Australasian Dental Practice Mar/Apr 2024

SYDNEY 24-25 MAY 2024

NOVOTEL SYDNEY BRIGHTON BEACH

TWO DAYS OF LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS ON DIGITAL DENTISTRY FOR DENTISTS, SPECIALISTS, DENTAL TECHNICIANS AND DENTAL PROSTHETISTS

TWO DAYS OF LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS ON DIGITAL DENTISTRY FOR DENTISTS, SPECIALISTS, DENTAL TECHNICIANS AND DENTAL PROSTHETISTS

TWO DAYS OF LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS ON DIGITAL DENTISTRY FOR DENTISTS, SPECIALISTS, DENTAL TECHNICIANS AND DENTAL PROSTHETISTS

TWO DAYS OF LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS ON DIGITAL DENTISTRY FOR DENTISTS, SPECIALISTS, DENTAL AND DENTAL

REGISTER NOW and SAVE!

SPONSORS

Join us again or for the first time at Digital Dentistry & Dental Technology No 5 for a fun, exciting and fully immersive learning experience with the best of the best in the new age of dentistry. This year’s program will again cover Digital Smile Design • Digital orthodontics • Intraoral scanning • 3D Facial Scanning • Digital implantology • Digital full arch restorations and full mouth rehabilitations • Digital Dentures • 3D Printing • Milling • CBCT • Materials and applications • Software and more with MORE Hands-on Sessions • MORE Advanced Sessions • MORE New Products • NEW Masterclasses... and more! ONLY $440 FOR 2 DAYS OF

REGISTRATION FEES

$880 inc gst INCLUSIONS

VENUE DETAILS

Registration fee includes participation in TWO full days of education (12 CPD hours), all catering and Friday drinks. Multiple lectures and workshops are being run concurrently to allow you to build your own program to suit your specific interests. Price is all inclusive.

PROGRAMME DETAILS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2024

am -

9.00am - 5.00pm - education 5.00pm - 7.00pm - happy hour SATURDAY 25 MAY 2024 9.00am - 5.00pm - education

- education 5.00pm - 7.00pm - happy hour SATURDAY 25 MAY 2024 9.00am - 5.00pm - education 12 HOURS CPD

12 HOURS CPD

Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach - The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands NSW 2216 - Close to Sydney Domestic and International Airports

Check the website for details of discounted accommodation rates for the conference • Ample parking available at the hotel

Organised by Dentevents™ a division of Main Street Publishing Pty Ltd ABN 74 065 490 655 www.dentevents.com • info@dentist.com.au • Tel: (02) 9929 1900 • Fax: (02) 9929 1999

On the cover... DTX Studio™ Clinic from DEXIS incorporates Assisted Intelligence, the key ingredient fuelling many of the advancements in the dental practice today.

management

80

Buying and selling dental practices and practice valuations - Part 2

84 How to love your problems, so you can solve them gracefully

86 Why buy the practice premises?

88 How to help your team get things done and bring out the best in them marketing

90 8 clever marketing hacks anyone can use

finance

92 Unlock prosperity: Discover key factors every business owner must know when planning their financial future - Part 1

facebook.com/dentalpracticenow twitter.com/adpmagazine instagram.com/dentevents

www.dentalpractice.com.au

Publisher & Editor: Joseph Allbeury Clinical Editor: Dr David Roessler Technology Editor: Prof. Laurence J. Walsh Infection Control Editor: Prof. Laurence J. Walsh Senior Contributing Editor: Dr Christopher CK Ho Columnists: Dr Georges Fast, Dr Jesse Green, Garry Pammer, Phillip Win, Dr David Moffet, Graham Middleton, Simon Palmer, Julie Parker, Jayne Bandy, Angus Pryor Design & Production: Jasper Communications Australasian Dental Practice™ ISSN 1445-5269 is printed in Australia and published six times per year by Main Street Publishing Pty Limited ABN 74 065 490 655 PO Box 586, Cammeray NSW 2062 Tel: (02) 9929-1900 Fax: (02) 9929-1999 Email: info@dentist.com.au © 2024 All rights reserved. The contents of this magazine are copyright and must not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Permission to reprint may be obtained upon application. Correspondence and manuscripts for publication are welcome. Although all care is taken, the editor and publisher will not accept responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine, or for loss or damage to material submitted for publication

Subscriptions: Australia and NZ: A$99.00 per year includes OralHygiene™ and eLABORATE™ magazines; Overseas Airmail: A$220.00 per year.

infection control

198 The problems of pipes: A key challenge in infection prevention and control

106

Life can have its ups and downs: Aesthetic incisal restorations after two spontaneous fractures

120 VITA Easyshade LITE: Precise tooth shade determination is just a click away

124 REGENFAST® in the treatment of infrabony defects

surgery design 134 Ellenbrook Orthodontics’ new home

A crowning achievement

126

R.T.R.+ in practice: Managing the extraction socket

130 Case report: Managing the extraction socket with R.T.R.+ and a connective tissue graft

By Joseph Allbeury

Thirty five years...

The first edition ever of this magazine was the March/April edition, way back in 1990. The magazine was launched under the name of Australian Dental Practice, later changing to Australasian Dental Practice when we crossed the ditch.

Red Dot Design Award for ASIGA Ultra

The first edition of the magazine featured such articles as Hygienists re-state team philosophy; Dispute over accreditation arrangements; Call for national dental health policy; [Fissure] Seal program in jeopardy; Innovation key to industry display; Opportunity for an independent forum; A U.K. Orthodontic View; A commitment to professional excellence; Post-Graduate Education; Insights on creating a profitable practice; Incorporation - The way Forward?; Orthotropics; A matter of life or debt; and Hyatt offers peace and innovation.

The magazine was published bi-monthly and the first edition spanned just 28 pages. Over the ensuing 35 years, the popularity, and size, of the magazine grew. At its peak, we were publishing 220+ pages every two months.

Access to the magazine was only available by subscription at first, which included Auxiliary magazine, which started in 1991 and was later renamed to Oral Hygiene eLABORATE magazine followed in 1994, providing dedicated publications to the entire dental community.

In the ensuring 35 years, we have published hundreds of editions spanning tens of thousands of pages.

Our magazines are only possible thanks to our many regular contributors, all of whom have my eternal gratitude. Of note are the late Dr Vincent Amerena, who penned some 370 articles for us; Prof. Laurie Walsh, who has so far written over 300 articles; Graham Middleton has contributed over 160 articles as has Terry Whitty; Dr Georges Fast more than 130; Dr Patrick Meaney over 90; the late Dr Neil Burman, 86. And there are many others who continue to grace our pages edition after edition and thanks goes to each and every one of them for contributions small and large.

With the digital age, all our publications became available online as well as in print and we now publish nine websites. All 14467 articles we have published are referenced in the www.dentalcommunity.com.au website and the majority have full text and images or PDF downloads available.

Thanks too goes to our many advertisers and supporters, plus everyone who reads our magazines.

Enjoy the edition...

Joseph Allbeury, Editor and Publisher

The brand new ASIGA Ultra 3D printer launched at 3D Printing in Dentistry in Sydney last February has been awarded a 2024 Red Dot Award for Product Design. The Red Dot Award is the world’s most prestigious design award celebrating good design. The Ultra, designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia has positioned itself as arguably the most advanced dental 3D printer ever. Housing the latest 4K DLP imaging technology alongside the full suite of Asiga’s robust layer monitoring technologies, the Ultra delivers manufacturing certainty but with a new focus for the sector – design. It is clear that Asiga has taken note and listened to their customers to bring to market a product where the end-user is front and centre. You cannot help being drawn to the Ultra. It all starts with their new and beautifully designed user interface which feels like something straight from a market leading tablet/phone manufacturer. Menu navigation, infographics and the responsiveness of the user interface screen all have a high quality feel and draw you in for more. A feature that will most definitely have you hooked is their new touchless entry, an engineering marvel in itself. Asiga surely had a lot of fun with this and with a simple hand-wave gesture, the hood opens effortlessly and is so silent that it leaves you helplessly opening and closing the hood. Once you have satisfied your desire to play with the hood, it is clear that the attention to detail and build quality of the Ultra is nothing short of exceptional. A magnetic build platform, simple material tray clamping, internal lighting and wide range of connectivity options all help in the presentation of a cleverly refined 3D printer for both the dental laboratory and dental clinic. Another key feature to the Ultra is a new infrared heating system which warms materials to 70°C. This opens doors to new polymer technologies where high impact and hardness are key material properties. This is an exciting time for 3D printing and dentistry in general and this new product from Asiga will certainly be turning heads.

For more information on Asiga and these new 3D printers, visit www.asiga.com.

www.dentalcommunity.com.au

• Update your personal details

• Update your practice on dentist.com.au

• Manage your subscriptions

• Read 13,500 articles from past magazines

• Log your CPD points

• Answer CPD Questionnaires

• Run your own dental events

• Create online discussions

• And more... www.dentevents.com

• Dental education calendar

• Register for all popular dental events www.dentevents.tv

• Watch all the latest videos about dentistry www.dentist.com.au

• Find-a-dentist in Australia www.dentist.co.nz

• Find-a-dentist in New Zealand www.dentalpractice.com.au

• Australasian Dental Practice™ online www.oralhygiene.com.au

• Oral Hygiene™ magazine online www.elaborate.com.au

• eLABORATE™ magazine online

By Georges Fast

AOne man’s opinion...

“The

only way we can ensure 100% safety in our practices is to keep the doors locked, the staff not allowed on the premises and no patients to be treated...”

common definition of insanity relates to repeating the same action and expecting a different result.

Our profession has been saddled with a new Infection Control Standard. Over my long practising life (I graduated in 1969), this Standard evolved from a useful reference document into something that has become almost undecipherable unless you are a trained bureaucrat, a personal injury lawyer or an insurance risk manager.

The first question that needs to be asked is whether this Standard is fit for purpose. In other words, does it contribute to patient or operators safety in any measurable way that can be shown to be actual rather than theoretical? The second question that needs to be asked is whether a cost/benefit analysis has been done before it was released.

Having served on 3 different Standards Committees in the late 80s and early 90s and not being unfamiliar with the way Standards used to operate, I figured that I could work my way through this latest Standard and gain some comprehension of what had changed and why. Not only did I fail to decipher the code in which it was written but one has to suspect that there were vested interests at play. It appears to have been designed so that there would be further employment for those who would be tasked with explaining it to others. The ADA Infection Control Committee is about to release a guideline to interpreting this code and possibly informing us which parts of it apply to the various types of dental treatment facilities. I immediately see a problem with this approach, namely if we chose to ignore a recommendation contained in the code and this results in an adverse outcome no matter how rare, will our insurance indemnify us?

One of our colleagues posted recently that people drown in water and yet we don’t require pool fences to be built around a glass of water. There are sections in this new standard that if we were to implement them would be equivalent to constructing such a fence! The only way we can ensure 100% safety in our practices is to keep the doors locked, the staff not allowed on the premises and no patients to be treated.

If we allow the academics and bureaucrats to have their way, it may well come to this.

Dentistry by definition occurs in the mouth or at least access is gained through the mouth which is a germ laden environment. We sterilize all our instruments so as to avoid cross contamination between patients but ensuring a sterile working environment is asking the impossible. Even when performing endodontic treatment under rubber dam, we can’t avoid contamination from the surrounding atmosphere, the patient’s breath or microscopic leakage around the dam.

WHY does the new standard recommend rinsing instruments after ultrasonic cleaning and before they are placed in an autoclave not with tap water but with water that has gone through a reverse osmosis process. Apparently this is necessary to eliminate endotoxins! Just when have endotoxins been shown to be a problem in the dental setting and how does this articulate with the patient drinking water from a tap?

AND YET once this recommendation becomes public, we can look forward to the press sensationalizing it and making Dentists own this newly discovered potential problem - we will own endotoxins in the 20s much as we owned AIDS in the late 80s and early 90s. (That was the result of one case of dubious origin in the US!).

The people making these ever more burdensome recommendations are not private practising dentists. The increased costs when they treat patients will be borne by the institutions that employ them, they may even derive some income and kudos by running courses on how to implement these new dictates. However, of course, the reality is that it will further increase costs and thereby limit access to dentistry.

How can anyone argue that this will not do more harm to the community than any theoretical issue that could be caused by a theoretical endotoxin contamination.

By David Moffet

IHere’s how to fix your cancellations once and for all?...

“Blaming

the patients for cancelling is not the answer... The answer is that when patients understand the consequences of delaying their own treatment, they will do anything in their power to have the treatment done earlier...”

’m often asked the question: “How do we fix the cancellations in our practice?” It’s a really dumb question...

And that’s because the best way of fixing cancellations is to prevent them in the first place.

My brother [who is not a dentist] once asked me:

“It hurts my tooth when I run my fingernail along the root near the gum line.”

To which I responded:

“Well, why don’t you keep your fingernail off your tooth and then it won’t hurt.”

The reason patients cancel their appointments is:

• They are allowed to

• They are encouraged to

• They don’t understand what their upcoming appointment is for [what condition is being fixed or treated]

• They don’t understand what treatment they are having done at that appointment

• And they have not had the urgency of the next visit explained to them, and what will happen to them, and their tooth/teeth/gums if they do not have the treatment completed within the time frame recommended.

You may as well rent a billboard in the main street of town, or run an ad on Facebook heralding that you’ve lost control of your appointment schedule.

How do we fix the

problem?

The problem of cancellations begins in the treatment room for existing patients, because the next appointment needs to be discussed and accepted verbally in the treatment room before the patient travels to the front office to schedule.

“Having

a ‘Cancellation Policy’ indicates to your patients and to your prospective patients that your practice has an issue with patients changing or cancelling their appointments... Displaying such a policy in your practice is not a deterrent… in fact it’s an open admission to the public that your practice has lost control of its appointment book!”

The general public mostly believe that time has no effect on what goes on inside their mouth. They nearly all think that the inside of their mouth is like “cleaning out the garage” … and that it can wait until next week, or next month or next year… let’s just close the door and nothing much in there is going to change.

It is our duty as health care providers [as dentists and OHTs, and dental assistants and office staff] to alert patients to the fact that TIME IS THEIR ENEMY when it comes to dentistry, and that everything gets worse the longer we leave it untreated.

And it is the MISSION of everyone in the dental practice to help the patients to understand that delaying treatment creates further damage.

But we have a “Cancellation Policy” ….

Having a “Cancellation Policy” indicates to your patients and to your prospective patients that your practice has an issue with patients changing or cancelling their dental appointments.

Displaying such a policy, on your website or as signage in your practice is not a deterrent… in fact it’s an open admission to the public that your practice has lost control of its appointment book.

If the patient has doubt, or indecision, if they haven’t heard it clearly from the dentist, the oral health therapist or hygienist in the treatment room about what their next step is all about, it doesn’t matter what the front office team say, the patient hasn’t bought into the next visit because to them it never got said by the dentist, so whatever they’re trying at the front desk to get me to do, never happened.

So the dentist needs to play their part here and they need to play it well.

And the dentist also needs to know that the patient has completely understood what they have just been told about the next appointment, before the patient leaves the treatment room… and if the patient does not understand , then the dentist needs to re-clarify what they said to the patient. Hoping that the patient has heard or understood is not good enough.

Data

Lastly, and most importantly, the practice needs to keep data on cancellations and reschedules.

• Who took the phone call?

• What was the reason given for the change in appointment?

• Who is the treating dentist?

• Did the patient reschedule, or not? The thing is we are looking for effects, and for patterns. How many patients each day are cancelling or rescheduling? Or failing to attend?

We looked at a client’s data recently and saw that in one month, one dentist averaged one FTA and three cancellations per day. And of those cancellations, just on half of them did not reschedule.

What this means is that every day at that dental practice there are four appointments changed each day, and only 1.5 of those appointments are rescheduled. 88

ADVANCED HEMOSTAT WITH WOUNDHEAL®

WITH WOUNDHEAL

For topical applications and internal surgical use. Effective in patients using anticoagulants.

• Water soluble, oxidized-etherified regenerated nanocellulose.

• Biocompatible & pH neutral (~7.2).

• Non expanding hemostat, forming sealing clot & reducing pain.

• Tightly woven matrix of plant fibres.

• No animal derived products.

• 100% absorbable without any residue.

• Easy to use, cut, fold or layer and cost effective.

• Sterile, single use packaging. Minimum 3 years expiry.

How BloodSTOP iX Works:

• Adheres to wet/bleeding surfaces.

• Fast acting bleeding control. Actively initiates clotting cascade.

• Creates physiological environment for proliferation of tissue growth and wound healing.

• Transforms into a sticky translucent gel that adheres to and seals the wound.

• Odourless & tasteless. Can be easily removed by irrigation.

• Forms protective layer, preventing contamination.

• Enables easy monitoring of the wound.

Uses include: Any intraoral wound | Extraction / ridge preservation | Sutures / flap margins | Donor & recipient sites of gingiva / connective tissue grafts | Mouth ulcers / aphthous ulcerations | Periodontal, oral, implant surgery | Any procedures causing bleeding

The matrix® is the first-ever dental implant connection that has been specifically designed for the new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. The implant concept allows to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and without manual cementation.

The matrix® is the first-ever dental implant connection that has been specifically designed for the new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. The implant concept allows to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and without manual cementation.

If there are on average four changes to the book each day, that means we have on average two hours of dentistry each day needing to be filled with appointments of patients who are called and brought forward…

And sometimes this never happens in a dental practice either….

And that’s because the urgency and concern about the upcoming dental treatment isn’t being reinforced with those patients cancelling, and it also hasn’t been reinforced with those patients being phoned to bring their appointments forwards…

Who is at fault?

Blaming the patients for cancelling, and blaming the front office staff for accepting cancellations is not the answer.

The answer is that when patients understand the consequences of delaying their own treatment, they will do anything in their power to have the treatment done earlier rather than later… because the longer the problem is left untreated, they understand the more extensive the solution will be.

If we don’t…

If we don’t do everything in our power to help our patients have their treatment done earlier rather than later, then as doctors, as physicians, we have let these patients down… because time only makes things get worse and not better.

About the author

Dr David Moffet is a dentist and a #1 Amazon Bestselling author. He is the inventor of The Ultimate Patient Experience™, a simple to implement patient retention system he used to build and subsequently sell (for several million dollars) his very successful practice [of 28 years] in working class western Sydney. David has now retired from wet-fingered dentistry and spends his time lecturing and coaching private dental clients in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Europe and Australia and New Zealand on how to improve their practices. David can be contacted at david@theUPE.com or visit www.TheUltimatePatientExperience.com.

Mastering social media marketing: The easy way... ANGUS PRYOR

Diving into social media marketing can feel overwhelming, but mastering it is simpler than it seems. Here’s how you can effectively manage your online presence and make meaningful connections with your audience in just a few steps.

1

Set clear goals: Start by defining what you want to achieve. Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or engaging with your community, having specific goals will guide your strategy and gauge your success.

2

Understand your audience: It’s essential to know exactly who you’re addressing. Tailor your content specifically to their interests and needs by analysing your social media analytics. This approach helps you uncover detailed insights about your audience, such as age, location and what they are most interested in. Use this information to craft messages that resonate directly with their preferences, ensuring your content feels personal and relevant to each reader.

3

Always create compelling content: Quality content is the heart of

social media success. Share informative, entertaining and relevant posts that resonate with your followers. Mix up formats with images, videos and polls to keep things interesting.

4

Post consistently: Develop a content calendar to maintain a steady

stream of posts. Consistency keeps your audience engaged and helps build a loyal following. Aim for a minimum of one post a week.

Engage actively: Social media is all about interaction. Respond to comments, participate in conversations and show appreciation for user-generated content. Engagement builds community and strengthens relationships.

6

Monitor and adjust: Use your social media analytics to track your performance. See what’s working and what’s not and then adjust your strategy accordingly. This data-driven approach ensures you’re always moving toward your goals.

7 5

Stay updated: Social media trends and platform features change quickly. To keep your strategy effective, regularly check platform blogs, follow digital marketing experts on social media and subscribe to industry newsletters. This proactive approach helps you adapt to new trends, leverage the latest features and maintain a dynamic, engaging presence online.

Mastering social media marketing is about combining strategic planning with genuine engagement. By understanding your audience, creating valuable content, maintaining consistency and continuously optimising your approach, you can effectively harness the power of social media to grow your brand.

Remember, the key is to keep it simple, stay authentic and enjoy the process of connecting with your community.

For more info on mastering social media, visit dentalmarketingsolutions.com.au

Full-colour scanning, orthodontic simulator and unlimited cloud storage

Full-colour scanning, orthodontic simulator and unlimited cloud storage

$11,990

$11,990+GST

GO DIGITAL WITH OSSEO GROUP AND SHINING 3D

Price excludes a PC––we’ll assist you in finding a reliable PC or check your existing PC for compatibility

GO DIGITAL WITH OSSEO GROUP AND SHINING 3D

Osseo Group is dedicated to offering comprehensive digital dental solutions, covering every step from scanning and designing to printing or milling the final restoration. We prioritise delivering top-notch technical service and support to ensure our customers receive the best possible assistance throughout the entire process.

Osseo Group is dedicated to offering comprehensive digital dental solutions, covering every step from scanning and designing to printing or milling the final restoration. We prioritise delivering top-notch technical service and support to ensure our customers receive the best possible assistance throughout the entire process. SCAN THE QR TO LEARN

By Kia Pajouhesh

IBuy-Now-Pay-Later

abuse of process in the “sales-centric” approach to health care

“In sales-centric health care, the modus operandi is to close the deal whilst the iron is hot and punish anyone wanting to reconsider their impulse purchase”...

n 2015, when I engineered and introduced MySmilePlan, the first “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) offering to the Australian dental profession, I was motivated by the benefits this method of payment would afford patients and dental practitioners alike.

In May 2017, when Australasian Dental Practice magazine asked me to write about the payment plan categories available in the Australian market, I labelled BNPL payment plans as the “next big disruption on the dental horizon” and opened with the following statement:

“It is not uncommon for people to put off, or even forego, dental care for financial reasons. This is a problem for dental practice profitability and it’s a bigger problem for patients, who invariably will require more extensive, and expensive, treatment down the road. That’s why payment plans are so important –and are rapidly becoming part of the business fabric of dental practices in Australia. Such plans enable patients to get dental treatment when they need it, without the stress of large upfront costs. And they enable dentists to get more patients in chairs, with treatment starting right away.”

In a short period of time, MySmilePlan burgeoned to more than 1000 dental practices encompassing over 4500 dentists and specialists registered to use our BNPL product. With ominous market headwinds on the horizon, I chose to divest myself from the BNPL sector and sold MySmilePlan to Openpay in late 2019, who then continued to trade under the ASX listed Openpay masthead until their unfortunate, albeit predictable, collapse in early 2023.

To this day, I remain an advocate of the ethical application of BNPL in the provision of dental services, both within my own general and specialist practices and in the broader dentistry sector. Therefore, I cannot accept the overt abuse of the BNPL methodology of payment by unscrupulous, profit-chasing registered health practitioners in the dental industry under the lacklustre scrutiny of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), whose purpose is to regulate all registered health practitioners, including dentists.

Here are the Top 3 problems currently plaguing the provision of BNPL in Australian oral health care, together with the solutions I would propose.

1. Not an interest-free product as advertised to consumers

The premise of BNPL interest-free products to the Australian consumer relies on the notion that it is “genuinely” interest free. Yet, many dental service providers push automatic discount offerings to patients who pay for service without the utilisation of a BNPL product. This action reveals the

unfortunate reality that the BNPL-quoted fee for service has been loaded to anticipate the BNPL interest costs – thereby indirectly passing on the BNPL interest cost to the consumer.

Solution: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which regulates BNPL company governance in Australia, must ensure that they keep BNPL corporations accountable to the Australian consumer. As part of good governance to meet regulatory standards, BNPL companies must invest more to audit dentistry businesses to ensure their financial products are genuinely interest free.

2. Patients pressured into committing to BNPL payment plans at first consultation

Case studies I publish regularly on my LinkedIn account are littered with testimonials from patients pushed to sign a payment plan on their consultation visit with a dental treatment “consultant” – or salesperson. All too often, the payment plans are based on a treatment plan by a health practitioner that is at best scant and at worst not even devised by a registered health practitioner. The common theme of the testimonials, however, is that not all options and risks are being canvassed and the patient is therefore not in a position to provide informed consent to an ethically constructed treatment plan.

Solution: To remove “impulse purchases” in dental health care, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) would be serving the most vulnerable in the Australian community by setting policy that requires all BNPL contracts to be entered into at least 7 days after (i) consultation with a registered dental practitioner explaining treatment options, risks and the option of seeking specialist care for more complex procedures, and (ii) having provided the patient with a written treatment plan and quotation.

3. Through the weaponisation of the BNPL plan agreement, patients are penalised for wishing to seek a second opinion – even before any treatment has begun, literally from the moment they walk out of the sales consultant’s room

This problem arises as a consequence of point 2 above. In patient-centric health care, the provision of time for careful consideration of the options, risks and costs would only promote better informed consent and increase the ratio of patients seeking second opinions. However, in sales-centric health care, the modus operandi is to close the deal whilst the iron is hot and punish anyone wanting to reconsider their “impulse purchase”. 88

Solution: Implement solution 2 above. Furthermore, AHPRA ought to provide guidelines condemning the unscrupulous application of BNPL penalty fees as leverage to deter patients from either changing their mind or seeking a second opinion before starting treatment. In sales-centric health care, the most vulnerable patients are pushed, in their initial sales consultation, to commit to a BNPL payment plan. Once having signed the contract under pressure (with some businesses boasting that as many as 90% of their patients sign up to their BNPL plan), patients are unscrupulously penalised as much as 15% of the total cost of the treatment to prevent the patient from reneging on treatment. This notwithstanding the fact that the patient has not yet begun treatment. Hence the patient is clearly deterred from seeking a second opinion or even reconsidering the treatment itself.

The sales-centric approach to healthcare and how BNPL fits in

Iam often asked why it’s advantageous for the business to have telephone sales staff directed to ask the patient so many questions about “urgency of treatment” and why the whole team are directed to “push BNPL so hard”! The answer is straight from the snake-oil merchant guide to impulse buying and pressure selling.

1. Urgency of treatment, albeit merely perceived in many cases, sets the scene for the sales consultants to strike whilst the iron is hot at the first consultation. The entire first-consultation visit with the dentist followed by the sales consultant is co-ordinated to get a commitment to proceed from the patient ON THAT DAY.

2. Whilst the business spruiks BNPL on marketing platforms and social media, the business managers and their sales coaches teach their teams to aggressively push BNPL payment plans onto patients – not simply to increase convenience and case acceptance levels by improving patient cashflow, but doing

so insidiously and surreptitiously (1) as a low entry gateway for patient commitment to treatment, and (2) applying financial pressure for anyone wavering from treatment thereafter.

Let me explain it this way... To get the sale done, a lot more effort (and therefore a reduction in sales conversion rates) is required to get a financial deposit from a patient as commitment to proceed with treatment. Compare this with a signature for a “0% plan with no early exit fee” and once patients have signed the payment plan agreement in that first consultation, they are reluctant to back out, or reduce the scope, of their treatment in the face of exorbitant penalty fees payable.

So in a nutshell, if you’re a ruthless operator selling a significant treatment plan, you have a considerably higher success rate to close the deal “that day” in the consultation room whilst the patient is under pressure, feeling a sense of urgency and the threshold to commit is merely a signature on a form and zero deposit, with no credit checks and no exit fees to pay early... versus an actual financial deposit paid some time in the future after careful deliberation. Thereafter, in the cooling-off period that exists in virtually all sales settings (except in the health industry it seems), when you contact the business to exercise your right to seek an alternative second opinion, to reduce your scope of treatment or cancel your appointments, you are lumbered with penalty fees and instructions to deal with the BNPL provider. Good luck with that!

About the author

Dr Kia Pajouhesh founded Smile Solutions on Collins Street in 1993 with only 8 patients. Today it is the largest single-location general and specialist dental practice in Australia, occupying five floors and the tower of the Manchester Unity Building and servicing more than 200,000 patients. The facility, together with Core Dental Group, engages more than 120 clinicians, including 25 board-registered specialists as part of Collins Street Specialist Centre.

