Oral Health Students Issue 2020 by Annex Business Media

W W W. O R A L H E A LT H G R O U P. C O M

SPECIAL ISSU E

THE STUDENT ISSUE SHOULD YOU OPEN YOUR OWN PRACTICE?

TECHNOLOGY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

DENTISTRY IN THE TIME OF COVID

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ED ITOR IAL

TIMES ARE A CHANGIN’ “There is nothing permanent except change.” This is a quote I was introduced to at a young age, and it has stuck with me. It is commonly attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. I think the reason it resonates with me is that it helps me accept that no matter what the situation, things will always change. By accepting this, it becomes our role to face those changes. How we accept that challenge is key. There is no doubt the world is facing a lot of challenges, and change right now. Dealing with COVID, the economy, political stress, changes in activities and routines, amongst so many issues, leaving us much to manage. These issues can affect our health, our relationships, and our livelihoods. So, how do we best cope with change? Why is it that some people seem really upset and unhinged by challenges, and others manage them completely differently? It’s a fascinating question. How one person faces adversity can be completely different to another. How do we adapt? Just as we start to think about how we handle change individually, it becomes even more interesting to assess how groups manage change. With additional people in the equation, now you need to understand group dynamics as well. With individual or personal change, various resources will direct you to having a clear vision or idea of what it is that you want to change. They will also focus you on thinking about the pace of change, measuring results as you progress towards your goal, taking care of yourself along the way, and keeping a positive mindset. Dealing with organizations and groups of people is no different. As a dentist, it is important to understand how to facilitate and support change with the individuals, and groups you lead. Whether it is a clinical or procedural change, due to a

new or disruptive technology, or, something impacting the entire office, like COVID has, changes in the dental profession are constant. Developing ones skills, ability, and tolerance for managing these changes is important. Fortunately, the field of organizational development, and change management, has many resources for doing this. Change management as defined by Wikipedia is as follows: “Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. Drivers of change may include the ongoing evolution of technology, internal reviews of processes, crisis response, customer demand changes, competitive pressure, acquisitions and mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.” By studying change management, we can advance our skills in facing the ever changing world. There are many resources available, online and in print. There are weekend courses and entire major programs of study for individuals with such interest. Our ability to manage change may be one of the most important skill sets that we develop, over a career in Dentistry. Those skills are equally important in all parts of our life. OH

JAMES YACYSHYN Dr. James Yacyshyn obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, with honours, from the University of Alberta. He then obtained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree, with Distinction, from the University of Alberta. Upon graduation, he went on to pursue and complete a Masters in Applied Science Engineering, from the University of Toronto. Dr. Yacyshyn joined the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, as an Assistant Clinical Professor. He was appointed Director of Continuing Dental Education, and had cross appointments to the Alberta Research Council and Faculty of Medicine.

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2020

VOLUME 110 NUMBER 14

3. Times are a Changin’ James Yacyshyn, DDS, Director of Continuing Education, University of Alberta 6. A Note from the Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associations Stephanie Wiseman, President FCDSA 10. Dentistry in a Time of COVID: What to Expect in the “New Normal” Elaine Rowell, RDH; Jaime Robertson, RDH; Michelle Schwarze, CDA

12. How to Thrive as The New Kid on The Block! Judy Kay Mausolf 16. Considerations When Buying a Practice Post-COVID Chris Molloy, B.A.SC., CFP 18. Work/Life Balance Uche Odiatu, DMD; Mahsa Bakhshandeh, RDH 21. Technology Beyond the Classroom Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS 24. There is no “I” in Marketing: 5 marketing rules David Darab, DDS, MS, MBA 28. Must-Have Technology: 2021 Which technologies will be the right fit for you? Alex Zlatin 31. Dental School Profiles from across Canada

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMEBERS

CONTRIBUTING CONSULTANTS

Dr. Jordan Soll • Editor/Co-chairman

Dr. Carlos Ochoa • Endodontics

Dr. Randy Lang • Co-chairman/ Orthodontics

Dr. Angelos Metaxas • Orthodontics

Dr. Gary Glassman • Endodontics

Dr. Iain Nish • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dr. Mark Nicolucci • Implantology

Dr. Howard Holmes • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dr. Bruce Pynn • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery W W W. O R A L H E A LT H G R O U P. C O M

S P ECIAL ISSU E

SHOULD YOU OPEN YOUR OWN PRACTICE?

TECHNOLOGY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

DENTISTRY IN THE TIME OF COVID

5 MUST-KNOW MARKETING TIPS

Dr. Reza Nouri • Pediatrics

Dr. Les Rykiss • Esthetics

Dr. Ross Anderson • Pediatrics

Dr. Mark Lin • Prosthodontics

Dr. Carolyn Poon Woo • General Dentistry

Dr. Janice Goodman • General Dentistry

Dr. Keith Titley • Pediatrics

Dr. Peter Nkansah • Pharmacology/ Anesthesiology

Dr. Robert Lowe • Esthetics

Dr. Fay Goldstep • Preventive Dentistry/ Healing Dr. David Farkouh • Paediatrics Dr. Marina Polonsky • General Dentistry/ Laser Dentistry Dr. Bruno Vendittelli • Orthodontic Dr. James Yacyshyn • Practice Management Expert

@ORALHEALTHGROUP

ORAL HEALTH GROUP

O R A LH E A LT H G R O U P.C O M

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Dr. Jack Griffin • Esthetics

Dr. Peter Fritz • Periodontics

Dr. George Freedman • Dental Materials & Technology THE STUDENT ISSUE

Dr. Blake Nicolucci • Implantology

Dr. Lou Shuman • Technology Dr. Christopher Swayze • IPAC

Dr. Gary Radz • Esthetics Dr. Mitra Sadrameli • Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Dr. Bo Kryshtalskyj • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Indra Narang • General Dentistry/ Sleep Dentistry Dr. Barry Korzen • Endodontics Dr. Goth Siu • Prosthodontics Dr. Joseph Fava • Prosthodontics Dr. W. Johnston Rowe Jr. • Esthetics

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Oral Health, published by Newcom Media Inc., is an independent, monthly professional journal, written and edited for the practicing dentist in Canada, and supervised by an Editorial Board of Consultants from both general practice and major specialties of the profession. The editorial content consists of clinical articles and abstracts from the world’s finest dental literature and monthly departments.The editorial purpose is to provide information on clinical advances in all phases of dentistry. Oral Health is not responsible for the quality of graphic images submitted by the authors. The Editorial Board of Oral Health does not necessarily agree with the claims made for any product advertised. Nor should it be construed that the appearance of any product advertisement in Oral Health implies that the Board either approves or accepts the product. Oral Health reserves the right to edit departmental submissions for content and length. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the written consent of the copyright owner. ISSN 0030-4204 Yearly subscription rates: Canada 1 year $64.95 + taxes, 2 years $107.95 + taxes (GST/HST #103862405RT0001); U.S. 1 year $70.95; Foreign 1 year $107.95; Single copy Canada & U.S. $10.00; Single copy Foreign $10.00. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Phone: 416-614-5831; Fax: 416-614-8861; E-mail: mary@newcom.ca; Mail to: Privacy Officer, Newcom Media Inc., 5353 Dundas St. W. Suite 400, Toronto, ON M9B 6H8.

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THE STU DE N T I SS U E

STEPHANIE WISEMAN, PRESIDENT FCDSA

A Note from the Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associations

At 26 years old, there are only a handful of moments in my life that I would define as “life-changing” to date – one of which was the day I received a phone call from Dr. Paul Allison, former Dean of Dentistry at McGill University, informing me that I had been accepted into dental school. I will never forget that feeling of euphoria and that moment of knowing that my life had been forever changed; I was going to pursue my childhood dream and become a dentist! My dental school journey, however, has probably been an even more life-changing experience in itself. It has truly been a growing experience, and I would not be the person I am today had I not faced and overcome the challenges and experienced the joys of dental school thus far. I remember starting off first

year thinking that I knew what to expect as I had several friends in upper years in the program, and my father who is a general dentist had been telling me stories about his dental school experience my whole life. As it turns out, nothing could have prepared me for the balancing act that is life as a dental student. My non-dentistry friends have a hard time grasping that not only do I provide dental care, I also do lab work, manage coursework and exams, and do a ton of administrative work as well. On top of this, I try to balance a social life, extracurriculars and volunteering. Life as a dental student is never really on “pause”; a night-off still often involves answering patients’ phone calls/ text messages and washing my scrubs. Correction: life as a dental student was never really on “pause” until March 2020…

Stephanie Wiseman, President FCDSA. Stephanie currently a fourth year dental student at McGill University and in the process of completing my residency applications for specialty school. Her alternative plan is to work with her father post-graduation at his dental practice in Cote Saint-Luc, Quebec. It is her immense pleasure to be representing Canadian dental students through the national platform of the Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associations.

