We Want to Hear From You!

Our goal in starting this dental assisting blog was to  network with other dental assistants, and post feedback, helpful hints, and discussion topics that are important to you.  We would like to meet our readers and want to extend an invitation to you to become a "follower" of our blog. If your a member of blogspot it's-easy just click the "Follow" icon at the top left hand corner of our blog. If you are not a member go to the bottom of the page and press "Follow". You can also, email us your questions, comments, and discussion topics. We will also post your great ideas and pearls to share with other assistants.

EFDA School Update

It's hard to believe it has already been two months since I started class towards getting my EFDA license.  (Not to mention it's been nine years since I was in a classroom setting or have taken a test!  - A little intimidating, but I'm always up for a challenge.)  Continuing education courses and seminars have frequently been a part of my position as a dental assistant.  However, being a student again has required some adjustment and self-discipline.  I've been brushing up on my note-taking and study skills and I'm thankful to say that it has definitely paid off. 

It's exciting to learn and develop new skills in restorative dentistry, and I can't wait to put them to use in our practice.  Obtaining your EFDA license not only improves your knowledge and abilities as an assistant, but also adds to value to your practice as a whole.  Being in an educational environment with other dental assistants from different practices is also a great way to network and gain useful information. 

If you are interested in the possibility of becoming an EFDA, take the first step by discussing it with your doctor.  Then, look into programs at local schools.  You will find many of them offer evening and weekend classes that allow you to continue your current work schedule. 

My midterm is only two weeks away...........back to studying!     

Gina's 1st Day of School

Gina starts her first day of Expanded Function Assisting School tonight! Her program will run from September to February and then she will be required to complete a set number of hours in an externship program,  performing expanded function duties in the dental office. After that is complete, she will take her state exam and receive her license to practice as an expanded function assistant under the supervision of a dentist.

It is always important to continue to grow as an assistant and if the state you live in enables you to expand your assisting skills-take advantage of it! In the state of Pennsylvania where we practice, EFDA's can place/polish composite restorations as well as sealants, coronal polish, apply fluoride and fabricate temporary crowns. Gina will blog about her experiences in the weeks to come.

De-Stress Your Mess!

We recently had the opportunity to work at another dental office as temporary assistants.  We weren't sure what to expect from the office or the situation that we were walking into. But to our pleasant surprise, we were warmly greeted by a great dental team and a doctor who was appreciative that we were ready to help. 

One thing that immediately struck us was how different things were from East Berlin Smiles.  Different doesn't mean bad - this office just struggled with organizational systems.  We would like to think of ourselves as easy-going, totally flexible people who can be thrown into any given situation and come out victorious.  But we have to say, when it comes to our career and the position we hold as dental assistants, there are quite a few things that we are not willing to compromise on. 

Normally, someone who is "set in their ways," may not always be viewed in a good light.  But, what your office may need is an assistant who will uphold high standards, implement organized systems, and refuse to compromise on quality patient care.   We were reminded how critical it is to have organizational systems in place, and when they're not, it effects the practice in several ways:

*  Running behind in the schedule - It's important to your patients to stay on time and not make them wait to be seated.  Occasionally, you may run behind, but do not make your patients wait more than 5-10 minutes. Be courteous by having your front office associate communicate the reason for the delay.  It is also a good idea to meet with your clinical team to discuss a set amount of time needed for specific procedures in the schedule.

* Not reaching targeted production goals - Let's face it, hopefully everyone on your staff strives to be their best and cares about your patients, but at the end of the day, your dental office is a business.  You have to produce more than your overhead and the key to this is having a productive schedule that's effectively carried out by both the front and back offices. 

*  Stress levels - When stress is brought on by someone or something, there is a trickle-down effect that quickly takes place.  Before you know it, the whole office is feeling it and don't think for a second that your patients won't notice - they do.  The last place they want to be is in  your dental chair when you're under stress and your mood is affected. Clear communication between the front and back office is critical to keep the schedule flowing smoothly, to ensure your patients are seen on time, and to alleviate a stressful  environment. 

Your roll as an assistant to implement organization takes place in your operatories, sterilization room, and lab.  Not only do you need to know where items are located, and what specific items are necessary for procedures, but you need to implement a system for each area that is logical and consistent.  One way of beginning this process is to write SOPs (standard operating procedures) for each procedure.  The purpose for SOPs is to be able to easily train a new-hire in the set-ups and organizational systems that are specific to your office. 

