The first week in September typically marks a period of despondency as children go back to school and adults return to work following the summer holiday period. In addition, research shows this is the week when season affected disorder kicks in as the nights draw in. All the more reason therefore to have something exciting to look forward to.
The first week in September (5-6) this year however heralds the opportunity for dental practice owners to win prizes to revamp and kit-out their clinics. The competition has been organised by Hague Dental, which is ramping-up the ante of its annual open event and offering £20,000 worth of dental equipment, services, cabinetry and furniture as well as some unexpected treats.*
For principals considering a practice face-lift or for those new to ownership wondering where the heck to begin, the plethora of decisions and choices must be mind-boggling, which is where Hague Dental steps in. The company specialises in just about every aspect of practice development and has drawn together a multitude of elements required for putting together and running a successful dental practice. However no two plans are the same, each is bespoke and designed around the needs of the practitioner, from complete designs for the practice to planning, installation and project management. Hague Dental also provides a free, independent sales service allowing dentists access to top brands including A-dec and Belmont. They also offer a broad range of services to suit dentists’ requirements, from the purchase of a single item of furniture to a complete surgery; from a single handpiece to a full ‘turn key’ package, each tailored to the practices’ requirements. However, the company will work also to any budget and even have a range of refreshed dental chairs to kit out secondary consulting rooms.
To showcase its extensive range of equipment, skills and provisions, Hague Dental is throwing open the doors to its vast 5,000sq ft showroom, which is located in the picturesque market town of Horsham, West Sussex (close to Gatwick). During the 5-6 September event visitors will be able to try, assess and compare a broad range of leading-brand products all ‘under one roof’. All the equipment it is showcasing during the open event has been carefully selected by independent engineers for quality, longevity, reliability and to ensure lower maintenance costs. A tour of the showroom will also include the opportunity to review all equipment needed to enable practices to function effectively and legally including decontamination, digital radiography, amalgam separation, disinfection control and bacteria-free compressed air.
Cupboard love
Hague Dental will be showcasing its bespoke dental cabinetry, from contemporary to industrial and from classic to modular, and top quality flooring designed especially for hygienic environments. The design team will also advise on all the latest styling elements that dental professionals need to consider when kitting out a dental practice, including seating, lighting and even interior design, signage and colour schemes.
The company’s highly trained, knowledgeable and experienced team of engineers are able to install, service diagnose problems and repair equipment. Hague Dental also works with builders who understand how to develop dental practices. The company is well versed in the nuances of GQC (global quality and compliance) and knows how to help practices conform to the letter of the law. Visitors will also have a unique opportunity to discuss ongoing 24-hour support, service, repairs and other nitty gritty details that can have such an impact on the bottom line if a piece of equipment fails at a crucial time.
In fact the open event presents practice owners with the only opportunity in the year to meet every member of the Hague Dental team from designers, to engineers, and from builders to cabinet makers as well as the management team who are the glue holding the matrix together. Yet, despite the size and scope of the company, it still feels very much small enough to care for each customer’s needs on an individual basis and Hague Dental pride itself on the craftsmanship with care ethos that permeates every element.
Hague convention
Augmenting the Hague Dental team at the open event will be representatives from some of the industry’s best manufacturers who will be traveling from all over Europe to consult with and advise visitors, about brands including A-dec, Belmont, Custom Dental and Medical, Satelec, Cattani, Bien Air and W&H. Finally, practitioners can meet finance providers who will be there to discuss how the providers, along with Hague Dental, can help practitioners aspirations becomes a reality.
Ashley Bryne of Brynes Dental Laboratory who attended last year’s open event is keen to encourage others: 'Setting up a new practice is never an easy task but the open day at Hague Dental made that task incredibly easy. From the dental chairs to the flooring there was every technical expert on hand and they answered all our questions and queries. Seeing all the equipment set-up made choosing the surgery easy and being able to sit and use it ensured I was buying what was right for me and the way I work. We would highly recommend the open day at Hague Dental and if I was ever to set up a second surgery, I would ensure I waited till the open day to make sure I was buying the right equipment again.'
Weekend break
Hosting the event will be Jim Hague, who pooled his engineering, design and ergonomics experience and founded Hague Dental Supplies in 1996. Jim and his wife Kirsty, who is also deeply involved in the business, have four children so appreciate that family time is precious. However, they also know that taking time away from the practice during the week is also impractical. In order to encourage dental professionals to give up part of their weekend they have arranged a crèche/family area in the showroom on Saturday where they will be entertaining children with an array of activities, allowing the adults to take their time in the showroom. There will also be a constant supply of food and drinks to ensure that everyone is refreshed throughout the event.
For visitors who want to take advantage of time in the area Horsham is regarded as one of the most attractive places in south east England and has a number of interesting places to visit after a visit to the open weekend. The Sumner Ponds and Horhsam Park have lovely outdoor areas to eat and wander; the 90-acre Southwater Country Park keeps children busy with an adventure-style play area, orienteering course and tuition in canoeing and sailing, and Huxley’s Birds of Prey Centre houses a wide range of birds from owls to vultures. Chesworth Farm is another great opportunity to escape the car for a bike ride or walk and to experience the countryside and wildlife. If the weather is not on your side, there is still no shortage of indoor activities. The Capitol Theater, Horsham Museum and art gallery and virtual flight centre are all worth a visit. And for the younger ones, The Pavilions In The Park leisure centre has heated indoor and outdoor pool areas, water channels, bubble beds, waterfall geysers and jets, flume, water confidence area, a jungle soft play area and cafe.
HD = High definition
The open event takes place on the 5 and 6 September between 2-10pm on the Friday and 8am – 6pm on the Saturday. Every visitor will be entered into a draw to win part of the £20,000 prize booty, so to confirm your attendance or to book a specific time slot please email [email protected].
Hague Dental is located at 1 Graylands Gateway, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4QD. It is just 10 minutes from the M23 and two minutes from the A24. There is ample parking directly in front of the Hague Dental showroom and the company is also arranging regular collections from Warnham station which is a two minute drive away.
The £20,000 prize draw includes the following items so far (with many, many more to follow):
- Bambi – free Vt200
- Alpha – free deco floor
- Custom Dental – free mobile cabinet
- NSK ti max z600l
- Vector – free dinner in London
- Colin Sole – free pair of stools
- W&H – free triple pack