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THE STU D ENT ISSU E

Above left: FCDSA 2019-2020 Team: Bottom (left-right): Sarah Hancox, Stephanie Wiseman, Natalie Pollock, Courtney Aubé, Manisha Bansal, Second Row (left to right): Aarushi Dhawal, Karen Lin, Rosalie Gu, Joanna Man, Dain Kim, Evan Mercer Top: Madonna Rofaeel, Nima Lighvan, Jared Crane, Hammad Qasim, Dempsey Wood, Saif Matti, Austin Chen, Bilawal Hossain Above right: Sébastien Michaud Left: Rachel Korman

March 2020 was one of the most pivotal months in my dental journey. During the first two weeks of March, I completed my third-year oral surgery rotation, spent a day providing dental care to Montreal’s underserved community at the Jim Lund Dental Clinic, completed six restorations, root planed several quadrants, and finished my first root canal. It’s safe to say that I was finally starting to feel confident in clinic and was on-track to complete my third year credit requirements. Everything changed on the evening of March 13th (Friday the 13th – coincidence?!) when my classmates and I were informed that we would not be returning to clinic and would not have class for two weeks. Two weeks quickly became four, which in the blink of an eye quickly became six months. As I sit here writing this article following my full day of online Zoom lectures, reminiscing of the days of “normalcy” preCOVID-19, I cannot help but wonder what my final year of dental school will bring.

I am currently preparing to return to clinic, and I know that I am not alone in wondering if those skills that I was finally beginning to feel comfortable with will come back in September when I start seeing patients again after six months of not doing any dentistry. I wonder whether being unable to visit my top choices of residency program will affect my odds of admission. I wonder whether my patients will be willing to return to the undergraduate clinic. I wonder how I’ll manage working with all of the new PPE that I am not accustomed to. I also wonder how the clinic functioning at 50% capacity will affect my ability to finish all of my required credits on time. Thankfully, I know that I am not alone in these concerns and that they are echoed by students across the country. Throughout the pandemic, the sense of community amongst Canadian dental students on a national scale has become increasingly important and is stronger than ever. The Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associoralhealthgroup.com

TH E ST U DE N T I SS U E

Above: Dain Kim, Manisha Bansal, Rosalie Gu Left: Saint-John Ambulance Therapy Dogs

ations (FCDSA) was established in 2012 in part to create a nation-wide community to provide support to Canadian dental students. Our mission is to connect dentistry students in order to foster the sharing of common interests, challenges, advocate as a unified national student voice for the promotion of accessible, optimal dental education and patient care, and provide an avenue to involve students in organized dentistry. The FCDSA is a non-profit organization comprised of two students from each of the 10 Canadian dental faculties; representing their dental student associations. These representatives are introduced to the realm of organized dentistry through their work on several committees. The FCDSA is relatively new as a federation, and this means that we have the ability to adapt to the needs of our members. This adaptability became increasingly important during the pandemic, and, this past June, led to the establishment of a committee solely dedicated to advocacy. The FCDSA served as an avenue for members of the Class of 2020 to connect across the country and as a means of communication for the Presidents of each school’s dental student association 8

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to strategize and problem-solve collaboratively. The ultimate goal of the FCDSA is to serve as a nationally integrated community in order to enhance the dental student experience. Since its inception, one of the FCDSA’s top priorities has been to organize opportunities for dental students to connect in person – a goal we were able to achieve for the first time in 2018 in Toronto, again in January 2020 in Vancouver, and are hoping to achieve in 2022 in Montreal. With over 450 students hailing from across the country, the second-ever Canadian Dental Student Conference (CDSC) in Vancouver from January 10th-11th 2020 was a huge success. Learning from the popularity of the hands-on implant workshop at our first conference, we tried to have as many hands-on sessions as possible – including endodontics workshops, a Bioclear workshop, implant workshops, a laser therapy workshop on pig jaws, and more. These sessions were balanced out with lectures, a research competition, networking opportunities (including “Breakfast with the Specialists”) and wellness sessions (including yoga and therapy dogs). Students were able to become engaged by topics that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. For many, this conference served as an opportunity to gain knowledge outside of the regular curriculum and allow them to better understand what kind of dental professional they hope to be post-graduation. Other events at the conference included a number of panel discussions hosted by our friends at CDA Oasis focusing on career path options, advocacy, and dental public health; as well as a formal gala closing event. CDSC 2020 created an opportunity for students to take a step back from the stress and demands of dental school and appreciate dentistry in a new light. We look forward to hosting Canadian dental students once again at CDSC 2022 in Montreal. I am so fortunate to be working with a team of such creative, hard-working, and motivated volunteers. Even though there are provinces between us, I regard this incredible group of individuals as a second family. It is unbelievable seeing what can be accomplished when we work together towards a common goal. Over the summer, the FCDSA has put together two webinars, a charitable virtual walkathon, and much more! The events and services organized by the FCDSA would not be possible without the generous support from our sponsors and, of course, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). It has been an immense pleasure working with such passionate and talented students – the future of dentistry is in good hands! OH

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THE STU DE N T I SS U E

ELAINE POWELL, RDH, Director of Regulatory Compliance Program, Dentalcorp

JAIME ROBERTSON, RDH, Manager of Regulatory Compliance Program, Dentalcorp

DENTISTRY IN A TIME OF COVID:

What to Expect in the “New Normal” Dentistry has faced more challenges in the last six months than in any similar span of time in history. A torrent of information about COVID-19 has overwhelmed not only practice teams, but all of society. Patients and dental team members alike have concerns about the safety of providing and receiving oral health care. Variations in infection prevention and control (IPAC) standards between the provincial regulatory bodies and public health authorities have sown further confusion. Every day, new information becomes available and more research is released. As a result, it seems Canada’s Chief

Public Health Officer’s recommendations change day-by-day. Oral health professionals have had to learn to live and work in a state of uncertainty. While we cannot be sure of what the future holds, certain things have become evident in 2020. We have highlighted a few things you can expect as you embark on your new career in the COVID-19 era of dentistry. Heightened IPAC protocols and procedures For those who have been in the profession for many years, we talk about a “new normal”.

MICHELLE SCHWARZE, CDA, Manager of Operations and Compliance, Dentalcorp

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Elaine, Jaime and Michelle work closely on the regulatory compliance programs at dentalcorp. Together they bring over 100 years of oral health care experience in clinical, regulatory, and educational capacities. They are passionate about infection prevention control and assisting practices in providing safe and effective patient care.

THE STU D ENT ISSU E

For you, many things that were very rare until recently will be normal. In terms of IPAC, this means that you will do some or all of the following: • Screen all staff and patients for signs and symptoms of upper respiratory infection; • Ask patients to wait in their cars or outside instead of in the waiting room; • Understand and know how to use multiple levels of personal protective equipment (PPE), depending on a patient risk assessment and what tasks you are performing; • Practice donning and doffing different combinations of PPE to minimize cross-contamination; • Work in enclosed operatories when aerosols are created; • Pay attention to aerosols and utilize engineering controls to contain them such as high-volume evacuation (HVE) modifications, HEPA filters, dental dams and four handed dentistry; • Stay home if your sense of smell or taste is off; • Get fit tested for respirators; and • Be prepared to respond to “exposures” in the clinic by self-quarantining or calling public health. The above changes affect everyone from the newbie dental hygienist on his/her first shift to the seasoned dentist who can remember life during the influenza pandemic in 1968. Indeed, administrative team members are the first to manage risk by screening patients prior to their appointment (and again upon arrival at the clinic). Dentists and dental hygienists will rely on their support teams more than ever to provide information about patients’ health status and to help them assess the procedure required and aid in the selection of the appropriate level of PPE. Many of these tasks are new to administrative team members, and clinicians in positions of leadership in a clinic will have to ensure that, when new team members are hired, the appropriate onboarding and education takes place. Because intra office communication has become essential in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within a dental office, morning huddles have taken on a new level of importance during this pandemic. Effective communication with patients will be key Now, more than ever, the ability to effectively communicate with patients and team members is critical. As our faces must be covered by masks at all times, tone of voice and body language play a key role in keeping patients

calm and feeling at ease. Its important to remember that patients can still “hear” a smile behind a mask. When your mouth is covered, smiling with your eyes can go a long way in connecting with and comforting patients. It’s important not to let the human aspect of oral healthcare suffer as a result of the changes that have occurred. Showing compassion is fundamental to helping reduce patients’ stress and anxiety. Take the time to listen to patients’ fears and concerns and offer them your undivided attention. Encourage patients to ask questions and take the extra care to reassure them that their safety is your top priority. Practices across Canada have noticed that patient appointments take longer than they used to. While this can be frustrating, slowing down isn’t always a bad thing. Effective communication does not end with the patient. It is crucial to implement standard communication across your practice to send a consistent and reassuring message. Team members must be able to remain calm and professional with one another when treating patients during this time. Developing scripts and role playing can help the team prepare for most scenarios and react accordingly. Practicing speaking at a level where team members can be clearly heard and understood through their PPE will further aid in effective communication at the practice. Moving forward in the “new normal” With the looming threat of a second wave, we must not let our guards down. Strict adherence to infection prevention and control protocols and procedures will be paramount. A heightened level of vigilance, caution, and discipline will define the era that you enter practice. The increased cost of delivering safe and effective care in the COVID-19 era of dentistry will undoubtedly have an impact on a practice’s bottom line. However, we must keep in mind that developing strong relationships with our patients and teams leads to improved patient care and stronger team development, and as a result, patients will see that your practice is prepared to provide the care that they require. In many ways, you are fortunate to be starting your careers today. You’ll start your career with some of the best IPAC habits that have ever existed in healthcare. Today’s enhanced focus on health and safety and the extensive research being conducted around the safe delivery of oral care will benefit you and your patients for years after this crisis has passed. OH oralhealthgroup.com

THE STU DE N T I SS U E

JUDY KAY MAUSOLF

How toThrive as The New Kid onThe Block! Congratulations! You are a recent dental graduate who just got hired as the new associate to work with Dr. Wonderful and her team! It’s your first glorious day! You are ready to take on the world and deliver exceptional service and care. Oh, but wait a minute. There are these people you now must rely on…called your team! There was no mention of team relationships. No one told you in school that you were going to be dependent on a team. You were just planning on focusing on dentistry. Surprise! That’s not how it works. The success of a practice is largely based on how well you work together

as a team. So how do you build happy, healthy, and high performing relationship with an existing team? Some of whom you may have not hired in the first place? It is important to remember that you are the outsider coming into their world. It’s like being the new kid on the block. You must figure out how to fit in with the existing team culture. Fitting in takes time and patience. The team is going to check you out because they don’t know you or trust you. They will be watching your every move to see if you will fit in. The first step to fitting in is to focus on building confident trust with each team member.

