september/ october 2010
J u st f o r C
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win stay a
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Vancouver at
Carmana Plaza see page 37
+ 5 tips to boost
the value of your practice meet in toronto no more impression trays! spa it in NEW MEXICO
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lakeside in
muskoka off the coast of patagonia Publications Mail Agreement #41073506
inside: Continuing dental Education Calendar where will you meet?
toronto
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mykonos
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chicago
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bermuda
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vienna
>>
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J u st f o r C
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den t i s ts life + leisure
september/october 2010
contents
september/october 2010
Editor and Art Director Barb Sligl Editorial Assistant Adam Flint
Contributors Dr. Susan Biali Timothy A. Brown Dr. Holly Fong Dr. Dilshad Hirji Tim Johnson Lesley Morris Dr. Neil Pollock Manfred Purtzki Kevin Revolinski Dr. Kelly Silverthorn Cherie Thiessen Dr. Derek Turner Corey Van’t Haaff Cover photo Elena Elisseeva Senior Account Executive Monique Mori
Sales, Classifieds and Advertising In Print Circulation Office 710 – 938 Howe St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9 Canada Phone: 604-681-1811 Fax: 604-681-0456 Email: info@AdvertisingInPrint.com
FEATURES
10 make it Muskoka Escape to Ontario’s cottage country 30 Patagonia Take a cruise to the end of the world
Associate Publisher Linh T. Huynh Production Manager Ninh Hoang CE Development Adam Flint Circulation Fulfillment Kim Lam
COLUMNS
DEPARTMENTS
14 tales from the trenches
5 September/October mix 19 CE calendar 37 sudoku + classifieds 38 side trip in New Mexico
clockwise from top left: courtesy The rosseau; kevin revolinski; Elena Elisseeva
10 30
Account Executive Teri Richardson
Just For Canadian Dentistsis published 6 times a year by In Print Publications and distributed to Canadian dentists. Publication of advertisements and any opinions expressed do not constitute endorsement or assumption of liability for any claims made. The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. None of the contents of the magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of In Print Publications. In Print Publications 710 – 938 Howe St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9 Canada
Coming to terms with early retirement
15 in the office Who’s right? 17 motoring The last decade 18 practice management Soup up your practice pre-sale
25 living well 5 ways to boost your happiness
26 techworks A magic wand
www.justforcanadiandentists.com
27 dentist unleashed
Printed in Canada.
want to reach us? check out our website!
cover photo: Escape lake side north of Toronto and discover autumn’s vivid colours.
South Africa sojourn
34 the thirsty dentist
Israel wines
35 the hungry dentist
Slow-cooked salmon
36 the wealthy dentist
Boost your bottom line September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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from the editor
refresh rejuvenate
T
he heat of summer has faded, the air is crisp with the scent of fallen leaves, and everything seems to be slowing down…the perfect season for downtime by the lake, at sea, or in the spa… Escape to the spiritual sanctuary of New Mexico’s high desert. The spa experience here is sweet (page 5 – 6). Refresh and rejuvenate amidst stunning scenery. Another kind of spectacular is found much farther south in Patagonia (page 30). The sweeping arid vistas in shades of rich, fall-like colour change to the cool palette of icy ocean and glacier-clad mountains. Or there’s South Africa…Get inspired by Dr. Derek Turner’s epic adventure (page 27), from sleek Johannesburg to cycling with rifle-armed guides past giraffes… An even farther trek: the Aussie outback (page 7), which is made accessible via the
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Great Southern Rail’s Indian Pacific train. It’s a 65-hour journey through more gorgeous scenery, punctuated by gourmet food. Much closer to home is Ontario’s beloved cottage country (page 10). Think toasty campfire, rustling red-and-yellow leaves, frosty forest, the call of the loon… it’s quintessential Canadiana and a Group of Seven painting come to life. Stay at one of Muskoka country’s luxurious lodges for the high-end version of roughing it. Or stay put and travel through a glass of wine from Israel (page 34). Pair with some slow-cooked salmon (page 35), and take some time to pay attention to you—a healthier, happier you is in order this fall (page 25). “Fatten up” a little before fall fades and winter’s hibernation is here… Barb Sligl, BA, MPub feedback@InPrintPublications.com
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
clockwise from top: kevin revolinski; ojo caliente; otmp; b. Sligl
clockwise from top Remota resort in Chile’s breathtaking Patagonia; hot-stone treatment at Ojo Caliente in New Mexico; the brew pub scene in Toronto’s Distillery District; stunning subject matter for Georgia O’Keefe at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
mix
what/when/where > september/october
style | food | shows | festivals | places | getaways | gear…
spa it! in New Mexico
getaway
clockwise from top right: ojo caliente; b. sligl (3)s
clockwise from top left Christianna Uehlein, the
chocolatier at Body of SanteFe; Theironspringpool at OjoCaliente; Christianna’s cookingclass creations— handmaderaworganicchocolatetruffles sweetened withagavenectar; luxecasita at El MonteSagrado.
Ten Thousand Waves Ten Thousand Waves is like a Japanese onsen—in the high desert of New Mexico. This spa resort, tucked onto 26 acres of mountainside just outside Santa Fe, includes a big and beautiful day spa where you can soak with regulars, and perhaps spot a celebrity (stay zen!). Or indulge in isolation within the gorgeous mix of traditional Japanese design elements and modern concrete, tile, and steel in a Shoji Private Bath. After the sauna, hot tub and cold plunge pool, take it even further with a signature treatment like the Yasuragi (“comfort”) for total relaxation. tenthousandwaves.com Body of Sante Fe In the heart of Santa Fe is this multi-faceted day spa—sample farm-to-table superfoods and “scrumptious” bio-dynamic wines at the café, learn how to create organic chocolate truffles, shop eco and sustainable fashion and homeware, catch a Kundalini yoga or Nia (mix of martial arts and dance) class, and top it all off with a full-body massage. A sign upon entering: “love your body, love your earth.” This restaurant-cum-cooking school-cum-store-cumyoga studio-cum-spa is a local hot spot…one regular: Santa Fe resident and yoga guru Ali McGraw. bodyofsantafe.com El Monte Sagrado Taos, an hour north of Santa Fe, offers more celebrity spotting (Julia Roberts has a ranch here) with a more rustic vibe…except at El Monte Sagrado. This adobe style resort is a swish getaway (and a great place for CE events)—there’s a varied and extensive art collection displayed throughout the property and the >> September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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mix
september/october
spa it >> tranquil grounds include a sacred circle of trees revered by the pueblo people. And there’s the spa. Meander along the path past villa guest suites to this haven of exquisite treatments…then test out the sauna in a charming outdoor hut. elmontesagrado.com Ojo Caliente Away from civilization, about midway between Santa Fe and Taos, are historic hot springs long used by pueblo people for their healing waters. Named Ojo Caliente, “hot eye,” by the Spanish in the 1500s, the site has been a day-use spa for 140 years. Iron- and lithium-rich water bubbles up into pools surrounded by red-tinged cliffs under the azure sky of the high desert. It’s hard-core relaxation in what seems like the middle of nowhere. And it is. This is Georgia O’Keefe country, where you might share the scenery with a striking but timid tarantula sunning himself nearby…or perhaps an equally striking Charlize Theron, who stayed here while on a Vogue photo shoot…Stay for dinner (there’s a “Dip & Dine” package) then settle into a cliffside suite, start up a fire, fill the private outdoor tub and gaze at the net of stars above. ojocalientesprings.com —B. Sligl
getaway
For more on New Mexico go to newmexico.org.
style
kick it !
Strut your stuff in the TOMS wedge. The fun and flattering shoe hits all the high trend notes while also delivering on another level: a charitable cause. Buy a pair and a child in need in the developing world gets his or her own pair of TOMS to run around in (see page 9). It’s the best of both worlds: fashion and philanthropy. Pick one of the fresh fall colours (like cranberry, below, ash or midnight blue) and start walking… —B.S. toms.com
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
got one yet?
gear/
gadget
Another must-have from Apple? The iPad has been called revolutionary, a game-changing device that does it all—browse the web, read and send email, organize and store photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read e-books, use those apps… with a few finger strokes on Apple®’s MultiTouch™ display. And all this comes in a sleek package that’s just 1.5 pounds and a half-inch thick, bringing new meaning to the term “travelling light.” Add some key apps— ”Currency” for easy conversions on the road, a Frommer’s guide for your destination of choice, “TravelTracker” to store and update all your travel info—and you’re set to jet. —B.S. apple.ca
top left: courtesy Ojo Caliente
Hot-stone massageat OjoCalientein NewMexico
rough it…barely
september/october
mix
riding the rails in the
from top: cherie thiessen; courtesy Great Southern Railway; cherie thiessen
outback
I’m in the Aussie outback get- ghost town of Cook, 3, one of away population the most isolated places on earth: no roads, 1100 km from Adelaide and 1500 km from Perth. A sign is all that remains where once stood the Bishop Kirby Memorial Hospital. “The flying medical service provided a backup service and in later years the Royal Flying Doctor Service fulfilled this role until Cook ‘closed’ in 1998,” the plaque reads. The hospital had an operating theatre, two wards, and quarters for the hardy staff, who had to withstand a paucity of water and a surplus of dust storms and flies. The flies are back today and the heat somewhat fierce, but that’s OK, we can turn on the air conditioning in our sleeper. Great Southern Rail’s Indian Pacific train takes on fuel here, the halfway point across the continent’s expansive girth, from Perth to Melbourne, from one ocean to another. The journey may be 65 hours, but it passes too quickly. Meals are gourmet, sleepers are comfortable, cabin stewards exemplary, and fellow travelers, mainly Aussies on this trip, curious and chatty. We choose sea trout with hollandaise sauce and asparagus for our first lunch, accompanied by an excellent Verdehlo that tickles our throats way too seductively. Outside the windows, the scenery unfolds expansively, rose and white gala birds explode from trees, kangaroos startle, and camels stop munching to stare us down. What are they doing here? The audio programme in our sleeper soon provides the answer. In the 1860s, about 10,000 were brought from Arabia to transport goods across this arid landscape. Once the railway came through, the camels were made redundant, and went walkabout. There are now around 500,000. From the verdant Avon Valley near Perth, the scenery fades into endless wheat fields, and then to
mallee scrub, a type of dwarf eucalpyt only found down under, according to our luncheon companion, a retired army man. At midnight we reach Kalgoorlie, taking a “whistle stop” tour that sweeps us into the windy night to stare down into its immense Super Pit, 3.6 km long and 512 metres deep. Operating 24/7, the gold mine has been described as the richest square mile on earth. Thirty thousand people live in the surrounding town. The next day we awake to endless flat rust limestone, the Nullabor Plain, anticipating our arrival at Cook. Once a school, post office, stores, hotel, tiny jail and the hospital serviced this town in the middle of nowhere. That’s now reduced to the miniscule lockup, and a huddle of buildings. Back aboard and riding the rails, we notice that the scenery is changing again, becoming lush and hilly as we approach Adelaide and its famous Riesling Trail. We’re taking a day off here to cycle and sip some of the offerings along the trail, reboarding for Melbourne tomorrow. After all, there’s no hurry, and no worries. —Cherie Thiessen more info The official Australia tourism website: australia. com • Great Southern Rail: greatsouthernrail.com.au while in perth Don’t miss an opportunity to stay in the exquisite Richardson Hotel. Featuring vibrant art, spacious luxurious suites, gracious personal service and incredible dining. If you’re too tired to visit the dining room, just open your fridge and freezer. Some of the chef ’s entrees, with accompanying wines, are bound to tempt you. therichardson.com.au while in adelaide Set up a Clare Valley Reisling tour with walkabout tours. (What guide Jeff Easley doesn’t know about wines couldn’t even fill a wine glass.) touraboutadelaide.com.au
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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mix
september/october
sample vancouver Acircleof bright-red Buddha-likefigures scape squat inaparkin Vancouver’sCoal Harbour. Amassivemaletorsomadeof lace-likeinterconnectedwordswatches over Sunset Beach, whereamassive whale-boneshapesitsasif stranded (left). All of thesehuge outdoor art installations arescattered aroundVancouver’sdowntownand seawall aspart of the2009– 2011 VancouverBiennale. It’sacelebration of art inpublicspaces; sharingnewand international talent incontemporaryart withthelocal community. Whether you lovethepiecesor not, theystimulate conversationandaddanother dimensiontoVancouver’sgreat outdoors. vancouverbiennale.com—B. S.
city-
217.5 Arc X 13 by Bernar Venet
Coast
The Granville Room Voya
trot the
globe
Looking for your next adventure? Give this classic globe a spin, close your eyes and set your finger on a spot… South Africa maybe? (See story on page 27.) Or just do a little armchair travelling from the comfort of tool home, where this sleek globe makes a worldly statement. menu.as; bergo.ca toorder inCanada —B.S.
