Patterson Dental

Partner Perspectives allows marketers to connect directly with the DPR audience by enabling them to share their content. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of Dental Products Report editorial staff or UBM.

	Let’s face it: Choosing practice management software is a daunting task. There are many choices and at the end of the process, you’re greeted by a software installation with plenty of question marks.

	Choosing the right software doesn’t have to be difficult, though. By closely considering just five things, you can find answers to your questions and get excited about your new practice management software.

	These five factors can be useful in helping you evaluate a new system to maximize your practice’s success, whether your practice has a single location or operates over multiple offices.

	Your goal as a dentist is to provide the best possible patient experience. The functionality of your practice management solution is vitally important to helping you do so. Think about what you want, and where you have room for improvement, while weighing your software options. Keep in mind that you’ll want a solution that matches your future plans for your practice.

	Consider all the varied technologies you use in your practice to determine which you’d like to integrate with your new practice management software. For many dental teams, this includes important clinical and business functions like digital imaging and marketing tools. Ensuring that your practice management software integrates fully with your digital imaging equipment, for instance, can mean a great deal to practice efficiency. Consider:

	• How information is shared between systems

	Most dentists didn’t pursue their careers with the intention of focusing on reports. Fortunately, the right practice management solution can help you provide excellent patient care while making savvy business decisions with robust reports that give you an  in-depth look at what’s happening in your practice in just moments. If you have multiple locations, you’ll want to give special consideration to cross-location reporting ability. Consider:

	• Usable data - ability to sort and filter within reports

	The user experience ties together all the other factors of a software by ensuring that your team understands how to use it. Your practice management system will be even more effective if your team members are able to learn and master it quickly and with little oversight. Think about how each team member will use the software and you will have an even better idea of which software is right for your practice. Consider:

	• How and where each team member will use the software

	A new practice management system is a major adjustment for the entire team. Partnering with a practice management system provider that supports you every step of the way makes it easier. Identify which support options are most important to your practice and choose a software solution that you can trust will accommodate your needs. Consider:

	• Reputation and track record of software provider

	• All-staff access to support resources

	Turn your apprehension into excitement by doing your research ahead of time. You’ll find the solution that fits you best, and you’ll be confident that the company you’re purchasing from will be there to help you make the most of it.

Articles

Choosing the right software doesn’t have to be difficult, if you take the right things into consideration.

5 things to consider when choosing practice management software

				Partner Perspectives allows marketers to connect directly with the DPR audience by enabling them to share their content. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of Dental Products Report editorial staff or UBM.

	There’s no question that technology is everywhere. It is a major part of our personal and work lives - and it is certainly an important component of the dental practice. While technology is so pervasive, adding new technology to the practice can be daunting. Practices considering adding new equipment - or expanding what they already have - can get help to make a wise, informed decision.

	Patterson Dental has enjoyed a two-decades-long relationship with Sirona and their CEREC chairside system. And now, while still maintaining that association, they’ve broadened their offerings to include partnerships with other manufacturers and helping practices get into the CAD/CAM workflow.

	What factors come into play when selecting new technology?

	The most intimidating part of choosing new equipment is cutting through all the tech specs and figuring out what the practice needs. Patterson can help decipher all the options.

	“The best way to get started is by setting up an appointment with one of our knowledgeable CAD/CAM specialists,” says Nicholas Abruzzo, director of marketing, Patterson Dental. “From there, they will come out to learn the ins and outs of the dental practice and how the team operates. They will inquire about the future, and ask questions about utilizing dental technology to grow your practice. They will determine what procedures, applications and indications you envision from potential technology investments.

	“Practices have the opportunity to invest in technology, but keep it as simple as digital impressioning to be sent off to the lab,” he continues, “or they can take advantage of the fully integrated, comprehensive solution through digital impressioning, designing, in-house milling, in-house printing of surgical guides and night guards, implant integration and much more. Our CAD/CAM specialists will help you determine which solution is best for your practice, giving you confidence in your technology investments.”

	Technology evolves rapidly, which can be another source of anxiety for doctors. Will the thousands of dollars spent on a CAD/CAM solution today be obsolete in a few years?