Judy Kay Mausolf is a speaker, author, and dental culture specialist with expertise in helping others get happier and more successful! She coaches dentists and their teams how to become better leaders, communicate effectively, work together better and deliver service with more focus and passion which result in cultivating a happier, healthier and higher performing culture. She is Past President of National Speakers Association (Minnesota Chapter), Director of Sponsoring Partners for the Speaking Consulting Network and a member of the National Speakers 12

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THE STU D ENT ISSU E

The dictionary defines trust as instinctive unquestioning belief in and reliance upon something. The trust I am suggesting is not one of blind faith but instead one of confidence! Confident trust is based on consistency. Consistency of good reasons to trust based on significant past evidence and experiences. Think of the people in your life that you confidently trust. Take a moment to reflect why you feel confident in trusting them. Confident trust does not just happen overnight. It takes time to nurture and grow. However, breaking one’s trust can happen in a heartbeat. The great news is that trust can be rebuilt. It takes a sincere daily commitment to be transparent, consistent and realistic. An actionable and measurable process is to assess your every action, attitude, and conversation by checking off the following list. • Am I being transparent? • Am I being consistent? • Am I being realistic? • Am I doing what I said I would do when I said I would do it?

Some examples of behaviours that build confident trust are: • Be transparent by keeping the team in the loop • Be consistent with daily tasks • If you have a concern talk to the person • Help when you see help is needed • Ask for help when help is needed • Ask don’t assume • Take ownership - do what you say you will do when you say you will • Focus on the greater good instead of WIIFM (What’s in it for me) • Don’t gossip • Tell the truth and be compassionate • Don’t be late or absent for trivial reasons The second step to fitting in is to learn the current systems and processes. Spend time talking with the doctor and each team member to learn why they do what they do. For at least the first 90 days immerse yourself in learning their ways instead of making suggestions. It will give you time to build trust while you learn. The team is often suspicious of the new doctor. They are afraid the new doctor is going to want to change everything. After all, you’re the new kid on the block…you should have to fit into their practice. Many team members may be older than you. Show them you respect their experience and expertise by being open to their guidance. Once you start making suggestions, remember that the team may like to do things their way. Even if it may not be the most effective or efficient. It’s their routine and they can do it on auto pilot – which is why your suggestions may be resisted even if it is an improvement. New changes slow them down and take more focus and effort. Don’t firehose the team with suggestions or requests. Start with a simple change that will be easy to do and benefit them greatly. They will see it as a positive and be more open to the next change. The third step to fitting in is balancing your role as an associate. You may feel like you are in the middle, torn between the owner doctor(s) and the team. You are doctor and a leader. Yet you don’t make the decisions. Some decisions you may be more aligned with the team than you are the owner doctor. The team may treat you like one of them and even tell you negative things about the owner doctor. The owner doctor may complain to you about their team. It is imperative that you not allow yourself to get stuck in the middle. Always reinforce what is positive about the other person. You may not always agree on every decision. However, it is imperative that you support the oralhealthgroup.com

TH E STU DE N T I SS U E

The approachee’s role is to start out by thanking the approacher (the person approaching) for respecting you enough to come to you. It is important to recognize that the approacher’s intent is good and to realize that it is not easy to approach someone. owner doctor decisions in attitude and actions, or you will undermine them. It is easy to judge when you have never walked in someone’s shoes. It always looks easier when you are observing. Leading a team and making the right decisions can be very difficult at times. There are often many paths that can be chosen. The fourth step in fitting in is by avoiding gossip. Gossip is sharing anything that is negative or private about another person. Listening is gossiping if you are not in a position that allows you to resolve the issue. The listener plays a 50/50 role. Because it stops if the person complaining has no one to tell. I have found it works best to refer the person back to the source of concern to work it out instead of listening. Instead of listening, ask them if they have tried to talk to the other person. If they say no, ask them to do so and stop the conversation. People who engage in workplace gossip often have a strong need to “fit in” and feel that gossip will help them achieve this. Gossipers often suffer from low self-esteem and think that talking negatively about others will make them look better. If we truly grasped the devastating fallout from gossip, we would no longer accept it as the norm for any culture! Gossip affects: • Patient care and experience • Team communication, performance, and relationships • Practice performance • Morale • Trust • Respect The fifth step to fitting is to be approachable. Do daily or weekly check-ins with your team and owner doctor. A simple question to ask, “Do you have any questions or suggestions for me?” Avoid becoming defensive even if you disagree or feel hurt. People will avoid defensive people. You have a role as an approachee (the receiver of information). The approachee’s role is to start out by thanking the approacher (the person approaching) for respecting you enough to come to you. It is important to recognize that the approacher’s intent is good and to realize that it is not easy to approach someone. Listen intently to hear. Make eye contact with the other person. Don’t take offense. Instead of defending, deflecting, or blaming someone else, consider how your 14

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actions or lack of actions affected the outcome. Be honest with your response. Acknowledge you heard and understand them. Never assume. If you are unsure, ask questions until you clearly understand. If you are thinking, “I think they mean this...” ask more questions. Don’t take it personally. If the concern pertains to the patients, the practice, or the team it is necessary to address. It can be difficult to hear when we are not meeting the standards or expectations. However, it is necessary to address in order to create and sustain a happier, healthier and higher performing culture. Take it seriously. It may not seem important or be a priority to you, but it is for the other person. Control your emotions. If you are upset, don’t just walk off in anger or frustration. Instead, let them know that you need a little time to process the information they shared, and you will respond later and give them a specific time. Try to respond within 24 hours. I like to utilize the L.E.A.R.N. acronym when being approached: Listen intently to hear what they have to say Empathize by acknowledging their emotions Apologize for the situation React by sharing what you will do Notify those that need to be aware of the discussion and decision Here is an example how you can use L.E.A.R.N. Your assistant is frustrated because she just started working with you and doesn’t understand what instruments you want and when. It makes her uncomfortable because she has been an assistant for years and this makes her feels inadequate. The conversation might sound like this: “Thank you for respecting me enough to come to me with your concerns. I can understand how uncomfortable this must be to work with a new doctor. I am sorry that this is frustrating for you. We will take some time to discuss what instruments I need with the different treatments we offer. During the procedure I will ask for what I need. We need to learn how to work together and that takes time. So, let’s agree to have patience and support each other. I will make sure I speak with the other assistants about tray setups as well to keep us all on the same page. This will ensure that we all have a great day!” Following these five steps will help you thrive as the new kid on the block! OH

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CONSIDERATIONS

WHEN BUYING A PRACTICE POST-COVID

This is undoubtedly a weird time to be finishing your final years of dental school. Uncertainty is everywhere around you. • When will class return to normal? • Will there be associate roles available upon graduation? • Will you be able to pay off your student loans as quickly as your originally thought? While your primary focus upon graduation

should be finding an associate role to help you develop your skills, we think all young dentists should keep practice ownership in the back of their minds. Approaching dentistry with this ownership mindset will not only help you develop business and management skills, it will make you a better dentist. Despite all the uncertainty in the world around us, we have noticed that dentists

Chris is Senior VP, Advisory Services at TMFD Financial. He has over 20 years of experience at TMFD Financial working in the Ontario area. Chris specializes in tax, estate and investment planning for dentists and dental specialists. For a complimentary initial consultation with our team, we can be reached at info@tmfd.ca or by toll-free at (844) 311-8633.

