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

Sterilization Tracking in the Dental Industry

Infection control in a dental clinic is a very important part of everyday operations. Infection control is all about preventing the transmission of infections through the instruments and surfaces that are used. During procedures, any risk of this can be easily avoided when the proper systems are in place. Sterilization tracking is one of the important systems that should be implemented to ensure proper disinfection and sterilization of your dental and surgical instruments.

The most common procedure for sterilization tracking is using spore tests, which can also be referred to as biological indicators. Along with that, mechanical and chemical monitoring is necessary to help detect other errors such as an overloaded sterilizer, incorrect packaging or equipment malfunctions. Mechanical monitoring can be monitored during the sterilization cycle which allows for an alert of an error in real-time and you can keep records of this through a data logger or printer. Chemical monitoring uses sensitive chemicals that change colour when exposed to high temperatures. They can be tape, stripes or tabs. These chemical monitoring checks also give you the results at the time of the cycle so there is no delay.

In most cases, dental clinics are required by the national and provincial governing bodies to verify the proper functioning of the sterilization cycle by using a biological indicator. Team members responsible for this task should be properly trained, and have them properly recorded so you can pull up the history at any time.

If a spore test does come back positive, there are other factors that can be causing the problem.  It does not necessarily mean that your sterilizer isn’t working. First off, check that the chamber was not overloaded, that there is no excess packaging present, that the tools were exposed to the proper amount of time, and check the temperature and pressure settings or if there was an interruption in the cycle. If any of these were incorrect, you would run a retest. If all of those items were correct and you have a failed test you should stop using the sterilizer and call your dental service provider.

Understanding and correctly implementing sterilization monitoring as part of a dental infection control program is a must for the safety of patients and team members. At Central Dental Solutions, we are experts in infection control. We strive to be up to date with the latest regulations and trends. If you have questions about your infection control program, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing sales@central-dental.ca or calling 1-800-665-7302.

RESOURCES
https://oshareview.com/2018/02/sterilization-monitoring-in-dental-offices/

https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/faqs/monitoring.html#:~:text=Mechanical%20monitoring%20involves%20checking%20the,recommended%20by%20the%20sterilizer%20manufacturer.

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.

Tips on Keeping Your Clinic Clean and Safe

In a healthcare environment keeping your dental clinic clean and sanitized is always a top priority. There are systems and strategies that can be used to ensure your team and patients have the safest and best experience in your clinic. No matter what your position is within the dental clinic, everyone on the team should share responsibility to help maintain a clean and safe environment for the benefit of all.

High Touch Areas

Always monitor high touch areas that should be regularly disinfected. Visible debris should be disposed of safely and washing down the entire area with an approved disinfectant should be done on a set schedule. High touch areas in the general clinic include, but are not limited to, transaction surfaces, light switches, drawer handles, cabinet and door handles, as well as faucets and sinks.

Washroom

Inevitably there will be high traffic in the washroom with many patients and staff members going in and out. The condition of the washroom is always a reflection of the rest of the clinic. Maintaining a clean and fully stocked washroom in your clinic will show patients that you have not overlooked the importance of keeping the washroom clean and tidy.

Reception Area

The reception area of your clinic is the first impression your patients will have of your clinic. It is critical that it is kept clean and well organized. This includes keeping clutter under control and keeping all surfaces visibly clean. There should be clearly defined intervals in which the highest touch items are disinfected. Some examples are waiting room chairs, pens, debit machines and transaction surface of desk.

Disinfection & Sterilization Procedures

One of the most crucial steps to take in developing your disinfection and sterilization procedures in your clinic is to make sure they are understood by your team and meet your associations standards. These research-based standards are there to use as a guide so that your team and patients will be kept safe. Following these procedures will significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination and infections.

Havin pro-active cleaning and disinfecting practices that you implement at your clinic will go a long way to maintaining a positive reputation both with patients and valued team members. If you want to go the extra mile consider hiring a professional cleaning team who can sanitize all the key traffic areas as well as performing the regular cleaning tasks. By always presenting a clean and well-organized clinic, you can ensure your patients have the best experience possible at your dental clinic, and ensure their safety.

RESOURCES

https://www.dentistryiq.com/practice-management/staffing/article/16360908/how-clean-is-your-dental-office-5-tips-to-keep-your-patients-healthy-and-happyhttps://www.servicemasterclean.com/clean-blog/healthcare-cleaning/dental-office-cleaning-checklist/

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

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/

UV Disinfection in the Dental Industry

In 2019, when a global pandemic hit, professionals in the dental industry starting looking for new ways to disinfect their tools and surfaces between patients. UV light technology has been used in large healthcare facilities for some time with great success. Currently, most dental clinics are not using the technology but trends are showing that it is on the rise, and for good reason. UV sterilization systems technology have come a long way in their functionality and convenience over the last decade, research and developments were ramped up once the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

UV sterilization systems fall into many categories, but the three most popular in the dental industry are the fixed mounted systems, portable systems and UV chambers.

The fixed mounted systems which deliver an ultra-fast UVc dose that will kill harmful pathogens without having to be moved or repositioned. Most systems can disinfect an entire room in about two minutes and address both surface and airborne pathogens. These systems can record and report in real time ensuring you have proper proof of any compliance data that would be needed for government reporting or patient concerns. 

A portable UV sterilization system has advantages such as convenience, you can just plug it in and it will start to do its job of killing harmful pathogens and sterilizing germs. There use to be a concern of safety for staff and patients being exposed to radiation but with new technology and quality products that is not that the case anymore.

The UV chamber, where dental equipment such as oral mouth mirrors, tooth scrapers and tongue scrapers can be placed inside a chamber to be disinfected by UV light. There are not many disadvantages to this system, it can disinfect tools in bulk, can be done quickly and typically has a reporting system. Studies show that clinical-grade UV chambers has a 99.9% germ disinfection quality.

Keep in mind, if you are considering making the switch to UV sterilization system at your clinic, most systems do not wear out so it is a one-time investment. It also provides peace of mind knowing that you are protecting you, your staff and patients from dangerous pathogens.

If you have any specific questions about UV sterilization systems for your dental clinic, reach out to our knowledgeable team at sales@central-dental.ca or call 800-665-7302.

RESOURCES

https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/products/infection-control-and-instrument-management/article/14180067/uvc-sterilization-works-in-large-healthcare-settings-what-about-dental-offices