	“When it comes to CAD/CAM technology, you’re investing in a completely new way of practicing dentistry. As for updates, almost all of the CAD/CAM manufacturers out there have done a nice job of transitioning customers onto a newer system,” Abruzzo says. “They typically introduce upgrade programs in which they give you value back for the product that you bought in the past. In other dental equipment categories, these options aren’t available.  Essentially, our manufacturers have built a form of future-proofing into their offerings so you can rest assured that your investment will not become outdated.

	“We always try to reinforce the message that you invest in technology to make you productive today,” he continues. “Will there be new bells and whistles that will potentially come out down the line? Yes, but if you’re making the decision based on the productivity and efficiencies they can give you today, you’ll always be in a good spot.”

	In most cases, those improvements and enhancements will be added to systems without any hassle.

	“The majority of upgrades that have been introduced over the years have been software-driven,” Abruzzo says. “All of these manufacturers have programs to ensure you’re always current with latest software. And, as new software-related features come out, everyone has access to them. We find that, typically, once a year with most of the CAD/CAM manufacturers, there’s a significant software upgrade that opens up new features to use for the technology.”

	Patterson Dental has recently extended their exclusive partnership agreement with Sirona to include new vendors with additional options.

	“We’ve expanded our portfolio quite a bit on the technology side,” Abruzzo says. “We’ve brought on DEXIS and i-CAT, part of the KaVo Kerr Group, on the conebeam, panoramic imaging side and the intraoral sensor side. We’ve also started working with iTero, which is part of Align, the company that produces Invisalign. We’ve partnered with 3Shape, and we’ve also started working with 3M on the technology side of things for their digital scanning solutions.”

	Patterson’s new partnerships seek to expand on its existing relationship with Sirona. 

	“We are still working with Sirona,” Abruzzo says. “Obviously, it’s still going to be a big part of what we do and a big part of our focus. We’re really excited that we’re now offering a diverse portfolio of offerings at multiple price points with different features and expandabilities.”

	Technology for the dental practice is not a one-size-fits-all affair. Practices have varying needs, singular levels of interest and a huge range in budgets. With Patterson’s expanded partnerships, those options can be fully explored.

	“It all depends on how comprehensive you want to be with the technology and what your vision is for your practice,” Abruzzo says. “You can get in with an entry-level CAD/CAM system for around $17,000 or you can go all-in with a fully integrated, comprehensive system for $140,000. There’s also a wide spectrum in between there. We’ve broken the components down into: your scanner, your software, your potential to practice 3D printing or perhaps utilize a furnace to finish the materials.

	“There are a lot of options,” he continues. “The nice thing is that you can start small or you can start all at once. That’s really what our people have been trained to do - to help you figure out where you are in the process, where you want to be and what the right way is to start for your practice.”

	Patterson’s new partnerships make adding technology to the dental practice easier than ever.

	“We’re very confident in our new partners and the opportunities they present,” Abruzzo says. “We are excited to have a portfolio covering segments of the market where customers can begin their digital journey. We feel very strongly that the infrastructure we put together over the last 20 years, supporting CAD/CAM, is going to serve our customers exceptionally well with our new portfolio, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Patterson’s new partnerships make adding technology easier than ever. 

How new partnerships are creating more opportunities for dental practices

	It’s important for dental staff members to feel like a team - even practices that have multiple locations in different neighborhoods, cities or states.

	The following suggestions are designed to help make sure everyone in your practice is feeling like, and performing as, a single unit. When everyone is working toward the same goals, you’ll not only have a financially healthier practice, you’ll also have happier employees and customers.

	Single-location practices use morning huddles to get on the same page. There’s no reason you can’t do the same across multiple locations with one of many user-friendly video conferencing systems available today. That way, all your locations can participate in real-time. A second option: Designate a point person to create a detailed agenda for the week’s huddle, email it out to everyone a day or two beforehand, and do it over the phone.

	With multiple locations, do your best to level the playing field by giving everyone access to the same equipment and technologies, beautiful and updated workspaces, and other company perks. In other words, if one office has a Keurig, they all should. If one practice gets upgraded to the latest practice management software, they all should. If the investment is too steep to do it all at once, communicate your plans to level the playing field later.

	Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. As your practice expands to more locations, this may become more difficult, but it’s far from impossible. Try creating an employee spotlight program and feature a different team member each week or month. Make sure that the featured employee is based out of a different location and ideally has a different role/specialty each time. You can feature a photo and interview with this team member in many of your marketing properties, including on your website/blog, in your newsletter and of course on your social media channels.