IN OFFICE TREATMENTS AT HOME TREATMENTS

POLA NIGHT

POLA LIGHT

POLA LUMINATE

• Available in 6%, 7.5% and 9.5% hydrogen peroxide

POLA DAY

• High water content

• Available in 6%, 7.5% and 9.5% hydrogen peroxide

• From 30 minutes once a day

• Contains fluoride

• High water content

• From 30 minutes once a day

• Neutral pH and desensitising additives

• Contains fluoride

• Neutral pH and desensitising additives

• Available in 10%, 16%, 18% and 22% carbamide peroxide

• Available in 6% and 9.5% hydrogen peroxide

POLA NIGHT

• High water content

POLA LIGHT

• No custom trays required

• Available in 10%, 16%, 18% and 22% carbamide peroxide

• From 45 minutes once a day

• Contains fluoride

• High water content

• Neutral pH and desensitising additives

• From 45 minutes once a day

• Contains fluoride

• Neutral pH and desensitising additives

• Available in 6% and 9.5% hydrogen peroxide

• Reduced patient consult time

• Entry level whitening option

• No custom trays required

• Reduced patient consult time

• Great front desk conversation starter

• Entry level whitening option

• Great front desk conversation

• 6% hydrogen peroxide low viscosity fast drying gel

38% hydrogen peroxide

POLA LUMINATE

POLA RAPID

Fast: from 3 x 8 minute applications

• 6% hydrogen peroxide low viscosity fast drying gel

• No trays required - quick and easy professional brush on tooth whitener

Non-stick gel for faster application and removal

38% hydrogen peroxide Fast: from 3 x 8 minute applications

• Apply twice a day for just 30 minutes

• No trays required - quick and easy professional brush on tooth whitener

• Apply twice a day for just 30 minutes

Non-stick gel for faster application and removal

Enhanced blue colour for superior visibility

Enhanced blue colour for superior visibility

Auto-mix syringe for direct application

Auto-mix syringe for direct application

POLA DAY CP

• Available in 35% carbamide peroxide

• From just 15 minutes per day tray wear time

• Available in 35% carbamide peroxide

• Fluoride Releasing

• From just 15 minutes per day tray wear time

• Neutral pH Desensitising additives

• Fluoride Releasing

• Neutral pH Desensitising additives

Getting smarter all the time

Assisted intelligence is the key ingredient fuelling many of the advancements in the dental practice—from cutting-edge digital imaging to all-in-one software solutions like DTX Studio™ Clinic from DEXIS

In recent years, artificial intelligence, or AI, has become so ingrained in our daily lives that we often don’t even realise it’s there, working in the background. So, what exactly is AI? Simply put, it’s intelligence demonstrated by machines. AI is built to mimic the human mind, combining computer science and robust datasets to enable problem solving and decision making. AI is fuelled by algorithms, which are essentially the rules for problem solving. Today, AI is not only automating machinery; it’s the technology behind your search engine results, the product recommendations you receive while scrolling through social media and the speech recognition systems you use every day.

It’s clear AI has a huge impact on our daily lives, so it’s no surprise it’s starting to play a major role in dentistry as well. The AI algorithms can direct software to point out if information is missing on a scan, for example, or digitally select the appropriate tooth shade for a case. Of course, no matter the application, human input is still required; AI will never replace clinicians and their teams. For this reason, AI can be considered “assisted intelligence” technology, helping you arrive at informed decisions so you can better diagnose and treatment plan.

While dental equipment is evolving to include smart features that improve both practice efficiencies and patient outcomes, it’s imaging software like DTX Studio Clinic that brings it all together.

Every image - whether 2D, 3D, clinical photography or intraoral scans - is housed in this solution. Any technology you buy comes with its own software, but it can be cumbersome to switch back and forth to get what you need from each one. This solution ties everything together, making it accessible via a single, intuitive software. DTX Studio Clinic makes it easy to integrate digital diagnostic and treatment planning processes into the workflow, from image collection and image capturing to treatment planning and delivery.

Improving communication

Dentists can use the software to boost patient education and ultimately case acceptance. Presentations become more robust, with patients able to see all the relevant images on the screen in front of them as you go over the treatment plan. They leave with a much better understanding of their condition and why you’re recommending treatment, making them more likely to move forward.

The intuitive software also enhances communication between dentists and their team members. For example, it’s easy to sync data across rooms or practices with 40 installations per licence; all team members have quick, easy access to the same information.

WAn enhanced workflow

ith DTX Studio Clinic, AI is present throughout the workflow and serves as a digital assistant. The DTX Studio Clinic Smart features were designed together with dentists around the world to improve the way you diagnose and communicate with your patients. Through MagicSort™, for example, the software automatically recognises tooth numbers and orders intraoral images. Images are then correctly orientated and placed into the relevant position in your selected radiographic mounts, eliminating a task once handled manually. SmartFocus™ instantly brings up the entire 2D and 3D imaging history of whichever tooth you choose to click on the screen. SmartFusion™ combines surface models from intraoral and desktop scanners with any CBCT scan via proprietary voxel-based algorithms, providing clinicians with an accurate 3D view of surface details and the underlying anatomy. The software also automatically tracks mandibular nerve canals and identifies airways, removing manual labour and uncertainty for the clinician. 2D dental findings allows you to instantly detect and diagnose six potential pathologies in 2D intraoral x-rays.

Take a deeper dive into DTX Studio Clinic software

Dr Joe Mehranfar gives us a closer look into the DTX Studio Clinic software, which he uses to acquire patient data, facilitate a diagnosis, treatment plan and provide successful outcomes for his patients.

D“I’ve come to rely on DTX Studio Clinic as a kind of virtual assistant. The intelligent recognition, positioning and rotating features for my 2D radiographs save me significant time and effort, which let me focus on diagnosing and treating my patients and creating a stunning presentation chairside to share,”

Dr Joe Mehranfar, DMD, ABOI/ID

Simplified image acquisition

irectly acquire from your imaging devices through DTX Studio Clinic on Windows® PC and Mac®. This includes CBCTs, Pans, Cephs, intraoral optical scanners, intraoral X-rays, intraoral cameras, diagnostic cameras and importing clinical photos. Easily import industry standard file formats, such as DICOM, STL, PLY, .bmp, .jpg and .png from your 2D and 3D devices or open DTX Studio Clinic from your Practice Management System and you never have to enter patient data twice.

GoShare™ - Encrypted data sharing

DTX Studio Go is an online data transfer portal to facilitate secure external collaboration. Share your patient’s data with a connected lab, specialist, referral dentists or other colleague for smooth case collaboration. DTX Studio GoShare offers a

3. Implant and multiunit abutment planning with the bone reduction plane in DTX Studio Implant.

monthly data transfer allowance from 3-30GB so you can efficiently request design and production services and effortlessly share the needed imaging data directly from your patient library. With an open output path, you can also export files for in-house printing and production.

Putting it all together

Clinicians must collect a great deal of data for each patient to make an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan. Because everything lives in one place with DTX Studio Clinic, the information is both easier to find and to digest, enabling better clinical decision making. All DEXIS 3D imaging products, such as the OP 3D™ CBCT range and the IS 3800W intraoral scanner come with DTX Studio Clinic at no extra cost.

Connect with the DEXIS at dexis.com/en-au

1. Multiplanar reconstruction and planning for an All-on-4 procedure with a postoperative panoramic in DTX Studio Clinic.

2. Diagnostic view of AI-driven airway volume.

Revolutionize Your Digital Workflow

Streamline all of your imaging in one place. DTX Studio™ Clinic brings together your 2D, 3D, intraoral scans, and photography in one easy-to-use platform. See it live. Book a demo today!

Navigating social trends: A must for your brand?...

Wondering if you should jump on the latest social media trends?

Social media changes like the ocean, with trends being the waves that could lift your brand up. But, remember, not every wave is worth riding!

Know your brand: It all starts with knowing your brand’s identity—its personality, values and voice. Imagine a classic book publisher ignoring fleeting meme trends to maintain its dignified image, while a funky skateboard company might dive right in. If a trend doesn’t fit your brand, it’s okay to skip it. Your brand’s integrity is more important than momentarily being in the spotlight.

Listen to your audience: Pay attention to whom you’re talking to. If you run a pet store and see your audience loving funny pet videos, incorporating similar content might be a hit. Use comments and likes as clues. But if a trend doesn’t

align with your brand, sticking to your authentic style might be more appreciated than just being trendy. Understanding and respecting your audience’s preferences can guide you to make informed decisions about which trends to embrace.

Keep it authentic: If a trend feels right for your brand, make it yours. Tailor it to fit your brand’s unique voice. For instance, a local cafe might adopt the #SupportLocal trend by sharing stories of sourcing coffee beans from local farmers, connecting authenticity with community support. By personalising trends to reflect your brand’s ethos, you create a genuine connection with your audience. So, should you chase trends? Yes, but with caution. It’s not about catching every trend but finding the ones that fit your brand’s journey. Stay true to your brand, listen to your audience, and when a trend aligns, dive in authentically. This strategy not only strengthens your brand identity but also deepens your connection with your audience.

at dentalmarketingsolutions.com.au

ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR

DENTISTS

DON’T RISK SECOND BEST

Synstrat has spent many years collecting data on dental practices. We provide you with the best available knowledge on the performance of your practice relative to others. Our proven service has assisted many dentists Australia wide to create significant wealth. We are able to provide you with business accounting, practice valuation and financial advice services tailored to the dental profession. Buying A Practice? •Do you need us to value the practice? •What rent can it afford?

Infection Control UPDATE 2024

4.5 hr FACE-TO-FACE LECTURE + 1.5 hr VIDEO

MELBOURNE | JUNE 14 • SYDNEY | JUNE 15

Presented by Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh AO

BDSc, PhD, DDSc, GCEd, FRACDS, FFOP (RCPA), FDTFEd

This course will discuss recent developments in infection control, with the major focus being on instrument reprocessing, following the release of the AS 5369 Standard in December 2023. The online video component (90 mins) covers New infection control terminology used in 2024; Online resources to support implementing modern infection prevention and control; The journey leading to AS 5369; and an explanation of how the standards system works in Australia, including the interactions between ISO, EN and Australian standards and the concepts that underline the standards landscape. The latter video also summarises the normative ISO and EN standards for AS 5369. As a bonus feature, there is another video on the history of infection prevention and control over the past 150 years.

TOPICS for the 4.5 hour face-to-face session include:

n The importance of precleaning at the chairside.

n What happens when instrument reprocessing is delayed.

n Key requirements for the proper use of ultrasonic cleaners and washer disinfectors.

n How to assess the outcomes of the cleaning process.

n Workflow, PPE and hand hygiene for the reprocessing area.

n Design elements of the reprocessing area and the concepts of physical and spatial segregation of work areas.

n The requirements for sterilising handpieces.

n Proper use of bespoke sterilisers running S cycles.

n Protocols for using air-removal and steam penetration tests.

n Correct use of chemical indicators.

n Tests for the integrity of packaging systems.

n Implementation of low temperature sterilisation.

n Criteria for load release from sterilisation.

n Definitions of non-conforming items.

n Environmental conditions for instrument storage.

n Record keeping requirements.

n Batch control information, including for high level disinfection.

Laurie Walsh is a specialist in special needs dentistry who is based at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, where he is an emeritus professor. He has been working in clinical microbiology for over 27 years, with more than 200 publications in this field and has been teaching microbiology and infection control at postgraduate level for the more than 25 years, including for the ADA and RACDS. Laurie has contributed to the development of national standards since 1992, including standards for masks, gloves, faceshields, ultrasonic cleaners and most recently, for instrument reprocessing (the AS 5369 standard). He was also involved in the development of the CDNA BBV guidelines, the second edition of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care standards and the ADA IC guidelines.

Philips appoints Dentavision as preferred oral healthcare distribution partner in Australia

Philips has announced it’s changing supply arrangements for the Philips Zoom! professional teeth whitening range and Philips Sonicare oral care products in Australia, appointing Dentavision as its preferred and only dental professional distribution partner.

The appointment of Dentavision, who will be the only distributor of Philips Zoom! in the market, will provide dental practices across the country with easier access to Philips’ market leading range of oral healthcare solutions.

“Dentavision is the perfect partner for Philips in Australia, with its marketleading position and extensive industry expertise,” said Simon Amor, Country Lead, Personal Health, Philips Australia. “Dentavision’s ethos also reflects Philips purpose, with patient-centric priorities of improving people’s health and well-being. Our partnership will expand access in Australia to Philips Zoom!, the #1 patientrequested professional whitening brand,1 as well as Philips Sonicare power toothbrushes and power interdental products.”

“Dentavision are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Philips to deliver cutting-edge products to dental professionals in Australia,” said David Macnaughtan, Managing Director, Dentavision. “Philips’ industry leading range, coupled with Dentavision’s unparalleled sales and service team and product portfolio make us perfect partners for the journey ahead. Dentavision has a nationwide sales team that has extensive experience in training, education, marketing and supply of products and solutions for dental practices.”

The products

Philips’ flagship Zoom! WhiteSpeed in-chair system utilises advanced blue LED light-technology to accelerate the whitening process. In 45 minutes, teeth can be up to 8 shades whiter,2 reversing stains from food and drinks, ageing and even discolouration from some medications. Philips Zoom! DayWhite and NiteWhite complete the range with take home options in 6%, 9.5% and 14% hydrogen peroxide and 10%, 16% and 22% carbamide peroxide respectively.

Philips Sonicare range of electric toothbrushes pulse fluid between the teeth and along the gum line while 62,000 brush strokes per minute gently and effectively remove plaque. The Sonicare range includes the Sonicare 9900 Prestige, Sonicare DiamondClean 9000, ExpertClean 7300, ProtectiveClean, Sonicare 3100 Series, Sonicare 2100 Series and Philips Sonicare For Kids.

Complementing these, the Sonicare Power Flosser range features a unique X-shaped nozzle that creates 4 streams for up to 99.9% plaque removal.3 The Quad Stream covers more area and requires less technique than a single stream nozzle, for fast and effective flossing.

1. Surveyed among 50 dentists in Australia.

2. Excludes preparation time. Research conducted in the US using 25% HP Zoom! Kit.

3. In an in-vitro study, actual results may vary.

For info visit www.philips.com.au/zoom

Dental practices can place orders for Philips products with Dentavision immediately. Call 1800-806-640 or visit www.dentavision.com.au

Oral Health Care

patient-requested whitening brand*

Dürr Hygoclave a drawcard at ADX

The premium Dürr Hygoclave range has attracted plenty of attention at this year’s ADX Sydney event.

The Hygoclave 40 and Hygoclave 50 models are already well-known throughout international markets for their ease of operation and efficiency in the dental practice, thanks to fast operating cycles and flexible drying programs.

Smart cycles

The Hygoclave can process dental instruments in as little as 30 minutes (including drying time) using the “B Flash” cycle - and does so with minimal water and power use, making them eco friendly as well.

The “B Standard” sterilisation program ensures reliable reprocessing of instruments. Being a “smart” machine, drying time is automatically extended according to load size - while additional vacuum cycles can be pre-selected on the Hygoclave 50 using the “B Standard Plus” program to accommodate hard to dry, complex hollow loads. The result is properly processed, dry loads every time with no need for reprocessing.

Feedback from dental practices is that the Hygoclave is a joy to use with next to no training thanks to the intuitive layout of its colour touchscreen display and easy to understand icon-based buttons. Key day-to-day functions are just a simple button-press.

For example, one press on the coloured 5” (125mm) touch screen can select the most recently used sterilisation cycle; produce a batch report; or initiate a test program directly from the home screen without having to go deep into menus to set parameters.

Traceability

An automated powered door with locking mechanism and integrated user management system guarantees secure and easy workflows, supporting full traceability back to an operator and cycle.

The Hygoclave has a dedicated interface for practice management and hygiene software, as well as internal storage capacity for a massive 100,000 cycles. It can also produce barcode labels and batch reports on an optional attached Dürr printer.

The premium Hygoclave 50 is also “future proof” with an interface for remote monitoring and operation via the VistaSoft Monitor app and computer software, including remote cycle history backup and downloading of reports to a user’s PC, together with remote service diagnostics ability available to Australian users using the free VistaSoft Monitor program.

Flexible water supply options

Aunique feature of Hygoclave 50 is its extremely flexible water supply options, making it easy to install in any practice, as well as its built-in automatic water quality test function with alerts.

The Dürr Hygoclave 50 steriliser can be filled with water manually via the externally accessible tanks with its unique top opening “butterfly” doors; via a suction system from a canister of treated water; or from a fully automated Dürr water treatment system.

The Dürr Hygoclave is manufactured from quality stainless steel and special high temperature and ionised water-resistant plastics for sustained trouble-free operation.

It is available with either a 17L or 22L chamber matching the size and throughput of the practice.

The product is also easy to maintain and service-friendly due to its intelligent and modular design which has already won a big thumbs up from dental equipment technicians in Australia.

To find out more about Hygoclave, contact A-dec or your nearest A-dec dealer.

High-performance sterilization- and drying system

5“ high-resolution colour touch display for intuitive navigation

3-fold flexible fresh water supply with integrated quality control

All in view and documented thanks to connection to the practice network

With Hygoclave 50, Dürr Dental and A-dec offers dental practices a professional Class B solution that combines impressive performance with a well thought-out operating concept – for maximum efficiency and exceptional user friendliness designed to cope effortlessly with tough day-to-day working environments. Available with a volume of 17 or 22 litres. More information under www.duerrdental.com

Integrated dust protection filter Scan the QR

ADX 2024 judged another success

By David Petrikas

ADX Sydney was another success, buoyed by good attendance levels at the country’s largest dental industry product, service and equipment exhibition, coupled with a strong CPD program.

Almost 7000 people attended ADX24 Sydney held at the ICC plus others involved in the associated social and networking events during the three-day event.

Many exhibitors reported a great level of interest in the commercial stands and strong enquiries for the products on offer which were on show from March 21-23.

One of the larger exhibitors, A-dec, used the event to showcase its latest “A-dec Pro” delivery systems, built on its range of dental units, known for their ergonomics, comfort and proven reliability; and also the premium Dürr Hygoclave range of autoclave equipment.

A-dec Pro delivery systems

The A-dec Pro 500 system was launched for sale in Australia in late 2023 and has now been joined by the all-new A-dec 300 Pro. As the A-dec 300 Pro only recently became available through A-dec dealers, ADX Sydney was the first time many have had the chance to see the new delivery system.

New A-dec 300 Pro Continental delivery

In addition to the option of full internet connectivity* and a larger more interactive 5” capacitive touchpad, the A-dec 300 Pro delivery system includes the option of an all-new ergonomically advanced Continental delivery system.

The new soft rubber tubing support arms offer ultimate flexibility and almost

unrestricted lateral movement. This configuration has won widespread support for its superior ergonomic design which delivers significant benefits around occupational health.

(*The A-dec 300 Pro can be linked to A-dec+ by an optional gateway to provide full connectivity to provide access to onboard diagnostics and streamline equipment management and maintenance).

A-dec 500 Pro: Connected

A-dec Marketing manager, Simon Taggart, said everything people have come to appreciate about the A-dec 500 dental chair is now available with the new A-dec 500 Pro delivery system.

“Enabled with A-dec+ and an updatable software platform, the A-dec 500 Pro delivery system supports your dental team with a new level of connection.

AMM-520

5-axis wet and dry milling, full denture production, and multi-material processing.

SPINDLE

replacement warranty.

All materials

Create full dentures, Titanium frames and abutments, CoCr frames and copings, Zirconia, PMMA, glass ceramics, PEEK, HPP, and hybrid composite restorations with ease and precision.

Wet & dry hybrid

Multi-process, 5-axis simultaneous & 90-degree milling.

Intelligent control

“The A-dec Pro control system is extremely user-friendly, being intuitive, responsive and predictable. This inspires confidence. It’s that feeling you get each time you greet a new patient, knowing that your equipment is up-to-date and consistent - yet still so intuitive. It’s as if you’re not keeping up with technology; it’s keeping up with you.”

Mr Taggart said a key difference with the A-dec Pro system is the introduction of connectivity, which makes the delivery system future-proof, being easily expandable and upgradeable.

“A software-based platform paired with A-dec+ brings technological flexibility to your practice. So, your equipment is relevant - and you’re ready for whatever lies ahead.”

Flexible integration

Mr Taggart said A-dec products are engineered to last, but technology is ever-changing.

“The ability to integrate new clinical capabilities with the existing platform means your equipment can keep up

with you and your future practice as the software-based operating system is future expandable.”

Optimal access

He said A-dec’s patient chair retained its superior ergonomics and accessibility, making it extremely comfortable for both the patient and the operator.

“Everything you need is easy to position and comfortably within reach. Close-in to your patient, your posture is healthy, your view is clear and your reach is minimal. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re that comfortable.

Superior care

“This combination results in superior patient care. The gentle, supportive comfort of the A-dec dental unit puts your patients at ease for a positive experience that sets you apart.

Peace of mind

“And of course, a key consideration for many is A-dec’s legendary reliability and now a delivery system which is designed

for the future. Rest assured, your equipment is ready to work reliably – patient after patient, day after day.”

The premium A-dec 500 Pro delivery features a larger 7” touchscreen, featuring large customisable graphics and “swipe” functionality to easily scroll through screens. The system can identify and control all attached instruments, including reciprocating instruments for endodontic procedures to control RPM or bur speed - a useful feature when operating speed increasing or speed reducing handpieces.

The A-dec Pro system can also automatically detect and display the colour-coded scaler intensity when connected to an Acteon Satelec scaler and can be configured to work with other scalers and ancillary instruments.

The dental units are also available in an expanded range of decorator colours to fit in with any practice.

The all-new A-dec Pro 300 and A-dec Pro 500 “connected” delivery systems are available now from A-dec dealers around Australia.

Contact A-dec on 1800 225 010 to find your nearest A-dec dealer or visit australia.a-dec.com

Diagnostic excellence with Meyer CBCT: Dr Lena Qiu’s experience at Meili Dental

Over my 14 years blending roles as an oral health therapist and dentist, I’ve always looked for ways to improve our practice. Bringing in the Meyer CBCT from Osseo Group was a big step forward for us, showing our commitment to getting better and bringing in top-notch technology. I’m keen to share the good it’s done for us and our patients.

We’ve aimed to mix high-tech dental care with the feel of a boutique clinic, making visits as warm and welcoming as seeing close friends. This led us to choose the Meyer CBCT, thanks to the trust we’ve built over the years with Osseo Group and especially with Cat Trinidad, their account manager. Our past work together, like on clear aligners and intraoral scanners, meant I trusted her recommendation completely and knowing I would have the in-person technical support.

From purchase and installation, to using the machine, everything has gone smoothly, really showing off the Meyer CBCT’s dependability and quality. It fits our needs perfectly, especially for looking at wisdom teeth, helping with root canal work and planning for implants. The images are so clear and free from metallic artefacts–they make our diagnoses and treatment plans much better.

Adding the Meyer CBCT to our practice has made a huge difference. It’s made our workflow smoother and our treatment planning for implants, wisdom teeth and root canals more accurate. This hasn’t just improved things for our team; our patients are happier and getting better results, as we can perform our imaging in-house instead of sending patients elsewhere, delaying their treatment, increasing their costs and time away from work and commitments.

What’s great about the Meyer CBCT is how doctor-friendly it is to use, making it a breeze to add to our practice. The support from Osseo Group and Meyer has been excellent, giving us the help, training and resources we need. This means we’re

never on our own trying to get the most out of this technology.

Looking back, I’m really pleased with our decision. The Meyer CBCT has gone beyond our expectations, showing the value of our investment and its key role in raising the standard of care we offer.

Adopting in-house imaging technology like the Meyer CBCT has been a game changer, letting us offer more precise, efficient and patient-focused services without the need to refer them away for diagnostics and increasing our treatment plan acceptance.

Dr Lena Qiu is the principal of Meili Dental Care in Hurstville, Sydney, NSW.

For more info on Meyer CBCT, contact Osseo Group on 1300-029-383 or visit www.osseogroup.com.au

Intraoral scanning for Digital Dentures

Workflows for fabricating Full and Partial dentures digitally

SYDNEY - JUNE 21-22 | AUCKLAND - JULY 26-27

Presented by Sam Dias, Dental Prosthetist

This event is both a lecture documenting why you should choose digital dentures today as the optimal solution for your dental practice or denture clinic together with a LIVE systematic run-through of the process for fabricating both full and partial digital dentures. You will be able to follow Sam Dias as he explains the step-by-step process he uses in his four clinics across Sydney every day.

A demonstration of accurate intraoral scanning and prosthetic design ensures that the outcome won’t be compromised while saving time and money for you and your patient.

The session will conclude with a Q&A session discussing options leading to self-design or aided design as well as the finishing and polishing process.

This course will cover the following...

DAY ONE

1. Impression vs Scanning - A discussion and slide presentation comparing intraoral scanning and traditional impressions, including a live scan of dentures will be shown. The scanning process will be shown step-by-step and the many different impression techniques currently used will be reviewed, and details of how these can be carried on to the digital world shown.

2. Clinical workflows for correctly scanning different types of denture cases.

3. Preparing scans before export to fellow colleagues and or labs to minimise errors and patient discomfort, REVIEWS!

4. Adding mesh and articulator adjustment. Combining multiple scans and adjusting the setup of the virtual articulator will be shown.

5. Wizard and model analysis tools explained.

6. Digital denture teeth selection- How to select the correct digital denture teeth library will be discussed as well as the use of the measure tool plus patient notes and extra scans. Denture teeth library options and applications will be discussed.

7. Digital denture teeth setups - Digital denture teeth setup tips and tricks for faster and more effortless setups will be detailed.

8. Denture teeth options, different materials for multiple applications, such as printed, milled and carded.

9. Denture base design - Key principles to bear in mind when designing your denture bases plus a guide to troubleshooting.

DAY TWO

1. Continued denture design with a group discussion and clarification of denture designs.

2. 3D printing - 3D printing techniques plus a guide to material selection and achieving better outcomes.

3. LIVE Carded Teeth modification and milled teeth finishing and tweaking before Bonding.

4. LIVE Carded denture teeth, Milled Teeth and Printed TeethStep-by-step bonding technique with tips and tricks.

5. LIVE Staining technique - Techniques for staining and filling in the gaps.

6. Finishing and polishing - Tips to achieve a great outcome.

7. Discussion + Q&A Session.

Growth through education

Leveraging education as a tool for growth can be a powerful strategy for businesses, including dental practices. Here are ways in which a dental practice can foster growth through education:

1.

Patient education

• Preventive care workshops: Host workshops or seminars on preventive oral care, covering topics such as proper brushing techniques, flossing and the importance of regular dental check-ups.

• Online resources: Develop and share educational content on your website or through social media platforms to inform patients about various dental procedures, oral health tips and the importance of specific treatments.

2. Continuing education for staff

• Skill development programs: Invest in ongoing training and education for your dental team to keep them updated on the latest advancements in dentistry.

• Specialised training: Encourage staff members to pursue specialised training or certifications in areas such as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics or implantology to expand the range of services your practice can offer.

3. Community outreach programs

• School partnerships: Establish partnerships with local schools to provide oral health education programs for students. This can include presentations,

dental screenings and the distribution of educational materials.

• Community workshops: Host educational workshops in the community, covering topics like oral hygiene, nutrition for oral health and the importance of early dental care for children.

4. Tele-dentistry for education

• Webinars and online courses: Offer webinars or online courses on oral health topics. This not only educates your existing patient base but can also attract new patients who are interested in learning more about dental health.

• Virtual consultations: Provide virtual consultations for educational purposes, allowing patients to discuss their concerns and learn about potential treatment options from the comfort of their homes.

5. Collaboration with educational institutions:

• Internship programs: Collaborate with dental schools to offer internship programs for dental students. This provides hands-on experience for students and introduces them to your practice.

• Guest lectures: Invite dental professionals or educators to conduct guest lectures at your practice, creating a learning environment for both staff and patients.

6. Educational events

• Health fairs: Participate in or organise health fairs where your practice can provide information about oral health, offer screenings and engage with the community.

