Danielle Victoriano RDH BS MHS

found our Zen through the right instrumentation 

that suits the needs and desires of you as well as all the great gums you are gardening on a daily basis. You have learned the tools to get you towards therapy bliss through instrumentation. Now, how about how to take it to the next level and be a great business partner with your employer to acquire these awesome accoutrements?

Recently, I read a great blog entry by Happiness Coach 

about living your truth. The compelling message in living your truth is empowering yourself and knowing your worth/truth. You cannot start down this path of Zen if you don’t start with believing and empowering you.

So we will start here: You are worthy of the necessary equipment that you need to perform the licensed healthcare treatment this patient has contracted you to execute. You are a licensed professional and your state maintains the confidence in you to make prudent decisions in delivering your care. Period.

Here’s what is so challenging and, at times, not so blissful: Dentistry is still largely a cottage industry. Many of us experience a familial relationship dynamic with our work team and employers. At times, we may approach the crucial business discussions in a way we would approach it with a family member or spouse/partner.  So let’s switch gears and give you the skills to get your power on!

More from Danielle Victoriano: Finding your own superhero and conquering your kryptonite

What’s the realistic life span of the prospective purchase?

Did you know that the life span of your BFF 204S scaler-yes, your wingman-is on average 9-12 months for medical grade stainless steel (source: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co.,LLC)?

Add in metal technological advances that prolong the resharpening experience and you can add months to this estimate. Of course, this is dependent on the use and abuse the instruments endure and the frequency of that stress occurrence. Basically, every time a metal edge is engaged in contact with a hard surface brings it a moment closer to the need to resharpen. So, if you are more apt to grab the 204S scaler than the power scaler of your choice, the 204S you use may be different than the hygienist down the street.

Number of uses per week (X) times the number of useful work weeks (Y)=annual useful lifespan

*the number of useful work weeks will vary according to the instrument manufacturer

This math logic will apply to your piezo and magnetostrictive tips also.

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Now that you know how long your useful lifespan is---which may be different than what you initially thought or even your office’s purchase schedule!-it’s time to do your homework. Research pricing and purchase opportunities available through your distributor of choice. Understand what you are paying for and how it influences the cost per use and overall treatment experience. For instance, if a metal technology extends the scaling /resharpening experience and decreases your scaling time, this will affect overhead for the office. The time and overhead savings may be worth a few more pennies per use and extend the repurchase point.

Now you will need to conduct a fact based instrument audit. Look at the instruments you are using to determine where they are in their lifespan. Are they ready to transition to a pediatric kit due to wear? Are they ready for recycling and a new life as an appliance part? Compare your instrument to your newest/best conditioned instrument as a master example.

Also, do a bit a research into what is the office spending annually on these consumables. How often are these purchases being made? Is there a budget? If not, it’s a great consideration!

More from Danielle Victoriano: Discovering your Zen within your instrumentation

Now it’s time to present your findings! Explain the facts: purchase history, average dollars spent, instrument audit findings, cost per use and the purchase opportunity. Don’t forget to factor in redemption items into the purchase cost breakdown. For instance, if a scaler’s retail cost is $38. You take advantage of a purchase 12, get two free offer. This breaks down the price per scaler to $32.57! This may make your case get the green light!

Once you gain success and get empowered on the road to work nirvana, keep your hand instruments on track with a regular sharpening program and using efficiency guides for your power scaling tips. A little housekeeping keeps the Zen right where you need it---at your fingertips!

Interested in one on one advice? Ever wished you could share those questions that seem to evade you? Want some clarification on something your read or heard about? Send in your questions for the Coaches! 

Trending article: Anastasia Turchetta's five hot dental hygiene topics for 2015

Danielle A. Victoriano, RDH, BS, MHS is the Regional Account Manager serving LA/MS/Gulf Coast Panhandle. Formally, she served as the Product Manager for Scaler Accessories, where she used her clinical and educational expertise to develop scaling and sharpening products, as well as supportive materials and presentations for clinicians, educators, and students alike. Her experience includes clinical dental hygiene for the past 20 years, as well as instruction in all areas of dental hygiene -with emphasis in instrumentation, instrument design, sharpening and implant dentistry during her 8 years in dental hygiene education. She has lectured nationally and internationally on the topics of sharpening, periodontal instrumentation, and implant dental hygiene.

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 Previously, we found our Zen through the right instrumentation that suits the needs and desires of you as well as all the great gums you are gardening on a daily basis. You have learned the tools to get you towards therapy bliss through instrumentation. Now, how about how to take it to the next level and be a great business partner with your employer to acquire these awesome accoutrements?

Mind your business, mind your instruments: Gaining the Zen and keeping it

	We have all been there. The details may be slightly different but the end result is the same.

You receive the eye-opening cosmic slap of reality. The day you realize things in your safe, comfortable existence are not quite the way you perceive them. The uncomfortable knot in your gut creeps in with this realization. The exchanges with coworkers-your confidantes-were not quite as confidential as perhaps you thought. Your boss was not as cool with the office dynamics as you thought. Once the slap of reality knocks you down, it is time to take inventory and use what you have.

Every good comic book hero discovers his or her superhero powers after the cosmic slap of reality. They take inventory, get what they need, become stronger, develop new skill sets and emerge as a new force. All along, our superheroes have trials and tribulations but work towards justice and victory.

