Bristol Flyers Basketball team, sponsored by CK Dental, have custom-made mouthguards to protect the teeth during play. Mouthguards are affordable, effective, and can prevent an emergency trip to the dentist. Custom-made to fit each patient’s mouth, they can also be worn overnight to prevent teeth grinding.

If you have knocked out your tooth, getting to the dentist quickly is the key to saving it. To learn more about mouthguards or dental implants, book a consultation with our friendly dental team now.

Clifton Practice

This month we welcome Dr Alexander James to our expanding team at our Clifton practice. A friendly, confident and approachable dentist – we are certain that patients will feel at ease throughout any dental treatment with him.

Alex graduated from the University of Bristol in 2016 and he was individually awarded the BDA Medal for achieving the highest grade for restorative dentistry in his year as part of his degree.

As well as providing all aspects of general dentistry, Alex has a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry. He is also a certified Invisalign provider, helping patients improve their smiles.

We asked Alex a few questions about his experience, his motivations and why he has chosen to join our Bristol dental practice now.

What is it about being a dentist that motivates you?

The most motivating and rewarding part of being a dentist is witnessing the transition of a formerly very nervous patient into someone who actually finds attending the dentist enjoyable! It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build such amazing trusting personal relationships with so many different individuals. It is also genuinely fun to have a job that involves problem-solving and so many technical skills on a daily basis.

What are the most common dental issues that you see?

The two most common problems we face daily are without question: dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal (gum) disease. Both are almost entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and limiting the frequency of consumption of sugars in the diet.

So why CK Dental?

CK Dental is a stunning ultra-modern practice that strives to offer patients the very best journey and experiences from patient care to high quality treatments. Being situated in the heart of Clifton Village is probably the most desirable location to work in Bristol.

I have been equally very impressed with Principal Dentist, Cornelius and his wife Sheryl (Practice Manager). They have both been so friendly and accommodating in my encounters with them so far. I just get the feeling I am onto something really special with this practice.

I am genuinely very excited and proud to be joining the team at a practice as alluring as CK Dental. I will make a full commitment to every patient I treat to deliver high-quality care in both the overall patient experience and clinical aspect of the treatment. I take pride in my chair-side manner and sincerely hope that every patient benefits from my friendly and amicable yet ethical and professional approach.

You can find out more about Alex, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page.

If you would like to book an appointment at our Clifton practice, please call us on 0117 472 1600.

Clifton Village Practice

Our new Associate Dentist, Nick joins us at our brand new Clifton Village practice with fifteen years of general dentistry experience under his belt, working at a very busy Practice in Stroud. But his journey into dentistry may not have followed the traditional route. It actually began with a degree in Biological Sciences and then into research in oral and dental sciences at the Bristol Dental School.

To our delight though, Nick decided it was the right time to move on and he now joins our ever-growing team at our new modern clinic in Clifton Village. He brings with him years of general dentistry experience, a practical approach and a strong passion for preventative care.

Nick’s dental experience

One of the benefits to our team, after being based at one dental practice over such a long period of time? “Over the years, you learn what techniques and treatments work for individual patients and what doesn’t,” he said.

Nick really enjoys building relationships with his patients. Over the years, he has seen the long-term effects of his handiwork. Additionally, as an experienced dentist, he quickly builds trust and rapport with his patients. For this reason, he can quickly put anyone that is nervous at ease.

Describing himself as a very practical person, Nick really enjoys the physical work involved in a patient’s dental transformation.

“Transforming a rotten tooth into one that is totally fixed! It just becomes like second nature,” he said.

Prevention is key!

Nick undertakes all aspects of general dentistry and places a strong emphasis on educating his patients to prevent future dental problems arising.

He sees Periodontal (gum) disease as something that should be treated better in general practice. Therefore, he spends more time than most other dentists on prevention.

“90% of dental problems are self-inflicted and can be prevented,” he said.

“By talking to the patient and finding out more about their daily eating and oral hygiene habits, I quickly find out the real cause of the problem.”