Some other systems we implement in our office are procedure specific bins that contain all necessary materials for that procedure (i.e.crown/bridge,
composite,root canal and extractions). These bins can be carried from room to room as needed. We also have bur blocks prepared for composite and crown/bridge procedures that are sterilized after each patient. In our practice we have a restorative tray set-up that can be used for all restorative procedures and a basic set-up for emergencies. If your doctor uses more than one operatory, they should mirror each other in where items are located and stored. The overall idea is to keep things simple and organized so that items you need are readily available in each operatory eliminating the possibility of cross contamination and needless  "jump-ups" to retrieve materials.  Don't feel overwhlemed if your office is in need of an organizational make-over......start small and eventually you will reach your goal.  Your efforts will benefit you as an individual and your practice as a whole.

Our New Toy

Is the technology in your dental office up to date? Or are you stuck in the vacu-form dark ages?

 

We were, but no more! Our office now has a Drufomat scan-a high quality thermoforming unit. It features material recognition software with a built-in scanner that programs material related parameters such as the product name, strength, heating and cooling down times-automatically!

You no longer have to stand there waiting for your "bubble" to melt, so you can pull it down over your model and hope that there are no creases in the material after it is vacu-formed.  The Drufomat scan does practically all the work for you. Simply trim your model, spray with silicone spray to make the tray easier to remove, load and scan your material-the machine does the rest.  The Drufomat requires less time to fabricate appliances than other methods and produces a predictable outcome.  It's accuracy saves material cost and eliminates the lab fee.  

There is some trimming and polishing that will need done when your appliance is moved from the machine, but it is minimal. The result is lab quality whitening trays, essix retainers, night guards and sports guards just to name a few.

Check out http://www.essix.com/ to see the Drufomat and all the cool accessories and materials available.

We love their polishing brushes with Scotch-Brite material

Fundraisers continued.....

Jewelry Party

Another fundraiser we organized was a jewelry party, held on a Friday evening in our office.  During down-time, we would make various styles of jewelry like necklaces and bracelets and even a few pieces of children's jewelry.  It's great to get your whole staff involved in making the pieces of jewelry, because each of us has our own taste and unique style - and so will your shoppers.  Turn your office into a boutique with decorations and creatively display what you've made.  Have all items priced ahead of time and send invitations to ladies in your practice, friends, and family members for a "girls night" of shopping and hors d'oeuvres.  Tell them to bring their friends and get ready for a fun time out.  Remember to be good hostesses-dress up for your party and have as many staff members participate as possible!

Golf Tournament

 Our golf tournament fundraiser definitely required the most planning, but it also turned out to be the most successful event-with the most donations raised for our dental mission.  We visited local businesses in our community with donation forms and freshly baked cookies in hand, and asked store managers and owners for their support.  For local businesses, we asked them for a gift certificate,  prize donation, or for a monetary donation to sponsor a hole. In turn, they would receive recognition and advertisement at that particular hole.

Of course, we let our patients know about our tournament and invited them to join us for a fun day of golf.  Within several months, we had all of our holes sponsored, and had some great prizes to give away to winners in several categories. 

Our staff and Amber's father catered the event (yes we made all the food!) and our golfers enjoyed a great meal after their day of golf.

We were all exhausted by the end of the day, but felt like a million bucks when we saw the fruits of our labor.

 

Fabulous Fundraisers

Whether you want to organize fundraisers for a small, local cause, or if you want to raise a large amount for a future dental mission - early planning is a must!  Fundraisers do require forethought and effort, but they are a great way to get your team members and your local community involved in accomplishing your goal. 



Tips for getting started:

*Identify how much money you need to raise

*Brainstorm as a team for what type of fundraisers would best fit into your local community

*Get friends, family, and your patients involved by  posting newspaper press releases, sending flyers in pt  bags, and most importantly, talking about it - let them see your excitement!


*Talk to your colleagues and your doctor's associates and specialists you have a close relationship with about making a donation

*Speak with different representatives regarding  product donations

Fundraisers we organized:

Yard Sale/Bake Sale

Have your staff donate unwanted items in good condition for the yard sale - there may even be items around your office that you aren't using. (Please get your doctor's permission first)  Bake up a storm!  We made items ranging from easy cereal bars to layered cakes.  Portion your baked goods in individual packaging.

