The Genix Dental Conference 2024 was a spectacular event held at the magnificent Rockliffe Hall in Darlington on Saturday, 31 August 2024. This historic venue, known for its luxurious accommodations and stunning golf course, provided the perfect backdrop for Genix Healthcare’s flagship annual event that brings together all the clinical and support teams including dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, treatment coordinators, receptionists, and practice managers from all 15 Genix practices across the country! A day filled with insightful lectures, hands-on workshops, and—for the first time ever— well-deserved recognition of outstanding team members with our own Genix Dental Awards. Let’s dive into the highlights of this unforgettable day!
Morning lectures and speakers
Balancing the learning requirements in UK dentistry is like juggling dental floss, toothbrushes, and a model of perfect teeth while riding a unicycle. Along with trying to learn the latest cavity-fighting technique and making dentistry accessible to as many patients as possible through dental membership, dental professionals are also expected to keep up with the latest regulations, which seem to change faster than a patient’s mood when they hear the word ‘root canal’. It’s a wild ride, but with ongoing educational events like the Genix Dental Conference, the dentists manage to keep their smiles bright and their patients’ teeth even brighter.
The conference topics were chosen based on a poll of what our team was most eager to hear about. The morning kicked off with the much-anticipated ‘Updates from Genix Head Office,’ featuring the dynamic quartet of Mohammed Syed, the Finance and Operations Director, Beth Sleeman, the Operations Manager, Kim Sandford, the Head of Marketing, and Sean Dawn, the Head of Contact Centre. They gave us the lowdown on how Genix has fared over the past year and what the future holds, including expansions and upgrades. Attendees were thrilled to hear about the progress and reassured that we’re on the right track to provide even better patient care. Dr Graeme Rowden, the Clinical Director, shared some clinical tips for NHS dentistry that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Who knew NHS claims could be so thrilling?
Matthew Hadman, the Head of Dental Groups at Patient Plan, enlightened the audience on the dental membership journey at Genix so far and what the future looks like. Spoiler alert: The future looks bright! This was followed by updates on new tech upgrades at Genix by Eugenia Hernández, the Success Manager at FollowApp, the latest addition to Genix’s already robust tech portfolio. FollowApp automatically checks in with Genix patients a day after their appointment to ensure they’re doing okay and allows Genix Dentists to provide any necessary aftercare.
During a brief intermission, a scratch-card competition turned into a mini lottery of hilarity. The winners? A Genix dental professional who probably wished the prize was a lifetime supply of toothpaste, a faculty member for the day who might have been rethinking their career choices, and one of our sponsors who now has bragging rights for being both generous and lucky!
Next up was a blockbuster hit on cosmetic dentistry by Dr Prem Sehmi, CEO of Boutique Whitening. He dazzled the audience with a whirlwind tour of tooth whitening based on ‘The Boutique Experience,’ leaving everyone ready to sparkle and brighten those pearly whites! Dr George Wright from Dental Protection ensured the Genix Team is managing patient expectations and complaints competently because, let’s face it, sometimes patients just need a little extra TLC. He presented numerous clinical examples that illustrated best practices. Dr Tony Kilcoyne, a renowned prosthodontist, introduced dentists to the wonder of single-shade, bulk-fill composite restorations that allow clinicians to deliver high-quality composite bonding in no time. It’s like magic, but for your teeth! Finally, Krishan Joshi, the Founder and CEO of Dental Focus, gathered tips from dental industry opinion leaders for chairside conversations to ensure a 5-star patient journey, because after all, every patient deserves the red-carpet treatment.
