Category Archives: General

Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) explained.

To determine if you are eligible for braces on the NHS, your Orthodontist will use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) rating system – typically this is used for children aged 17 years and under.  If you receive Grades 1 or 2 then unfortunately you will not be eligible for NHS funded treatment, but if you score a Grade 4 or 5 then you will automatically be eligible.  The assessment usually takes around 20 minutes so you won’t have to wait weeks on end for an answer.  Here’s a breakdown of each grade:

Grade 1

Patients who score a Grade 1 will not have a sufficient health need for orthodontic braces as their teeth are considered ‘‘almost perfect.’’

Grade 2

Patients who score a Grade 2 are also not eligible for braces on the NHS as there isn’t a justified health need. 

Grade 3

If you receive a Grade 3, you could still be eligible for NHS funding, but your case is borderline and so your Orthodontist will need to consider the appearance of your teeth too, giving them an aesthetic score of 1 – 10.  If you receive a Grade 3 and an aesthetic score of 6 or above then you will qualify for NHS brace treatment.  Irregularities of teeth which are less than 4mm out of line (e.g. open bites of less than 4mm) or deep bites with no functional problems will not qualify for NHS treatment.

Grade 4

Severe degrees of irregularity will qualify for orthodontic treatment on the NHS. 

Grade 5

If you score a Grade 5 then you will have a health need for orthodontic treatment on the NHS. 

Examples of Grade 4/5

  • When teeth cannot sit within the mouth normally because of obstruction by crowding or additional teeth.
  • A number of missing teeth.
  • Upper front teeth that protrude more than 9mm.
  • Lower front teeth that protrude in front of the upper more than 3.5mm and where there are functional difficulties too.
  • Cranio-facial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate.

The second part of the IOTN is the Aesthetic Component.  The NHS recognises that some patients need and benefit from orthodontic treatment on the basis of poor aesthetics. The Aesthetic Component of the IOTN is a scale of 10 colour photographs (see below) showing different levels of dental attractiveness. The grading is made by the Orthodontist matching the patient to these photographs.

Braces available on the NHS

Patients who receive orthodontic care through the NHS will receive metal braces and will therefore not have the luxury of choosing their preferred brace type for themselves.  Metal braces are both efficient, they are made up of small metal brackets attached to each tooth which is controlled by a thin metal wire (it’s this wire that moves your teeth to the desired position and it will need tightening/adjusting approximately every 6 – 8 weeks throughout your treatment).

If you would like advice on whether your child qualifies or alternative treatment options we offer free no-obligation advice.

Contact us today at tco.stmichaelsortho@portmandental.co.uk or call 01924 380680

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Special offer

The team are ready to welcome you to the practice for this special offer available to anyone under 18

When: Thursday 18th August 2022

With the uncertainty regarding NHS waiting lists, this day will give you an opportunity to see if your child (under 18) is eligible for NHS treatment* and discuss the options of private treatment, this will allow you to explore alternative treatments including Invisalign Teen or cosmetic fixed braces.

  • Free consultation with our specialist orthodontist, Catherine MCCanny (worth £100)

  • Free digital scan of your childs teeth ⁺

  • 5 % off treatment fees (up to £262) ⁺

  • Free whitening tootbrush and paste ⁺

Saving up to £450! 

Due to demand this day will be by appointment only and no referral is required.

To reserve your place call 01924 380680 or email orthodontictc@gmail.com

 T & C’s apply

⁺ applies to patients who sign up on the night £100 deposit require

* we are unable to offer NHS treatment but can advise on eligibility

 

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Welcome back to our ‘new normal’

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In these strange times that we are living in, it’s been so good in recent weeks to be able to welcome our staff and patients back to St Michael’s Orthodontics.

Of course, as restrictions relating to Covid 19 still apply, it’s far removed from business as usual but with adjustments to procedures and extra safety measure in place, we are confident we are able to make our patients’ visits to us as reassuring and safe as possible.

So, what can you expect in this ‘new normal’ at St Michael’s Orthodontics?

  • Your treatment will be delivered by one of two designated professional, qualified clinical teams.
  • You will receive a health check call 24-48 hours before your appointment.
  • You will be asked to contact us from outside the building to let us know that you’ve arrived. When your clinical team is ready for you, we will escort you in.
  • You will be asked to attend your appointment alone.
  • Once inside, your temperature will be taken, you will be asked to sanitize your hands using alcohol gel and another health check for Covid symptoms will be carried out.
  • We will be practicing social distancing at all times except while treatment is being carried out.
  • After treatment you will be asked to re-sanitize your hands before leaving the treatment room and will be escorted out of the building.

