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Intra-Office Communication
PLUS PLUS Instrument Cassettes Office Design Get the Most out of Tradeshows FALL 2017
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FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Dear Readers, Welcome to the Fall issue of The New Dentist™ magazine.
W
hen you’re just starting out as a new dentist, money is typically a top concern. You already have plenty of debt and seemingly endless purchases to think about. It can all add up pretty quickly. That’s why new dentists who are struggling don’t really consider hiring a consultant to help get their practice on the right track. They just don’t want to spend the money, so many opt to follow a self-help plan instead. The problem? These plans typically don’t get off the ground and the situation gets worse before it gets better. I recently came across an article by Mark Dombeck, Ph.D., that details the problems with self-help. Here are the main take-aways, and why you might want to consider hiring an experienced dental consultant to help your young practice achieve success: It can be difficult to be objective. You spend a lot of time in your practice, so of course you know exactly what’s going on. Well, that may not exactly be the case. You might know patient retention numbers are down, for example, but really have no idea why. That’s where objectivity comes in. A consultant can give you that important outside perspective and point out issues you didn’t even know existed. You don’t know how to fix the problems plaguing your practice. If you did, they likely wouldn’t have become problems in the first place. This means you’ll need to spend time researching to determine just what changes you need to make to grow your practice— time you likely don’t have, keeping your self-help plans stagnant. Consultants, on the other hand, see these problems every day and know what it takes to turn a hurting practice into a thriving practice. Staying disciplined isn’t easy. Even if you put in the necessary research and come up with a solid self-help plan, you still have to execute that plan—which is more difficult than you might think. Motivation and willpower are important parts of the equation. If you’re doing everything on your own, who will offer you the support you need? Who will monitor your progress and cheer you on? That’s what a consultant does. The thought of relying on self-help can be appealing, but it comes with many challenges. Hiring a knowledgeable dental consultant will lead to much better results. In this issue… You’ll find plenty of advice to help you get the results you’re after. Read about the benefits of investing in instrument cassettes on page 6, and learn how the right intra-office communication system can make you more efficient on page 16. Dr. Joseph Massad talks office design on page 10, and we give you the lowdown on tradeshow events designed specifically for new dentists on page 12. Finally, Dr. John Graeber offers his advice for success on page 18.
Here to help,
Sally McKenzie, Publisher
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Advisory Board
Christopher Banks, DDS Inwood, WV WVU, 2011
Rebecca Berry, DMD Oakland, ME Tufts, 2011
Julie Boerger, DMD Patchogue, NY University of Montreal, 2010
David Carter, DMD Zachary, LA University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2014
Hal Cohen, DMD Haverford, PA Temple University, 2010
Larry Dougherty, DMD San Antonio, TX Nova Southeastern, 2008
Dennis Frazee, DDS Mooresville, IN Indiana University, 2012
Lindsay M. Goss, DMD, MPH Chandler, AZ ASDOH, 2010
Erica Haskett, DDS New York, NY NYU, 2008
Crystal Johnson, DDS Powder Springs, GA University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, 2009
Aaron Layton, DDS Fort Collins, CO Indiana University, 2010
Leah Massoud, DMD Morgan Hill, CA Tufts, 2009
Michael Potter, DDS Quincy, WA University of Minnesota, 2014
Tyler Scott, DDS Loudonville, OH Ohio State, 2009
Matthew Silverstein, DMD, MPH West Hartford, CT University of Pittsburgh, 2012
Nicole Smith, DDS Newport Beach, CA NYU, 2009
Gregory Snevel, DDS Cleveland, OH Ohio State, 2011
Bryan Stimmler, DDS Brooklyn, NY University of Southern California School of Dentistry, 2009
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FALL 2017 FA L L 2 017 PUBLISHER
Sally McKenzie Sally@thenewdentist.net DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Picante Creative www.picantecreative.com EDITOR
Renee Knight renee@thenewdentist.net SALES AND MARKETING