Afternoon entertainment
After a morning of learning, it was time to let loose with some fun activities and to prove that dental professionals know how to have a good time! Picture this: a group of dental professionals, usually more comfortable with drills and composite bonding, suddenly finding themselves atop a bucking bronco. The scene was a mix of sheer determination and hilarious flailing limbs, as each rider tried to hold on for dear life, all while their colleagues cheered (and laughed) from the sidelines. And if that wasn’t enough, the axe-throwing competition added another layer of comedy gold. Watching dentists, who are usually so precise with their instruments, trying to hit a target with an axe was like watching a cat try to swim—entertaining, slightly chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. #genixsmile
Afternoon workshops
The workshops were a highlight of the conference, offering a wealth of hands-on experience and practical knowledge. Clinicians headed to the stunning Clubhouse with panoramic views of the golf course through its French windows to attend Bulk-fill Composites: Introduction to the Philosophy and Hands-on by Dr Tony Kilcoyne. Clinicians love playing with new dental toys, and materials that help them deliver better patient care quicker always make to the top of their learning wish list. Genix’s own scan nurse Lisa Raine conducted a demonstration with Sarah Smith, Project and Development Manager at Genix HO, and Natalie Woodcock, Private Development Manager at Genix HO for all Genix nurses on Intra-oral Scanning. Scanning has never been this exciting, because the nurses left with a hands-on know-how of the procedure and its application in patient care! Meanwhile, treatment coordinators and receptionists mastered the art of patient education when it comes to dental memberships in a workshop on Getting to ‘Yes’ with Patient Plan by Matthew Hadman, Head of Dental Groups for Patient Plan. Because staying compliant is always in style, all Genix practice managers attended a workshop on Governance: New Inspections Framework by Dena Andrews, Genix’s Head of Clinical Governance and Compliance, and Dr Jonathan Weeks, Compliance Expert with vast expertise in helping practices improve the quality and safety of their service. This meant that all Genix Practices are already better than they already were at ensuring secure dentistry for all our patients.
Genix Awards 2024
The Genix Awards 2024 celebrated the exceptional contributions of our team members:
Inspire Award
Stacy Hothersall, Lead Nurse, Genix Morecombe: Stacy’s endless enthusiasm and motivational spirit make even a Monday morning feel like a Friday afternoon.
Brenna Fisher, Senior Dental Nurse, Genix Alnwick: Brenna’s dedication to training and team development is phenomenal.
Encourage Award
Marta Treffny, Dentist, Genix Morecombe: Marta’s support and encouragement have been instrumental in her FD’s success.
Vanessa Forrester, Trainee Dental Nurse, Genix Stoke: Vanessa’s compassion and hard work have earned her numerous 5-star reviews.
Trust Award
Rebecca Bower, Dental Nurse, Genix Alnwick: Rebecca’s calming nature and humour put patients at ease.
Kate Emmonds, Assistant Practice Manager, Genix Garforth: Kate’s problem-solving skills and initiative make her the go-to person for team members.
Overall Winner
Jonathan Kell, Receptionist, Genix Middlesbrough: Jonathan’s kindness, efficiency, and reliability make him the glue that holds the practice together.
Evening Entertainment
Imagine a three-course dinner where the appetizers are served with a side of jazz from a live band, the main course is accompanied by a DJ spinning the latest hits, and dessert comes with the thrill of casino tables. The guests attempted to look suave at the blackjack table, after losing money at the roulette wheel: except it was all fake money anyway! Meanwhile, a caricaturist was stationed next to the bar, capturing everyone’s best angles in exaggerated, hilarious detail. By the end of the night, everyone has a full stomach, a funny portrait, and a story to tell about that time they tried to dance and gamble simultaneously.
A shout-out to our sponsors
An event on this scale is never possible without help from our supporters! Genix extended a big thank you to all the sponsors for the event: Wrights, the Diamond Sponsor; Trycare, the Platinum Sponsor; Boutique, the Gold Sponsor; and our Silver Sponsors Reveal and DD. Their contributions allowed this spectacular event to be conducted in all its grandiosity!
The Genix Dental Conference 2024 was a day to remember, filled with learning, fun, and recognition of our amazing team. With an overall satisfaction rating of 6.15 starts out of 7, and 95% attendees feeling that the event met or exceeded their expectations, we sure feel it was a grand success in all ways. Genix looks forward to another successful event next year!