	As your practice continues to expand, so will the number of people you hire (hats off to you, HR department). When onboarding and educating new staff, a training program that is both thorough and consistent from location to location will set your newest members up for success. Sharing the same procedural documents and best practices with all offices, and alerting everyone accordingly when an update is made, is key here. Finding the right product, service and technology partner who understands the importance of customizable training that fits the needs of your multi-location practice is also of paramount importance. When you partner with Patterson, for example, you gain on-demand access to our industry-leading team of experts.

	The right uniform can make all the difference! First and foremost, uniforms keep us safe. In the dental space, that means the right fabrics, cuts and styles to promote adherence to infection control guidelines. But besides being functionally important, uniforms make us feel like members of a team. Having all your locations coordinate scrubs and attire will promote a sense of team spirit, unity and belonging. It can also bolster feelings of pride and responsibility among employees, which tends to reduce turnover and contribute to overall business success.

	Practice makes perfect, so practicing consistency across locations can help eliminate errors. Are your patients receiving the same care across all practice locations? If one doctor has a last-minute conflict, will someone else be able to cover with the same level of expertise? Consider scheduling off-site continuing education events for team members who are based in different locations but with the same job function. A more cost-effective option: Encourage those same-function employees to view CE webinars followed by an exchange of notes and afterward.

	Every team experiences a loss now and then, but the greatest teams learn from it and make the necessary changes to do better next time. If something is working well at one location, replicate it throughout the practice. Encourage team members to share location-based successes with other locations. The same goes for bouncing back from a missed opportunity. Share those learnings and plans for future success company-wide so you can all improve together.

	As your practice changes and expands, you may need new tools to connect you across locations. Think about it: every report, every schedule and every patient chart connected and instantly accessible throughout all your practice’s locations. Imagine your team members caring for patients, leveraging technology for better outcomes and successfully implementing operational aspects of your business. Fuse cloud practice management software from Patterson boosts your productivity by taking important functions of your business and making them easier to find, read and use. 

	Dental practices with multiple locations face real challenges when it comes to fostering a team environment, but when you have a plan that encourages and supports a cohesive team, you’ll not only survive those challenges, you’ll come out stronger and more focused.

			Partner Perspectives allows marketers to connect directly with the DPR audience by enabling them to share their content. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of Dental Products Report editorial staff or UBM.

How to build a cohesive team across locations

	From imaging to constantly evolving restorative materials, technology has always been an important part of dentistry. In the past 20 years, one of the greatest technological advances has come in the form of CAD/CAM. The workflows made possible because of CAD/CAM are nothing short of revolutionary. But knowing what type of system to buy for your practice can be overwhelming.

Patterson Dental has enjoyed a two-decades-long relationship with Dentsply Sirona and its CEREC chairside system. And now, while continuing that affiliation, Patterson is broadening their offerings by working with other manufacturers to help practices get into digital workflow.

	“Here at Patterson, we’re very excited to offer an expanded portfolio of products that will meet the unique needs of today’s customers. Our expansive range of solutions will extend from standalone digital impression/scanner technologies all the way to fully integrated options that account for every touchpoint in the digital workflow,” says Nick Abruzzo, director of marketing, technology and equipment at Patterson Dental. “These expanded offerings will provide a range of price points, as well.”

CAD/CAM is a fantastic technology, but there is not one system that is ideal for everybody. Some practitioners want to do everything in-house, while others may just want to send intraoral scans to their lab.

	“The big differentiator for Patterson is the service, support and integration infrastructure that we’ve built over the past 20 years supporting the CEREC product, exclusively. Now, we’ll have solutions to support any workflow,” Abruzzo says. 

’s dedicated support teams engage in more than 1 million support calls with nearly 100,000 customers each year. 

	“We feel like we are well positioned to be the best to take care of the customer with their future technology needs, and now we are going to have products that really are going to be flexible, based on different technologies out in the marketplace. We will have multiple price points from the entry level all the way up to the fully integrated system.”

	CAD/CAM encompasses several technologies, from initial intraoral scans to design and then to manufacturing.   