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who are fortunate enough to own their own practice have been able to control their own destiny. While some dentists have been unable to adapt their practices to the post-COVID working environment, others were proactive and even grew their practice by being open for emergency dentistry when other offices were closed. So while it may seem premature, we recommend being proactive; start taking steps now on your journey to practice ownership. The first step? Have a general sense of what to look for when buying a practice. There is immense pressure to make sure the purchase is the ‘right fit’. In many ways, finding the right practice is like finding the right home. You would never buy based on the price alone, nor would you forego a home inspection. You would carefully consider all aspects such as location, condition, local amenities, and costs. The same diligence should be exercised when buying a dental practice. There are two major aspects to consider when purchasing a dental practice. First, there are the financial numbers. Most buyers hope to generate enough earnings (after expenses and taxes) to repay the practice loan, while at the same time, make a decent living. However, the second aspect focuses on the soft issues, and can be just as important as the financial statements, if not more so. The soft issues cover everything in the dental office not addressed in the financial statements or projections, such as location, number of treatment rooms, or treatment philosophy of the practice. Any of these factors could dramatically affect the buyer’s success after the purchase. A trusted advisor will guide you through an extensive list of additional factors to consider ensuring your decision is the best possible, for example: • Location – Is the location of the practice close to your home? Is it in a good area with high visibility, accessible parking, ground level access, or local competition? • Structure - Does the practice have the number of treatment rooms you desire? Is there room to grow? Many of these factors are very difficult to change, so it’s vital to be satisfied with these elements in the decision process. • Associate agreements – Do associates have legal agrements? The lack of agreements could result in patient attrition upon the departure of associates after transition. • Equipment & Software – What is the condition of the aging equipment? Will significant investment be required? Is there a panoramic x-ray, or room to add as needed? Which practice management software is used?

• Marketing – Does a current website exist? Which marketing strategy would you wish to implement? What is the reputation of the practice from online reviews? • Transition – Will the selling dentist stay after transition and for how long? Patient attrition rate tends to be lower with a proper handoff/introduction. • Patient Base – What is the profile of the patients, including age distribution, ethnicity, and turnover? Are accounts receivable reasonable or out of control? • Business Potential – What are the current days/hours of operation? Are procedures performed consistent with the services you intend to deliver? Is the ratio of doctor vs. hygiene production consistent with an efficient practice? One of the most critical factors in assessing a practice is the premises lease. Consider the amount of time remaining on the lease, a demolition clause, and an exclusivity clause. It’s crucial to assess the time remaining, as banks prefer not to lend for a period beyond the end of the lease. Ideally, it’s best to see at least 10 years remaining on a lease to match or exceed the timeframe on a practice loan. A demolition clause can be buried in a lease and can have a devastating impact on your business because it allows the landlord to relocate your practice or terminate your lease. An exclusivity clause states whether another dentist can open up shop in the same plaza or commercial centre. The lease is a complex document, and it needs to be reviewed by an expert to guarantee full protection. Another important issue to review is the presence of staff contracts. The absence of staff contracts creates enormous risk for a number of reasons, most notably, potential termination pay for long-standing employees. The risk is much lower if the employees have been at the practice a short amount of time. Although it would be ideal for a buyer if the selling dentist were to implement staff contracts before closing, it’s usually not a practical option. You can protect your investment by obtaining wise legal advice to explore other methods of coming to agreement. Purchasing the right practice can be a daunting endeavour filled with endless concerns, but only if you choose to proceed with a DIY mindset! With a trusted advisory team on your side, your biggest investment can prove to be the best decision you could make. Just like when you buy a house, you can work with a team of professionals to guide you every step of the way. There are pros who specialize in the purchase and sale of dental practices. By reading this article, you are taking a great first step! OH oralhealthgroup.com

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WORK-LIFE

BALANCE UCHE ODIATU, DMD;

MAHSA BAKHSHANDEH, RDH

The demands of student life are intense. Professionals programs like law, medicine, dentistry and dental hygiene require the devotion of a Tibetan monk, the physical endurance of NFL gladiator Tom Brady, the toughness of Serena Williams and the mental acuity of business titan Jeff Bezos. Deadlines, projects and requirements dig deep into the reserves of the most dedicated student; however right when you think you have it all together personal life challenges rear their heads like Medusa. We have put together a student survival guide for entry into the dental industry world. There’s no turning back now and this is why you must choose to accept our 5-part plan so you will not only survive this journey but thrive when you graduate.

Develop your physical body like an athlete. Most people

think of getting in shape as all about the beach, the selfie or the high school reunion. However the latest science has shown that being physically fit is as important for your brain as your Instagram posts. You see your brain is an oxygen hog. Your 100,000,000,000 neurons might only weight 3lb but they demand 25% of the incoming oxygen you suck in with each breath. It’s your number one human need… oxygenated blood. Without a constant supply through your internal carotid artery and left vertebral artery your brain will

Uche Odiatu DMD @fitspeakers on Instagram is a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine; NSCA Certified Personal Trainer; practicing dentist and has given over 500 lectures in seven countries over the past 16 years. Mahsa Bakhshandeh RDH @tooth_boss on Instagram is a private practice hygienist. Certified Meditation Workshop Facilitator; published author; Zumba instructor; global traveller and social influencer.

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gas out not only during your final exams but while you are waiting for a clinical instructor to sign off on your treatment plan. How much exercise do you need to do to keep your heart, lungs, brain and muscles happy? Not as much as you think. Consistency is more important than all out herculean efforts every January 1st. A single exercise was shown in one well done study at the University of Maryland to reduce the symptoms of anxiety in a single session in a group of young adults.1 What do psychiatrists say? “I want to cement the idea that exercise has a profound effect on cognitive ability and mental health. It is simply the best treatment we have for most psychiatric problems” reports, John Ratey MD Harvard medical school professor.2 The fastest way to get in shape is interval training. It isn’t new. It’s been around since 1959 but only for high end athletes. Exercise physiologists like Martin Gibala PhD have helped make it more mainstream available and understandable.3 But in a nutshell, exercise scientists have recommended that short bursts of increased intensity peppered throughout your exercise session is better for building muscle and endurance than old school steady state exercise. So don’t let the I don’t have time excuse seduce you. A few minutes of HIIT peppered throughout the day (ie: running stairs during a coffee break) as exercise snacks can stoke the fires of your metabolism and boost your aerobic power.

Get to bed on time and stay there. If there was

any time to develop good habits is when you are a student. You see sleep researchers Matthew Walker PhD out of Berkeley have shown that when college kids burn the candle at both ends in the name of getting into the professional program of their choice or to cram for exams, they are abusing their nervous systems and forging bad sleep patterns.4 Very few people can truly thrive on less than 4 hours sleep at night. Unless you have the ADRB1 gene, most people do best on seven to nine hours a night. It is the darkest hours where our newly received knowledge from class travel from the hippocampus to the frontal executive functioning brain. It is during REM sleep that we process emotion and soothe our souls from the angst of the competition and stress

of daily student life. Without good nightly slumber the entire body/brain begins to crumble. Little injuries do not heal, chronic inflammatory conditions fester, memory falters, we become irritating to be around and our long term goals get sabotaged.

Let your food balance your life. Nutritious food has a

powerful influence on mood. We can eat for peace and happiness or frustration and anxiety. Here’s a neat fact. The higher your consumption of fresh produce like vegetables the lower your risk of depression. By as much as 60%! This is powerful. In Michael Greger MD book How Not to Die he reports on the journal Neuroscience where people who are depressed have more of the enzyme that burns up key messengers that help our 100 billion neurons communicate with each other.5 It looks like most vegetables contain the phytonutrients that inhibit the destructive chemical messengers in the brain that support depression. Persians love the spice saffron. In the journal Ethnopharmacol it showed that saffron worked as well as a popular anti-depressant to treat mild to moderate depression. Isn’t this great news? Most of us reach for the ice cream or apple pie when feeling down? Why not add some of this tasty spice during cooking? Gastroenterologists have shown that comfort foods do work to douse the effects of cortisol in our bodies but over time they increase the odds of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Chill out and enjoy more fulfillment and happiness.

In 1946 The World Health Organization referred to health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Daniel Goldman in his groundbreaking book Emotional Intelligence wrote that the amygdala is the primitive part of the brain that we engage when we are angry or frustrated.6 Whenever the amygdala is aroused no new learning or creative thought takes place. We simply charge through primitive attack emotional pathways. In order to bring about more life balance it is a great idea to have activities that calm the oralhealthgroup.com

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amygdala like deep breathing and conversations with close friends who soothe our pre-historic reptilian brain. Another strategy for emotionally charged disagreements that happen between friends or co-workers is to seek out a neutral party to facilitate and reconcile to arrive at some common ground. Otherwise simmering resentment can wreak havoc on our peace of mind and ability to enjoy work life but also our personal lives.

Spend more time with people who bring out the best in you. Human beings have

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an instinct to run in packs and the opportunity of physical connection is lacking in our virtual age. Our limbic brain tells us we need to be committed to a group and bond with others.7 One way this world – both professional and personal gets a little less lonely is by our ability to spend time with people who bring out the best in us. Author and business management guru Jim Rohn said we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Takeaway – if we want more life balance, we need to make sure our friendship or collegial circle has a balance of entrepreneurial success as well as social-spiritual successes. Life coaches or mentors are people who can provide us with guidance when we can’t find our way. Veteran dental professionals who have taken the slings and arrows of outrageous events can shed light on areas of our lives when we are lost. So instead of being wise old men and women we can learn through other people’s experiences and be wise while we are young. It was our desire to share some out of the box ways to gain more balance and peace of mind in your busy preprofessional world. We challenge you to try one or two of our strategies in the next few weeks. Congratulations on your career choice. OH 1. Smith JC. Effects of Emotional Exposure on State Anxiety after Acute Exercise 2. Ratey J., Spark © 2007 3. Gibala M. The One Minute Workout © 2017

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TH THE STU ST U D ENT ISSU E ISS

TECHNOLOGY Beyond the Classroom

As founder and CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry’s leading incubator and accelerator, I am exposed to new technologies and brilliant entrepreneurs on a routine basis. As founder of the annual Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards – now in its 12th year – my team and I spend an entire year searching to find dentistry’s leading technologies. With those two points of perspective, I can say with confidence that as you prepare to enter the dental community as a new pro-

vider, there is so much around both hardware and software to be excited about, innovations that will surely benefit your practice and patients. When Oral Health asked me to write this article, I jumped at the chance, eager to leave you awed and maybe even a little inspired. We’ll discuss the entry of artificial intelligence, machine learning, nanoparticle technology, and anti-microbials into daily practice. I will also discuss legacy technologies that are considered must-haves in establishing the ideal practice. Let’s begin.