If possible, hold your event when there is a community yard sale or other town event to get the most traffic. 

Dental Mission to Vietnam

One of our mission sites-a school yard

Is your practice already "standing out"? Are you proud of the services you offer and do you have close relationships with your patients?  If the answer is yes - that's great!  But how often do we really take the time to step outside our office and experience the community that we're a part of? 


Or, think even bigger and participate in a dental mission with your co-workers.  A dental mission can bring people from different backgrounds together to support a great cause. 


Whether you decide to start in your local community, or go international, giving back will benefit you and the members of your team in many ways.  One benefit is simply team building.  As you work together with a central purpose, it will bring you closer together as a team.  It's one thing to be with each other during a typical work day, but team building outside of the office causes you to let your guard down and get to know the people you work with in new ways. 

Another benefit of giving back is the obvious effect your efforts will have on those who are less fortunate.  There are so many things in our lives that we daily take for granted, and serving others together, truly gives you a new perspective and out-look on life. It will make you appreciate what you have even more.

Get your patients involved!  Tell them what you're planning and let them see you being active in your community.  Let's face it - some of our patients only think of us in our sterile work environment.  Have you ever had the experience of seeing one of them at your local grocery store?  You recognize them, and politely wave and say with a smile, "Hi Mr. so and so!" And they don't even recognize you!  Our patients need to see that "human" side.  And if you're already great at doing that, then view this as another great opportunity to stand out from the '"average Joe" and let them see your passion come to life through your compassion for others.  If you're planning to travel, let your patients know.  Ask them for their support and show them how they can get involved through fundraisers.  They will love supporting you and will cheer you on!

Gina assisting with extractions

Nine months ago,  for sixteen days, we traveled to Vietnam for our first dental mission with Operation Smile.  Six months prior, we started planning our trip.  We knew it sounded ambitious and that we would need to raise a lot of money to get there, but everyone on our staff agreed that we had to do it.  We were scared, nervous, and worried, but most of all - excited!  And that's what made it all happen.  We were united as a team and driven with one goal - get to Vietnam and provide free dentistry to impoverished children.  Don't get me wrong - it was a lot of work.  But with the help and support of our patients, colleagues, friends, family, and local community, we made it happen.  And you can too! Are we suggesting that everyone should plan a trip like this? - Not necessarily. 

Amber and Dr. Cockley providing restorative care 

But whether you start big or small, it all matters and it will all make a huge difference in some one's life.  In posts to come, we'll let you know exactly how we did it by sharing ideas for fundraisers and how to gain the support of your patients and your local community. 

"Everyone will notice.......but no one will know!"

Dr. Cockley is now offering Botox and Juvederm services to our patients who would like to improve their appearance or enhance their natural beauty.

As a dentist, Dr. Cockley has the main advantage of being able to administer anesthetic directly around the patient's mouth so the procedure is virtually pain free.  State laws for certification and administering these products do vary so check with your state for restrictions. Once certified, your doctor can easily add these services into your practice.

How does it work?

Botox works by reducing muscle activity that causes persistent wrinkles to form between the brows, along the forehead, and laugh lines or crows feet along the eyes. 

Juvederm works by bringing back your skin's volume and smoothing away wrinkles and folds. It is commonly used in the nasolabial folds and to plump lips. Patients will see instant results with Juvederm - who doesn't love that?

Though Botox and Juvederm can easily be done within your daily schedule, hosting a "Botox Party" for your patients can be a lot of fun.  There are several advantages of hosting a party - you don't have the sounds of the regular "hustle and bustle" going on in your office, you can create a very relaxing spa-like atmosphere, and patients can bring their friends.  If a patient brings a friend, they may be curious and watch their  procedure. The experience will help them to gain valuable information and they may consider Botox or Juvederm services for themselves in the future.  