Contact Melissa Rataiczak at melissa@thenewdentist.net or 877-777-6151. Visit our digital media book at www.thenewdentist.net/ mediabook.htm
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The New Dentist™ magazine is published quarterly by The McKenzie Management Company, LLC (302 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, OH 43713) on a controlled/complimentary basis to dentists in the first 10 years of practice in the United States. Single copies may be purchased for $8 U.S., $12 international (prepaid U.S. dollars only). PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. JOSEPH MASSAD
FE AT U R ES How Organized 6 Are Your Instruments? Modular Dental Office: Better By Design
10
Get the Most 12 Out of Tradeshows Improve Communication in Your Office
16
Dr. John Graeber’s 18 10 Tips for New Dentists
6 PHOTO COURTESY OF HU-FRIEDY MFG. CO., LLC
D E PARTMENTS 2 Publisher’s Message 20 Skinny on the Street PHOTO COURTESY OF ZIRC
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20 Index of Advertisers
Copyright ©2017 The McKenzie Management Company, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by The McKenzie Management Company, LLC for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center. Disclaimer — The New Dentist™ does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements contained in the publication and cannot take responsibility for any losses or other damages incurred by readers’ reliance on such content. The New Dentist™ cannot be held responsible for the safekeeping or return of solicited or unsolicited articles, manuscripts, photographs, illustrations, or other materials. The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and contributors in this magazine or on the companion website, www.thenewdentist.net, do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of The New Dentist™ magazine or The McKenzie Management Company, LLC. Contact Us — Questions, comments, and letters to the editor should be sent to renee@thenewdentist.net. For advertising information, contact ads@thenewdentist.net or 877.777.6151. Visit our website at www. thenewdentist.net to download a media kit.
How ORGANIZED Are Your INSTRUMENTS? By Renee Knight, Editor
Before Dr. Kaisha Brown opened her own practice a few months ago, she worked in an office that bagged all of their instruments in pouches. She experienced first-hand how inefficient, messy and even dangerous this can be, which is why she decided to incorporate instrument cassettes into her new practice instead. “It’s definitely a time saver,” said Dr. Brown, who invested in cassettes from Hu-Friedy. “Now we know exactly where the instruments we want to use are, and we don’t have to get up in the middle of a procedure because we’re missing something.” Instrument cassettes help keep you more organized, improve efficiencies, extend the life of your instruments and significantly reduce your risk of injury. And they’re fairly easy to implement, which is why you might want to consider incorporating them into your practice as well.
The benefits of using instrument cassettes in your practice.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CASSETTES When selecting the cassettes you want to use in your practice, it’s important to remember they’re not one size fits all, said Chantel Willis, Associate Director, SBU, Instrument Management & Infection Prevention at Hu-Friedy. You need to find cassettes that fit your individual practice’s needs and that are compatible with your sterilization area, which is why it’s a good idea to talk with an expert who can help make sure you invest in the best system for your practice. “Having someone from the cassette company who is well versed in instrument processing, infection control and instruments in general is going to be very helpful,” Willis said. “That person can help you make sure everything is set up properly.” As a new dentist, it might be difficult to determine exactly how many cassettes your practice needs. That’s a challenge Dr. Brown faced, but she was able to sit down with her Hu-Friedy consultant and come up with an estimate of how many setups she might need per day.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HU-FRIEDY MFG. CO., LLC.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 >>
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YOU REQUIRE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. YOU DEMAND COMPLETE ORGANIZATION. YOU NEED ENSURED SAFETY.
YOU DESERVE INFINITE CONFIDENCE.
INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT
INFINITY SERIES™ CASSETTES The most sophisticated solution for instrument management That’s right, you deserve it. You deserve the peace of mind and confidence of knowing that you are employing the most contemporary method of processing instruments. As dentistry’s innovator of the cassette-based instrument management system, Hu-Friedy is proud to bring you the modern design and functionality of the Infinity Series Cassettes which include: • An open hole pattern that promotes water flow throughout the cassette • Color-coded silicone rail system that significantly reduces instrument contact and allows for more water flow while protecting the instruments during reprocessing • Easy-to-use, ergonomic latch that allows for one-handed opening Performing at your best means having confidence in what you do. Experience Infinity Series™ Cassettes, and improve the efficiency of your practice, while helping protect your patients, your staff and your instrument investment.
To learn more about how IMS can enhance your practice visit Hu-Friedy.com/Infinity ©2017 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC. All rights reserved.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HU-FRIEDY MFG. CO., LLC.
Cassettes
continued from page 6 Some doctors, like Dr. Michael Sampson, opt for color coded cassettes to help keep them organized. The matching tubs and trays he invested in from Zirc make it easy to determine which instruments he needs for various procedures, he said. “The main limitation in a dental practice is the organization,” said Dr. Sampson, who opened his third practice a few months ago. “Things do not go back where they started off. There’s no real way to guarantee the kits you set up to begin with will stay together throughout the use and sterilization process. Invariably, things go missing and the instrument you want to use for this procedure is no longer where it should be.” Dr. Sampson invested in cassettes because he wanted a system that organized itself, he said, to the point where an untrained dental assistant could easily bring him what he needs for any procedure. “We have color-coded ID bands that go around the instruments to help make sure the right instruments get back into the right cassettes,” Zirc Product Specialist Kay Hickey said. “We store the cassettes on flat trays with a locking cover. You can add other instruments to that tray so it’s ready to go for the next patient. Everything is completely organized and ready before you get started.”
THE BENEFITS Switching from pouches to cassettes brings many benefits, Hickey said, with the biggest one being enhanced efficiency. “It saves time in room turn over and the sterilization process,” Hickey said. “If you’re using pouches, the assistant or hygienist has to go through all the instruments after they come out of the ultrasonic cleaner and sort them by hand. This takes time and makes it more likely for an instrument to get in the wrong setup. With cassettes, the instruments are already laid out in order. There’s no need to sort the instruments and put them in pouches.”
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Implementing cassettes into your practice will save you five to 10 minutes per procedure, Willis said. Instead of breaking down the instruments or spending time grouping them together before putting them in the ultrasonic bath, you simply load the cassette. There’s also no need for handscrubbing. The instruments are all together and labeled in the cassette, making them easy to store and find. In all, doctors save about an hour a day—time they can spend focusing on other, revenue-generating tasks. And of course, another big benefit is enhanced safety, Willis said. Because you’re not handling the instruments, there’s much less risk of poking yourself. “Just one sharps injury pays for the implementation of the cassettes,” Willis said. “You’re not handling the instruments at all when you use cassette-based systems. They’re contained from chairside to cleaning and sterilization to storage. You don’t have to scrub the instruments. They’re separated nicely in the cassette. You’re handling the cassette instead of the instruments.” Using cassettes also prolongs instrument life, Hickey said. When you run loose instruments through the ultrasonic cleaner or store them in pouches, they tend to rub against each other. That causes the instruments to lose their sharpness and may lead to other damage, which means they won’t last as long as they could.
STAYING ORGANIZED When Dr. Brown or Dr. Sampson need an instrument, they know exactly where to get it. There’s no searching through drawers or dealing with setups that weren’t bagged correctly. Everything is exactly where they need it. “Before, as we were getting instruments out, my assistant and myself were throwing the ones we weren’t using off to the side and it looked messy,” Dr. Brown said. “With the cassettes, I have a nice setup that’s not overwhelming to patients when they walk in.” Dr. Sampson also has used other systems in the past, and finds the cassettes keep him more organized and save him time. His assistants feel the same way, and now have less stress because they don’t have to worry about forgetting something. “The time it saves is several fold. You save on the setup and during the procedures you always have what you need, so you never have to send the assistant off in search of something,” he said. “My father was a general surgeon and during surgeries, he’d have about a dozen instruments laid out for him to choose from. He clearly didn’t use all of them, but the instruments he needed were always in the surgical setup. And all those instruments traveled together to be sterilized and then were put back into the setup together. I tried to fashion my practice off that level of organization.”