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
aim here!
Go to page 27 for adventure in South Africa…
Think 100-mile menus, seafood fresh off the boat, and a flare for flavour…VOYA Warm up in the restaurant of the chic Loden Hotel (which counts Catherine Zeta Jones among its guests) where dishes like seared tuna salad show off local ingredients (Voya is a member of the Green Table and Ocean Wise sustainable programs). Try: steamed local mussels with green curry, kaffir lime leaf, cilantro. voya-restaurant. com THE GRANVILLE ROOM Sip a cocktail at this speakeasy-like spot in Vancouver’s entertainment district. Try: the “honey bourbon sour”; a mix of Bulleit bourbon, honey syrup, fresh lemon, fresh lime, bitters, egg white, honeycomb. granvilleroom.ca COAST Buzzing with conversation and happy noshers (even on a Tuesday night!) this seafood mecca is frequented by those in the know (like Bono). Sit at the showpiece oyster bar with the piled-high seafood platter that lets you try a bit of just about everything…Try: the signature crab cake (divine) and tried-and-true fish-and-chips (Bono’s pick). Sip on the Coast Caesar, complete with spotted prawn. coastrestaurant.ca —B.S.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY THE GRANVILLE ROOM; DAN FAIRCHILD PHOTOGRAPHY; B. SLIGL; COURTESY VOYA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
Vancouver is a foodie’s delight.
one for on e
september/october
mix
feet first!
WHO You might recall Blake Mycoskie as a finalist in The Amazing Race TV show (he finished third in season two). Post show he returned to his favourite destination, Argentina, and was struck by the number of children without shoes and, moreover, the poor condition of their bare feet. WHAT Inspired by the traditional rope-soled espadrille-like shoes worn in Argentina (called alpargatas) he designed simple slip-ons in a bevy of colours and patterns. He called them TOMS, short for Shoes for Tomorrow. His goal: Get TOMS on those barefoot kids. And by this fall, 1,000,000 pairs of TOMS will have shod children around the world. WHY Podoconiosis (Podo) is a debilitating disease that causes extreme swelling, ulcers and deformity in feet and legs from going barefoot in silica-heavy volcanic soil, a common practice in rural farming regions of developing countries. BOTTOM LINE Podoconiosis is 100% preventable by wearing shoes. The early stages of Podoconiosis can be reversed by basic foot hygiene and footwear. SOLUTION Blake (above, with kids after a Shoe Drop) calls it “one for one.” For every pair purchased, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. Bonus for those buying: the shoes are a fashion fave among the likes of Sienna Miller and Karl Lagerfeld. Check out the on-trend wedges (page 6). Feet first! TOMSshoes.ca —B. S.
give /get
get your
décor
Blake Mycoskie photo: courtesy toms
glow on
Glimpse inside the earth’s interior with the organic shape and glow of this Magma Stone tealight holder. Designed to resemble coagulated lava, the charcoal exterior contrasts with a burning red, orange or yellow interior—as in nature, when lava solidifies and darkens while liquid magma is still aglow inside. Place outdoors to light the garden as the days grow shorter (made of frost-proof, glazed dolomite), or make a bold statement indoors. —B.S. Magma Stone by Menu, menu.as; bergo.ca to order in Canada.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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travel at home Algonquin Park. > The Rosseau. > Evening campfire at The Rosseau. > Algonquin Park. > The Briars. > Highway through Algonquin Park. opposite page Yoga lakeside at The Rosseau.
clockwise from top left: MacDougall; The Rosseau (2); Scott; Flock; Butterill
clockwise from top left
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
travel at home
a place on the lake No cottage? No problem! Get your fix at these three cottage country resorts within driving distance from Toronto… story
by Tim Johnson
courtesy The rosseau
A
utumn in Ontario’s cottage country is a wonderful thing— lakes, hills and charming little towns, all festooned in the wonderfully vivid reds, browns and yellows of fall. And from Algonquin Park to Lake Simcoe to Muskoka, all that beauty is within a fairly easy drive from Toronto. But those who find themselves without the keys to a cottage face a dilemma. How does one experience all that wild and wonderful splendour without facing down the prospect of sleeping in a tent (or the awkwardness of dropping not-too-subtle hints in the presence of friends who do have a place on the lake)? There’s a great alternative—the cottage country resort. Here are three great options, all of which offer comfort, activities and even luxury amenities, right in the heart of the action. >>
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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travel at home
Killarney Lodge Algonquin Provincial Park
Encompassing an astounding 7,600 square kilometers of hardcore wilderness, Ontario’s legendary Algonquin Park is a magnet for intrepid adventurers and avid campers. But you can leave the Coleman stove at home and instead book a room at Killarney Lodge, a resort which sits on a tiny spit of land surrounded on three sides by the beautiful Lake of Two Rivers, just off the only road (Highway 60) through the park. Killarney’s cabins are designed for maximum comfort (from the spa-quality soaps and creams in the bathrooms to the sheets on the beds, which match the thread counts provided by five star hotels) and minimal disruption (there are no televisions, phones or radios— just windows looking out to the lake). The cabins are all knotty pine inside and log cabin construction, and that aesthetic extends to the main lodge, where guests hunker down for some fine country dining next to the lodge’s roaring fireplace, which vigilantly fends off the chill of cool autumn nights. Rates include three meals a day, and you can either opt to buy your wine there or bring your own (there’s no corkage)—they’ll even keep it cool for you during your stay. Many come to Killarney for the paddling.
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All of the guest cabins are on the waterfront and face the lake; most feature their own dock, and all include their own canoe. There are no motorboats or jetskis permitted within the park limits, so you can paddle in quiet solitude. But if you’re more of a summer-weather canoeist or kayaker, Killarney still has plenty to offer. Algonquin’s autumn tapestry—straight out of a Tom Thomson painting—is well enjoyed on a mountain bike or on foot, and a number of nearby hiking trails, from Booth’s Rock to Centennial Ridges, lead up to amazing views of the seasonal colour. Or you can simply take the opportunity to relax and sip a cup of coffee on the dock.
The Briars Jackson’s Point Just a breezy 60 minutes north of Toronto, vacationers have been beating a path to the beautifully manicured ground of the Briars for many decades, seeking recreation and relaxation on the south shores of Lake Simcoe. In many ways, the Briars feels like a throwback—in a good way. A bastion of 19th century civility and charm, the resort’s first buildings—all of which still stand—were built way back in 1880 by Dr. Frank Sibbald, the grandfather of the current owner. Dr. Sibbald was trained in Edinburgh and spent much of his career as
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
a surgeon with the Royal Navy in Shanghai, and he integrated his experiences overseas into the design of the buildings and grounds, from the octagonal Peacock House, which echoes what he saw in China, to the hedgerows and stables straight out of the Scottish countryside. There’s an on-staff historian who takes guests on tours, and boat cruises on the Lady Simcoe provide interesting background facts and marvelous views. But the Briars certainly isn’t stuck in the past. The original Cottage Regency manor house has been carefully renovated and preserved, and new wings have grown out in every direction, like limbs from a tree trunk. A number of amenities have been added, including a gym, indoor solarium pool and whirlpool, full-service spa, billiards room and pub, plus an iconic tower that looks straight out of a fairy tale (all guests are welcome to go up there to take in a lovely view of the grounds and the lake). Room rates generally include meals, and the delicious fare offered in the dining room features many fresh and local ingredients, including vegetables from the on-site chef’s garden, which in the fall brings forth yellow and orange carrots, heirloom tomatoes, baby squash and potatoes. And you will have plenty of opportunities to work off any extra pounds outside on the 18-hole Scottish woodlands golf course, on the kilometers of trails on the property (bikes
travel at home are loaned for no charge), or out on the lake in a canoe or kayak.
The Rosseau Muskoka, Minett This JW Marriott resort—Canada’s first—is the epitome of cottage country chichi. Located on one of Muskoka’s most beautiful—and expensive—lakes (places on the water routinely sell for millions) The Rosseau features organic cuisine, designer interiors and even valet parking. All rooms include their own fireplace, and the resort offers five different dining options, including Teca, an Italian restaurant with an openconcept kitchen that was named one of the top ten new restaurants in Canada in 2009. There’s also a yoga and pilates studio, an indoor-outdoor pool, a 13,000 square foot spa with eleven treatment rooms and indoor hot tubs overlooking the lake, plus a championship golf course across the road. But all of this luxury doesn’t mean that The Rosseau is detached from its surroundings. The resort offers stunning views of the area from its perch high atop a bluff, and employs a staff naturalist who leads guided hikes. Guests can also take advantage of their private beach, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching and sailing. On weekends local artisans swing by to offer workshops, and families are welcome to make s’mores around the bonfire or to take part in their autumn nights astronomy tour. And The Rosseau offers a full menu of seasonally-focused special events. This fall’s offerings will include a Thanksgiving feast, a Halloween pumpkin carving session, and a day of foraging for wild mushrooms led by the staff naturalist and a mycologist (i.e. a fungus expert), followed by a mushroom-inspired cooking class taught by the resort’s chefs.
if you go
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Fall hue. Crimsoncoloured maple leaves carpet the forest floor in Algonquin Park.