	“We still see same-day restorations as a growing segment of the market, and we’ll continue to support dentists who choose to mill a crown in-house,” Abruzzo says. “We’re going to have multiple milling options, which is different than what we’ve had in the past. We’ll have options that support fully integrated workflows, and then we’ll have milling options that will be flexible, based on different digital impressioning devices and design software. Our expanded portfolio is going to allow us to be more flexible, based on technologies already owned in the practice, long-standing lab relationships, or other technologies that customers may be looking at as well.”

	Patterson has enjoyed a long-term affiliation with Dentsply Sirona and its CEREC family of products.

	“We’ve had a great, 20-year, exclusive relationship with Dentsply Sirona,” Abruzzo says. “In that time, we built a comprehensive infrastructure around supporting Dentsply Sirona products, which includes our best-in-class Patterson Technology Center and our technology advisers in the field-who come in after you decide to implement the technology, visit with the office, sit with the doctor, sit chairside and help you integrate the technology and get trained on the product, making it beneficial in the practice. We’re excited to continue addressing the various needs of dentistry together with Dentsply Sirona.”

	An important part of Patterson’s new portfolio approach is helping practices find the right equipment while planning for future growth.

	“We’ll be able to sit with the customer, talk about their vision for the practice, their technology goals, and will have a product that will meet every customer’s vision as they move into the future,” Abruzzo says.

	“We have a great team of CAD/CAM specialists all across the country,” he continues. “Many of these specialists have helped deploy our fully integrated process for 20 years. Their job is to meet with the customer, talk about the practice, talk about the technology goals of the practice, talk about how they want technology to play a part in various procedures-whether it be restorative, implantology, orthodontics-and really match that customer with the technology that is going to best suit their current and future needs.”

	Choosing the right technology to support the digital workflow doesn’t need to be an overwhelming prospect, and Patterson is helping practices find their best fit-no matter where they are today or where they want to be in the future.

For more information on how Patterson Dental can help your practice, visit 

A sponsored post explaining the advantages and helpful support offered for digital dental customers of Patterson Dental.

Selecting Your Digital Technology

	Maybe you’ve been considering a redesign of your office. A little tweak to the floor plan, or-if you’re thinking bigger-remodeling a brand-new space. Everyone has an opinion on the best way to do it, whether you’re a doctor, assistant, hygienist, practice manager or other staff. But when it comes to expertise, it doesn’t get much better than Patterson Corporate Office Design Manager Scott Reagles. 

, Reagles has seen just about everything-projects big and small, from complete renovations and rebuilds to simply a change of workflow. Each project has its own challenges, but Reagles offered this bit of insight: Every design has the same four goals in mind.

	According to Reagles, one of the first things the design team will do is identify current inefficiencies, and then attack them in the new floor plan. If a doctor’s private office is currently located at the opposite end of the building from the operatories she uses most frequently, a plan is put in place to cut down walking time. 

	“We start with relieving common traffic issues-things like making sure office staff aren’t crisscrossing as part of a natural path,” Reagles says. “The second part is maximizing adjacencies, ensuring that consultation rooms are located in advantageous locations so patients can flow in and out of the office without taking a bunch of extra turns. We like things to be done in the most streamlined way possible.”

	Adding more technology helps, too. Instead of requiring front office management staff to regularly communicate face-to-face with doctors and hygienists, the team might recommend a transition to practice management software that would build efficiency into informational workflow.  

	“Integrating technology into a practice obviously brings some natural efficiency,” Reagles says. “Instead of taking multiple X-rays, leaving the room, coming back, you’re able to do everything in a single spot in the building.”

	Another area designers consider is the current use of physical space. If your office happens to keep a great deal-or even a significant portion-of physical records, the office design team may well suggest a level of digital conversion. Turning physical storage into digital storage creates square footage for all kinds of use: additional equipment, larger offices, maybe even an additional operatory.

	“Instead of just a storage room, we are looking to remodel and take what used to be a non-revenue-generating space and help the practice make money,” Reagles says. 

	One of the key questions for any doctor is what he or she sees in the future for his or her practice. Determining current patient load and nailing down some hard numbers can certainly change the scope of the project. Reagles said that once the design team has a feel for the doctor’s vision, they can begin to make suggestions as to what kind of construction prework should be done to support expansion plans. 

	“If a doctor sees themselves as possibly taking on a partner in the future, and maybe they have an option on adjacent tenant space, we build that into the transition plan,” Reagles says. “That way, when you’re ready to move into the new space, we won’t have to tear down expensive equipment or tear out mechanical systems.”

