Renee Knight

Dr. Michael R. Sesemann and his team can’t imagine going back. For more than 20 years, they’ve used the incremental placement technique for direct posterior composites in an effort to minimize polymerization stress, and that meant using three different composites to finish a restoration. This is a very labor intensive process, Dr.

  Reminding patients to come to their scheduled appointments can be costly. Buying recall cards, paying for postage and staff hours spent mailing the cards all take time and money. And after all that, chances are those reminders will go straight from your patients’ mailboxes to their recycle bins.

You’ve likely noticed a change in your patients. The patients who come through your practice are more selective these days. the economy has made that a necessity for most americans, whether you’re talking about the type of dentistry they choose to go forward with or the type of car they opt to buy. Americans, in general, don’t have the discretionary income they once did, and that means expensive treatment plans aren’t in the budget.

No matter how big or small your lab is, you’re not in this alone.

The Lab

Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. Multilink Automix Multilink Automix ensures a strong bond in all cementation cases and is recommended for the cementation of all IPS e.max® and IPS Empress® restorations in addition to all other restorative materials. This self-curing luting composite with light-curing option is suitable for the adhesive cementation of indirect restorations. Features include high immediate bond strengths to all restorative materials; universal application; fast, easy clean-up; and reduction in post-op sensitivity. It is available in transparent, yellow and opaque shades.

Bad economy or not, patients still want to look good. And with so many options and more awareness about what it can do for their smile, many patients are turning to professional whitening to give their smile that little something extra. In the September 2010 DPR Cosmetic Survey, 55% of dentists said chairside whitening is the cosmetic dentistry procedure that has been most profitable for their practice.

Dr. Bob Hewitt just couldn’t stay away. He retired in 2001, but over the years he found himself missing the technical aspects of what he used to do every day. He read articles and kept up on what was going on in the industry, but recently decided that just wasn’t enough. He didn’t want to get back into a full time practice, but he knew his skills and knowledge could be put to good use at a dental lab. So he talked with Daxton Grubb, President of R-dent Dental Laboratory, about joining the team as an on-staff dentist.

If you walk into Dr. Sam Wexler’s basement in Richmond, Ill., you’ll likely feel like you’ve taken a step back in time.

Dentists and their teams can be valuable resources during a disaster situation. That’s why the American Dental Association has been pushing to get the Dental Emergency Responder Act (H.R. 903) passed, a bill that would incorporate dentistry into the federal disaster response framework. The bill recently passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, getting dentists one step closer to being recognized as emergency responders. Next, it is up for a full House vote.

The Lab Orville Sadler, CDT, is the head technician at Bastrop Denture and Implant Center in Bastrop, Texas. His two-person lab fabricates dentures for one doctor. The lab portion of the clinic does 15 to 20 dentures a day. Sadler has been at the clinic for 6 years and a lab technician for 41 years. The Product

Sexual harassment isn’t a topic most people like to talk about, especially in the workplace. But just because you’re not talking about it doesn’t mean it can’t happen in your operatory.

The people who come to Dr. Kevin Boehm’s practice all have one thing in common: they want their dental care done naturally. They’re not interested in what antibiotic can cure what ails them. These patients are looking for a more holistic approach to health care, and would much rather turn to something like acupuncture, homeopathy or a diet change to get their dental health back on track. Through Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Boehm offers them just that. What it is

The take-aways

This meeting is not only about learning and advancing your skills, it’s also about creating a community. The Academy of Laser Dentistry’s 18th Annual Conference is a place for dentists-whether you’re new to laser dentistry or incorporated it into your practice years ago-to come together to learn about the latest in the field and to talk with other practitioners who share their same passion for laser dentistry and what it can do for their practice and their patients.

In 20 minutes, Dr. David Grayson was able to help a 7-year-old girl to stop habitually sucking her thumb. He’s helped patients quit smoking, and he’s performed dental procedures without using a drop of anesthetic. He’s eased his patients’ fears and enabled them to get treatment they may otherwise have opted not to receive. And he’s done it all through clinical hypnosis.

You’ve noticed a change in one of your most dependable employees. She’s been missing a lot of work lately, and when she does come into the office she’s usually late. Her productivity is slipping and you know her behavior change is affecting the rest of the team.

Information provided by Patterson With a focus on increasing everyday efficiency, Eaglesoft 16 Practice Management Software was created based on customer feedback and is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, giving each member of the dental team the power to do more in less time. Patterson Dental’s latest version of its integrated dental software comes with a new look, greater functionality and enhanced adaptability.

When it comes to selecting a handpiece for your practice, there certainly isn’t a shortage of options to choose from. There are a variety of handpieces available with similar features and designs to make handpiece use seamless and comfortable.  

Photo: RubberBall Productions/Getty Images

Sexual harassment isn’t a topic most people like to talk about, especially in the workplace. But just because you’re not talking about it doesn’t mean it can’t happen in your operatory.

It all can be a bit overwhelming. It seems like there’s always some new product to try, adding to the other countless options you already had. While innovation and new product development is great for the industry and your patients, it can be difficult for you and your team members to know what’s up to par, and what products are best suited for your patients and your practice.

The Lab The Lab 2000 Inc. is one of the largest female-owned dental laboratories in the country. Dena Lanier opened this Georgia-based crown and bridge lab in 1995, and Dennis Lanier, CDT, has served as the lab’s General Manager from the beginning. The Lab 2000 has 27 employees. The Product

In the April issue of Dental Products Report, Patrick Crowley, author of Dental Office Design: 1001 Practical Tips for Creating your Ideal Dental Office, gave you advice to help you design the best space possible in your treatment rooms. Here, Emily Brooks, Product Manager - Lights, Cabinetry for Pelton & Crane, offers more tips for dentists who are planning to add new office furniture or cabinetry to their practice. 

Your patients don’t care about your production goals. They don’t want to hear about the great products and services you can offer them if those offerings don’t fit in with their overall goals. And they certainly don’t want to feel like you’re trying to sell them something.

Whether you’re buying a new space or planning a major renovation at your lab, there’s plenty to think about before you get started. From the size of the space to how everything will flow, you’ll have to make some important decisions before the work can be done.

Maybe they’re still trying to find the nerve to ask their crush out, or maybe their Valentine’s Day date is already set. Either way, your patients want to look their best come Feb. 14. Luckily for them, you can help.

It doesn’t matter if you’re starting from scratch or re-doing an existing office, when you’re ready to add operatory furniture and cabinetry to your practice, you need a plan.

It’s easy. It’s painless. It doesn’t cost your patients anything extra, but this simple test can tell you so much about what is going on with them-both in their mouth and their entire body-so you can determine the best way to treat any problems. Chicago dentist Dr. Raymond Hatland has used Kinesiology as a guideline for diagnosing and treating his patients for 36 years. We recently talked with him about what it is, how it can be used in a dental practice and how it can benefit patients. Here’s what he had to say:

Many patients who walk into ORA Dental Studio for the first time are dentally exhausted. They’ve had bad dental experiences in the past and feel like they’ve lost control, that they’re not able to take charge of their own oral health.