These measures are being supported by rigorous cleaning procedures between each patient in treatment rooms and contact points along the route into and out of the building; a virtual reception service for arranging appointments and taking payments and the appropriate PPE – with strict processes for taking it on and off – for the treatment being provided.

Virtual appointments for retainer checks, initial assessments and treatment planning and appliance fitting are also being continued.

We appreciate that these new procedures will seem a bit strange at first but our fully trained staff are on hand to guide you through each step of the way. While you may not be able to see our own smiles behind the facemasks which have fast become part of normal life, you can be sure we remain committed to keeping your treatment on track to delivering your own healthy, beautiful smile.

 

By Catherine McCanny

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Digital treatment for patients in the face of Covid 19

MODERN technology is proving invaluable to us here at St Michael’s Orthodontics as we seek to continue our patients’ treatment remotely as part of Coronavirus restrictions.

Dental-Monitoring

As orthodontic treatment is progressive and often fast moving, patients are normally seen every eight weeks to review and adjust aligners and braces to help achieve the best result. However, prevented from treating our patients in person, we have turned to digital technology to help bridge the gap.

Thanks to digital dental monitoring, emailed photographs and video calls we are able to be in constant contact with patients and continue progressing their treatment.

Although relatively new, dental monitoring whereby patients take a weekly scan of their teeth and send it in to us, is invaluable in the treatment of people with aligners. Through these scans we are able to gauge the patient’s progress and, if required, send out new aligners to enable them to move on with their treatment.

We have been able to do something similar with patients just embarking on their treatment, posting out aligners and giving them instruction over Facetime on the fitting and wearing of them. Likewise, we are able to offer free virtual consultations with our specialist orthodontists via a link on our website for those considering having treatment.

For those just beginning to wear their aligners use of this technology is helping to reduce delays in treatment ensuring when we are next able to see them in person, they are already a month or so down the road to a perfect smile. While for potential patients it is providing a head start on treatment enabling us to use submitted photographs to review dental and gum health and prepare a provisional treatment plan ready for when they are able to attend the practice.

Patients with fixed braces and elastics are sending in photographs and thanks to video calls we can also take a closer look and advise accordingly.

While I miss meeting and treating our patients in person as well as the daily social interaction with the SMOL team, thankfully modern technology is coming to the rescue to a certain extent. It is ensuring we are able to continue treating our patients and provide reassurance where needed. It is even, thanks to a regular ‘virtual cup of tea’ with the team every couple of days, enabling us to keep in contact with colleagues and support each other through this very different way of working.

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Patient care receives a digital boost at St Michael’s

DIGITAL technology is helping to transform the way patients at a leading Wakefield orthodontists receive treatment.

Patient care receives a digital boost at St Michael's

After being fitted with their fixed or invisible braces, new patients at St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd are equipped with dental monitoring technology to enable them to take a weekly scan of their teeth at home and send it into their orthodontist.

Consisting of an app for patients’ smart phones plus a set of dental monitoring retractors, the technology is enabling staff at St Michael’s Orthodontics to keep a closer eye on patients’ progress without patients having to visit the surgery so often.

Dr Catherine McCanny, lead orthodontist at St Michael’s, said the dental monitoring had many benefits for patients.

“It means we are able to monitor their teeth more. If things are going off track or not as we would expect, we can pick it up earlier. Likewise, if there are issues with the fit or attachments have come off,” she explained.

“Some patients need their aligners changing weekly while for others it may be longer depending on how quickly their teeth move and how diligent they’ve been in wearing their appliances. Through digital monitoring we are able to gauge the optimal time for this.”

Catherine added: “Patients often travel some distance to see us and appointments at the surgery mean taking time off work or out of education. With digital dental monitoring we are able to cut down on the physical visits to us while giving greater patient care through weekly feedback.”

Having the progress of their treatment monitored every week is also proving an incentive for some patients to be more focused in wearing their braces.

“It’s almost like they feel they are being watched so are more disciplined. Complying with their treatment plan will ensure a better and quicker outcome which is ultimately what everyone wants,” said Catherine.

 

 

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A Personal Reflection of 2019

 

Screenshot 2019-12-23 at 10.49.49

2019 has been an exciting, challenging but rewarding year.

