Management and marketing for the general practice dental office

This article reviews trends in the dental marketplace. Marketing is an essential element of dentistry. Communicating treatment options with patients is one aspect of marketing. Treatment planning helps patients understand the relationships between oral health, occlusion, temporomandibular joint function, and systemic health. Through marketing, dental practice owners inform patients of ever-changing treatment modalities. Understanding treatment options allows patients to make better, informed choices. More options leads to a higher level of care and more comprehensive dental treatment. Managing a practice requires tracking its financial health. Economic statistics measure the effect of management decisions that mark the direction of a dental practice.

Preparing the dental office for medical emergencies

Modern dental offices must be equipped to initiate prompt emergency care should the sudden need arise. With the elderly population in dental practices increasing, these emergencies will undoubtedly occur. This article discusses the basic emergency equipment the average dental office should possess to allow for an adequate initial response. It also discusses the policies and personnel needed for dealing with emergencies. Among the basic emergency equipment, an office should have syringes, an Ambu bag, a portable oxygen system, a sphygmomanometer (child and adult sizes), and an EKG/defibrillator. Emergency drugs that should be stocked include aromatic ammonia, aspirin, and nitroglycerine. The dentist should also develop a protocol and policy for his/her staff to follow when a medical emergency arise.

Dental establishment business activity in New York State counties at start of the millennium

Bureau of the Census reports for 2002 were used to develop business data for "average" dental establishments in each of the counties in New York State. On average, between 1997 and 2002, when compared to national information, the number of New York State dental establishments increased at a slower rate, had a smaller resident population per establishment, reported lower gross receipts, had fewer employees and paid lower salaries to employees.

Your practice is not your pension fund

I believe that in the not too distant future--in 10 to 20 years--the single-handed practice as we know it today will cease to exist. Even in today's market, 25% of practices have either closed due to an unsaleable commodity or have taken two to three years to sell and at a seriously reduced price. This thought alone should refocus the mind as we continue into the 21st century.

Wireless local area network for the dental office

Dental offices are no exception to the implementation of new and advanced technology, especially if it enhances productivity. In a rapidly transforming digital world, wireless technology has a special place, as it has truly "retired the wire" and contributed to the ease and efficient access to patient data and other software-based applications for diagnosis and treatment. If the office or the clinic is networked, access to patient management software, imaging software and treatment planning tools is enhanced. Access will be further enhanced and unrestricted if the entire network is wireless. As with any new, emerging technology, there will be issues that should be kept in mind before adapting to the wireless environment. Foremost is the network security involved in the installation and use of these wireless networks. This short, technical manuscript deals with standards and choices in wireless technology currently available for implementation within a dental office. The benefits of each network security protocol available to protect patient data and boost the efficiency of a modern dental office are discussed.

Tobacco cessation program: resources to help organize a dental office program

When dentists and dental office team members assist their patients in becoming tobacco free, they are eliminating causative/contributing factors for a number of oral conditions, including cancer and periodontal diseases. These tobacco cessation services, when successful, can also improve the outcome of dental treatment and at the same time add quality and years to patients' lives. Dental offices that would like to provide and document tobacco cessation services will find the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry web site www.umn.edu/ perio/tobacco a useful resource. For some tobacco-using patients who are interested in quitting, our Individual Counseling Clinic at (612) 626-0440 is a possible option, and referrals are welcome. For further information, please contact Dr. Stafne at stafn001@umn.edu.

Modern office design in the "information age"

This article reviews the process of reaching the goal of modernizing a new or existing endodontic office. Incorporating computer-based technologies in the office requires significant planning, best achieved by forming a technology goal that addresses budget, knowledge base, and infrastructure issues. Making the transition to the modern dental practice is expensive and time-consuming but also profitable and exciting. Soon, all dental offices will be using digital radiographic systems, video systems, and patient charting programs that use no paper documentation. As the computer familiarity and staff knowledge based increases with the growing use of computers in society overall, finding the office personnel able to harness the efficiency and power of the technology in the dental office will be easier. Through careful planning and formation of a reasonable technology goal, updating an old office or creating a new modern endodontic practice with the technologies and their patients can benefit.

A custom-fabricated device for chairside organization of multiple implant components

Organizing multiple and varied implant components in preparation for providing treatment for a patient with a complex implant prosthesis can be a challenge to even the most experienced practitioner. The many implant abutment component options available, especially when different sizes and types of abutments will be used in 1 arch, can create confusion for both dentist and assistant, hindering chairside efficiency. This article describes the fabrication and use of a custom chairside implant components organizer.