	Reagles also mentions that current office design can transition well into the future practice, should it move into an adjacent space.

	“We can do work to centralize a part of the practice that will eventually be the center of the new, expanded space,” he says. “Of course, we ensure it functions in the current design, but has an eye toward the future.”

	One thing many doctors miss in office design is the need to cut down on repetitive-motion activities. Obviously, some cannot be avoided, but the work of the design team is to build every interaction for maximum efficiency-from the interior of the operatory to the full office space. 

	“We make it a point to eliminate unnecessary movement, making sure the room is laid out according to best practices,” Reagles says. “There are different ratings for movements that cause stress and injury, and because it’s a repetitive-motion business, it’s a priority for us.”

	Whether it’s short, simple movement like turning to a cabinet in the operatory or measuring the distance between the operatory and sterilization center, Reagles says the design team is focused on safety and efficiency at every turn.

	Now that you’ve gotten a practical look at how our office design staff views your practice, you might be ready to take the next step. If you haven’t thought much about how your office might evolve, we have a great resource at 

pattersondental.com/Services/Design-Inspiration

. Take some time to view the work we’ve done with practices much like your own. 

	And if you’re a little further down the road, truly considering office construction or new workflow in the near future, our team of designers is fully ready to bring your vision to life. Visit 

pattersondental.com/Services/Design-Services

What you need to know while you're making your dream dental space.

Four things to expect in your office redesign

	The right equipment and technology allows dental teams to work efficiently and effectively while providing the convenience patients look for in a dental office. Having a partner that helps them choose, install, onboard and integrate their technology investments makes that significantly easier.

 has built its equipment and technology model around helping dental practices find the right products, services and solutions for their unique practice. And then, after the purchase, supporting the equipment and technology every step of the way.

	This approach is three-pronged- first, it relies on helping you select the right solution for your office. Then, it relies on an innovative service model to make purchase and installation as convenient as possible. Finally, it relies on unrivaled training and support, delivered both in-office and remotely, to help team members master their equipment and technology.

	In order to execute on the three-pronged approach, Patterson heavily invested in its equipment and technology infrastructure and the knowledgeable staff required to support it. Tarun Agarwal, DDS, owner of Raleigh Dental Arts in North Carolina and 

, says choosing Patterson as a partner was an easy decision.

	“Patterson has proven to have the infrastructure and support-clinical and technical-in place to ensure a smooth transition and continual practice growth,” Dr. Agarwal says. “They have an unwavering commitment to the technology and my satisfaction.”

	At Patterson, you’ll also find a nearby team of expert service technicians only a call away, as well as the Patterson Technology Center, which backs our technologies via phone, email and online chat with instant support. Find out how Patterson can make your technology experience both rewarding and effortless.

	Driven by a long history of innovation, Patterson works with a diverse group of manufacturer partners to enable every practice to offer a best-in-class patient experience while improving efficiencies. 

	Among the many benefits new technology brings are improved diagnostics, optimized workflows, a boosted bottom line and more satisfied patients. Patterson’s innovative approach to dentistry is reflected as the preferred partner for manufacturers and customers alike. 

	“Investing in new technologies has brought about various benefits such as increased referrals from our existing patients as well as an increase in new patient flow,” says David Juliani, DDS, of Rochester Hills, Michigan. “The staff is re-energized, as are the patients. As a result, our treatment planning and communication in the office is better and case acceptance has increased significantly.”

	New dentists and those who have been practicing for years alike can count on Patterson for a variety of services that make investing in equipment and technology easier.

 offers fast, flexible financing for all dental practice needs, big and small. The Patterson Advantage loyalty program is designed to make practice investments easier and more affordable by earning customers real dollars they can spend on equipment and technology.

	Even when it comes to major, once-in-a-career projects, Patterson has services that are there to help. Our unique 3D office design approach on every project, from operatory updates to complete new builds, helps dentists bring their vision to life. And an experienced, expert Practice Transitions team helps guide practices through ownership transitions of all kinds.

	Providing industry-leading support has long been a pillar of Patterson’s partnership with customers. From the very beginning, that means assisting dental teams with installation and implementation of equipment and technology. The extensive support infrastructure ensures that if something goes wrong, Patterson will be there to help-in person, over the phone or online.

