“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.
It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.”
Albert Einstein
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The Monday Morning Quote #262
Posted on April 21, 2014 by Alun Rees
“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old,
they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.”
B. 6 March 1927 – D. 17 April 2014
RIP
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The Weekend Read – The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz
Posted on April 18, 2014 by Alun Rees
Growing up in non-conformist Wales in a Catholic household meant that Good Friday was a black day. No shops, no pubs, no cinema and no newspapers. I was told it was because this was the day that Jesus was crucified and it should be treated with solemnity.
The habit has stuck – to a certain extent. I find Good Friday a day that still invites reflection and this book is a good choice for this weekend read. I believe that its title is taken from a quote attributed to Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. The premise of some case stories from a psychoanalyst may not fill the reader with anticipation but this book is a gem.
Stephen Grosz tells the stories of everyday people who have for a variety of reasons arrived in his consulting room seeking help. From the lovesick to the suicidal he recounts their tales in a manner that is both easy to read and thought provoking.
The phrase “truth is stranger than fiction” came to mind as I hurried through this book for the first read and then forced my self to take it more slowly second time around. In my coach practice I am always listening for what isn’t said, if you like I search for the gaps between the words and the underlying meaning of the language, the writer is obviously supremely skilled at just that.
His conclusion, that if we can work out what’s driving us, then change is always possible, resonated with me personally and professionally.
If you work with people or just interested in how they function then this is a “must read”.
Available from Amazon here.
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The Incisal Edge Podcast Interview #3 – “the Dhrucast” with Dhru Shah of Dentinal Tubules
Posted on April 17, 2014 by Alun Rees
The interviewee on the Incisal Edge Podcast this week is Dr Dhru Shah. In addition to being a specialist periodontist Dhru is the founder of Dentinal Tubules which has grown from a board for advertising job vacancies to huge resource for continuing professional development.
“Share. Learn. Connect”
Join us and listen to Dhru talk about his past, the current state of play with Dentinal Tubules and his plans for future projects which will dwarf the current set up.
Don’t forget you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.
Filed under: Dentistry, Education, Podcast | Tagged: Alun Rees, Dentinal Tubules, dentistry, Dhru Shah, Podcast | Leave a comment »
The Monday Morning Quote #261
Posted on April 14, 2014 by Alun Rees
“Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Cartoon by Hugh MacLeod of Gaping Void Cartoons
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Australia urged to pull up the “Dental Drawbridge”.
Posted on April 12, 2014 by Alun Rees
From Time Higher Education 10th April 2014.
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Ireland’s biggest dental group Smiles sold to Oasis Healthcare
Posted on April 8, 2014 by Alun Rees
The corporate roundabout carries on turning.
Price paid for chain, founded by Emmet O’Neil and orthodontist Hugh Bradley, thought to be €36m
Ireland’s biggest dental group Smiles sold to Oasis Healthcare link here
Smiles Dental, Ireland’s biggest privately-owned dental care provider, has been sold to Oasis Healthcare for an undisclosed sum.
The price is thought to be region of £30 million (€36 million) for the company which was founded in Dublin in 2005 by Emmet O’Neil and orthodontist Hugh Bradley.
Smiles provides dental care from 77 practices in Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. The Irish group, which has 17 clinics in Ireland, has a turnover of £70 million (€84 million).
Oasis Healthcare is Britain’s largest provider of dental care and post the acquisition of Smiles it will have a turnover of £210 million and three million private and public sector patients. There will be 280 dental practices in its group post the transaction.
Oasis is owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, which owns among other businesses Pret A Manager, the ready -to-eat salad and sandwich maker which has 300 outlets in the UK, US, France and Hong Kong.
The UK dental care firm is led by Justin Ash and chaired by Stuart Rose, the former Marks & Spencer executive chairman.
Emmet O’Neil Smiles Dental chief executive said: “We were looking for a partner to help Smiles reach the next level and had examined a number of options. When I met Sir Stuart and Justin Ash I realised that there was a shared approach and a matched ambition at Oasis.”
“I am delighted to be joining their team and look forward to working hard not only to integrate our business, but to grow in future and to continue delivering a modern and innovative approach to dentistry,” he added.
“The team at Smiles both in the UK and Ireland have a huge amount to be proud of, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their loyalty, support and dedication.”
Mr O’Neil said combining the two businesses would offer additional clinical services to patients and lead to other synergies. Oasis will brand Smile’s UK practices as Oasis Dental Care but retain the Smiles brand in Ireland.
Justin Ash, chief executive of Oasis, said: “This is a transformational deal for Oasis and demonstrates our ability to drive growth and consolidation, building the only national brand in the fragmented dental market.”
“We believe this is outstanding news for the three million patients of the combined group and all patients seeking high quality, easy accessible dental care. We are also pleased to be extending our partnership with the NHS across the domiciles in the UK and to be providing care under the HSE in the Republic of Ireland.”
Mr Ash said Oasis was “well funded to continue our growth, and actively seeking further complementary acquisitions, as well as new openings to at least double the size of Oasis.”
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