• Open houses: Host open houses at your practice to showcase the latest technologies, discuss treatment options and educate the community about the importance of dental care.

7. Patient engagement programs

• Support groups: Establish support groups for patients with specific dental concerns or undergoing similar treatments. This can facilitate peer support and education.

position itself as a trusted resource, fostering patient loyalty and attracting new clients. Education-driven growth creates a positive impact, both in terms of patient outcomes and the overall reputation of the practice. The OrthoED Institute offers a range of course options, from a 1-day introduction to Orthodontics called

“By prioritising education, a dental practice can not only contribute to the well-being of its community but also position itself as a trusted resource, fostering patient loyalty and attracting new clients...”

• Interactive workshops: Conduct interactive workshops on topics such as managing dental anxiety, post-operative care and maintaining oral health during different life stages.

By prioritising education, a dental practice can not only contribute to the well-being of its community but also

Orthodontic Fundamentals, a certificate in clear aligner therapy (5 days) and the flagship 2-year Mini Masters course that includes the aligner modules and the opportunity to gain a diploma in Orthodontics.

For more info, visit www.orthoed.com.au, email info@orthoed.com.au or call (03) 9108-0475.

Transform your dental practice with the Ultimate DIY Dental Marketing Pack

Let’s face it, the dental industry is bustling with competition and standing out is tougher than ever. But what if I told you that skyrocketing your practice’s visibility and attracting new patients could be both simple and cost-effective?

ENTER: The Ultimate DIY Dental Marketing Pack - your game-changer in navigating these challenging times.

Why you’ll love this marketing pack

Created by Angus Pryor and his dedicated team at Dental Marketing Solutions, after more than 10,000 hours of hands-on consulting with dental practices just like yours, this pack is more than a set of tools; it’s the secret ingredient to your practice’s success story.

Incredible value for your investment: Imagine getting a treasure chest worth $8,080 for just $997. This is an amazing 88% off the original value!

Visit www.diy-marketing.com.au now

What’s Inside?

n 12-Month Marketing Calendar: Keep your marketing efforts focused and organised with themes, promotional activities and key dates so you always know what to do and when $500 VALUE

n Social Media Mastery : With 24 professional social media templates (in Canva) and a library of customisable captions, you have literally hundreds of social media posts that will captivate and engage. $2400 VALUE

n Patient Engagement Emails: 24 professionally-written emails designed to keep your patients informed and interested, potentially unlocking thousands in additional revenue. $2400 VALUE

n Online Visibility Boost: Enjoy enhanced visibility on Dentist.com.au, ensuring

your practice stands out strongly in Google especially in surrounding suburbs. $795 VALUE

n Effortless Tracking : An automated reminder system keeps your marketing efforts on track without the added stress. $360 VALUE

n Exclusive One-Off Bonuses: Enjoy a Google Business Profile Checklist, a 12-Point Website Self-Audit, a competitor audit and more. These bonuses are here to give you an edge over the competition. $1725 VALUE

Ready for a marketing revolution?

Imagine having more time to focus on what you do best – providing top-notch dental care, while we handle the nittygritty of marketing.

With The Ultimate DIY Dental Marketing Pack, you’re not just purchasing a product; you’re unlocking the full potential of your dental practice. This is your moment to shine, to stand out and to grow in ways you’ve never imagined.

Take the first step

Feeling excited? We are too! For one low price, packed with heaps of value, discover how the Ultimate DIY Dental Marketing Pack can revolutionise your practice. Remember, great marketing is the key to unlocking a floodgate of patients waiting to discover your practice. Embrace this opportunity to secure a bright and prosperous future for your dental practice.

Sign up at https://diy-marketing.com.au

n Australia and New Zealand have over 25,000 dental practitioners

n dentist.com.au and dentist.co.nz lists every practitioner free of charge

n For 20 years, the Australian public has relied on www.dentist.com.au to find and connect with you. Now we have introduced the service to New Zealand

n Over 1 million searches are made every year

n Visit dentist.com.au or dentist.co.nz to check your details are correct

n Visit www.dentalcommunity.com.au and login to update your details any time without cost

Call (02) 9929 1900 or email info@dentist.com.au

THE ULTIMATE DIY DENTAL MARKETING PACK

Rise Above the Challenges – Elevate Your Dental Practice!

In today’s competitive landscape, dentists in Australia and New Zealand are navigating through increasingly challenging times. With growing competition and tighter economic circumstances, the need to stretch every marketing dollar further has never been more crucial.

That’s where The Ultimate DIY Dental Marketing Pack comes in – your comprehensive solution to not just survive, but thrive in these testing times.

Meticulously crafted for dental practice owners and managers in Australia and New Zealand, this pack isn’t just another marketing toolkit; it’s a strategic partner in your journey towards attracting new patients and securing your practice’s future.

WHY CHOOSE THIS?

Unprecedented Comprehensive Pack: Everything you need in one easy-to-use DIY package. Significant Savings: A $8,080 value for just $997! Act quickly and save over 90%! Prepared by experts: Heavily curated content based on more than 10,000 hours of 1 on 1 consulting with dentists in Australia and New Zealand by Angus Pryor and his team

WHAT’S INSIDE?

PERPETUAL DIY MARKETING PACK

12-Month Marketing Calendar: plan and execute your marketing efforts with precision. Includes monthly marketing themes, promotional activities, list of key international days, and more. $500 value

24 Social Media Posts: engage and grow your audience all year. Includes caption library of over 100 customisable social media captions, professional image library, 24 professionally designed Canva templates to level up your practice's social media image. $2400 value

24 Professionally-Written Patient Emails: Keep your patients informed, interested, and thinking about you! Send just one of these emails to your patients and you could reap thousands in additional business. $2400 value

12-Month Dentist.com.au Upgrade: Enjoy thousands of additional views of your practice listing. Elevate your online presence and appear strongly in surrounding suburbs. $795 value

Automated Reminder System: Dental life gets busy, so this system helps you always know where you’re up to, allowing you to stay on track effortlessly. $360 value

ONE-OFF BONUSES

Google Business Profile Checklist: Appearing strongly in Google is Marketing 101 for dentists, and an essential part of your online presence is your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This checklist gives you the clear steps for success. $200 value

12-Point Website Self-Audit: Your website is a virtual calling card for your entire business. What does it say about you? This 5-minute check will give you everything you need to independently assess whether you practice comes across as a hero or a zero. $500 value

Competitor Assessment: Looking for answers about the competition in your local area? This 5-minute assessment will help you gauge your competition and suggest next steps. $995 value

The Dental Practice Profit System book: no.1 Amazon bestselling book from Australia’s no.1 Google-ranked dental marketer, Angus Pryor. $30 value

LIMITED TIME OFFER!

$8,080VALUE JUST $997!

This incredible offer is only available for a limited time. Seize the opportunity to elevate your dental practice!

“Definitely Angus has a great organisation. You will get value for money.”

Dr Claire Wilson, VIC

“My experience with Angus and the team has been really excellent. They’ve helped my business grow.”

Dr Brian Chen, NSW

“Honestly, it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. Because it’s all about return on investment. And this is the best return on investment I’ve ever done.”

Dr Geoff Hall, VIC

Prettau®, the zirconia from the Dolomites - For the patients you value

From Zirkonzahn classic Prettau to Gradual-Triplex-Technology: for each case the right material

As unique as the Dolomites mountains (South Tyrol, Italy), is zirconia the dental material of choice.

Inspired by its base properties, MDT Enrico Steger founded his Zirkonzahn company in 2003 with the aim of getting the best out of it. In the heart of the Italian Alps, the Zirkonzahn team constantly works to imbue zirconia with unique properties, to infuse it with luminosity and extraordinary attributes. The result is a special material: Prettau® zirconia. A material conceived, produced and tested without compromise to ensure the best quality.

Prettau Bridges (monolithic, 14-unit bridges made with Prettau) have been used for more than 15 years to provide patients with aesthetic and long-lasting restorations. Starting from classic Prettau

zirconia (1200 MPa), the range has been expanded over the years with new materials, to meet dentists’ and patients’ requests. Prettau 4 Anterior® (670 MPa), with its extremely high translucency, is the ideal alternative to lithium disilicate.

Prettau 2, on the other hand, combines its high flexural strength (1300 MPa) with excellent translucency, becoming the optimal solution for particularly aesthetic full arches, both monolithic and reduced.

With the Dispersive® line, the path of monolithic design has been brought to a step forward: indeed, Dispersive materials are characterised already during the manufacturing process by a natural colour gradient thanks to a special technique that does not blend colours into layers but disperses them evenly. The latest innovation within Zirkonzahn range of zirconia materials is Prettau 3 Dispersive. The material

is already provided with a triple gradient of natural colour, flexural strength and translucency. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for the production of monolithic natural-looking restorations.

• Zirconia with Gradual-Triplex-Technology: triple gradient with natural colour as well as increasing flexural strength and translucency values:

n Cervically increasing flexural strength; extremely high flexural strength at the tooth neck;

n Incisally increasing translucency; highly translucent incisal edge; and

n Colour gradient which reproduces the natural tooth colours from dentine to enamel.

• Colour scheme from A1-D4 as well as 3 Bleach shades; special zirconia shade guides in the shape of premolar as well as lower and upper incisors (customisable!);

Caninus, the newest Zirkonzahn’s production site overlooking the Dolomites Mountains.

• Manual colouring and further characterisation is no longer required, but can be performed to achieve more patientspecific results; and

• Especially suitable for monolithic design, which avoids ceramic chipping. For a final result which matches with the colour of the patient’s natural teeth, special shade guides were developed: Zirkonzahn Shade Guides are composed of monolithic zirconia sample teeth in the shape of premolars, upper and lower incisors and they are available in Prettau 2 Dispersive, Prettau 3 Dispersive and Prettau 4 Anterior Dispersive zirconia. The colour spectrum is inspired by the VITA classic range, comprised of 16 dentine colours (A1-D4) and 3 bleach shades. If the material of the shade guide and the material of the zirconia prosthesis are identical, it is ensured that the colour of the zirconia restoration corresponds 1:1 with the natural tooth colour of the patient.

The “all in-house” culture: An entire factory dedicated to Prettau zirconia production overlooking the Dolomites Mountains

After Premolaris and Molaris I & II, Caninus is the company’s most recent production site located in the heart of the Dolomites Mountains, specifically built to broaden their Prettau zirconia production. As unique as these natural monoliths, Prettau zirconia takes its name from the farthest village of the Aurina Valley in South Tyrol and was conceived for aesthetic restorations, from single crowns to monolithic full arches – the so-called Prettau Bridges. The Prettau line includes different zirconia typologies, available in white blanks for further characterisation, pre-coloured and with colour gradient for optimal aesthetics. Blanks are available in different heights (from 5 to 40 mm) and diameters – Ø 95, Ø 98 with step, Ø 106 mm, as well as mini blanks to mill single crowns in hardly used colours.

Zirconia restorations are meant to stay in the patient’s mouth for long periods, or in most cases permanently, which makes the matter of quality even more important. This is why Zirkonzahn work philosophy

individual approaches and aesthetic demands.

dictates that nothing must be produced under economic or time constraints. Prettau is manufactured with no compromises, using raw materials accurately selected from reliable suppliers.

Upon arrival, the powder undergoes strict controls for quality assurance and, working without constraints, much time can be dedicated to the development of the most refined working processes, in close collaboration with the in-house R&D department.

To achieve high homogeneity, the raw material is pressed biaxially and/or isostatically and the most advanced technologies are used to obtain the best aesthetic and mechanical properties.

In the last few years, the company’s range of zirconia has embarked even more on the path of monolithic design with the new Dispersive® line, which includes materials that are already characterised with a natural colour gradient during the manufacturing process, making manual

colouring no longer necessary. The gradient is provided through a specially developed technique that does not blend colours into layers but disperses them evenly, lending restorations a beautiful and natural aesthetic. A perfect example of the company’s constant strive for quality and sophistication is the innovative GradualTriplex-Technology, which provides the new Prettau 3 Dispersive material with a triple gradient of colour, flexural strength and translucency, achieving a perfect balance of resistance and aesthetics.

Each production batch is accurately checked after every production step, via specific tests and measurements. In this way, blanks’ properties of hardness, dimensions, density, milling, colour and translucency as well as materials’ shrinkage factor are constantly controlled, using close-tolerance instruments. Once the production step is concluded, final controls are run on each blank.

Prettau® 3 Dispersive® with Gradual-Triplex-Technology: a triple gradient of natural colour, flexural strength and translucency

For individualists, the shade guides are also available with minimally reduced, sintered sample teeth (minimal cutback), which can be further characterised by the application of different incisal materials. This results in truly unique shade guides that precisely reflect

Being the sole process owners allows Zirkonzahn to have a complete understanding of their products, ensuring that they form an optimum match in the complete workflow. The in-house R&D team constantly works to improve and fine-tune solutions to create a reliable planning and working environment, where hardware, software, tools and materials fit together according to a perfect dental-technical logic. The full control over testing and production procedures gives the company the possibility to react very quickly to the customer’s needs, not only through constant product optimisation but also through their wide range of comprehensive education courses (“Die Zirkonzahn Schule” – The Zirkonzahn School), where participants are trained on the usage of equipment and materials with no knowledge gaps.

Zirconia blanks production. Each production batch is accurately checked after every production step, via specific tests and measurements to control hardness, dimensions, density, milling, colour, translucency as well as materials’ shrinkage factor, using close-tolerance instruments.

Bar-supported restoration made with Prettau 3 Dispersive, the latest zirconia developed in-house, with Gradual-Triplex-Technology.

Monolithic full arches made of Prettau® 2 Dispersive® Bleach zirconia on anodised titanium bases, veneered only in the gingival area.

DT Janka Gregorics – Zirkonzahn Education Center Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

PRETTAU® 2 DISPERSIVE® BLEACH

NATURAL REPRODUCTION OF WHITE AND BRIGHT TEETH

- Pre-shaded zirconia with natural colour gradient, optimal flexural strength and particularly high translucency

- No limitations! Ideal for monolithic full arches, but also for single crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers, bars and multi-unit bridges (reduced or monolithic)

- No ceramic chipping (thanks to monolithic design), no abrasion of the antagonist

- Can be characterised individually for each patient with Colour Liquid Prettau® 2 Aquarell Intensive, ICE Ceramics, Fresco Ceramics, ICE Stains Prettau® and ICE Stains 3D by Enrico Steger

- Also available in three Bleach shades

Exiting Your Dental Practice and Maximising Your Outcome

in conjunction with

A dental practice is usually one of the most valuable assets in a dentist’s life.

When it comes time to sell, many will do so with little understanding of the value of what they are selling and how to present it effectively to a buyer.

Others delay putting their practice on the market at an optimal time, fearful of what to do next and afraid of a loss of their identity.

This course explains:

• How to prepare your practice for sale to optimise the price, terms and compatibility with a purchaser

• Which exit strategy is right for your practice and why

• When is an optimal time to maximise the return for your asset

• Pitfalls owners fall into that devalue their practice in the final years of ownership

• Steps owners can take to improve the outcome in the final years of ownership

VITAL INFORMATION

for anyone within 5 years of EXITING

Presented by Simon Palmer

With more than 20 years’ experience in dental practice sales, Simon Palmer has extensive knowledge of and insight into the complexities and sensitivities involved in buying and selling dental practices. Simon’s business - Practice Sale Search - sells more than 100 practices per year. He is a regular writer/contributor to dental publications and journals, and is regarded as an expert on dental practice purchases and sales in Australia and New Zealand.

TOPICS INCLUDE

n Exit planning: how do you get your practice ready to sell?

n What are the pros and cons of the exit options/ strategies available to you?

n Succession Planning: What do you need to do now to prepare?

n What is the likely profile of the buyer for your practice and what will they be looking for?

n Valuing Dental Practices: What/ where is the value in your practice?

n How do you handle staff discretion, confidentiality and disclosure?

n Legal agreements

n Effective strategies for transferring patients effectively from seller to buyer

n What to do next post sale: post-sale strategies

n Tax implications and strategies when selling

n Expert finance, legal, accounting speakers

IDEM 2024 wraps up its 13th edition with record-breaking success

Back for its highly anticipated 13th edition, the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM 2024) successfully concluded on 21 April 2024 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre with record-breaking success. From 19-21 April, IDEM 2024 welcomed 8917 attendees from 74 countries and regions, exceeding the record number of participants and countries. The event offered a showcase of cutting-edge dental innovations and expertise, spanning over 17,000m2 of exhibition space, with the conference theme of Exceptional Dentistry: Techniques, Technologies and Trends, providing a platform for dentistry professionals to learn from experts

IDEM Singapore 2024

n 8917 attendees from 74 countries and regions attended, exceeding the previous record number of participants and countries;

n 500 exhibitors showcased 629 brands from 35 countries and regions;

n 12 national pavilions exhibited at the event including participation for the first-time from the Spain pavilion;

n Record-breaking 44 esteemed speakers and a total of 42 scientific conference sessions and workshops.

and improve their practice. IDEM 2024 officially marked a significant increase in attendees and countries compared to the previous edition reaffirming, its position as the leading dental exhibition and conference in the Asia Pacific.

Mathias Kuepper, the Managing Director and Vice President of AsiaPacific, Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, said “The success of IDEM 2024 was based on the reputation and the credibility we have developed here in Singapore for over 20 years. The feedback from the exhibitors and the delegates has been excellent. We will build on what we have achieved this year here at IDEM and continue to emphasise a quality, high-level scientific programme and bring the latest technologies and innovations to future editions of IDEM.”

The exhibition floor hosted 500 exhibitors showcasing 629 exhibiting brands from 35 countries and regions as they presented their latest solutions and products, covering prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, paediatric dentistry and more. This year, among the participation of 12 national pavilions - Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States of America - the event also welcomed the first-time participation of the Spain pavilion, adding to the diverse representation of global dental industry players.

Formlabs, an exhibiting brand under Eye-2-Eye Communications Pte Ltd, seized the opportunity to showcase its newly launched Form 4 and Form 4B 3D printers at IDEM.

IDEM 2024 saw exhibitors presenting their newly launched products and unveiling the latest technologies from around the globe, further highlighting IDEM’s role as a go-to launchpad for dental products and brands in the Asia Pacific region.

Maik Walther, the President of GC Asia Dental, one of the exhibiting brands and a Platinum Sponsor, shared, “It was the biggest exhibition we had for the overall region, and being here in Singapore, it was an important place for exhibiting our products and most importantly to educate our customers about the importance of our health.

“For us, IDEM 2024 was the perfect platform to showcase our brand. I’m very happy with the organisation and the scope of the events we have here.”

In addition to the extensive 17,000 square metre trade exhibition, IDEM 2024 again featured a comprehensive scientific conference programme including myriad lectures and hands-on workshops, comprising a total of 44 speakers and 42 scientific conference sessions split across mutliple streams under the banners of “Scientific Conference”, “Interactive Workshops”, “Dental Hygienist & Therapist Forum” and the inaugural “Asian Speaker Series”.

The conference sessions covered a wide range of topics across 3 tracks of conference running concurrently, with the most popular “SDA Masterclass: The Black, White and Gray of Crack Management” conference session attracting 904 delegates, making it the most attended session of the conference programme.

Dr Brina Ho, a Dentist at Sunshine Dental, spoke of her experience as a delegate at IDEM 2024. “I wanted to see the latest developments in equipment, technology and information and I think IDEM was the best place to be. There are a lot of advancements in a short while in the whole industry and IDEM has brought all of that together.”

Innovation Arena activities were a standout feature, offering networking and educational opportunities for dentistry professionals and aspiring dentists. The Innovation Arena hosted informative talks by exhibitors, including “A New Trend in Root Canal Treatment - ROOT ZX3” by MORITA and “Oral Health Matters to the Heart” by Xepa-Soul Pattison (S) Pte Ltd. Additionally, the Student Programme, themed “Crafting Bright Smiles, Shaping

Future Dentists,” provided a platform for dental students to connect with industry leaders and build valuable connections with mentors.

Punyisa Pintola, a third-year dental student and the Asia Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA) representative from Thailand expressed, “I attended the IDEM 2024 because I wanted to represent the APDSA organisation. However, I felt like this event gave me more than that. I gained valuable experiences and met different companies and professors. I also joined the conference, so it was a great opportunity, especially for a third-year dental student like me.”

Additionally, IDEM360+ usage statistics revealed a significant increase in downloads and usage levels of the digital platform, further enhancing the attendees’ experience

and engagement throughout the event. With IDEM 2024 core offerings streamlined into the app and the addition of the Trade Visitors’ e-badges, the IDEM360+ platform recorded 2,681 connections made and 106 meetings arranged and saw a significantly reduced number of printed materials, marking a significant step towards reducing the overall carbon footprint.

With the resounding success of this year’s event, IDEM looks forward to welcoming attendees to the next edition, which will take place on 17-19 April 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, promising even more innovation, education and collaboration.

For more information and updates on IDEM Singapore 2026, please visit www.idem-singapore.com.

When choosing Ampac Dental, your getting More Than Equipment. Your gaining a dependable partner that provides genuine, personalised support, and collaboration in the success of your practice.

A-dec marks 60 years of innovation and success

One of the most respected names in dental equipment, A-dec, is celebrating its 60th anniversary of innovation and success in 2024. For 40 of those years, A-dec has operated in Australia.

The family company was started by engineer, inventor and innovator, Ken Austin and his wife Joan, who left her insurance job to manage the administrative side of the business as co-director while also raising their two children.

From humble beginnings, Ken Austin set out with a suitcase to sell a superior suction system which he developed - the original Air Venturi System or AVS, to S.S. White which was then America’s biggest dental equipment manufacturer. The distribution agreement was the seed to the decades of success that followed.

From there, Ken set out on a lifelong quest to design better equipment to improve the practice of dentistry. Just like the mighty oak tree that grows from an acorn, A-dec proved that from little things, big things grow. It’s first premises was an Army surplus tin Quonset Hut in

downtown Newberg. A-dec now occupies a huge 20-ha “campus” incorporating offices, factory and the A-dec Education Centre, plus offices around the world, including the UK and Australia.

A-dec - an acronym for the Austin Dental Equipment Company - has itself since become a world leader in dental equip-

By David Petrikas

Pioneer of sit-down dentistry

Significantly, A-dec was a pioneer in the concept of sit-down dentistry. Before that, most dental procedures were performed standing up! This of course led to the concept of four-handed dentistry and other incremental improvements such as flex arm delivery systems, individual water flow to handpieces (one of many A-dec innovations), specialised A-dec Preference dental cabinetry and flexible chair-mounted, cabinet-mounted and wall-mounted delivery systems.

The focus on “doing things better” started by Ken Austin has never ceased, with a focus on ergonomics, productivity and unbeatable reliability, which are today hallmarks of the A-dec brand.

THE A-DEC WAY

ment, specialising in dental units, delivery systems and dental lighting. It is now one of the world’s largest privately owned dental companies, employing around 1,000 people. The company supplies its dental products to dental professionals in more than 100 countries worldwide.

As a self-described “imagineer”, Ken was adamant that the equipment should solve a problem, be robust, simple and effective and sold at a fair price. He also felt that not only should the equipment last a long time, but it should also prolong the working life of the operator.

Even today, some years after Ken Austin’s passing, the innovation continues with the latest generation “A-dec Pro” range of “Connected” equipment which

incorporates smart technology that enables equipment to communicate with the user via the inbuilt touchscreen or via wireless devices to provide information on equipment configuration and diagnostics.

Industry awards

This pursuit of better equipment has been well-recognised by the dental community. Nowhere has this been better demonstrated than A-dec’s extraordinary 20 consecutive years of annual Dentaltown “Townie Choice Awards” where it has consistently been named best dental equipment by those that use it. The brand also enjoys an enormous following in international markets, including Australia.

A family legacy

The Austins are revered in their home city of Newberg and indeed around the world where their personal philosophy and incredible philanthropy has helped thousands of people. Decades after the business started, the children and grandchildren of A-dec’s first employee were still employed at the business.

The Austin’s son-in-law, Scott Parrish, took over the reins of the company in 2007 and the company remains in private hands following the passing of Joan Austin in 2013, aged 81 and Ken Austin in 2019, aged 87. Mr Parrish stepped down from the CEO role in December 2023, but continues on as Chairman of the Board.

Outstanding community contribution

The Austins’ enormous contributions are documented in a book titled: American Dreamers: How Two Oregon Farm Kids Transformed an Industry, a Community and a University published by the Oregon State University Alumni Association.

Their personal philosophy and culture known as “The A-dec Way” is also encapsulated in a booklet which outlines A-dec’s corporate values and mutual respect for employees, co-workers, suppliers and customers. These 15 guiding principles are proudly displayed on the A-dec website.

The Austin’s not only talked the talk but walked the walk. The local school, Joan Austin Elementary, is named in honour of Joan Austin. The Austins donated the land from part of the family farm which Joan grew up on and she also drove the fundraising to see the school was built.

Ken Austin also set out to make dentistry more accessible, not only to established practices around the world, but by also inventing the portable RotaDent delivery system in conjunction with Rotary International and the TotaChair folding dental chair. More than 80,000 people have received care from outreach volunteers using this unique equipment that can be carried to remote regions to provide dental care to areas with no dentists.

Joan was a lifelong supporter of education, the arts, youth and government in Oregon where she served as a board member of Oregon Business Council, a lifetime trustee of the Oregon State University Foundation and held the distinction as the first woman to chair the Board of Directors for Associated Oregon Industries.

It is indeed a matter of immense pride for A-dec to mark this momentous milestone for the company, in reflecting on its history, culture and tremendous achievements in its enduring pursuit of improving the practice of dentistry for its customers all around the world.

A-dec started operations from a tiny Quonset hut in Newberg, Oregon that it rented for $60 a month.

A-dec’s headquarters and manufacturing plant has resided on a corner of the family farm in Oregon for much of its 60-year history.

ClearCorrect Clear Aligners transforms clear aligner solutions with a new launch designed to elevate clinical practices

ClearCorrect, a Straumann Group Company, has announced key innovation with its Premier Aligner product and supporting software, including the Doctor Portal and ClearPilot™ treatment viewing platform. Working in partnership with clinicians to develop industry-enhancing solutions that enable smarter workflows ClearCorrect, is now poised to deliver an unbeatable package complemented with practice growth support.

ClearCorrect not only provides top-tier aligners but also offers a comprehensive solution for dental clinics. The aligner provider continuously expands and develops their total aligner package and assists clinics in enhancing efficiency and fostering growth.

With diverse educational formats, practice growth initiatives and personalised support, ClearCorrect is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of every customer, ensuring a holistic and customer-centric approach to orthodontic solutions to be the preferred partner in Orthodontics.

Supporting clinicians in their treatment of malocclusion, the company is working to elevate dental and orthodontic practices, allowing clinicians to achieve their desired treatment results for an expanded group of treatable patients. Specifically, key updates have been made to the Premier Aligner, Digital Workflow and Practice Growth offering.

“ClearCorrect is thrilled to launch these new solutions and features globally. Our latest wave of innovations allows clinicians to treat more complex cases and we will continue to work together in partnership with clinicians to bring healthier, more confident smiles to patients,” said Laura Sterling, Head of Global Marketing and Education.

Fostering partner support and clinical excellence

Combining clinical expertise, with a commitment to education and a dedication to top-tier support, ClearCorrect offers clinicians a partnership in orthodontics that will help them unlock the potential of their practice and ultimately, their patients’ lives.

To further strengthen their partnership with clinicians, ClearCorrect is making more resources and tools available to practices through the Practice Growth Offering, a newly assembled suite of marketing, education and business resources designed to empower clinicians and staff to grow their practice together and convert patients to ClearCorrect with confidence.

Strengthening clinical confidence

ClearCorrect has introduced two new ClearControl ™ Clinical Features, empowering clinicians to treat more patients. Optimised and patented for ClearCorrect, Posterior Bite Ramps feature an innovative three-arch design, that will enable the treatment of crossbite cases.

To enable a more efficient and precise engager placement, ClearCorrect is introducing the next generation of Engager Template, featuring a thinner and more flexible material and a low and flat trimline.