	“Everyone at Patterson is very knowledgeable and it just makes my work life easier,” says August de Oliveira, DDS, of Encino, California. “As someone who is on the cutting edge of technology, I feel like I have someone who I can call if things don’t go as planned.”

	Patterson’s local branches are staffed with service technicians, ensuring that in-office technical support for equipment repair or preventive maintenance is always nearby. Plus, the state-of-the-art 

 (PTC) resolves more than 90 percent of support calls during the initial call, and fields email and chat support requests.

	Altogether, it adds up to an equipment and technology partner that provides more than any other distributor. Patterson offers the right equipment and technology, the right services, and a repair and support model to stand behind it all. That’s enough to make any dentist feel confident in his or her technology investment.

For more information about Patterson Dental, visit 

Patterson Dental explains how they can help dentists get the ideal equipment and tech for their practice.

An expert partner for equipment and tech

	Whether you are a new office searching for your first practice management software or an existing office considering a change, finding the right solution is important. This is a decision you will have to live with for a long time and it emanates into nearly every aspect of the dental office, from the front desk to the operatory.

	So, how do you ensure that you make the right choice?

	There are fundamental considerations to keep in mind when selecting the appropriate software to gear your office towards maximum success. The below considerations can help you guide you towards the best choice for your office.

Trending article: How Eaglesoft has helped one practice keep its focus where it should be: On patients

Functionality to meet current and future state

	Software should meet both an office’s current needs and their future goals. It’s important that dental offices not choose a solution with limited possibilities. Once implemented, switching software can be difficult and costly.

	When it comes to functionality, does this practice management solution allow for the most efficient ways to provide your patients with the care they need for years to come?

	· Are you planning on going completely paperless, including electronic charts?

	· What products does your software need to integrate today? What about in the future?

	· How will you bill medical insurance companies? Do you plan to automate this process? Will all billing be electronically processed?

	· Do you need to save existing paper files in your new electronic files?

	· Do you need to store daily, weekly and monthly reports in the system?
	Determine your needs and requirements in advance, and compare your preferences to the solutions offered by a new system. Assign values of importance to each preferred feature requirement on your list to make the most objective decision. Keep in mind that your practice needs will be constantly evolving, and you will want a system capable of growing with them.

Trending article: Patterson Dental's CEREC technology can streamline orthodontic treatment

	Place the most advanced software in the hands of an inexperienced staff member and you will have problems. For this reason, it’s important that you are able to provide your team with the training tools needed to bring them up to speed.

	You should also make sure that the resources your staff needs is available as long as you are using the software – not just when you initially onboard. Think about ongoing needs for continued education to improve software usage or what would happen when staff turnover occurs.

	Does your solution provider assist you every step of the way?

	Is there a variety of different training methods available? Reliable resources should there to help you any time you need them, through various channels – online resources, real-time chat, on the phone, and in person.

	If the product’s customer support team is unable to answer any of your preliminary questions, even the most seemingly perfect solution could be a bad investment. Confirm that the product comes from a company with an outstanding reputation in customer service and support.

	Deciding which software program your office should adopt is not a decision to be made lightly. Be confident that your software provider will be the long term partner that your practice needs for success. Determine the solution that you would be happiest to use for years to come and confirm the company you are purchasing it from will be there to help you make the most out of your commitment and investment. 

Whether you are a new office searching for your first practice management software or an existing office considering a change, finding the right solution is important.

The top things to consider when selecting new practice management software

	Flu season is upon us. That’s the bad news. And while you can’t control when patients walk through your door under the weather, there are some simple things you can do behind the scenes to protect your team and patients from infection.

	By following the recommended infection control guidelines in the six tips below, you can reduce the spread of infectious diseases and maintain a healthy environment.

	Face masks are the first line of defense against airborne pathogens for the mindful dental professional. Of course, even the most effective mask will allow some microorganisms to pass uninhibited, but you can certainly reduce your exposure by choosing a mask with a higher filtration level this time of year. Looking for maximum protection? Pick a mask with a secure fit and high ASTM rating.

	Most dental professionals wear some sort of protective eyewear, whether it’s prescription eyeglasses, safety glasses or even loupes. But not all of these products protect your eyes from sprays, splatters, aerosols or foreign particles. Standard eyewear typically protects you from the front; however, it doesn’t necessarily protect you from germs that enter your periphery. During flu season, try seeking out protective eyewear that provides full-face protection.