LOU SHUMAN, DMD, CAGS

Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, is the CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry’s leading corporate incubator and accelerator. He is a venturer in-residence at Harvard’s i-Lab, chairman of the technology advisory board at WEO Media, a member of the Oral Healthadvisory board, and founder of the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards.

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TH E ST U DE N T I SS U E MMG Fusion ChairFill | mmgfusion.com

Simplifeye Amplify | simplifeye.com

Imagine a machine learning software solution that, when you push a button, searches all your electronic records, finding all the most profitable dentistry in those records that have not yet been performed. It communicates with those patients through text, email, and video, then sets up the appointments— all with no staff involvement! MMG Fusion does so much more than Chairfill. It literally manages, markets, and grows your practice. Ava, your virtual assistant, provides your team assignments from the information it gains from MMG Fusion and then follows up until completed. This is artificial intelligence delivering tangible benefits for your practice.

Potential patients arrive at your website. They are met by a live greeter who is available 24/7, which is critical, since you aren’t actively monitoring your website at all times. The live greeter, depending on your needs, can speak up to seven different languages. As the prospective patient is chatting with the greeter, an artificial intelligence engine is “listening” to the prospective patient and with its “memory”—that has digested hundreds of thousands of conversations, guides the chatter to provide the right responses to maximize the opportunity to convert the potential patient into your practice. The greeter also can make a direct appointment in your appointment book. This service and technology is called Amplify and is one of many groundbreaking technologies by Simplifeye.

Infinix by Nobio | infinix.com One of the greatest challenges in clinical dentistry is placing posterior composite restorations. Though esthetically pleasing, the rate of secondary caries is significant. It can sometimes occur to a point where the patient considers it operator error instead of material failure. Enter Nobio, a company based in Israel, and its Infinix line of products launching later this year. Infinix is an antimicrobial nanoparticle that received FDA 510k approval as an anti-caries agent. It is a true game-changer, clinical proven to prevent secondary caries. Unheard of, but true! It will be able to destroy all decay pathogens at the tooth composite surface and interface and it does not have a shelf life. It will maintain that anti-caries barrier indefinitely, and this is just the beginning! Imagine the possibilities: integrated into implants, cements, clear aligners and more. The possibilities are endless. Greenmark Bio LumiCare | greenmarkbio.com Imagine providing hygiene patients with a special nanoparticle solution they swish and then, with a curing light, luminesces the patient’s enamel decay!!! In the near future, that patient will be provided a take-home rinse that will remineralize the enamel decay back to its original state! One of the challenges practitioners have with young patients in braces is poor hygiene and the impact white spots (ie decalcification) presents. Imagine that these brilliant scientists at Greenmark Bio are working on a similar remineralization solution that can help the white spots remineralize back to a virgin state! I encourage you to check out their website and learn more about the science behind the product. 22

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SmartMirror | Smartmirror.dental Imagine a dental mirror illuminated with 36 LEDs, providing unprecedented intraoral visibility and so much more. The SmartMirror connects to your computer via WiFi and has a video camera that can be displayed live on-screen to allow patients to be educated about their needs! It also has an integrated microphone that allows dictation to be captured along with a video feed! SmartMirror looks to completely disrupt the dental mirror market and you can see why. BienAir iOptima | dental.bienair.com The handpiece is the most important club in your bag. There is a family company in Switzerland that has been making handpieces in the “Watch Valley” for generations. Their handpieces are unparalleled in quality and precision. The company’s iOptima system has won the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award for seven straight years – a near impossible achievement. iOptima enables you with one handpiece to perform all your dental operations-restorations, endodontics, implantology, and scaling. It is all controlled by an included iPod touch or an iPad mini. Nothing out there comes close. Its electric handpieces are known to be quieter, cooler, and more efficient, while offering consistent torque. The handpiece is created with safety benefits that pre-dated COVID concerns, but make it indispensable now, such as less aerosol – in some cases, no aerosol – anti-retraction valves and more.

THE STU D ENT ISSU E Tokuyama Dental OMNICHROMA | omnichroma.com Tokuyama Dental’s OMNICHROMA is the first universal composite that matches every patient’s tooth shade – from A1 to D4 – with a single shade of composite! Its innovative technology utilizes structural color to match every tooth shade. Its 260 nanometer fillers are the precise shape and size necessary to generate red to yellow structural color with the reflected color of the patient’s surrounding dentition. This results in a perfect match with no added dyes or pigments. Carestream Dental CS 9600 | carestreamdental.com The time will come when you need to make the big purchase: a CBCT System. The panel that votes for the Best of Class Technology awards feels a special responsibility in choosing a true differentiator in this category, if there is one…and there is: The Carestream CS 9600. The 9600CBCT system is a highly intelligent piece of

Michael Kutner

technology. Intuitive features give the 5-in-1 system the capability to deliver exceptional image quality for more precise diagnoses while maintaining ease of use and patient comfort. It combines 2D panoramic technology, CBCT imaging, 3D model/impression scanning and 3D facial scanning, along with optional cephalometric imaging. This machine provides so many clinical needs that it will easily become a critical addition to a modern practice. These eight technologies are redefining “state-of-theart” for our profession. I hope I have piqued your curiosity about these products, each a true gamechanger. Technologies like these and others will ultimately bring great benefit to you, your professional future, and the patients who will look to you to improve the quality of their lives. If you would like to continue to learn about new technologies in dentistry I have a monthly column in Oral Health called “The Last Word on Technology,” which literally is the last page of the issue every month. Welcome to the family, be well, and be safe. OH

a boutique law firm servicing dental professionals since 1974 • Dental Practice Sales and Purchases • Incorporation of dentistry professional corporations • Estate planning for dentists

Mitchell Wong

• Associate, shareholder, partnership and cost sharing agreements • Lease and real estate transactions.

www.kutnerlaw.ca | 905 479 2524 Howard Kutner

50 Acadia Ave., Suite 307, Markham, Ontario L3R 0B3

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There Is no“I” in Marketing 5 marketing rules to help patients find you DAVID DARAB, DDS, MS, MBA

As the CEO of your practice, you will have a multitude of clinical and business decisions to make daily; one of those is marketing. As your own Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), you need to understand the “nuts and bolts” of marketing and how they interrelate to attract a customer. You will likely outsource the technical details of your marketing, such as website development, search engine optimization (SEO), along with content creation. However, as the one in charge, you must provide clear direction and monitor

the results of your efforts. The good news is that there is no one right marketing solution; your marketing must be fluid and capable of changing with your practice goals.

RULE 1 Marketing has everything to do with your customer and nothing to do with you, sorry. We are inundated with marketing messages constantly. These messages influence the foods you eat, the cars you buy, the clothes

David Darab, DDS, MS, MBA, speaks business, helping bridge the gap between Clinical Practice and Business Insight. He hangs out at the corner of Information and Action. Strategy, Tactics, Financial Insights, and helping Dentists get UnStuck are his passions. He serves as the Director of Dental Practice Strategies for OmniStar Financial Group headquartered in Wilmington, NC. You can reach him at ddarab@omnistarfinancial.com.

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Strategy is a “thought” process; it supports your long-term vision and goals. A strategy gives you a path forward to achieving your mission and helps in your decision-making process. Outlining your strategy is hard work; it takes time and effort to get right. you wear, the devices you carry, the computer on your lap, and the schools you attend. In the past, marketing was expensive and done by a few large agencies with a great deal of care, planning, and precision. Today, marketing is cheap and plentiful. It can be done from your phone by anyone anywhere, anytime. Because of this, it can be noisy, loud, disruptive, annoying, and off-target, making it ineffective and frustrating for business owners trying to use it and potential customers consuming it. Many media platforms that can deliver your marketing messages; newspapers, newsletters, yearbooks, church bulletins, athletic programs, direct mail, billboards, radio, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google, LinkedIn, and word-of-mouth. Even your Servicescape, the location of your practice, your office design, and layout broadcast your Marketing Message. With so many choices, how can you determine where to direct your limited marketing budget? How do you find a way to market “for” your patients and not “at” them? It all starts with strategy.

