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Making the Most of Digital Implant Planning in Your Practice
Many general dentists don’t have the opportunity to do digital implant planning the way they would like. They would typically like to start with the crown down, taking a prosthetic approach, before placing the actual implant. However, many patients come in ready to move forward with the placement of an implant, which is where dentists must start. Unfortunately, the placement isn’t always perfect in those scenarios. That is where digital implant planning comes in. Cone beam computed tomography can help to improve the entire process, from diagnostics and treatment planning, to placing the implant. Dr. Ben Bringewald, a general dentist, offered his insights on improving placement in his recent
NYC Dentist Dreams Big with Design, Technology and Location
Hudson Street Dental perfects patients’ smiles with high-tech innovation and a high-touch experience. If you ask Dr. David Tarica what he loves most about New York, his answer comes easy: "It’s being able to take care of New Yorkers’ smiles.” It’s a vision he has shared with his partners, Dr. Randall Hight and Dr. Mark Nadolne, since they opened the first of their six dental offices in 1985. The sixth office, Hudson Street Dental, officially opened in March 2020 and is part of My NYC Dentist, a full service, diversified group of dental practices in and around the New York City area. The new upscale dental office is
7 Considerations in Financing a Dental Startup or Expansion
Whether you’re a newly minted dentist opening your first office or an established practitioner eyeing an expansion or renovation, you’ll want to consider whether now is the right time to finance a new venture — and how much you can afford. To guide you through the process, it’s important to surround yourself with a group of trusted advisers, says Joseph Persichetti, senior director of Henry Schein’s Financial Services Department. He recently led a Henry Schein Dental webinar on deciding whether and how to finance your project. He outlined seven key considerations as you embark on your financing journey: 1. How much can you afford and can you get
Art Meets Dentistry in Columbus, Ohio
4th Street Dental Studio – Columbus, Ohio Robert Wood II, DDS Dr. Robert Wood II, is a third-generation artisan, specializing in the art of a smile at his 4th Street Dental Studio in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Wood mixes art and the science of dentistry to help his patients achieve and maintain captivating smiles and robust oral health. Dentistry is often referred to as an art because it is focused aesthetically on making smiles beautiful. Dr. Wood has had a love for art ever since he was a child. Visiting his grandfather and uncle at work, and watching them care for patients inspired him to follow in his family’s footsteps.
Why More General Dental Practices are Turning to Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Cone beam computed tomography is being more readily adopted in many general dental practices, as clinicians look for more accurate information to use in diagnosing and treating patients. It is very important for all dentists to get familiar with it, as it is now a permanent part of the landscape. 3D imaging is vital for diagnosing patients and creating treatment plans. In many cases, CBCT provides information that isn’t available on a 2D radiograph. The more information you can have as a practitioner, the easier it is to make the best treatment decisions for your patients. Is CBCT right for your general dental practice? To make an assessment,
Debating a Cone Beam Investment? What You Need to Know
Many clinicians know that 3D imaging can be a valuable tool for their practices when it comes to both diagnostics and treatment. Nonetheless, many general practitioners are hesitant to invest in cone beam computed tomography — some aren’t convinced it’s worth the investment, citing it’s only for implantology and specialists, while others don’t feel confident reviewing a 3D scan and are leery of liability issues. Regardless, CBCT technology is finding a place in general dentistry practices. 3D imaging offers a number of advantages over 2D imaging: from the visibility of anatomy to improved diagnostic accuracy and, often, lower radiation dose*. The biggest advantage for a GP is greater precision.
6 Critical Components Every Dentist Should Know Before Starting their New Office Build or Remodel
Deciding how your dental office will look is not only the most exciting part of building a new office or remodel, but also one of the most challenging. A dental office should be comprised of two key factors when it comes to the office layout: Functionality to enhance productivity and the overall patient experience. Great functionality optimizes productivity and can significantly reduce stress. Investing in proper office flow and design can incrementally improve your practice. Even minor changes can have a major impact on your patient base. When your office environment is consistent and congruent with the level of treatment you’re offering, that leads to success. Before starting your new
New Rules of Endodontic Retreatment
By Stephanie Tran of Wall Street Dental Spa If a tooth fails to heal or experiences a secondary problem, endodontic retreatment may be used. This approach has been widely misunderstood, but there are actually many instances when it can successfully save the tooth. Understanding the diagnosis and prognosis and how to manage endodontic retreatment is essential before considering this option. New developments in endodontic retreatment First-time root canals have a very high success rate, at least 95%. And with contemporary methods and materials, root canal retreatment has a success rate of between 85-90%. Apicals and microsurgeries are also great options for patients, and are comparable to implants when it comes
