Apex e-zine

@sylviesturrock What do you do as a dental coach with Samera? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger There are numerous ways that Samera can help ALL dental practices – I know I can walk into any existing business and help in some way or another – I’ve yet to find one functioning to its fullest potential – that has a 100% happy team, or is generating just the right amount of revenue.

The main areas that Samera can help with are

• Ultimate Financial Control – a system for running the financial aspects of your practice that focuses on the critical success factors of each individual business giving full financial support from a dedicated account manager
• Setting up in Practice – From location choices, to finding a site to raising finances, to building a brand, marketing strategies to putting together a team – we can help! We run workshops; seminars and hand hold you throughout the process.
• The Ultimate Practice Management Course – In 12 workshops learn all the skills needed to run a successful dental business – open to anyone involved in the running of a dental practice.

• @RichardCharon Why do you train dentists and dental teams? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger If RA is being introduced as new service to the practice it is vital that all team members fully understand what it is, how it works, its excellent safety record and have seen it used with their own eyes so that they are in a position to explain and educate their patients from a position of knowledge and in depth understanding.

Why do I continue to train dentists? Because I receive testimonials like this from Dr Anne O’Donnell who travelled to Newbury with two dental nurses from Wexford in Ireland in 2006.

“…thank you for a superb day on Saturday. I have attended lots of courses but I would have to say that your course was one of the best because of your philosophy and approach to dentistry and patients. I would hope that I have a similar approach but unfortunately haven’t had the added benefit of Ra for the last 22 years but will have for the remainder of my career!!! As I said to you on Saturday you are a true ambassador for the profession and it would be nice if more of our profession emulated you”. There are many more testimonials here

@RichardCharon What is the main feedback you get from dentists once they begin to deliver RA to their patients? #theapexshow

Here is one reply from Dr. Peter Mounce

I am using RA and I have to say that it is a super addition to my practice and it has probably given me more professional fulfilment to help patients through treatment with RA , than even high end ( I aspire ) cosmetic work . It is such a useful tool to have and I agree with you that it is our duty to make provision of treatment as pleasant as possible for our patients.

• @RichardCharon Why do dentists come to you for RA training? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger My web 2.0 presence – facebook, Twitter etc. I am not paid by any company but I do have a good working relationship with my suppliers, RA Medical Services and they do pass on information about my courses to dentists who approach them.

• @RichardCharon What equipment do you need to deliver RA? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger One of the biggest changes since I first began to use RA is the requirement for an active scavenging system, to vent all exhaled gases to the outside. There are several options for delivery heads including digital press button versions with a wipe clean surface or over which a peel of cover can be place.

• @RichardCharon How do patients respond when given the option to have RA? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger The simplest answer is to look at one or two of the patients stories on-line.

• @RichardCharon Can any dentist deliver RA? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger The DSTG (Dental Sedation Teachers Group) and SAAD were advocating 2 years ago, that all dentists that offer any kind of conscious sedation should have to pass a Standard Sedation Certificate. This SSC would prove competency. However those plans have been shelved due to lack of funding at present. It may or may not come about in future. As things stand there is an advisory level of experience, under supervision, which new graduates are expected to attain before going it alone BUT it is acknowledged that more experienced practitioners may not be required to do this. All the information is contained in the DoH paper Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care 2003 which I believe is due to be updated at the end of this year, In Scotland their own version was updated in 2006.

The bottom line at present is that a dentist has to satisfy themselves that they have received sufficient or appropriate training. That’s it. The requirement is 5 case assessments and 10 administrations, adults and children, mixed restorative and oral surgery (extractions). Finding supervision for the GDP can be difficult if no-one else in the practice is using RA. I am on the mentors list for both DSTG and SAAD and this can be arranged privately.

• @RichardCharon What was your training in RA like? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger Requirements for CPD have changed greatly since then, just as they are now regarding requirements for competency. Still I had only recently completed GA training as an undergraduate and in my first practice in my first 6 months post- qualification, we did a GA session every week with a visiting anaesthetist. Now RA is very different from GA but I felt familiar with unconscious and recovering patients. So the move to RA was both reassuringly safer and did not require an anaesthetist.

1. @RichardCharon How did you come to hear of RA and adopt it & then teach it? #theapexshow

@mkritzinger I went on a course, loved the idea, approached my boss who said he did not want to buy the kit. So I bought the equipment anyway and have taken it with me ever since.

In terms of the courses, I started with “getting published”- an on-line ode to RA published on Smile-on.com in 2001. “In praise of RA”. They then published a second item following up on that.

In 2003 I sat down and devised a course in my own style based on all required teaching. I have only ever advertised the course once. I have had great feedback from delegates since then so continue to run them.

Now, I had been a member BAAD since 1994 and had been exposed to stunning and inspirational presentations from some of the world’s best in the field of aesthetic dentistry.

Now I would not claim to be anywhere near the same league as some of these greats BUT I was inspired to produce a course that would be presented quite differently for those to be found in the Ivory Towers of Academia or on a section 63 NHS course. In particular the courses were based in a general practice (mine) rather than in a hospital setting.

When I ran that one and only ad, for my course in Dentistry magazine, Ellis Paul, editor of Private Dentistry, picked up on the advertorial style of the ad and commissioned, what turned into a 2-part article for Private Dentistry magazine in the summer of 2004. This was reprinted in FMCs Dentistry in December 2004.

