Fluoride in Your Dental Practice

Fluoride is a very important mineral for the overall health of teeth. It is found naturally in water and many foods but this mineral is lost as acid is consumed; The acid comes from sugar and attacks the enamel; this process is called demineralization. When food and water that contain fluoride are consumed the process of redepositing the minerals to the enamel layer is called remineralization. When too much demineralization occurs without remineralization it will break down the enamel layer causing tooth decay.

As a dental professional there are a few different formats of fluoride that can be applied. There is gels, foams, rinses and varnishes.  Foams and gels are used in fluoride foam trays, rinses are swished around the mouth by patients and varnishes are painted right on to the teeth. Although varnishes are usually more expensive per application, they do ensure increased fluoride uptake.

Some patients may be worried that there are negative effects of fluoride but maybe studies have been done and as long as no one is consuming large amounts, fluoride is completely safe for patients. In fact, there are many benefits of fluoride such as, slowing or even reversing the development of cavities by harming bacteria that creates the cavities. It can also help to prevent gum disease, tooth pain and premature loss of teeth.

From the Canadian Dental Association’s website, “The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the appropriate use of fluoride. More than 50 years of extensive research demonstrates that fluoride is safe and effective in preventing dental caries (i.e., tooth decay). CDA recognizes and supports the use of fluoride in preventive treatments and as part of daily care products. CDA monitors the scientific literature examining the use of fluoride to ensure its safety and effectiveness.”

At Central Dental, we can help you find the right fluoride for your clinic and patients. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly experts by emailing sales@neosource.ca or calling 204-832-8481.

RESOURCES

https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/about/position_statements/fluoride/

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/fluoride-treatment

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327168

Employee Spotlight with Kevin Haldane

As the Operations Team Lead at Central Dental Solutions, what are some of your responsibilities?

KH: I am responsible for working with the other members of the operations team to make sure we have inventory in stock so we can get it to our customers on time!

How does the Quickship program work?

KH: This is a guide to the most common items that we sell! If the product is in the guide and you are in Winnipeg if you place your order by 11:00 AM we will, where ever possible, get the order to you by 4:00 pm that same business day likewise if you place the order before 4:00 PM we aim to get it to you by 11:00 AM the next business day.

Why does Central Dental Solutions offer reupholstery on dental chairs?

KH: This is a quick more economical way of giving your chairs and office a refresh with minimal downtime!

How does the Rapport Preventative maintenance work?

KH: This is a check on the “heart and lungs” of your clinic done at regular intervals that work for you.

If someone is opening a new dental clinic, how can Central Dental Solutions help?

KH: Central Dental can help in many ways, from finding space that is feasible, Design, Project Oversight, Equipment, and Cabinetry to getting you the supplies you need to get started!

Can clients go to your website to place an order?

KH: Yes, they can. The customer portal allows them to have a curated list of the products they want to order and also see their entire transaction history

What do you like to do in your spare time?

KH: I enjoy playing shiny, BBQing, and spending time with family and friends!

If you would like to reach Kevin Haldane directly you can email kevin.haldane@accuquip.ca or call 800-665-7302.

Sedation Techniques in the Dental Industry

Dental sedation is used to calm a patient’s anxiety about the procedure or help with pain control. There are many forms of dental sedation in the industry. They range from numbing the pain to completely sleeping. All forms of sedation are meant for short term use.

Minimal Sedation

This type of sedation is a conscious sedation. This is where the patient is still conscious but less aware of what is going on around them. When this method is used the patient’s coordination might be affected but ventilatory and cardiovascular functions will be unaffected. One of the most used techniques for this type of sedation is what is known as commonly known as laughing gas. The medical name for laughing gas is nitrous oxide and is used to relax patients which may help them receive pain management such as needles in the gums. The effects of laughing gas come quickly and wear off quickly once they stop breathing it in from the nose apparatus you will use to administrate it. Patients who use only this sedation method can often drive right after the procedure.

Oral Sedation

This type of sedation is also a conscious sedation. This is a prescribed medication that is taken orally. There are a number of different types of medication that can be prescribed. Depending on the circumstances, your patients heart rate and blood pressure may need to be monitored during the procedure. If the patient has extremely high anxiety this is a good option. Typically, this type of sedation will leave them sleepy and unable to drive home.

IV Sedation

There is something called ‘Twilight’ sedation. For this, the patient is conscious but not very aware of their surroundings. This can still be done at your dental clinic with the right education and equipment. Under some circumstances but not very often, a patient will need general anesthesia which cannot be done at the dental clinic but would need to be done at a hospital or specialized clinic where a specialist would administrate the sedative and monitor the patient throughout the procedure.

As a dentist, you should always check with the dental association guidelines or requirements to administer sedation. Another option that is becoming common in the dental industry is clinics employing a dental anesthesiologist so they can perform the more complicated procedures.

Having sedation alternatives can benefit certain patients, as well as your whole team by saving time, anxiety and delivering a more positive patient experience.

RESOURCES

5 Questions with Equipment Tech – Karl Grant

Karl Grant, an Equipment Technician at Central Dental Solutions, has decades of experiences helping our clients. We took a minute to ask him some questions about his role and what he likes to do in his spare time. Read below to find some advice Karl has for dental clinics, no matter the size!

What is your role at Central Dental Solutions and how long have you been employed there?

I have been an Equipment Technician with Central Dental for 24 years! I started here in October of 1998.

What led you to becoming an Equipment Technician?

I was looking for steady work and I knew the dental industry would not be going anywhere so the appeal was the promise of constant work!

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is when a customer has an emergency problem and we can find the right solution for them quickly. I do not like seeing our customers in that situation but when it inevitably happens, I love finding the right solution for them!

What advice do you have for dental clinics when it comes to their equiqment?