Killarney Lodge Driving distance from Toronto: 3 hours Rates start at: $229 per person for a one bedroom cottage, three meals and a canoe killarneylodge. com; 1-866-473-5551
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The Briars Driving distance from Toronto: One hour Rates start at: $159 per person for a guest room, three meals and most activities briars.ca; 1-800465-2376
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The Rosseau Driving distance from Toronto: Twoand-a-half hours Rooms start at: $229 for a studio suite, room and most activities therosseau.com; 1-866240-8605
Scott
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ta l e s f r o m t h e t r e n c h e s d r . d i l s h a d h i r j i Dr. Dilshad Hirji is a graduate of Tufts University. He formulated his “Plan” with the help of Timothy A. Brown of ROI Corporation (see page 18).
my catharsis Coming to terms with early retirement
I
n a matter of minutes sitting in a lawyer’s boardroom, it was done. I retired and sold my dental office at the ripe old age of 43. My back had been bothering me on and off for over two years. I had always persevered over the pain. Neck, shoulder, and hand/finger pain was a constant reminder of how much I loved what I did. I loved dentistry, the environment, my patients, chasing the numbers, presenting treatment and closing the deal, and I loved the slight, sheer panic before a difficult procedure. And with the deft swipe of a hand, some ink, and a lot of planning, it was over.
the pain. Standing—and the electrifying, busy pace of the office—had taken its toll on my body. How much more could I handle or tolerate? It was time. That evening after the papers were signed, I organized a dinner party that was more like a farewell party for myself. I bought each staff member a farewell gift and introduced the new dentist. It was the most nerve-wracking evening I ever had to face, filled with disbelief, shock and tears. I broke down. It was emotionally tough knowing that I was now going to be apart from all these people with whom I had shared so much over the years.
coming back. The most common reaction was, “OMG I can’t believe you retired.” There was some envy in a lot of the reactions. “How can you be retired at such a ‘young’ age?” I sympathized…they were still in the rat race! And I am sure my decision made many reconsider what they were doing and when they were retiring. But within a few weeks, most people had forgotten and were trapped back in their routines. Most would advise dentists that, despite being wealthy, they cannot afford to retire. But that’s only without planning, hard work and vision. In my second year of dental
With the deft swipe of a hand, some ink, and a lot of planning, it was over…my mind was blank Now my mind was blank. I made it down the elevator and into my car, where I sat trying to absorb it all—the impact of my decision, the nothingness of what I had to do now. But then I looked back at the last 30 days, filled with pain, misery and unhappiness. When I hurt my back two years ago, I knew that I had to change the way I practice or my days would be severely numbered. Change is misunderstood. It only takes a simple, small turn while driving a car to completely change the nature of the destination. Likewise, a simple change is all that is needed to make a big impact in life. So instead of sitting, I stood for three and a half days of dentistry. Not a full schedule, but my staff and I did a lot of dentistry in that time. My team consisted of 12 superb individuals who had been with me for up to 14 years. We discussed, we argued, we had fun. We made decisions jointly and worked well together. Standing up at work helped my back, but for the last month, I could not even stand or walk. At the end of each day, I came home, iced my feet and cried from
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The new dentist who bought my office was an exceptional young woman. I wanted the transition to be smooth. And I wanted an easy changeover for my staff and patients. I stayed on for a two-week transition in which I hung around the office, talked to the patients, and helped in the office. It sounded good at the time…but was intense. More nerve-wracking emotion. My philanthropic idea of hanging around and easing the transition was a tough grind. The staff was still in shock and patients’ reactions went from a deep gratitude to anger for leaving them. I was surprised to get so many gifts and farewell cards. I was a dentist for 17 years with many loyal patients. A practice reflects the individuality and personality of the dentist, and I was blessed with excellent patients (of course, there was a lot of selectivity on my part; I learned the hard way that not everyone was going to like me and I wasn’t going to keep patients around to make my days miserable). Each day was filled with tears—patients cried, and I with them. The main reaction I got over and over again was disbelief. People couldn’t fathom that I had retired. A few friends placed bets on how many months I would last before
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
school I had already figured out that I would retire after 15 years. Life has a way of trapping us in our habits. Change is difficult. We become busy with families, careers, hobbies, desires, and so on, and forget why we entered dentistry to begin with. When starting a journey, most of us want to know where we’ll end up. Yet, how many of us actually plan and work to get to a point where our career journey ends and we start enjoying life? We need a paradigm shift when it comes to the perception of retirement. Why wait until we are old and unhealthy to enjoy life? My advice? Plan for retirement now. Figure out your exit strategy, how much money you want to retire with, how young you want to be, how healthy you want to be… And the benefit of retiring early is that when the money runs dry, I’ll still be young enough to work again—and I will have thoroughly enjoyed my 40s. After all, aren’t the 40s the new 20s?
in the office lesley morris Lesley Morris has been a consultant in the dental industry for over 15 years, providing marketing and relationship management to dental practices. You can reach her at lesley@sweettoothconsulting.com.
who’s right?
Learning that shapes who you are.
example of a patient being right is promising to deliver a dental case on a given date and not having to bring them back several times before it is complete. Yes, the office should feel bad for all the time the patient has taken off work…the cost of the parking for each unnecessary visit and the numerous needles. So, what can be done about what may seem like broken trust? Do you offer to give treatment away for nothing so the patient will not leave the practice? Does money equal trust? Building a solid relationship with your patient is what is right! Money does not equal trust or value. Discounting fees only becomes a bargaining tool to satisfy one party, leaving the dental office feeling compromised. And for those chronic complainers that choose to not abide with the office philosophies, policies and principles… well, then leaving your practice is right. Feel confident in knowing there are creative solutions to problematic situations that arise with patients. Issues can be resolved without a discussion of money that will leave you both feeling right.
Many dental practices acquiesce to patients’ demands and abandon the office policies and principles out of fear.
British Columbia the number of dentists people is per —the highest density in Canada. In
100,000
(2009 statistic from the Canadian Dental Association)
66
sudoku 2 harder solution 5 8 6 4 3 9 7 1 2 9 2 3 1 7 6 5 8 4 7 4 1 8 2 5 3 6 9 4 3 8 2 5 7 6 9 1 1 9 7 6 8 3 4 2 5 6 5 2 9 4 1 8 3 7 2 6 4 7 1 8 9 5 3 3 1 9 5 6 4 2 7 8 8 7 5 3 9 2 1 4 6
Puzzle by websudoku.com
solution from page 37
T
here are a few interpretations of what being right means. Does being right mean having to discount fees for services because of complaints that dental treatment is too expensive…and just down the street the same work is being done for less? Is it a patient’s right to commence with dental work and then ask for a statement to be sent home instead of paying for services while in the office? Does being right allow a patient to “no show” for prescheduled appointments without penalty? Why does the patient have the right to hold the dental office responsible for their dental benefit coverage and then threaten to leave the practice if the benefit does not pay. Many dental practices acquiesce to patients’ demands and abandon the office policies and principles out of fear. Fear can translate to a loss of patients in the practice, a loss of revenue and even a loss or change of lifestyle. The definition of a patient being right is to be treated with respect, compassion, understanding and education. An
solution from July/August 2010 contest
Is the patient always right?
sudoku 1 easier solution 1 9 8 4 5 3 6 7 2 5 3 2 7 6 9 8 1 4 7 4 6 1 8 2 3 5 9 8 2 5 3 4 6 1 9 7 9 1 3 2 7 8 5 4 6 4 6 7 5 9 1 2 3 8 6 5 4 8 3 7 9 2 1 2 7 9 6 1 5 4 8 3 3 8 1 9 2 4 7 6 5
Puzzle by websudoku.com
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
15
A different CR-Z experience at OpenRoad.
2011 CR-Z
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From $24,885 (including f/pdi).
motoring
D r . k e l ly s i l v e r t h o r n
Dr. Kelly Silverthorn is Just For Canadian Dentists’ automotive writer. He tries to keep one convertible and/or one track-day car in the family fleet.
2000 Acura MDX
the last decade 2000 – 2009: evolutionary or transformational?
W
e’re into the last quarter of 2010 now. Did the dawn of our new decade unfold unnoticed? What a contrast to the hubbub of the new Millennium in 2000! My reflection upon the last decade is first to the hallmark historical moments…9/11 and An Inconvenient Truth. Next I contemplate how a decade transforms children, and abets the incremental decline of middle age. Before long, I also think about how the automobile has changed since 2000. As circumstance would have it, my wife took delivery of her second Acura MDX (mid-size SUV), nearly a decade after her first. Through the prism of our new Acura the intervening decade looked decidedly evolutionary. Our new MDX is slightly larger and heavier. With its larger engine, it’s both quicker and faster, with similar fuel economy. The transmission has an extra gear, and the wheel diameters an extra inch. This new SUV comes with more electronic features, and more safety features, including more airbags. Engineering developments through the decade have given the consumer more of everything. On a constant dollar basis the new MDX and other models today cost consumers ~13% less than in 2000. In Canada, sales of new light trucks slowly inched forward from 45% of market share in 2000 to 49% in 2009. All sounding incremental so far? Drill a little deeper and the decade’s trends look more transformational. Buckle up, here goes!
crossovers: The mix within light trucks saw big shifts. “Crossovers” (car mechanical underpinnings with SUV-like ride heights), quadrupled their market share to 21% of new vehicle sales, while minivans and truck-based SUVs market share shrank commensurately.
downsizing: Whether light trucks or cars, Canadians bought more from the smallest sized categories—up from 35% in 2000 to 51% in 2009. Intermediate-sized vehicle market share felt all of this loss. Full-sized/ luxury/sports vehicles market share stayed steady at 10 – 11% in Canada, versus a steady 18 – 20% market share in the US.
ditching Detroit: In 2000, 66% of our new purchased vehicles were made by Detroit’s Big Three, which had shrunk by a full third
to 44% by 2009. Given that huge decline, not surprisingly, GM and Chrysler were at the bailout trough as the decade closed. This sad saga is far from over.
Asians eat Detroit’s lunch: As we’ve all heard, Toyota overtook GM as the world leader in unit sales late in the decade. Japanese nameplates increased Canadian new vehicle market share from 25% in 2000 to 38% in 2010. Korea’s “K2” (Hyundai and captive brand Kia) had a proportionately even bigger surge from 4 to 10%.
2010 Acura MDX
European fortune cookies: The Europeans also increased Canadian new vehicle market share from 5 to 8%, though their mixed fortunes are interesting. With GM’s troubles, Volkswagen is arguably now as high as #2 in sales worldwide, but in Canada VW is a distant 9th and falling. Saab is on life support. Opel (GM Europe) is in custody court. Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover brands eventually found new South East Asian owners. So then, what European brands did make gains in Canada? That would be the new (captive) small car brands MINI and Smart, as well as blue chips BMW, Mercedes and Audi. Fiat returned to North America as Obama’s anointed Chrysler savior. leasing languishes: Vehicle purchase financing (a.k.a. leasing) by the car companies themselves began the decade in the 25 – 30% of new units range, peaked at 45%, and plummeted as the decade closed to just 7%. Bank loans to finance new car purchases ebbed and flowed in mirror image, rebounded to 77% of transactions in 2009. Cash purchases began the decade at 19% and ended the decade at 16%. black is back: Worldwide the three most popular car colours are silver, white and black. Black is the runaway favourite in Europe at 27% of new car sales, where the yuppies all seem to drive black Audi A6 TDI Avants. The rest of the world is following
Europe with black gaining in popularity, and silver and white falling. (Indeed, our new MDX is black, and the outgoing one silver.)
Value Village visions: As new vehicles have gotten progressively better and cheaper, so have used cars. Compared to ~700,000 new light vehicles bought in Canada in 2009, Canadians bought 2,800,000 used cars in 2009, up from 2,000,000 used cars purchased in 2000. Used-car-only dealers also improved their look and their market penetration. Many of the Canadian new car dealers shuttered by Detroit’s Big Three late in the decade will be reborn as used car superstores, continuing this trend.
China’s Quiet Revolution: China’s new light vehicle sales rose from less than a million in 2000 to more than ~13 million in 2009, and to be the largest market in the world. The US domestic market peaked at ~17 million new units sold annually middecade and skidded to just ~10 million in 2009. In 2009, ~75% of Chinese new car buyers had never purchased a car before, versus just 1% in the US. If my wife were to buy another Acura MDX in 2019 I expect it will have evolved to offer more of everything than our 2009 at the price of fewer constants. Yet, by 2019 China and India will have transformed the world’s automotive marketplace. The fashions, tastes, and needs of Asian consumers will progressively dictate what the rest of the world builds and buys.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
17
practice management
timothy a. Brown Timothy A. Brown specializes in dental practice appraisals, brokerage, consulting, locum placements, associateships and practice financing across Canada. Reach Timothy at timocthy@roicorp.com.
up for sale The top-5 short-term value drivers when preparing your practice for sale
E
xperts are predicting a dramatic increase in the volume of dental practices on the market in 2011 and beyond. If your practice is one of those that will be competing for today’s particular buyer, what can you do to increase its appeal? Our clients follow a very simple formula, often implemented at the appraisal stage, which easily covers the costs of the appraisal process. This simple plan almost always yields higher sale prices and, with an everincreasing supply of vendors, your practice must be positioned to yield the highest and best price while appealing to the demands of today’s buyers.