January got off to a busy start spending a day with the Invisalign Cookbook creative team to record a video on hints and tips on how to grow a successful Invisalign practice. This was followed up with a trip to Amsterdam to meet 4 other orthodontists from EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) to share our expertise and knowledge to create the ‘Cookbook’.

I have presented this information throughout the year in webinars, the Birmingham Masterclass and at the inaugural Invisalign Summit in London. This has led me to develop confidence as a speaker and by pushing me out of my comfort zone has helped me grow as a person.

As well as being asked to be the UK representative of the Invisalign Cookbook, I am now a member of the Invisalign advisory board which gives co-members an opportunity to give feedback to Align on the developments of their products.

One of my most challenging speaker events this year, was to be asked to speak at the Inspirational Women in Dentistry conference where I met some amazing female colleagues pushing forward in the world of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Facial Aesthetics. It was at this event that I came to know about the incredible charity, The Rosie-May Foundation which raises money to support and help females in Sri Lanka secure jobs and protect them against trafficking. It was such an honour to be able to donate the proceeds of one Invisalign case to buy a pink tuk tuk and train a female driver to transport women and young girls to work or school in safety.

The increasing demand for adult orthodontics has allowed me to take on another orthodontic therapist Becky who has over 10 years’ experience and is also a speaker for Invisalign. Becky and I had a great day at Leeds Dental Institute with the trainee orthodontic therapists teaching them about Invisalign. We have been invited back to do this again next year.

As a business, I was absolutely delighted to reach two milestones this year. In April I provided my 500th Invisalign case and was also awarded Invisalign Diamond Status.  Only 0.2% of UK orthodontists in the UK have achieved this and it is a goal that I never believed I would reach. This is of course is testimony to the supportive team I have working with me.

I have continued my role on the OSG (orthodontic specialist group) committee in the BOS (British Orthodontic Society) and judge on the ATO (Against The Odds) competition. This is a real eye opener to the impact that orthodontic treatment can have on people’s lives and I must admit there were numerous stories that brought tears to my eyes.

Of course, a reflection of the year cannot overlook the doom and gloom of the NHS procurement process. Last December I was elated to have submitted my bid (something that has taken over my life for at least 2 years). A few weeks later the whole process was put on hold by NHS England and here we are one year later no further forward. This has put serious stresses on me personally but also, from business perspective, there is no certainty of being able to deliver NHS orthodontics and give job security to my hard-working team.

 However, in June this year I was delighted to have Chris Barrow spend a day at the practice and his wise words have resonated with me since ‘Stop procrastinating about the NHS and just get on and get stuff done’. I have invested in further staff training with two of our nurses Gail and Emma, starting their Radiography course in the New Year and I have applied to support Donna on an orthodontic therapy course – she has been shortlisted for an interview in February, so watch this space!

Chris spent a day with our team helping us all focus on how small changes can make big differences and no matter how good things are going, we can all do at least 1 % better. We have introduced morning huddles and monthly management meetings both of which have been a great success and will continue to develop in 2020.

In July, we introduced Dental Monitoring – a system developed to make the practice more productive by reducing the number of appointments that patients have to attend.  This allows me to keep a close eye on the patients by looking at their digital scans on a weekly basis. This has been the biggest change in our working lives and is something that we will continue to adapt over the next 12 months.

Supporting staff in developing their careers is one of my core values and I was delighted that this year Natalie gained her orthodontic nursing exam. As mentioned, other nurses will be given further career opportunities next year.

At this time of year, it is good to take time to appreciate the staff who support you. I am blessed with an amazing team headed by Carol my wonderful practice manager. Everyone who works in a dental practice knows that challenges arise on a weekly/monthly basis and every time Carol comes up with a solution rather than presenting it to me as a problem.

This would not be possible without the work ethic of the team who have changed shifts, worked different days to cover sickness or whatever has come up. Words just cannot express the gratitude I have for them all. Every single person in our team from Michelle our cleaner, to receptionists and treatment coordinators, Joanne and Dawn who have played such an integral role in the success of the business. I am sorry to lose Asiya, one of our nurses, but wish her luck as she concentrates on her studies to support her future career. I am delighted to welcome Louise a new nurse who has just slotted into the team.

I am so fortunate to have two great clinicians with Ruth, my associate and Katie, my orthodontic therapist, who have been with me for over 10 years. Their dedication and hard work allows me time away from the practice for speaking engagements and to spend time with my family.

 So what’s in store for 2020?

I have already got quite a few speaking events including a talk at Sheffield Study Club and webinars for Align.

