The gifts that keep on giving – Dr Christoph Fiolka 

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  Posted by: Dental Design      19th November 2018

Out of all the holiday events – Halloween, bonfire night, Easter and so on – Christmas is many people’s favourite time of the year. From making time for loved ones and enjoying the festivities, it is a time for people to come together and celebrate. Gift giving is a big part of this, with the average UK household shown to have splashed out an average of £821 last year on Christmas shopping for family and friends.[i]Popular gifts of 2017 included wireless headphones, electronic devices like the Amazon echo and Alexa, FitBit fitness watches, Instax instant cameras and Hatchimals Surprise toys, as well as the usual favourites.

As for 2018, companies are already making predictions about what products are likely to be the biggest sellers, particularly in regard to toys. Argos, for instance, has claimed that this will be the ‘year of the unicorn’ with popular gifts likely to include the ‘My Lovely Unicorn Electric Ride-On’ and ‘Poopsie Unicorn Surprise’.[ii]The ‘Hogwarts Great Hall LEGO Harry Potter set’ and ‘Fingerlings Untamed Dinos’ are some of the others tipped to be huge this Christmas,[iii]but the jury is still out for presents for the older demographics, so we’ll just have to wait and see on those! Though, of course, we can probably have a good guess at some of what will be on the list – and what won’t.

An electric toothbrush, for instance, is not likely to be number one on the wish list for many. However, this does not mean that it is not a present worth giving, and that people won’t appreciate being given one. After all, gifts aren’t just about getting what you want; it’s the thought that counts. Plus, there’s been a real resurgence in recent years of giving gifts that are practical thanks to the rise of the ‘four gift rule’ – that is ‘something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read’.

Loved ones may not want an electric toothbrush, but they would certainly benefit from one, as they’ve been proven to be extremely effective at removing plaque, reducing gingivitis and preventing calculus formation.[iv]So for those whose oral health or oral hygiene routine requires improvement, it is arguable that an electric toothbrush is the best possible gift to receive at Christmas – even if it’s not the most exciting present ever. It is worth reminding your patients of this as they start to consider doing their Christmas shopping.

There are a number of other oral health products that would make great gifts too, for instance toothbrush heads and interdental brushes. Small and inexpensive, these adjuncts could be used as either stocking fillers or for fabric advent calendars – which have become hugely popular in recent years – in place of sweet treats. Indeed, gone are the days where a 25-day chocolate countdown is the only option. Instead, calendars now contain everything from alcohol to cheese, LEGO, tea, beauty products and more – and the options are even more extensive with DIY calendars, where anything can be added.

Oral health solutions even make great presents for babies and young children, as they are so often showered with toys and clothes at Christmastime that products such as luxury soothers and teething rings are rarely considered. Take the time to inform your patients of baby products that would make the perfect gift and you could not only make a parent very happy, but help infants to get a head start on their oral health. Take the Curaprox Baby range. Created by orthodontists, the baby line of products help to support the healthy development of gums, teeth and jaw, as well as prevent deformation and dental displacement.

Other Curaprox products worth recommending to your patients include the sleek and stylish Black Is White Hydrosonic toothbrush, CPS range of interdental brushes, and brand new Hydrosonic Ortho toothbrush designed to help brace wearers maintain a healthy and attractive smile. Created by the world’s leading oral healthcare specialists to offer a safe, gentle and effective clean, they really are the gifts that keep on giving; not only for the patient but for dental professionals too.  

So as the festive season approaches, take stock of oral health products that you could offer within your practice that might make a great gift, stocking filler or addition to the advent calendar. Not only will you help to put a smile on people’s faces this year, but you could help ensure that patients and their loved ones are equipped this Christmas and beyond to safely and effectively maintain their oral health.

 

For more information please call 01480 862084, email info@curaprox.co.ukor visit www.curaprox.co.uk

 
[i]Statista: UK Christmas shopping – Statistics & Facts. Accessed online July 2018 at https://www.statista.com/topics/3157/uk-christmas-shopping/
[ii]Huffpost: Argos Has Already Predicted The Top Toys For Christmas 2018. Posted 07/06/18. Accessed online July 2018 at https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/top-toys-for-christmas-2018-argos_uk_5b18f9e6e4b0734a993b0b89
[iii]madeformums.com: Must-have toys for Christmas from the biggest sellers. Accessed online July 2018 at http://www.madeformums.com/news-and-gossip/must-have-toys-for-christmas-from-the-biggest-sellers/41772.html
[iv]Nagy P, Kövér K, Gere I, Horváth A. Evaluation of the efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes in preventing oral diseases (systematic review with meta-analysis). Fogorvosi Szemle. 2016; 109 (1): 3-22. Accessed online July 2018 at http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/27188156
 

Author

Dr Christoph Fiolka 

In 2008, Dr Christoph Fiolka was awarded the Diploma in Chemistry from the Department for Chemistry at the University of Cologne, before completing his PhD in Coordination and Solid-State Chemistry. Dr Fiolka then became a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Berne. In 2015, he was appointed as a sales representative for the international research-based pharmaceutical company, Berlin-Chime, before he began to work as a chemist at Cell Care Lab Ltd in 2016. Dr Fiolka is now the Head of Product Management Chemical Products at Curaden AG in Switzerland.

 

 


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