RULE 2 Strategy before tactics, always. There’s confusion between tactics and strategy. Today these words are used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Understanding the distinction between strategy and tactics is critical and will serve you well as your practice grows through the years. Strategy is a “thought” process; it supports your longterm vision and goals. A strategy gives you a path forward to achieving your mission and helps in your decisionmaking process. Outlining your strategy is hard work; it takes time and effort to get right. It cannot be delegated to others since so much flows from it that affects your business. The good news is that Strategy is for the long term, not quickly or easily changed. Tactics, in contrast, are ACTionable (tACTics), short-lived, and TArgeted (TActics). Tactics are TAngible (TActics), the things our customers interACT (tACTics) with, and see. Good tactics have a purpose that supports your strategy. Tactics should be easily measured and tracked and pivoted when adjustments are needed. If a tactic fails, it can be discontinued, but it does

not mean your strategy is flawed. Let’s consider an analogy, sailing. Your strategy is to reach a destination. Sailboats have two directional levers to control, a rudder and sails. The wind is a perfect analogy for market forces that frequently change direction. To reach your destination (strategy) requires you to chart a course and then change your sails and rudder (tactics) to achieve your result. If the wind changes direction, you will need to adjust your rudder and sails to alter course (change tactics) but not change your destination (your strategy). Conversely, one does not set sail and randomly adjust the rudder and sails, or you will never reach the intended destination.

RULE 3 Know the ideal patient you wish to attract to your practice. With an understanding of strategy and tactics now, let’s get marketing. When you have identified your ideal patient, you can begin to build a marketing strategy to attract them to your practice. The four “Ws” can help guide you. They are; who, what, where, and why. WHO are they? Are they retired? Are they parents? Are they school age? Teenagers? Who do they identify with? Who are their role models? Are they frequent or infrequent visitors to the dentist? Do they work outside the home? WHAT do they want? What services do they desire? Do they want dentures or implants? What services are missing in the market? What are they reading online and offline? What are your competitors doing and saying? Do they want to use dental insurance? WHERE are they? Where do they hang out? Are they on Facebook? YouTube? Online? In the carpool line? The soccer or sports fields? In the band? The PTA? Do they work in or outside the home? WHY you? Why your practice? Why should somebody use your services or hire you? Why are you their best choice for a dentist? oralhealthgroup.com

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they need without scrolling or searching. It must be SEO optimized so search engines can find and rank you.

Now that you have your ideal patient, it’s time to find a way to attract this group of individuals to your practice. It is tempting to copy what others are doing or use generic marketing services and platforms to deliver and broadcast your message. The shortfall with that tactic is that you appear like every other dental practice. The best way to target your ideal client is to develop a Unique Selling Proposition or Unique Value Proposition. Interviewing your best patients for their insight as to why they chose you is a great way to begin. Think of how you treat patients that are unique and special. What are your special skills or training that differentiates you from other dentists in your area? What unique capabilities or technologies do you have to enhance your patient’s care and treatment experience? Do you have special or extended hours that meet the needs of busy executives or moms?

RULE 5 You can’t be all things to all people. Just as important is knowing who may not be a good fit for your practice. Compatibility, or lack thereof, can relate to your expertise, interests, patient age, insurance and payment options, and even your personality, to name but a few. A mismatch here will only lead to a disappointed patient and a frustrated team. Now that you have formulated a marketing strategy, you will be less likely to waste time and money. You will know better if you are going off track too. More importantly, you will have a precise direction for the marketing services you will outsource; website, content, social media, along with advertising. A clear path prevents each of these experts from pulling your business in a different direction. Remember, you are your CEO and in charge at all times.

YOUR MARKETING MIX So, we have talked about a lot, but what does a marketing mix for a practice look like?

It all starts with your website, that is your marketing home base. It should be visually appealing and engaging. It must be easy for visitors to find the information

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Create unique content that educates and informs. This includes blog posts, articles, brochures, and white papers, which can be re-purposed and used over all of your media channels. Unique content helps your SEO, too, by raising your search rankings. Google knows what’s original and what’s not.

Establish a presence on social media platforms; Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn. These sites have built-in menu-driven ad campaign sites that allow you to customize ads, set daily budgets, and target selected demographics by location, age, sex, and interests. This is a great place to start using and experimenting with your newfound marketing knowledge.

Encourage your patients to leave reviews on Facebook and Google. You need a minimum of 60 reviews per site to boost your ratings.

Empower word-of-mouth marketing by your existing patients. Ask for a referral! Remind your patients that you always have room in your practice for their family, friends, and co-workers. Together, these strategies can help bring patients to your practice, but it’s important to remember that marketing will not keep them there. Once patients arrive, it’s up to you and your team to deliver exceptional service and clinical care to keep them coming back and sending others. The ultimate compliment your practice can receive is the referral of friends, family, and co-workers.

LET’S GET STARTED It’s ok to be uncertain about how to start your marketing. You can begin a small campaign without breaking the bank. Always keep your target audience in mind at every step. There are numerous platforms, channels, and marketing techniques you can try. Remember, there is no “right” way, no “canned” approach that works for everyone. You will never see results if you never start. So, what are you waiting for? Get started, be creative, trust your instincts, seek feedback, and have fun! OH

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careers@dentalcorp.ca dentalcorp.ca/careers

THE STU DE N T I SS U E

MUST-HAVE TECHNOLOGY IN A DENTAL CLINIC: 2021 EDITION ALEX ZLATIN

If there is anything that life has taught me, it is that there is a price to pay for everything that you do. The use of technology is no different. Tech advancement is usually created out of a need or a pain that is being addressed. As such, it is positioned to address those. However, as you know, in life you cannot

get anything without sacrificing something else. In the case of technology, you will be sacrificing both time and money. Time to learn the technology and its application and money to purchase the rights to use it ahead of your counterparts. This short article aims to put this sensitive balance in perspective

Alex Zlatin is the CEO of dental practice management software company Maxim Software Systems (MaxiDent). He helps dental professionals take control and reach the next level of success with responsible leadership strategies. He leverages his experience in “Responsible Dental Ownership – Balancing Ethics and Business Through Purpose”, a detailed guide providing practical tools and a unique, proven approach to running a successful dental practice. Websites – Maxidentsoftware.com; officemanagers.ca; alexzlatin.com 28

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THE STU D ENT ISSU E

The key is to remember that technology must enable your vision and purpose for your patients and not the other way around. The most important aspect of technology adoption is the understanding of the value received versus the price paid for the service. and help you determine which technologies fit who you want to be as a dentist. Considering the fallout of the COVID pandemic that is running rampant throughout the world, you have probably been exposed to hundreds of tech solutions that are being pushed with an increased sense of urgency. Having said that, the key is to remember that technology must enable your vision and purpose for your patients and not the other way around. The most important aspect of technology adoption is the understanding of the value received versus the price paid for the service. I am sure you understand that your ability to use the latest technology requires you to not only accept the cost of it, but to also ensure that you and your team are properly trained in using the new technology. It is imperative that you understand the benefits of pivotal technology and build it into your clinic plan. As we dive into the 3 main technologies to take advantage of in 2021, I will rate each with the 3 parameters you should use to assess technology: Sustainability, Value, Cost.

vicinity who are planning and implementing strategies to win over these patients through education. As the cheapest technology piece in this article, I can confidently say that the long-term benefits of having it outweigh the cost of both the system and the training required. In time, digital impression will become a standard of practice. Until then, you have the option of leveraging it towards building a strong patient base with patient comfort at the forefront. The cost is anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000. Looking ahead to 5-10 years in the future, this might not be a sustainable advantage, but I’ll leave you with this thought: Imagine how many patients you can win over with a less invasive procedure (no gagging), until it is widely available in your neighbourhood?

Digital Impressions Traditional impressions have been one of the most obnoxious activities a patient can have in a dental clinic. A patient cannot have a positive experience in a clinic, if the impression material is sliding down their throat. Now that you had this unpleasant feeling, I urge you to join the “digital dentistry” movement and ensure that you are working in a clinic that offers digital impressions and is incorporating digital tools to remove awkward experiences for patients. On a personal note, I have recently switched clinics. Not because they were performing bad dentistry, but because they were not using the most advanced tools to ensure my comfort. If no one is going to educate patients in your vicinity, you will be safe. However, I can guarantee that there are passionate and driven dentists in your

Alex’s rate of the 3 parameters (0-10): Sustainability – 3 Value – 9 Cost – 8

Laser –Minimally Invasive Dentistry Minimally invasive dentistry (using a laser) has been around for quite a while now. The composers of this technology have failed to penetrate the market to the point of laser use becoming mainstream. Without getting into the politics of why that is, I’d like to urge you to explore this technology. The ability to treat conditions in a minimally invasive way with tools that are better than your metal instrument is another option you can offer your patients for conditions you traditionally just “watch”. Considering that there are two main types of laser (soft and hard tissue), it is imperative you leverage industry training to ensure you profoundly understand this technology ahead of making it a unique provisioned service in your clinic. The versatility of laser technology in the treatment of a myriad of conditions is enough of an incentive to make it oralhealthgroup.com

TH E ST U DE N T I SS U E

As a clinical professional, you are being challenged to have the most advanced tools to treat the patients under your “umbrella”. In today’s world, you are expected to use modern tools and research to provide multiple options of treatment and possible outcomes. attractive to any young dentist in today’s industry. As mentioned above, there are both soft and hard tissue lasers, which are grouped by their frequency. As you consider this technology, it is imperative you select the right vendor and the appropriate type of laser and education. This path requires a substantial investment as laser technology rapidly changes, but you can compensate for it by providing a wider array of services to your patients. Alex’s rate of the 3 parameters (0-10): Sustainability – 8 Value – 9 Cost – 2