With a strong commitment to clinical digitalisation and efficient digital workflows, three optimised solutions have also been launched globally to improve the integrated and intuitive software platforms.

Known for offering a wide variety of treatment plans with flexible options to meet individual patient needs, the company is taking flexibility to the next level thanks to a new Active Aligner Case Upgrades feature. This unique and differentiating feature gives clinicians the option to easily upgrade plans at any time during treatment directly in the Doctor Portal.

The Doctor Portal has also been revamped with a New Homepage, including an improved dashboard and optimised case list, that adapts to any practice workflow and allows clinicians to easily organise and manage their clear aligner business.

Images courtesy of Prof Dr Marco Aurélio Chaves da Silva (BRAZIL)

Images courtesy of Dr Mohamed Saad [ALGERIA]

ClearPilot 7.0 empowers clinicians by giving them more control over their treatment plans. With the use of visualisation tools like Bite Jump Simulation, advanced editing tools for arch adjustment, additional ClearControl Clinical Feature controls and user interface improvements, it is now easier for clinicians to build and evaluate treatment plans, resulting in a more efficient treatment planning experience.

Developed by doctors, for doctors

Founded by doctors, ClearCorrect listens carefully to clinicians’ needs and continually invests in its products and services, highlighting the brand’s customer-centric philosophy. Since being acquired by Straumann Group in 2017, the company has significantly accelerated its software and product development activities, solidifying its position as a leader in clear aligner manufacturing and distribution. Now, after only a few short years and with a dedication to efficient product development including technological advancements and improvements to the user experience for clinicians and patients, ClearCorrect is yet again putting customer needs front and centre. All recently launched innovations have been developed in collaboration with clinicians, helping to elevate their practices to achieve their full potential.

To discover more about ClearCorrect’s latest products, visit clearcorrect.com.

About Straumann Group

The Straumann Group is a global leader in tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions that restore smiles and confidence. It unites global and international brands that stand for excellence, innovation and quality in replacement, corrective and digital dentistry, including Anthogyr, ClearCorrect, Medentika, Neodent, NUVO, Straumann and other fully/partly owned companies and partners. In collaboration with leading clinics, institutes and universities, the Group researches, develops, manufactures and supplies dental implants, instruments, CADCAM prosthetics, orthodontic aligners, biomaterials and digital solutions for use in tooth correction, replacement and restoration or to prevent tooth loss.

Learning from the best with Geistlich myGuide®

Geistlich is proud to announce the launch of Geistlich myGuide®, the world’s first complete online learning journey in regenerative dentistry. This enables clinical professionals to learn from leading experts in the field of dental regeneration and to continuously educate themselves regardless of time and place.

Sharing expertise in the field of medical regeneration is deeply rooted in Geistlich’s DNA. From experience, the Swiss manufacturer of Geistlich Bio-Oss® and Geistlich Bio-Gide® knows that about 80% of the questions related to implant treatments concern regeneration. Previous training courses in this area have mostly included individual lectures, hands-on workshops or webinars. However, structured online learning offers have hardly existed to date. Geistlich wants to close this gap with Geistlich myGuide.

A pioneering offer for regenerative dentistry

With Geistlich myGuide, dentists from around the world will have the opportunity to learn from the best clinicians and scientists in the field of dental regeneration. A total of 27 internationally renowned experts have created the content. The scientific partner for

Geistlich myGuide is Prof. Dr Ronald E. Jung, the Director of the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, University of Zurich. Under his guidance, the structure, scope and learning objectives of this learning journey have been created.

“Geistlich myGuide is a highly innovative development that takes regenerative dentistry education to the next level. Geistlich myGuide puts patients first and offers regenerative solutions for all indications,” Prof. Jung said.

All course content builds on itself, ensuring a structured learning process. At the same time, Geistlich myGuide is very much geared to everyday clinical practice. Pure theory modules have been deliberately avoided.

Wide range of practiceoriented learning content

Atotal of five different learning formats are used: so-called e-learning modules that are 100 percent responsive. This means that learning is possible without restrictions on all mobile devices. In addition, uncut clinical videos are integrated, clinical case documentations, hands-on courses in the form of online workshops conducted from home and of course assessment modules for a knowledge check.

Dr Andreas Geistlich, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Geistlich, said:

“Supporting the dental community and ensuring the best possible care for patients is part of Geistlich’s DNA. With the introduction of this innovative educational journey, we are opening new perspectives for continuing education in dentistry. I am impressed!”

Clinical professionals from around the world are invited to join this educational journey and actively shape the future of regenerative dentistry. Learn more about this new offering in regenerative dentistry and start your learning journey today under www.geistlich-myguide.com.

For more details, please contact your local Geistlich Product Specialist.

About Geistlich Pharma AG

Geistlich is a global leader dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine. In the field of regenerative dentistry, Geistlich has been the world market leader for many years. In addition, Geistlich strives to provide comprehensive support to clinicians in the field of regenerative medicine through scientific research, innovative developments as well as continuing education programs. Geistlich is a Swiss family-owned company with tradition since 1851. With 13 subsidiaries and 60 distributors, the company reaches around 90 markets and employs over 800 people.

Hi, I’m Layla! Let me introduce you to Geistlich myGuide®.

This new learning journey covers all areas of regenerative dentistry and is structured in three patient types.

Geistlich myGuide® is a new learning journey to boost your skills in regenerative dentistry. A variety of e-learning modules, clinical videos and cases, assessments and Geistlich vLab® online hands-on courses have been created for you to learn how to treat your implant, perio and peri-implantitis patients. More details on: www.geistlich-myguide.com

Meet the patient types

Amari

Carestream Dental delivers user-friendly

CBCT to the market to give more doctors access to advanced imaging

Carestream Dental is providing oral healthcare professionals a seamless transition to CBCT imaging with the CS 8200 3D Access. This advanced 4-in-1 system is built on user-friendly imaging technology so practices can experience more confident diagnoses and improved patient care and increase business growth.

The CS 8200 3D Access is designed to cover the imaging needs—even full-arch scanning—of clinicians looking to perform more in-office procedures and grow their practices with 3D imaging. Users can enjoy 2D panoramic imaging, CBCT imaging, 3D-object scanning and optional cephalometric imaging in one unit and up to six selectable fields of view ranging from 4 cm x 4 cm to 10 cm x 10 cm [option]. For visualising the tiniest clinical detail, such as required for endodontic indications, the CS 8200 3D Access system captures ultra-high-resolution images at 75µm.

“Three-dimensional imaging has become incredibly prevalent in dental diagnosis and treatment planning,” Philippe Maillet, general manager, global equipment, Carestream Dental, said. “CBCT is no longer a tool reserved for specialists, hospitals or imaging centres. Today, compact, user-friendly systems like the CS 8200 3D Access is ensuring that more practices, including general dentistry practices, can benefit from the power of 3D imaging.”

Because the CS 8200 3D Access is built on an open platform, it’s more than just an imaging system: It’s the gateway to advanced treatment planning and optimal patient care. For example, IO Scanner Link lets practitioners easily connect leading intraoral scanners with their extraoral imaging equipment to unlock new treatment potential and improved workflow.

While the CS 8200 3D Access serves as the foundation of advanced care, it remains simple and intuitive to use. Users who are new to 3D imaging can be confident they’re capturing the ideal image for each individual exam thanks to the system’s state-of-the-art user interface. Laser-free face-to-face positioning also facilitates proper patient positioning. To make the system even more user-friendly, the CS 8200 3D Access also includes new advanced software features, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), such as automatic panoramic curve mapping and automatic nerve mapping. Other add-on options that enhance the user experience include CS MAR for reducing metal artifacts and CS UpStream, a 24/7 advanced equipment monitoring service.

The CS 8200 3D Access joins the CS 8200 3D Family, which includes the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition.

For more info about the CS 8200 3D Family, visit carestreamdental.com/en-au or email info.apac@csdental.com.

About Carestream Dental

Carestream Dental is a digital solutions leader built on more than 125 years of experience that’s committed to transforming dentistry, simplifying technology and changing lives. In this pursuit, it offers three brand portfolios that enable practice optimisation, efficiency and growth.

For info, visit carestreamdental.com/en-au

Envision your future practice

Envision your future practice

Envision your future practice

Envision your future practice

With the new Carestream Dental

With the new Carestream Dental

With the new Carestream Dental CS 8200 3D Family

CS 8200 3D Family

With the new Carestream Dental

CS 8200 3D Family

CS 8200 3D Family

State-of-the-art CBCT imaging is now within reach and without compromise. Explore our family of solutions including the new CS 8200 3D Access and the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition.

State-of-the-art CBCT imaging is now within reach and without compromise. Explore our family of solutions including the new CS 8200 3D Access and the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition.

State-of-the-art CBCT imaging is now within reach and without compromise. Explore our family of solutions including the new CS 8200 3D Access and the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition.

State-of-the-art CBCT imaging is now within reach and without compromise. Explore our family of solutions including the new CS 8200 3D Access and the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition.

Discover more confident diagnosis, broader treatment options and better patient engagement with advanced imaging technology that boosts in-office procedures and provides the chance to expand your business.

Discover more confident diagnosis, broader treatment options and better patient engagement with advanced imaging technology that boosts in-office procedures and provides the chance to expand your business.

Discover more confident diagnosis, broader treatment options and better patient engagement with advanced imaging technology that boosts in-office procedures and provides the chance to expand your business.

Learn more at Carestreamdental.com

Discover more confident diagnosis, broader treatment options and better patient engagement with advanced imaging technology that boosts in-office procedures and provides the chance to expand your business.

Learn more at Carestreamdental.com

Learn more at Carestreamdental.com

Learn more at Carestreamdental.com

IDS - International Dental Show 2025 set to break records

The International Dental Show (IDS) is opening its doors to the global dental community again from 25 to 29 March 2025 in Cologne, Germany. Based on the exhibitor applications received so far, planning for the world’s biggest and most important dental trade fair is well underway. The fair makes all of the industry’s innovations, technologies and trends experienceable in Cologne.

As the biggest forum of the international dental community, IDS 2025 will bring top international decisionsmakers from clinical dentistry, dental technology, specialised trade, education and industry sectors together in one location for the 41st time. The activation of the online form for self-registration on the IDS website will be the official starting signal for participation at the pioneering trade fair, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

With immediate effect, dental industry manufacturers from all continents and nations have the opportunity to present once again or for the first time their new dental medicine or technical products and further developments at IDS next year. The approximately 180,000 m² of gross exhibition space planned, spread over seven halls of the Cologne fair grounds, underlines the high relevance the trade fair has for the entire dental industry. Around 120,000 trade visitors from 162 countries attended the event last year to find out about the latest in dental medicine and technical products presented by just under 1,800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries.

Companies that had confirmed their participation at IDS by 31.03.2024 have been positioned in the initial layout planning of the halls of IDS 2025.

For more information, visit www.ids-cologne.de

International Update

Where things splash during minor oral surgical procedures

During oral surgery there is a significant occupational risk of exposure to potentially harmful infectious diseases, transmitted through direct contact with body fluids and aerosolised splatters that may not be visibly detectable. Many of these exposures may be visually imperceptible. The aim of this study was to detect visually imperceptible blood contamination on personal protective equipment (PPE) and clinical working surfaces using the chemiluminescence agent luminol during oral surgical procedures. A total of 20 minor oral surgical procedures were performed. The procedures were subcategorized as aerosol-generating (surgical removal of impacted teeth) and non-aerosol generating (simple forceps extraction, intraoral incision and drainage, biopsy). Used PPE was scrutinised for traces of visually imperceptible blood contamination using luminol. The results of blood splatter on PPE and clinical surfaces were analysed. It was observed that visually imperceptible blood contamination in non-aerosol procedures was detected on the assistant’s PPE (46.7% of cases), the assistant’s face shield (40%), the suction apparatus (50%), the walls (30%) and the floor (56.7% of cases), after both aerosolgenerating and non-aerosol generating procedures. The results of the study show undetected blood spillage can occur during aerosol-generating oral surgical procedures of 30 minutes and also during non-aerosol surgical procedures of more than 30 minutes. The contamination extends over an area of 1 metre horizontally and 1.6 metres vertically. These results emphasise the value of Personal Protective Equipment, especially the use of face shields, while performing oral surgical procedures in order to prevent cross infection. The results also stress the need for proper environmental cleaning of working surfaces in a consistent way after all procedures.

Kannan KV et al. Detection of visually imperceptible blood contamination in the surgical area using luminol among different oral surgical procedures: an observational study. Cureus. 2024;16(2):e53821.

ANTI-SNORING DEVICE MADE OF TEMP PREMIUM FLEXIBLE TRANSPA

DESIGNED USING THE “SNORING” FUNCTION IN THE ZIRKONZAHN.MODIFIER SOFTWARE

- Selection of the “Snoring” function and creation of all upper and lower margins

- Generation of a digital plane to separate the upper and lower bite

- Loading anchors considering the distance between the first molar of the lower jaw and the canine of the upper jaw. Slight insertion of the anchor into the bite to leave enough space for the connectors

- Creation of a breathing gap between upper and lower incisors. This portion is calculated digitally and subtracted from the upper and lower bite by creating a split which improves patient’s breathing

DT Romina Töchterle – Zirkonzahn Education Center Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

DT Rudolf Brugger – Zirkonzahn Education Center Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

ONLINE CPD CENTRE

Toothpaste labelling and testing technologies: Time for a rethink?

Question 1. Toothpaste ingredients are listed...

a. In alphabetical order.

b. Descending order based on weight percentage.

c. By active ingredients.

b. Ascending order based on weight percentage.

Question 2. A sweetener found in toothpaste is...

a. Sugar

b. Stevia

c. Xylitol

d. Aspartame

e. Any of the above

Question 3. Blue covarine is used in toothpaste to...

a. Give the toothpaste a white colour.

b. Create coloured stripes.

c. Make your teeth look whiter.

d. As a surfactant.

Question 4. Limonene and benzoates in toothpaste can cause...

a. Pellicle staining.

b. A risk of dental erosion.

c. Allergic reactions.

d. The pH to adversely change.

e. All of the above.

Question 5. When discussing toothpaste, PCR stands for...

a. Polymerase Chain Reaction.

b. Pellicle Cleaning Ratio.

c. Please Clean Regularly.

d. Perform Cleaning Regularly.

Question 6. The “S” in ARSPT stands for...

a. Sterilisation

b. Steam

c. Sensitivity

d. Stringent

Question 7. Older dental handpieces will not be compatible with washer disinfectors because...

a. The couplings are not supported.

b. The internal piping is too narrow.

c. The highly alkaline detergents used will cause corrosion.

d. Rubber O-rings are used.

Question 8. Oxidation of the isoprene polymer structure of natural rubber latex o-rings results from using...

a. Ozonated water.

b. Ultrafiltration in the water system.

c. Shock treatments.

d. Chelating agents.

Question 9. Hydrogen peroxide gas vapour is an alternative to using moist steam for sterilisation:

a. True

b. False

Question 10. The term “hollow load type A” remains in the new AS 5369 standard:

a. True

b. False

INSTRUCTIONS:

Question 11. VITA Easyshade uses a...

a. Photochromatograph

b. Spectrophotometer

c. Photospectrometer

d. Spectrothermometer

Question 12. Shades values are displayed in...

a. VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER only.

b. VITA Classical only.

c. Both VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER and VITA Classical.

Question 13. A perfect match with the VITA shade standards is shown as...

a. Green

b. Yellow

c. Red

Question 14. An acceptable deviation with the VITA shade standards is shown as...

a. Green

b. Yellow

c. Red

Question 15. A significant deviation with the VITA shade standards is shown as...

a. Green

b. Yellow

c. Red

Question 16. R.T.R.+ is a classified as an...

a. Autograft

b. Allograft

c. Alloplastic graft

d. Xenografts

Question 17. R.T.R.+ is indicated for...

a. Extraction sockets

b. Bone regeneration

c. Bone grafts under the sinus membrane

d. Filling cystic cavities

e. All of the above

Question 18. R.T.R.+ 80/20 formula is...

a. Has more ß-TCP than hydroxyapatite.

b. Is ideal for cystic cavities.

c. Is ideal for intra-osseous periodontal or implant craterisation.

d. All of the above.

Question 19. R.T.R.+ 40/60 formula is...

a. Has more hydroxyapatite than ß-TCP.

b. Is ideal for extraction sockets.

c. Is ideal for the sinus and its Schneider membrane.

d. All of the above.

Question 20. R.T.R.+ is bioactive and fully resorbable...

a. True

b. False

A summary of the latest research

By Emer. Prof. Laurence Walsh AO

Oral infections and joint prostheses

The surgical replacement of joints, especially hip and knee using an endoprosthesis (EP) is a frequent and highly successful treatment option to reduce pain and increase function in case of advanced joint diseases. Joint replacement surgery is one of the most frequently performed elective orthopaedic surgical procedures in the world. However, EP infections are a severe complication, causing enormous morbidity. Whether or not oral diseases contribute to the development of EP infections has been controversial. There is a large discrepancy between the prevalence of oral foci of disease and EP infections. EP infections are rarely occurring events; overall, 0.3%-2% of patients develop an EP infection. An overall prevalence of oral focus-related infections between 0.009% (3% of 0.3% at minimum) and 0.26% (13% of 2% at maximum) should be expected. This narrative review explores two hypotheses for oral disease-associated EP infections: (1) In case of an acute exacerbation during the early healing period after EP surgery (the first 3 months); and (2) Coincidental in the context of late EP infections (after successful initial healing), where an initial periprosthetic inflammation can be colonised secondarily by oral microorganisms. In both settings, oral foci are not primarily causative for EP infection, but represent an important reservoir for EP colonisation. Immunological conditions (locally and systemically) are crucial for the onset of an EP infection. Risk increases for factors such as high BMI, previous use of immunosuppressant, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, steroid use, male gender, age and alcohol abuse. All of those co-morbidities can affect systemic immunity, resulting in a higher susceptibility to infections. Moreover, these parameters are also related to oral health, especially periodontitis. Thus, the occurrence of oral diseases in patients with EP infections might be coincidental rather than causal. Patients with risk factors for EP infection should be orally rehabilitated prior to EP surgery. A radical dental clearance is not a favourable approach for these patients. Usage of antibiotic prophylaxis during the first 3 months after EP implantation (initial healing period) has no reliable evidence to support it. Overall, patients with EP should receive increased attention in terms of preventive measures, because they show a high dental and periodontal treatment need.

Schmalz G, Ziebolz D. The hypotheses of oral disease-associated perioprosthetic joint infections to understand the role of oral health for endoprostheses - a narrative review. Spec Care Dentist. 2024 Mar-Apr;44(2):328-338.

UK IE guidelines are badly out of step

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a devastating infection of the heart valves, with a 30% first-year mortality. Its incidence continues to increase in the UK, driven by multiple factors including an ageing population, increasing numbers of high-risk individuals (due to medical interventions), increased awareness of IE and a reduction in the use of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) before invasive dental procedures (IDPs). In 2023, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) updated its infective endocarditis (IE) guidelines strongly endorsing antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) before invasive dental procedures (IDPs) for high-risk patients, elevating their recommendation to Class I. The American Heart Association (AHA) is aligned with this view and reaffirmed the need for AP to prevent IE in those at high-risk in its 2021 guidelines. Similar guidelines have existed in Australia for many years, which stratify cases according to the risk of the procedure and the risk to the patient. In contrast, since 2015 the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended against routine AP use for IE, even in high risk cases. Despite considerable new evidence, NICE has not reviewed this recommendation since 2015. In 2015, an observational study found high compliance with the NICE guidance in the UK and identified an 88% decline in AP prescribing since 2008. It also found a significant increase in IE incidence following the change. At that time, NICE methodology required randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence to support any change in recommendations and, following review, it reiterated its guidance stating that “antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis is not recommended for people undergoing dental procedures”. The ESC reviewed the same evidence in 2015 but continued to recommend AP for high-risk patients. In 2016, however, without explanation or review, NICE changed the wording of its guidance as follows: “antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis is not routinely recommended for people undergoing dental procedures”. The word “routinely” made the UK guidance ambiguous and has caused confusion for dentists, cardiologists and patients. This study reviewed the new evidence that has arisen since 2015. The analysis establishes the association between IDPs and IE and shows that AP is both safe and effective in reducing the IE-risk following IDPs in those at high-risk. Data also show that AP is cost-effective and would result in significant cost savings and health benefits if it was re-introduced into the UK’s National Health Service for high-risk patients. Given these insights, the study argues it is time NICE reviewed its guidance so that high-risk patients in the UK receive the same protection against IE that is afforded to patients in the rest of the world.

Thornhill M et al. Endocarditis prevention: time for a review of NICE guidance. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2024 Mar 5:39:100876. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100876.

With passion for per fection ®

Precision, innovation and reliability

• Crafted from tungsten carbide, these forceps are highly durable and scratchresistant, boasting a Mohs scale number comparable to diamonds

• Hygienic handle design for easy sterilisation.

• Well-balanced weight with ergonomic, targetorientated surface profile permits precise and secure methods of working over long periods or practice time

• Matte surface made to reduce reflections

STO-14052.17 - Forceps, advanced, anatomical TC, 1.3mm, straight stoma® classification

The working tip dimensions of advanced instruments can be categorised as something between classical macro-surgical instruments and microinstrumentation. They allow finely sensitive working methods and mark the changeover to micro-surgical methods.

Stoma® forceps are available in various designs, different-sized working tips and material construction so you can choose the instrument that is perfect for you.

Toothpaste labelling and testing technologies: Time for a rethink?

By Emeritus Professor Laurence J. Walsh AO

When strolling through the toothpaste aisle in a major supermarket, one cannot help but be impressed by the extent of available choices that faces the modern consumer

when choosing a toothpaste. There is a wide variety of products available, both across major brands and within any given brand. However, when one breaks

down the details to look at the individual product formulations, differences between some of them are relatively small.

Many patients and colleagues tell me that they are confused when trying to work out which toothpaste is best for their particular situation, given the sheer number of choices available on the shelves. The purpose of this article is to help clinicians understand the technology of toothpastes, the role of the various ingredients and appreciate how the performance of toothpastes is assessed in the laboratory.

Finding ingredient information

Toothpastes that are sold through supermarkets and pharmacies often have their ingredients and other information (such as specific instructions for use) on the website for that supermarket or pharmacy chain. This is often the fastest and easiest way to access such information. While some toothpaste manufacturers have set up a dedicated website for professionals, sometimes these require a user to log in and becomes an enrolled user in order to access this information, which seems an unnecessary step.

How the label information is arranged

Australian consumer law requires that ingredients are listed in descending order of their weight percentage, i.e. from the most dominant ingredient to the least. The position of an ingredient in the overall sequence is an important consideration when one spots an ingredient that might seem problematic. When an ingredient is included towards the end of the list of the ingredients, the amount is very small. Common examples are phosphoric acid and sodium citrate. Both chemical agents form parts of buffer systems and this is why they are used in toothpastes. Their inclusion brings the toothpaste to the correct near-neutral pH and ensures that the pH of the product when it is diluted in the mouth by saliva is appropriate. Thus, they pose no risk of dental erosion when used in this way.

Active ingredients

Product labelling will feature key active ingredients. These could be agents that assist with remineralisation, chemical plaque control, lowering the formation of dental calculus or removing external stains.

For a fluoride toothpaste, the chemical form of the fluoride compound makes a difference to its bioavailability and its performance in terms of remineralisation. As shown in Table 1, several standardised tests are used to assess the remineralising ability of toothpastes and these are described in the US FDA monograph series for toothpastes. These tests include fluoride uptake into incipient enamel lesions and remineralisation of the enamel

surface after a lactic acid challenge. Data from such tests typically indicate that when matched for parts per million (ppm) of fluoride ions, stannous fluoride products do better in these standardised assays than sodium fluoride. However, from the perspective of the consumer, product labelling does not state the level of fluoride in the toothpaste in terms of parts per million. Without knowing the chemical formula of the fluoride form that is used, it is not simple to calculate the ppm level from the information that is given on the product label. This creates a challenge for both dental professionals and patients.

from a complex calculation involving how well particular toothpaste compares to using a reference material when used in many thousands of cycles with standardised force in a toothbrushing jig.1-7 For a summary of RDA values for some common toothpastes, see reference 10. Typical examples are Oral-B Pro-Health and 3D-White, which have RDA values of around 170 and 180.

There is an inherent compromise between the abrasivity of a toothpaste and its ability to remove external stains, i.e. stained pellicle. Toothpastes with aggressive abrasive properties will be better at removing stained pellicle, but

Table 1. Key standard laboratory methods for performance testing of toothpastes

ISO 11609:2017 Dentifrices - Requirements, test methods, and marking.

ANSI/American Dental Association Standard No. 130.

Remineralisation of caries like lesions using the White method (White DJ. Caries Res. 1987;21(2):126-140. and White DJ. Caries Res. 1988;22(1):27-36).

US FDA Monograph Part 29 for soluble available fluoride concentrations.

US FDA monograph Part 21 for fluoride uptake into incipient enamel lesions.

US FDA monograph Part 33 for enamel solubility reduction.

For details and examples of fluoride and remineralisation tests, see references 13-19.

Vehicle components

By weight, the greatest components of toothpastes are found in the mixture of glycerin and water that comprises the vehicle. The glycerin serves several purposes. It is hygroscopic and so allows the toothpaste to retain moisture if the lid or cap is not closed fully. As a viscosity modifier, glycerin is the main ingredient which allows the toothpaste to flow evenly from the tube. It also contributes a slight sweet taste to the toothpaste.

Abrasives

The types of abrasives used in toothpastes vary over a wide range, both by their chemical composition and by their physical size. Common abrasives include perlite, calcium pyrophosphates, silica and calcium carbonate. Generally speaking, the smaller the particle size, the lower the relative dentine abrasivity (RDA) of the toothpaste. The RDA number comes

their long-term use can cause abrasion of roots and exposed dentine. This is why the international standard for toothpastes (ISO 11609:2017) stipulates a maximum relative dentine abrasivity (RDA) score of 250. Surprisingly, there are several toothpastes on the market that have abrasivity scores that are above 250. Not surprisingly, long-term use of highly abrasive toothpastes will cause abrasion of the dental hard tissues. Using such products also increases the likelihood of abrasion of the attached gingiva.

The blend of abrasives also influences the viscosity of the toothpaste and thus how much it will flow when a squeezing force is applied to the sides of the toothpaste tube. Products with higher levels of abrasive will be more viscous and will be less likely to flow in a consistent manner when pressure is applied, due to shear thinning. They may also feel grittier when used, if the particle size is sufficiently large that it can be detected by the tongue (e.g. 50 microns or larger).

the cutting | EDGE

Surfactants

Most common toothpastes use sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as their surfactant. This is a high foaming agent and is responsible for the froth that is created during toothbrushing. SLS has some antibacterial actions and can assist in dislodging biofilm stacks from the pellicle. Residues of SLS are irritant to soft tissues, which explains why leaving residues of toothpastes behind can lead to irritation of the oral soft tissues.

Several studies have linked the presence of SLS in toothpastes with elevated prevalence rates for recurrent aphthous ulceration and this has driven several toothpaste manufacturers to introduce versions that either have reduced levels of SLS or where the SLS has been replaced completely with another surfactant. Low foaming surfactants used in toothpastes ensure that less froth and foam is generated during the toothbrushing action and that there are lower levels of soft tissue irritancy.

Flavours

The traditional flavour of toothpastes has been based on a mint taste, such as peppermint or spearmint. These are both relatively strong flavours and this can cause issues with patients who are unable to tolerate strong flavours, such as those with autism spectrum disorders. Some flavours are problematic because of allergy (e.g. limonene). Recently toothpastes have been developed with novel non-mint flavours (e.g. Hismile). This can help improve compliance with toothbrushing as it makes the experience more enjoyable.

Sweeteners

Intense sweeteners are used widely in toothpastes to improve their overall taste and also to balance out the astringency of mint and some other flavours. Somewhat surprisingly, in some parts of the world, sugar is used rather than an alternative sweetener. Some toothpastes use stevia or natural polyols such as sorbitol or xylitol as part of their mixture of sweeteners, while others use modified forms of sugar (such as sucralose) or intense artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.