They are not that different than your average-and not so average-dental hygienist. Once you dust yourself off after your cosmic smackdown, assess the fallout and take inventory. In true superhero fashion, pull on the cape and mask and prepare yourself to take your seat in the Hall of Justice with your head held high.

Every superhero discovers his or her powers in conjunction with various experiences. Peter Parker discovered his spider side after a lab accident. Wonder Woman-Diana Prince-had super strength, super speed and stamina. She was highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and possessed an animal-like cunning. Wonder Woman always had a fabulous arsenal at her disposal-her Lasso of Truth, a pair of indestructible bracelets, and an invisible plane.

As a dental hygienist, take advantage of your power in the operatory. What are your super powers? What powers can you add and further develop? Develop your skill set with the resources you have at your disposal while examining the resources you can acquire in the future. If you made an investment in magnification-for example--how would this affect your productivity? How would this affect you personally?

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Call it your posse. Your trusty sidekick. The Robin to your Batman. Wonder Twins needed each other to activate their powers. No matter the obstacle, your options will seem more promising when you share with your support network. You will gain new, fresh ideas and receive the feedback you need. Your Justice League will quell the dark forces that linger in your subconscious, waiting to shoot you down and throw the proverbial Kryptonite in your path.

Superheroes are always spot-on with the mission at hand. Identify the problem-Check. Identify the nemesis-Check. Develop the strategy to solve the problem-Check. Work as a team to save the day-Check! Owning your agenda, mission, goals and strategy are a critical element to becoming your own superhero.

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One word: duh. These superhero skills are honed with life experiences. I thank the bad bosses, mean girls, classroom bullies, mean patients, catty coworkers, and friends-who-really-weren't for helping me develop these skills. Learn from the bad stuff, take what is useful and leave the rest behind.

Whether you become your very own Wonder Woman-or Superman-never forget your mask is always within reach, your cape is always ready to wear and the true mark of the superhero is always on our heart-where your nemesis can never take it away no matter how despairing things may seem.

Last but not least-Embrace and create your happy ending!

Superheroes don’t wait for someone to create their happy ending and bring rest to the city. Embrace yours and stand tall on your personal horizon!

 We have all been there. The details may be slightly different but the end result is the same.

Finding your own superhero and conquering your Kryptonite

	Ask yourself: How do you feel when you walk through the door of your place of employment? Are you overcome with excitement and solidarity? Are you anticipating angst and chaos? Maybe you walk into your own personal nirvana! Small changes can yield great results. How we approach our instrumentation choices can make great differences in the course and flow of our day.

Are you the tailored suit or one size fits all with awesome accessories?

. What was the situation with your 10 a.m. patient? How did your 2 p.m. present? How similar was your 4 p.m. client? For most of us, the answer is unique to each patient. Their needs were different and our approach might have differed, so wouldn’t it make sense that what we choose for instrumentation would differ also?

 There are so many variables when choosing instrumentation. You will want to consider varying factors based on your specific clinical complexion. If you see a high number of geriatric patients, for instance, you may be encountering evidence of arrested and active periodontal disease. You may be dealing with recession and pocketing with detoxification and possibly residual or burnished deposits. You need instrumentation that will be able to physically access these areas and handle the task at hand.

Instrumentation Golden Rule: Do not modify yourself for the sake of the instrument or device in your hands! Make the instrument and device work for you!

If you are dealing with areas that require more reach and shank length to fully access and perform instrumentation, then please choose it! There are so many choices out there among instrument manufacturers. You would not wear stilettos to tend to your garden, so choose an appropriate instrument to tend to your task at hand.

Free e-book: 3 things you may not know about piezoelectric scalers

Specifically, if you need extra shank length in order to reach the area of instrumentation and avoid an ergonomic slight to yourself, look towards designs such as Barnhart curettes and Right/Left Columbia curettes. Even consider Langer or Gracey curettes for their excellent accessibility! The classic Columbia 13/14 curette - a definite favorite and likely carryover from your dental hygiene school kit - is wonderful for teeth with shorter anatomy and less involved periodontal conditions. It does not have the shank length required to access more challenging conditions.

Also, consider the blade design in the grand scheme of your approach. If you will be relying on hand instrumentation more than your power instrumentation, choose a design that permits access but also can accept the lateral pressure that you will apply. Folks, this is physics. A thinner piece of metal cannot bear the same force that a heartier piece of metal can accommodate.

So look at your instrument set-up with a fresh perspective! The solution for you is as unique as the clinical complexion of your work. Decide whether the tailored suit or one size fits all with awesome accessories is the best fit for you on your road to work nirvana!

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Danielle A. Victoriano, RDH, BS, MHS is the Regional Account Manager serving Louisiana/Mississippi/Gulf Coast Panhandle. Formally, she served as the Product Manager for Scaler Accessories, where she used her clinical and educational expertise to develop scaling and sharpening products, as well as supportive materials and presentations for clinicians, educators, and students alike. Her experience includes clinical dental hygiene for the past 20 years, as well as instruction in all areas of dental hygiene -with emphasis in instrumentation, instrument design, sharpening and implant dentistry during her eight years in dental hygiene education. She has lectured nationally and internationally on the topics of sharpening, periodontal instrumentation, and implant dental hygiene.

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 Ask yourself: How do you feel when you walk through the door of your place of employment? Are you overcome with excitement and solidarity? Are you anticipating angst and chaos? Maybe you walk into your own personal nirvana! Small changes can yield great results. How we approach our instrumentation choices can make great differences in the course and flow of our day.