Digital Records It still catches me by surprise when dentists tell me they are using a paper chart. Perhaps it is because I run a software company that specializes in dental electronic records. Unfortunately, there are (too) many clinics that are still using paper charts for record keeping. After using a paper chart for over 20 years, electronic charts will be quick and efficient to document the patient’s needs. Having said that, the management and administration of recommended treatment through paper charts is a complete disaster. If you are still reading, you agree that maintaining digital records is the way to go. Although this is true, and although colleges create a strict and clear outline of how records should be kept in a digital form, looking at the reality of record keeping, it appears that much is left to interpretation. There are two main aspects of bringing your records into the digital realm:

a. Digital X-Rays – There is much research out there

with regards to digital radiations. Even if you prefer to take additional images, it will expose the patient to less radiation versus traditional x-ray equipment. The ability to have more angles of x-ray, while not exposing

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the patient to additional radiation, increases the probability rate of the acceptance and success of the proposed treatment. On top of digital x-rays, it is important to mention intra-oral images and fluorescent light images. Using these tools, you are better equipped to help patients with prevention of dental conditions. b. Digital Charts – Let’s face it, you are looking for a quick

way to document what you must so that you are able to continue caring for the patient. The problem is that the paper never translates into a database that easily. There is a substantial amount of manual entry by the existing administration team. Once you have transformed the information into digital patient files, you are able to continue and leverage the digital platform to create the appropriate treatment plan for the individual in question. Alex’s rate of the three parameters: Sustainability – 9 Value – 7 Cost – 6

Technology is expanding at an unprecedented pace. In these times of uncertainty, you want to ensure you have all the tools at your disposal to maximize the treatment options for you patients. But, what does this mean? In essence, as a clinical professional you are being challenged to have the most advanced tools to treat the patients under your “umbrella”. In today’s world, you are expected to use modern tools and research to provide multiple options of treatment and possible outcomes. Beyond the Hippocratic Oath, you have both the responsibility and the power to support patients, through education, towards the most optimal treatment for their condition. The optimal treatments are often limited by the tools you have at your disposal, including the education you possess and experience you have accumulated throughout the years. I strongly recommend that you spend the remainder of your clinician professional lifespan in increasing the patients’ options for treatment and preventative strategies – this will return to you in flavors of trust, continuous business and community assistance. OH

SCHOOL PROFILE:

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: University of British Columbia, Faculty of Dentistry DMD and Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHDP) GRADUATE PROGRAMS Craniofacial Science Master of Public Health with Diploma in Dental Public Health CLINICAL SPECIALTY GRADUATE PROGRAMS Endodontics Orthodontics Pediatric Dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS General Practice Residency Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Residency Program LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada YEAR ESTABLISHED: DHDP Entry-to-Practice (ETP) option (2007) and DgreeCompletion (DC) option (1992) DMD (1964)

STUDENT BODY POPULATION: DHDP: 94 (ETP), DC (68); DMD: 226 STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM: Our Summer Student Practitioner Program (SSPP), which is a unique opportunity for our students to not only enhance their clinical skills, but also experience the day-to-day working environment of dental practice.

UBCDENTISTRY

www.dentistry.ubc.ca

The lesson you want students to take away with them: • Use sound evidence to inform your decision making • Put your patients’ needs first • Be socially responsible citizens What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: Our graduates are well-trained, clinically competent, patient-centred oral health professionals who are ready to assume many roles (clinician, advanced learner, researcher, colleague, community leader). What will students remember most about the program: That the UBC Dentistry faculty and staff were focused on creating a safe, supportive environment that allowed them to learn and thrive. Furthermore, their classmates will be friends and colleagues for many years to come, as part of our proud alumni family. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? To advance oral health through outstanding education, research, and community engagement. Additionally, we wish to prepare our graduates for diverse professional roles in society that include clinical practice, public health, and academia (education and research). How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? We help prepare students by: 1. Integrating digital technology to ensure our graduates are current with emerging technological advancements. 2. Helping them develop critical thinking skills and demonstrating the importance of lifelong learning. 3. Engaging with community partners through

UBC Vancouver is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

extended placements to better understand the diverse needs of vulnerable populations and access to dental care issues. 4. Providing curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to participate in research activities as well as local, national, and international service-learning programs.

What do you see as the future for dental school education? We believe the future of dental school education will include the following: a hybrid/blended curriculum with enhanced integration of online learning modalities, distance learning/clinical placements, digital dentistry and tele-dentistry, interprofessional education in practice, and inter-institutional education (online models).

oralhealthgroup.com

SCHOOL PROFILE:

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY, DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University LOCATION: Halifax, Nova Scotia YEAR ESTABLISHED: Originally inaugurated as the Maritime Dental College in 1908 and merged into Dalhousie University in 1912 STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR DDS1 - 40 DDS2 – 48 DDS3 - 48 DDS4 – 48 DDH1 – 30 DDH2 – 30 BDH – up to 15 WE ALSO HAVE PLACES FOR: 3 x GPR residents 2 x paediatric GPR residents 6 x Doctor of Medicine/MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery students 6 x Master of Periodontics students STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS: Our courses give students hands-on experiences beginning in the first week of their program and early experience with patients in our clinic.

TWITTER @DALDENTISTRY LINKEDIN DALDENTISTRY

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DALDENTISTRY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DALDENTISTRYALUMNI

www.dal.ca/dentistry

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The lesson you want students to take away with them: In addition to having up-to-date knowledge and excellent clinical skills, we want our students to be compassionate professionals who give back to their communities and those in need. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: Our students go out into the real world after graduation well-trained in core skills and with a wealth of experience gained not only in our Faculty dental clinic, but in a wide range of outreach clinics that expose them to working with children, new immigrants, and those from underserved communities. What will students remember most about the program: Alumni often say that the Prosthodontic Olympics remains one of their most vivid memories. This lively competition helps second-year dentistry students to become faster and better at key skills and is also great fun. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? Our vision is to promote integrity, competence, and compassion while providing evidence-based, ethical oral health care to all populations, in collaboration with other health professionals. How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? Our group practice model brings together dentistry and dental hygiene students, faculty, and dental assistants to care for patients in a collaborative, ‘real life’ practice setting. It’s a cooperative way of teaching and learning that prepares students well for working in a professional practice. Our clinic underwent a major renovation, which was completed in 2018. Our students work in a modern clinic environment with all the latest

equipment, which also helps to prepare them for future practice.

What do you see as the future for dental school education? Dalhousie’s Faculty of Dentistry is investing in digital equipment that will make treatments and processes faster and more efficient and enhance student learning. Digital dentistry is also environmentally friendly, requiring fewer disposable materials than traditional techniques. Professional practices are beginning to invest in digital technology and the National Dental Education Board will hold fully digital exams in the near future. It is important that students be well prepared for this new world of dentistry.

SCHOOL PROFILE:

FACULTÉ DE MÉDECINE DENTAIRE DE L’UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: Faculté de médecine dentaire de l’Université Laval LOCATION: Québec City YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1972 STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH): 50 for each year STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS: Only French speaking dental program east of Montreal in Canada. Every third and fourth years student has his own clinical space for the whole year. Fully renovated installations in 2021, after a 5 years complete renovation program. Specialty programs in Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and GPR program.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FMD.ULAVAL

The lesson you want students to take away with them: Engagement towards a very professional approach, the patients’ needs and wellness before any other consideration and a particular sensitivity regarding access to oral health for all. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: A lot of practical experience with a very large population. Communication skills with the patients, but also with other oral health professionals and partners. A strong sense of their role in a total health approach combined with a multi-disciplinary knowledge that includes a profound respect for others’ expertise. What will students remember most about the program: A close-knit community who supports everyone in its good and bad days! Very accessible professors with a real interest in the students’ development. Dedicated, experienced and caring supporting staff totally involved in their success. Four years of high expectations and very busy weeks, but well-invested time and efforts towards a profession that brings very satisfying accomplishment. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? Deeply engaged in our community, our mission is to train highly qualified oral health care professionals to be conscious of their social responsibility and to share their knowledge with all populations. The Faculty plays an important role in developing knowledge in oral health with a balanced fundamental and applied research program. It is also actively engaged in promoting oral health for all.

How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? By staying up to date with new technologies, by working closely with the oral health care industry in testing, improving and implementing the best strategies to facilitate better patient outcomes. We also strongly promote a lifelong learner approach by offering a vast and complete continuing education program. Combining an online and hands-on offer to all dentists in Quebec, we keep an open discussion with professionals about their needs regarding CE and continuously adapt our programs to the rapidly changing world of dentistry.

www.fmd.ulaval.ca/

oralhealthgroup.com

SCHOOL PROFILE:

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: University of Alberta, School of Dentistry LOCATION: Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA University of Alberta YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1917 STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH): Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) has four classes, each class has 32 Advanced Placement Program has 16 students each year Dental Hygiene Degree Program has 42 Graduate Students - 69 STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS: Dentistry and Dental Hygiene

The lesson you want students to take away with them: To engage in a course of action that explicitly responds to and serves the oral health care needs of Alberta. To be leaders in the communities they serve, to guide positive change, and to provide quality patient care in a professional and ethical manner. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: Students gain the essential skills to work successfully in a complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing world. They also learn that giving back to their communities by serving vulnerable populations is essential in their role as healthcare providers. What will students remember most about the program: Students often remember and are very fond of their outreach rotations at our satellite locations, their dental missions, and the amount of clinical experiences they receive throughout their program. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? Improving the health of the people of Alberta and beyond through leadership in oral health care, education, research/scholarship and providing service that is responsive to societal needs.