However, I am thrilled to be asked to do a presentation at Ashley Latter’s retreat in the Lake District in October.

I am absolutely delighted that on 20th November the ‘Two Reds’ namely Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter have given up a day from their busy lives to lead a day of inspiration in support of the Rosie-May Foundation. Ashley and Chris have been crucial in my career and I hope that as many of my dental and orthodontic colleagues will join me. This will be at Malmaison in Leeds (8mins walk from the train station), so put the date in the diary and help me raise as much money as possible for this charity.

My challenge next year is to try and address my work-life balance, but the diary is filling up quickly. However, I am just one of those people who just keeps driving forward and must be grateful that I still have such passion about what I do.

On a personal level, a new challenge to face is ‘empty nest’ syndrome.  I am so proud of my two girls Niamh and Orla. Niamh is living her dream, training in Musical Theatre at Leeds College of Music and as Orla sets off round the world in January, I think it will be a quiet Hendron house but delighted she has her place at Bristol university to study Dentistry!

A big thank you to all our patients and to the dentists who continually refer to our practice.

 Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

 

                                                                                                                            Catherine

 

 

 

 

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Yorkshire orthodontist launches global education scheme

Catherine McCanny was one of the first UK orthodontists to see the potential in a life – changing treatment when it was launched in the UK over 12 years ago.  She has been so successful in integrating it into her practice, that she was invited to launch a European learning initiative.  Catherine explains how it has changed her career and the lives of 100s of patients and how digital technology is helping her create a positive experience for both her and her patients.

INSPIRED to become an orthodontist because of her own childhood with mis-aligned teeth, Catherine McCanny, was always on the lookout for ways to improve patient treatment.  When invisible braces were launched over 12 years ago, she was an early adopter.  

One of only a small number of UK specialist orthodontists willing to try them, she could see how they would improve patient experience and results for people who struggled with uncomfortable and unsightly metal braces. 

“Many people would abandon metal braces because you couldn’t take them out to clean properly or they were just too uncomfortable,” she said.  “Invisalign changed all that, but in the early days it was quite limited in what it could do.

 But Catherine’s patience was rewarded as the US company, which developed them, has constantly innovated to improve their use and she can now treat much more complex cases with aligners. Recently she was asked to be the UK representative, alongside 4 other European orthodontists to co-author the Invisalign practice development cookbook, sharing recipes of success in how to grow an Invisalign practice. 

Catherine, who founded St Michaels Orthodontic Practice in Wakefield, spent a weekend during the winter months filming a video to support the ‘cook-book’, sharing hints and tips of how to integrate Invisalign and digital technology into an orthodontic practice.

To launch the practice development initiative, Catherine was asked to do a webinar to the top 50 Invisalign speakers in Europe, The Middle East and Africa. She is presenting the ‘cookbook’ to a UK audience and the Invisalign team next week at a Masterclass in Birmingham, held at the Invisalign Headquarters.

 CAtherine McCanny Hendron lecturing

“I was invited to take part in this project as I had grown from a very low provider of Invisalign treatments to one of the top providers in the UK. I feel I can genuinely share my concerns and experiences (good and bad) and give confidence to other orthodontists to take the leap of faith into digital orthodontics. Digital technology is moving at such a rapid rate, I felt that if I didn’t get on board with it, that I would be left behind.”

“It seemed a bit surreal that I was sitting in at a computer in my practice in Wakefield sharing my ideas with orthodontists in different parts of the world-again highlighting how technology has changed our lives.”

The practice development book and videos cover five key subjects including; The patient journey from phone call to completion of treatment; Going Digital; Integrating Staff; Pricing and Framing Treatment Choice and Patient Communication.

“The US company knows that it has developed a lot of clinical support to help orthodontists but they felt that they were not always giving the practical support needed to introduce aligners into an orthodontic practice. 

“Many who have spent decades using metal braces are nervous about trying something different.  The challenge is to overcome their fears. For me, it was a no brainer in that could give the same or better results with Invisalign than with fixed braces but with a whole better patient experience,” she added. 

“The product has improved so much since I first started using it due to the innovative nature of the company. Every year they introduce something new and better and are constantly looking at ways to improve the outcome for practitioners.  An i-Tero scanner offers patients a more comfortable experience that taking impressions. The fact that the patients can see how their teeth can look at the end of their treatment, at the touch of a button,  is exciting for the patient but also allows the orthodontist to manage patient expectations and explain in more detail the outcome they are trying to achieve. 