I have had an item published by Dental Nursing magazine in 2007. Subtitled ‘A team view’, in which one of our dental nurses, our hygienist and practice manager (my wife) all contributed their thoughts. More recently I have contributed items on the subject in the Dental Angels newsletter and for Dentinal Tubules.

mkritzinger looking forward to #theapexshow tomorrow with @jablow focusing on caries detection devices. hope you can make it!

mkritzinger I uploaded a YouTube video — #theApexShow Guest Overview – Marty Jablow http://youtu.be/n-7IVzUvhhA?a

jablow RT @mkritzinger: I uploaded a YouTube video — #theApexShow Guest Overview – Marty Jablow http://youtu.be/n-7IVzUvhhA?a

ritazamora RT @mkritzinger I uploaded a YouTube video — #theApexShow Guest Overview – Marty Jablow http://youtu.be/n-7IVzUvhhA?a



jablow Getting ready my Twitter interview on caries detection. Follow at Tweetchat.com, log in and follow #theapexshow.

mkritzinger Hi everyone, the next #theapexshow will start in 10 mins, pls join and introduce yourselves! http://tiny.cc/welcome509 #theapexshow

jablow Marty is tweeting #theapexshow

Sylc4everyone Following #theapexshow to see how caries detection has evolved

mkritzinger @Sylc4everyone welcome Sylc thanks for following the show! #theapexshow

mkritzinger Welcome to our #theapexshow http://tiny.cc/welcome509 brought to you by Interactive Dental Media http://tiny.cc/5YCoO #theapexshow

mkritzinger Our guest today is @jablow Marty Jablow DMD from the USA: dentist and dental technology guru + all round great guy! #theapexshow

mkritzinger We love our followers to participate! To ask @jablow a question please ALWAYS include #theapexshow in your tweets

mkritzinger Remember if you want to follow the show, just type in #theapexshow in the search bar and the tweets will appear in the feed 



mkritzinger Hi @jablow thanks for your time, we are excited to have you on the show tonight! #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Glad to be here. Good evening to everyone in the UK and Good Afternoon to the folks in the states #theapexshow

mkritzingerLet’s begin round one of the questions #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow Do you have a favourite caries detection device in your practice? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Used Kavo’s Diagnodent for many years but now using Air Techniques Spectra and Acteon’s SporoLife #theapexshow

mkritzinger Marty has prepared a detailed answer about this over here: http://tiny.cc/1marty #theapexshow

mkritzinger Here is a photo of a tooth with the Soporolife caries detection system #theapexshow http://twitpic.com/1tlmv1

mkritzinger This photo is of a tooth with the Spectra caries detection system #theapexshow http://twitpic.com/1tlmy1

mkritzinger Round 2 @jablow Since when have you been using caries detection tools and what made you use them? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Decay is not as easy to detect as it used to be. Fluoride has meant less decay but detection is not as simple #theapexshow

mkritzinger Marty has written a longer answer about this over here: http://tiny.cc/2marty #theapexshow

mkritzinger Round 3 @jablow Some clinicians feel that caries detection tools tend of overscore results – what do you find? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger All caries detection systems are just another diagnostic tool #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger The dentist still must use all acquired info to make an accurate diagnosis #theapexshow

mkritzinger Marty prepared a detailed answer about this over here http://tiny.cc/3marty #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Visual, radiographs and caries detection devices #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow I have another question 4 u: Do you find caries detection devices help raise patients’ awareness of their oral health? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Yes, humans are visual creatures and patients do understand better when they see their caries as coloured areas #theapexshow

SarahFidd Is there any paticular group of patients who you have found are more responsive to this info ? #theapexshow

jablow @SarahFidd No particular group. People understand color grading and most are very interested in the latest technology. #theapexshow

jablow @SarahFidd There are some who don’t care to know anything about there treatment and shut their eyes. Most like it! #theapexshow

mkritzinger Round 4 @jablow What advice would you give any clinician using a caries detection tool for the first time? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger get acquainted with the device with known caries. Get comfortable with the operation and use #theapexshow

mkritzinger Here is a link to read Marty’s more detailed answer to this question here http://tiny.cc/4marty #theapexshow

mkritzinger Does anyone have a question for @jablow on this topic? #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow another question 4 u: Along with a caries detection device, what other tools help you to perform preventive dentistry? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Surgical loops with illumination. If you cannot see it you cannot diagnose it. Magnification should be standard #theapexshow

mkritzinger Round 5 @jablow In your opinion, how could current caries detection devices be improved? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Caries detection can be improved with computer algorithms to determine/help/assist in making the correct diagnosis #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow would you say that most caries detection devices are user-friendly and easy to understand the readings? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger The Diagnodent and Spectra help you interpret. The Soporlife does not assist the dentist in making the diagnosis. #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow do undergrad dental students in the US get trained to use caries detection systems? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Soporolife leaves the entire interpretation to dentist. There is Logicon software that interprets digital rads #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Some undergraduate dentists are being taught not to use an explorer. Sticking the tooth may cause more harm… #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger If you don’t break the enamel rods you maybe able to remineralize the tooth with MI Paste or Sylc. #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow ok so along with caries detections systems and remin materials you can really practice minimum intervention dentistry? #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Yes MID is the way. Add in hard tissue lasers and you can better conserve tooth structure #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow got it, so caries detection is just one of the many tools in a dentist’s kit to help conserve teeth #theapexshow

jablow @mkritzinger Yes, catch caries early and preserve tooth structure. #theapexshow

mkritzinger GONG! That’s the end of this week’s show I hope you enjoyed it – please join us for the next one http://tiny.cc/schedule17 #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow thank you so much for your insights today – this has been really informative! #theapexshow

mkritzinger The transcript of this week’s #theapexshow will be available at www.apexezine.com within a week

jablow @mkritzinger A pleasure to have participated! #theapexshow

mkritzinger @jablow thank you for coming on the show and sharing your knowledge about caries detection systems! #theapexshow