"Botox Party" Ideas:

*Send invitations to patients, family, and friends

*Have light refreshments available

*Create a spa atmosphere with candles, flowers, and  soothing music

*Have ice packs and post-op instructions ready

*Dress up! Don't come in your scrubs

*Offer paraffin wax hand treatments to your patients in the reception area

*Have your staff members discuss procedures and answer any questions

*Have your patients fill out applicable consent forms

*Some of your staff should be available in the reception area to chat with your patients and make them feel comfortable while other patients are being seen

*Take before photos - have your patients come back 2-3 weeks later for after photos

Your patients aren't going to know that you are offering these services unless you make it known.  Begin the conversation by telling them about your doctor's latest certification in Botox and Juvederm. Ask your patients if they are interested in learning more, or if they know a friend or family member who is.  Your patients would be more inclined to come to your office to get these procedures done - remember to tell your patients that your doctor will be able to numb the area so they are totally comfortable. Your doctor should also perform these services on staff members - your face will advertise the results your patients may be looking for.

Pamper Your Patients!

Does this sound familiar? You greet your next patient in the reception area with a big smile and a "Hello! How are you today?" - and you're greeted back with a, "I hate coming to the dentist -no offense," "I'd rather be at the gynecologist office," or "Awful! What do you expect? -I'm at the dentist."  

Doesn't that make you feel great?  Let's face it - there aren't too many people that look forward to their dental appointment.  We work in this environment every day and become immune to the sights, sounds, and smells.  We can easily forget what it's like for our patients until it's our turn to be one. 

Paraffin hand treatment station

Our job is to break down that barrier and create an environment where our patients have a relaxing, enjoyable experience.  Create that "new patient" experience for everyone - each time they enter your office.  There are many economical and affordable services that you can offer your patients to create a spa-like experience. Whether your patient is fearful, stressed, a busy mom or dad rushing in, or someone who's had a long work day - everyone loves to be pampered and they are going to love you for it!

We regularly offer our patients:

Anxiety-free dental appointment

*Heated, aromatherapy neck wraps  and eye/forehead pillow 

*Headphones

*Paraffin wax hand treatments

*Memory foam chair cushions with knee and lumbar pillows

*Scented aromatherapy candles

*Sunglasses, and blankets

Stand Out! - Add Kids' Day to Your Dental Practice

Dr. Cockley as a Lifeguard

Although Dr. Cockley does excellent cosmetic dentistry in our practice, family dentistry is a priority.  We cater to the youngest of our patients by having a "Kids' Day" four times per year.  This day is geared toward children age eight and younger and gives them a fun, positive experience in the dental office.

Each Kids' Day has it's own party theme and our entire staff dresses in costumes.  There are prizes, decorations, and lots of pictures being taken to make it a special day.  Because children in this age group can be seen in a relatively short period of time, Kids' Day frees up the hygiene schedule for adult appointments and keeps your schedule more consistent.  On average, in an eight hour day, we see 60-80 children.

Amber and Gina - Beach Day

How do we do it?

*Schedule your first Kids' Day when most children will be off school for a holiday - this also makes things more convenient for parents. 

*Make and send personalized invitations to each child - one week prior to their appointment ( the children love getting mail personally addressed to them)

*Put up all decorations the night before, if possible

*All operatories in the practice are used for hygiene that day

*Assistants seat each patient, update x-rays, and sit with patient until the next hygienist is available

*Hygienists move from room to room as needed, doing child prophies

*Dr. Cockley performs exam and applies the fluoride varnish

Pirates and Princesses Theme

*Assistant walks patient to the front desk and informs the patient's parent of any further treatment needed

*When not with a patient, assistants continuously "flip" rooms and sterilize instruments



*We also have small routing slips that we print just for that day to keep track of services provided, and any added notes that need to be recorded in the patient's chart

*Hygienists record chart notes at the end of the day or next day and refer back to the routing slips

*We consider children age three and younger a "happy visit" and do not charge them for this visit

Party Ideas:
*We find affordable decorations and prizes at orientaltrading.com and partycheap.com

*Have an area designated for parents, where you offer water, tea, coffee and snacks

*Make prize bags ahead and include hygiene supplies and a prize

Pajama Party Theme

*Hire a "balloon slinger" to make creative balloon animals and keep the kids entertained

*Or - Hire an artist to do face painting

*Take lots of photos throughout the day - the kids love seeing their photos displayed in the office at their next visit

Amber, Gina, and Christa

 - Kids' Day is also a great way to gain new patients.  Many parents hear about our Kids' Days from their friends and schedule their children for their first visit.  Many end up becoming new patients themselves because they had a great experience with their children.

