Joe Blaes, DDS
Editor
e-mail: [email protected]
At least one article in every journal you read these days is devoted to adhesive dentistry. Some journals dedicate an entire issue to the new world of cosmetic dentistry. Even the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) devotes a section to cosmetic and esthetic dentistry. I hope that you have determined that this is not just another passing trend. Cosmetic dentistry is here to stay. In fact, I tend to agree with the Ivoclar folks who coined the phrase, "The esthetic revolution."
We are in the midst of a revolution of materials, most of which have been developed for cosmetic dentistry. It seems like every week brings new materials to the market. Many are "me too" products as each manufacturer clamors to get a piece of the market established by the front-runner. I have an office full of new products that I am trying to evaluate for my Pearls for Your Practice® column.
In my practice, many patients actually ask about cosmetic procedures that they have read about in magazines such as Vogue or Better Homes & Gardens, or have heard about from a friend. When this happens, everyone in your office must be able to respond in a positive way to these patients. You and your staff must be ready with the knowledge and communication skills that let your patients know you are able to do these procedures.
Dr. Bill Dickerson uses the following phrase in his seminars, "You have to know what you don`t know, because if you don`t know what you don`t know, then you will keep on doing things the same way and keep getting the same results."
Many times, people come into our office for a second opinion when another dentist in town told them that they could not whiten their teeth or could not change a smile. Usually, my team has already explained what we can do before I even meet the person. My staff is so enthusiastic about this type of dentistry because they have seen so many lives changed.
When a stranger asks Dr. Dickerson what he does, he replies that he "changes lives."
Do you know what you don`t know? Does your staff know about this type of dentistry? Have you restored the mouths of your staff? Have you had your own mouth restored? Are you doing all the cosmetic cases you want to?
If your answers are negative, I urge you to turn to page XX and look at the program for CD2001. Cosmetic Dentistry 2001 is sponsored by Dental Economics and RDH to help you and you staff learn about "what you don`t know." This meeting is set up with tracks for the doctor, hygienist, clinical assistant, and the business assistant - two days packed with the best speakers available! Don`t miss this one! Plan now to spend February 8-9, 2001, in sunny Las Vegas and change your practice forever!
Congratulations to Dr. Bill Flora and his wonderful team in Elkhart, Ind. As you already know from the cover, they are the winners for 1999 of the third annual Practice of the Year award that we sponsor each year with the Levin Group. Be sure to read the Practice of the Year article beginning on page 34. You will be amazed at how Dr. Flora started a practice from scratch in 1992, which grew to more than $1 million by 1999.
This year, more than 400 applications were received for this prestigious award. Thanks for such a great response!
Be sure to take some time this summer to get some R&R (rest and relaxation) and get your batteries recharged. This is so very important! Sue, my wife, and I spent a glorious Sunday morning recently on our back porch. We planned some R&R for the summer and early fall months. I must admit that most of it will occur before or after a dental meeting somewhere. We will be spending some time with family and with some of our favorite people.
A special thanks to all of you for making Dental Economics the best read magazine in dentistry!