RCDSO guidelines respecting patient data. Accordingly, our company does not perform chart audits (we never have) and I believe that laypersons should not be going through patient charts, at any time, for any reason. However the buyers, being licensed dentists, often wish to inspect charts for obvious reasons. Provided they have signed our confidentiality forms, it’s usually permitted.
2. record or recall overdue patients If selling your practice is near, why not catch up on some overdue patients and fill up the appointment book? With the aid of the computer, most practices have done a good job of keeping up with patient recall frequencies, but there are always a few patients who have fallen behind. Some of our clients, in their later years, openly admit they are too tired to keep up with hygiene and that they are falling behind further and further as they cut their hours. Some of our clients are just plain “out of steam” and can’t keep up. Do your best, or book the hygienists as far in advance as reception can accomplish. While you may not get around to seeing these patients, a fully booked and thriving hygiene program is very impressive to the buyer, and will usually increase sale price substantially.
A few days work can uncover tens of thousands of dollars in hidden value Witness the popularity of the recent trend in home decorating, makeover and home resale TV shows. Homeowners have discovered that a few days of work, typically at minimal cost, can uncover tens of thousands of dollars in hidden value. The same can be done for a dental practice.
1. cull your charts The first negative impression to a buyer, that has the greatest impact on value, is the chart review. In many practices there are charts that have been inactive for many years, yet they are stored in the primary, front-desk chart cabinets. I strongly urge our clients to cull their charts, regularly, and most importantly, prior to sale. Charts that are two years old or more should be moved to storage—they can easily be retrieved if needed. Most buyers prefer to use the criteria of treatment within one year or less to define an “active” chart, so if you really want to impress a buyer, cull your charts down to a term of one year or less. Another option is to use the new 8.5” x 11” charts (the preferred chart type of today’s buyers) and tag them with the last year of treatment sticker. This tag makes it patently obvious exactly how many patients have been in the current calendar year. I have reviewed privacy legislations, both Federal and Provincial, and the
18
3. prepare your performance data Many dentists do not track the monthly, daily and hourly production figures for each individual producer. Your appraisal will uncover and record this essential data, and most purchasers will demand to verify it by means of examining the day sheets, monthly production records and the appointment protocol. If you do not track income hours per producer, you can easily begin to do so by recording the time spent with patients in any given day, week or month by saving your day sheets or by examining the appointment book (if manual). Most of today’s dental software programmes have the capacity to produce reports of this nature. Unfortunately, many practices have not maintained the data entry and the reports may not be accurate. Your appraisal should identify income earned per hour, per producer, by day, by week and by month. If it is not contained in your appraisal, be assured that the buyer, his accountant and his banker will request this
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
data during their standard “due diligence” exercises.
4. refurbish and repair worn items We often see upholstery on dental chairs, stools and reception furniture that is in need of recovering. There are several companies who specialize in one-weekend upholstery replacements, thus preventing downtime. This is an easy fix that has a huge impact on the important first impressions of the buyer. Handpiece tubing is often worn or stained and they are another easy item to fix. Call your dental dealer; they can exchange them in a matter of hours (usually during a lunch hour per operatory). Shampoo the carpets; paint the office if necessary (choose neutral colours). Fix cupboard doors that don’t close properly (hinge adjustments are a common problem), and repair any plastic parts that are cracked (curing lights and the front face of the Statim is common).
5. dust, clean and discard Dust the practice, top to bottom. We find it everywhere. The tops of dental light arms are one of those places where few cleaning people ever think to reach. Inspect the ventilation diffusers (HVAC vents) and the cold air returns; they are often clogged with dust. Clean out the cupboards. Much like your wardrobe at home, the rule is this—If you haven’t used it in one year, discard it! This is not an easy task for some of us, as we like to save things with nostalgic value. However, when selling, nostalgia items should be taken home or stored away—not left in view for the buyer. Old charts, models, x-rays (less than 10 years of age) should be boxed and stored. If you have any out of date supplies—discard them—they can leave the impression that you don’t buy current dated material and subject you to an accidental quality of care issue. As a commissioned broker, we want to help our clients to obtain the highest price afforded by the market. The appraisal process usually uncovers any deficiencies in a practice. When rectified, most practices sell for significantly more compared to the price they would have obtained if put on the market in its original condition. In the spirit of home-makeover TV shows, I challenge you to see how much you can increase the value of your practice by following these top five tips.
toronto / mykonos / chicago / bermuda / vienna … | c a l e n d a r
ce
A n intern ation a l guide to continuing dental Education
fall 2010 + beyond
toronto Toronto skyline
chocolate elixir at Soma
the Distillery District
Art Gallery of Ontario
Royal Ontario Museum
gourmet fare at Canoe
Queen St. West
clockwise from top left: otmp (2); www.torontowide.com; jo-anne mcarthur; tourism toronto; emily sheff; soma chocolatemaker
cosmopolitan toronto: a city with plenty on its plate (CE events in toronto are highlighted in blue)
T
oronto stems from the Huron word, toronton, that means “meeting place,” and, as Canada’s biggest metropolis, it’s that and more. So, yes, meet here— there are limitless options in accommodations, entertainment, dining, shopping—and then go out on the town, explore the world-class museums and galleries and walk the diverse neighbourhoods—Little Italy, Little Portugal, the Gay Village, the Annex, Koreatown, Chinatown, Kensington, Cabbagetown, the Distillery, Yorkville, West Queen West, India Bazaar, Greektown…there’s a microcosm of just about anywhere right here in Toronto. [stay] One of the city’s most historic and recognizable hotels is the Fairmont Royal York, the place to stay since 1929. Today there are plenty of super-swish and luxe boutique hotels that have garnered fresh attention with sleek style, but this grand dame remains a stalwart, especially for CE events. With capacity for up to 1,670 guests and a choice of 32 meeting and function rooms, a gourmet restaurant (EPIC), catering, and just about anything else you need, it’s an easy choice. fairmont.com/royalyork [dine] Venture out to sample Toronto’s fabulous food scene. One high (literally)
is Canoe, atop the TD Bank Tower. It’s a hot spot—for the cityscape, the people watching, and, of course, the food. Nosh on dishes like Seared La Ferme Foie Gras, Wellington County Beef Tenderloin, and Borage Honey & Pine Nut Tart…far above the glittering downtown. oliverbonacini.com/canoe.aspx For a more informal bite and some conscientious fast food, grab a hotdog at Buddha Dog (buddhafoodha.com) or sip an “elixir” of Mayan hot chocolate at Soma Chocolatemaker (somachocolate.com). [museum hop] For some serious awe factor, visit two of Toronto’s recently refurbed cultural meccas. First, check out the Ontario Gallery of Art, overhauled by Frank Gehry to stunning effect. Inside, of course, is a world-class collection of art, including an impressive display of Canada’s Group of Seven. ago.net Then there’s the Royal Ontario Museum, also upgraded with a love-it-orhate-it ultra-modern Michael Lee Chin Crystal extension that protrudes from the original 19th-century original museum structure (love it!). The glass-and-steel protrusions, named one of the seven architectural wonders of the world by Condé Nast Traveler, will, at the very least, inspire plenty of
discussion… rom.on.ca [neighbourhood hop] With more than 100 cultures, Toronto has tasty world cuisine and a vibrant vibe—something is always going on. Stroll down Queen Street West, with its hip galleries and coffee shops. Experience a karaoke bar in Koreatown. Grab a pint in the historic Distillery District, North America’s largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture. Or check out the Annex, where bohemia and academe meet in the lively community surrounding the University of Toronto, next to chic Bloor-Yorkville. On Yorkville’s “Mink Mile” find designer threads (Prada, Gucci, Chanel…) or sit back in a café and celebrity watch during the Toronto International Film Festival in September (this year, its 35th, look for Eastwood, Damon, Redford, De Niro, Kidman…to name a few). tiff.net [shop] Any of Toronto’s neighbourhoods offer unique finds and shops. But for a full-on fashion fix, there’s Holts. Holt Renfrew, the flagship of Canada’s haute couture department store, is fittingly set in the heart of tony Yorkville. Window shopping allowed… holtrenfrew.com —B. Sligl For more info: seetorontonow.com
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
19
c e calendar
Emergency Medicine
Cosmetic
Anesthesia
ce
For:
when
where
topic
sponsor
contact
website
Nov 12-15
San Francisco California
Adult Oral Sedation Permit Course
Conscious Sedation Consulting
888-581-4448
sedationconsulting.com
Dec 05-06
Chicago Illinois
General Anesthesia/Deep Sedation Provider Review Course
American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
877-255-3742
adsahome.org
Feb 05 2011
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Advanced Anesthesia Review
University of Pittsburgh
412-648-8370
dental.pitt. edu/ce
Feb 25-26 2011
Las Vegas Nevada
General Anesthesia/Deep Sedation Provider Course
American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
877-255-3742
adsahome.org
Sep 25, 26, 27
Vancouver British Columbia
One-Day Botox Training Course For Dentists
Physician Skincare and Training Centre
877-754-6782 See Ad Page 23
ptcenter.org
Oct 22
Toronto Ontario
Mastering The Different Four Veneer Systems
Pro-Art Dental Laboratory
416-469-4121
pro-artdentallab.com
Nov 12-13
New York New York
The Aesthetic Advantage Hands On Aesthetic Continuum
Aesthetic Advantage
212-794-3552
theaestheticadvantage.com
Nov 13, 14
Vancouver British Columbia
One-Day Botox Training Course For Dentists
Physician Skincare and Training Centre
877-754-6782 See Ad Page 23
ptcenter.org
Nov 05-06
Chicago Illinois
Medical Emergencies In The Pediatric Dental Office
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
312-337-2169
aapd.org
Aug 13-14 2011
Portland Oregon
Medical Emergencies: A Simulation Course
Oregon Health & Science University
503-494-2943
ohsu.edu
Nov 12
Victoria British Columbia
Current Concepts In Dentistry: Modern Endodontics
University of Victoria
250-472-4747 See Ad Page 15
uvcs.uvic.ca/ 28DentalCECredits/jfcd
Essential Dental Seminars
888-542-6376
essentialseminars.org
University of Toronto
416-979-4902
cde.utoronto.ca
Kennedy Professional Educational Seminars
877-536-6736
kennedyseminars.com
American Association of Endodontists
800-872-3636
aae.org
800-325-8649
kiscodental.com
Nov 12-13 Feb
Endodontics
Issue:04
2011
Fax:
Mar 06-17 2011
Hackensack Just For Canadian Dentists Safe & Predictable Engine Driven Endodontics New Jersey Toronto Ontario
Problem Solving In Endodontics; Selection And Cementation Of Fibre Posts
South-Africa 604 681 - 0456 Endodontics & Prosthodontics Adventure
Apr
San Antonio American Association Of Endodontists Annual Attn: 13-16 Advertising in Print 2011
Texas
Session
Jul Email: admaterial@advertisinginprint.com 17-24 Copy Alaskan sent Cruise to Success-Odontics KISCO Dental 2011
Wonderful experience! Great idea to combine conference with vacation. Dr. H. Morton
inspiring your passion for travel and education
February 5 - 12, 2011
Oct 16 - 23
Greek Isles
Dentistry in 2010
Nov 13 - 20
Mexican Riviera
Oral Health & Mucosal Diseases
Jun 11 - 18
Alaska Glaciers
Oral Health & Mucosal Diseases
1-888-647-7327 20
Western Caribbean
cruises@seacourses.com
Just For Canadian dentists
September/October 2010
Botox Training for Dentists
www.seacourses.com
Hands on training Business & Marketing tools Top 30 Keys to building a successful cosmetic practice
One-on-one business consultations
Companion cruises FREE
Grafting
General Dentistry
ce
calendar
ce
when
where
topic
sponsor
contact
website
Sept 29
Toronto Ontario
Capture The Perfect Smile! Digital Dental Photography Made Easy
Pro-Art Dental Laboratory
416-469-4121
pro-artdentallab.com
Oct 12-23
Papeete Tahiti
Healthcare Challenges In Isolated Island Communities
Professional Education Society
877-737-7005
pes-travel.com
Oct 16-23
Greek Isles Cruise
Dentistry in 2010
Sea Courses Cruises
888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20
seacourses.com
Oct 29-30
Los Angeles California
The USC Geriatric Dentistry Symposium: In Sickness and In Health: Providing Dental Care For Geriatric Patients Across The Functional Spectrum
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
213-740-8381
uscdentalce.org
Fall 2010
Vancouver British Columbia
One-To-One Coaching
F.O.C.U.S.