For Catherine invisible braces have made a massive difference to her own practice. I have seen a massive growth in the demand for invisible aligners, particularly in the teen market. I feel this is largely due the popularity of ‘selfies’ but also that young people nowadays have such hectic lives whether it be sports or playing musical instruments, aligners just fit into their lifestyles better and the whole experience is such a positive one. 

“ We have additional digital technology coming to St Michaels which will allow patients to scan their teeth every week in the comfort of their home and the orthodontist can give advice on when to change their aligners etc. This will reduce the amount of time having to attend appointments, which as a very busy person myself can only be a huge advantage”

 

About St Michaels Orthodontics:

 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Dr Catherine McCanny has achieved Invisalign Platinum Elite Standard for both the quality of her work and the number of treatments she has performed
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • In 2015 St Michaels Orthodontics won three awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including ‘Best Team’.
  • For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk
  • Press Contact
  • Press release issued by Carmel Harrison PR.  For further information, please contact Carmel Hall on 07714 708 271. Alternatively, emailcarmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

 

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Finally… All smiles for teenager after A-Levels!

WHEN a once in a lifetime trip knocked a Wakefield teenager to the bottom of an NHS waiting list her parents stepped in to help give her the smile she had always craved.  In National Smile Month they are hoping her A levels will give her reason to show off her new smile.

MAISIE Sharp didn’t make too much fuss about her slightly crooked teeth until she was 14.  Becoming increasingly self-conscious the bright Ossett student persuaded her dentist to refer her for NHS orthodontic treatment.

But her hopes were dashed when her appointment came through while she was on once in a lifetime family holiday Down Under and she was knocked to the back of the queue. 

“That was life changing,” said Emma Sharp, Maisie’s mum.  “Maisie had pinned so much on the appointment and then when she missed it because we were away it really made Maisie lose her confidence.  She started to worry that her teeth would never look as she wanted them.” 

“The dentist had just completed treatment with invisible braces herself and suggested Maisie seek treatment down that route.

Determined, Maisie and her mum headed to Dr Catherine McCanny who as one of the UK’s top orthodontists has performed almost 1000 invisible brace treatments and is an international speaker on the subject.

Having worked with invisible braces since their introduction 20 years ago Dr McCanny reassured Maisie and her mum that the treatments were developing all the time and with proper care at home would help straighten her teeth and give her the smile she craved without having to wear conventional train track braces..

Recently appointed to the UK Invisalign Advisory Board and the UK representative of the Invisalign Practice Development Cookbook, Catherine has plenty of experience working with very complex cases and realised early on that Maisie’s teeth could be helped.

“Invisalign Teen is a popular treatment choice, particularly for older teens and has been designed to adapt to the needs of teenagers who are sporty or play music and so need to be flexible in the approach,” she said.

For Maisie it was a no-brainer.  “The invisible braces didn’t show up and were so easy to use.  You can take them out to eat or have hot drinks which makes them easy to keep clean,” said Maisie.

 “I never realised until I looked back on her Prom photographs how embarrassed about her teeth she was,” said mum, Emma.  She looked beautiful her dress was gorgeous and she looked really happy, but unlike her friends her smiles were all through a closed mouth because she was embarrassed about her teeth. 

“Maisie completes her ‘A’ Levels this summer and hopes to go to Durham University to study psychology.  Having the confidence to smile and show off her teeth will mean everything to her.”

“We all take our smiles for granted unless we have misaligned teeth,” said Dr McCanny. 

“Maisie was determined to persevere with the treatment, now she can look forward to showing them off.”

 Maisie Sharp

 

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Yorkshire orthodontist joins UK advisory board

cmc pic

 

 CATHERINE McCanny was inspired to train as an orthodontist when she realised the difference straight teeth made to the physical and emotional well being of patients at the Wakefield clinic she shares with her dentist husband, Joe Hendron.

Passionate about patient care and ground breaking practices that delivered improved results she invested in her training to qualify and build up one of most respected all women run orthodontic clinics that has won multiple awards for best practice, patient care and innovative treatment.

Now the Wakefield based specialist has been invited to join a UK advisory board to help promote best practice, share ideas and encourage innovative methods.

The UK Invisalign Advisory Board has traditionally been male dominated but Dr McCanny, who founded and runs St Michael’s Orthodontics, Wakefield, has been invited to join as the number of female practitioners now equals that of men.

“More women have entered the profession which has brought with it an appreciation that women see things differently and can add real value when mentoring and sharing best practise,” she said.

