Dentaltown November 2017 - 45

like coming back several times if needed in order to divide the mouth in quadrant or sextants
and get cleaned up nicely. Many times, after that first thorough round, the next recalls are simpler. Some Oraqix can still be needed. And some people simply keep requesting being numb. ■
6/23/2017

Well thank you all for your opinions. It is a great help to me. I am going to insist that the
therapist start with the ultrasonic and then move on to hand scaling to finish off. The caveats
will be, the patient does not want the ultrasonic or there is very little calculus to begin with.
Thanks again. ■

Michael1
Member Since: 12/29/16
Post: 11 of 43

6/27/2017

I don't think it is an untrained nonclinical office manager's place to insist that any practitioner
use something or work in a certain order. I think you are way overstepping your boundaries here. ■

6/27/2017

I agree with this sentiment. To the OP, you need to be careful here. It may not be appropriate
on your part to dictate how registered health care professionals choose to work. You need to
ensure that your message is given as guidance, rather than policy. ■

JustNat
Member Since: 08/16/03
Post: 12 of 43

eeznogood
Member Since: 02/23/06
Post: 14 of 43

6/27/2017

I am in the camp that the ultrasonic is better than hand scaling. I would say it needs to come
from the doctor to tell the hygienists how they prefer the hygienists to treat the patients, as it is
their practice and they do have a say. It would be a practice philosophy issue, "We believe that
ultrasonics are better for X reasons, we prefer you to use it for the benefit of the patient, and in
addition, here are the benefits to you, the practitioner."
If the hygienist still declines using them after the doctor approaches them with provided
reasoning, then you may have to dismiss the hygienist if you truly believe in the ultrasonic for
the care of your patients.
Again, whether it be hygienists/associates/partners, you want everyone to be on the same
page practice philosophy. Otherwise you'll get, "Why do I get an US with her, and not with
you?" causing confusion with the patients and a hassle to explain. Hopefully someone will
maybe link a study that shows ultrasonics are better. It's always nice to have a study to hand to
a non-believer. ■

drteeths
Member Since: 10/21/12
Post: 16 of 43

6/27/2017

I think this is a decision to be made by the RDH. I don't care what she uses as long as she
does what needs to be accomplished. ■

6/27/2017

Not so ... The RDH works for the dentist. It would not be reasonable to have the hygienist
tackle a very difficult case without the obvious advantage of using the ultrasonic. The Cavitron
makes things quicker and easier. Refusal to use it when needed simply pens the patient and the
hygienist in the chair much much longer.
Dentistry is a profession but it's also a small business. In my office, we never do things that
take much longer than needed. The goal should be to do a great job as quickly and easily as
possible. A "scalers only" policy doesn't get you to that goal. ■

tooth college
Member Since: 05/06/07
Post: 17 of 43

davidpalmer
Member Since: 04/14/00
Post: 18 of 43

6/27/2017

I'm sure that the OP is not approaching this blindly. It's not like they are asking the hygienist
to do something that's outside of the standard of care these days. In fact, I'd say not using

Trish Walraven
Member Since: 08/14/04
Post: 19 of 43

dentaltown.com \\ NOVEMBER 2017

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