Tag: dentistry

Pediatric Safety: Protecting Both Oral and Overall Health

Pediatric dental patient with protective eyewear

Almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic forced public awareness of PPE, disinfection practices and social distancing, even those who were previously compliant with biannual dental visits may think that unless something is noticeably wrong, in-office dental care can be postponed indefinitely. But reassuring adults is only one challenge, another highly important task is conveying to parents what efforts your practice is making to maintain a child-safe environment.

A Week of Tech Insights: Getting Dental Practices Equipped to Advance

For our ‘Tech Insights’ week, we reached out to experts in digital dentistry, shared some of our best advice and celebrated a few customers who have made the most of their relationship with Patterson. Keep reading for a recap of some of the content we shared throughout the past week.

Keeping up With Demand: A New Practice Faces Questions About the Future

For many new and longtime dental practices, the thought of expansion can be daunting. Questions persist about how to take on more patients in an existing space and whether the adoption of newer technology will help dentists deliver services faster. But with the help of Patterson Dental educator Kathy Brodal, a new practice in North Dakota reached its goals in less than six years.

Dentistry Beyond 2020: Looking Forward to the Future

To say that 2020 was a year of rapid change is an understatement. After a brief shutdown of practices across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dental industry reopened with the adoption of new technologies, stricter infection control guidelines and a renewed focus on personal and team wellness. Linda Harvey, MS, RDH, HRM, shares her thoughts on what’s in store for 2021.

A Conservative and Esthetic Approach to Anterior Restorations

A Conservative and Esthetic Approach to Anterior Restorations

A break in the “normal” routine has presented clinicians with an opportunity to revisit common elective procedures that patients will request upon their return. If there’s a less invasive way to achieve highly esthetic results in the anterior, now is an ideal time to explore those techniques and revamp your material armamentarium.

The WHO Just Recommended the Delay of Routine Dental Care due to COVID-19. Now What?

Dentist in full PPE.

The WHO recently recommended the delay of routine dental care in certain situations due to COVID-19. In a written response, the ADA said it “respectfully yet strongly disagrees” with the WHO’s recommendation. Roger P. Levin, DDS, shared a video outlining a scripted response dental practices can use to address patient concerns. Dr. Levin also offers three signs that may signal patients are opting out of routine dental care due to this news.

Simplify Restorations with SimpliShade from Kerr

SimpliShade Syringe from Kerr

As dental practices get comfortable operating in the “new normal,” the burden of wearing—and storing—extra PPE and time spent disinfecting operatories between patients continues to be a challenge. To meet these challenges, dentists are looking for new ways to save valuable chair time and streamline inventory management.

Failure to replace: Who pays the ultimate price?

When to replace dental handpieces

The current recommendation for when to replace a scaler is when 20% of the instrument blade width or length is reduced or no longer the original design. But how long it takes for each instrument to reach this threshold is dependent on several factors. Deb (Hume) Brown, RDH, shares some of these factors and how a failure to replace instruments can affect the clinician and the patient.

Boost Patient Confidence with Sterilization Solutions from A-dec

As dental practices continue to examine infection control guidelines to meet the demands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to consider how patients will feel as they walk into your office. A-dec has many solutions to not only improve the safety of your office, but also to visually show patients you’re keeping their health at the forefront.

Patient Messaging During COVID-19: Digital Communication Tools from Solutionreach

As part of its webinar series on supporting a new digital patient journey, Solutionreach recently shared some of the key areas of focus when communicating with patients during COVID-19. As patients look for a variety of up-to-date information, their healthcare provider could likely be their best source of trusted information.

Wiz Guys Support Customers During COVID-19 and Beyond

Todd Wizner and Ben Wizner, also known as the “Wiz Dental Guys,” are a father-son duo of Patterson reps with knowledge spanning almost 35 years. Their unwavering commitment to their customers has especially shone through as the COVID-19 crisis has hit the nation. They knew this was going to have a big impact not only on their personal day-to-day jobs, but also on their core customers’ businesses.

Solea Laser: Reduce Aerosols, Increase Appointments, Improve Patient Experience

Solea all-tissue-laser demonstration with an apple.

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.

8 Expert Business Tips for Reopening Your Dental Office Amid a Pandemic

Whether you’re handling emergencies only, entirely shut down, or taking initial steps to reopen, you’re no doubt focused on the near-term future of your practice. Kathy Brodal, a Patterson Dental business educator, offers eight ways to plan, prepare and pull off a strategy for propelling your business forward effectively.

Patients, Team and Office – What to Think About as You Look to Reopen Your Dental Practice

After being closed for a few weeks, reopening your dental practice can be a stressful task that may not be well rehearsed among your staff. Creating a task list, communicating with your staff and patients, and ensuring a safe office space will help assure a smooth reopening transition.

Social Distancing in Dentistry: HIPAA Compliance and Teledentistry Partners

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many dentists have turned to teledentistry to stay connected with patients while practicing social distancing; providing consultation, evaluation and next step actions. But as with any new technology, teledentistry brings about new questions. Healthcare risk management and compliance expert, Linda Harvey, RDH, shares her expertise in assuring the teledentistry technology you choose for your practice is compliant with HIPAA rules and keeps the privacy and security of your patients intact.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19: Infection Control in Dental Practices

Although every patient who enters a dental office should be treated as if they could have an infectious disease; times like these help us pause, take a step back and make sure we’re compliant with current guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Here are some ways to make sure your dental office is OSHA compliant.

Dentists Keep Communities Safe and Healthy During COVID-19 [Infographic]

By remaining open for emergency cases, dentists are helping to keep patients out of emergency rooms (ER) – reducing the burden on critical health care facilities that are overwhelmed amid the COVID-19 crisis. As the #DentalER social media movement gains traction, read on for some some dental emergency stats to put things in perspective.

Dental Office Design: Building the Solution to a “Good Problem to Have”

Recognizing a need for growth, the first instinct for Drs. Michael Mefford and Keith Ellis was to add on to the existing building. However, the “big picture” told them otherwise. Now in a new location with a 6,700-square-foot space, they’ve been able to expand their dental hygiene team, hire an associate dentist and invest in new equipment and technology.

Dentist Leading in the Community: Carla Thomas, DDS

“I knew for a long time that I wanted to open a practice in my hometown,” says Dr. Carla Thomas. “I’m so passionate about this community and I want to give back.” Dr. Thomas didn’t cut any corners when designing her practice. She wanted to build something that the people of Inglewood would be proud of by investing in the newest technology, buying CEREC equipment and purchasing products that would allow her and her staff to perform the latest techniques.