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By Dr. Joseph J. Massad
It is my experience from teaching and meeting thousands of dentists around the world that change is rather difficult, and that new dentists tend to have similar concerns. One deep rooted concern stems from the need to repay school loans coupled with the high cost of setting up a new office or purchasing an outdated office that needs modernized. I set up a new office in uncertain economic times, which is an experience I relay to students when they come to me with financial concerns. My plan to reduce the risk of unnecessary spending provided me somewhat of a safety blanket. I had an exit plan to move locations if desirable. Even though I purchased and refurbished my space, I would recommend dentists who opt to lease to either sign a shorter lease or have a drop clause for flexibility. As I put my plan into place, I realized it would require an office design concept that was different from the norm. I needed a modern way to quickly establish a sophisticated treatment space while minimizing costs, time delays and avoiding landlord leasing issues. The best option for me was a modular design, which is something you might want to consider as well.
Take Advantage of Excess Retail Space As the tenant’s leases in retail spaces begin to terminate because of the “Amazon effect,” landlords are looking for ways to repurpose the space for other types of tenants, including charter schools, medical offices and specialty grocery stores. Many of these spaces make ideal dental office locations. They tend to have high visibility, easy access and parking within an established suburban area. Portability Can Be Your Best Asset Retail landlords are unfamiliar with the high cost per square foot required to build out traditional dental space designs with extensive plumbing and cabinetry. To make it easier to negotiate a low-cost and short-term lease and/or a drop clause, modular office design allows you to minimize
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. JOSEPH MASSAD
Modular Dental Office: Better By Design ASI Cabinetry-Free Operatory, ASI Designer Advanced Dental System (on left), ASI Designer Ambidextrous Assistant’s System (on right)
plumbing and/or the leasehold improvements required for dental space, making you just like their other tenants. In addition, modular designs can dramatically cut time needed for build out, which shortens the downtime from lease signing to generating patient revenue. This can be vital to a young dentist’s starting cash flow.
Plumb-Free Build Outs If you find a nice location, and avoid spending money on build-out costs to cut concrete for plumbing and traditional cabinetry, you will have a reasonable budget that allows you to purchase quality equipment you can rely on. I saved about $60,000 in construction costs and eliminated the need to cut concrete and all the plumbing of water, compressed air, suction, gas etc. I have everything I need in attractive portable dental units that allow me to perform all dental procedures. They also perfectly match my existing portable cabinetry. I can move these portable dental units, including the side portable cabinets, into the middle of a room and give a demonstration to my students during a class. Just think about what this means if you decide to move. Rather than installing new plumbing, you can take your entire operatory with you. Plumbed Modular Designs New dentists who decide to plumb a space with delivery systems connected to a central utility room should still consider the time and cost savings newer modular delivery systems provide. Traditional cabinet-based operatories are expensive, lack ergonomic function, and can become cluttered. They’re not easily updated, reconfigured, CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 >>
Dr. Massad is in private practice in Tulsa, OK. He holds faculty positions at various universities, including Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School, Loma Linda University, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry, and the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
MADE IN
U.
S. A.
Get the Most Out of Tradeshows As a new dentist, it can be difficult to determine the best tradeshows to hit every year— and how to get the most out of your time while you’re there.