Trending article: New germ-killing paint helps stop infection in dental practices, hospitals

Use protective barriers whenever possible

	Are you doing everything possible to ensure that your clinical equipment and surfaces are clean and sterile? Make it a habit to properly cover, clean and disinfect areas used during an examination. To further limit contamination, environmental surface barriers should be utilized and swapped out in between cleanings.

	When selecting a barrier, the primary feature to look for is impermeability – most products feature labeling to make your choice easy. Plus, commercial surface covers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including anything from full-chair sleeves down to disposable covers for your computer keyboards and even your pens. Explore the options and decide which steps are most practical for you. 

: Be sure to wear special utility gloves when working with instruments in the sterilization center.

Follow rigorous daily sterilization routines

	Start by creating a list to identify areas that will need attention. This may include, but is not limited to: dental unit attachments, light handles, radiograph equipment, drawer handles, reusable containers of dental products, computers and bracket tables. These surfaces must be appropriately cleaned and disinfected after each patient visit. Also, did you know that you should use the same brand of cleaning supplies on one surface? Chemical ingredients in brand lines are made to work together, and the “mix and match” strategy can leave you exposed.

Trending article: The importance of battling antimicrobial resistance

Consider appointing – or hiring – an infection control coordinator

	Are you 100 percent confident that your practice’s protocols meet current infection control standards? If you hesitated even slightly, then you might want to consider hiring an infection control coordinator, a position that is now recommended by OSAP (Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention). This individual can provide training to your staff and review your infection control policies, as well as maintain related permits and licenses. Accountability helps ensure compliance with safety regulations, and that’s an especially good thing as the flu season rolls around.

	If hiring an infection control coordinator doesn’t fit in with your budget, consider purchasing an infection control workbook and empowering a staff member to lead your effort. It’s a cost-effective way to deal with infection control-related issues in the dental office.

	One final proactive step is to encourage your staff and patients to stay home if they’re sick or infected with the flu or any other ailment. To help your team stay healthy outside the dental office, advise them to wash their hands often, use mouthwash regularly and replace their toothbrush often, along with any additional suggestions you wish to pass along. Educating your patients on these healthy habits is not only beneficial for physical health, it’s good for mental health as well.

	When it comes to protecting your patients, staff and practice during flu season, taking the proper infection control precautions is essential. Along with these tips, Patterson offers an array of supplies to help you get started. You can browse products as well as pick up some additional pointers at pattersondental.com/dental/InfectionControl.

Flu season is upon us. That’s the bad news. And while you can’t control when patients walk through your door under the weather, there are some simple things you can do behind the scenes to protect your team and patients from infection. By following the recommended infection control guidelines in these six tips, you can reduce the spread of infectious diseases and maintain a healthy environment.

How to prepare your dental practice for flu season

	Patterson Companies, Inc. announced on Oct. 11 that Heartland Dental, the largest dental support organization (DSO) in the U.S., has selected Patterson Dental as its distribution partner effective January 1, 2017. Heartland Dental supports more than 1,100 dentists nationwide.

	“Patterson Dental has focused on growth by building a leadership position around the combination of superior sales, service, support and technology applications that we believe will be increasingly compelling to the full dental market,” said Scott Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Patterson Companies. “We are excited to partner with a leader such as Heartland Dental that shares our values and the desire to bring best-in-class products and solutions to the dentists and teams they support.”

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	“We are extremely excited about this strategic relationship with Patterson and the added value it will bring to the dentists and team members we support,” said Patrick Bauer, president and chief executive officer of Heartland Dental. “After a thorough process, we selected Patterson Dental because of their history of market-leading service, which dovetails with our experience in the evolving DSO space. Our partnership will benefit from Patterson’s expertise in logistics, technical service, ecommerce and technology, which enables our commitment to mutual growth.”
	 
	“Innovation is at the center of who we are as an organization and what sets us apart in the DSO space,” said Rick Workman, DMD executive chairman and founder of Heartland Dental. “This strategic relationship with Patterson will continue to accelerate that legacy. In addition to this being a critical element in enabling the dentists we support to bring excellent care to their patients, it’s also an incredible opportunity for the community of Effingham, Illinois and our respective teams based here.”