Nick believes that people are taking better care of their teeth and are keeping more of their teeth into old age. However, he sees the British public lagging behind other countries in their dental care. Why?

Regular examinations and hygiene visits are absolutely key.

“A lot of people do not get the advice and time needed in their dental visits to achieve good oral health. And this can only be done really well at a private practice.”

So Why CK Dental?

One of the key things that Nick enjoys with private dental care is the quality of dentistry it is able to provide. From the availability of better materials and equipment to the time the dentist can spend on each patient. And that is certainly the case at the new practice in Clifton. An independent practice run by a dentist he knows is also a main draw for Nick. And having previously worked alongside Principal Dentist, Cornelius – he is confident about the standards of patient care this practice can deliver and provide.

You can find out more about Nick, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page.

If you would like to book an appointment at our Clifton dental practice, please call us on 0117 472 1600.

Clifton Dental Practice

We are happy to reveal another new face and part of our growing Clifton dental practice. A very warm welcome to Beth Cains, our new Dental Nurse.

Beth completed her training in 2015 at Bristol dental hospital whilst working at a busy private practice in Keynsham. She went on to join the Cavity Dental Agency, gaining experience in all areas of dentistry, whilst supporting both NHS and private dental practices.

Beth has a keen interest in dental implants, always furthering her knowledge in this area and enjoys assisting Principal Dentist, Dr Cornelius Krause with these treatments.
“I find it very interesting and rewarding. I have done a few day courses concentrating on implants and hope to gain more knowledge as I continue dental nursing.”

With a real talent of putting nervous patients at ease, Beth enjoys being part of a positive dental experience. “I enjoy being a part of their journey, especially when they are anxious as you are able to help put them at ease,” she says.

You can find out more about Beth, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page.

If you would like to book an appointment at our Clifton dental practice, please call us on 0117 472 1600.

New Associate Dentist at CK Dental

We’re delighted to welcome a new member to our team at CK Dental. Associate Dentist Dr Sonia Manikam qualified at the University of Bristol in 2017. She then embarked on a four-year Masters of Clinical Dentistry in Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics at the prestigious King’s College London.

As well as general practice, Sonia enjoys and has a special interest in minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry and short-term orthodontics, creating beautiful smiles using a conservative approach. She has a relaxed friendly style to put you at your ease however complex the procedure may be.

Outside of dentistry, Sonia enjoys going for long walks in the countryside and playing the piano. Call us on 0117 905 9866 to arrange a consultation with Sonia.

Dentist still open

Following yesterday’s announcement, we want to let you know that as an essential medical service, CK Dental is able to remain open as normal, and patients are still allowed to travel for their dental treatment.

Your safety, our priority

We would like to reassure all our patients that our clinic is the safest environment possible. Since the first lockdown, we invested in a new air filtering system which has the recommended HEPA filter, and is able to filter out 99.97% of pathogens as small as 0.3 microns.

We have had no reported cases in the clinic and we will continue to work within all the government guidelines to keep it that way.

Dental treatment plans

Please make sure you keep your appointment if you have one. If you call us to make an appointment, you will be asked some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again at your appointment to see if anything has changed since you booked.

We are still accepting new patients too, and we can offer budget payment plans with Denplan Essentials to make treatment more affordable.

How you can help

At CK Dental, we use personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and aprons, and social distancing measures to keep staff and patients safe. You can also help by following these steps;

  • Please do not arrive without an appointment
  • With the exception of children and persons in need, patients should come alone
  • Patients should attend wearing a mask
  • Please do not arrive early to the practice. If necessary, you should wait outside the practice
  • If you show symptoms following appointment booking, you should contact NHS Test and Trace

Please call our friendly team in Bristol on 0117 905 9866 if you have any questions about your upcoming appointment or our budget payment plans.

We look forward to seeing you!

back to the dentist

Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, the dental sector is starting to re-open for appointments. However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), patients should delay routine appointments for the time being. Many dentists don’t agree with these guidelines, particularly due to the concern over serious oral health issues going unnoticed.