Colouring agents

Some toothpastes contain agents that give the toothpaste a white colour (such as titanium dioxide), while others contain various dyes that generate coloured stripes or enhance the reflection of blue or violet light from the surfaces of teeth (e.g. blue covarine CI74160) for as long as those dyes are bound to the pellicle layer. It is always useful to know what the dye is being used for, but rarely is this stated in the product information. The use of dyes is highly regulated, which is why certain markets will not permit the use of particular dyes.

“A toothpaste may make whitening claims because of its removal of stained pellicle. This needs to be distinguished from a situation where an actual oxidising agent (such as hydrogen peroxide or PAP) is present, which can decolourise external stains, rather than remove them...”

Preservatives

Antimicrobial agents are included in toothpastes to prevent overgrowth by microorganisms and thus provide a suitably long shelf life for the product. Sometimes these preservatives elicit problems including allergies. Benzoates are the most common preservative type that can lead to issues. Taking a careful history will reveal that a person who has an allergy to benzoate preservatives will mount responses to a range of foods and cosmetics where these are used.

Cleaning performance

It would be useful to both everyday consumers and dental professionals if the cleaning performance of a particular

toothpaste was stated using relatively simple metrics. A widely used laboratorybased method to assess the removal of stained pellicle is the pellicle cleaning ratio (PCR) assay.8-12 Based on clinical data, a PCR value of at least 50 is needed to provide acceptable extrinsic stain removal. Having a high PCR is important for individuals whose diet includes frequent intake of foods and beverages that can cause external staining.

By combining the information from the PCR with the dentine abrasivity, the cleaning efficiency index can be calculated. The actual equation is...

CEI = (RDA + PCR – 50) ÷ RDA

The cleaning efficiency index emphasizes the importance of effective stain removal properties and low dentine abrasion. Hence, if one was to degenerate the performance of the toothpaste to just one simple single number, this would be the number to use.

Whitening claims

Atoothpaste may make whitening claims because of its removal of stained pellicle. This needs to be distinguished from a situation where an actual oxidising agent (such as hydrogen peroxide or PAP) is present, which can decolourise external stains, rather than remove them. Given the short period of time that toothpastes are used for during toothbrushing, it is unlikely that oxidising agents will have sufficient time to penetrate into the enamel and oxidise any coloured molecules which are there.

Most consumers do not understand that whitening claims for toothpastes inherently are connected to the removal of external stains. This is why having greater transparency in labelling around the pellicle cleaning ratio and the cleaning efficiency index would greatly improve informed decisions around toothpastes. Those individuals whose diet has a high frequency of tea, coffee, red wine and other sources of external stain could then look for a toothpaste with a high PCR, to help reducing the accumulation of stained pellicle, while at the same time looking to see that the product has a high cleaning efficiency index, so that it is achieving removal of stained pellicle without causing a problematic amount of dental hard tissue abrasion.

The Solution For Your Retention Issues

• Computer Designed

• Perfect Fit

• Patented Material

• Laser Cut

• Smooth edges

• 3D Printed Model

• Perfect Fit

• Upper &/or Lower

• All scans accepted

Use instructions

This is an area where considerable improvements can be made. The volume of toothpaste that is required will vary according to the size and number of teeth that are to be cleaned. Clear advice showing the proper amount of toothpaste to be applied to a toothbrush should be given by the manufacturer, for example, on the box or on the toothpaste container itself.

Table 2.

Suggestions for greater transparency in toothpaste advertising and improved product support

• State clearly on the product that brushing should be for at least 2 minutes twice daily.

• State the level of fluoride in parts per million on the packaging.

• State the dentine abrasivity score and pellicle cleaning ratio, or the cleaning efficiency index on the packaging.

• On manufacturer websites for professionals, provide comparison tables for products within the brand, for ready reference by dental professionals. Ensure that these sites do not require logging in or enrolment to access such data.

• Make information on the pellicle cleaning ratio and the cleaning efficiency index available for dental professionals in marketing materials to facilitate their decision-making around which toothpaste to recommend to patients.

Moreover, there should be explicit instructions that toothbrushing needs to be conducted twice daily and for at least 2 minutes for each brushing episode, since the removal of dental plaque biofilm and the removal of stained pellicle are both highly responsive to brushing time.

Conclusions

Having now reached the end of this short journey, one can appreciate that, as dental professionals, we need to better understand the components of toothpaste and the performance of toothpaste in order

to make appropriate recommendations to our patients. While many of us will feel quite comfortable giving instructions on brushing techniques and interdental cleaning, some of us will struggle when

asked by a patient, “Which toothpaste do you recommend for me, and why?” Better product information and labelling (as summarised in Table 2) would greatly assist us in this task.

About the author

Emeritus Professor Laurence J. Walsh AO is a specialist in special needs dentistry who is based in Brisbane, where he served for 36 years on the academic staff of the University of Queensland School of Dentistry, including 21 years as Professor of Dental Science and 10 years as the Head of School. Since retiring in December 2020, Laurie has remained active in hands-on bench research work, as well as in supervising over 15 research students at UQ who work in advanced technologies and biomaterials and in clinical microbiology. Laurie has served as Chief Examiner in Microbiology for the RACDS for 21 years and as the Editor of the ADA Infection Control Guidelines for 12 years. His published research work includes over 400 journal papers, with a citation count of over 20,000 citations in the literature. Laurie holds patents in 8 families of dental technologies. He is currently ranked in the top 0.25% of world scientists. Laurie was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2018 and a life member of ADAQ in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to dentistry.

References

1. Hefferren JJ. A laboratory method for assessment of dentifrice abrasivity. J Dent Res. 1976; 55(4): 563–573. DOI: 10.1177/0022034576055004030

2. Stookey GK, Muhler JC. Laboratory studies concerning the enamel and dentin abrasion properties of common dentifrice polishing agents. J Dent Res. 1968;47(4): 524-532. DOI: 10.1177/00220345680470040301

3. ADA Council on Dental Therapeutics. Abrasivity of current dentifrices. J Am Dent Assn 1970; 81(5): 11771178. PMID: 5272984

4. Grabenstetter RJ, Broge RW, Jackson FL, Radike AW. The measurement of the abrasion of human teeth by dentifrice abrasives: a test utilizing radioactive teeth. J Dent Res. 1958;37(6):1060-1068. DOI: 10.1177/00220345580370060601

5. Sabrah AHA, Lippert F, Kelly AB, Hara AT. Comparison between radiotracer and surface profile methods for the determination of dentifrice abrasivity. Wear 2013; 306 (1-2): 73-79. DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2013.07.001. 6. ISO 11609: 2017. Dentifrices - Requirements, test methods and marking. URL https://www.iso.org/ standard/70956.html

7. González-Cabezas C, Hara AT, Hefferren J, Lippert F. Abrasivity testing of dentifrices - challenges and current state of the art. Monogr Oral Sci. 2013;23:100-7. doi: 10.1159/000350476.

8. Pontefract H, Courtney M, Smith S, Newcombe RG, Addy M. Development of methods to enhance extrinsic tooth discoloration for comparison of toothpastes. 1. Studies in vitro. J Clin Periodontol. 2004 Jan;31(1):1-6. doi: 10.1111/j.0303-6979.2004.00423.x.

9. Pontefract H, Courtney M, Smith S, Newcombe RG, Addy M. Development of methods to enhance extrinsic tooth discoloration for comparison of toothpastes. 2. Two-product clinical study. J Clin Periodontol. 2004;31(1):7-11. doi: 10.1111/j.0303-6979.2004.00422.x.

10. Schemehorn BR, Moore MH, Putt MS. Abrasion, polishing, and stain removal characteristics of various commercial dentifrices in vitro. J Clin Dent 2011;22:11-18. PMID: 21290981.

11. Stookey GK, Burkhard TA, Schemehorn BR. In vitro removal of stain with dentifrices. J Dent Res. 1982; 61(11): 1236-1239. doi: 10.1177/00220345820610110501.

12. American Dental Association Health Foundation Research Institute. Clinical methods for determining dentifrice-cleaning ability. J Am Dent Assoc. 1984;109(5):759-62. PMID: 6593364.

13. White DJ. Use of synthetic polymer gels for artificial carious lesion preparation. Caries Res. 1987;21(3):228–242. DOI: 10.1159/000261026.

14. White DJ. Reactivity of fluoride dentifrices with artificial caries I. Effects on early lesions: F uptake, surface hardening and remineralization. Caries Res. 1987;21(2):126-140. DOI: 10.1159/000261013.

15. White DJ. Reactivity of fluoride dentifrices with artificial caries. II. Effects on subsurface lesions: F uptake, F distribution, surface hardening and remineralization. Caries Res. 1988;22(1):27-36. DOI: 10.1159/000261079.

16. Duckworth RM, Lynch RJ. Fluoride uptake to demineralised enamel: A comparison of sampling techniques. Caries Res. 1998;32(6):417-21. doi: 10.1159/000016481.

17. Karlinsey RL, Mackey AC, Walker TJ, Frederick KE, Blanken DD, Flaig SM, Walker ER. In vitro remineralization of human and bovine white-spot enamel lesions by NaF dentifrices: A pilot study. J Dent Oral Hyg. 2011;3(2):22-29. PMID: 21643437.

18. Cate JM, Timmer K, Shariati M, Featherstone JD. Effect of timing of fluoride treatment on enamel de- and remineralization in vitro: a pH-cycling study. Caries Res. 1988;22(1):20-6. doi: 10.1159/000261078.

19. Sakkab NY, Cilley WA, Haberman JP. Fluoride in deciduous teeth from an anti-caries clinical study. J Dent Res. 1984 Oct;63(10):1201-5. doi: 10.1177/00220345840630100601.

Buying and selling dental practices and practice valuations!

Things dentists need to know: Part 2

By Graham Middleton

“A surgeon who enjoys substantial repute may not be able to transfer the allegiance of GPs to a practice successor. When the surgeon retires, the GPs are likely to refer patients to other surgeons known to them...”

Goodwill is sometimes referred to as an intangible asset. In this sense, it can be likened to the value of brand names, mastheads, advertising logos, distribution rights, etc. It has long been defined as being a value ascribed to a transferable intangible economic asset. The key word is transferable. By way of example, a surgeon who enjoys substantial repute among referring medical GPs may not be able to transfer the allegiance of those GPs to a practice successor. When the surgeon retires, the GPs are likely to refer patients to other surgeons known to them. Hence, the surgeon has little goodwill. By contrast, a respected general dental practitioner who is able to successfully transfer patients to another dentist joining the practice, has personal goodwill. Goodwill is affected by the number of existing patients of long standing, the practice name, the appearance of the practice, an adequate website and adequate parking. It may be reduced where health fund preferred providers exert substantial influence over the choice of dentist and limit the treatment that can be provided. The most financially successful dentists are not preferred providers but

provide treatment plans which are only partially covered by private health insurers and leave it to their patients to make claims, thereby avoiding third party relationships.

For many dentists, their bosses practice is their best long-term purchase.

Effective goodwill transfer

Consider you are an experienced assistant dentist buying your boss’s practice which has thousands of patients on its list. These are the referring source of new patients, who have the practice contact details in their telephone or in a handy list of numbers, who are familiar with its location and parking and routinely make appointments by ringing the familiar number. You are in the most advantageous position to achieve the handover of goodwill. In such situations, you should specify in the contract of sale that no announcement of transfer of ownership occur. The best handover occurs where the vendor works for the new owner on a gradually reducing time basis with patients gradually introduced to other dentists in the practice and the former owner gracefully fading out. Patients do not like the idea that their goodwill has been bought and sold!

A newly established competing practice has zero referral base and may take many years to become truly profitable. Many new practice start-ups fail. They quietly disappear at great personal cost.

The majority of dentists bought an established practice off a dentist already known to them, most commonly as their employer.

Where does goodwill reside?

Where a dentist or dentists use an administrative service trust, the goodwill resides with the practice owner or associated practice owners. A service trust exists only to provide administrative support for the dentist(s) and does not own goodwill. Dentists using the outdated structure of company-owned practices are in a situation of the goodwill being owned inside of the company which often has detrimental capital gains tax implications.

New purchasers should consult my book “Financial Success for Dentists” for detailed guidance. See information at the conclusion of this article.

Convention governing the split of goodwill and equipment

The convention governing the split of goodwill and equipment is...

Practice proprietorship = Practice goodwill + Practice equipment

On sale of practice, the equipment is transferred at depreciated value and the practice goodwill = proprietorship less depreciated value of equipment.

Practice equipment means all dental equipment, furnishings and office equipment used in the operation of the practice. It normally excludes the owner’s vehicles when owned by a practice business entity as well as personal works of art in an owner’s private office space.

Warning to practice buyers: Traps in buying companies

On occasion, those who have purchased companies rather than the practice/business residing inside a company, have subsequently found to their horror that the company has hidden lia-

practice | MANAGEMENT

bilities such as a back-dated payroll tax assessment or other tax liability revealed by a retrospective tax audit or indeed a legal action resulting from some other past event. Such actions fall on the company, not past shareholders. Don’t buy a dental practice company!

Do not confuse small private companies with large public companies with audit requirements and six-monthly financial reporting dates prescribed by stock exchange listing.

“On occasion, those who have purchased companies rather than the practice/business residing inside a company, have subsequently found to their horror that the company has hidden liabilities such as a back-dated payroll tax assessment or other tax liability revealed by a retrospective tax audit. Don’t buy a dental practice company!...”

When selling, don’t poison your market

Dentists who ridiculously overprice their practice frighten off buyers but find it hard to re-engage with them if forced to lower their price.

Impact of practice premises

Attractive practice premises enhance a practice, but decrepit premises can render a practice near worthless if the cost of renovation and refitting is substantial. In particular, if worn out premises are located in an area of high land value, the only viable option may be to combine the practice with another if a suitable situation exists.

In situations where the premises value means that rental cost renders the practice outcome below a potential buyer’s opportunity cost, the only effective solution is to relocate the practice and sell the premises separately.

Combining capital city CBD practices

Practices located in the central business core of major cities offer substantial advantages to buyers with spare capacity to fit in more patients. The transfer of practice name, telephone number and website with a careful plan to redirect patients are essential parts of the transfer of their goodwill.

A receptionist has two separate telephones to answer taking care to present the practice that has moved as having “joined” rather than having been ‘bought’ with the transferred practice principal being employed on a gradually reducing basis. The ability to incorporate a substantial stream of patients in this way, often without additional rental cost, represent a valuable addition to goodwill and enduring long-term profit and has significant value to the purchasing practice.

Practice financials

When selling a practice, do not provide the full financials to anyone who has not first inspected the practice and signed a confidentiality agreement. Those who get financials without inspecting almost never buy. They tend to be busy bodies rather than dentists on a definite search for practices to buy.

When buying a practice, beware of sanitized financials proffered by practice brokers or vendor’s accountants claiming to have removed non-dental expenses. Insist on seeing the full financials before signing a purchase agreement and seek your own separate advice as to what extent claimed personal expenses are realistic.

Dentists must inspect practice records

An in-depth inspection of dental treatment records and billings must be done personally by the dental buyer. It is unlikely that any accountant will know what to look for in a dental practice’s operation.

Only a dentist personally inspecting a practices’ records can understand the detail as to how the practices fees are made up including the proportion of patients prepared to pay for advanced treatment plans and their composition as well as the proportion of fees tied to preferred providers, the productivity levels of assistant dentists, hygienists and dental therapists relative to hours worked and their fee scales. Virtually all accountants’ advice is severely lacking in knowledge.

The accountant who says the figures are satisfactory may have no or too few dental clients to give an informed opinion but is simply hoping to pick up accounting work for a dental practice in the expectation that they can bluff their way past their lack of actual knowledge of the relativity of dental practice profitability.

Some practices will have regularly adjusted fees to keep profit margins ahead of inflation. Some will have let their fees fall way below the market while some will have severely damaged patient relationships by heavily overcharging. Only by a searching examination of practice records including invoicing will a dental buyer uncover the truth about the practice.

What is happening at time of inspection is far more relevant to a buyer than what occurred at the beginning of the previous financial year or indeed the average of the previous three financial years. Don’t buy a practice if you have not familiarised yourself through a thorough examination of recent practice records. If the vendor has provided a lot of expensive treatment plans, it is critical that the buyer be able to replicate their performance, otherwise a significant portion of fees will disappear from the practice.

Hidden gold

I

f the vendor has only been providing basic drill and fill dentistry, there may be a hidden opportunity to provide patients with the option of having advanced treatment options. Such practices offer purchasers a significant opportunity. This is another reason for a dental buyer making a thorough inspection of practice records.

Sale of practice with premises

Where the premises are owned by the practice vendor but the practice buyer cannot afford to buy them

both, they should take care to negotiate a lease of suitable duration and renewal options; for example, a five-year initial lease with two further renewal options. Practice buyers should, if possible, have a right of future premises purchase within a defined period included in the contract at a mutually agreeable mechanism for establishing the value. Next best is a guaranteed first and last right of refusal should the owner decide to sell the premises.

The contract to lease or buy the premises must be negotiated simultaneously with purchase of the practice.

Buyer structuring for best long-term outcome

Changes to taxation law with respect to companies and service trust mark ups mean that how dentist structure themselves long term has changed significantly. Refer to Financial Success for Dentists: Rules for how to approach your dental career. See below.

Assessing practice value

Practice values vary dependent on practice location, types of treatment offered, the quality of premises and their value or rental cost.

“If the vendor has only been providing basic drill and fill dentistry, there may be a hidden opportunity to provide patients with the option of having advanced treatment options. Such practices offer purchasers a significant opportunity. This is another reason for a dental buyer making a thorough inspection of practice records...”

Consolidation precedes normalisation which precedes expansion

Beware of advice from accountants, with little experience of working closely with a substantial dental client list, to buy the practice and fit out additional surgeries, space permitting. If there is insufficient patient numbers or referral base to justify too rapid an expansion, it is far better to concentrate on cementing existing patient relationships through a careful process of gradual handover of patients and fade out the previous owner. Consolidation is followed by normalisation before considering expansion initiatives.

Practices which have a strong, longestablished patient base and are NOT preferred providers are worth significantly more than are those entwined in preferred provider schemes.

Finding a practice to buy

The majority of dentists purchased their practice direct from an employer or from a dentist known to them. Don’t wait for a broker to find you a practice. It may never happen.

If you are unlikely to be offered an opportunity to buy the practice you are working in, think carefully as to any other dentists connected to you via study groups, etc, who might be able to offer you an opportunity. The best approaches are polite direct approaches.

What is included in goodwill?

Practice goodwill includes transfer of its registered business name, its telephone numbers, its lease on premises and its website. It should include a satisfactory handover condition that the vendor works for the buyer for an agreed period on a gradually reducing basis to ensure maximum patient retention.

Solicitors and contracts of sale

Use a solicitor who has substantial experience of dental practice buy/sell transactions. There are a great many solicitors and accountants who lack experience

of dental practice buy and sell contracts and who cause unreasonable delays and additional expense by demanding unwarranted changes to contracts through not understanding the issues involved. In extreme circumstances, I have seen sales fall through because a solicitor and accountant kept demanding further unrealistic changes to contracts. The practice vendor called the deal off because the process was costing him too much money!

A solicitor with experience in dealing with dentists can keep a transaction on track while adequately protecting their client’s interest.

Restraint of trade

The courts limit the restraints of trade that they are prepared to enforce. In capital city practices, an enforceable restraint may be as little as a radius of 8 kilometers for a period of two years.

In country areas, it is normally the town in which the practice is located and two years.

Case law is imprecise. In the instances I am aware of where legal action was pursued for breach of contract concerning exclusion conditions, the matters were invariably settled out of court and hence no identifiable legal precedents were established.

Self-assessment:

Do you have what it takes to be a successful practice owner?

In dental practice, interpersonal skill is as important as clinical skill. Both are critical to long term success. Underpinning these attributes is the personal drive to be successful and while dental business models are relatively simple, it is essential that the dentist buying a practice is able to apply personal drive and good leadership of a dental team.

The dental practice owner spends most of their work time confined to a small surgery space in contrast to many occupations, spent among a larger workforce, with greater observation of what is occurring.

Potential practice owners can use their current employment as a base for improvement of their overall practice awareness as well as the evolution of their unique mixture of clinical skills.

Take on the personal challenge of gaining a higher proportion of follow on appointments and of generating more personal referrals.

Make the effort to relate to all practice staff. You want to be the dentist who staff want to work for and who a practice receptionist feels confident in booking patients personally to in the expectation of satisfaction.

Develop your own personal measures and keep a remember to keep a scorecard of your best day’s fees, best week’s fees, best month’s fees and your improvement over time.

PFurther valuable advice

lease read my book Financial success for dentists. See my website at grahammiddleton.com for further details and valuable information. Payment for the book is via donation to the Delany Foundation a registered charity. All costs of printing and mailing are met by me personally.

General Advice Warning

“The

courts limit the restraints of trade that they are prepared to enforce. In capital city practices, an enforceable restraint may be as little as a radius of 8 kilometers. In country areas, it is normally the town in which the practice is located. In the instances where legal action was pursued, the matters were invariably settled out of court...”

The information contained in this article is unsolicited general information only, without regard to the reader’s individual financial objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained in this article is general in nature and you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs and where appropriate, seek professional advice from an accountant or financial adviser. It is not specific advice for any particular individual and is not intended to be relied upon by any person. Before making any decision about the information provided, you should consider the appropriateness of the information in this article, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs and consult your professional adviser. Any indicative information and assumptions used here are summarised, are not a product illustration or quote and also may change without notice to you, particularly if based on past performance. This notice must not be removed from this article.

About the Author

Be aware of your proportion of successfully booked patient treatment follow on appointments and of the trend in your personal patient referral rate.

Nobody else needs to know but measuring the progress of your development is one of the keys to your success. Be the person that your boss would choose to sell the practice to!

Remember

Privately owned practices provide better business models to develop your career than do corporate practices.

For more reading on this and related topics, visit www.grahammiddleton.com and find an array of dental articles for your perusal.

Graham Middleton disposed of his interest in Synstrat group on 30 June 2020 and won’t be starting another business; he spent the later 33 years of his working life advising health professionals on business and financial matters. Dentists were the most numerous of his clients. He is the author of the recently published Financial Success for Dentists.

Dentists may obtain a copy by making a donation of minimum $60 to the Delany Foundation a registered charity which assists schools in Ghana, Kenya and Papua New Guinea then email Graham at graham. george.middleton@ gmail.com. A copy will be sent to you. All proceeds go to the Delany Foundation for its good work. Graham has paid for the printing and mail costs personally.

How to love your problems, so you can solve them gracefully

By Julie Parker

Our working days are made up of situations that both run according to plan and are quite satisfying and those that are unplanned challenges that can be quite unsatisfying.

We feel satisfied when all the patients arrive for their appointments, each dentist runs to schedule and when all team members are delivering their best performances.

We become dissatisfied when we discover the lab work for a patient in the chair has not yet arrived or when a team member arrives 10 minutes late back from lunch.

Our experience of our working day is more enjoyable without feelings of dissatisfaction. But the dissatisfaction actually comes from within us, not from external situations.

Consider an example that is often repeated by Morty Lefkoe, creator of a series of psychological processes (The Lefkoe Method) that result in profound personal and organisational change. The situation given in the example is this.

Consider that you wake up in the morning. You look outside your bedroom window. It is raining and the heavy clouds indicate that it will be pouring all day. How do you feel about it? Probably pretty neutral. You decide to stay in doors for the day and the rain will not be a bother to you.

Now consider the same situation with the weather but this time, you are waking up on the morning of your wedding day. You have planned this wedding for three years and it is to be an outdoor wedding. Now, how do you feel about the rain? Devastated, right? How could this happen?! Not only will I be drenched but all the guests will be too!

Now consider the same scenario of waking on your wedding day to rain but you remember that you are getting married in a country where the culture believes that rain on your wedding day means you will enjoy a life-long marriage of joy and blessings. Now, you feel elated! You feel lucky that it is raining!

The rain never changed. Just the meaning you attached to the rain changed. And your resulting feelings you experienced went from neutral to distress to joy.

Changing your perspective on situations and events that would normally be frustrating to one where you embrace challenges and problems and love finding solutions will turn each and every day into a great source of happiness.

This changing of perspective is called “re-framing”. It is an amazing tool to have in your skills toolbox!

A step towards re-framing is altering your expectations. If you have the expectation that every day will run smoothly, I assure you, you will be disappointed. And deep inside you, you know from your own experiences that my assurance is an accurate one!

Instead, develop the understanding that problems and challenges and disappointments are SUPPOSED to occur.

That it is ONLY through tackling and solving problems that we develop skills and become masters of our roles. Adopting this understanding allows you to embrace your problems in a productive, joyful and energised manner.

Instead of resisting problems, your brilliant, creative mind is free to develop solutions and bring control back to the situation.

Let me share one of my favourite re-framing strategies that I used with my biggest frustration when I ran my dental practice.

My reaction to staff calling in sick was bordering on aggressive. I used to get frustrated, thinking about the impact it was to have on MY day.

I could see that this reaction would damage the strong relationships I was building with my team, so I wanted to do something about it. My re-frame of this scenario was to place the relationship I had with staff higher than the inconvenience of being short-staffed. I decided to react as if the person calling in sick was my sister, to whom I would be caring and compassionate, asking what I could do to help.

Due to my re-frame, I ceased to experience any dissatisfaction when staff called in sick. I had re-framed it to become an opportunity to further build trust and safety with my team.

Re-framing your experiences has a large influence on how you perceive, interpret and react to life. The control and choice are within you. And you don’t have to wait to put this skill into practice.

So next time a challenging situation presents itself to you, tell yourself “I love this problem! I want to keep getting better in all my skills and know this will help me do that. Bring it on!”.

About the author

Julie Parker is a Dental Practice Management Consultant and Team Educator. At the age of 33, Julie became the first non-dentist to own a dental practice in Australia. Julie is Co-Founder of Julie Parker Practice Success and CoFounder of Dental Business Mastery. Visit julieparkerpracticesuccess.com.au and dentalbusinessmastery.com.au to find how Julie can help your dental practice be more successful. You will find information about consulting programs, online courses, podcasts, free downloads and more.

The Solution For Perfect Scans Every Time

• Wireless 6 Technology

• 3 Batteries

• Corded Option Included

• Amazing Software

• Ortho Simulator

• Dental Health Report

• Inbuilt Camera Mode

• Scan anything!

• Affordable Quality The new Aoralscan 3 Wireless is all about unbeatable

Why buy the practice premises?

By Simon Palmer

Every dental practice has a premises to operate out of that they either lease from the premises’ owner or own themselves.

Occasionally, a practice owner that is leasing is given the opportunity to buy their premises at a reasonable/fair price. If you, as a business owner, have this opportunity:

• What are the relevant considerations that you should take into account? and

• Why should you buy when you can rent?

1. Capital growth through paying your rent

As a practice owner, you are already paying rent to someone else - if you buy the premises and put that rent towards premises interest repayments, you would be able to get the capital growth through the natural growth of the premises value in the area over time.

C2. Capital growth for being a dental practice

ommercial premises with strong tenants are seen as more valuable investments than premises with weaker tenants and, for many reasons, dental practices are seen by investors as very strong and stable tenants.

As a result of this, if a successful dental practice moved into a vacant premises, they would immediately add 10-15% to the value of the property, just by virtue of occupying it.

3. Asset diversification

Alot of business owners would like to build some assets outside of their home and business. Commercial real estate can be a good asset class to diversify into - especially if you have a chance to buy commercial real estate with a solid tenant.

4. Practice renovation costs improve capital

When you’re renting and you pay money to renovate, that renovation will either need to be undone at the end of the premises lease or it will improve the value of the landlord’s asset.

However, if you own the real estate and you pay money to renovate, the renovation should improve the value of both your business and your premises, such that both assets are increasing in value.

5. Security of tenure

Security of tenure is perhaps the best reason for a dentist to buy their own real estate.

What is security of tenure?

Simply put, it is your assurance of the legal right to continue using the space that your business is in. While it is possible to get security of tenure by leasing premises…even the longest leases are usually not as long as a long career in dentistry.