GREATER NEW YORK DENTAL MEETING November 24-29 New York, gnydm.com
To help give you direction, The New Dentist™ magazine recently spoke to tradeshow organizers about programs specifically designed for you, and asked them for tips to help you optimize your experience, no matter which meeting you attend:
Organizers recently created the Emerging Leaders Committee to give young dentists the opportunity to help develop programming that’s most interesting and helpful to them, said Dr. Lois Jackson, who is in charge of new dentist planning. To help attract other young dentists, committee members promote their involvement via social media channels and study clubs. The tradeshow will feature a Pediatric Dentistry Summit and a variety of courses that focus on practice management topics as well as popular clinical topics, such as veneers, General Chairman Dr. Marc Gainor said.
THE ADA October 19-23 | Atlanta ada.org
• New dentist focus: The ADA now
has a new dentist component that lasts throughout the entire meeting rather than just one day, said Catherine Mills, Director, Annual Meeting & Advisory Committee on Annual Meetings. For an additional fee, new dentists can take advantage of tailored education through the new dentist CE track, as well as their own reception. There also will be exhibit hall mentors on hand to help show new dentists how to navigate the halls and find the best products.
• Advice from Mills: “Connect with
an established dentist before going to the meeting and plan to have lunch, coffee or to walk through the exhibit hall. Meetings give you the chance to be around people who love and are excited about dentistry. That can give you a boost.”
12 THENEWDENTIST.NET FA L L 2 0 1 7
• New dentist focus:
• Advice from Dr. Jackson: “Volunteer. You will get to sit in on the courses you volunteer for, so you’ll feel like you’re really part of the meeting and you’ll be able to take advantage of courses specifically targeted to new dentists.”
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY April 18-21, 2018 | Chicago aacd.com
• New dentist focus: The AACD offers a more intimate meeting that gives new dentists a chance to really connect and learn from their colleagues, Professional Education Committee member
Dr. Nathan Hill said. They’re working to develop a core curriculum for new dentists that helps them understand what it means to perform esthetic dentistry, such as foundational veneer courses and bonding courses. The lectures and hands-on classes give new dentists the chance to learn techniques and concepts that weren’t covered in dental school. 100% Black
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• Advice from Dr. Hill: “You can
walk up to leaders in dentistry and they share their experiences. There’s a comradery there. You become friends with them and they not only teach you about the technical side, but also marketing and what they’re doing to be successful. That aspect of it helped me be more competitive.”
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY June 7-9, 2018 | New Orleans agd.org
• New dentist focus: At the most
recent meeting, which was held in July, the AGD presented 1 hour lectures rather than 6-8 hour courses to meet the needs of new dentists, said Dr. Joseph Picone, chair of the AGD’s Scientific Meetings Council. Dentists could choose from 90 courses, with 34 of them offered for free. They also had a chance to network with other young dentists in the new dentist lounge. Recent graduates and dentists who have been out of school for a year or less can attend the meeting for free. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 >>
JOIN CHICAGO US IN
2018 CHICAGO DENTAL SOCIETY
MIDWINTER MEETING FEBRUARY 22 – 24, 2018 | McCORMICK PLACE WEST, CHICAGO
REGISTRATION BEGINS NOVEMBER 1 AT WWW.CDS.ORG
NEW DENTISTS! Are you a first year out, dental school graduate? Did you know you qualify for $0 Chicago Dental Society member dues if you’re a tripartite member in your state?
Sign up to be a member and register for the Midwinter Meeting for free! Attend the New Dentist Event, Friday, February 23 at the meeting and meet fellow colleagues. Are you in a graduate program or residency? While you’re in your program you can be a CDS member for $0 dues.
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY AT ON.CDS.ORG/TND18JOIN CHICAGO DENTAL SOCIETY
THE RESPECTED LEADER IN SCIENTIFIC DENTAL MEETINGS SM
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Other top tradeshows to put on your calendar: Yankee Dental Congress, January 24-28, 2018, Boston, yankeedental.com Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 22-24, 2018, Chicago, cds.org Hinman Dental Meeting, March 22-24, 2018, Atlanta,
Tradeshows
hinman.org
continued from page 12
• Advice from Dr. Picone: “When
American Academy of Laser Dentistry, April 26-28, 2018, Orlando,
you join a group like AGD, you get to know like-minded people who want to deliver the highest level of care to patients. The meeting facilitates that. Meet with the speakers in social settings when possible and ask for their advice. Many times they’ll share their phone number and say if you have a problem, call me. That’s invaluable.”