The advice I always give to dental clinics is to be sure they have a plan for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance of the heart and lungs of the clinic which is the main air compressor and the dental suction unit.

What do you like to do when you are not at Central Dental?

When I get the opportunity, I love to travel and explore new places, spend time with my wife and children and spending time outdoors doing activities such as hiking.

If you would like to find out more about our Rapport Plan, visit https://www.central-dental.ca/repair-maintenance/.

Why Dentists Are Turning to Digital Dentistry

The technology in the dental field is ever-changing, like most industries. In the past decade, many positive steps have been made to creating an accurate and beneficial system for digital dentistry. This technology has many benefits. Although it has taken time to be a trusted source in the industry it is in high demand now. Below we explore some of the advantages of digital dentistry.

Saves Time

The bottom line is that intraoral scanners save you time. When you save time in your clinic, it leads to more patients which increases your workflow and patient reach. When you scan a patients mouth digitally it takes five minutes. Scanning digitally helps you to avoid a mess and keeps patients from being uncomfortable

Guarantees Accuracy

When digital equipment is used properly, there are plenty of studies that prove the accuracy of intraoral scanning. When you use a scanner, you eliminate human error. Most dental labs suggest that the biggest source of error is the impression that is made. When a scan is made digitally it takes out the chance of that happening.

Comfort of Use for Dentist

The new Carestream intraoral scanner, CS 3800, is completely wireless and has a battery life up to one hour. It can be plugged in if the battery runs out. It uses motion controls within the scanner instead of having to use the computer. It is only 240 grams which makes it easy to handle for dentists and does not create a lot of stress and pain in the hand when using. This new technology is the most comfortable and convenient on the market to date.  

Saves Money

Depending on how you do things at your clinic, you can really save money using an intraoral scanner. You will save money on materials such as PVC and plaster for models. On top of that, you will save money on shipping and will not have to find the space to store all of the additional materials. All of your models can be stores digitally instead of finding a physical place for all the records. According to Dr. Mark McOmie from the Unites States, you can save approximately $28,800 a year using a digital scanner. The cost upfront is more but in the long run you will save thousands of dollars for your practice.

At Central Dental Solutions, we are seeing the CS 3800 as a way of the future. If this is something you would like to try at your clinic, do not hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable team and we can provide you with a demo to ‘try before you buy.’ Please contact us at sales@central-dental.ca or call 800-665-7302.

RESOURCES

https://www.3shape.com/en/news/2018/five-reasons-to-own-an-intraoral-scanner

https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/news/new-carestream-intraoral-scanner-announced-cs-3800/

Manny Meillon – Service Rep at CDS

1.       What are you responsible for as a Service Rep at Central Dental?

One of my biggest responsibilities is to test and repair handpieces as soon as they arrive at Central Dental so we can guarantee our customers that they will receive them back in less than 72 hours. I also perform preventative and corrective in-house maintenance to all medical equipment.

2.            How long have you been servicing dental / medical equipment? What type of dental equipment do you service?

I have been in the medical field for over 9 years and specialized in dental equipment for the last 3 years. At Central Dental, I service different kinds of equipment such as handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, ultrasonic cleaners, sterilizers, obturation systems, centrifuges, among others. 

3.            What should dental clinics know about service reps?

They should know that the service reps are here to help and deliver the best customer experience by creating a positive and professional relationship that will give them the right solution at the right time.

4.            Why did you become interested in the dental industry? 

As they say ““A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” so being part of the process to help dentists to achieve their patients’ dreams is truly fulfilling

5.            What do you like to do in your spare time?

Travel is the activity that I enjoy the most. I like activities that involve camping and fat biking. 

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance for Dental Equipment

Preventive maintenance in dental clinics can be critical to the overall success of your practice. There is no doubt the equipment that allows you to do your job every day is very important and also a significant investment. By implementing a well thought out prevention plan you can ensure yourself, your staff and patients are well protected. The last thing you want is a piece of equipment failing while it is being used on a patient.

How to Implement a Prevention Maintenance Plan

Thinking ahead and preventing a breakdown before it happens will save you time and money in the long run. You might be wondering where to start when it comes to implementing a prevention plan at your clinic. The first thing we recommend is to speak to an accredited technician who you can consult with to help get you started. The certified technicians at Central Dental Solutions have years of experience and would be able to help you find a maintenance plan that will best suit your needs.

How Equipment Needs to be Maintained

The equipment that you have will vary in degrees of which they need to be maintained.

Sterilization equipment has always been important, but with ever changing infection control protocols, it is now more critical than ever. Routine cleaning is essential and an overall check is recommended at least annually.

Air compressors have filters that need to be checked regularly, and changed a minimum of once a year. If they are oil type, oil levels will need to be checked monthly. The quality of your air affects patient care as well as your handpiece instrumentation.

Suction equipment should be properly cleaned with appropriate products daily and monthly. At the very minimum suction equipment should be serviced once a year.

As you know, handpieces have many moving parts that make it work so well. They are a very complicated piece of equipment although it does not look like it from the outside. The only responsibility a dentist or dental assist should take on themselves for handpieces is the cleaning and lubrication. Beyond that, any maintenance work should be done by an accredited service technician. By getting your handpiece maintained consistently, you will avoid costly repairs and downtime.  

As far as dental units go, monitoring handpiece pressure, and checking for cuts or abrasion in the many tubing’s can prevent premature failure of handpieces and costly downtime.

Central Dental Solutions Rapport Plan

At Central Dental, we believe ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ We offer a rapport plans at 3 different levels to suit your clinic. Clients who sign up for our rapport plans qualify for special labour discounts. You can find out more about our Rapport Plan here.

RESOURCES

https://www.dentaleconomics.com/macro-op-ed/article/16391603/handpiece-maintenance-101