604-684-5351
toothnmouth.ca
Nov 05
St. Paul Minnesota
Dental Management Of Medically Compromised Patients
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
612-624-8159
dentalce.umn. edu
Nov 13-20
Mexican Riviera Cruise
Dental CE cruise
Sea Courses Cruises
888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20
seacourses.com
Nov 14
Victoria British Columbia
Current Concepts in Dentistry: Management Of Dental Patients With Medical Problems: How They Affect Your Treatment
University of Victoria
250-472-4747 See Ad Page 15
uvcs.uvic.ca/ 28DentalCECredits/jfcd
Nov 28-29
Scottsdale Arizona
Oral Health in Health Care Reform
Institute for Oral Health
206-528-7360
iohwa.org
Dec 03
Tacoma Washington
Street Drugs Exposed – What Your Patients and Your Kids ARE NOT Telling You!
University of Washington
206-543-5448
uwcde.com
Dec 03
Vancouver British Columbia
Midwinter Clinic Lecture Program And Trade Show
Vancouver & District Dental Society
604-683-5730
vdds.com
Feb 05-12 2011
Caribbean Cruise
Botox training For Dentists
Sea Courses Cruises
888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20
seacourses.com
Spring 2011
Vancouver British Columbia
The Basic Rules Of Oral Rehabilitation Series
F.O.C.U.S.
604-684-5351
toothnmouth.ca
Jun 11-18 2011
Western Caribbean Cruise
Oral Health Update
Sea Courses Cruises
888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20
seacourses.com
Nov 06
Orlando Florida
Bone Graft for Implant Site Development - A Cadaver Workshop
American College of Prosthodontists
312-573-1260
prosthodontics. org
June 03-05 2011
Vancouver British Columbia
3-Day Advanced Bone Grafting & Soft Tissue Grafting Cadaver Course
I.D.E.A.S.
604-444-3131 See Ad Page 25
dentalideas.ca
Learn Virtually anytime - anywhere access your Cme worldwide travel & Learn Format Connect with us 24/7. toll-Free:1-866-685-6860 www.neiconferences.com 7X2.5_canadian_family_physicians1 1
9:28:25 AM September/October 2010 Just For Canadian3/15/07 dentists 21
c e calendar
Oral Radiology & Surgery
Oral Pathology
Orthodontics
Occlusion
Implants
ce
22
when
where
topic
sponsor
contact
website
Oct 15 or Nov 19
Vancouver British Columbia
Course #1: Essentials of Mini-Implants and Hands-On
CMI Institute
877-350-6464 See Ad Page 40
getmini.ca
Oct 16 or Nov 20
Vancouver British Columbia
Course #2: Advanced and Alternatives
CMI Institute
877-350-6464 See Ad Page 40
getmini.ca
Oct 17 or Nov 21
Vancouver British Columbia
Course #3: Master and Prosthesis, Bone Grafts and Extraction for Mini-Implants
CMI Institute
877-350-6464 See Ad Page 40
getmini.ca
Oct 15-17 & Nov 12-14
Vancouver British Columbia
Surgical Implant Dentistry - From Treatment Planning To Surgical Implant Placement
I.D.E.A.S.
604-444-3131 See Ad Page 24
dentalideas.ca
Nov 06-07
Vancouver BC
2-Day Advanced Patient Based Sinus Lift Mentorship
I.D.E.A.S.
604-444-3131 See Ad Page 25
dentalideas.ca
Jun-Jul 2011
Mykonos Island Greece
From Treatment Planning To Trouble Shooting In The Anterior Esthetic Zone - June 27,28, 30 & July
I.D.E.A.S.
604-444-3131 See Ad Page 25
dentalideas.ca
Dec 09-11
Scottsdale Arizona
Demystifying Occlusion
Scottsdale Center for Dentistry
866-781-0072
scottsdalecenter.com
Spring 2011
Vancouver British Columbia
I Can You Can Occlusion Series
F.O.C.U.S.
604-684-5351
toothnmouth.ca
Dec 04-05
Las Vegas Nevada
Level II - Advanced Orthodontics
Rondeau Seminars
877-372-7625
rondeauseminars.com
Dec 04-05
Aliso Viejo California
Correcting Excessive Gingival Display
Progressive Orthodontics/Dentistry
800-443-3106
posortho.com
Jan 0708 2011
Toronto Ontario
Level I Orthodontics For The General Practitioner Rondeau Seminars
877-372-7625
rondeauseminars.com
Oct 22
Okemos Michigan
Candida, Herpes And Ulcers! Oh My!
Michigan Dental Association
517-346-9403
smilemichigan. com
Nov 11
Victoria British Columbia
Current Concepts In Dentistry: Review Of Oral Pathology For The Dental Team
University of Victoria
250-472-4747 See Ad Page 15
uvcs.uvic.ca/ 28DentalCECredits/jfcd
Nov 20
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Oral Appliances and Hypomandibular Surgery in the Treatment of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
University of Pennsylvania
215-573-9098
dental.upenn. edu
Dec 03-05
Toronto Ontario
Office Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery For The General Practitioner
University of Toronto
416-979-4902
cde.utoronto.ca
Feb 21-26 2011
Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Implant Surgery: Fundamentals To Details
BIOMET 3i
800-342-5454
biomet3i.com
01, 2011 - 4 half days
Just For Canadian dentists
September/October 2010
Pharmacology
Periodontics
Pediatrics
Pain Management
ce
calendar
ce
when
where
topic
sponsor
contact
website
Oct 07
Minneapolis Minnesota
Clinical Grand Rounds: TMD And Orofacial Pain
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
800-685-1418
dentalce.umn. edu
Dec 04-05
New York New York
Pain Management Protocols
Progressive Orthodontics/Dentistry
800-443-3106
posortho.com
Dec 22
St. Paul Minnesota
Dentistry’s Role In Managing Pain & Sleep Disorders
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
800-685-1418
dentalce.umn. edu
Oct 15
Lincoln Nebraska
Women’s Health And Dental Management Of The Pregnant Patient
University of Nebraska Medical Center
402-472-7993
unmc.edu
Nov 04-06
San Francisco California
Pediatric Sedation Dentistry
DOCS Education
866-592-9618
DOCSeducation.com
Nov 05-06
Chicago Illanois
Medical Emergencies In The Pediatric Dental Office
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
312-337-2169
aapd.org
Nov 20-21
Los Angeles California
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
213-740-8381
uscdentalce.org
Dec 03-04
Chicago Illanois
Beyond Sugar: Contemporary Nutrition In Oral and Systemic Health
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
312-337-2169
aapd.org
Jan 14 2011
Muskegon Michigan
Pediatric Dentistry Review For The General Dentist
Michigan Dental Association
517-346-9403
smilemichigan. com
Jan 28-30 2011
San Francisco California
Comprehensive Review Of Pediatric Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
312-337-2169
aapd.org
Feb 13-19 2011
Steamboat Springs Colorado
Winter Ski Meeting
SouthWestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry
888-840-4500
aapd.org
Nov 06
Boston Massachusetts
H-19: Everyday Periodontics For The General Dentist And Dental Hygienist Team
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
617-636-3467
dental.tufts. edu/ce
Dec 01
Boston Massachusetts
H-26: What’s New in Today’s Clinical Dentistry: Paradigm Shifts In Dental Practice-Caries Management, Periodontics, Cancer Control, Risk Management
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
617-636-3467
dental.tufts. edu/ce
Dec 03
Los Angeles California
A Contemporary Approach to Diagnosis, Treatment Planning And Therapy In Periodontics
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
213-740-8381
uscdentalce.org
Oct 27Nov 11
China land tour/Yangtze River cruise
Rheumatology, Chronic Pain & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Sea Courses Cruises
888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20
seacourses.com
Nov 12-13
Las Vegas Nevada
Pharmacology in Dental Medicine: A Participation Course
Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine
702-774-2657
dentalschool. unlv.edu
Nov 13
Portland Oregon
Dental Analgesics: From Theory To Therapeutics
Oregon Health & Science University
503-494-2943
ohsu.edu
*accredited for MD’s. Dentists are welcome
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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c e calendar
RDA / Dental Assistants / Dental Hygenists
Restorative
Practice Management
ce
when
where
topic
sponsor
contact
website
Oct 01
Seattle Washington
Second Annual Washington Dental Service Annual Practice Management CDE, The Modern Dental Office
University of Washington
206-543-5448
uwcde.com
Nov 05
New York New York
Risk Management Program
Henry Spenadel Continuing Education Program
212-573-8500
nycdentalsociety.org
Nov 06
Portland Oregon
Incorporating Esthetic Dental Procedures Into Your Practice
Oregon Health & Science University
503-494-2943
ohsu.edu
Nov 20
Vancouver British Columbia
Dental Insurance - Overcoming Challenges & Managing Effectively
Dental Education Consulting
604-454-4000
paddyb@shaw. ca
Jan 20-22 2011
Chesapeake Virginia
Comprehensive Examination And Records
The Dawson Academy
727-823-2047
thedawsonacademy.com
Oct 01-03
Vienna Austria
Implant Restoration - Basic Restorative Cases
Progressive Orthodontics & Dentistry
714-973-2266
posortho.com
Nov 03-06
Orlando Florida
40th Annual Session Of The American College Of Prosthodontists
American College of Prosthodontists
312-573-1260
prosthodontics. org
Nov 04-05
Bermuda Cruise
Efficient Indirect Anterior & Posterior Restorations, Hands On
University of Western Ontario
888-281-1428
schulich.uwo.ca
Nov 13
Victoria British Columbia
Current Concepts In Dentistry: The Impact Of Zirconia And CAD/CAM Technology On Contemporary Dental Practice
University of Victoria
250-472-4747 See Ad Page 15
uvcs.uvic.ca/ 28DentalCECredits/jfcd
Sep Oct Nov
Vancouver British Columbia
Key Elements Of Office Management Advanced Reception Training - Saturdays September 25, October 02, 16, November 6
Dental Education Consulting
604-454-4000
paddyb@shaw. ca
Nov 06
St. Paul Minnesota
Winter Dental Assistants’ Seminar
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
800-325-8649
kiscodental.com
Apr 15-17 2011
Calgary Alberta
Rocky Mountain Rhapsody
CE Solutions
604-575-4570
conedgroup.ca
Apr 28-29 2011
Scottsdale Arizona
Assistant Sedation/Anesthesia Course
American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
877-255-3742
adsahome.org
Sep 16-17 2011
Vancouver British Columbia
Pacific Rhapsody
CE Solutions
604-575-4570
conedgroup.ca
Sep 30Oct 01 2011
Toronto Ontario
Toronto Rhapsody
CE Solutions
604-575-4570
conedgroup.ca
For feedback, requests or to have your course featured please email ce@inprintpublications.com
6-day Implant Surgery Course
“From Treatment Planning to Surgical Implant Placement" Learn how to PLAN, PLACE Single Implants on your patient in a "Step-by-Step" approach that will allow you to offer Predictable & Consistently Successful Results. Participants will perform hands-on surgeries under 1:1 supervision Suitable patients have been pre-screened and are available for dentist participants should they require one
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Just For Canadian dentists
September/October 2010
living well Dr. susan biali Dr. Susan Biali is a professional speaker and flamenco dancer, and is the author of Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You. Contact: susan@susanbiali.com.