laserdentistry.org American Association of Endodontists, April 25-28, 2018, Denver, aae.org/annualsession American Academy of Periodontology, October 27-30, 2018, Vancouver, BC, Canada, perio.org
Office Design continued from page 10
or transported should you wish to remodel or relocate. The solution? Flexible, cart-based delivery for dentists and assistants. This modular platform provides superior ergonomic function and the ability to update with emerging technology. Plug and play functionality means adding equipment only as necessary and growing your practice at your own pace while avoiding additional construction costs. Ideal location opportunities for younger dentists are becoming available thanks to an abundance of retail space coming onto the market. Quick, cost effective solutions now exist for new dentists to order dental equipment directly from the manufacturer, with easy set up and the ability to relocate any time. Find a location that best suits you and then spend wisely on build-out costs.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF XLDENT
Improve Communication IN YOUR OFFICE A look at the benefits intra-office communication systems can bring. By Renee Knight, Editor
hen you’re starting a new practice, it takes time to get to know your team members and to build routines— but you certainly don’t want these growing pains to hold you back from success early on. That’s why it’s so important to invest in intraoffice communication from the beginning. The right system can help improve practice efficiencies as well as keep you on track throughout the work day. Even so, intra-office communication usually isn’t top of mind when new dentists think about what they need in a successful practice, VisiCom Sales Manager Kat Brousseau said. They’re focused on investing in the right equipment and technology, as well as effective practice management software, an easy-to-use telephone system and a seemingly endless amount of supplies. They don’t think of an intra-office communication system as a fundamental need, though it’s one that can streamline their day and help set them up for success in the future. “A new dentist is going to have a slower pace and not as many patients so they might not need this as much, but in my experience, training somebody to integrate a new system into their practice after they’ve been doing something for a few years is a challenge,” said Dr. Lorne Lavine, President/ CEO of the Digital Dentist. “It makes sense for new dentists to learn one of these systems from the get-go and to include it in their initial setup. It will be ingrained in their system in a few weeks and they won’t have to change their workflow in a year or two.” 16 THENEWDENTIST.NET FA L L 2 0 1 7
FINDING A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU There are a variety of intra-office communication systems available, and while they all have their benefits, it’s important to invest in a solution that best fits your practice. In general, you’ll want to look for something that’s easy to use, that’s customizable, that allows you to page and send messages without disrupting the practice workflow, and that’s backed by a company that offers exceptional customer service. Dr. Lavine suggests investing in a software-based product that runs on your office computers. These tend to be less expensive than the analogue systems of the past, as well as fairly intuitive. The best systems offer customization and feature specific chimes for each individual in the practice, he said. That way, you and your team members know when someone is trying to reach you, even if you can’t see a computer screen when the page comes. Ted Takahashi, Founder & CEO of T2 Consulting, also suggests leveraging your computer network and purchasing a software-based communication system. He has recommended the Venga system to his clients for years, he said, because it’s easy to use and reliable. Regardless of the system you choose, zone paging is among the key features to look for, Takahashi said, because it gives you the ability to page someone in multiple rooms. Why does that matter? If you page in op three and the hygienist you’re looking for is in op one and never hears it, the system will just add stress and frustration to your day rather than order. Most systems also offer instant messaging for more detailed communication. It’s important to make sure you invest in software that features the TCP protocol, Takahashi said, which guarantees messages get from point A to point B in the order you send them. To stay HIPPA compliant, look for a system that encrypts these messages. Some options, like Venga, make it possible to send messages via text, Takahashi said. So if you’re at lunch and an emergency patient comes in, for example, you’ll receive a page on your smartphone. Some companies also have plans to use smart watches, so instead of looking at the computer screen when you get a page, you just look at your watch.
systems allow staff to focus on things that are more productive for the office, such as marketing, billing, insurance and answering phone calls. Any time they spend running down the hallway to give you a message and then running back, that’s just wasted time and wasted energy.”