	Heartland Dental, LLC is the largest dental support organization in the United States with more than 750 supported dental offices located in 33 states. Based in Effingham, Illinois and founded by Rick Workman, DMD, Heartland Dental offers supported dentists and team members continuing professional education and leadership training, along with a variety of non-clinical administrative services including staffing, human relations, procurement, administration, financial, marketing, and information technology. For more information, visit 

. Follow Heartland Dental on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit Dr. Workman’s Blog, “Dentistry Leaders” at www.dentistryleaders.com.

 Inc. is a value-added distributor serving the dental and animal health markets.

	Dental Market - Patterson's Dental segment provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.
	 
	Animal Health Market - Patterson's Animal Health segment is a leading distributor of products, services and technologies to both the production and companion animal health markets in North America and the U.K.
	 

“Patterson Dental has focused on growth by building a leadership position around the combination of superior sales, service, support and technology applications that we believe will be increasingly compelling to the full dental market,” said Scott Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Patterson Companies. “We are excited to partner with a leader such as Heartland Dental that shares our values and the desire to bring best-in-class products and solutions to the dentists and teams they support.”

Heartland Dental selects Patterson Dental as distribution partner

	Running an efficient dental practice is a complex job. Staying on top of nine dental practices, though extremely rewarding, can sometimes seem like an overwhelming feat. Using dental practice management software that does not streamline the various daily aspects of your practices only adds further to that challenge.

 in Fort Worth, Texas, discovered just that. 

	“We were working with software that wasn’t doing everything we needed,” Dr. Guram says. “We work with a wide variety of patients – we do a lot of work with Medicaid patients, for instance – and the system didn’t support the information needed to file those claims.”

	Determined to simplify the numerous tasks that went into maintaining his offices, he began his search for a new practice management solution that would help him run his practices more efficiently and he discovered 

 sales representative knew that we were looking for new software, and we looked at a lot of options,” Dr. Guram says. “He told us one of Eaglesoft’s strengths is that it’s completely integrated. This creates a one-stop shop for all the information and provides great communication flow between the doctors, hygienists and the front desk. Even our recall system has been totally integrated in addition to going paperless.”

Related reading: How Eaglesoft eClaims make claims simple

	Dr. Guram began seamlessly converting his practices to the new paperless, advanced 

, and found Patterson’s support to be an invaluable asset during the process.

	“Patterson was great about helping to convert the data from the old system to Eaglesoft,” Dr. Guram says. “The entire database has been migrated, so we can always trace several years back on a patient and look at their history.”

	Hometown Dental’s office manager, Margaret Mata, said the transfer to Eaglesoft resulted in a vast variety of improvements.

	“Eaglesoft has definitely helped us tremendously time-wise,” says Mata. “It helps with timecards, monthly reports, reconciliation reporting, collections summary reporting and other reports as well. From a patient perspective, it’s been very valuable too. We can immediately see no-show patients, total patients and service history reports, all within Eaglesoft.”

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	Billing can be a complicated process for dental practices, and Eaglesoft helps to easily organize it. 

	“It’s a consistent, solid platform,” says Sarah Duran, billing manager for Hometown Dental. “Eaglesoft is much better at managing all aspects of our practice, and has been able to simplify technology for us. We noticed a big impact in our treatment planning process. Treatment plans can be done in the operatory by the doctor, and information on appointments to be scheduled is seamlessly passed to the front office all through the software. There’s no handwriting to decipher and less that we can miss or misunderstand. It’s saved us a lot of mistakes and a lot of time, and we’re still finding new features that we can use in Eaglesoft.”

	Dr. Guram says that eliminating mistakes can also eliminate tensions in the practice. Most importantly, practices can avoid billing mistakes, which can result in unpaid claims being sent back to them.

	Eaglesoft also helps the offices to maintain the most up-to-date and thorough patient records. Dr. Guram uses Eaglesoft’s 

 feature to ensure medical history, referrals and other patient information is complete and filed into the system, which helps the very busy front desk team immensely.

	“It’s definitely more efficient because there’s no finger-pointing going on,” Dr. Guram said. “It gives doctors more of a say-so in the collections, because they are able to put the information right in and pass notes directly onto the claim to the insurance companies.”

	Ultimately, Eaglesoft has helped Hometown Dental keep its focus where it should be: on patients.

Running an efficient dental practice is a complex job. Using dental practice management software that does not streamline the various daily aspects of your practices only adds further to that challenge.