healthier and happier 5 drug-free ways to boost a depressed mood
S
ome of you may be familiar with my story: I used to suffer from clinical depression, reaching my lowest point 10 years ago during the second year of my Emergency Medicine residency. After reaching the point of no return and almost taking my own life, I realized that I needed to make some drastic changes. Some of these included taking up dancing in my late 20s (I now perform flamenco professionally), embarking on a career as a writer, and even commuting from Mexico for a few years. With time, all aspects of my life improved so much that I began analyzing how and why things got so much better, and translated my observations into a book, which came out this year: Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You. With the release of the book came a media tour of the US, and I was surprised to find that the topic that the media and public were most interested in was how to improve your mood and mental health through nonpharmaceutical methods. Here are five of the most effective, easy ways I have discovered, which I use regularly to protect and boost my mental health (and that of my patients): 1. Ask what’s really behind your mood In my case, I was in a career that wasn’t suited to my personality, was sleep-deprived and extremely stressed, and my life was myopically focused on medicine and nothing but—a recipe for disaster. I also had negative thought patterns and ways of interpreting life events that I have since changed. Journaling helped, and so did counselling and group work. Studies show that psychological treatments such as cognitive therapy can be as effective as antidepressants, and are more effective at preventing relapse. 2. Get moving A study published in the 1999 Archives of Internal Medicine reported that a brisk 30-minute walk three times a week may be just as effective in relieving symptoms of major depression as prescription medications. Another study from researchers at the University of Vermont showed that just 20 minutes of moderate exercise in the morning translated into a sustained elevated mood for an average of 12 hours post-exercise. If
I’m feeling down in the dumps, all I usually need to do is respond to my dog’s perpetually pleading eyes and take him (or rather, he takes me) for an energetic walk around the neighbourhood. I almost always bounce back in through the door, full of energy and feeling immensely better. 3. Eat the right foods You’ve probably heard of the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids for mood and brain health, and multiple studies have also shown that a Mediterranean diet pattern protects people from depression. Experts speculate that this way of eating—rich in fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains—provides B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory fibre that protect and heal the brain. Junk foods have the opposite effect: the glycemic highs and lows associated with sweet sugary foods and the inflammation caused by trans-fat-rich processed foods can mean trouble for an already troubled brain. 4. Create opportunities to laugh Many of us who experience low moods or depression can rightfully blame it on stress. A good laugh decreases the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, and may even turn on your fountain of youth by promoting growth hormone release. I’ve found it immensely helpful to lighten up in general (seizing any opportunity to act silly), spend time with people who make me smile, and watch funny movies and television shows whenever I can. 5. Listen to music that you love Some of the most effective things in life are the simplest. Music can reduce stress and has even been shown to lower systolic blood pressure. Studies which examine the effects of music therapy on depressed patients have found that music can improve a low mood, increase self-esteem, and even reverse depression. The type of music you listen to is important: choose something upbeat that you enjoy, rather than a melancholy sad love song. It’s amazing what one great song can do for your day (especially if you’re alone at home and can sing out loud and dance without anybody catching you!). September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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techworks
C o r e y Va n ’ t H a a f f Corey Van’t Haaff is Just For Canadian Dentists’ technology columnist and the owner of Cohiba Communications. She can be reached at medicalnews@ cohibacommunications.com and welcomes ideas for future columns.
magic wand With the Lava Chairside Oral Scanner there’s no more goop
H
ard drives and touch screens are nothing new, but what if you could add a magic wand? That’s exactly what the Lava Chairside Oral Scanner (C.O.S.) has done—added a wand to complete the digital impressioning system. No more impression trays and material; no more goop, says Kelly Trott, Marketing Supervisor for 3M Canada Dental Division. “Now, it’s digital. It takes a 3D video of the teeth and uploads the images electronically, rather than making a stone model,” she says. Traditional impressions are made with putty. The patient sits with a tray in her mouth, waiting for the putty to solidify around her teeth to create a mold that perfectly captures the detail in her mouth—except it wasn’t always perfect. “The patient could move or the material could pull away from the teeth before it sets,” says Trott. “Even the most experienced practitioner, using the best materials, can encounter difficulties when making an impression. Common problems include de-lamination, faciallingual pulls, tearing at the margin, tray-tooth contact and stone model discrepancies.” These problems are eliminated with the C.O.S. The dentist places the small, lightweight wand in the patient’s mouth and passes it over the teeth. At the tip of the wand is a camera with 192 LED lights and 22 lenses, which capture the images necessary. “It captures a 3D video. The revolving optical design uses image processing algorithms and
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real-time model reconstruction. As the video captures teeth images, they are transferred to the monitor. Dentists can see them in real time and make sure they have all the information they require. It’s a lot harder to tell if there’s a problem with traditional methods.” It’s all done right when the patient is in the office, so dentists can be sure they have all the data they need for the restoration work they wish to complete. “You can view it in 3D,” says Trott. “It uses a touch screen. We’ve removed the extraneous pieces. There’s no mouse or keyboard.” Staff can input all patient information for the entire day before the first patient even arrives. After using the C.O.S. wand, the prescription for the restoration is complete. Using the touch screen, the dentist sends the prescription wirelessly to the lab. And there’s no need to switch labs, she says. Any lab can get involved and dentists can still prescribe any type of restoration and any type of material. Labs appreciate the 80 per cent reduction in remake rates. It isn’t only problems that are eliminated. Several other steps are eliminated: tray selection, dispensing and setting of materials, and disinfecting and shipping impressions. “The biggest benefit to dentists,” says Trott, “is predictability of the seating appointment—when the patient gets their final restoration cemented in their mouth. It used to be variable and dentists had to do adjustments to make the final product [using traditional molding methods] fit. Now, it’s so accurate, we have a fit-right guarantee. We’ve seen a 41 per cent reduction in seating time on average. That takes a lot of
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
stress out of a dental practice. Consistent predictable seating appointments; they’re booked accurately and there’s less delay for
the patient in the waiting room.” There’s probably a lot less stress in the waiting room, as well. Trott says that patient comfort increases using the C.O.S. as there’s no impressioning material sitting in their mouths. The first step in creating a new crown or bridge restoration is making a dental impression. C.O.S. replaces that unpleasant procedure, allowing dentists to take extremely accurate digital impressions of teeth. Because the digital scan is so accurate, the result is a precise-fitting restoration. She says all this is made possible because of 3M’s entirely new scanning technology—3D-in-Motion. “This technology allows the capturing of 3D data in a video sequence and the modeling of these data in real time, enabling the user to instantaneously control the scanning process while moving the wand. The Lava C.O.S. is able to capture approximately 20 3D data sets per second, or close to 24 million data points per arch, for an accurate and high-speed scan,” she says. That’s saying a mouthful.
dentist unleashed
Dr. derek turner
Dr. Derek M. J. Turner lives in Ottawa where he conducts a private aesthetic dental practice. Derek guest lectures at CE dental institutions in America. He is also the founder and Chairman of TTi/ProDrive Systems, a dental product company.
South African adventure 5
dr. Derek turner
The big are not necessarily restorative, perio, endo, surgery and ortho. How about lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and cape buffalo?
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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dentist unleashed [continued] Dr. derek turner
had the world focused on the RSA this year and most of us probably have the brain worm of the drone of vuvuzelas still ringing in our ears. (If you miss the irritation you can download the vuvuzela app from iTunes.) For photographers, the country has a mind-blowing variation in activity, scenery, people and wildlife photo opportunities. The sunsets are amazing and Orion is high in the NW at 10pm in the RSA winter. Your safety and security are assured by guides, tour operators and hoteliers. We found all of the South African people, of every background, to be friendly and hospitable and we felt safe always…even in Johannesburg, despite its reputation. In rural areas the accent sometimes makes understanding English a little difficult. But
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it’s part of the charm. And remember to look right first when crossing the streets…South Africans drive on the left.
where to go FROM CAPETOWN beach > Beach bums will be in tan heaven at any of the resorts and spas of the Western Cape. sip/savour > For wine fans, Cape Winelands offers not only Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Pniel wines but spectacular mountain scenery and the quaintness of Dutch influences. And you can
use this area as a base to explore Capetown and environs by car or bicycle. For the casual cyclist see sa-venues.com. FROM JOHANNESBURG fly > It’s easier and faster to fly in to Jo-berg than Capetown from Canada, although it’s still 2 + hours of travel time…fly executive class if you have frequent flyer points or can afford the fare (Cerec users). Check out your options at travelocity.com. My wife, friends and I flew Ottawa/Montreal/Zurich/ Johannesburg and loved every minute.
(all the X-treme water and cliff sports) you may want to visit the Victoria Falls area. For “Z” enthusiasts the falls are on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River. Check out vicfallsconnection.com to get you there from all RSA major centres. stay > In Jo-berg I recommend The Melrose Arch Hotel (africanpridehotels.com/melrose-arch-hotel.html), an awesome hotel. The area around the hotel has high-end shopping, wine stores and restaurants…you can even buy an Aston Martin nearby! bike > Now for a specific recommendation for the young and “experienced” among you (that is everybody!): Cycle Mashatu (cyclemashatu.com). For an absolutely fantastic cycling experience in South Africa, take one of their trips. Greg Bond, all six-feetseven-inches of him, and his staff will treat you to a cycling safari like no other. (Our trip was a joint venture with Big Mountain Bike Adventures. Check out this Canadian tour company’s adventures at ridebig. com.) With Mashatu, there’s the fly-fishing and mountain biking experience of Mount Anderson Ranch, or travel to Kruger National Park, east of Jo-berg, and to Botswana to see the big game. We slept on open-air cots with hourly shared campfire vigils in the fantastic accommodations of safari camps with delicious food. And we cycled, with a rifle-armed guide leading and following, off trail through beautiful countryside. pack > We were advised to take Malaria pills in advance of our June trip, which we did. Our travel physician in Ottawa told us that there was no malaria concern south of Francistown, Botswana. He was right. We took the pills, used insect repellent and wore white long-sleeved shirts in the evening. We never saw a mosquito nor had a mosquito bite until we returned to our cottage in Ontario! The insects we did see were army ants in a massive and determined trail cross our bike path and “killer” bees that prevented access to a doma overnight refuge.
golf > Golfers should fly to Johannesburg and head for Sun City or the Drakensberg areas.
wow factor > On bikes we saw impala, ostrich, vultures, wildebeest (gnu), zebra, giraffe, various reptiles, wild turkey, elephant, monkey and baboon. In the evening in open-air vehicles we came intimately close to hyena, leopard, lion and cape buffalo. But no rhinos. The rhinos are nomadic and free roaming and we weren’t fortunate enough to be in their vicinity. Might have to go back for that…
x-treme > If this will be your only visit to South Africa OR you’re an adrenaline junkie
If you have two weeks and the inclination… GO.
