Welcome to the first “green” issue of DE. We are very excited about the information in this issue. Start off with the article “Simple, Inexpensive Ways for You and Your Practice to ‘Go Green.'” by Managing Editor Kevin Henry. He gives you many easy ideas you can quickly put into place in your office or home.
Next, I invite you to read the cover story about a green office that was conceived and built from the ground up. When Drs. Carrilyn and R. Troy Stobert began the planning process for their new dental office building, they knew from the beginning that they were going to build “green.” Following their graduation from dental school in 1999, Carrilyn and Troy moved to New Jersey, where Carrilyn worked as an associate dentist and Capt. R. Troy served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force.
During Capt. R. Troy's three-year military commitment, the husband and wife team developed and wrote their vision of the dental practice they would have in Michigan. When they realized that in order to fulfill that vision they would need a new office, they started the research so they could describe their dream. This is a story of a team of people putting together an environmentally sound building that is not only beautiful, but also fulfills the functionality needed for a dental office. My hat is off to them for a job well done — two young dentists who knew what they wanted and got it! This is a “green office” from the ground up.
They entered their new office in the 2008 Matsco Office Design Contest sponsored by Dental Economics® and the American Dental Association, and they won. The Stobert dental office was chosen as the Matsco Outstanding New Dentist Practice winner of the best new, remodeled, or expanded facility for the first practice owned by a doctor or group of doctors who have graduated since 1998. Congratulations to Drs. R. Troy and Carrilyn Stobert for a job well done!
Our “Focus On” section this month looks at CAD/CAM. This technology is definitely “green,” since it eliminates some materials and procedures that are not necessary with digital scanning of teeth. Dr. Gary Radz writes on his “Clinical Impressions of Digital Impressions.” His article covers the 3M ESPE Lava™ C.O.S. generically, and takes an in-depth look at the Cadent iTero™, which he uses in his office on a routine basis. He describes the step-by-step procedures for taking a digital impression.
The “Focus On” section continues with “Revisiting Chairside CAD/CAM in Uncertain Economic Times” by Dr. Armen Mirzayan. The article is an explanation of the use of the new CEREC AC in a general practice with trained auxiliaries and efficient scheduling.
The third “Focus On” article, “New Frontiers in Design with CAD/CAM and Zirconia,” is by Dr. Ariel Raigrodski. It was presented at the 3M Global Symposium last summer. This is a generic article that covers CAD/CAM restorations, zirconium restorations, and implants. This is academic research at its finest. This is not just someone's opinion, it is a respected researcher telling us about the results of his study of these materials.
DE now has a monthly New Dentist column, which will appeal to dentists who have graduated in the past 10 years. Dr. Tyler Pendergrass has a general practice in Amarillo, Texas. I first met Tyler at The Texas Meeting in San Antonio. He was working as a volunteer, and was very kind and helpful to me. Since that time, we have become good friends, and Tyler has served with distinction on several Texas meeting committees. His first column appears this month. I know he will have valuable information for you every month.
In the January issue of DE, Dr. Louis Malcmacher wrote an article on “Learn To Love the Denture Patient Again.” His article discussed the merits of using the Dentatus system of mini implants, based on his experiences. So far, so good. But next he mentions that “other mini implant systems rely on clumsy metal housings,” and that as a result of the metal housings, “the implants must be placed perfectly parallel.”
When I edited this column, I missed the remarks about “other” systems. I should have edited out those comments. Dr. Malcmacher has my permission to write about products in his articles, but he cannot make one product look better than another by writing negatives about “other” well-known products. I urge you to turn to page 12 for a response to the errors in Dr. Malcmacher's article.
Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor — e-mail: [email protected]
Toll-free phone number: (866) 274-4500
