Sidekick - Volume 2, 2020 - 48

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emergency needs without interrupting the existing
patient schedule. " A toothache, a denture adjustment, an
impression can be easily accommodated in one of our
extra chairs, " noted Dr. Palmer. " It is also beneficial when a
procedure is taking longer than planned. The next patient
can be seated in a dental chair and prepared for the
procedure without wasting time waiting for the doctor to
finish and have the room sterilized. "
Finally, the office has embraced new technology and
procedures to provide a safe visit during COVID-19. In
addition to advance screening calls the day before and
temperature readings once inside, all patients wear a
mask and are asked to come alone unless they require
a guardian. Surfaces are disinfected often, and the office
has robust UV filtration and ozone air scrubbers. Inside
the operatories, they've increased the use of high-volume
suction and retraction tools like Mister Thirsty One-Step
and DryShield. With more space available, supplies have
been moved out of the operatories and into a central
dispensary until needed.

COVID has transformed the practice's check-in protocols, with pre-screening calls
and temperature checks upon arrival.

Technology Attracts Attention from Patients
In addition to giving a better patient experience, the new
office has provided niches to showcase the high-powered
technology available to patients, a powerful conversationstarter. Mr. Halabi praised the CEREC mill display area,
sharing that many patients had trouble grasping the idea
of same-day restorations until they saw them being made.
" With the display area and the additional treatment
rooms, patients are able to see the mill working before
[the restoration] is seated, and this has generated even
more awareness of what their practice does for clinical
excellence, " said Mr. Halabi.
The practice uses the mill every day, and one of their plans
for the near future is to purchase a second CEREC mill.
Daily, the doctors use two intraoral scanners, Omnicam
and Primescan; intraoral cameras; and the cone beam
X-ray unit.
" We use 3D CBCT technology for patient evaluation
and placement of dental implants, " said Dr. Palmer. " We
occasionally use it for endodontic therapy. "
When asked if any piece of equipment is a game-changer,
Dr. Palmer points to the intraoral camera as a driver of
case acceptance.
" The intraoral cameras have allowed us to show the
patients why they need treatment or to showcase what
treatment was done, " said Dr. Palmer. " No longer is it
necessary for the patient to imagine what the dentist or
hygienist is talking about; we can show them. It portrays
transparency and builds trust. "
Dr. Main also credits the CEREC scanner. " We use CEREC
daily. Patients appreciate not having to mess with a
temporary and having to come back. "

48 | Sidekick | Vol. 2 2020

Having more room to display their technology has given a boost to their same-day
dentistry interest and acceptance. The CEREC mill is displayed openly, so patients
can see restorations being made in real-time. The practice uses it so much, they plan
to purchase a second mill.

Sidekick - Volume 2, 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sidekick - Volume 2, 2020