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
Chris Winter/ Big Mountain Bike Adventures
T
he Republic of South Africa (RSA) offers adventurous Canadian dentists a wonderful and varied opportunity for exciting travel. It’s about as far south of the equator as the Mediterranean is north. So, just reverse the seasons and you can imagine the weather. The coastline seems endless, and the country is really Africa’s extension into the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The FIFA World Cup soccer spectacular
dentist unleashed [continued] Dr. derek turner
dr. Derek Turner (5); sunset photo: Chris Winter/ Big Mountain Bike Adventures
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above left below left
Giraffe sighting (bike-side!) in the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa. opposite page In Mashatu, Botswana, with Cycle Mashatu. above left Kids in Soweto in Johannesburg. above right Sunset ride with the rifle-armed Mashatu crew.
Fly-fishing ponds at Mount Anderson Ranch (20,000 acres!) in the Drakensberg mountains. above right Riding atop the stunning vistas. Dr. Turner’s wife Elaine with Cycle Mashatu guide Greg. below right Dr. Turner at The Melrose Arch Hotel, a luxe spot in Johannesburg.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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travel the world
Viewing glaciers with the spotting scope on the top deck of the ship. below Remota blends with the landscape and recalls the sheep farms of the region.
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October July/August 2010 2010
travel the world
Patagonia story + photography by Kevin Revolinski
“F ”
a cruise at the end of the world It is scarcely possible to imagine anything more beautiful than the beryl-like blue of these glaciers, and especially as contrasted with the dead white of the upper expanse of snow. rom a distance it had looked much smaller, almost quaint the way it lay along the land, nestled between mountains. But as we drew closer across the icy waters in our Zodiac, the Pia Glacier loomed up faster and larger than one might expect until we made landfall and now stand dwarfed by its massive wall of ice. The surface shows patterns of cracks and layered ice and sediment, varying colors—most notably the blues—and several spouts of meltwater cascading into the bay. The Mare Australis, anchored in this fjord in the northwest arm of Beagle Channel, lies behind us, now a toy, a mere earthly thing that has stumbled into the hall of the gods. This is the second full day of our expeditionary cruise of the channels and islands at the End of the World, the southernmost reaches of the Americas. This is Patagonia. We set sail from Punta Arenas, Chile and are bound for Ushuaia on Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Island. In between lies a remote land of mountains and glaciers, of moody seas and scattered islands, and of creatures and plants tough enough to cling to it all. What sound like shotgun shots echo off the surrounding rock as the glacier cracks and shifts, and seemingly small fragments tumble from time to time, revealing their hefty size when they plunge dramatically into the sea. I look back across the water, so still on a windless day, to observe the clutter of broken ice chunks. One of them will find its way in pieces into our cocktails tonight. After a gourmet dinner back on board, we are treated to slideshows, videos and lectures about what we are seeing and are going to see the next day. Thanks to our naturalists, we are engaged with our surroundings and entertained by stories of Darwin and Captain Fitz Roy and other European ship captains and sailors who first braved these channels only to find that the Yámana aborigines were already living here. As we navigate through the Avenue of the Glaciers the next day, I head to the upper deck to take photos of each of them, many named for nations—Germany, France, Italy, Holland glaciers—and to get a closer look at hidden waterfalls using the ship’s mounted spotting scope. We sail from point to point and a variety of creatures make our acquaintance. Imperial cormorants, petrels, and albatrosses seem to hover as they match our speed and fly at eye level. A parcel of penguins pops above the surface for a moment to see us pass, and even a whale comes alongside for a spell.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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travel the world Every day we are treated to a shore excursion. The first day in Admiralty Fjord we trekked along Ainsworth Bay with the Marinelli Glacier as our backdrop. Now in the distance, the ice sheet once covered the land we hike upon. A colony of elephant seals seemed to take little notice of us but the local birds came close to check us out along the trail among the unexpectedly bright colors of lichens and hardy plant life. An eagle-like caracara lighted in the upper branches of a nearby tree, and high up along the Darwin Peaks four condors rode the air currents. Our guide Eduardo kept a proper balance between lecture and the silence one requires to appreciate the great sweep of wind, chirping birds, babbling streams, and distant waterfalls. Several hikers claimed to have heard a fox bark. The cruise offers a perfect balance between luxury and adventure, activity and relaxation. Patagonia’s untouched splendor puts it in a must-see category and a small expeditionstyle excursion makes it all the more memorable. Our last shore excursion is truly the end of the world: Cape Horn. We climb to the lighthouse there and I imagine what sort of person might choose a solitary life out here as I look out over a sparkling sea. Invisible beyond the horizon is Antarctica. There’s no mistaking when the ship has left the relative shelter of the bays and channels. The sea starts to roll a bit and then really picks up steam when we round Cape Horn before becoming gentle again when we slip back among the islands for the final stretch north to Ushuaia. We disembark the next morning and I can’t help but feel like the child who has left the most amazing carnival ride of his life: I want to get back in line and start all over again.
Patagonian surf and turf?
While the cruise offers a few steps along terra firma, a landbased stay before or after is a great way to extend the Patagonian experience. On the Argentinian side is the port city of Ushuaia and the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. Hire a guide and trek through the mountains there, or take the End of the World Train to get to the park yourself. Send a postcard from the Post Office at the End of the World. On the Chilean side lies the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park and its unique set of mountain peaks totally independent from the Andes. Check in for a few days at nearby Remota Resort. Each evening guests sit down with their personal guides to discuss the next day’s activities. Do you prefer to go hiking? Horseback riding? Climbing? Perhaps a boat tour of the inlet? Remota offers a blend of luxury comforts—fine meals, regional wines, hot tubs—along with the rugged adventure excursions. The hotel’s design harmonizes with the terrain. Part of the structure resembles the sheep runs of the local farms, and the grass of the plains grows along the rooftops. Enjoy a view from the dining room of the sun setting behind the park’s three rocky “towers.” Watch documentaries and attend presentations about the land and its people. And most importantly, get out into the wild for some exploring. In the evening you can sip champagne and soak tired muscles in an outdoor hot tub with an impressive view.
if you go
+ 32
Cruceros Australis offers all-inclusive cruises between Ushuaia, Argentina and Punta Arenas, Chile for US$1,460 – 3,500 per person based on double occupancy: australis.com Remota offers packages ranging from 3 – 14 days, including meals and excursions. Double occupancy prices are $1080-5220 based on length of stay: remota.cl
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
Along with the enormity of glaciers and mountains are tiny beautiful details. below Cruise passengers board a Zodiac for a shore excursion. bottom Meals at Remota draw upon locally produced foods.
travel the world
The ship is dwarfed as it enters bays full of broken ice. below Challenging hikes in Torres del Paine offer grand vistas as a reward. left Hiking along shore brings travellers up close to the glaciers.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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the thirsty dentist dr. neil pollock Dr. Neil Pollock is a member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada; visit his website on wine at vinovancouver.com or send feedback to drneil@pollockclinics.com.
raise a glass to Israel
Award-winning, reasonably priced and palate pleasing, Israeli wines are a revelation
I
n discussions around my dining room table, Israel is most often paired with politics rather than pleasure. But the focus shifted from matters of politics to those of the palate after sampling several Israeli wines—a pleasurable and modern experience from a country that boasts some of the oldest appellations in the world. Grapes have been harvested and pressed in Northern Israel in the regions of the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights for close to a millennium, but there’s been a recent and dramatic rise in the popularity of Israeli wines when the Golan came under Israeli control in the mid-1970s. World-class wines are now exported internationally from close to 200 wineries, competing with premium wine-producing regions around the globe. Some of the most successful vineyards belong to Golan Heights Winery, a subsidiary of which is Galil Mountain. The explanation for the quality of Israeli wine and the success of the Golan Heights brands can be traced to the unique nature of Israeli topography—high altitudes (ranging from 1000 to 3600 meters) and mineral-rich volcanic soil combine to create a winning Chardonnay environment. And northern Israel receives an annual snowfall that facilitates the temperatures critical to quality grapes—a fact that startles almost everyone but Israelis! More moderate temperatures are found in the Central Golan for the production of sophisticated reds. My first sip of Galil Mountain Chardonnay was preceded by a lovely aroma of toasty green apples—the reward for the winery’s choice of blending grapes fermented in new-age stainless steel as well as French Oak. The wine itself is refreshingly crisp; the smoky citrus foundation is overlaid by a pleasing mixture of peach, citrus, and minty flavours. A few more sips of this wine and I was fantasizing about enjoying a second glass with a fillet of grilled halibut, marinated simply with lemon and butter. The 2007 winner of the Medium White category in Vancouver Magazine’s Wine Awards, this Chardonnay is a steal at $18 a bottle. Along with all of the Galil’s wines,
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it is also kosher for Passover, so for those who have struggled as dinner hosts or guests to escape the traditional Manischewitz, here is an elegant solution. I then turned to a winner on the international stage—the Yiron. A subtle blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and a dash of Petit Verdot, this ruby-red vintage took me by surprise. The depth and finish were superb; the tannins were delicately integrated without compromising on firmness or richness of flavour. I savoured the berry aroma that wafted up from my glass. If one were to share a bottle of this wine over a rack of lamb grilled over cherry hardwood, the notes of black cherry, blue and red berries would reach breath-taking decibels. Here is a bottle of wine that settles once and for all whether kosher wine can hold its own at any table. It was rightfully described by Vancouver Magazine as “a revelation.” A third pleasure awaited me with the Sauvignon Blanc, a wine whose refreshing flavours attests to the growing skills of the teams that hand harvest these grapes in the Golan. Mediumbodied with scents of pear and passion fruit that float gently on an herbal wave, this wine will keep you cool on a hot late-summer night without making you reach for a sweater. Last, but hardly least, I sampled the Galil’s Pinot
Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
Noir. It meets the challenge of crafting a quality Pinot Noir and exceeds expectations. Raspberry, sour cherry, and chocolate shades with hints of vanilla form a smooth texture that makes each sip a delight. This single varietal Pinot is mysterious; distinctive aromas and flavours emerge gradually over the long finish, and while the tannins are soft, the wine has a dense full flavour. Given my enjoyment of all these wines I’m pleased to note that they’re all also reasonably priced; you don’t need to set them aside for special occasions—they’ll add a splash of desert romance to any meal. If the revolution of the past 20 years in Israeli winemaking allows for any conclusions and predictions, it’s that Israel and fine wine is a natural pairing, and one that holds great promise in the years to come. “Le Chaim,” the Hebrew toast that means “to life,” can be made wholeheartedly with a glass of Galil Mountain Chardonnay. And as tastes of Israeli vineyards continue to gain recognition, I imagine many more will raise their glasses to Israeli winemakers.
t h e h u n g r y d e n t i s t d r . h o l ly f o n g Dr. Holly Fong is a practising speech-language pathologist with three young children who is always trying, adapting and creating dishes.