Poor security of tenure can compromise the value of your dental practice in multiple ways...

i. A dental practice isn’t the type of business that is easily moved

The further you need to move a patient base, the greater the patient attrition if your practice becomes less “convenient” for them to get to.

If your lease ends and you need to relocate, dental practices aren’t easily moved when you compare them to other businesses. You aren’t just talking about tables, chairs and a sign on the door, like an accountant or law firm.

If a dental practice is moving to a new premises, you will usually need special council permissions and radiation licenses for the new premises, organisation of council waste removal, non-standard fitout, radiation shielding and plumbing. Chairs and X-ray equipment need specialist movers and installation.

“The

further you need to move a patient base, the greater the patient attrition if your practice becomes less ‘convenient’ for them to get to. If your lease ends and you need to relocate, dental practices aren’t easily moved when you compare them to other businesses.

You aren’t just talking about tables, chairs and a sign on the door, like an accountant or law firm...”

varies from practice to practice, but it is usually significant and needing to move a practice’s location, therefore, will usually result in some patient attrition.

iii. New patient goodwill attached to the location

New patients come to a practice for many reasons. One of the reasons why a new patient may choose your practice over others is that, when they had a dental issue, they remembered seeing your sign or passing your practice when they were in the area. The percentage of new patients received by this method will vary from practice to practice. Those in a prominent street front will usually get more business this way than a dental practice in a suite in a commercial building. Moving a dental practice will also mean a loss in community familiarity associated with that location and could therefore mean a loss of new patients.

iv. Selling a practice with poor security of tenure is hard

When the time comes to sell your practice, good security of tenure reinforces the value of your goodwill and practice as a whole.

ii. Existing patient goodwill attached to the location

As much as all dentists want to think that they are irreplaceable in their patients’ eyes, there are usually patients in any practice who are only coming back because it is close to where they live or their work, their children’s school, the train station, etc. The percentage of patient goodwill attached to the location

About the authors

Simon Palmer is the Managing Director of Practice Sale Search, Australia’s largest dental practice brokerage. If you’d like more information on practice sales or want to have a confidential discussion about your practice’s circumstances, email Simon Palmer at info@practicesalesearch.com.au or call 1300-282-042.

How to help your team get things done and bring out the best in them

By Jayne Bandy

Teaching your team excellent communication strategies and skills is the easy part. The hard part is how to get them to use the strategies and skills to get results. How to get people to do what you want them to do and need them to do in your business is an age-old struggle for most business owners.

The answer is all about motivation.

Motivation is the driving force that propels us toward something we need or care about and helps us get things done. So, how do you help your team care enough that they are driven to take action and get results for your business?

Let’s start by looking at the two types of motivation, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic motivation is anything external that helps influence our actions, such as our salary, financial incentives, rewards, keeping your job.

Intrinsic motivation comes from within you. That feeling of enjoyment and being satisfied when you achieve something. To complete something, you’re not relying on anything external to motivate you.

When you hire people to be part of your team, you want to check for high levels of intrinsic motivation. People who take pride in what they achieve and enjoy a challenge.

Most people respond well to extrinsic motivation, but you do want a nice combination of the two types of motivation to help your team achieve.

Lots of research has been done to prove that highly motivated team members are more productive and more likely to stay working for you.

A good starting point in creating a culture of motivated team members is to set your expectations and be clear about what you will offer in the way of extrinsic motivation to match their performance.

This will influence intrinsic motivation and give your team the desire to want to achieve even more because they enjoy their job and want to be better.

Many workplaces sidestep their teams and forget to monitor and nurture their performance and results.

Team performance and results are key elements to the success of all businesses.

Call Tracking Excellence is not a product IT’S A RESULT!

With Call Tracking Excellence your team will learn the SAME exact processes Jayne used to:

1. Dramatically improve new patient call-in conversions to booked appointments.

2. Retain existing patient appointments and...

3. Prevent ongoing losses from appointment cancellations.

Visit the website to find out how to get started. It’s that easy! www.calltrackingexcellence.com

Here are a few ways for you to help bring out the best in your team:

• Be clear about what you expect;

• Make goals achievable and set time frames;

• Provide training and support;

• Help your team know why they are doing what they do;

• Recognise and reward their achievements, no matter how big or small. Small achievements snowball into big ones;

• Show encouragement along the journey of achievement;

• Tap into existing strengths to build confidence and desire;

• Build safe and productive open communication;

• Display trust and empower your team to make decisions; and

Keep working on a positive and nurturing team culture so everyone enjoys their work.

This quote sums up what motivation means: “Effective motivation is the ability to continuously breathe life into whatever you do.” J Stuart Collins.

To breathe life into something is exactly what happens when you have a team member who is highly motivated.

Always remember that when your team are motivated to be better and do better then you also do better!

To find out how I can teach your team to know what to say and ask your patients, to help them make more kept appointments and prevent cancellations, call me on 1300-378-044 or email jayne@thedpe.com

About the author

Jayne began her career as an educator. After spending several years teaching, she made the jump to practice management, serving as a Practice Manager for a renowned dentist in Sydney for more than 25 years, giving her first-hand experience at what works when it comes to building and maintaining patient relationships, how to convert leads over the phone and most importantly - what it takes to reach your practice goals. As the CEO and Founder of Dental Phone Excellence, Jayne helps practices convert more calls into appointments, reduce cancellations and nurture effective patient communication that will result in increased profitability. Her past experience as an educator combined with her passion for practice management gives her a unique set of skills that allows your team to fully understand and take advantage of the tools she presents.

8 clever marketing hacks anyone can use

By Angus Pryor, MBA (Marketing)

Marketing doesn’t have to be about big budgets and a team of experts. Sometimes, the most effective strategies are simple, clever hacks that anyone can implement.

Whether you’re a dental practice or small business owner, a freelancer or just curious about marketing, here are eight ingenious tactics that can give you an edge.

1. Leverage user-generated content

Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your product or service online. Whether it’s a photo, video or a tweet, usergenerated content (UGC) is like gold in the marketing world.

Think about making a special hashtag for your brand or a specific campaign. This makes it easier for folks to share and find stuff about your business. When someone posts something about your brand, show some love by liking, commenting and sharing what they’ve posted.

This not only says “thank you” but also gets more people excited to share their own stories. Putting customer stories or reviews on your website and social media helps make your brand feel more real and friendly.

You can also spice things up by giving perks to people who share experiences about your brand, like discounts or a chance to win something cool. This can really get more people to join in and share their own experiences. Adding user-generated content (UGC) to what you do not only makes your content more interesting but also helps create a community of fans who are loyal and more engaged with your brand.

2. Harness the power of social proof

S peaking of social proof, it’s not just about UGC. Testimonials, reviews and influencer partnerships can significantly influence potential customers. Flaunt positive reviews on your website, share them on social media and if possible, collaborate with influencers who resonate with your brand. This doesn’t have to mean big names; micro-influencers with a dedicated following can be just as effective.

3. Get creative with your email signatures

Your email signature is a great spot for marketing that many people forget about. Besides your contact info, you can add a call-to-action (CTA), like a link to your newest product, an upcoming event or a helpful guide you made. This easy change can get more people to visit your site or check out what you’re offering without any extra work from you.

4. Optimise for search intent

U nderstanding what your potential customers are searching for online can significantly enhance your content’s impact. Instead of stuffing your website or blog posts with keywords, focus on search intent. What are people really looking for when they type those keywords into Google? Create content that answers their questions, solves their problems or entertains them and you’ll see better engagement and search rankings.

5. Utilise the decoy effect in pricing

The decoy effect is a fascinating psychological pricing strategy where you present customers with three options: a basic version; an expensive premium version; and a third option that’s slightly less expensive than the premium but significantly better than the basic.

By carefully setting up these options, you make it easier for customers to compare and feel like they’re getting a great deal with the third choice.

This method plays on people’s natural tendency to compare their choices and opt for the one that offers the most value for their money. Introducing a decoy can subtly steer customers towards the option you’d like them to choose, enhancing their satisfaction and your profits.

6. Experiment with content formats

Don’t just stick to one type of content. People consume information differently, so it’s essential to diversify. Blogs, infographics, podcasts and videos can all play a part in your marketing strategy. This not only keeps your content fresh and engaging but also allows you to reach different segments of your audience where they are most comfortable.

Mixing up your content formats can also spark creativity within your team and provide opportunities to present information in new and interesting ways. For example, you might turn a popular blog post into a detailed infographic or a series of social media posts into a compelling video story. This approach not only broadens your reach but also caters to the varied preferences of your audience, increasing the chances they’ll engage with and remember your brand. Keep an eye on which formats perform best with your audience and don’t be afraid to try new things to see what resonates.

7. Tap into the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, really gets people moving. Offers that are only available for a short time, special deals and countdown clocks can make folks want to buy now instead of waiting. This is super useful when you’re

starting to sell a new product, having a sale or signing people up for an event. Just make sure what you’re offering is the real deal; you don’t want to lose anyone’s trust.

Adding these ideas to your marketing can make a big difference. For example, putting a countdown on your site for a big sale can push people to buy right away. Making an offer feel special, like it’s just for a few people, can also encourage more sales. It’s important to tell everyone about these offers in all the places you talk to customers, like on social media, in emails and on your website. This way, your message gets out loud and clear, making your FOMO tricks work even better.

8. Make data-driven decisions

Finally, let’s talk about data. In today’s digital world, there’s really no reason not to use data to make better marketing choices. Free tools like Google Analytics give you lots of info about who’s coming to your website, how they found you and what they like.

By looking at this data, you can make smarter marketing plans, focus your work where it counts and get better outcomes. Understanding the data helps you know what your visitors enjoy and how you can serve them better, leading to more people visiting your site and more success for your business.

These eight hacks prove that effective marketing doesn’t require a massive budget or a degree in marketing. With a little creativity, anyone can implement these strategies and start seeing good results.

About the author

Multi-award-winning Practice Growth Specialist, Angus Pryor, is an author, marketer and international speaker. He is the #1 Google-ranked dental marketer in Australia. In 2023, Angus’ team at Dental Marketing Solutions received the ADIA’s marketing award. More details are at www.DentalMarketingSolutions.com.au. For a smarter, cheaper solution to finding great team members doing particular tasks, there is a solution. To find out how to unlock the gold in your practice from incomplete treatment plans, reactivations and more (and to access free sources), visit www.DentalStars.com.au.

Unlock prosperity: Discover key factors every business owner must know when planning their financial future - Part 1

From Profile Financial Services

Establishing a business can be both an exhilarating and an overwhelming experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the exciting details of launching your new venture: hiring employees, setting up your website and office space, making sales - not to mention all the associated paperwork.

Whilst it’s tempting to devote the lion’s share of time and effort to the various roles and responsibilities involved in business, from developing your product or service, hiring the right people and finding customers, through to marketing and more, it’s equally as important to carve out time to tend to the financial health of the business and yourself.

In fact, given that small business owners in Australia play a vital role in fueling the country’s economic growth, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment rates, ensuring the financial success of your business and self, is crucial.

So, when over 60% of small businesses face financial challenges stemming from poor financial management practices, bad wealth management advice, overwhelming debts and other factors*, how can you work towards ensuring the financial health of your business and your future?

First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge that financial planning for business owners varies based on the needs of individuals and in numerous ways such as:

• It entails the development of a wellstructured long-term strategy for your business that takes both short and longterm factors into consideration, from raising capital to funding equipment, through to loans for general expenses;

• It needs to help you determine where you want your business to be in a couple of years’ time; and

• It should incorporate the unpredictability of running a business and have a financial plan in place that helps you simultaneously manage your personal finances whilst preparing for potential challenges and setbacks.

Whilst financial planning for business owners does differ, there is one fundamental factor that is common across the board for all; that financial planning is about managing your money in a way that helps you reach your financial goals, no matter the circumstances or challenges along the way.

Therefore, the integration of business and personal financial planning is essential for business owners as a well-structured

financial plan will not only consider the business’s financial aspects but will also examine personal assets, liabilities and financial goals.

This whitepaper will delve into both the personal and business financial landscape to uncover the 10 factors you need to consider, as a business owner, when planning for your overall financial health now and in the future.

In part one of this five-part series we will look at the importance of superannuation and diversification.

1. Superannuation

According to Australian Super Funds Association (ASFA), over 20% of small business owners have no superannuation, a statistic that is perhaps unsurprising given the raft of monetary obligations involved in maintaining a business.

After all, it’s quite easy to delay or forgo contributing to your own super when you need to pay staff, suppliers and

SAFety FirSt

Whether you’ve just started working, own your own practice or are considering retirement, Profile Financial Services can help you plan and secure your financial future. Just like good dentistry, in investing, prevention is better than cure! A sound financial plan can help anticipate and avoid risks before they damage your portfolio.

How safe are your investments?

To find out, contact Profile now to book an obligation-free initial meeting: (02) 9683 6422 Or visit our website www.profileservices.com.au

other parties, as well as pay for operating expenses every month. However, the stark reality is working for yourself means that you are the only one who can contribute to your super, so it’s important not to push yourself and your financial future off the priority list.

In many cases, business owners choose to forsake contributing to their own super as they invest every single spare dollar into the business, in the hope that the proceeds of its future sale will fund their desired retirement and secure their financial future. However, relying on the sale of your business for retirement is not a comprehensive strategy and can be risky. You may not be able to sell when you like or the business may not be worth what you are expecting, especially without you as the operator.

Regardless of the type of business you’re in, what stage of life you’re at or how long the timeline to your retirement, it’s imperative you consider contributing to your superannuation today to create the tomorrow you deserve.

finance | INVESTMENT

Plus, making contributions to your superannuation can assist with tax minimisation as some contributions are taxed at a lower rate when compared with your personal income.

2. Diversification

Business owners can often become heavily invested in their business, causing them to overlook the importance of diversifying across various investments, uncorrelated with their enterprise. This can expose you to higher risk and lessen long-term returns.

Although it’s human nature to stick with what you know and are comfortable with, the opposite is true when it pertains to investing. Here, diversification is key.

Diversifying your investment portfolio is imperative for long-term financial growth and security. A well-diversified investment portfolio contains a balance of growth and value stocks to help you accomplish your investment goals over the short, medium and long-term.

Diversification can also reduce your portfolio’s risk without sacrificing the performance of your portfolio. It is the process of investing in a mix of asset classes, industries, geographic regions and more in order to minimise the impact of one of the investments performing poorly.

Here at Profile Financial Services, we can help you grow your wealth with a diversified investment portfolio that is tailored to your unique goals and timeframe. Join us for the second instalment in the next edition when we discuss risk management and explore the various funding options available to support the growth of your business.

WGeneral advice warning

This communication is issued by Profile Financial Services Pty Ltd. (ABN 32 090 146 802), holder of Australian Financial Services Licence and Australian Credit Licence No. 226238. It contains information and general advice only and does not take into account any investor’s

Reinvesting in your business

hilst it’s important to diversify your investments, ensuring you reinvest in your business has a multitude of benefits including: it can significantly increase net profits, accelerate profit growth and reduce risk as the extra capital decreases or eliminates the need for external borrowing. Reallocating profits and other resources back into your business isn’t about wasting money on unnecessary expenses, but applying resources in a strategic manner that can result in higher profits and help you to reach your long-term goals of continued growth and success. If you want to build a big, profitable, and valuable business then reinvestment of profits should be considered as part of your overall investment strategy.

About Profile Financial Services

Profile Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 226238) is a privately owned and self-licensed fee-based financial planning firm that specialises in working with dental professionals. For more infromation, call (02) 9683-6422 or visit www.profileservices.com.au).

individual objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied on by any individual. Before making any decision about the information provided, investors should consider its appropriateness having regards to their personal objectives, situation and needs, and consult their adviser. Any indicative information and assumptions used here are summarised, are not a product illustration or quote, and may change without notice to you, particularly if based on past performance.

• Any Design

• HD PMMA Milled

• Flexion Milled

• POM Resin Milled

• 3D Print Option

• Perfect Fit

• Upper or Lower

• All scans accepted

dentevents presents...

Infection Control BOOT CAMP

29 VIDEOS - 8+ HOURS OF EDUCATION

Presented by Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh AO BDSc, PhD, DDSc, GCEd, FRACDS, FFOP (RCPA), FFDT (RCS Edin)

8

Learn from Australia’s leading authority on infection prevention and control in dentistry about recent changes in infection control including from the Dental Board of Australia (July 2022), the ADA (4th edition guidelines August 2021 and the ADA Risk management principles for dentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2021)), the new guidelines from NHMRC (May 2019), Hand Hygiene Australia (Sept 2019) and the CDNA (Dec 2018) as well as recent changes in Australian Standards and TGA regulations that are relevant to infection control. The course provides a summary of how those changes interlink with one another and also covers practical implementation of the new requirements and what it means for everyday dental practice. Hear about the why and the how and keep up-to-date with the changes that are happening.

COURSE TOPICS

This one day course will cover changes in regulations and guidelines from 2018 to 2022 including:

n Risk-based precautions.

n Hand hygiene and hand care practices.

n Addressing common errors in personal protective equipment.

n Biofilm reduction strategies.

n Efficiency-based measures to improve workflow in instrument reprocessing and patient changeover.

n Correct operation of mechanical cleaners and steam sterilisers.

n Wrapping and batch control identification.

n Requirements for record keeping for instrument reprocessing.

n Correct use of chemical and biological indicators.

Laurie Walsh is a specialist in special needs dentistry who is based at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, where he is an emeritus professor. Laurie has been teaching and researching in the areas of infection control and clinical microbiology for over 25 years and was chief examiner in microbiology for the RACDS for 21 years. His recent research work includes multiple elements of infection control, such as mapping splatter and aerosols, COVID vaccines and novel antiviral and antibacterial agents. Laurie has been a member of the ADA Infection Control Committee since 1998 and has served as its chair for a total of 8 years, across 2 terms. He has contributed to various protocols, guidelines and checklists for infection control used in Australia and represented dentistry on 4 committees of Standards Australia and on panels of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia and of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

REGISTRATION

n On-Demand access to 29 Online Learning Videos (Over 8 hours of education).

n Watch and re-watch at your leisure 24/7

n Digital Online Learning Companion.

n Digital Suggested Reading Material.

n Online Questionnaire to earn 8 Hours of CPD.

The problems of pipes: A key challenge in infection prevention and control

By Emeritus Professor Laurence J. Walsh AO

Many components of infection prevention and control in dental practice relates to what can be called “the problems of pipes” - preventing pipes from becoming blocked, removing hard mineralised and soft microbial deposits and bioburden from pipes, effective cleaning of pipes and sterilisation of pipes (Table 1). This article explores several of these elements, and highlights the implications for everyday infection control protocols.

WTriplex tips

ater which runs through dental units is not free of ions and most dental units use reticulated water (tap water), to which various chemicals are added to slow the growth of microbial biofilms. With a metal triplex tip which is of the DCI design, one pipe sits within another pipe and the inner pipe is held in place by crimping of the outer pipe. This creates a situation where tap water can be retained within the metal triplex tip when it reaches the chamber of the steam steriliser (autoclave). This then creates the possibility for the precipitation of mineral scale within the metal triplex tip during the drying phase of the steam steriliser cycle.

Figure 1. A. A specially designed triplex tip where the water and air pipes are kept separate. B. A traditional DCI triplex with metal tips (one pipe inside the other). C. Disposable plastic triplex tips. D. Air movements during the operation of an air turbine handpieces, with air moving outwards during use (blue arrows) and then air moving inwards as the pressure collapses when the handpieces turned off (red arrows). E. Surgical handpiece with external pipe for irrigation fluids. F. Restorative handpiece showing the symbols for reprocessing in a washer-disinfector (black arrow) and steam sterilisation (blue arrow).

Careful examination of metal triplex tips used in large clinics has documented the ubiquitous presence of such deposits.1 As they build up, they occlude the proper flow of water and air through the metal triplex tip. This is the reason why the use of metal DCI triplex tips has become less common over the past decade. Several European dental chair manufacturers have addressed the issue by having triple syringe designs where there are completely separate water and air lines (Figure 1A), thereby avoiding the capillary effect which traps fluid in the traditional DCI design (Figure 1B). There are disposable triplex tips (Figure 1C) and also several systems for converting the fittings to use other types of disposable plastic triplex tips.

Dental handpieces

When an air turbine is being used, the rotating burr creates aerosols that move away rapidly from the handpiece.2-5 When the foot control is released, as the burr decelerates to reach a complete stop, negative pressure is generated around the head of the handpiece (Figure 1D).

Table 1. Key problems of pipes in the dental practice setting

Location Deposit type Implications

Triplex tip Mineral scale Partial or complete occlusion lowers air and water flow. Not possible to remove with chemical agents. Need to replace metal DCI/A-dec tips regularly.

Handpieces Lubricants Residues cause impaired sterilisation. Residues expressed into the mouth contaminate treated teeth. Must run handpiece after lubrication to remove lubricant.

Bioburden Retraction of material from patients entering internal aspects. Routine use of anti-retraction systems. Sterilisation of handpieces using air removal processes.

Autoclave Mineral scale Impaired steam flow causing failed cycles. Must use only demineralised water for steam generation.

Waterlines Biofilms Health risk to patients and staff from aerosolized irrigants. Must use chemical treatments, monitor and shock when needed.

Suction Mineral scale Impaired evacuation because of lowered air flow. Weekly use of chelators to remove mineral scale.

Biofilms Creates unpleasant odours in the clinical working area. At least daily use of suction cleaners with disinfecting actions.

This can draw material into the internal aspects of the handpiece. It is possible for patient material (e.g. fragments of DNA) and oral microorganisms to be found in the turbine capsule following use. This drove the universal use of anti-retraction valves on handpiece couplings, flushing between patients and also the development of anti-retraction systems within air turbine handpieces (so-called “clean head” designs).6

A further consequence was the routine steam sterilisation of air turbine handpieces between patients seen in dental practices in Australia and in North America.7,8 Somewhat surprisingly, there are still parts of the world, including in Europe, where air turbine handpieces are not sterilised routinely between patients and the accompanying research in such places has demonstrated the potential for cross contamination to occur, with the dental handpiece being the vector for that.9

Steam sterilisers

Within a steam steriliser, there are a range of different pipes, which carry steam and remove air. To prevent the buildup of mineral scale within the pipes of a steam steriliser, the level of ions must be sufficiently low that precipitation will not occur. Most modern steam sterilisers have a circuit which checks the electrical conductivity of the water which is added to the steam steriliser for steam generation, to give a fault signal and prevent a cycle from starting when the level of ions in the feed water is excessive. Simple, low-cost handheld digital meters can also check water conductivity, e.g. by measuring total dissolved solids (TDS). Using such a meter is essential as a quality check when dental practices purchase demineralised water, e.g. from a local supermarket.

Regrettably, if the quality of feed water is poor and mineral scale deposits do form in the steam lines, there is no simple procedure which can be done by the end user to address this problem. Hence, the focus is on prevention from the outset.

Waterlines

The fundamental problem in waterlines that carry irrigation fluids is stagnation. Water flow only occurs at low volumes and is irregular. This pro-

vides ample time for microorganisms to settle onto the walls of the tubing and to form biofilms.10,11

Waterlines that carry irrigation fluids are found in a range of benchtop devices (such as stand-alone ultrasonic scalers) as well is in dental chairs. Hence, it is important to consider how to prevent biofilm overgrowth occurring in any lines that carry irrigation fluids. The feed water supplied to dental chairs can be rendered sterile by ozonation or by ultrafiltration. This prevents repeated inoculation of the waterlines with waterborne bacteria.

The dental chair manufacturer’s instructions will often provide advice on suitable additives and treatment protocols for waterline maintenance. These can vary from one brand to the next, because of the compatibility of the internal components. For example, if the dental chair (or benchtop device) contains O-rings which are made from natural rubber latex, those systems will be unsuitable for ozonated water, since this will attack by oxidation the isoprene polymer structure of natural rubber latex. On the other hand and as is usually the case, the O-rings may be made from a synthetic rubber (such as neoprene) and ozonated water can be used without concerns of damage.

Treatment agents for waterlines fall into 2 major types: those that inhibit the growth of biofilms and those that disrupt and detach biofilms.10-14 These different effects can be achieved by changing the chemical composition of the treatment agent, its concentration or the exposure time. This is why shock treatments (also known as disinfection or sanitising treatments) employ high concentrations of chemical agents and often prolonged exposure times from several hours to overnight. In some cases, chelating agents are included in shock treatment products. These are designed to break down any mineralised deposits that may have formed deep in the biofilm and to interfere with the binding of biofilms onto the walls of tubing.

Suction systems

Plentiful exposure to water, saliva and blood makes suction lines an ideal environment for microbial growth. Repeated exposure to oral microorganisms inoculates these lines on a frequent basis. Extensive growth of microorganisms can lead to coloured microbial deposits

and the generation of unpleasant odours when the biofilms are nourished with blood. This reinforces the need for frequent flushing of suction systems with water, not only at the end of a patient appointment, but during a patient appointment. During oral surgical procedures, flushing sterile saline or sterile water can be undertaken.

Products designed for the maintenance of suction systems will typically have 2 different formulations available. One of these will be designed for use at least once per day or more often and will contain low foaming surfactants and low-level disinfectants. The second formulation will be designed for use once per week and will contain agents that dissolve mineral scale, such as sulfamic or other acids. In situations where a dental practice is doing frequent periodontal and oral surgical procedures where patient bleeding will be occurring, it may be necessary to flush the lines with the daily product several times during the day to prevent the development of odours from the suction lines when they are not being used. Likewise, in locations where the tap water that is fed into the dental unit is moderately hard, the weekly product which dissolves mineral scale may need to be used more often to prevent deposits of mineral scale from partially blocking the suction lines.

Cleaning pipes

Devices that have pipes, channels or lumens are much more difficult to clean than those with flat surfaces. Lumened items are not cleaned effectively by ultrasonic cleaners. This reinforces the value of washer-disinfectors, since these can be fitted with specific couplings to connect the flushing system of the WD with the item of interest, whether that be a dental handpiece, relative analgesia tubing or high velocity evacuation/suction tips. Several modern brands of high-speed air turbine handpieces and low-speed contraangle handpieces are designed for cleaning in a WD and are marked with a “flushing” symbol to indicate this (Figure 1F).15-17 Older dental handpieces will not be compatible with the highly alkaline detergents that are used in a WD and will undergo corrosion. Hence, it is essential for staff to check compatibility of items and to follow the handpiece manufacturer’s instructions for reprocessing.

The challenges of cleaning items with smaller narrow pipes is not unique to dentistry. The rise of minimally invasive surgical approaches using endoscopes has led to numerous developments for devices and technologies that can better clean the channels of endoscopes and render these free of patient tissue remnants, blood and microorganisms.18 A range of highly sensitive protein soil tests and borescopes have been developed specifically to evaluate how well devices such as automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) are achieving their stated aim.19,20

A range of novel technologies have been developed to clean endoscope channels by using nanotechnology approaches. The foremost of these, known as “Nanoclean”, involves flushing the channels with water containing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) with low levels of embedded silica abrasives. As the water flows through the channel, these MFC nanoparticles move along the walls where they scour away bioburden. 21-24 The MFC are from a natural source and are classified as “generally recognised as safe”, which means that ingestion is not problematic, since cellulose is the normal form of dietary fibre.

With some minor modifications, the same nanoparticle cleaning concept can be applied to pipes in a dental setting. In a proof-of-concept study (Figure 2), biofilms were developed in the waterlines of a small dental unit under defined laboratory conditions, using stagnation. The biofilm deposits in the tubing were then stained using crystal violet dye. “Biopsy” segments of the transparent tubing were taken. Flushing through Nanoclean removed the biofilm deposits in a short time period (less than 2 minutes), replicating what had been seen when this same approach is used to clean endoscope channels. With further optimisation and validation, this approach could provide a worthwhile strategy for dental units. By achieving the physical removal of biofilm, the need for more aggressive chemical treatments such as shocking could be reduced.