“Having been in at the beginning of Invisalign and invisible braces I can share my early experiences and talk about how things have changed and the potential issues that orthodontists could face in their first cases,” she said.

“We are all trained in using fixed appliances and it is easy to stay in our comfort zone.   However, I hope that by demonstrating how I have treated my patients with Invisalign that other colleagues will start to see the benefits of this system.”

For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk http://invisiblebraces-yorkshire.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Editor’s notes:

 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Dr Catherine McCanny has achieved Invisalign Platinum Elite Standard for both the quality of her work and the number of treatments she has performed
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • More recently, Catherine – a member of the British Orthodontic Society – was delighted to win two awards in the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards.
  • In 2015 St Michaels Orthodontics won three awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including ‘Best Team’.

Press release issued by: Carmel Harrison PR, The Plex, Margaret street, Wakefield. For further information, please contact Carmel Harrison on: 01924 632263. Alternatively, email carmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

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Orthodontist shares recipe for success

A Wakefield orthodontist has been invited to share her recipe for success with an international audience as part of a development programme by a leading US innovator.

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Dr Catherine McCanny is one of only five international orthodontists appointed by Align to share their successful secrets in a series of videos, blogs and seminars that will be streamed around the globe.

From her Dewsbury Road base, the award-winning orthodontist has already filmed her hints and tips to be incorporated into a cook book style format as part of the Invisalign Practice Development Project.

The Project will go live in March with fellow members representing Germany, Spain, Italy and France.

Dr McCanny, who founded St Michaels Orthodontics, was chosen to be the UK adviser due to her early adoption of the Invisalign system  and the mentoring she has already undertaken in the UK as a clinical speaker  and as part of the Invisalign UK Advisory Board.

“St Michaels has been using Invisalign since it was launched a decade ago and we have grown that side of our practice from small numbers of about ten patients a year to over a hundred annually,” she said. Catherine has recently reached the 500 milestone of cases submitted.

“As early adopters we encountered the initial difficulties that deterred other practitioners embracing Invisalign.  When I first started using Invisalign, it was very limited in what it could do, and I only used it for simple cases. However, the innovations that have taken place within the company over the last 10 years and my expertise as an orthodontist allows me now to treat very challenging cases. Initially it forced me out of my comfort zone as I had only used fixed appliances when training.  I then had the challenge of bringing the team on board. I started to use it on some of my staff and they quickly realised the benefits of this system. They were then able to share their own experiences with our patients.

“Developing that side of our practice has demanded investment in the personal development of our team and the installation of cutting-edge technologies.

I quickly realised that the main advantage was an improved patient experience and I was getting excellent outcomes, so the long-term benefits paid dividends.  The whole team here at St Michaels have embraced innovations and technologies such as I-Tero scanning which allows patients to visualise the end result before they commit to treatment” added Catherine.

“Collating all our different experiences into a recipe book system will hopefully give fellow orthodontists confidence to take on board the benefits of digital technology.  Experienced users can watch one video on a specific problem they are facing or practitioners new to Invisalign can use the videos and the book to help them as they start their Invisalign journey.

Hopefully our shared experiences and ideas will help others take the leap of faith and introduce Invisalign as another treatment option to their patients.

 

 

 

 

About St Michaels Orthodontics: 

  • St Michael’s Orthodontics – a team of skilled orthodontists led by Catherine McCanny – is based on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield.
  • Dr Catherine McCanny has achieved Invisalign Platinum Elite Standard for both the quality of her work and the number of treatments she has performed
  • Having graduated from Dental School at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1988, Catherine commenced her specialist training in Orthodontics at Leeds Dental Institute in 1993. She then teamed up with her now-husband, Joe, to build and develop St Michael’s Dental Practice and St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd, which opened in 1998.
  • More recently, Catherine – a member of the British Orthodontic Society – was delighted to win three awards in the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards, including the ultimate accolade of Best Aesthetic Dentist 2013.
  • In 2015, St Michaels Orthodontics won three awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards including ‘Best Team’ and again in 2018 where Catherine won the Best Invisalign case and the Best Child/Teenager fixed case.
  • For more information about St Michael’s Orthodontics, please go to http://www.stmichaelsorthodontics.co.uk
  • Press Contact
  • Press release issued by: Carmel Harrison PR. For further information, please contact Carmel Harrison on: 07714 708 271. Alternatively, email carmel@carmelharrisonpr.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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