SLIX™ Composite Manipulation Instruments from Premier — This is a never-ending story. As long as we continue to use composite materials, we will be looking for the instrument that does not stick to composite. Every composite hands-on course I attend has a different instrument or trick to keep composite from sticking to the instrument as you try to manipulate the material. I had developed my own tricks for treating the instrument to stop sticking and pulling. Well, I have found an instrument from Premier that I think you will like. With a name like SLIX, it must be good. The instrument tips are treated with a coating that provides superior nonstick properties to virtually eliminate composite sticking for easy placement and fast cleanup. The coating is autoclave-safe, will not chip, flake, or peel, and gives the tips the appearance of highly polished stainless steel. They are lightweight and have great ergonomic grips made of medical-grade silicone, which really reduces hand fatigue. They come in a variety of tips, so check them out and order your favorites. I think you will find that SLIX will end your stickiness battle with composite. Order from your dealer or contact Premier at [email protected], or visit www.premusa.com for more information.
The HR Director by Bent Ericksen & Associates — Many times in my practice, I made mistakes managing employees. Early in my career, Human Resource Director was one of the hats that I had trouble wearing. In several instances, I handled a situation exactly the wrong way and ended up paying for it — in cash! I have known the folks at Bent Ericksen for years and have known them to be a wise resource for dentists throughout the country. The company has always been a wealth of knowledge when it comes to HR and has helped me many times. Now, under the direction and guidance of President Tim Twigg, the company has released the ultimate piece of information for our practices. The latest "HR Director" is Bent Ericksen & Associates' leading and most comprehensive package. The distinctive feature is the integrated and interactive CD software. The innovative software represents an automated and efficient way to access your HR materials, as opposed to having to look up the appropriate policies and/or forms manually. Nothing else on the market compares. With the HR Director, your human resource solutions are merely a click away. The package includes all the tools you need to help you effectively manage your Human Resources, Personnel, and Employment Law Compliance needs. Once I installed the software, I was able to access my Personnel Policy Manual (I've never had one of those). I completed Personnel Forms and tailored specific Job Descriptions. With the interactive and unique, state-specific, "personalization module," I was able to personalize my Employee Benefits. Then, with the help of the "Employee Handbook Generator," I customized and created an Employee Handbook that met the needs of my practice. But that is just the beginning. I also received a Personnel Policy Manual, which contains more than 90 comprehensive policies written specifically for our profession. This Policy Manual covers the essential policies such as Harassment, Discrimination, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as policies on cell phone/photo phone use, Internet and e-mail use. I have not even begun to tell you all that you will receive. For more than 25 years, Bent Ericksen & Associates has been the most trusted name in Employment Law Compliance and Human Resources for health-care practitioners. Pick up your phone and call (800) 679-2760 to order yours, or go to www.bentericksen.com for more information. Then you will have the peace of mind that I enjoy.
Calm-it™ Desensitizer from Dentsply Caulk — We have all experienced the feeling: an in-tense pain that comes on suddenly while consuming something hot or cold. If it is from cold, I immediately wrap my tongue around the tooth to warm it and get rid of the pain. The "sensitivity" is mainly due to exposed dentinal tubules. More specifically, the hydrodynamic flow of liquid inside the uncovered dentinal tubules can trigger nerves along the pulpal canal of the dentin, which cause sharp pain. Calm-it Desensitizer is a glutaraldehyde-based desensitizer that functions by reacting/cross-linking with plasma proteins in dentinal fluid. Calm-it reduces or eliminates sensitivity in seconds by penetrating deeply into tubules with a one-step, chairside procedure. This simple and effective technique reduces hypersensitivity and eliminates discomfort from cervical erosion for up to six months. An easy-to-use integral brush unit-dose and bottle delivery are available. With today's aging population, and gingival recession as one of the primary causes of dentinal sensitivity, Caulk's theme for Calm-it — "a little extra calm never hurts" — could be good advice. Order from your dealer or visit www.dentsplycaulk.com for more information.
GoAskFred.com from 1-800-DENTIST®GoAskFred.com from 1-800-DENTIST® — This new site is hosted by Fred Joyal, co-founder of 1-800-DENTIST and a 25-year dental marketing veteran. The site was designed to be a free resource where dentists can log on and ask Fred their specific marketing questions. Fred will personally respond via e-mail and post a video response in the online library. Ask Fred any question you like about marketing your practice — he'll respond personally to each one! For "everything you wish they taught in dental school," visit GoAskFred.com. The features of the Web site include:
Q&A Library: Browse 100 questions and answers. You can view video responses or read Fred's answers in text form, whichever you prefer.
Marketing Self-Assessment: Enter your practice challenges and strengths and receive a personalized marketing plan with recommendations to help focus your marketing efforts.
Webinars with Fred Joyal: Hear Fred speak about a new topic every month and answer your questions live. This is an interactive opportunity for you to get the answers you're looking for, straight from the source.
Fred's Forum: Read Fred's blog and keep up with the latest tips and trends in dental marketing.
eNewsletter: Subscribe to a quarterly dental marketing newsletter with advice and ideas about promoting your practice.
Downloadable Marketing Whitepaper: The latest research on dental industry trends and marketing best practices.
Doctor Locator from CareCredit — Doctor Locator has been upgraded on www.carecredit.com with new and enhanced features, enabling more than 400,000 patients each month to find a doctor in their community who offers CareCredit's no interest and low interest payment plans as payment options. Each year, nearly five million patients use the Doctor Locator to perform a detailed search for a practice offering CareCredit by profession, specialty, and/or procedure. Newly added features enable patients to search for practices based on proximity, within a designated ZIP code, and by specifying a radius of up to 75 miles. Each doctor listing includes the practice name, address, phone number, and the name of the doctor(s) on staff. Patients can pinpoint the location of a practice with a new mapping and driving directions feature. Listed practices can also elect to include a Web address with a direct link to their Web site. "Online research is often a key part of the decision-making process as patients consider treatment options, plan their budget, and seek the right provider," said Dave Fasoli, president of CareCredit. "Patient input was an important part of enhancing the CareCredit.com Doctor Locator feature and making it a robust and easy-to-use resource." CareCredit just keeps getting better and better. Go to CareCredit.com for more information.
