Dental industry news, trends and information from Patterson Dental.
Compilation of Off The Cusp blog posts about dental equipment.
As a partner at Gentling Dental Care in Rochester, Minn., Ryan Henrichsen, DDS, MAGD, found himself building many mandibular advancement devices, treating TMJ issues and focusing more on the airway component of these conditions. Henrichsen eventually opened Respira – Airway, Snoring, & TMJ in January 2021.
Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) and evacuation systems are an invaluable asset in the dental operatory. But evacuation lines can become a source of cross-contamination because they serve as ideal breeding grounds for biofilm. To ensure safe DUWL use, dental professionals must adopt a three-pronged approach to battle biofilm at its source.
By allowing hygienists to select and purchase products, a practice can take advantage of their hygienist’s professional expertise, answering important questions about what equipment is needed and how these choices will work best to treat patients. Here are three key considerations to make when selecting hygiene equipment.
The Solea all-tissue dental laser opens up a new level of productivity for your practice. From workflow to scheduling, the Solea laser helps your practice achieve more each day while also conserving personal protective equipment (PPE) in the process.
Dental practices that have seen continued growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have largely relied on technology. Some have put current technologies to newfound use, while others have invested in new dental technology to bring in extra revenue. Continue reading for three technologies dentists have relied on to keep schedules full and revenues up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you clearly define your practice vision and goals, and then choose the appropriate technology to help you reach them, you can confidently take the steps needed to move your practice forward. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when investing in dental technology.
When dental offices reopened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some practice owners saw an increase in costs associated with PPE, coupled with a loss in revenue from scheduling fewer patients. Learn how Mark Ligocki, DDS, surpassed pre-COVID production and collections by performing new procedures and doing more same-day dentistry with the Solea all-tissue laser.
As states lift stay-at-home orders and dental offices welcome back patients, it is essential to keep patient comfort and safety at the forefront while maximizing appointment efficiencies. The Solea laser is one way your practice can introduce an anesthesia-free appointment that reduces aerosols and allows you to get more work done with each appointment.
CAD/CAM technology has been around for years, and more recently, the digital imaging component has become even more popular. Dr. Sameer Puri, director of CAD/CAM at Spear Education Center, explains the value of adding a CEREC system to your office.
When we invited Mona Patel, DDS, to do a full takeover of our Instagram account during Dentsply Sirona World 2019 in Las Vegas, we didn’t quite know what to expect. What we did know is that whatever she came up with, it would be awesome. […]
Have you been thinking about bringing new technology and equipment into your practice? Most of the latest dental tech can help practices perform quality dentistry more efficiently. And it can be a great marketing feature for your practice. But have you also taken a serious […]
For every equipment specialist at Patterson Dental, there’s an endless stream of work to do and people to see. But that’s how they like it. Each takes the role of mentor and guide, actively listening to customers to help set the entire practice up for […]
As a vibrant local business, your dental office has the distinct opportunity to be a leader amongst the other businesses on your street and in your city. There are numerous ways to contribute locally, from charitable donations like sponsoring a local team to volunteerism – […]
With the wave of new dental equipment and technology that has exploded into the market in recent years, it’s no surprise that clinicians have at times struggled to keep up not only with understanding the key benefits of each advancement, but how to articulate those […]
They say it’s key. They say it’s the most attractive quality you can have. They say it goes with everything. They even say it’s contagious! What is this all-powerful epidemic? Confidence, of course! As a practicing dental professional, you already have loads. You have confidence in […]
The official start of Spring is a few short days away, and there’s just so much to like about the number 8 this season. It’s considered to be lucky ?, it’s the symbol for balance and harmony, we don’t have to worry about it being […]
For the past few weeks you’ve been hearing from us about the virtues of Section 179, a portion of the tax code that allows you to write off an equipment purchase. The federal government is betting big on small businesses by offering a full deduction […]
Is your practice taking advantage of Section 179 of the tax code? If not, you may be missing out on some serious business savings. Some expenses like office supplies benefit your business in the short term. But what about long-lasting purchases like furniture, CEREC machines, […]
As the cameras in our pockets get more advanced (we heard they even make phone calls these days!), most are now equipped with features that enable them to take panoramic images. In the dental business, panoramic images are a little different but the concept is […]
There is no way to ever be fully “prepared” when a natural disaster strikes. Having a preparedness plan in place for your dental business, however, is a wise course of action. Creating such a plan and communicating it to your team has the added benefit […]
Houseguests can be a pleasure to host if they’re courteous and polite, which thankfully is most often the case. Unfortunately, though, most of us have also experienced the “other” kind of guests…the kind that take “make yourself at home” far too literally. They leave lights […]
Are you ready for the onslaught of sniffles, contagious coughs, cancelled appointments, and sick staff members? While you can’t control flu-infected patients walking through your door, there are some simple things you can do behind the scenes to protect yourself and your team. By following […]
It’s true. Your patients look forward to that squeaky clean feeling after a professional dental cleaning. But as dental professionals, we know it’s not just about helping patients’ smiles look bright and fresh. Cleanings remove bacterial plaque and tartar not only from the visible portions […]
In the deepest, darkest corner of dental practices of old, sat the grizzled bastion of infection control – the sterilization center. It was here that sterilization occurred, far from the sight of any well-meaning patients who may have accidentally stumbled upon the horrors of used […]
Regrettably, dental technology often keeps dental professionals locked into preset boundaries with little room for adjustment based on personal preferences – the widget is going to do what the widget was programmed to do, how the widget was programmed to do it. Refreshingly, this is […]
CEREC technology is all about integration and convenience, and with CEREC AI and CEREC AF, added flexibility and mobility make using this advanced technology even easier. Both the AI and AF units feature a monitor, a keyboard and PC, a CEREC Omnicam with cradle, and […]
It’s 2016! Movies are 3D, cars run on electricity, everyone and their mother (even their grandmother!) has a smart phone…advanced technology greatly enhances our everyday lives, and it can greatly enhance your dental practice as well. If you’re still using traditional X-Rays, then you’re missing […]
From outlining the 7 steps of endodontics, to covering 8 products at the root of root canals, we’ve enjoyed taking the month of March to publish various pieces of content focused on endodontics. The month isn’t over yet, though, and today we’ll be sharing a […]
Same day, same appointment dentistry. Once something patients (and dentists!) could only dream of, now a reality. Need proof? Dr. Daniel Vasquez of Oceanside, California swears by his CEREC technology, and is featured in a newly released 6-minute video. The video shows how Vasquez is […]
Think back to the last time you bought a new techie gadget, like a smartphone, tablet or TV. How did you go about figuring out what product would work best for you? For a lot of us, this discovery process starts with a lot of […]