Blueprint: Fully digital implant workflow with the Dentsply Sirona's Axeos 3D Imaging System
By Dr. Daniel Butterman, International Congress of Oral Implantologists Fellow and Resident Faculty Member at CDOCS.com. 3D imaging scanning offers numerous benefits – from greater convenience for patients to increased therapy acceptance. However, one of the most important aspect of 3D imaging scans is the ability to predictably perform guided implant surgery. If you can understand where your final restoration is going to be before you ever touch the patient, that’s a major improvement. Improving implant surgery Dentists sometimes focus on the implant first and putting the implant in the right position but when it comes to putting the tooth in, then they run into trouble. If the implant isn’t
5 Steps to Improve Your Treatment Room Ergonomics and Avoid Chronic Back Discomfort
By Dr. Bethany Valachi, Clinical Instructor of Ergonomics, OHSU School of Dentistry, and author of Practice Dentistry Pain-free: Evidence-based Strategies to Prevent Pain & Extend your Career As any practitioner in the field can attest, dentistry is a very physically demanding career. Even at a young age, dental practitioners can experience debilitating back pain. Studies show that dentists are nearly three times more prone to low back pain than the general population. Often, dental assistants struggle with lower back pain due to positioning challenges chairside, while hygienists and dentists also prone to neck and shoulder pain. Fortunately, there are prevention strategies you can use to avoid these problems. Don’t wait
Expanded Practice Blends High-Tech with Homey Feel
Supremia Dentistry – Wake Forest, NC Ed Suh, DDS Dr. Ed Suh, who has run Supremia Dentistry in Wake Forest, North Carolina, for 22 years, has always focused on offering the best to his patients, from the latest dental technology to a calming atmosphere. However, when Dr. Suh pictured the future of his practice, he saw the need to offer even more—space, comfort, and an enhanced workflow. So, he packed up his treasured smaller practice in 2020 and moved across the street to a much larger building that would bring his vision to life. In expanding his dental practice, Dr. Suh had three main goals: 1. Provide patients with
Patient-and-Parent-Centered Design in Pediatric and Orthodontic Practices
By: Henry Schein Integrated Design Studio’s Jennifer Rhode, Sr Manager of Design, and Robyn Connors, Designer with Henry Schein Equipment Sales Specialist, Ben Oliver Delivering an exceptional patient experience is a key factor in differentiating one practice from another. As the dentist is often the practice owner, they must wear the hat of a salesperson to draw in and retain patients. In orthodontic and pediatric practices, the practice must consider the needs of both the patient and the parent or caretaker. Through the concept of human-centered design, we can achieve a design that balances the need of both the staff, patients receiving care, and accompanying guests. WHAT IS HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN? The
How Sterilization and Infection Control Workflows Are Enhancing Dentistry
The dental profession, historically guided by strict infection control protocols, embraced new changes to old processes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Health Policy Institute of the American Dental Association, approximately 80% of practices in the United States shut down for a period of time last spring, except for emergency services. Not surprisingly, when dental offices reopened, they embraced new and reinforced regulatory mandates, with a host of new tools and resources available to them to protect patients and their practices from the coronavirus. “Dental teams are paying closer attention to the OSHA rules and CDC¹ guidelines², as well as new, specific guidance on COVID-19,” says
Family Matters: Father and Son Practice Makes Lasting Impression
Dr. Richard Assing opened his general practice, Brandon Complete Dental Care, in Brandon, Florida in 1986. What started as a small two-operatory room dental practice grew to eight over time however, he knew that additional growth was still on the horizon for his dental practice legacy. All in the Family Dr. Richard Assing (left) and Dr. Brenton Assing (right). Dr. Assing and his son, Dr. Brenton Assing, envisioned working alongside each other in dentistry to deliver a truly complete dental care experience for their patients. Before the father and son doctors could act on their vision, “Dr. Brenton” sought to finish prosthodontic school, a key element in delivering the complete
The Best Smiles Found Here: Happy Tooth Pediatric Dentistry
In the city of Millcreek, Utah, it’s not unusual to see kids running toward the dentist’s office. Who wouldn’t want to spend the day at Happy Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, an office designed to create an experience of complete comfort and care – and maybe most important, fun? Inspired by Dr. Tyler Hanks, Happy Tooth Pediatric Dentistry is all about the patient/parent experience. Kids feel that experience the moment they cross over from the outside doldrums into a room full of wonder and excitement. There is no waiting. Both parents and children are immediately greeted by a smiling receptionist. While the parents discuss the business of dentistry with the receptionist,
Thinking of Hiring an Associate: Are you Ready?