#UALBERTADENT

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UALBERTADENTISTRY

www.ualberta.ca/school-of-dentistry

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How are you helping the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? The School of Dentistry has the fundamental role in preparing dentists, dental hygienists, dental specialists and oral health researchers who are integral to the overall health care delivery system. Practitioners must be prepared to gather, interpret and assimilate new knowledge and apply it appropriately to meet the oral health care needs of an increasingly diverse population. The School of Dentistry has a responsibility to de-

liver undergraduate, post-graduate and graduate education, which prepares students to meet the challenges of rapid knowledge and technology advancements, changing demographics, shifting oral health priorities and globalization.

What do you see as the future for dental school education? To implement effective active learning strategies to keep students engaged while learning their didactic portion of the program remotely. To pair up theory with practical, hands on experience and to further integrate medicine with dentistry so there is a true interdisciplinary approach.

SCHOOL PROFILE:

MCGILL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: McGill University Faculty of Dentistry LOCATION: Montreal, Quebec, Canada YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1894 STUDENT BODY POPULATION: 245 (40 students in each undergraduate class) STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM: Our 4-year Undergraduate Dental Program (DMD) curriculum is innovative and constantly evolving, reflecting the vision and mission of our Faculty and its outstanding academics and staff for training the next generation of leaders in oral health care. A unique feature of the program is that our students begin their journey with 18 months learning the fundamentals of health sciences in the Faculty of Medicine followed by 2.5 years of didactic courses, hands-on clinical training in state-of-the-art facilities as well as community and outreach activities which results in graduates that are exceptionally competent, professional, success-oriented and socially-aware dentists.

@MCGILLDENTISTRY

mcgill.ca/dentistry

The lesson you want students to take away with them We would like that our alumni be empathetic oral health leaders and compassionate lifelong learners who make a difference in the world, and collaborate in building a healthier future for all. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation McGill dentistry students are taught to constantly seek excellence and drive innovation in craniofacial and dental health sciences with a lifelong dedication to learning. Our graduates interact actively with oral health care organizations and decision makers, advocate for oral health and contribute largely to their profession by sharing their knowledge, expertise and resources via various vehicles and activities. What will students remember most about the program? McGill faculty of Dentistry is a place where students create strong ties with their peers, mentors and different communities. Our network is a close-knit family of students, professors, and alumni – all lifelong colleagues pursuing excellence in the dental profession. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? Education, research, and community services: the McGill University Faculty of Dentistry is unique in successfully integrating these three core pillars into its remarkable curriculum. A curriculum that highlights equity, diversity and inclusion, which takes a holistic approach in patient-centered care, empowers interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration, invests in digital end e-oral health care and education, masters evidence-based dentistry and translational research, encourages curious minds and out-ofthe-box thinking by active research training and inspires students to serve the community through

local connections and global outreach. Made by McGill is our signature: we lead and we deliver transformative impact to improve the health and well-being of our global population.

oralhealthgroup.com

SCHOOL PROFILE:

COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), CDA (Certificate in Dental Assisting), BSc Dent (Bachelor of Science in Dentistry), PhD Precision Oral and Systemic Health, IDDP (International Dental Degree Program LOCATION: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1965 STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY PROGRAM 133 DMD students 10 IDDP students 40 DA students 2 Oral Oncology Fellowship students 7 potential PhD students STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM: The USask College of Dentistry is unique in at least four aspects. First, USask dental students get a higher amount of clinical experience in the complex areas of dentistry such as endodontics, crowns and bridges, than is usually available in dental schools. Second, the DMD and CDA programs have a unique approach where all clinics are integrated and interdisciplinary. The students learn to work in a team environment and develop 4-handed dentistry skills to prepare them for private practice after graduation. Third, the students learn social-responsibility as dentists through six-weeks of clinical care in community settings. Finally, the PhD program is the only dedicated program where students are able to integrate oral with systemic health and social aspects.

USASK_DENTISTRY

dentistry.usask.ca

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The lesson you want students to take away with them: Students graduate from the programs with an appreciation for clinical skills they have learned, but they also develop soft skills and respect for the profession that contributes to positive relationships with colleagues and exceptional patient care. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: Due to the college’s interdisciplinary approach, USask graduates are skilled in working within teams and can lead the profession with a high standard of care upon graduation. What will students remember most about the program: Alumni of the college repeatedly comment on the quality of instruction they received. The faculty and staff encourage students to look past the hard work of dental school and be excited for a future in dentistry. How would you define the mission or vision of your school? The USask College of Dentistry’s mission is to provide high quality oral health care to the people of Saskatchewan and to advance clinical and scientific knowledge through research. Its vision is to serve as a leader in dental education, research, community outreach, engagement and professional support. How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? The college maintains high standards in clinical education and also incorporate interpersonal skills and social responsibility so graduates are ready to be the future leaders of the profession. What do you see as the future for dental school education? The USask College of Dentistry believes the fu-

ture of dental education requires a shift to promote integration between basic science and clinical skills with the incorporation of interpersonal skills. Traditionally, dental education across Canada has had the sole focus on graduating dentists with competent in clinical skills, however, there was little emphasis put on interpersonal skills or knowledge of oral basic science. The College of Dentistry is committed to giving graduates a solid grasp of basic oral science, extensive clinical experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

SCHOOL PROFILE:

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY

SCHOOL/PROGRAM: University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1875 STUDENT BODY POPULATION: TOTAL: 566 (D.D.S., international dentist advanced placement program (IDAPP), and graduate students) STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM: Consistently ranked as the leading university in Canada, the University of Toronto provides an outstanding educational experience and conducts world-renowned research. The Faculty of Dentistry’s program is known for its strong academic foundation. As the only school in Canada where dental students can interact and learn from all ten dental specialty programs, the school offers students a unique advantage. Additionally, as the top research-intensive university in the country, students have the opportunity to conduct original research during their course of study, broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding of overall human health.

TWITTER.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCTNHBCZUJQA3NNTTGCVHGJW WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY/

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/299575967294555/

www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/

The lesson you want students to take away with them: Always to put the patient first. The Faculty and the UofT alumni community are here to support you after graduation. Your time at UofT Dentistry is the beginning of a journey that you will find both challenging and rewarding, but your UofT dentistry family is always here for you. What do your students offer to the profession after graduation: Uof T alumni possess the skills to continue lifelong learning, and the resulting flexibility helps our alumni weather inevitable changes to our profession. The strong academic foundation prepares them for contributions to teaching and scholarly activity, which, in turn, advances the profession. They are eager to do their best for patients and have special social bonds that bolster collaboration and collegiality in the profession. What will students remember most about the program: The countless learning opportunities and the quality of their education is balanced with a deep sense of community, collegiality and friendship. How would you define the mission and vision of your school? The Faculty shapes the future of dentistry and promotes optimal health, locally and globally, by: • Preparing the next generation of clinicians, scientists, educators and leaders in the profession • Conducting high-impact research • Establishing partnerships and networks locally, nationally and internationally to translate research knowledge into practice and policy • Promoting comprehensive and patient-centered care from disease prevention to management • Developing and supporting evidence-informed policies to advance and advocate for the needs of society We are driven by our vision to improve health by

advancing dentistry through inspired leadership, innovation, and excellence in education, research and practice.

How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow? The rigorous academic background students receive prepares our students to be the best practitioners of tomorrow. Students are exposed to scopes of practice that overlap across specialties, provide treatment for many who have difficulty accessing care, and work with a large and diverse patient population while under the supervision of an engaged and committed large cohort of clinical instructors and professors. What is the future of dental education? The future includes a more robust focus on public health and epidemiology, as well as greater emphasis on critical thinking, team management, interprofessional education and practice, and a shift towards more community-based, technologically advanced educational models.

oralhealthgroup.com

What are They Thinking?

ave you ever wondered what patients are thinking? Oral Health is thrilled to highlight some key findings from our Data Driven

Dentistry survey. Did you know social media and online activity can play a big role in your dentistry success? Here are some of our findings.

80%

of patients use social media regularly.

Top 3 social media platforms used to follow dentists.

72%

30%

23%

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

of patients would consider writing an online review if their dentist asked them to.

Top 5 criteria patients look for when searching for a dentist:

1 Online reviews

52%

of patients would consider writing an online review for a dental practice if they had a positive experience.

39%

of patients agree they want to see staff updates from their dentist on social media.

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Number Services/ Hours of years procedures of in practice offered operation

63%

5 Forms of payment

of patients agree they want to see information on new procedures or services from their dentist on social media.

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Oral Health Students Issue 2020

Articles inside

Dental School Profiles

Technology Beyond the Classroom

A Note from the Federation

Considerations When Buying

Dentistry in a Time of COVID

Times are a Changin

Work/Life Balance

How to Thrive as