Media Release: 5 July 07

50 years of dental revolution in Watford

Watford Dental Practice Senova Dental Studios celebrates 50 years as a consistently cutting edge dental practice this summer.

Founded by Bernard Bloom in July 1957, the practice has always been renowned for its revolutionary approach to dental health. In the 'Golden Era' of dentistry – known in dental circles as such because there was so much disease to cure – the vast majority of dentists were running a core NHS service, offering patients only a mouthful of amalgam fillings or metal dentures. Bernard had other ideas.

How have Senova/Bloomsbury Dental always been different?

• Bernard Bloom was one of the first dentists in the UK to introduce seated dentistry. Patients were offered the comfort of lying down to receive their treatment, in a state of the art chair called the Spaceline. Prior to this, dental treatment had always been carried out with the patient standing up.
• He employed Alison Williamson, a hygienist, to teach people how to look after their teeth and avoid disease – 35 years ago! As Alison says: "this sort of treatment in a general dental practice was virtually unheard of at that time". Alison now works on the General Dental Council (the professional governing body) fitness to practice committee.
• He practised quadrant crown & bridge dentistry. This means that he replaced huge swathes of amalgam filled teeth with better looking, longer lasting, crowns and bridges. This type of dentistry is considered the 'gold standard' of treatment even to this day, so in those days, it was absolutely unique.
• Bloomsbury Dental always gave patients a choice of treatment, offering a private option as well as NHS, but as Bernard Bloom says, "people have always been prepared to pay for the best treatment."

Bernard's son David joined him in the practice in 1991. David has very fond memories of growing up, wanting to follow in his father's footsteps. He recalls: "My father used to get me to stamp forms. He used to pay me half a penny for each form. I was very happy working with him and it was also a great pleasure spending time with him. The advice he gave me has proved invaluable."

Their patients think the practice is pretty special too . . .
. . . Martin Alder met Bernard Bloom when he began piloting Bernard's plane in 1976. At the time, Martin and Jean had just married and weren't registered with a dentist at all. Bernard suggested that they come up and see him – they've been going ever since. They live around 45 minutes drive away, but say that the standard of treatment and atmosphere is just great. Martin & Jean's two daughters also continue to attend Senova for their dental treatment, although they too have to travel a fair way to get there.

The next step . . .
Bloomsbury underwent a transformation in 2004, with a name change to Senova Dental Studios. The reason for this was simple. Patients started coming from much further afield, even, internationally to be treated by the practice, and many of the new enquirers assumed that the practice was based in Bloomsbury, London. Of course, they weren't, but there is actually another dental practice that is!! Somewhat confusing. So David and Jay Padayachy, the current principals, decided they would make a change to reflect their pride in the quality of the treatment and customer service offered at the practice.

Senova means 'new smile' in Japanese and encapsulates exactly what the practice does.

David said: "Our 50th anniversary is a significant milestone. It's wonderful to have worked with such loyal patients over a very long period of time – some of them from when the practice began! And we're looking forward to serving the people of Watford – and beyond – for many years to come."

Bernard said: "I'm delighted that the practice I started back in 1957 is thriving as it is today. Patients were always our priority and I'm very happy that this tradition continues today."

To mark the occasion of the 50th birthday, Senova has for the first time adopted an official charity to support. Having a very family care oriented philosophy itself, The Child Bereavement Trust is a perfect fit.

The Child Bereavement Trust (CBT) is a national UK charity, founded in 1994. By listening to bereaved children and parents, CBT leads the way in improving the care offered by professionals to grieving families in the immediate crisis and in the many months following the death of someone important in their lives. The charity's philosophy is based on learning from families who have experienced the death of a baby or child, or from children who have experienced the death of their mother or father, brother or sister. They say: "We gain insight into their needs, which influences the work of CBT and enables us to share information and best practice in order to make a positive impact on the way professionals deal with these families."

Senova will be supporting the charity by promoting their work, selling their beautiful 'snowdrop' badges to patients and working with CBT on various fundraising and education campaigns, including a campaign to educate dentists across the UK on how to work with families who have lost a child.

For interviews or images, please contact Steve Bustin at Vada Media on 01273 648339, 0780 372 9208 or steve@vadamedia.co.uk.

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