So, should you follow the WHO guidelines, or is it safe to go back to the dentist now? Below, you’ll discover everything you need to know to help you decide whether or not to book an appointment.

Is it risky to visit the dentist now?

The truth is it is risky going anywhere right now. Until the virus can be controlled, everywhere can be a potential risk. However, with the right precautions, visiting the dentist doesn’t have to be an overly risky venture.

Visiting the dentist is actually riskier for the dentist than it is for you. This is because a lot of dental procedures produce aerosols which could infect the dental worker. Most dentists will be keeping a very clean practice, following essential guidelines to keep themselves and patients safer. So, yes it is risky, but it isn’t as risky as going to the supermarket for your weekly shop.

Should I only visit the dentist if it’s an emergency?

The WHO has recommended patients should only visit the dentist if it is an emergency. However, dentists have argued that all dental work is essential. This is because without routine care, it could result in serious oral health issues later on.

Poor gum health has been shown to contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Gum health has also been linked to Diabetes and it can help dentists to diagnose a variety of serious health conditions, including oral cancer.

You don’t need to wait for it to be an emergency before you visit the dentist. You just need to make sure the clinic is safe.

Look at your dentist’s safety precautions

Before you decide whether or not to visit the dentist, take a look at your clinic’s safety precautions. How are they addressing the pandemic and keeping their patients safe?

Dentists have introduced a wide range of safety precautions. These include pre-screening questionnaires, temperature checking, the use of PPE and staggered appointment times.

Patients are commonly asked to fill out a questionnaire which primarily looks at identifying if they have any symptoms of the coronavirus. Temperature checking before patients are seen by the dentist are also available at some clinics.

Ideally, your dentist should be using adequate PPE too, reducing your risk of catching the virus from them. So, ask about the safety precautions in place to ensure your appointment will run as safely as possible.

Visiting your dentist is safe providing they are following the right guidelines. So, if you’ve been putting off heading to the dentist, book an appointment today to avoid any issues later. Call CK Dental in Bristol today on 0117 905 9866.

gum disease

Gum disease is a thoroughly unpleasant condition which causes gums to become inflamed, painful and sometimes infected. As nasty as it is in isolation, it is also believed to be linked with many other more serious conditions, and a recent study has revealed that it is also linked with early-onset labour.

According to a report published recently in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, women who went into early labour were much more likely to have gum disease than not. Almost half of the women in the study (45%) who went into premature labour had gum disease, compared with 29% of the sample who did not. Periodontology is the study of the specialised system of hard and soft tissues that supports your teeth and maintains their position in the jaw.

This study supports many others which indicate that oral health has a big impact on our overall health and wellbeing.

Dr Nigel Carter, the Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, reflected on these findings and says “the health of our mouth can have a direct influence on many parts of our general health. This includes the chances of having a safer birth. Many women find it more difficult to maintain good oral health during pregnancy.  This is because hormonal changes during this time can leave gums more vulnerable to plaque and more likely to be sore and swollen. They may even bleed.”

As many pregnant women find it more difficult to keep their teeth and gums healthy during pregnancy, ensuring that women know how best to prevent gum disease and how to recognise the signs will help them take necessary steps to try and keep their oral hygiene as good as possible during pregnancy and afterwards.

The advice for everyone, not just pregnant women, for looking after their teeth and gums effectively includes:

  • Brushing teeth at least twice a day
  • Using fluoride toothpaste
  • Flossing or using an interdental brush to get in between the gaps in your teeth
  • Not smoking
  • Consuming alcohol in moderation

Taking preventative measures to remain healthy

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we always advise our patients that prevention is better than cure. Looking after your oral health and doing everything you can to prevent gum disease is always going to be a better option than trying to fix it once it has occurred, especially if it has brought with it more serious medical complications.

If you do, however, feel you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease then please do get in touch to discuss the most suitable treatment options. Call us on 0117 905 9866 to book a consultation.