slow-cooked salmon Succulent yet flaky, it’s the perfect late-summer dish slow-cooked salmon (serves 4) fish
.75 kg salmon filet (have fishmonger scale and cut your fish into 4 servings) salt and white pepper creamy sorrel sauce
1 tablespoon chopped chives extra chopped chives for garnish, optional 4 oz. sorrel leaves, rinsed, removing any fibrous middle stems 1 cup whipping cream salt and white pepper tender green beans
dr. holly fong
225g or ½ pound slender green beans, rinsed, ends trimmed salt 5 cloves of garlic, peeled
Pat salmondry withpaper towels. Sprinklewithsalt and pepper. Bringfilets toroomtemperature. Heat your gas barbecuetohigh. Scrubgrill clean. Carefully oil grill withanolive-oil-soakedwadof paper towel. Placefilets skinsidedownonthegrill andclose cover. Turntheheat downtolowfor 1 ½minutes. Turnoff grill. Donot lift cover! Let salmoncook for 23 minutes. If youdonot havea gas barbeque, preheat ovento 200°F(100°C). Placesalmonskinsidedownona baking dish. Bakeonmiddlerack of theovenfor 10 minutes. Turnovenoff andlet salmonrest 15 minutes witha gas oven, 10 minutes withanelectricoven. Donot open ovendoor. Whilethesalmonis cooking, fill a largesaucepan with2 inches of water. Addenoughsalt sothat the water is similar tosea water. Smashgarliccloves with theflat bladeof a largekitchenknifeona cuttingboard. Addtowater mixture. Bringtoa roaringboil over high heat. Addthebeans. Stir tolightly submergeall the beans. Addmorewater if neededtojust cover thebeans. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, uncovereduntil al dente. Usinga slottedspoon, removebeans fromthepan ontoa largeplateor servingbowl. Set aside. Cut thesorrel by stackingleaves andlightly rolling intoa cylinder. Usinga sharpknife, cut intothinribbons. Ina mediumsaucepan, bringcreamtoa boil over medium-highheat. Turnoff andremovefromheat. Stir inthechoppedchives. Seasonwithsalt andpepper. Add sorrel. It will wilt very quickly. Immediately blenduntil smoothwitha handheldblender. Adjust seasoning. Servea pieceof salmonwithbeans, generously coveredinsauce. Garnishwithextra chives. Enjoy.
E
ating well doesn’t necessarily mean complicated. Some of the best meals are nothing more than fresh quality ingredients simply prepared to enhance their natural flavours. Over the last few years, the proliferation of farmers’ markets have made it easier for home cooks to find quality seasonal produce. Summer meals at my house are often inspired by what’s available at the market and by what’s growing in my small backyard garden. One of my family’s favourite late-summer meals is tender just picked green beans with slow cooked salmon in a creamy sorrel sauce and some crusty bread to soak up any remaining sauce. Slow cooking the salmon over a very low heat keeps the fish meltingly succulent. It will be bright orange—almost raw looking—but it flakes readily. The cream and sorrel sauce with its tangy lemon flavour enhances the natural sweetness of the salmon and the just-picked green beans. If you grow your own sorrel, pick young leaves about the size of a large bay leaf. Otherwise you will have to peel off the fibrous middle rib along the leaf before finely cutting the leaves into ribbons. When choosing a wine, look for a medium body wine with not much oak but good acidity to cut the richness of the salmon and the cream in the sauce, like a Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc. For a change of pace, try an Austrian Grüner Veltliner. The Stift Goettweig 2008 Grüner Veltliner Messwein has bright acidity with a fragrant honeysuckle nose, tasting of lemon, green apple and a touch of mineral. The finish is long with a hint of pepper. This is a crisp wine with a slight creaminess that pairs well with the salmon and the sorrel sauce.
September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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t h e w e a lt h y d e n t i s t m a n f r e d p u r t z k i Manfred Purtzki is the principal of Purtzki & Associates Chartered Accountants. You can reach him at manfred@purtzki.com.
boost your bottom line Your profitability depends on more than your clinical expertise
T
he profitability of your practice does not just depend on your clinical expertise, or how many hours you spend in the practice. Based on an informal survey of our dental clients, it is interesting to note, that often the dentists who work more than the standard 32 hours per week, do not generate more revenues. It is not a question of how much time you put in, but how much you bill per hour. Here are my suggestions of how to boost profitability in your dental practice.
1. Consider all elements to increase hourly production, such as charging more than the fee guide, adding more profitable procedures and eliminating fee discounts. In most practices, the hygiene department
is not operating at its full potential. Hygiene revenues are typically between 15% and 25% of total billings, when the goal should be more like 33%. Fine-tuning the Recare program to increase the hygiene volume not only adds 60 cents of every hygiene dollar to the bottom line, but it also generates more dental treatments.
2. Use the 80-20 rule. You may be familiar
It is not a question of how much time you put in, but how much you bill per hour
with the Pareto Principle, which states that 20% of something is always responsible for 80% of the results. It is a great daily reminder to focus on the 20% that matters. Figure out how you can apply the 80-20 rule to your practice. Maybe you should be dropping the high-maintenance, low-revenue patients, the ones who seem to suck all the energy and enthusiasm out of the dentist and staff. Focus on the 20% of the dental procedures that produce 80% of the practice income. Increase production, by you spending more time on profitable procedures, and adding an associate on a part time basis to look after the less lucrative treatments, and procedures that are normally referred out.
3. Effective delegation is a key ingredient for an efficiently run office. Delegation in your office is only possible if you employ talented and highly motivated staff. Dentists often tolerate underperformers or employees with a bad attitude, because many don’t want to fire a staff member out of fear of a large severance payment. Applying the Pareto Principle, 20% of the employees produce 80% of the results. It means that you should focus your management time on nurturing the good employees so that they become excellent, rather than spending valuable time on bringing weak staff members up to speed. 4. Embrace new technology. What successful dental practices have in common
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010
is the need to introduce new technology and procedures. New equipment increases the office efficiency, as well as referrals from patients.
5. Control the dental supply expense, by preparing an annual budget for dental supplies, and work with your staff and your dental supplier to make sure you stay within that budget. Cut down the inventory so that the amount of supplies on hand does not exceed your average monthly dental supply cost.
6. Put monitors in place so that you can
measure the impact of your strategies on practice productivity and cash flow. It allows you to take remedial action immediately, rather than when you meet with your accountant for the annual visit. Here are some common practice monitors: a. Production by provider (dentist, hygienist and associate). b. Production per hour of each provider. This is a key measurement of productivity. c. New patients. d. Monthly statement of revenues and expenses, and comparison to the prior period and budget. e. Fee adjustments. Fee adjustments can be symptomatic of embezzlement, where the patient is being billed, but the money is actually collected by the employee. To cover up the tracks, the employee subsequently makes an adjustment to the fee in order to keep the records balanced. If you are looking at setting up practice monitors, feel free to contact us (feedback@ inprintpublications.com) and we will send you a sample spreadsheet to get you started.
diversion
positions available KELOWNA, BC – This is an unbelievable opportunity in Kelowna B.C. We have incredible snowfor skiing, large andbeautiful lakes for the long hot summers, stunning golf courses and many tochoose fromas well as an international airport. Lifestyle that is secondtonone. We have an opening for a hard working associate with two years plus experience in a group practice environment. This is a well rounded practice that encompasses all aspects of dentistry includingI.Vsedationandimplants. Experienced staff is in place and the patients are waiting. If this interests you please contact me by email: jim.belot@telus.net.
sudoku Solve puzzle #2 for a chance to win a night’s stay in an executive onebedroom suite at the Carmana Plaza in downtown Vancouver! Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 through 9.
sudoku 2 harder solution in next issue
1 8 4 7 5 3 6 1 5
8 2 3 1 9 7
4 6 7 4 8 9 2 3
2 7 9 5 8 3 4 7 5
2 4
Puzzle by websudoku.com
4 7 4
9 1 9 7 6 6 3 8 4
7 2
8
1 2
5 7
5
8 4 5 1 7 5 1 9
INVERMERE, BC – Practice for sale in beautiful Invermere, B.C. 4 operatories. Strong hygiene department. Superb staff. Grosses $700+/ year. Fantastic lake and mountain lifestyle.
practice for sale
Vendor willing to stay on part time if desired by purchaser. Interested parties please contact Ron MacKenzie CA, at: mackenz@telus.net or: (604) 685-9227. NANAIMO, BC – For sale…estate property/ home/dental practice. This unique opportunity offers exceptional living combined with a relaxed and professional working environment. Toviewthis rare“gem”locatedinPleasant Valley, only minutes fromNorthNanaimo’s uptown, call Dr. Ron Watson at: (250) 390-3774 or visit the website: http://drronwatson.com.
vacation properties SILVER SANDS, JAMAICA – EbbTide 4bd/4bth Beachfront Villa. Large, airy, comfortable, tastefullyfurnished.Weekly/nightlyrateincludes services of Cook & Housekeeper and free airport transfers. Silver Sands Resort boasts arguably the most magnificent white sand beach on the Island. Great swimming, snorkeling, coral reef exploration, golf, dolphin encounters, horseback riding, river rafting, excellent shopping & dining close by. For contact details visit www.homeaway.com/265865 Reach out through Just For Canadian Dentists magazine
Complimentary classified ads to practising dentists in these categories: positions available, locums wanted, practice/equipment for sale/rent and office space. All other classifieds: 1 inch - $95 | 2 inch - $120 | 3 inch - $145 (15% discount for practising dentists)
Classifieds: fax 604-681-8149 • tel 604-681-1811 • email classified@InPrintPublications.com
entry form (please print clearly):
6 3 3
practice for sale
Puzzle by websudoku.com
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sudoku 1 easier solution on page 15
GOOD LUCK! LAST ISSUE’S WINNER: Dr. Lionel Jinks of Vancouver, BC
WEST KOOTENAYS, BC – Full-time associate required for a busy general practice. Well established patient base, new patients daily, two hygienists, long term staff, six operatories. We enjoy all the seasons have to offer. Just go outside your back door to travel less than 1 hour to all activities. Red Mountain and White Water Ski areas for skiingin the winter andbike trails in the summer. The Arrow/Kootenay and Christina lakes are right here for your summer swimming, sailing or water skiing. There are many golf courses for all skill levels. Come and joinour practice. If this is theplacefor you, owner wouldliketoarrangeafuturebuy-inor purchase of practice. Email: donellis@shaw.ca.
clas s ified
Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________ City, Province, Postal Code: _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________ Tel: ______________________________ Fax: _________________________________ Sudoku Puzzle Contest Rules: 1. Entry form must be accompanied with solved puzzle. Only correctly solved puzzles will be entered into random draw. 2. Send puzzle & entry form to Just For Canadian Dentists, 710 – 938 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1N9 or by fax to 604-681-0456. Entries must be received by October 18, 2010. 3. Prize: One night’s stay in an executive one-bedroom suite at Carmana Plaza in Vancouver, BC. Odds of winning dependent upon number of entries. Winner will be contacted by telephone and announced in the November/December 2010 issue. 4. Contest can be changed and/or cancelled without prior notice. 5. All entries become property of In Print Publications. Employees of In Print Publications and its affiliates not eligible to participate. September/October 2010 Just For Canadian dentists
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side trip
visit Ghost Ranch
People come back from New Mexico changed. This may be in large part due to the stellar spas in and around Santa Fe and Taos (see page 5), but even when not soaked and slathered you’re likely to be stimulated by the high desert light and landscape, long revered by artists like Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe. The scene here is straight out of an O’Keefe painting. This is Ghost Ranch, with a wild west history and jaw-dropping scenery, ripe for artistic expression. Today, Ghost Ranch is a secluded getaway for groups searching for inspiration. Take one of the many workshops going on year-round or plan your own CE event here. You’ll come back renewed… Ghost Ranch: ghostranch.org; New Mexico: newmexico.org. —B. Sligl
go
b. Sligl
desert high
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Just For Canadian dentists September/October 2010