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM When you choose an intra-office communication system, sit down with a company representative to figure out the best way to implement it into your practice. Determine which features work best for you and what you want to customize. This will help ensure you get the most out of the purchase—so you can improve communication between you and your team members, which in turn will grow your patient base and your bottom line. “Doctors often underestimate the role communication plays in practice efficiency and patient experience,” Christodoulou said. “Knowing what a patient needs in a moment’s notice helps the practice team provide the highest level of service and make an impression that keeps patients coming back.”
THE OPTIONS Here’s a quick look at five intra-office communication systems to consider:
PHOTO COURTESY OF XLDENT
XLNotify from XLDent. This simple, effective instant messaging tool is compatible with all practice management systems and comes with customizable pre-set messages for faster communication during highproduction days. Visit xldent.com. LAN4000 from Comlite Systems. The light-signaling and paging software serves as a comprehensive time management tool. Visit comliteinfo.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COMLITE SYSTEMS
XLNotify from XLDent
Visicom. A wireless and nonverbal paging system that is customizable and easy to use. Visit visicom.net. BlueNote Light Software. A peer-to-peer system, it can be downloaded from the company website and customized with names, locations and alerts. Visit bluenotesoftware.com. Venga Dental Paging Software. An intuitive software that can be used in small practices, large group practices or in multiple locations. Visit tedtakahashi.com/ dental-technology-integration/ do-it-right-essentials/ venga-software/.
LAN4000 from Comlite Systems.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUENOTE SOFTWARE
THE BENEFITS The right system will help you stay on schedule throughout the day. Patients aren’t left waiting in the chair because you didn’t realize they were ready for a check, or hanging out in the waiting room because no one told you they’d arrived, said Tom Northrop, President of Comlite Systems. Efficient communication also helps keep team members as productive as possible, which in the end means more money for the practice. “A practice just starting out may not be fully staffed and team members may be filling multiple roles,” said Dawn Christodoulou, President/Owner of XLDent. “Effectively communicating without having to run around the office to speak to team members face-to-face can help you share information more quickly. For a new dentist, making the best first impression is elevated with better, more efficient team communication.” Communication systems also help to hold team members accountable, Trish Walraven of BlueNote said. If somebody doesn’t clear their light, which signifies a task is complete, everyone can see that. It becomes obvious where a breakdown occurred. These systems make it easier for offices to collaborate, Walraven said. With BlueNote, if one assistant doesn’t answer a light because she’s busy with a patient, another assistant who sees the light is aging can take care of it. The best part? All this is happening without patients knowing it. “This type of communication helps keep the staff on point,” Takahashi said. “When they finish a cleaning, they can page the dentist so the patient isn’t waiting for the exam for 15 minutes. It really helps keep the practice tidy and helps make certain everyone is where they’re supposed to be at any given point in time.” Dr. Ray Orzechowski, who uses Comlite Systems, knows first-hand how wordless communication among team members can help keep a practice on track. “It really is about efficiency and time management,” Dr. Orzechowski said. “In today’s busy society, patients have high expectations of being seen on time. This gives you a tool to efficiently and quietly maintain a very high level of communication amongst your staff, so there’s no question in regards to the status of patients currently in the office, whether they’re in the waiting room or ready for a hygiene check. New dentists can implement this from the beginning, and it will become even more important as they get busier.” Another benefit? The clinical team can help each other when an “oops” moment happens during a procedure, Christodoulou said. A clinician can quickly send a message that help is needed in a specific operatory, and a nearby staff member can ‘pop in’ without alerting the patient that an instrument is missing from a kit or that a material has run out. “You need something that makes you more efficient so you’re not running around all day,” Dr. Lavine said. “These
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BEEN THERE, Done That
Key Opinion Leader Dr. John Graeber’s 10 tips for new dentists.
