Defined by Merriam-Webster: To hack is to discover simple and clever tips or techniques to make accomplishing a familiar task more easy and efficiently. Full disclosure: I work for Design Ergonomics and Ergonomic Products. The solutions we provide by way of design and dental equipment could be considered hacking into the dentistry mold. And when it comes to the way you practice, well, I broke the mold.
I am in a pretty unique position. Writing this blog is only part of my role with Design Ergonomics. I train the top 1% of highest producing dental practices in North America. They are the top 1% because they have been trained to do things simpler. Traveling week to week to a new practice, you can imagine that I get to see a lot. What I have learned is that there are more ways than one to skin a cat. I thought I would take a little time to share a few tricks and tips to improve the way you work.
Top 5 Clinical Hacks In Dentistry You Never Knew Existed
- Phlebotomy Tub - Some may call it a phlebotomy tub but this little sucker is multipurpose. If you are a general dentist who has added full bracketed orthodontics, you have to have this! I am not talking about the “start” appointments that require a number of things including retraction, the brackets themselves, bands, and cements. I am talking about wire changes and elastic changes. These kids are so lucky these days. For kids to like braces, you try to make wearing them fun with a supply of colors to choose from every month. I wore train tracks and headgear in junior high! Sorry...squirrel…. Stock a phlebotomy tub with all the necessary supplies for those quick, ten minute appointments and carry the tub from op to op. Easy peasy!
2. Clear container organization is vital to any dental practice. Have you ever started using a bur from your bur block and had it break on you? Try a small pill organizer as a chairside container for a few extra burs. The last thing you want your dental assistant to do is get up and go get a bur that has broken or too dull to cut anything. Of course, I advocate regular maintenance on bur blocks but sometimes things happen. You need to have them chairside. I am not suggesting one of those wooden blocks with 100 burs on it, I mean have a few in a container close to you. This cool, small, inexpensive container works.
3. I’ve mentioned stocking your ops with one week’s worth of supplies required for 90% of the dentistry you do. A Zirc Tub is the obvious choice for deploying the supplies required to do the other 10%. The Zirc Tub (with a locking lid) is perfect for travel to and from operatories, lab and/or resupply. Have you ever tried to carry a flame, buffalo knife, shade guides, oh and the lab case itself to the operatory? It can be alot! The Zirc tub is awesome! You’re going to need the lid so don’t forget it. This way, they can be stacked in a central location. The lid will prevent dust and other particles from the contents inside the bin when it is not in use. Make one trip! You can consider a Complete Zirc Tub for procedures like dentures, relines, in office whitening, endo and many other procedures not in your 90% profile.
4. Where do you rinse and dry your crowns before cementing? In the trash can? On the counter? In a sink? Either way, it can be a mess. Rinsing off a dab of Ivoclean is easy with a funnel. This little gadget is very useful. Just place the narrow end of the tube inside your high volume suction and wallah, a “Ivo”clean way to clean your crowns chairside. You’re probably shaking your head right now because I forgot to mention that there is a filter screen inside. Sure, these funnels are advertised to clean fishing lures or fill up glass jars with flower infused olive oil, but they have another great purpose - chairside delivery of small prosthetics to your patients without the mess! They clean easily too! Oh, did I mention autoclavable too?
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5. What do you do for your patient for dry lips? Whether it's nerves or climate, your patient may have dry lips. Vaseline is a thrifty, easy to get product that many dentists keep chairside to protect their patients from the effects of keeping their mouths open for long periods of time. That recognizable yellow tub with the blue lid adorns almost every operatory. That means six containers for a six operatory facility. It is likely the stuff will expire before you use it all so I have another solution - a better solution. Most dental practices have monoject syringes. Are you one of them? Why not load a clear monoject syringe with vaseline? Just spatula a bit of Vaseline on a mixing pad and draw it up into the syringe. Remove the plunger and load it from the back. Place the plunger back on the syringe and press until the vaseline has reached the base of the tip. No need to fill it all the way - just about one-fifth. This should last quite some time. When you run out, just get a new syringe. This clinical hack is easy to use and easily accessible. Exchange the tub for a tube!
Helpful Hint: clip the end of the tip with a pair of scissors to make the material easier to extrude.
This blog is about how “this can all be easier.” These are just five examples to make dentistry easier. I’ve got a million of them (slight exaggeration). When I am not training a practice onsite, I am working with my Reboot Practice Productivity Training Team to find solutions to everyday dental practice frustrations - You’ve got problems, we’ve got answers.