Sterilising pipes

Awide array of process challenge devices (PCDs) exist in the market, with some of these being designed explicitly as air removal and steam penetration tests (ARSPTs).25,26 With the release of

Figure 2. Proof of concept laboratory study for the removal of dental unit waterlines biofilms using micro-fibrillated cellulose (Novaflux NanoClean™). A, The small dental unit used in the study. B, Feed water tubing connected to a peristaltic pump, which was operated intermittently to create realistic use conditions. C, Scanning electron micrograph at 5,400X showing organisms growing on the walls of the dental handpiece tubing. D, Scanning electron microscope image at 20,000X showing the meshwork structure of the micro-fibrillated cellulose nanoparticles that were used to mechanically clean biofilm from the waterline tubing. E, A biofilm tubing cutout “biopsy” sample of clear waterline tubing stained with crystal violet dye, showing the intense purple colouration of the biofilm through the transparent tubing. F, A biofilm tubing sample immediately after 90 seconds of flushing using a solution of NanoClean, showing complete lack of staining. Complete removal of biofilm was confirmed by subsequent scanning electron microscope examination.

ISO 11140.6 in November 2022, 27 the older terminology of “hollow load type A” has now been replaced by referring to the level of challenge for air removal and steam penetration being equivalent to the reference hollow load of this same ISO standard.

The 2022 date of this ISO standard also explains why older standards, such as EN 13060 for small steam sterilisers28 and older operating manuals for steam sterilisers, use the older terminology of the “hollow load type A”, while AS 5369, which was published in December 2023, does not.

infection | CONTROL

Several factors influence the performance of ARSPTs that use a pipe design, including those where, to reduce the overall size, the pipe has been formed into a coil. These factors include the material of manufacture of the pipe, its wall thickness, length and diameter. When the pipe is made of a plastic polymer, its performance as an ARSPT changes at a high number of use cycles due to thermal degradation of the polymer. This is why PCDs with plastic polymer pipes have a limited number of use cycles (e.g. 50 or 100), while those with metal pipes have an indefinite number of use cycles.

A range of processes can be used to sterilise items with pipes, with moist steam and hydrogen peroxide gas vapour (HPGV) being the two most well-known for officebased dental practice settings. Air can be removed from pipes in handpieces and other devices by either positive or negative pressure. In the case of positive pressure, bursts of steam from a small steam generator will gradually displace the air from the pipe; typically 2 or 3 bursts will be needed. This approach is used in several bespoke S cycle steam sterilisers, such as the SciCan Statim™ and the Nitram/Sirona DAC Universal™ .

Negative pressure employs a vacuum pump to evacuate the chamber before the sterilant (moist steam or HPGV) is introduced. Typically, 2 or 3 negative pressure vacuum cycles are used. It is essential that no air leaks into the chamber through the door seal or other locations during these vacuum phases and this is why vacuum/air leak tests are used with pre-vacuum steam sterilisers. Overall, the pre-vacuum approach can deal with much greater challenges in terms of air removal and so is the preferred way for pipes that are longer and thinner, since these pose the most difficulty. This is the reason why the instructions for surgical dental handpieces state that they are to be sterilised in a pre-vacuum cycle.

Conclusions: Preventing the problems of pipes

The many devices and items used in dentistry that contain pipes make it essential that staff understand issues of prevention, maintenance and reprocessing associated with these. All devices with pipes will present potential problems that need to be addressed by following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensuring that the necessary performance checks are being undertaken.

References

1. Edwards C, Bennani V, Chandler N, Lowe B. Effectiveness of disposable (single-use) tips for dental air-water syringes. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2015;23(4):187-91.

2. Gallagher JE, K C S, Johnson IG, Al-Yaseen W, Jones R, McGregor S, Robertson M, Harris R, Innes N, Wade WG.A systematic review of contamination (aerosol, splatter and droplet generation) associated with oral surgery and its relevance to COVID-19. BDJ Open. 2020;6:25.

3. Innes N, Johnson IG, Al-Yaseen W, Harris R, Jones R, Kc S, McGregor S, Robertson M, Wade WG, Gallagher JE. A systematic review of droplet and aerosol generation in dentistry. J Dent. 2021;105:103556.

4. Johnson IG, Jones RJ, Gallagher JE, Wade WG, AlYaseen W, Robertson M, McGregor S, K C S, Innes N, Harris R. Dental periodontal procedures: a systematic review of contamination (splatter, droplets and aerosol) in relation to COVID-19. BDJ Open. 2021;7(1):15.

5. Puljich A, Jiao K, Lee RSB, Walsh LJ, Ivanovski S, Han P.Simulated and clinical aerosol spread in common periodontal aerosol-generating procedures. Clin Oral Investig. 2022;26(9):5751-5762.

6. Montebugnoli L, Dolci G, Spratt DA, Puttaiah R. Failure of anti-retraction valves and the procedure for between patient flushing: a rationale for chemical control of dental unit waterline contamination. Am J Dent. 2005;18(4):270-4.

7. Cannata S, Bek M, Baker P, Fett M. Infection control and contaminated waste disposal practices in Southern Sydney Area Health Service Dental Clinics. Aust Dent J. 1997;42(3):199-202.

8. Molinari J. Dental infection control at the year 2000: accomplishment recognized. J Am Dent Assoc. 1999;130(9):1291-8

9. Sasaki JI, Imazato S. Autoclave sterilization of dental handpieces: A literature review. J Prosthodont Res. 2020;64(3):239-242.

10. O’Donnell MJ, Boyle MA, Russell RJ, Coleman DC. Management of dental unit waterline biofilms in the 21st century. Future Microbiol. 2011;6(10):1209-26.

11. Spagnolo AM, Sartini M, Cristina ML. Microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines and potential risk of infection: a narrative review. Pathogens 2020;9:651.

12. Ji XY, Fei CN, Zhang Y, Liu J, Liu H, Song J. Three key factors influencing the bacterial contamination of dental unit waterlines: a 6-year survey from 2012 to 2017. Int Dent J. 2019;69(3):192-199.

13. Lizzadro J, Mazzotta M, Girolamini L, Dormi A, Pellati T, Cristino S. Comparison between two types of dental unit waterlines: How evaluation of microbiological contamination can support risk containment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(3):328.

14. Allison JR, Dowson C, Jakubovics NS, Nile C, Durham J, Holliday R. Waterline disinfectants reduce dental bioaerosols: a multitracer validation. J Dent Res. 2022;101(10):1198-1204.

15. Offner D, Scholler J, Musset AM. Cleaning of dental handpieces and associated parameters: Internal and external cleaning, drying and rotation. Am J Dent. 2021;34(3):137-142.

16. Deasy EC, Scott TA, Swan JS, O’Donnell MJ, Coleman DC. Effective cleaning and decontamination of the internal air and water channels, heads and head-gears of multiple contra-angle dental handpieces using an enzymatic detergent and automated washer-disinfection in a dental hospital setting. J Hosp Infect. 2022;128:80-88. d

17. Coleman DC, Deasy EC, Swan JS, O’Donnell MJ, Scott TA. Direct evidence for effective cleaning and decontamination of the internal air and water channels, heads and head-gears of multiple contra-angle dental handpieces using an enzymatic detergent and automated washer-disinfection in a dental hospital setting. J Hosp Infect. 2023;135:204-205.

18. Chiu KW, Lu LS, Chiou SS. High-level disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscope reprocessing. World J Exp Med. 2015;5(1):33-9.

19. Ofstead CL, Smart AG, Hopkins KM, Wetzler HP. The utility of lighted magnification and borescopes for visual inspection of flexible endoscopes. Am J Infect Control. 2023;51(1):2-10.

20. Hopkins KM, Adams SJ, Lamb LA, Smart AG, Ofstead CL. Beyond endoscopes: pilot study of surgical instrument lumen inspection. Biomed Instrum Technol. 2024;58(1):25-33.

21. Tabani Y, Labib ME. Method for cleaning hollow tubing and fibers. US patent No. 6,945,257. 2005.

22. Sohn SY, Alfa MJ, Lai R, Tabani Y, Labib ME. Turbulent fluid flow is a novel closed-system sample extraction method for flexible endoscope channels of various inner diameters. J. Microbiol. Methods 2020; 168:105782.

23. Labib ME, Duhkin SS, Tabani Y, Lai CY, Manganaro JL, Materna P, Roberston JC. Compositions for cleaning and decontamination. U.S. patent 10,266,793. 2019.

24. Labib ME, Duhkin SS, Tabani Y, Lai CY, Manganaro JL, Materna P, Roberston JC, Sohn SY. Cleaning com-position with superabsorbent polymer. U.S. patent 11,345,878. 2022.

25. Rodrigues SB, de Souza RQ, Graziano KU, Erzinger GS, Souza O. Performance evaluation of chemical, biological and physical indicators in the process of sterilization under the effect of non-condensable gases. J Hosp Infect. 2021;108:1-6.

26. Miguel EA, Laranjeira PR, Ishii M, Pinto TJA. Analysis of water quality over non-condensable gases concentration on steam used for sterilization. PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0274924.

27. ISO 11140-6:2022. Sterilization of health care products. Chemical indicators. Part 6: Type 2 indicators and process challenge devices for use in performance testing of small steam sterilizers. URL https://www.iso.org/standard/66625.html

28. EN 13060 Small steam sterilizers (includes Amendment :2018). URL https://standards.globalspec.com/ std/13216824/DIN%20EN%2013060

About the author

Emeritus Professor Laurence J. Walsh AO is a specialist in special needs dentistry who is based in Brisbane, where he served for 36 years on the academic staff of the University of Queensland School of Dentistry, including 21 years as Professor of Dental Science and 10 years as the Head of School. Since retiring in December 2020, Laurie has remained active in hands-on bench research work, as well as in supervising over 15 research students at UQ who work in advanced technologies and biomaterials and in clinical microbiology. Laurie has served as Chief Examiner in Microbiology for the RACDS for 21 years and as the Editor of the ADA Infection Control Guidelines for 12 years. His published research work includes over 400 journal papers, with a citation count of over 20,000 citations in the literature. Laurie holds patents in 8 families of dental technologies. He is currently ranked in the top 0.25% of world scientists. Laurie was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2018 and a life member of ADAQ in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to dentistry.

The Solution For Perfect Implant Position

Free Case Evaluation Send

All implant surgical guides

• Edentulous Cases

• Scan Appliances

• Free Planning Software

ULTRA SAFETY PLUS TWIST

> Protects you and your staff from needle stick injuries

> Complies with latest regulations

> Intuitive device

> Available with either sterile single use or sterilisable handle

Passive or active aspiration: security for the patient

Transparent barrel: aspiration is clearly visible

Sliding protective sheath: protection from needle stick injuries

Two different positions:

first Holding Position (reversible)

final Locking Position (irreversible)

A LONG-PROVEN EFFICACY

OF

EVERYTHING the right one with Hu-Friedy

for you. when it comes to the perfect fit, Hu-Friedy is just right.

A study demonstrated that when introduced in a dental school, Ultra Safety Plus was a the key success factor for avoiding needle stick injuries. With Ultra Safety Plus, needle stick injuries decreased from an average of 11.8 to 0 injuries per 1,000,000 hours worked(1)

STEEL PEDO CROWNS:

Septanest : the first choice of dentists with over 150 million injections per year, provides you high quality you can trust

Life can have its ups and downs: Aesthetic incisal restorations after two spontaneous fractures

By Dr Knut Hufschmidt

This clinical case study demonstrates the initial prosthetic restoration of the four upper incisors with highly aesthetic zirconia.

A 65-year-old patient presented for the first time approximately four years ago with dentition that had been insufficiently restored from the point of view of conservation.

The posterior teeth had been treated extensively with suboptimal amalgam restorations and the upper anteriors showed defects as well as large, aesthetically insufficient anterior fillings.

Due to the large number of teeth that required treatment (Figure 1) and the financial limitations in terms of the budget available, all the posterior teeth were treated - on agreement with the patient - with new direct Tetric EvoCeram (Ivoclar) restorations under complete isolation.

OptraGate (Ivoclar) was used for the relative isolation to treat the upper anteriors and to use the key technique, with new composite fillings (Figures 2-5).

The labial aspects of the four upper incisors were severely affected by the extensive volume defects, which is why the direct restorations could only be fabricated by making aesthetic compromises (Figure 6). For forensic reasons and in order to document the initial situation, standard procedure in the case of new patients was to capture the status digitally using photos and study models of the upper and lower jaw in addition to taking panoramic X-ray images. Following a period of approx. 3 years in situ, the patient presented as an acute case with an uncomplicated crown fracture that did not involve pulp exposure (Figures 6-8).

Clinical approach

In this patient case, it again proved very helpful that the study models and the silicone key previously used had been stored with the patient’s files (Figure 9). For the fabrication of the temporary restoration, it was possible to generate a vacuum-formed matrix on the study model of the upper jaw (Figure 10).

Figure 1.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 2.

Clinical approach with Adhese Universal DC

The outcome of vitality testing on tooth 11 was negative, with the result that the very first step required was root canal treatment followed by a root filling (Figures 11-13). As the tooth structure was severely decimated, resulting in a lack of stability and of retention surface, the root canal was excavated for insertion of a conical fiberglass post from Komet (Figure 14). The inside walls of the canal were roughened using a diamond-coated hand-held instrument (Figure 15).

The fiberglass post (ISO strength 120) was placed at 2/3 of the length of the root and inspected for friction (Figure 16).

With the aid of the existing silicone counterpart, it was possible to evaluate and shorten the axis alignment and the length of the post (Figure. 17).

Adhese Universal DC (Ivoclar) was used for adhesive cementation of the fiberglass post. Unlike the proven Adhese Universal material (light curing only), Adhese Universal DC offers an additional chemical curing mode and is suitable for clinical situations where entirely self-curing workflows are called for or requested. Adhese Universal DC is perfectly tailored to Variolink Esthetic DC (Ivoclar) luting composite material and especially suited to adhesive cementation of all kinds of restorations and root canal posts.

When using Adhese Universal, the dentist can choose between three options for conditioning the tooth structure: etch & rinse; selective enamel etching; or self-etching (Figure 18).

Adhese Universal DC is available in two application variants, “Endo” for cementation of root posts and “Regular” for cementation of conventional direct and indirect restorations where it is not possible to ensure sufficient light curing.

The adhesive is provided in a container and the applicator supplied includes a co-initiator. To activate chemical curing, the applicator is rotated for 5 seconds in the liquid, then the adhesive is applied (Figures 19-21).

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

Figure 9.

Figure 8.

Figure 10.

Figures 19-21.

Figure 11.

Figure 15.

Figure 13.

Figure 17.

Figure 12.

Figure 16.

Figure 14.

Figure 18.

The activated adhesive is agitated for 20 seconds on the surface of the remaining core and the inside walls of the canal.

The coated surface is then dried with a gentle stream of air. The aim here is to avoid what is known as “pooling”.

A Lentulo spiral is used to insert Variolink Esthetic DC into the root canal.

The fiberglass post is additionally coated with the luting composite, inserted in the required position and permanently fixed in position by light curing (Figures 22-25).

In clinical situations where the curing light cannot provide sufficient light intensity for photochemical curing, additional chemical curing facilitates reliability and ensures a perfectly cured bonding joint.

Clinical approach

Adhesive insertion of the fiberglass post follows adhesive core build-up with light-curing composite.

The incisor that has undergone prior treatment in this way should then be prosthetically restored with an all-ceramic crown.

When reconstructing the palatal wall, both the silicone key and the ball-shaped silicone attachment of the OptraSculpt Next Generation (Ivoclar) contouring instrument proved very useful (Figures 26-29).

The labial aspect of the core build-up was modified freely by hand and a homogenous surface achieved using the foam pad attachment of the OptraSculpt contouring instrument (Figures 30, 31).

Figure 25.

Figure 22.

Figure 23.

Figure 24.

Figure 26.

Figure 28.

Figure 30.

Figure 27.

Figure 29.

Figure 31.

clinical | EXCELLENCE

The core build-up was then reduced anatomically to facilitate inclusion of a crown, a pronounced chamfer was prepared and the material-specific substance removal visualized and reviewed using two silicone keys.

Taking the biological width into consideration, the preparation margins were placed epigingivally and shifted slightly subgingivally only where required by the physical shape of the core build-up (Figures 32-34).

The temporary was then fabricated using a vacuum-formed matrix and bonded using eugenol-free temporary cement (Figures 35-36).

However, as the title of this case study might suggest, unexpected things can often happen in life.

During the treatment phase with the temporary, the crown on tooth 22 also suffered a spontaneous fracture (Figure 37) and the identical treatment steps that had previously been carried out on tooth 11 now had to be performed on tooth 22 as the initial situation was the same (Figures 38-42).

Figure 32.

Figure 34.

Figure 35.

Figure 33.

Figure 36.

Prosthetic treatment planning

As a result of the second spontaneous fracture, two treatment approaches were considered.

The arguments for and against treatment of both fractured incisors with two all-ceramic single tooth crowns were compared with those for and against new treatment of the four upper anteriors using all-ceramic restorations.

Having considered all the benefits and disadvantages of both treatment approaches, initial prosthetic restoration of the four upper incisors was selected with all-ceramic restorations.

Figure 37.

Figure 40.

Figure 38.

Figure 42.

Figure 41.

Figure 39.

Figure 43.

Figure 46.

Figure 44.

Figure 47.

Figure 48.

Figure 49.

Figure 45.

With this approach, it would be possible to take many aspects into consideration and to resolve them long-term. For one thing, it would be possible to hide the margins of the fillings that were visible when viewed labially. Additionally, a predictable and aesthetic treatment outcome could be achieved as the four anterior crowns could be fabricated at the same time by a dental laboratory. Tooth 11 and tooth 22 had undergone root canal treatment. As there was a risk of these teeth fracturing, the restorations were joined together for further stabilisation and fabrication planned to use a zirconia material with highly aesthetic properties (Figures 43-45). IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime (Ivoclar) was selected.

This material combines two zirconia components in a single disc: high-strength 3Y-TZP zirconia (1200 MPa flexural strength) in the dentine area and 5Y-TZP zirconia (650 MPa flexural strength) in the incisal area. The smooth progression of shade and translucency in the material discs is a further guarantee of highly aesthetic prosthetic restorations.

DClinical approach

uring preparation, the gingiva was carefully pushed back with the aid of a retraction thread and the circular preparation margins clearly defined with a pronounced chamfer (Figure 46).

The blocked anterior temporary was then fabricated using a vacuum-formed matrix (Figure 47).

A temporary restoration is the key to a successful prosthetic restoration, which is why temporaries should act as business cards for a dental practice.

To fabricate and finish as perfect a temporary restoration as possible, a relatively significant amount of effort is required as the temporary from the dental practice should take all aesthetic, phonetic and functional parameters into consideration to define the “external shell” of the desired crown restoration as effectively as possible (Figures 48-49).

The benefit of the additional time required to fabricate a virtually perfect temporary restoration becomes apparent and proves worthwhile during the try-ins that follow and during incorporation of the final prosthetic restoration.

Once the preparation margin had been exposed using retraction thread (Figure 50), a conventional impression was taken using an individual tray and polyether material (Figures 51, 52).

Prior to taking the final impression, the target shade of the restoration was defined for the dental laboratory and documented with photos (Figure 53).

Figure 50.

Figure 51.

Figure 53.

Figure 52.

Figure 54. Figure 55.

Figure 56.

Figure 57.

Figure 60.

Figure 58.

Figure 61.

Figure 59.

Prosthetic phase

To transfer all the details of the temporary restoration to the dental laboratory, photos that had been taken (Figures 54-56) were helpful in addition to an alginate impression of the temporary restoration.

Using this impression, the dental technician could fabricate what is termed a “back-up” model and use this to transfer the incisal edge position that was

considered appropriate to its length to the final restoration using a silicone key (Figures 57-61).

To achieve a dental restoration that was as natural as possible using zirconia, a minimum labial cut-back was added followed by individual layering using IPS e.max Ceram (Ivoclar) veneering ceramic (micro-veneering).

Figures 62-64 show the result of precise dental work carried out in an efficient manner.

Figure 62.

Figure 64.

Figure 63.

Try-in and final incorporation

During try-in of the completed restorations, different parameters were evaluated such as the fit, proximal and occlusal contact areas, functional movements and the surface texture and reflection of light (Figure 65). To clean the surface of the remaining core and to increase its size, it was sanded using aluminium oxide powder (Figures 66, 67). Final incorporation of the all-ceramic restorations was then completed using the self-adhesive composite cement Speedcem Plus (Ivoclar) (Figure 68).

About the author

Dr Knut Hufschmidt studied dentistry at the University of Freiburg, Germany and obtained his dental licence in 1992. After earning his doctorate two years later, he worked as an assistant dentist at a private dental practice in Kenzingen, Germany, for two years. Between 1995 and 1998, he trained as an oral surgeon at the University of Münster and the Clinic of Wels-Grieskirchen, Germany. Subsequently, he opened his own dental practice, which specialises in aesthetic dentistry, implantology and full-mouth rehabilitation. Since 2003, he has been frequently invited to hold lectures on the topic of implantology. Additionally, Dr Hufschmidt has held various lectures about composite resin and all-ceramic restorations in the past three years.

Figure 66.

Figure 68.

Figure 67.

Figure 65.

Envision your future practice

State-of-the-art CBCT imaging is now within reach and without compromise. Explore our family of solutions including the new CS 8200 3D Access and the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition. Discover more confident diagnosis, broader treatment options and better patient engagement with advanced imaging technology that boosts in-office procedures and provides the chance to expand your business.

VITA Easyshade LITE: Precise tooth shade determination is just a click away

Prof. Dubravka Knezović Zlatarić (University of Zagreb, Croatia) has made it her mission to continually improve the shade effect predictability of aesthetic restorations. That’s because this dentist knows that the right shade is one of the most important parameters for patients when judging the quality of their treatment. It’s also why digital shade determination is one of her focus areas. Using this technology, the tooth shade can be analysed and documented for the dental technician so that they can choose the right blanks and carry out appropriate individualisation. With VITA Easyshade LITE, dental practices and laboratories can now benefit from a basic version that is user-friendly and also offers excellent value for money. The spectrophotometer transmits defined light to the dentine core at the touch of a button. In a matter of seconds, the reflected light is recorded by the probe, analysed in the device and the tooth shade is shown on the display in both VITA shade standards. In this interview, Dr Knezović Zlatarić explains the new device and the process, which can be delegated.

What are the overall benefits of digital tooth shade determination using VITA Easyshade technology? What are the challenges where the spectrophotometer can help?

A VITA spectrophotometer generally makes the work of dentists and dental technicians easier. These devices are an incredible asset when it comes to quickly, easily and precisely determining the tooth shade in a variety of clinical situations. Particularly when it comes to single-tooth ceramic restorations such as veneers or crowns in the aesthetic zone. It is now scientifically proven that VITA Easyshade spectrophotometers determine the tooth shade with greater accuracy than the human eye, precisely because this technology isn’t dependent on external factors, such as ambient lighting, a subjective or distorted perception of shade, tired eyes or the general susceptibility of user error.

What is so special about the new VITA Easyshade LITE? What are the strengths of this spectrophotometer and what can users look forward to with the market launch?

Figure 1. VITA Easyshade V and VITA Easyshade LITE. Figure 2. Prof. Dubravka Knezović Zlatarić, DDM, MSc, PhD.

Figure 3. The identical tooth shade of the same tooth on the VITA Easyshade V (right) and VITA Easyshade LITE (left) displays.

Figure 4. Prof. Dubravka Knezović Zlatarić during tooth shade determination using VITA Easyshade LITE.

Actually, the name says it all (laughs): According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the adjective “lite” describes things that are easy to understand and enjoy. So, on the one hand, VITA Easyshade LITE is sure to make tooth shade determination easier in dental practices and laboratories. On the other hand, the term “lite” is often used in the food industry to describe lowcalorie products. This version of the spectrophotometer has been slimmed down to the most essential functions for tooth shade determination, enabling great value for the money. Yet it still offers the same precision as VITA Easyshade V, which comes with additional features.

How exactly does VITA Easyshade LITE differ from VITA Easyshade V? What similarities are shared by both spectrophotometers?

As already mentioned, VITA Easyshade LITE is a more simplified version of its big brother, the VITA Easyshade V. They essentially share the same main function; in other words, determining the basic tooth shade of natural dentition and showing the measurement results in the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER and VITA Classical A1-D4 shade standards on the display. The degree to which the specified shade deviates from, or precisely matches these two VITA shade standards, is indicated using a transparent traffic light system. Additional tools for exact numerical shade analysis are not available with VITA Easyshade LITE. In my opinion, however, the essential shade information is much more clearly displayed here.

Can you explain the traffic light system in more detail? How is the tooth shade shown on the display?

In tooth shade determination, it’s not just the numerical result that matters, but also how the tooth shade is indicated in a manner that is understandable to everybody. VITA Easyshade LITE displays the measurement using a very transparent traffic light system that indicates the degree of shade equivalence at a glance. A perfect match with the VITA shade standards is shown as green, an acceptable deviation is yellow and a significant deviation is red. If the measured shade is marked red, i.e., if there is a significant discrepancy compared with the two VITA shade standards, additional information is provided only for targeted modification of the lightness and hue.

Who exactly should use VITA Easyshade LITE? Could a combination of VITA Easyshade LITE and VITA Easyshade V also make sense?

VITA Easyshade LITE is for the day-to-day work of all dentists and dental technicians who wish to precisely determine the basic tooth shade of natural dentition, so as to fabricate ceramic restorations that offer a perfect shade match. If it is necessary in more complicated cases to determine an averaged tooth shade and to break this down numerically according to lightness, chroma and hue in order to choose the right ceramic blank, I would additionally recommend VITA Easyshade V. This is also particularly true if the shade effect of ceramic restorations is to be verified or if changes in the shade of natural dentition are to be monitored during bleaching treatment.

8

9 6

Figures 4-5. Tooth shade shown as green: Perfect match with the VITA shade standards. The perfect shade match (green) documented with the corresponding shade tab.

Figures 6-7. Acceptable deviations in shade from the VITA shade standards are shown as yellow on the display. The acceptable shade deviation (yellow) from Figure 6 with the corresponding shade tab.

Figures 8-9. Significant deviations in shade from the VITA shade standards are shown as red. The significant shade deviation (red) from Figure 9 with the corresponding shade tab.

How is the determination of the tooth shade carried out using VITA Easyshade? Who can use it to determine tooth shade?

Tooth shade determination is incredibly simple with both versions of VITA Easyshade. The probe must simply be placed as flat as possible against the enamel surface with underlying dentine. The measurement button is then pressed and the

tooth shade information is immediately shown on the display. I actually think it’s important that the tooth shade is determined by the person who later also fabricates the restoration and that’s the dental technician. However, everybody involved in the restoration process should know about the process of tooth shade determination and how it is documented. That’s why dentists and dental assistants should certainly be trained too. This is extremely easy to do with the VITA Easyshade LITE.

IS EVERYTHING the right one with Hu-Friedy

predictable outcomes for your littlest patients with Hu-Friedy Stainless Steel Pedo Crowns. discover why dentists favor our impeccable fit. Perfect for your patients. Easy for you. when it comes to the perfect fit, Hu-Friedy is just right. DENTISTS LOVE OUR STAINLESS STEEL PEDO CROWNS:

EVERYTHING

right one with Hu-Friedy

predictable outcomes for your littlest patients with Hu-Friedy Stainless Steel Pedo Crowns. discover why dentists favor our impeccable fit. Perfect for your patients. Easy for you. it comes to the perfect fit, Hu-Friedy is just right. DENTISTS LOVE OUR STAINLESS STEEL PEDO CROWNS:

Septanest : the first choice of dentists with over 150 million injections per year, provides you high quality you can trust

REGENFAST ® in the treatment of infrabony defects

ABy Dr Francesco Cairo

PPROACH: Periodontal flap surgery was performed using a papilla preservation approach. After gentle debridement of the infrabony defect, REGENFAST® was applied over the exposed root surface and then combined with Geistlich Bio-Oss® small granules. Care was taken to achieve primary soft tissue closure to improve probing depth reduction.

A

Figure 4. A mixture of REGENFAST® and Geistlich Bio-Oss® small granules (1:3 ratio) was prepared.