D
r. John Graeber will never forget the negative dental experience he had when he was just 11 years old. He had fractured his front tooth, and instead of the dentist getting him out of pain and restoring his smile, he ended up suffering unnecessarily. That experience is what prompted him to become a dentist, and why he’s so dedicated to providing the best patient care possible—which is what he’s been doing for 45 years. “I was a ruined dental patient and I’ve never forgotten,” he said. “My motto is no one leaves my practice if they can’t smile.” Dr. Graeber, who is the past president of the American Academy of Laser Dentistry, has learned a lot over his decades-long career, and has plenty of advice for new dentists. Here are 10 of his best tips: 1. Treat your patients like family. Show respect to every patient who walks through your practice doors, he said, and make it clear you really care about their well-being. Doing so will help you win loyal patients. “What people expect from any practitioner is a caring attitude,” Dr. Graeber said. “Because without that the relationship is strained if not broken.” 2. Become a lifelong student. The dental profession is constantly 18 THENEWDENTIST.NET FA L L 2 0 1 7
changing, so it’s important to invest in continuing education to keep up-todate on the latest and greatest products and techniques, Dr. Graeber said. CE becomes particularly important if you’d like to treat specialty cases, because you likely didn’t learn what you need to know in dental school. Local study clubs also offer various learning and networking opportunities. 3. Don’t ignore the business side of running a practice. Chances are you didn’t learn much about this in dental school, making it important to seek out practice management courses and to do your own research, whether that means reading books or talking with colleagues. It might take some time, Dr. Graeber said, but eventually you’ll find ways to improve your systems and to grow your practice. 4. Work as an associate. When dentists first graduate from dental school, they typically don’t know what kind of practice they’d like to eventually own. If that sounds like you, Dr. Graeber suggests working as an associate for three to five years to get a feel for the various types of practice environments out there. This will help you find your comfort zone. 5. Hire the right team members. Your team members are the backbone of your practice, making it critical to bring on the right people. Dr. Graeber suggests hiring eagerness before experience. The more motivated team members are to excel, the more they’ll help you move your practice forward. “Strong team members make your life easier,” he said. “They have more time to interact with your patients. The more
responsibilities you can delegate to your staff, the better your practice will run.” 6. Invest in quality equipment. Before making a large purchase, Dr. Graeber suggests doing a little research. Ask your colleagues what they use and go to shows to evaluate the different options. This will help ensure you find the best fit. 7. Use excellent materials. The better materials you use, the better care you can offer your patients. Dr. Graeber typically chooses materials from Ivoclar Vivadent and Ultradent Products. 8. Learn laser dentistry. As a leading laser dentist, Dr. Graeber knows the many benefits lasers bring to a practice, from attracting new patients to the ability to perform less invasive procedures. He suggests investing in quality diode lasers from well-known U.S.-based companies such as CAO Group, Ultradent and Biolase. 9. Don’t settle for any dental lab. You need to work with a lab you can trust to deliver quality results. Be sure to evaluate their work before sending them any cases, Dr. Graeber said, and talk with colleagues about their experiences. “Choose a lab that’s close to home so you can visit,” he said. “Your reputation is based upon your lab’s product, so you need a quality lab.” 10. Pick the right location. Before buying a practice, do some research to make sure you choose the right community, Dr. Graeber said. Look for an area that fits your lifestyle and that is home to the type of patients you’d like to serve.
Dr. John Graeber maintains a full-time comprehensive cosmetic practice in East Hanover, New Jersey. He is Past President of the Academy of Laser Dentistry and maintains an online Diode Laser training website, softtouchseminars.com.
SKINNY
on the Street
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PHOTO COURTESY OF RANDMARK DENTAL PRODUCTS LLC.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZIRC
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