 - Let your local newspaper know about your upcoming Kids' Day - they may write up an article about your office.  It's great free advertising. 

When it Comes to Your Smile, White is Always in Style!

Don't wait for your patients to ask about whitening - Take the initiative.  With the right verbal skills and tact, you can present whitening to your patients in a way that won't offend even the most sensitive person.  Whitening is a great way to bring revenue into your practice with little or no doctor time and is a simple way to change a person's smile and instantly boost their self-confidence.  Below are some helpful hints on how to start a conversation about whitening with your patients.

1.) When checking the shade for a composite or crown, ask you patient if they have any plans to whiten their teeth in the near future so you can select the shade accordingly.

2.) If your patient has a beautiful smile - tell them! Ask if they would like to enhance it even more by whitening their teeth.

3.) Have a special offer in your office.  Print up coupons for your patients and hand them out.  Summer is a great time for a whitening special - many people are getting married or graduating.

4.) Ask your patient if they have any cosmetic concerns or if they had the opportunity, would they change anything about their smile  - most say color.

5.) If someone says, "I never thought about whitening" - take out the shade guide and ask them what shade they think matches the color of their teeth.  Most of the time, people think their teeth are several shades lighter than they actually are.  With a hand mirror, show them the shade they selected against their teeth.  You can also show them a lighter shade they could potentially be after whitening.

After seeing the difference in shade and looking in the mirror, many patients will schedule for in-office whitening.  If possible, offer to take the alginate impression for the whitening trays the same day. If offered in your office, outside financing is a great way to make in-office whitening procedures very affordable.  In fact, with Care Credit, our patients can break our whitening fee down into twelve affordable monthly payments.  These payments are actually less than the cost of some premium whitening strips sold over-the-counter, and of course, the results will last much longer.

For details on fabricating whitening trays, please see Diva Tips.

How to Make a Great Provisional (AKA temporary crown)

We use bite registration material  and a 2x2 gauze to take a pre-op impression.  By using the bite registration instead of alginate, you will have the impression available if you would need to remake the patient's temporary crown before his or her scheduled delivery date.  Using this technique also saves on the inventory budget and scheduled "chair time" for re-makes. 

Steps:

1.) Dispense the bite registration onto the 2x2 gauze in the form of a thick line.  Keep in mind you will need enough material to cover at least one adjacent tooth on each side of the tooth that is being restored. 

2.) Quickly mold the material onto the three teeth you are going to capture in the impression.  Place it directly on the incisal/occlusal surfaces and evenly mold it to the buccal and lingual surfaces, creating an exaggerated "U" shape.  

3.) Allow the bite registration to fully set in the mouth. 

4.) After the tooth has been prepped for the veneer, crown, or onlay, dispense the acrylic temporization material (We like Protemp Plus) into the pre-op impression and place the impression in the mouth until nearly set. (For most materials, 1 min and 10 sec usually allows the material to be flexible enough to easily remove excess from the impression and adjacent teeth.)

5.) Place your temporary crown back onto the tooth until it has fully set.  Check the bite with articulating paper and adjust if necessary.

6.) Carefully trim the margins and contacts and taper towards the gingival margin.  Be careful not trim too much - you do not want a temporary without interproximal contacts.  (If you are temporizing more than one tooth, and your provisional crowns will be connected, you must trim the contact and embrasures properly to allow a "triangle" for the interdental papilla.  If you skip this important step, the tissue may be traumatized and become blunted.)

7.) "Rough" the inside surfaces of the temporary crown with a slow speed hand piece and a diamond bur.  By taking away the air-inhibited layer on the inside, the cement will adhere to the temporary better.  Again, be careful not to ream out the inside - you just want to gently remove a thin layer and rough the surface.

8.) If a build-up was placed, apply a glycerin gel (We like Ivoclar Vivadent's "Liquid Strip.") to the build-up only, before using temporary cement. This will prevent the cement from adhering to the build-up instead of the tooth. 

9.) Cement the temporary crown, remove marginal excess, and be sure the patient can floss between the interproximal contacts.  ( We like Dent Zar, Inc.'s "Olympian-M" temporary cement.)