By: Cindy Bickers, Henry Schein Nationwide Dental Opportunities Whether you’re overbooked and looking for help, hoping to focus more time on managing your practice, or simply seeking more free time, hiring an associate may be the next step. Bringing on a new associate can help you grow your practice by: * Bringing in new patients * Increasing revenues through treating more patients * Providing more hygiene checks The below table shows an estimate of the potential additional net profit from having a new associate. Based on gross collections Often bringing in an associate with a partnership or deferred sale can be mutually beneficial. This process makes it easier for
Discrimination Lawsuits on the Rise: Top Ways to Protect your Practice
Ali Oromchian, renowned employment attorney and co-founder of HR for Health Emerging laws – as well as anxiety over the pandemic – are causing a spike in discrimination lawsuits. Employees’ stress level is very high, due to health and financial worries over COVID-19. This is exacerbating HR situations. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk profile so your practice can thrive amid these challenges. Wages and Hours This is one of the riskiest areas of the law right now. You can avoid these employment claims in a number of ways: Give appropriate lunches and breaks. Many states follow the federal guidelines, which require that you
Flip the Switch, Digitize, and Increase Patient Acceptance
BY: THOMAS BILSKI, DDS Intraoral scanners and 3D printers are certainly here to stay within dentistry and are a new raceway for communicating with our dental laboratories. Many dentists have been using intraoral scanners for milling crowns in office, capturing images for bite guards, clear aligner orthodontic appliances, and whitening trays, and in some practices full-arch imaging for removable prosthetics.1 The ease of use for intraoral scanners provides a savings in chair time, cost of impression materials and increased patient acceptance for dental therapies.2 The purpose of this article is to help readers: 1. understand the benefits of incorporating intraoral scanners and 3D printing 2. understand digital workflow
Utah Dentists Open Second High-Tech Location, Makes Lasting Impression
SPANISH FORK DENTISTRY - SPANISH FORK, UT Richard Francis, DDS, FAGD; Eric Swenson, DDS, FAGD; Kyle Marshall, DDS, FAGD; Aaron Galbraith, DMD; Rachel Shaw, DMD; Chad Church, DDS; Matthew Ream, DMD For a fleeting moment, breaking ground for a second practice — a million-dollar expansion located four miles away — at the onset of a global pandemic, seemed like the worst decision the three partners at Utah’s Springville Dentistry could possibly make. It turned out to be the right decision at the best time. Both Springville and their new Spanish Fork Dentistry locations have been experiencing exponential growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic, an earlier state-wide shut down, and fierce competition. Business
Overcoming Devastating Fire Leads to Rebirth of Iowa General Dental Practice
MINT SPRINGS DENTISTRY - MASON CITY, IA | NOEMI CRUZ-ORCUTT, DDS Dr. Noemi Cruz-Orcutt, owner of Mint Springs Dentistry in Mason City, Iowa, had planned to gradually update the general dentistry practice she purchased in 2015, operatory by operatory, as she grew her patient load. She had already completed the renovation of one treatment room when an unexpected disaster struck on New Year’s Eve in 2018. As her family prepared to host a New Year’s Eve party, an electrical fire roared through her practice, consuming everything inside. There were piles of ash everywhere she looked, melted equipment, walls ripped apart to dig out hot embers and significant water
AT Dental Care: Where Innovation Meets Comfort
Integrated dentistry, without question, is truly where it’s AT for today's busy patients seeking convenient quality care and doctor’s looking to optimize space, time, and cost. Many practitioners move into pre-existing spaces and make the work fit the space. Tuan Vo, DDS, experienced the inefficiencies of working at such practices as an associate, with a dream of doing something better, for patients and for himself. Dr. Vo signed on with Henry Schein in 2019 to help build his dream practice, appropriately named AT Dental Care. DREAM SPACE BECOMES REALITY Dr. Vo, a passionate practitioner with a penchant for integrating the best advances in dental technology with patient care and comfort,
Anderson Lake Dental’s Makeover Attracts New Smile for Miles
Office expansion was inevitable for husband and wife dental team, doctors Shiraz Asif, DDS, and Ambereen Suhrwardy, DDS, whose practice, Anderson Lake Dental, over the past 12 years had outgrown their current location in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Staffing at the Anderson Lake Dental increased over the years from three to eleven team members to support their many patients and broad array of services which include comprehensive dentistry, to specialty care such as porcelain veneers, CEREC, dental implants, Zoom whitening, dermal filler, Botox, sedation and more. While staff and services increased, space in which to work and see patients limited their ability to serve more people in a timely manner. In
Three Steps to Increasing PPO Insurance Reimbursements this Year
By Christi Billquist, Director of Operations for Unitas Dental -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At a time when practices are stretched financially, this is an ideal opportunity to look at ways to optimize PPO reimbursements. PPO network agreements can be complex but understanding the lay of the land can have a major impact on your bottom line. In this article, we’ll cover: * Determining when your usual customary rates (UCRs) should be raised and how to price them appropriately * Understanding the fee schedule allowance and how it affects your practice * Discovering how PPO leasing arrangements may be hurting your reimbursements and steps you
Rural Practice Shows Value of Going High-Tech
MAIN AND PALMER FAMILY DENTISTRY - GARDEN CITY, KS | JAY MAIN, DDS & LANCE PALMER, DDS Main and Palmer Family Dentistry is an example of how a state-of-the-art general dentistry practice can thrive outside of a densely populated city center by leaning into technology and thinking “big”. In fact, this 11,000 square-foot practice has always enjoyed a large patient load and a strong following in the community. With the new look and feel, it’s poised for even greater success. Dr. E. Grant Larkin owned the solo practice in Garden City, a rural agricultural town in Kansas. Dr. Jay Main joined him as a partner in 2009, and they