3. Papillary preservation flap performed to gain surgical access for root debridement and regenerative procedure. A deep, two-walled, non-contained infrabony defect is detected on the mesial aspect of the central right upper incisor.

Figure 5. After gentle root planning, REGENFAST® was applied to the root surface. The REGENFAST® and Geistlich Bio-Oss® granule mix was then adapted to the infrabony defect.

7. After one year, there was a marked reduction in probing depth with approximately 1mm increase in recession.

O8. X-ray evaluation one year after surgery with optimal defect resolution.

REGENFAST® is registered for use in New Zealand and is available through Geistlich Pharma - call 0800-500-043. To utilise REGENFAST® in Australia, application should be made through the TGA’s Special Access Scheme (SAS). Contact your Geistlich product specialist or call 1800-776-326 for information.

UTCOME: REGENFAST® in combination with Geistlich Bio-Oss® was used to successfully reconstruct an infabony defect associated with the mesial aspect of the central right upper incisor. A marked reduction in probing depth with minimal recession (1mm increase) was observed one year after surgery.

Figure 1. Soft tissue conditions at baseline.

Figure

Figure 2.

deep infrabony defect is detectable (red line).

Figure

Figure

Figure 6. Primary closure was obtained with 6-0 polyglycolic acid suture.

SAFESCRAPER TWIST curve VOLUMIZER

Developed from the long-standing experience of the META SAFESCRAPER family, the NEW VOLUMIZER offers the same proven performance while collecting a larger volume of bone with every scrape.

The Safescraper Volumizer enables rapid and accurate collection of quality autologous cortical bone with many viable osteocytes. The presence of these cells promotes graft acceptance, neovascularisation and bone regeneration.

The gathered bone, now mixed with blood, is prepared for delivery to the surgical site or can be combined with Geistlich Bio-Oss®. Additionally, it may be kept temporarily under sterile conditions within the clear chamber.

20% more volume more info over the page

Double grooves

R.T.R.+ in practice: Managing the extraction socket

Pierre Koumi shares a dental practice with his colleagues in Brussels, where they specialise in periodontology and implantology, so this was the perfect environment to get feedback on the use of the innovative R.T.R.+ formula, a synthetic bone substitute made from tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA). During our interview, we also spoke about the challenges in dentistry and the importance of patient education.

Why did you choose to specialise in the fields of periodontology and implantology?

For me, dentistry is a real crossroads of several different aspects: intellectual, manual, scientific, medical, human, artistic and creative. Before specialising in periodontology and implantology, I worked for 8-9 years as a general practitioner, which I call “Comprehensive Dentistry”, which allowed me to have an overall critical view of dentistry. This is an essential base to analyse complex cases, which often require a multidisciplinary approach. I am also lucky enough to work with colleagues who share the same passion and conviction as me, which has allowed us to progress and to learn from each other, which plays an important part in us feeling fulfilled professionally.

I am particularly passionate about the surgical aspect of periodontology because that allows me to use creativity, based on rigorous scientific and medical principles, to work with living human tissue and to rebuild lost tissue, which is simply magical.1 Each intervention is a challenge that relies on the practitioner and their skill but also depends on the patient and their specific physiology and their cooperation. I also enjoy the educational aspect with my patients, to raise their awareness about periodontal disease, which patients often don’t know about, or underestimate how serious it can be.

I love sharing my experience with my colleagues and learning from their criticism, comments and their specialities. It is a profession that keeps changing and we need to keep learning all the time.

What are the challenges you face and how do you prepare for the future?

The time of the pandemic made us think about our weaknesses in the face of nature. COVID alerted us to our daily practice, which is extremely high-risk. The challenge is treating our patients in record time, with a surgical intervention which is as non-invasive as possible in order to limit the complications and reduce post-operative recovery, as well as the risk of contamination. This goes alongside advances in IT technology, which allows us to plan more and more cases virtually, preparing the different kinds of surgical guide matrices in advance (implant surgery guide, a matrix in the form of a grid or metal post for bone grafts...), or digital impressions, this can reduce the number of surgical stages or operating time and thus reduces postoperative complications and even the risk of contamination.

“R.T.R.+ is an osteoconductive biomaterial, so it will play a part in supporting bone formation to a predefined limit. For me, the indications are the management of the extraction socket, bone regeneration, which is guided in horizontal and vertical bone increase, bone grafts under the sinus membrane (sinus lift), filling cystic cavities, filling in bone craters in periodontology and implantology...”

In which situations do you call on a solution utilising the Septodont product R.T.R.+?

R.T.R.+ is a synthetic biomaterial, made from hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), which are used as bone substitutes to fill in or reconstruct the bone, thus acting as a bone graft.

There are different kinds of bone grafts: autografts (autogenous bone from the patient), allografts (bone from cadavers), xenografts (bone from another species, bovine or porcine...) and alloplastic grafts (synthetic grafts).

All these filling materials have different properties on bone formation:

• Osteogenic properties (living osteocytes present in the material);

• Osteoinductive properties (stimulates bone formation through the activation of the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into osteoprogenitor cells); and

• Osteoconductive cells (the material plays a role that supports bone formation).

Their physicochemical properties (resorbable or not, porosity...) will also influence the behaviour of osteogenic cells.

R.T.R.+ is an osteoconductive biomaterial, so it will play a part in supporting bone formation to a predefined limit. For me, the indications are the management of the extraction socket, bone regeneration, which is guided in horizontal and vertical

bone increase, bone grafts under the sinus membrane (sinus lift), filling cystic cavities, filling in bone craters in periodontology and implantology.

Why do you choose tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and/or hydroxyapatite?

We choose hydroxyapatite because it is an osteoconductive biomaterial that is not resorbed, or only very, very slowly. This will give the bone cells enough time to form in sufficient volume, maintained by the hydroxyapatites. However, the ß-TCP particles, which also play an osteoconductive role, are resorbed gradually, soon leaving room for the bone to form and in theory, it will lead to a bone graft that is richer in living bone cells. I think that it is an original idea to combine the 2 products, as I believe this will give a bone graft with a higher percentage of living bone than if we just use hydroxyapatites... this could be the subject of a comparative study.

a. When do you decide to use the 80/20 formula (more ß-TCP than hydroxyapatite)?

In cases where the volume that we want to fill will not undergo a significant structural change (i.e. cystic cavity, intra-osseous periodontal or implant craterisation).

b. When do you decide that it is better to use the 40/60 formula (more hydroxyapatite than ß-TCP)?

In cases where the volume that we want to fill could undergo rapid structural changes due to its nature, such as the extraction socket, or due to its function, like the sinus and its Schneider membrane, which is constantly under pneumatic pressure. In the case of sinus lifts, I prefer biomaterials that are not resorbed quickly, which will also hold the sinus membrane in place and thus allow time for osteogenesis.

What were your first impressions when you used Septodont R.T.R.+?

I still haven’t had enough time to fully use this product, but my first impressions are rather positive. For example, in one of the clinical cases where I performed guided bone regeneration (GBR) in a horizontal bone graft, to widen the ridge and place the implant in the ideal prosthetic position, I used R.T.R.+ mixed with a drilling auto bone generator to increase the osteogenic potential through vascular supply from the drill holes and through living osteocytes in the recovered bone boring. Then I covered and stabilised the mixture of RTR+ and bone boring with a membrane of resorbable collagen.

After 6 months of healing, I opened the site in order to position the implant. My first impression was very positive, the graft had taken very well, despite the presence of a few grains of R.T.R.+ which were still visible on the bone surface, but attached and fixed to the bone, without being surrounded by and isolated from the bone. I think that this is a product that deserves a comparative scientific study more detailed than just a “clinical impression”.

Moreover, the fact that R.T.R.+ is 100% synthetic reassures patients regarding the risk of contamination.

predictable outcomes for your littlest patients with Hu-Friedy Stainless Steel Pedo Crowns. discover why dentists favor our impeccable fit. Perfect for your patients. Easy

Biodentine™ saves pulps EVEN with signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpitis*

Biodentine™ saves pulps EVEN with signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpitis*

saves pulps EVEN with signs and symptoms

saves pulps EVEN with signs and symptoms

Biodentine™ brings one-of-a-kind benefits for the treatment of up to 85%** of irreversible pulpitis cases:

Bone Grafting

For vital pulp therapy, bulk- lling the cavity with Biodentine™ makes your procedure better, easier and faster:

Biodentine™ brings one-of-a-kind benefits for the treatment of up to 85%** of irreversible pulpitis cases:

tooth

Biodentine™ brings one-of-a-kind benefits for the treatment of up to 85%** of irreversible pulpitis cases:

As the first all-in-one biocompatible and bioactive dentin substitute, Biodentine™ fully replaces dentin wherever it’s damaged.

• Vital Pulp Therapy allowing complete dentin bridge formation

brings one-of-a-kind benefits for the treatment of

• Vital Pulp Therapy allowing complete dentin bridge formation

brings one-of-a-kind benefits for the treatment of up to 85%** of irreversible pulpitis cases:

Pulp healing promotion: proven biocompatibility and bioactivity

• Minimally Invasive treatment preserving the tooth structure

Reduced risk of failure: strong sealing properties

• Vital Pulp Therapy allowing complete dentin bridge formation

• Minimally Invasive treatment preserving the tooth structure

• Immediate Pain relief for your patients’ comfort

Vital Pulp Therapy allowing complete dentin bridge formation

Only one material to fill the cavity from the pulp to the top

• Immediate Pain relief for your patients’ comfort • Bio-Bulk filling procedure for an easier protocole

• Minimally Invasive treatment preserving the tooth structure

• Bio-Bulk filling procedure for an easier protocole

• Immediate Pain relief for your patients’ comfort

New Biphasic Formulations allowing you to manage the pace of your bone grafting procedures:

Similar mechanical behavior as natural dentin: ideal for bulk filling

Minimally Invasive treatment preserving the tooth structure

Immediate Pain relief for your patients’ comfort

Biodentine™ helps the remineralization of dentin, preserves the pulp vitality and promotes pulp healing. It replaces dentin with similar biological and mechanical properties.

• Bio-Bulk filling procedure for an easier protocole

(80% ß-TCP / 20% Hydroxyapatite)

The final enamel restoration will be placed within 6 months.

Improving on Biodentine the composite onto Biodentine full restoration in a single session

Bio-Bulk filling procedure for an easier protocole

Bio-Bulk filling procedure for an easier protocole

40/60 (40% ß-TCP / 60% Hydroxyapatite)

Innovative by nature

Innovative by nature

Innovative by nature

Please visit our

Please visit our website for more information

www.septodont.com

Please visit our website for more information www.septodont.com

To enjoy the clinical benefits of the first and only dentin in a capsule, ask your dental distributor for Biodentine™.

Case report: Managing the extraction socket with R.T.R.+ and a connective tissue graft

By Dr Pierre Koumi

Any dental extraction brings about inevitable tissue alterations in both the soft and hard tissues). These alterations often result in bone loss of 20% to 60% in volume horizontally and 11% and 20% vertically after extraction.1

So this bone loss is massive and can reach 50% of the volume if we allow healing to take place spontaneously without the addition of biomaterials, which complicates the threedimensional positioning of the implant and the making of the prosthesis.

Figure 1. Tooth 21 cracked with a periapical lesion, requiring a treatment plan that consists of extracting the tooth and replacing it with an implant.

Studies show that the use of low bone resorption biomaterials associated with atraumatic surgery (extraction without flap) and the use of collagen matrices could reduce this bone loss by up to 10-15%, which would allow optimal positioning of the implant in the second surgical phase.2

Other studies3 show that the use of an osteoconductive material with a low resorption rate and the application of a connective tissue graft over the socket could reduce horizontal and vertical bone resorption even further and thus compensate for this bone loss by a thickening of the soft tissues, which would facilitate the optimal placement of the implant and give an aesthetic gingival contour without loss of volume, which would improve the emergence profile of the crown. This is the technique described in this clinical case with the use of R.T.R.+ (80/20 formula) and connective tissue.

The presence of this connective tissue will ensure that the R.T.R.+ will stay in place and, more importantly, it will compensate in vestibular terms for the loss of volume of soft tissue which occurs despite filling.

Clinical case

A54-year-old patient in good general health requested both aesthetic and functional improvements. She presented with a gingival smile and a root fracture of tooth 21.

This clinical case took place in 2023 and used the R.T.R.+ 80/20 formula. The fitting of the implant was due to take place in January 2024, around 6 months later.

areas.

References

1. Tan, W. L. et al. A systematic review of post-extractional alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes in humans. J Clin Oral Implants Res. 2m2; 23 (Suppl 5):1-2t.

2. Jung, R. E. et al. Radiographic evaluation of different techniques for ridge preservation after tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2013 Jan;40(1):90-8. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12027. Epub 2012 Nov 19. PMID: 23163915.

3. Darby, I. et al. Ridge preservation: What is it and when should it be considered. Australian Dental Journal 2008:53:11-21.

Figures 2a-b. Atraumatic extraction without flaps in order to preserve the vascularisation of the socket bone as much as possible.

Figure 3. Sample of soft tissue from the palate.

Figure 4. Preparation of a half-thickness “pocket” to house the connective tissue graft.

Figure 5. The graft will be placed with its two edges in the pockets prepared in the vestibular and palate

About the author

Pierre Koumi was awarded his master’s degree in dental sciences from the University of Brussels (ULB), where he also specialised in periodontology and implantology. At the University of New York, he followed the “Linhart International Continuing Dental Education”, a two-year dental course entitled “Current Concepts in American Dentistry, Advances in Implantology and Periodontics”. He was hired by the University of New York as international program director for Belgium. He joined the University of Liege (ULG) in Belgium for a further two-year training course and obtained his European Inter-university Certificate of competence in implantology. He runs a private practice focusing on periodontics and implant surgery in Brussels, Belgium.

Figures 6a-b. Suture of the graft after having slid it into the vestibular pocket.

Figures 9a-b. Suturing of the other side of the connective tissue graft on the palate.

Figures 7a-c. Preparation of the syringe (by aspirating a little of the patient’s serum and blood) and filling the socket with R.T.R.+.

Figure 8. R.T.R.+ in place.

predictable outcomes for your littlest patients with Hu-Friedy Stainless Steel Pedo Crowns. discover why dentists favor our impeccable fit. Perfect for your patients. Easy for you. it comes to the perfect fit, Hu-Friedy is just right.

predictable outcomes for your littlest patients with Hu-Friedy Stainless Steel Pedo Crowns. discover why dentists favor our impeccable fit. Perfect for your patients. Easy for you. comes to the perfect fit, Hu-Friedy is just right.

Septanest : the first choice of dentists with over 150 million injections per year, provides you high quality you can trust

Ellenbrook Orthodontics’ new home

Medifit Design & Construct has recently unveiled their latest creation, the stateof-the-art Ellenbrook Orthodontics, located on Mornington Parkway in Ellenbrook. Ellenbrook is a vibrant and fast-growing suburb situated approximately 21 kilometers northeast of Perth’s CBD. Developed as a planned community in the early 1990s, Ellenbrook has been designed with a strong emphasis on family living, featuring multiple residential villages centered around a bustling town centre. This community-centric suburb offers a range

of amenities including shopping centres, schools, parks and recreational facilities, making it an ideal location for families and professionals alike.

The establishment of Ellenbrook Orthodontics by Dr Simone Mustac in this thriving community reflects the suburb’s ongoing expansion and its appeal as a location for healthcare professionals to serve the growing population. With its modern, patient-centric design, Ellenbrook Orthodontics is well-positioned to become a leading provider of orthodontic care in the region, supporting the community’s healthcare needs while contributing to the local economy.

Having outgrown her current premises, Dr Mustac approached Medifit with a clear goal: to provide more space for growth and functionality while incorporating plenty of natural light into the design. Specifically, she aimed to increase the number of treatment chairs in an open layout, establish a private treatment room, expand the sterilisation area and create a dedicated space for doctors to conduct paperwork while overlooking the treatment area.

The new practice spans a generous 171 square meters, with a design that balances modern aesthetics with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Upon entering the newly fitted out facility, visitors are greeted by a spacious waiting and reception area, complete with a children’s nook, creating an inviting space for families. The practice manager’s office, a well-equipped staff room and a meticulously organised sterilisation and laboratory area further enhance the functionality of the space.

The design of Ellenbrook Orthodontics is distinctly modern yet friendly, featuring light grey walls that provide a calm backdrop, contrasted with an harmonious mix of timber and vinyl flooring. The use of colour is both strategic and subtle, with feature walls

and fins in the waiting area that cleverly delineate spaces without overwhelming the senses. Fluted details on the wall behind the reception counter add a touch of understated luxury, elevating the overall patient experience.

A corridor leads from the reception area through to an open treatment area equipped with three chairs, seamlessly flowing into private treatment rooms. This layout not only maximises the use of space but also allows for an efficient flow of both staff and patients, ensuring a smooth and private experience for each visit.

Dr Mustac has expressed her satisfaction with the final outcome, stating, “Our new practice absolutely exudes a sense of openness yet is welcoming, with ample natural light streaming through.” The feedback from both staff and patients has also been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the success of the project in meeting its objectives.

Sam Koranis, Medifit’s Managing Director, describes the thoughtful approach taken to meet the unique needs of Ellenbrook Orthodontics. “Our goal was to create a space that not only meets the functional requirements of a busy orthodontic

practice but also enriches the patient experience through thoughtful design and careful consideration of space”. He highlighted the integration of natural light and open spaces, which are core to Medifit’s philosophy of designing healthcare environments that promote wellbeing.

Dr Mustac adds “Medifit’s attention to detail was exceptional. They had a deep understanding of the patient experience within the practice and included details I hadn’t even considered. During construction, their project management was efficient and allowed me to concentrate on my work without worrying about the fitout.

Summary

The Practice

The Practice Ellenbrook Orthodontics

Principal Dr Simone Mustac

Type of Practice Specialist Orthodontic

Location Ellenbrook, Perth, Western Australia

Size 171 square metres

No of chairs 4

The Team

Design Medifit Design & Construct

Construction Medifit Design & Construct

Equipment

Dental Units Ajax Dental AJ16 Package 2

Autoclaves W&H Lara Steriliser

Imaging Planmeca ProMax

Compressor Cattani

Suction Cattani

Practice Software Tops Ortho

“My experience with Medifit was positive. The team demonstrated a high level of professionalism, responsiveness and expertise throughout the process. Their clear communication made the project run smoothly and ensured the final results met my expectations.”

Ellenbrook Orthodontics stands as a prime example of how thoughtful design and expert construction can transform a healthcare space into a sanctuary of comfort, functionality and aesthetic appeal, setting a new standard for orthodontic practices in the region.

Practices that work with you

Since 2002, Dentists and Dental Specialists all around Australia have trusted Medifit to create state of the art practices with individual interior designs that boost productivity and enhance levels of care.

Whether it’s your first practice or your latest, we’ll help you create a dental practice that reflects your personal style and complements the way you work - and we do it with a friendly, no fuss approach using proven best practices.

Contact Medifit today for a no obligation consultation and experience our award winning service.

• SITE ASSESSMENTS

• LEASE NEGOTIATION

• FEASIBILITY STUDIES

• COUNCIL SUBMISSIONS

• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

• INTERIOR DESIGN

• BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

• PRACTICE FIT-OUTS

• RENOVATIONS / REFRESHES

• BRANDING & MARKETING

A crowning achievement

Two dental professionals with diverse, yet similar experience, both working in remote regional areas have combined forces to establish one of Adelaide’s newest dental clinics.

Principal Dentist Dr HanSam Kim and Oral Health Therapist and Practice Manager Rhett Peereboom operate Crown Dental at Allenby Gardens not far from the city.

Dr Kim and Mr Peereboom have family connections stemming back to their high school days in Adelaide.

After studying their degrees (Dr Kim studying dentistry at Griffith University, Gold Coast and Mr Peereboom Oral Health Therapy at the University of Adelaide), they embarked on different careers, with Dr Kim working in a large private clinic in the NSW regional town of Griffith.

Meanwhile, Mr Peereboom headed to SA’s Yorke Peninsula, working in clinics at Kadina, Wallaroo and Maitland for several years until more recently returning to Adelaide.

Despite their different training and cultural backgrounds, both share a strong philosophy of ethics and transparency to

By David Petrikas

provide good value and earn the trust of their patients.

Or, as Dr Kim puts it: “I like to work for people, not for money and didn’t want a money-driven career focused on profits above all else.”

The pair were looking to return to Adelaide and the combination of family connections and common professional ambitions in practice ownership led to a business partnership forming. Their respective experience in regional communities has given them a solid practical grounding and a broad scope of complementary skills to take on the task.

As principal dentist, Dr Kim is the driving force in most clinical procedures and adult patients and Mr Peereboom looks after practice management, finances and also oral hygiene and taking care of many of the younger patients.

To help them on their journey, they enlisted the help of highly experienced dental equipment and fit-out company, Dental Concepts of Adelaide, who helped them find a suitable business premises in the northern suburbs. After looking at a number of properties with input from Dental Concepts, they found an ideal location within their target area which is located between a physiotherapist and a CPAP Sleep centre with ample parking.

Dental Concepts provided a “one-stop” solution, taking care of the complete project from concept and design, right through construction, project management, fit-out and even equipping the practice.

The result is a “clean sheet” build of an empty building, which allowed them to provide for their more immediate operational requirements with a twochair practice - with provision for a third surgery for future growth.

With a catchy practice name and logo already selected, they left it up to Dental Concepts to present some design ideas and settled on a colour scheme harnessing a pleasing blue/grey, black and off-white and a vivid blue feature wall in reception. This fresh combination of simple, strong shades succeeds in being both contemporary and timeless.

The cabinetry features ample bench space with lots of storage underneath and shelving above. Each surgery also has its own X-ray machine.

surgery | DESIGN

Other design elements include ceramic tile look vinyl floorcoverings in the waiting room, distinctive crown logos identifying each surgery and carpet in reception and a private office.

The large size of the building is sufficient to accommodate hallways wide enough to enable a wheelchair to turn around for better access, including treatment in the dental surgeries with the patient in the wheelchair if required.

The dental treatment units are fitted with the latest A-dec LED “stadium style” operatory lighting, which provides natural colour balanced light of differing intensity with no shadows. The LED lighting also includes a “cure-safe” mode to allow illumination without reducing the curing time of composites.

Summary

The Practice

The Practice Crown Dental

The Principals Rhett Peereboom and Dr HanSam Kim

Practice Type

General

Location Allenby Gardens, Adelaide, South Australia

Size 134 square metres

No of chairs 2+1

The Team

Design Cheesman Architects and Dental Concepts

Builder Leske Building

Project Manager Dental Concepts

Installer Dental Concepts Adelaide

Equipment

Dental Units A-dec 511B Dental Chair with A-dec 572 Chair Mount LED

Sterilisation W&H Lisa 22VA Autoclave with W&H Assistina Twin

Imaging Vatech EzRay Air wall X-ray

Kavo Scan eXam phosphor plate scanner

Compressor Cattani AC300Q

Suction Cattani Turbo SMART A Cube

Software Ultimo

To leverage the design elements, they also selected charcoal sewn upholstery A-dec 500 patient chairs with traditional delivery systems equipped with two electric motors, turbine and scaler.

Dental Concepts supplied Crown Dental with the top-ofthe-line A-dec 500 which suits the practice’s needs due to very comfortable patient seating which is ideally suited to longer procedures such as root canals and crown preparations.

The A-dec 500 also offers a very stable platform owing to its high load-bearing capacity and very smooth and quiet operation during recline. The decision to invest in a premium chair has already paid dividends, with one patient saying they had never been in a comfortable dental chair until now and had never sat in one dental chair where their back didn’t get sore.

Dr Kim said patients really liked the clean look of the chair and the modern delivery system which fitted in well with the modern feel of the practice which indicated the use of cutting-edge technology, suggesting a high level of patient care.

Services offered at Crown Dental include both digital and plaster impressions with their own CEREC , enabling crowns to be made inhouse to minimise delay and maximise patient convenience.

The business is still in its fledgling stage but has started building patient numbers through referrals and also by offering gap-free procedures with health funds and is sure to find strong support from the local community.

A-dec 500 Pro: Experience a new level of connection.

Everything you’ve come to appreciate about the A-dec 500 dental chair, is now available with a new delivery. Enabled with A-dec+ and an updatable software platform, the A-dec 500 Pro delivery system supports your dental team with a new level of connection.

Information contained in this section is provided by the manufacturers or distributors. Australasian Dental Practice does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the data.

BloodSTOP iX haemostatic dressing VITA MFT denture tooth

BloodSTOP iX with WoundHeal adheres to wet/bleeding surfaces to form a protective layer to prevent contamination. It is highly adhesive and fast acting while controlling bleeding and accelerating the clotting cascade. It transforms into a sticky translucent gel that adheres to and seals the wound. BloodSTOP iX creates a physiological environment, encouraging the proliferation of tissue growth and wound healing. It is odourless and tasteless and can be easily removed by irrigation. It is designed for any oral surgery or dental procedures causing bleeding. BloodSTOP iX is biocompatible and 100% absorbable without any residue.

Available: TRI Dental Implants ANZ Tel: (02) 8355-2200 info@tri-implants.com.au www.tri-implants.com.au

New A-dec 500 Pro delivery system

The new generation A-dec Pro delivery systems - built to fit on the proven latest generation A-dec 500 and A-dec 300 patient chairs - are now being rolled out through A-dec dealers across the country. A-dec Pro heralds the new area of “Connectivity” in delivery systems, bringing tablet-style touchscreen technology and intelligent control on an allnew software-based platform.

This brings the latest technology right into the dental surgery, supporting both the operator and the entire dental team in caring for patients, now and in the future.

VITA MFT is now available in 16 VITA classical A1-D4 shades and 16 3D-MASTER shades, including 3 bleach shades. VITA MFT (Multi Functional Teeth) stand out due to their outstanding efficiency. The groundbreaking VITA Easy Centric principle simplifies the set-up process. Thanks to the predefined contact points, the teeth find the ideal position almost automati-

cally, saving time and hassle, while also increasing precision. Morphology, incisal design and the shade match with the VITA shade guides also ensure aesthetically pleasing results.

Available: Henry Schein Tel: 1300-658-811 lab@henryschein.com.au www.henryschein.com.au

Cure up to 2.5 mm in 1 second!

Available: A-dec Australia Tel: 1800-225-010 australia.a-dec.com

The handheld Monet Laser is the first of its kind curing light. The collimated beam and consistent power of the Monet Laser create superior bond strength and a faster, deeper, more reliable cure. Cure up to 2.5 mm in 1-second! Each click of the Monet is a 1-second cure up to 2.5mm with an 8mm curing depth capacity. It cures composites, luting cements, adhesives and sealants and has been tested on over 50 brands of dental materials. Monet reduces shrinkage and debonding, reduces the potential for “soft bottoms” and features a consistent dispersion for a deep cure - Bulk fills in just 3 seconds! The compact laser includes optics for a parallel beam within the form-factor and an unrestricted rotatable head mechanism. Monet is covered by a two year warranty.

Available: Biomedent Tel: 1300-792-624 info@biomedent.com.au www. biomedent.com.au

Invisible Aligners is

Still wondering about Invisible Aligners ? Your solution is here with new TRULINE X-tra !

Free case evaluation

Free online course

Free viewing software

Realistic treatment setups - No Cartoonodontics

Precision CAD designed and CNC manufactured

Free Click retainers

48 hour turnaround on request

Trusted experience, Australia’s first Aligner brand

Satisfaction guaranteed

100% value

Mention this ad for 50% off your first case

The world’s first implant approved for full digital restorations without abutment

The world’s first implant approved for full digital restorations without abutment

The matrix® is the first-ever dental implant connection that has been specifically designed for the new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. The implant concept allows to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and without manual cementation. NO

The matrix® is the first-ever dental implant connection that has been specifically designed for the new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. The implant concept allows to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and without manual cementation. NO ABUTMENT. NO CEMENT. NO LIMITS.

The world’s first implant approved for full digital restorations without abutment

The matrix® is the first-ever dental implant connection that has been specifically designed for the new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing. The implant concept allows to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and without manual cementation.

www.tri.swiss 0297